COLUMBUS (December 15, 2006) - Governor Bob Taft today announced almost $168 million in Third Frontier awards for nine Ohio projects which received approval by the Third Frontier Commission.

"These projects have far reaching implications to improve the quality of life here in our state and they will reposition the Ohio economy for future growth and job creation," said Governor Taft. "This is exactly what we set out to accomplish when we created the Third Frontier Project and I want to thank Ohio voters for their support of our Jobs for Ohio bond issue last fall, which if fully funding the Third Frontier."

Much of the funding for today's awards is the result of voter approval of the "Jobs for Ohio Bond Initiative" in November 2005, which fully funded the 10-year, $1.6 billion Third Frontier Project. With today's announcements, the Third Frontier Project has invested a total of $632 million since it was launched in 2002. To date, Third Frontier investments have leveraged $945 million in private and federal investment in Ohio, attracted or created more than 200 companies and retained or created more than 2,600 jobs with an average salary of more than $63,000 per year.

Taft today announced the following winners:

Cleveland State University (Cuyahoga County) received $23,840,576 in Wright Centers of Innovation funds to establish the Sensor Systems Engineering Center (SSE). The center will develop smaller, faster and less expensive sensors for current market applications and integrate nanotechnology and microfabrication technology into sensor systems and devices.

The University of Dayton received $28 million in Wright Centers of Innovation funds for the establishment of the Institute for the Development and Commercialization of Advanced Sensor Technology (IDCAST). Sensor research and development falls into two targeted areas: biological and chemical sensory technology, including air and water quality monitors; and remote sensory technology, including infrared cameras and object detection.

The University of Toledo (Lucas County) received $18,635,238 in Wright Centers of Innovation funds to establish the Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization Center (PVIC). This grant follows a 2004 Wright Project grant for support of University of Toledo's existing solar power program. The project will focus on research into advanced materials to be used in constructing solar cell arrays, development of those solar cell arrays, prototyping and demonstrating various system components, development and installation of a complete system, and graduate level education and consumer awareness.

The Swagelok Company of Solon (Cuyahoga County) received $5.5 million in Engineering and Physical Science Research and Commercialization Program funds for processes to carburize steel at relatively low temperatures. Carburization, the infusion of carbon to a steel surface, increases the hardness of the surface by a factor of four and decreases fatigue. Applications include steel exposed to corrosive chemicals, jet aircraft components and bearings. Case Western Reserve University is collaborating on this project.

Graftech International of Parma (Cuyahoga County) received $7,945,465 in Engineering and Physical Science Research and Commercialization Program funds to synthesize nanocomposite technologies with graphite-based materials for improved thermal and electrical conductivity. The project will strengthen Ohio's presence in the lightweight, high performance electronic device market and make it more cost effective.

The University of Akron (Summit County), in partnership with the University of Dayton (Montgomery County) received $8 million in Engineering and Physical Science Research and Commercialization Program funds for targeting the market applications of polyimides. The project is an extension of the Center for Multifunctional Nanocomposites and Devices (CMPND), a 2005 Wright Center of Innovation. Polyimides (PIs) are high performance polymers with a wide range of properties that can be easily adapted to withstand extreme thermal, electrical, and mechanical environments.

Kent Displays, Inc. (Portage County) received $7,992,375 in Engineering and Physical Science Research and Commercialization Program funds for specialized flexible liquid crystal displays and liquid crystal eyewear. The grant will support the development of two roll-to-roll processing line of liquid crystal film, one for flexible displays such as credit cards, wrist watches, and ID tags, and a separate line for eyewear.

The Ohio State University (Franklin County) in partnership with the University of Dayton, received $8 million in Engineering and Physical Science Research and Commercialization Program funds for the development of next-generation nanomaterials and nanocomposites. The project is an extension of the Center for Multifunctional Nanocomposites and Devices (CMPND), a 2005 Wright Center of Innovation. The newly developed processes result in more durability and fire resistance and can be applied to jet engines, truck panels and other uses.

Cleveland Clinic Foundation (Cuyahoga County) received the first ever Wright Mega-Centers of Innovation award, totaling $60 million, to establish the Global Cardiovascular Innovation Center (GCIC). This project will support and expand work begun following a 2005 Wright Center of Innovation grant to the Atrial Fibrillation Innovation Center. The GCIC's focus will be atherothrombotic vascular disease and valvular heart disease, the two major causes of heart failure. The GCIC has identified three cardiovascular technology platforms, including novel devices, cellular and molecular therapies and new biomarkers.

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Please click here to see a full list of project collaborators and descriptions of the awarded Third Frontier programs

Media contacts: Mark Rickel, Governor's Press Secretary at (614) 644-0957 or
Merle Madrid, ODOD at (614) 466-4133.

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