Posted: January 17, 2008 |
Report highlights Ohio's nanotechnology strengths and growth |
(Nanowerk News) According to a report
published today by NorTech and the Nano-Network, Ohio exhibits significant
strengths in nanotechnology research, development, commercialization and
entrepreneurship; and Northeast Ohio, in particular, is a leader in
nanotech innovation. Through better cross-pollination of Ohio's regions and
sectors, the State has the potential to become an even greater national
player in nanotechnology.
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The report, entitled, "The Northeast Ohio Nanotechnology Report" is the
result of a strategic planning exercise conducted by the NanoBusiness
Alliance and funded by the Generation Foundation. The study examined the
nanotechnology landscape in Northeast Ohio and Ohio overall as compared to
peer regions (Central Ohio, greater Chicago, Detroit/Ann Arbor and
Pittsburgh) as well as other Midwest/neighboring states (Illinois, Indiana,
Michigan, Missouri, and Pennsylvania) in the areas of research funding and
publications, academic patents, the concentration of small to mid size
nanotechnology companies, the nanotech-related activity of large technology
corporations, venture capital investment, and workforce.
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From research to innovation to commercialization and entrepreneurship,
Ohio and Northeast Ohio have many of the right ingredients to be considered
nanotechnology leaders. In particular, the report shows that Ohio has rich
a concentration of growing, small/mid-size nanotech companies; an
impressive research publication record, complemented by large aggregate
nanoscience/nanotechnology research expenditures; a significant
concentration of active, public-market resourced companies hungry for new
technology; a nexus of world-class polymer materials companies and a strong
presence in the healthcare/biotechnology space, which are both areas of
nanotech strengths; a growing venture capital community with an appetite
for early stage investment; and an established and successful
nanotechnology focused organization, the Nano-Network, which has been a
catalyst for nanotech activity in Northeast Ohio and an attractor of
national attention.
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The report also cited specific challenges that Northeast Ohio and Ohio
are facing, including: the lack of a collective statewide nanotech strategy
which could better connect its regions and sectors; a relatively low rate
of translating nanotech research into commercializable technologies; and
the national venture capital community being largely unaware of the high
level of nanotech activity and entrepreneurship within the State.
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"We believe nanotechnology-enabled innovation and products will have a
major impact on the global economy in the future. Keeping that in mind, we
want to cultivate an ecosystem that fosters nanotechnology growth and
commercialization in Ohio to ensure that we advance innovation and remain
globally competitive," said Dorothy C. Baunach, President and CEO of
NorTech.
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The study also concluded that a priority of the Nano-Network, Northeast
Ohio and Ohio should be consideration of a statewide nanotechnology
initiative. In addition, the Nano-Network must continue to involve the
Northeast Ohio region in a nanotech focused dialogue to stimulate
collaborations and partnerships that engage top researchers in commercially
focused R&D, include a cross-section of industrial sectors (e.g. materials
and healthcare), and that bring together Ohio's large corporations with its
small to mid-size nanotech companies. Finally, the Nano-Network must work
to increase the visibility of Ohio's nanotechnology landscape, thereby
attracting more investment, talent and technologies to the Northeast Ohio
region and the State.
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"Ohio has all the assets to be a powerhouse in nanotechnology, and a
statewide initiative that will help to bring together Ohio's nanotech
assets and stimulate further collaboration and commercialization will
certainly benefit the State's institutions and companies. The Nano-Network
has done an excellent job in serving Northeast Ohio's nanotechnology
community, and it's my hope that we can soon have a similar industry-led
entity coordinating nano activities for the entire state," said Scott
Rickert, President and CEO, of Nanofilm.
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"We are very encouraged by the results of the report. It paints a
vibrant picture of Northeast Ohio's nanotechnology landscape and highlights
how the Nano-Network can improve our efforts to accelerate nanotechnology
research, development, commercialization and entrepreneurship in the region
and the State," said Alexis Abramson, Ph.D., Executive Director of the
Nano-Network, Senior Fellow at NorTech, and Assistant Professor in
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Case Western Reserve University.
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Copies of the Northeast Ohio Nanotechnology Report can be obtained from
http://www.nano-network.org or
http://www.nortech.org/resourcelibrary/resourcelibrary.aspx.
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About The Nano-Network:
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The Nano-Network was formed by scientists, entrepreneurs and financiers
to improve and expand nanotechnology research and commercialization
activities and capacities in Northeast Ohio, and throughout the nation. The
Nano-Network is one of the largest and best-known privately funded, "grass
roots" nanotechnology organizations in the U.S. The Nano-Network is
currently managed by NorTech (http://www.nortech.org), a regional economic
development organization focused on innovation, technology and
entrepreneurship in Northeast Ohio. NorTech's relationship with the
Nano-Network provides the group with structure, contacts and resources to
further promote nanotechnology in Ohio and the United States.
http://www.nano-network.org
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About NorTech:
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NorTech's technology and business leaders are strategic drivers of the
region's technology-based economic development agenda. The organization
works to align and leverage regional technology assets to build a globally
competitive technology economy in Northeast Ohio. NorTech promotes and
fosters technology, innovation, entrepreneurship throughout the region for
the benefit of all citizens. http://www.nortech.org
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