Ohio’s polymer and advanced materials industry to learn more about opportunities in the field at Case forum
University to co-sponsor “Functional Nanomaterials an Emerging Technology Forum” on Nov. 17
November 16, 2004 | For more information: Laura M. Massie (216)-368-4442
 Ohio has been a polymer powerhouse, but extremely low labor costs – coupled with significant improvements in manufacturing quality within developing countries, particularly in Asia – have caused the state to lose business at an alarming rate.
To help Ohio overcome the cost disadvantage and successfully compete, Case Western Reserve University is teaming up with polymer companies to stimulate the development of new manufacturing technologies.
“Functional Nanomaterials,” an Emerging Technology Forum sponsored by Case, the Ohio Polymer Strategy Council (OPSC) and PolymerOhio Inc. will focus on new applications and end-use opportunities for new nanomaterials and nanocomposites and feature presentations from some of the most brilliant polymer, nanotechnology and engineering researchers in the country and world. The forum will be held on Wednesday, November 17, at 9 a.m. in Nord Hall on the Case campus.
Ohio’s polymer industry makes combined shipments of $49 billion a year, employs more than 146,000 people and has payrolls totaling $3 billion annually. In addition, the state boasts two of the top 10 nationally recognized polymer and advanced materials programs at Case and the University of Akron. In recent years, substantial efforts and attention has focused on the fabrication, investigation and technological exploitation of functional nanomaterials. Polymer systems with features at the nanometer level represent a particularly important part of this broad class of materials. The field of nanocomposites and nanomaterials has become a fast-growing area of scientific research and is generating many exciting materials that are of technological relevance.
“This forum will bring together leaders from the Ohio Polymer/Advanced Materials industry and Case faculty who are innovators in the emerging field of functional nanomaterials,” said Robert F. Savinell, dean and George S. Dively Professor of Engineering at the Case School of Engineering who also serves as a member of OPSC. “The objective of this meeting is to explore mutually beneficial collaborations among researchers and business development and technology entrepreneurs. To assist the companies in Ohio in learning more about these emerging and exciting opportunities in advanced polymer and nanomaterials, this forum is an excellent networking opportunity for industry and our researchers.”
Demands for ever-increasing improvements in performance and productivity, environmental friendliness and energy sources and efficiency translate into real opportunities, Savinell says.
“Market needs and commercial opportunities for this technology exist in the areas of identification, sensing, switching, data processing, display and control, optical computing, integrated and embedded control devices in films and packaging, topographical surfaces that have light or energy savings, smart packaging and other applications,” he said. “They are diverse and abundant uses, and these opportunities have a global reach. Through the outstanding research of our faculty in nanomaterials and other advanced materials, there’s no reason why Ohio can’t capitalize on these plentiful opportunities.”
Thomas A. Waltermire, chairman and CEO of PolyOne Corp. in Avon Lake, Ohio, and chair of the Ohio Polymer Strategy Council, said that Ohio’s polymer industry must capitalize on its strengths in the polymer industry and accelerate the transformation of the industry to global leadership in technology-driven opportunities.
“Ohio is a polymer powerhouse. Only agriculture employs more people in this state,” Waltermire said. “We can’t afford to be complacent. The faster we get these types of new and exciting nanomaterials to market, the better off Ohio’s economy will be.”
Topics of the forum include:
- Nanomaterials for fuel cells
- Enabling tools for nanotechnology
- Nanomedicine platform for cancer-targeted imaging and therapeutics
- Self-healing polymer materials
About the Ohio Polymer Strategy Council
The Ohio Polymer Strategy Council is a united and dynamic group of senior industry, academic and government leaders working collectively as a driving force to strengthen Ohio’s polymer industry and its image and to accelerate the transformation of the industry to global leadership in technology-driven opportunities. This mission of the OPSC is to address the challenges to the industry’s global competitiveness.
About Case Western Reserve University
Case is among the nation's leading research institutions. Founded in 1826
and shaped by the unique merger of the Case Institute of Technology and Western
Reserve University, Case is distinguished by its strengths in education, research,
service, and experiential learning. Located in Cleveland, Case offers nationally
recognized programs in the Arts and Sciences, Dental Medicine, Engineering,
Law, Management, Medicine, Nursing, and Social Work. http://www.case.edu.
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