Fisher announces nearly $20 million for Wright Projects
COLUMBUS, OHIO (June 26, 2008) - Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher, Chair of the Ohio Third Frontier Commission, today announced that the Commission recommended $19.6 million in funding through the Ohio Third Frontier Wright Projects Program for seven Ohio proposals that hinge upon bringing research projects in areas including pathogen detection, rubber production and fuel cells to commercialization. The awards are contingent upon State Controlling Board approval.
"These projects demonstrate the teamwork between our educational institutions and private companies that is so critical to ensuring a solid foundation for our growing industries," said Lt. Governor Fisher, who also serves as Director of the Ohio Department of Development. "Strengthening the links among education, research, and economic development is not only our mission but our obligation in making sure we attract and retain jobs of the future."
The goal of the Ohio Third Frontier Wright Projects Program is to build strong research capabilities within the State's colleges and universities that support the commercialization needs of Ohio industry, and to provide capital for long-term capacity building in commercial, research, and education areas at Ohio colleges and universities and non-profit research institutions.
The Commission announced the following awards for the Fiscal Year 2008 Ohio Third Frontier Wright Projects Program:
Case Western Reserve University, located in Cleveland (Cuyahoga County) and in collaboration with 15 other companies and organizations, was recommended for $3 million in funding to create the new Case Center for Surface Engineering. The project will promote commercialization of a variety of industrial products through surface engineering enabled by state-of-the-art instruments for surface imaging and materials analysis. An emphasis will be on applications requiring corrosion resistance, wear and abrasion resistance, lubrication, and functionalization of surfaces. The facility will support numerous company projects including Lubrizol's development of new lubricants for aluminum engines.
Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy, located in Rootstown (Portage County) and in collaboration with Pathogen Systems, Inc. and Kent State University, was recommended for $3 million in funding for the Ohio-based research and commercialization of a real-time pathogen detection instrument. Pathogen Systems Inc. has developed a liquid crystal-based antibody system for detecting common pathogens in water samples in as little as 30 minutes. This new technology is designed to replace standard microbiological testing which requires incubation periods of up to 24 hours. The product is also being adapted for pathogen testing for the military and homeland security and for the food industry.
Rhodes State College, located in Lima (Allen County) and in collaboration with American Trim, The Edison Materials Technology Center, Ohio Energy and Advanced Materials Center—City of Lima, and Ohio Northern University was recommended for $3 million in funding for an Advanced Materials Deposition Center, which will be used to create engineered finishes for sheet metal goods in sizes sufficient for product proofing. The new digital dispensing technology will allow American Trim to produce a "faux stainless steel" finish on cold rolled steel sheet blanks for appliances and other product applications.
Stark State College of Technology, located in North Canton (Stark County) and in collaboration with Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell Systems (US), Inc., and Contained Energy, Inc. was recommended for $3 million in funding for the expansion of industry and education partnerships for fuel cell commercialization, specifically to permit commercial scale testing of critical Rolls-Royce subassemblies and development of new products for Contained Energy. This expansion represents the second phase of a multi-phase strategy for economic development in the area of fuel cell technology. In addition to company attraction, the funding will allow Stark State to expand its educational offerings and training related to fuel cells.
Youngstown State University, located in Youngstown (Mahoning County) and in collaboration with Fireline TCON, Inc., and the Ohio Supercomputer Center, was recommended for just more than $2.1 million in funding for a Center for Excellence in Advanced Materials Analyses. The project will focus on research, analyses, modeling and commercialization of products with increased resistance to thermal shock and lower thermal conductivity to improve liquid aluminum-resistant refractory materials for use during molten metal handling, melt treatment and casting. A specific use of the new facility will be by TCON, Inc. to develop new refractory materials for the processing of liquid aluminum. Additional applications include light-weight vehicle braking systems and conformal body armor to cover unprotected body areas of soldiers.
Edison Welding Institute, located in Columbus (Franklin County) and in collaboration with ADMA Products, Inc., U.S. Army Research Laboratory/Weapons Materials Research Directorate, The Boeing Company, GE Aviation, Nanodynamics, Inc., The Ohio State University, and Solidica, Inc., was recommended for just more than $2.5 million in funding for the development of a very high power ultrasonic additive manufacturing system for advanced materials and precision material removal that will be capable of producing near net shape, complex components and parts. Near-term targeted commercial markets are rapid prototyping/tooling needs, advanced military vehicle armor and thermal management systems.
The Ohio State University Research Foundation, located in Columbus (Franklin County) and in collaboration with the Ohio BioProducts Innovation Center, Delta Plant Technologies, University of Akron, Bridgestone Americas Center for Technology and Research, and Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, was recommended for $3 million in funding to develop a domestic source of natural rubber and a new industry for Ohio and the United States. The goal of the proposed project is to establish the processing capability to produce volume quantities of taraxacum koksaghyz (TKS, or "Russian dandelion") rubber for product validation and qualification by industrial users for a range of applications but with a primary focus on the tire industry.
The Ohio Third Frontier Wright Projects Program provides grants to support specifically defined near-term commercialization projects requiring major capital acquisitions and improvements at Ohio colleges and universities and non-profit research institutions. Projects must involve one or more Ohio companies and be in the areas of advanced materials, power and propulsion, information technology and instruments, controls and electronics.
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Media contacts: Kelly Schlissberg at (614) 466-4133 or Kimber Perfect at (614) 466-2609
