Research & Education
University Highlight
Over 375 leaders from around the state met in Columbus on April 20 & 21 to discuss Ohio’s economic future in energy and materials. This year, the University Clean Energy Alliance of Ohio (UCEAO) and the Center for Multifunctional Polymer Nanomaterials & Devices (CMPND) partnered to bring over 50 expert speakers in energy and materials to the combined fourth annual UCEAO conference and CMPND Ohio Innovation Summit.
The Ohio Department of Development’s Third Frontier Program was repeatedly touted as a way that businesses have engaged—and succeeded—in energy and materials in Ohio. “Connecting discovery, development and commercialization are critical components of innovation,” said Mickey McCabe, vice president of research at the University of Dayton, summing up a panel of Ohio Third Frontier success stories. Ohio Third Frontier funding has assisted 637 Ohio companies to date, companies like WebCore Technologies, Inc. in Miamisburg, Replex Plastics in Mount Vernon and Novolyte Technologies in Independence. The state program has helped companies stay in Ohio, grow in Ohio and beyond, and be competitive on a global scale with an international customer base.
Other speakers addressed the policy, business and educational aspects of Ohio’s energy and materials future. Public Utilities Commission of Ohio Commissioner Paul Centolella chaired a panel that explored the future of electric utilities in Ohio. Quoting U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu, Centolella extolled this “golden moment of energy innovation” that will grow new energy technologies to overcome our energy challenges. OIS keynote speaker Ryne Raffaelle, director of the National Center for Photovoltaics at the Golden, Colorado National Renewable Energy Lab also believes that Ohio has “a place to play” in our energy future. Ohio’s manufacturing strengths and state funding programs make Ohio an ideal state for the R&D, manufacture and installation advanced energy and materials technologies.
This year, the theme of partnerships in innovation was especially timely, as the Ohio Third Frontier Program was renewed by voters in the May 4 election and as the nation continues to roll out funding programs for energy efficiency, research and development initiatives.
Click Here to view this Agenda and PowerPoints
Stats:
Attendance: ~ 400 industry representatives, university faculty, business leaders, government officials, and energy advocates.
Exhibitors: 26
Collaborator Mixer Tables: 27
Hyatt Regency, Columbus, Ohio, 120-21 April 2010