An organization established by the Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering and Gateway University Research Park in Greensboro to build partnerships between academic researchers and industry has grown to 25 members in its first year, according to an update from the JSNN.
The Nanomanufacturing Innovation Consortium was formed in July 2013 with an initial group of members that included RF Micro Devices, Syngenta and VF Jeanswear among others. Members pay a fee to join the NIC and in return gain access to the JSNN’s cutting-edge equipment as well as access to ideas and expertise from the school’s scientists.
Other companies have joined since including International Textile Group’s Cone Denim and Burlington divisions, Callaway Carbons, Horiba and AxNano. The 25th member of the group and the most recent to join is Luna Innovations (NASDAQ: LUNA), a Roanoke company that makes fiber optic tools for the telecommunications, aerospace, automotive, energy and defense industries.
Cone Denim’s Tom Tantillo said his company is already seeing benefits from its first few months as part of the NIC.
“This is proving to be an invaluable resource to our organic growth as well as our market competitiveness,” he said. “Having access to the robust tool set and knowledge base at the JSNN gives us an unprecedented competitive edge in certifying that the technical metrics of a newly engineered product will meet consumer performance expectations.”
“The development of strong industry relationships is critical to the success of the Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering,” said James Ryan, founding dean of the school, which is a partnership of N.C. A&T State University and UNC-Greensboro. “JSNN continues to benefit from the leadership and vision of member companies, and we look forward to growing the NIC and continuing collaborations with our partners.”
Source: Triad Business Journal
