Press Room >> 2009 Press Releases FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE COLUMBUS – Governor Ted Strickland, Eric Fingerhut, Chancellor of the Ohio Board of Regents and recently appointed Chair of the Ohio Third Frontier Commission, and Lisa Patt-McDaniel, Interim Director of the Ohio Department of Development and Commission member, today announced that the Commission recommended nearly $24 million in funding through the Wright Projects Program in support of near-term commercialization projects requiring major capital acquisitions and improvements at Ohio colleges and universities and nonprofit research institutions. The awards are contingent upon State Controlling Board approval. “Ohio Third Frontier strengthens our state’s ability to exceed the demands of the new energy economy and continue to produce the cutting-edge applications that create the opportunity for sustainable and meaningful economic expansion,” Fingerhut said. “Ohio’s universities and research institutions have a long history of producing innovative and new technologies,” Patt-McDaniel said. “Today’s awards demonstrate a continued commitment to developing our advanced energy industry and improving the lives of Ohioans.” The Ohio Third Frontier Wright Projects Program builds strong research capabilities within Ohio’s colleges and universities in support of the commercialization needs of industry in Ohio, and provides capital for long-term capacity building in commercial, research, and education, areas at Ohio colleges and universities and nonprofit research institutions. Fiscal Year 2009 Ohio Third Frontier Wright Projects Program Awards The Ohio State University, located in the City of Columbus (Franklin County), in collaboration with Vanner, Inc., American Electric Power, STMicroelectronics, Inc., and Fil-Mor Express, Inc., was awarded $3 million in support of a project to improve the value proposition of hybrid-electric vehicle technology by developing improved power conversion systems. The project will accelerate the electric vehicle industry in Ohio by facilitating the commercialization and development of power conversion products that will enable the electrification of commercial vehicles and their operation as plug-in hybrids. Stark State College of Technology, located in North Canton (Stark County), in collaboration with Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell Systems (US), Inc., was awarded $2.8 million for the expansion of Stark State’s fuel cell test capabilities in support of Rolls-Royce’s one megawatt solid oxide fuel cell development program for stationary power generation. The Ohio Third Frontier investment is in support of the development of a fuel cell smart grid. The project will further strengthen fuel cell curriculum at Stark State and create employment opportunities for Stark State students. University of Dayton, located in the City of Dayton (Montgomery County), was awarded $3 million to establish the Center for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Exploitation. The project advances unmanned aerial vehicle technology by supporting the targeted development and commercialization of integrated communications, controls, power, and sensors for applications for multiple national security and response applications. The project is a collaboration among Wright-Patterson’s Air Force Research Lab, Defense Research Associates, L-3 Communications Nova Engineering, BAE Systems, STAN Solutions, UltraCell Corporation, i23D, and Co-Operative Engineering Services, Inc. The Ohio State University, located in the City of Columbus (Franklin County), in collaboration with Philips Medical Systems and Cardinal Health, was awarded $3 million to advance radionuclide-based imaging for healthcare and research. SPECT (single photon emission computed tomography) imaging increases patient access to advanced medical imaging. The technology is an important healthcare asset that assesses cardiovascular, oncologic. and other diseases in patients and is a key enabling technology for personalized healthcare. Case Western Reserve University, located in the City of Cleveland (Cuyahoga County), in collaboration with Parker Hannifin, Lubrizol Corporation, Rockwell Automation, Swiger Coil Systems, Cleveland Electric Laboratories, Phillips Group, and Wm. Sopko & Sons Company, was awarded $3 million to provide a platform for the development of wind power supply chain products. The project will establish a wind energy research center to integrate new wind turbine facilities at Case Western with research and development and industrial expertise for the commercialization of products and systems for the wind industry. The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, headquartered in Northeast Ohio (Cuyahoga County), in collaboration with Norman Noble, Inc., University of Toledo, Case Western Reserve University, and NASA Glenn Research Center, was awarded $3 million to develop and commercialize products made from nitinol, a nickel titanium alloy with extraordinary shape memory and super-elastic properties. The project supports smart materials for heart treatment, and will commercialize such medical devices as an adjustable tube for heart assist devices, adaptive pedicle screws for spine repair, a suture clip to replace time-consuming hand stitches, and an ankle foot orthosis to help drop-foot patients regain their ability to walk. The Ohio State University, located in the City of Columbus (Franklin County), was awarded $3 million for essential research and commercialization activities focusing on bio-based reinforcement materials in plastic composites. The project’s natural fiber-based fillers and reinforcements will provide for stronger, lighter, and less expensive products in the building and construction, industrial, and consumer markets. The project is a collaboration among the Ohio BioProducts Innovation Center Wright Center of Innovation, Natural Fiber Composites Corporation, Engineering Mechanics Corp. of Columbus, VinylTech, Michelman, International Paper, PolymerOhio, OMNOVA Solutions, Ohio Soybean Council, and the Ohio Corn Marketing Program of the Ohio Small Grains Marketing Program. The University of Cincinnati, located in the City of Cincinnati (Hamilton County), was awarded $3 million to develop and commercialize laser shock peening (LSP) technology for biomedical components in the shorter-term and a broader range of industries in the longer-term. The LSP surface treatment process leads to improvements in fatigue strength, life, and resistance to cracks in different materials. A key component to this project, titanium alloy rods are being treated with the LSP process for stronger, longer-lasting spinal implant devices. The project is a collaboration among X-Spine Systems, Inc., LSP Technologies, Inc., UES, Inc., and Cincinnati State Technical and Community College. 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 nonprofit research institutions. Projects must involve one or more Ohio companies and be in the areas of advanced materials; advanced/alternative energy; instruments, controls and electronics; biomedical; and advanced propulsion. ### Media contacts: Robert Grevey at (614) 466-6619
May 27, 2009
GOVERNOR, FINGERHUT, PATT- MCDANIEL ANNOUNCE $24 MILLION
IN OHIO THIRD FRONTIER WRIGHT PROJECTS PROGRAM FUNDING
Eight Teams to Support Ohio Research Leadership
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