Expanded Research Facility to Foster University-Industry Partnerships

Science and Technology Campus Corp (SciTech) has announced the planned expansion of west campus’ research and technology park with the addition of a 40,580-square-foot research and office complex adjacent to the ElectroScience Laboratory on Kinnear Rd.   The complex will be known as the Wireless Communication/Radio Frequency Research Building and is envisioned as a location where university researchers and private industry will come together to advance new technologies.   

The ElectroScience Lab has been advancing radar and microwave technologies since its founding in 1941.  The lab has helped advance the development of GPS, stealth aircraft technology, ground penetrating radar and cell phone antennas.  Because of this specialization, researchers often collaborate with, or are funded by private industry.  It is believed that the facility expansion will continue to further these public-private partnerships.

 
According to Joel Johnson, a professor of electrical and computer engineering at OSU, defense, communications and energy companies that take space in the building will find at least two distinct advantages:  access to world-class researchers and faculty and access to expensive and specialized facilities.  

The goal is for these partnerships to lead to the launch of local companies to commercialize university-grown technologies, create student internships and new jobs and increase research funding for the lab.  

The facility is scheduled for completion in late 2010 or early 2011.  It will be another addition to the university’s growing research and technology park which includes the TechColumbus technology business incubator, the Ohio Supercomputer Center, Metro High School and other SciTech buildings.

For complete details, see the story in Business First.