Six projects to commercialize research, create jobs, advance quality of life
CLEVELAND (December 15, 2006) – Governor Bob Taft today visited Cleveland State University to announce $113 million in Third Frontier awards for six Northeast Ohio projects that will advance research and commercialization in fields including sensors, nanocomposites, polymers and biomedicine. The Northeast Ohio awards were among nine projects located around the state to receive approval for a total of almost $168 million in funding today by the Third Frontier Commission.
“Today’s awards reflect the diversity and the strength of the economy here in Northeast Ohio, ranging from established industries like advanced manufacturing and biomedicine, to emerging technologies like liquid crystal displays,” Taft said. “These projects have far reaching implications to improve the quality of life here in our state and they will reposition the Ohio economy for future growth and job creation. This is exactly what we set out to accomplish when we created the Third Frontier Project”
Much of the funding for today’s awards is the result of voter approval of the “Jobs for Ohio Bond Initiative” in November 2005, which fully funded the 10-year, $1.6 billion Third Frontier Project. With today’s announcements, the Third Frontier Project has invested a total of $632 million since it was launched in 2002. To date, Third Frontier investments have leveraged $945 million in private and federal investment in Ohio, attracted or created more than 200 companies and retained or created more than 2,600 jobs with an average salary of more than $63,000 per year.
Taft announced the following Northeast Ohio winners:
Cleveland State University (Cuyahoga County) received $23,840,576 in Wright Centers of Innovation funds to establish the Sensor Systems Engineering Center (SSE). The center will develop smaller, faster and less expensive sensors for current market applications and integrate nanotechnology and microfabrication technology into sensor systems and devices.
Collaborators on this project are: ABB, Air Force Research Laboratory, Andeen-Hagerling, Applied Standard/Makel Engineering, ASM International, Breakthrough Technology Development, Comsense, Essential Research, FLX Micro, Glennan Microsystems, Innovative Scientific Solutions, JWH Inc., Keithly Instruments, Linear Dimensions, Mobile Awareness, MLPC Inc., NASA Glenn, the Ohio Aerospace Institute, Ohio MEMS, Orbital Research, Rockwell Automation, Systems Technology Research Institute, Timken Corporation, Western DataCom, ZIN Technologies, Case Western Reserve University, Kent State University, The Ohio State University, University of Akron, University of Cincinnati, University of Dayton and Wright State University.
The Swagelok Company of Solon (Cuyahoga County) received $5.5 million in Engineering and Physical Science Research and Commercialization Program funds for processes to carburize steel at relatively low temperatures. Carburization, the infusion of carbon to a steel surface, increases the hardness of the surface by a factor of four and decreases fatigue. Applications include steel exposed to corrosive chemicals, jet aircraft components and bearings. Case Western Reserve University is collaborating on this project.
Graftech International of Parma (Cuyahoga County) received $7,945,465 in Engineering and Physical Science Research and Commercialization Program funds to synthesize nanocomposite technologies with graphite-based materials for improved thermal and electrical conductivity. The project will strengthen Ohio’s presence in the lightweight, high performance electronic device market and make it more cost effective.
Collaborators on this project are: Air Force Research Laboratory, Applied Science, Inc., Case Western Reserve University, Maverick Corporation, National Composite Center, Ohio Aerospace Institute and University of Akron.
The University of Akron (Summit County), in partnership with the University of Dayton (Montgomery County) received $8 million in Engineering and Physical Science Research and Commercialization Program funds for targeting the market applications of polyimides. The project is an extension of the Center for Multifunctional Nanocomposites and Devices (CMPND), a 2005 Wright Center of Innovation. Polyimides (PIs) are high performance polymers with a wide range of properties that can be easily adapted to withstand extreme thermal, electrical, and mechanical environments.
Collaborators on this project are: Akron Polymer Systems, Centallus Microsystems, Graftech International, Kent Displays, Kent State University, Lockheed Martin and Maverick Corporation.
Kent Displays, Inc. (Portage County) received $7,992,375 in Engineering and Physical Science Research and Commercialization Program funds for specialized flexible liquid crystal displays and liquid crystal eyewear. The grant will support the development of two roll-to-roll processing line of liquid crystal film, one for flexible displays such as credit cards, wrist watches, and ID tags, and a separate line for eyewear.
Collaborators on this project are: Flexible Liquid Crystal Film Manufacturing Alliance, AlphaMicron, Akron Polymer Systems, Kent State University, University of Akron, and Sheldahl
Cleveland Clinic Foundation (Cuyahoga County) received the first ever Wright Mega-Centers of Innovation award, totaling $60 million, to establish the Global Cardiovascular Innovation Center (GCIC). This project will support and expand work begun following a 2005 Wright Center of Innovation grant to the Atrial Fibrillation Innovation Center. The GCIC’s focus will be atherothrombotic vascular disease and valvular heart disease, the two major causes of heart failure. The GCIC has identified three cardiovascular technology platforms, including novel devices, cellular and molecular therapies and new biomarkers.
Collaborators on this project are: Case Medical Center, The Ohio State University, University of Cincinnati, University of Toledo, Arteriocyte, Athersys, Cardiac Power, Cell Targeting, Frantz Medical, IntElect, P&G, PeriTec, PrognostiX, RegenRx, Volcano, Zin Technology, Medtronic, Pfizer, IBM, and GE Healthcare, Fairfax Renaissance Development Corporation, Team NEO, Omeris and BioEnterprise.
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A full list of today’s award recipients and descriptions of the Third Frontier programs under which awards were made are available at www.taftnews.com
Media contacts: Mark Rickel, Governor’s Press Secretary at (614) 644-0957 or Merle Madrid, ODOD at (614) 466-4133.