Develop new advanced materials technology in Ohio

Ohio is committed to capitalizing on its strength in polymer and advanced materials to create and attract 21st century businesses and jobs. From its early roots in Akron's tire production and the region's support for the auto industry to supply today's growth industries, Ohio has always been the heart of America's polymer industry.

The state's world-class transportation infrastructure, proximity to major markets and large-scale polymer and advanced materials industries offer key cost-reducing advantages for polymer companies and makes the state the preferred location for advanced material businesses. Generating $50 billion in annual economic activity and $1.3 billion in exports from plastics, rubber, resins, polymers, composites and other advanced materials, Ohio leads the nation in polymers and advanced materials production.

Ohio's world-leading polymer industry is one of the state's most expansive and important economic sectors. With more than 1,150 companies and a workforce greater than 80,000, the state has the largest concentration of polymer product producers, machines, materials and workers in North America. At least one industry establishment exists in 76 of Ohio's 88 counties.

Ohio also is home to the world's largest concentration of advanced materials and polymer research and development expertise. Eight Ohio universities have polymer research programs, offering a well-educated workforce and opportunities for research collaborations to create new products, applications and opportunities for growth. This workforce supply minimizes time associated with training, significantly increases productivity and reduces operating costs. In addition, millions of dollars of strategic investments by Ohio Third Frontier and more than 60 collaborating private industry partners are paving the way for commercialization of new technologies.

In addition to plastics, rubber and resins, Ohio's key polymer sectors include advanced composites, advanced energy, bioproducts, flexible devices, nanotechnology and polymer processing.

Find out more about Ohio's advanced materials industries from PolymerOhio, a connecting and networking group that is focused on enhancing the global competitiveness and growth of Ohio’s advanced materials industries.

Ohio company pioneers cutting-edge polymer technology

I had an opportunity to speak with Bahman Taheri, CEO of AlphaMicron. This is a cutting-edge company that is pioneering the application of polymer technology. AlphaMicron is utilizing liquid crystals for color changing garments and light sensitive eye wear. The work at AlphaMicron is just one example of why Ohio is a leading state in both polymer research and application.

According to FoxNews.com, the Office of Naval Research has begun testing blast-proof ballistic eyewear that instantly alters tints in response to changing light conditions -- going from shaded to clear in barely a quarter of a second -- using technology from AlphaMicron.

AlphaMicron is located in Kent, Ohio. From its early roots in tire production and support for the auto industry, Ohio has always been the heart of America's polymer industry. Today, polymers are the state's largest industry: Ohio leads the nation in the production of polymer products, machinery for the polymer industry, motor vehicle components, and more than 100 other industrial products.

Read my interview with Bahman Taheri and find out more about Ohio's advanced materials and polymer industry.

Ohio Leads Nation in Polymer and Advanced Materials Production

Product improvement and new product development are a critical part of all manufacturers’ growth opportunities. These elements are the way to stay ahead of global competition. But, the time required in the real world to model and test any product design change is significant. Assuming companies have the resources to devote the time and effort to R&D, it still takes months to prototype, test, refine and test again.

The polymer industry is a perfect example. Built around the interaction of complex molecular structures, understanding how they bond and then change over time is critical to the reliability of products. Because of the real world complexities of temperature, pressure and wear and tear, the only practical option for many polymer manufacturers is the time-consuming and costly approach of building and observing. Anything that can reduce time or expense can mean the difference between commercial success and failure in the polymer industry.

Ohio is committed to capitalizing on its strength in advanced materials to create and attract 21st century businesses and jobs. From its early roots in Akron’s tire production and the region’s support for the auto industry to supply today’s growth industries, Ohio has always been the heart of America’s polymer industry.

Valuable industry relationships are critical for the development and commercialization of new polymer technologies, says Dennis Barber, executive director of the Ohio Polymer Strategy Council, focused on providing strategy and resources for Ohio’s polymer industry.

Ohio’s world-class transportation infrastructure, proximity to major markets and large-scale polymer and advanced materials industries offer key cost-reducing advantages for polymer companies and makes the state the preferred location for advanced material businesses. Generating $50 billion in annual economic activity and $1.3 billion in exports from plastics, rubber, resins, polymers, composites and other advanced materials, Ohio leads the nation in polymers and advanced materials production.

Read more about Ohio's advanced materials and polymer industry.

Ohio Executive Develops Solution for Costly Highway Improvements

Highway deterioration is an expensive problem, costing United States taxpayers billions of dollars each year to repair the damage. The Federal Highway Administration recently estimated that it needs $375 billion to fund repair and improvement projects for highways across the country. One of the main causes for these repeated highway repairs is cracking asphalt resulting from low temperatures.

One way to reduce the amount of costly asphalt repair is to improve asphalt testing, which tells highway design engineers the type of asphalt they can use to best withstand specific temperatures. However, the current testing systems are inaccurate and therefore lead to using asphalt that does not perform well to its climate, cracking and deteriorating at a faster rate than if the tests provided accurate data.

Fortunately, one engineer in Ohio’s Enterprise Appalachia – Dr. Sang-Soo Kim – has developed an accurate and easy to use asphalt testing system, called the Asphalt Binder Cracking Device (ABCD). Dr. Kim’s ABCD measures asphalt binder strength and the exact point of low temperature cracking. With the resources provided by Enterprise Appalachia, Dr. Kim’s idea to solve this costly national problem is now a successful, patented product that is poised to become the national standard for asphalt testing.

Read Dr. Kim's full story.

Changing the market for rear-view mirrors with LCD technology

I recently read a great article by hiVelocity about how AlphaMirror is changing the market for rear-view mirrors with LCD technology. The work at AlphaMirror is just one example of why Ohio is a leading state in both polymer research and application.

AlphaMirror's dimming technology reflects the future

Usually, a glance in the rear-view mirror reveals what's in the past. But that's not at all the case for AlphaMirror. The Kent-based liquid crystal spin-off looks at its new, auto-dimming mirror technology, and sees the future.

AlphaMirror CEO and President Yehuda Borenstein says the company is focusing its work on changing the market for rear-view mirrors — one liquid crystal at a time.

Using technology developed at nearby Kent State University, the mirror will automatically adjust, depending how much light is available, using a liquid crystal display. Unlike a computer, there is only one pixel. And the panel is made of plastic, not glass.

"The tricks are in the details — how well you get the clear state and how well you get the dark state," Borenstein says, adding that auto-dimming mirrors have been around for a while."Our advantages are lower cost, a lighter weight and less power consumption."

AlphaMirror has teamed up with its parent company, AlphaMicron, and Michigan-based Magna Mirrors to develop Digital Mirror. The collaboration netted a $1 million grant from the Ohio Third Frontier initiative to develop and test the special dimming mirror. Borenstein expects the technology to reshape the entire industry.

"That's why we've had such success — people are very interested," he says.

AlphaMirror currently employs two people, but "soon we will grow to three or four" employees, says Borenstein. More employees will be added when the product goes to market within the next few years.

"We've teamed with Magna, the largest rear-view mirror manufacturer in the world," he says. "The potential is good, now the question is can we make it. I think we can. And I think we will."

Source: hiVelocity, September 9, 2010