Taft Announces Third Frontier Grants for Research Companies' Commercialization Efforts
COLUMBUS, OHIO (May 12, 2006) - Ohio Governor Bob Taft today announced that over $2 million in grants have been awarded to seven Ohio companies to assist in the commercialization of high-tech products through the Ohio Research Commercialization Grant Program (ORCGP), which is a part of the Third Frontier Project. The Third Frontier Commission approved the grant awards.
"Since the first flight of the Wright Brothers, Ohio has a proud history of research leading to breakthrough discoveries and products," said Governor Taft. "Through the Third Frontier Project, Ohio continues to encourage innovation by helping companies to take their research, create new products and advance new business ventures that create new jobs for Ohioans."
Created in 2004, the ORCGP works to improve the commercial viability of research and development projects in Ohio. This assistance increases the ability of small technology companies to assess and realize the commercial potential of research projects and to promote the competitiveness of these companies through the augmentation of federal research and development funding. To date, more than $6 million in ORCGP funds have been awarded to projects across the state.
"'Ohio Means Business' when we say that research that leads to commercialization is paramount to the Third Frontier Project," said Lt. Governor Bruce Johnson, who also serves as state development director. "Grants that support small businesses in that pursuit are a demonstration of our commitment to projects that will create jobs and personal wealth in Ohio." As development director, Johnson also serves as chair of the Third Frontier Commission.
The 2006 ORCGP award recipients include:
Cleveland Medical Devices, Inc., located in Cleveland (Cuyahoga County) was awarded $248,193 for its quantitative movement disorder assessment system, ParkinSenseTM. ParkinSenseTM is a small, lightweight monitor worn by a patient with Parkinson's disease. It is used to quantify and record the involuntary movements that are associated with the disease and enables the physician to optimize the timing and dose of medication. The device measures both three-dimensional motion and electrical muscle activity.
AlphaMicron, Inc., located in Kent (Portage County) was awarded $350,000 for commercialization of its Digital MirrorTM. Digital MirrorTM is an automatically dimming rear view mirror based upon liquid crystal technology. The product is targeted at the automotive and motorcycle accessory after markets.
Kent Displays, Inc., located in Kent (Portage County) was awarded $350,000 for web manufacturing of flexible LCDs. The company will produce thin flexible electronic displays for handheld and other portable electronic devices. These displays are based upon cholesteric liquid crystal display technologies and will employ plastic substrates on a continuous process machine (roll-to-roll). They do not require power to maintain an image, thereby extending battery lifetime several fold.
Syscom Technology, Inc., located in Columbus (Franklin County) was awarded $349,600 for commercialization of its metal-clad polymer conductor, AmberStrandTM that is intended to replace much heavier copper wiring in satellite systems.
Powdermet, Inc., located in Euclid (Cuyahoga County) was awarded $350,000 for commercialization of its lightweight syntactic foam, SynFoamTM. SynFoamTM is metal foam containing 30-70 percent high strength, ceramic microballoons. These materials have low mass, good thermal insulation and possess excellent high strength properties. Target markets for SynFoamTM include refractories for the glass, ceramics, and metal casting industries; lightweight, high temperature structures for aerospace applications; bone replacement and prosthetics applications; and impact-resistant structures including armor.
Wright Material Research Co., located in Beavercreek (Greene County) was awarded $350,000 for commercialization of lightweight foamed composites for ballistic protection. These new classes of lightweight advanced composite material have superior ballistic impact, flame, and moisture resistant properties. The materials are shapeable and will be used for vehicle armor and personnel protection.
Technology Management, Inc., located in Cleveland (Cuyahoga County) was awarded $349,323 for commercialization of their Solid Oxide Fuel Cell System. The company plans to commercialize an auxiliary power unit (APU) for managing the hotel functions of Class 8 trucks based upon a solid oxide fuel cell. This device will eliminate the need for overnight idling of the truck engine. It offers competitive advantages with its compact design, sulfur tolerance, multi-fuel capability, and ease of end-user maintenance.
