“This is exciting stuff we have here!” That was the assessment of Ohio Governor John R. Kasich following his tour and discussion about the innovative partnerships The University of Akron has established with area companies to commercialize technology, grow their businesses and create jobs.
Dr. Mukerrem (Miko) Cakmak, the Harold A. Morton Chair and distinguished professor of polymer engineering (center), makes a point to Ohio Gov. John Kasich (left) and President Luis M. Proenza (right) during a tour of the University's National Polymer Innovation Center.
The engaged and energetic conversation was held recently at the University's National Polymer Innovation Center and featured representatives from twelve area companies that have benefited from their joint efforts with the University.
University President Dr. Luis M. Proenza set the stage for the meeting by characterizing the University's efforts as “creating a robust platform for economic development” and the business partners echoed that theme in their comments.
Mathew Isenberg, a Ph.D. student in chemical engineering (left), shows equipment to Governor Kasich and President Proenza.
Ward J. “Tim” Timken, Jr., chairman of The Timken Company, reviewed the pioneering open collaboration model that his company and the University have developed to help accelerate the company's technology development.
Tom Stimson, the company's vice president in charge of business process advancement, said, “The folks at the University of Akron understand the value creation proposition. They're the most flexible of any university.”
During his tour, Governor Kasich heard details concerning the progress that FirstEnergy Corporation and the University are making in commercializing coal fuel cell technology. Economically, FirstEnergy's Advanced Energy Research Center has already created 27 new jobs and ten more are expected in the next two years.
UA graduates are well prepared
Dr. Roger Day, the director of technology for The Lubrizol Company, spotlighted the success they have had in working with students, whom they find to be well-prepared to help the company become more competitive in a world marketplace. He specifically noted the benefit of the University's leadership in polymers.
Jane Krivos, program manager-sustainability, at RPM International, said that “the University has been a real catalyst for us,” providing particular support for three initiatives, including one related to corrosion prevention.
Ward J. “Tim” Timken Jr., chairman of The Timken Co. (right), describes to Ohio Gov. John Kasich (left) the collaboration between his company and UA. With them is President Luis Proenza.
PolyOne Corporation's Chief Innovation Officer Dr. Cecil Chappelow said that the way out of problems is to innovate “…and we are able to do things with The University of Akron that we couldn't do on our own.” Other well-established companies participating in the meeting included:
- Lockheed Martin,
- NASA Glenn Research Center,
- OMNOVA Solutions, Inc., and
- Parker Hannifin Corporation.
In addition, several smaller companies joined in the discussion, emphasizing the value they receive by partnering with The University of Akron in the early phase of their businesses. Herbert Crowther, president of MegaJoule Storage, Inc., a bulk energy storage developer, praised the University's ability to provide access to “world class assets at prices we can afford.” Two other companies involved in the meeting – Akron Polymer Systems, Inc. and Segmint – are start-ups that have resulted from University-developed technologies.