Nano-Network Expands to All-Ohio Role

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Although the Nano-Network has been in existence since 2003, a major transition to a much greater role in Ohio has just taken place.

NorTech, the champion for high-tech industry growth in Northeast Ohio, has transitioned the operations of the Nano-Network to PolymerOhio, based in Columbus.

With this move, the Nano-Network will shift to an all-Ohio provider that will educate the public about nanotechnology and related issues; communicate Ohio’s role in the nanotechnology industry at local, state, and national levels; sponsor and support activities to expand nanotechnology commercialization across the State and abroad; and advocate for resources and funding to continue nanotechnology business and research in Ohio.

The decision to transfer Nano-Network operations is a result of NorTech’s strategic planning process that was completed in mid-2008. Last fall, NorTech decided to focus on assisting the growth of the advanced energy and flexible polymers industries; previously, it had promoted five technology industries. While nanotechnology will continue to be integral to NorTech’s focus on industry building and technology commercialization, PolymerOhio is better positioned to now manage the organization and carry the nanotechnology message statewide in Ohio. In actuality, PolymerOhio was a natural place for Nano-Network to transition because PolymerOhio can pick up right where NorTech left off and help the program continue to grow and serve even more Ohio nanotechnology efforts.

“I appreciate NorTech’s leadership and efforts over the past four years to make Nano-Network one of the best-known privately funded, ‘grass roots’ nanotechnology organizations in the U.S. I look forward to building upon the group’s success by mobilizing the resources and connections of Ohio’s advanced materials industry to encourage adoption of nanotechnology throughout the state of Ohio,” said Wayne Earley, President and CEO of PolymerOhio.

Ken Vaughan, Vice President of Programs for PolymerOhio, has been appointed as successor to Dr. Alexis Abramson and will serve as the new Executive Director of the Nano-Network, under PolymerOhio’s management. “The Nano-Network fits well with PolymerOhio,” says Vaughan. “There are lots of nanotechnology applications in polymers, but also in materials and products used in medicine, engineering, and many other advanced technology arenas.”

Moving forward, Vaughan says that the Nano-Network “will focus on all of nanotechnology and its constituent applications.” A kick-off event is planned to raise statewide awareness that the Nano-Network has expanded its efforts and expects to play a major role in statewide support of the nanotechnology industry. “We plan to work with the Center for Multifunctional Nanomaterials and Devices (CMPND) to develop technology as we, at the Nano-Network, advocate for the industry, participate in the political process, and expand to serve the entire State,” says Vaughan.

“PolymerOhio has developed a business model that has been effective in assisting polymer companies to commercialize new technologies in Ohio. Under the PolymerOhio umbrella, we will bring those same resources to Nano-Network to assist companies as nanotechnology moves into more and more commercial applications.”
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The Nano-Network was formed in 2003 by scientists, entrepreneurs and financiers to improve and expand nanotechnology research and commercialization activities and capacities in Northeast Ohio, and throughout the nation. Since 2005, the Nano-Network has been managed by NorTech, a regional economic development organization that champions high tech growth in Northeast Ohio. NorTech’s relationship with the Nano-Network has provided the group with structure, contacts and resources to further promote nanotechnology in Ohio and the United States.

PolymerOhio, Inc. is a polymer industry-specific Ohio Edison Technology Center, which is funded by the Ohio Department of Development.  PolymerOhio focuses on enhancing the global competitiveness of the polymer industry, including companies from the plastics, rubber, bioproducts, and advanced materials segments. For more information, polymerohio.org

The Center for Multifunctional Polymeric Nanomaterials and Devices (CMPND) is a research and commercialization partnership in polymer nanotechnology. This multi-institutional, interdisciplinary organization, centered at The Ohio State University, partners with the University of Dayton, the University of Akron, the University of Toledo, Kent State University, and Wright State University. For more information, cmpnd.org

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