2008 Woodie Awards
Grant of $18.6 million awarded
UT beats OU in race for big money to start energy research
Nick Turner
Issue date: 7/9/07 Section: News
The University of Toledo beat The Ohio State University in one of its strong areas. No it was not football, but rather research and development. The University of Toledo and The Ohio State University were both involved in a grant proposal consortium, and the University of Toledo came out as the lead institution on an $18.6 million grant.
The Wright Center for Innovation Award through the state of Ohio's Third Frontier Project will provide funding to establish a new center, the Center for Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization (PVIC).
Photovoltaics is the process that energy from photons in sunlight is converted into electrons to generate electricity, according to Alvin Compaan, chairman of the astronomy and physics department.
"It's quite rare for UT to beat out Ohio State on a grant," Compaan said. "This is the first time that UT has been the lead institution when in a consortium with Ohio State."
The Third Frontier Project was started by former Ohio Governor Bob Taft and is administered through the Ohio Department of Development. It is aimed at supporting development of new companies and products, enhancing Ohio's research activities and creating high-tech jobs in Ohio.
The consortium includes 20 collaborating institutions. Bowling Green State University is a third university along with UT and OSU. There also are 13 for-profit businesses, including eight from the Toledo area, and four nonprofit organizations.
According to Compaan, UT became the lead institution because it was able to bring the most businesses on board.
The process of bringing the businesses on board did not spring up overnight; it was because of ongoing discussions and collaboration with these businesses, Compaan said.
It is important to bring the businesses on board because the focus of this grant is commercialization, according to Megan Reichert, director of the Clean and Renewable Energy Incubator.
"The state of Ohio wants research that has a strong possibility of creating jobs in the future," she said.
The Wright Center for Innovation Award through the state of Ohio's Third Frontier Project will provide funding to establish a new center, the Center for Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization (PVIC).
Photovoltaics is the process that energy from photons in sunlight is converted into electrons to generate electricity, according to Alvin Compaan, chairman of the astronomy and physics department.
"It's quite rare for UT to beat out Ohio State on a grant," Compaan said. "This is the first time that UT has been the lead institution when in a consortium with Ohio State."
The Third Frontier Project was started by former Ohio Governor Bob Taft and is administered through the Ohio Department of Development. It is aimed at supporting development of new companies and products, enhancing Ohio's research activities and creating high-tech jobs in Ohio.
The consortium includes 20 collaborating institutions. Bowling Green State University is a third university along with UT and OSU. There also are 13 for-profit businesses, including eight from the Toledo area, and four nonprofit organizations.
According to Compaan, UT became the lead institution because it was able to bring the most businesses on board.
The process of bringing the businesses on board did not spring up overnight; it was because of ongoing discussions and collaboration with these businesses, Compaan said.
It is important to bring the businesses on board because the focus of this grant is commercialization, according to Megan Reichert, director of the Clean and Renewable Energy Incubator.
"The state of Ohio wants research that has a strong possibility of creating jobs in the future," she said.
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