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news release:
Wright Project Funds to help commercialize
Ohio R&D projects Columbus, OH,
Mar. 30: Governor Bob Taft today announced that more than $7.4 million in Third
Frontier Project grants for the Wright Project Funds have been awarded to four
universities and one non-profit research agency for capital equipment used in
the research, development and commercialization of new projects.
“The ability of companies to commercialize new products and create new jobs is
critical to the future success of Ohio’s economy,” Taft said. “These funds are
helping Ohio innovators turn great ideas into marketable products.”
Created in 2003, the Wright Project program supports product commercialization
through grants for capital equipment that will be used for entrepreneurial and
commercial purposes. The grants support collaborations between Ohio colleges,
universities, non-profit research institutions and Ohio companies to help
further the near-term commercialization of products with significant, defined
market opportunities in the areas of information technology; power and
propulsion; advanced materials; and instruments, controls and electronics.
The Third Frontier Commission awarded the grants through a competitive RFP
evaluation process in which proposals from 17 different entities were reviewed
and scored by Taratec Corporation, an independent evaluating corporation. To
qualify, companies receiving awards must have their principal place of business
in Ohio. The Ohio Department of Development (ODOD) administers the grants.
“Today’s award recipients are developing technologies and products that are
making them industry leaders,” said Lt. Governor Bruce Johnson, who also serves
as State Development Director and Chair of the Third Frontier Commission.
“Through initiatives like the Third Frontier, we are reclaiming Ohio’s culture
of innovation.”
2006 Wright Project grant awardees include:
The Ohio State University (OSU), located in Columbus (Franklin County),
has been awarded $1,152,400 for its “Superconductivity Technology Center”
project that will promote the commercialization of magnesium diboride (MgB2).
MgB2 is a superconductive material that can be used to develop more advanced
superconducting wire for the wire coils of medical imaging equipment. The
challenge of using MgB2 in this new application will be to produce long lengths
of wire with no defects and creating a method of making persistent joints in the
wire. MgB2 wire will also be beneficial for other applications in the power
industry, such as fault current limiters, transformers, motors and generators.
The grant will equip the Center with the equipment needed to address the
challenges of using MgB2 and to further develop superconducting wire. OSU’s
commercialization partner on the project is Hyper Tech Research (HTR) of
Columbus. HTR projects MgB2 wire sales for MRI machines to have revenues of $7.5
million in 2009 and $32.6 million in 2011. Total company employment is expected
to be 40 in 2009 and 80 in 2011.
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