The Center for Multifunctional Polymer Nanomaterials and Devices (CMPND) is a recently formed research and commercialization partnership in polymer nanotechnology. This multi-institutional, interdisciplinary organization is centered at The Ohio State University in conjunction with the University of Akron and University of Dayton plus three other university partners, Kent State University, University of Toledo 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.

Here's a snapshot of how CMPND is quietly making a huge impact on Ohio's strong presence in the nanomaterials industry. Managed from its offices and laboratory space at the Nanotech West facility in Science Village, adjacent to The Ohio State University campus, CMPND is a Wright Center funded in May 2005 with a $22.5M grant plus a combination of grants from Ohio Department of Development (ODOD) Third Frontier Program (TFP), with recent support from Research Commercialization Program (RCP) grants of $8M for polyimides, and $8M for composites for manufacturing and job stimulus efforts. These RCP grants were 2 of the 5 RCP awards funded in 2006 out of 45 competing proposals.

Through its largest TFP grant, CMPND has supported 13 patents issued and 10 pending, created 70 new jobs with an average salary of $59,500 and retained 47 jobs in Ohio advanced materials/polymers TFP Technology Sector, created two new companies, and supported the relocation of one company to Ohio. Another impact for Ohio is the accomplishment of CMPND collaborators, who together have attracted over $40 million of new funding to the state.

With the University of Akron as the lead institution, the cumulative results in Ohio of CMPND's polyimide RCP after only one year include creating 39 jobs in research and development (R&D) with average salaries of $75,000, new sales of over $5 million, the issue of 16 patents and the filing of 4 new patents, over $8 million of new funding leverage, and creation of 3 new companies. Further, orders have already been received for a new class of polyimides used for optical films in electronic applications and several other chemistries are in qualification. The required cost-match and investments are also on or ahead of schedule and the projected economic outcomes are on target. The return on this RCP investment after one year continues on an impressive growth curve.

In the RCP composites program, CMPND has many other successes to report. This program in the first year has supported the issue of 11 patents, filed an additional 6 patents, helped create over 60 new jobs with average salary of $62,000 and retained 17 jobs -- almost equally divided between production/manufacturing jobs and R&D positions. Some other specific economic impact items and benefits to Ohio already accomplished include new sales of over $20 million and leverage gained from new funding sources that exceeds $20 million.

CMPND also participates in Track 1 of the Ohio Research Scholars Program, designed to build an unprecedented academic collaboration in the State of Ohio among The Ohio State University, the University of Akron, and the University of Dayton to leverage their numerous world-class strengths in materials to benefit new, existing, and planned technology innovation and the academic pursuit of advanced materials technologies. The resulting relationship is functioning to transform revolutionary materials into innovative applications that result in new jobs, retain existing jobs, and add capital investment to Ohio's technology future. This Scholars program is focused on growing the materials research cluster and advancing Ohio’s national ration to an even higher level of national preeminence.

Another example of what CMPND is doing for Ohio is the nano-reinforced polymer foams for insulation and structure markets project. The effort here is to develop and scale up a new generation of light-weight, high-strength, insulation-efficient and fire-resistant polymeric foams using innovative nanomaterials and supercritical fluids technology. With a global market for polymeric foams estimated at $13B, the business potential is huge. Several major companies and start-up companies in Ohio are collaborating with CMPND and The Ohio State University to enable products that have zero-ozone depleting and global warming blowing agents, use 100 percent recycled polymers, increase insulation values, and decrease weight and manufacturing costs. Funding for this effort includes $4.8M in RCP funds and an equal amount of cash and in-kind matching funds – a typical funding structure under many of the ODOD grant opportunities. One of the companies involved in this effort was attracted to move its headquarters to Ohio in order to participate more fully and benefit from ODOD funding. CMPND is proud to help companies develop funding requests to ODOD agencies and assist with the entire process of relocating some or all of a company's operations to Ohio.

Links

CMPND

Ohio Department of Development

National Science Foundation

Third Frontier Project

Research Commercialization Program (RCP)