The Ohio State University (OSU) and the University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI) have proven to be excellent performers over the last 5 to 6 years in several Ohio Third Frontier grants, including:

Collectively, just these four Third Frontier investments have created over 450 new jobs with average salaries above $57,000, plus over $220 million in new product sales. Further, these four collaborations have attracted over $200 M in Federal and industry funds to the state and attracted or started 10 new companies. In addition, through collaboration with IDCAST, one Dayton company has grown its federal government portion of sensor revenue from $3 M a year to over $50 M a year in four years. Such success has generated so much media excitement that now the WCIs (CMPND and IDCAST) and the Third Frontier Research Commercialization Program (RCP) are considered models for University-Industry-Federal Lab collaborations. For Ohio, such statistics reflect major accomplishments for the universities and for the State!

 

In the fourth quarter of 2009, Cleveland-based Parker Hannifin visited OSU and expressed interest in having more in-depth, technical discussions on five or six topics, including high-performance and more abrasive-resistant coatings. Through fast action by Dr. Sharell Mikesell (OSU – Industry Liaison Office) and by Dr. Alex Morgan at UDRI, the required confidential disclosure agreement (CDA) was put place in less than 48 hours. This allowed for a full, in-depth discussion among OSU and URDI participants with the Parker Hannifin researchers.

 

The OSU-URDI-Parker Hannifin meeting had several success points:

Parker Hannifin's view of the meeting is summarized by Dawn Zhu, Sr. Project Engineer: ”What impressed us the most are the large network and joint effort OSU is able to provide. We were directed quickly to the right resources based on our particular interest, not only among OSU itself, but also among several major collaborating universities and institutes throughout Ohio. OSU functioned as a central hub of a comprehensive information network. To us, this is a huge time-saver.”

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The main campus of The Ohio State University is America’s largest and most comprehensive, with more than 53,000 students, 17 colleges and 240 masters’, doctoral and professional degree programs and an annual operating budget of more than $4 billion. Ohio State’s depth and excellence is complemented by a top-five academic medical center and a premier cancer center. The Ohio State University consistently ranks among the nation’s top research institutions, with $703 million in spending in 2008 for areas that are critical to Ohio’s ability to compete locally, nationally, and internationally. OSU ranks second nationally in the amount of industry-sponsored research it conducts.  

The University of Dayton Research Institute is the research arm of the University of Dayton, located in Dayton, Ohio. UDRI is a national leader in scientific and engineering research, serving government, industry, and not-for-profit customers. Its full-time professional staff of engineers and scientists conduct research and provide support in a wide variety of technical areas. URDI works with its customers on many levels, ranging from short-term projects completed on an as-needed basis, through contractual partnering or teaming relationships, to working side-by-side with our customers in multi-million dollar long-term contracts.

Led by the University of Dayton, IDCAST, the Institute for the Development and Commercialization of Advanced Sensor Technology is a world-class center of excellence in remote sensing and CBRNE sensing technology. Established by a $28 million State of Ohio Third Frontier Grant, IDCAST brings remote sensor and CBRNE sensor technology to market. Through innovative collaborations of Academia, the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), and Industry, IDCAST conducts game-changing sensor research. 

The Ohio Third Frontier was initiated in February 2002. This project is the state's largest-ever commitment to expanding Ohio's high-tech research capabilities and promoting innovation and company formation that will create high-paying jobs for generations to come. The 10-year, $1.6 billion initiative is designed to: Build world-class research capacity; support early stage capital formation and the development of new products; and finance advanced manufacturing technologies to help existing industries become more productive. Through the Ohio Third Frontier Project, additional Federal and private sector support can boost the total investment to more than $6 billion.

The Center for Multifunctional Polymer Nanomaterials and Devices (CMPND) leads a research and commercialization partnership in polymer nanotechnology. This multi-institutional, interdisciplinary organization is centered at The Ohio State University in conjunction with research university partners, University of Akron, University of Dayton, University of Toledo, Kent State University, and Wright State University. CMPND puts Ohio at the forefront of nanotechnology research and commercialization opportunities. Other partners include three additional Ohio universities, and more than 60 large and small companies in Ohio. CMPND helps target markets that build on the research strengths of the participating universities and national labs, and develops manufacturing protocols and nanostructures for near-term industrial polymeric nanocomposites, emerging polymer photonic components and devices, and more futuristic biomedical devices and systems with nanoscale functions.