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The University of Akron received $1.67 million in Ohio Third Frontier funds from the Wright Center for Sensor Systems Engineering at Cleveland State University. The funding will help support UA research in sensor technologies for clean energy solutions. Specifically, University faculty members and students will work closely with industry on product development and introduction to the market.
Led by Dr. Jose Alexis De Abreu-Garcia, professor and chair of the UA Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, this project involves some of his colleagues as well as faculty members from the Mechanical Engineering department. UA will partner with multiple local companies to design, test, validate and qualify sensors and control algorithms for applications such as electric-drive based switched reluctance machines, jet aircraft engines, oil/gas exploration applications and photovoltaic distributed power conditioners.
“Some of these products will be ready to enter the marketplace within two years,” says Dr. George Newkome, UA vice president for research and dean of the Graduate School, noting that the entire research program is expected to take one to three years to complete. “Most of the research will be in the alternative and clean energy sectors, both of which have attracted the attention of government, researchers and the public in general. We are in the process of re-scoping our projects and level of engagement with the companies based on the funding made available to us.”
One step closer to 'one-stop shop'
In addition to the $1.67 million provided directly to the University, the UA College of Engineering received funding support from the Austen BioInnovation Institute in Akron (ABIA) and Lorain County Community College (LCCC) to, respectively, work on biomedical devices and sensors for aerospace applications.
“We are quite pleased with this funding, as it will take us one step closer to our goal of setting up a one-stop shop for sensor conceptualization, fabrication and testing,” says De Abreu-Garcia.
Dr. Ajay Mahajan, associate dean for research for the UA College of Engineering, adds that the funding has placed the University several steps closer to developing a state-of-the-art facility in sensor research that will be dedicated to help companies move their products to market and help create jobs in Ohio.
“This is truly a multidisciplinary effort that further engages the College of Engineering with local industry, ABIA, LCCC and the State in new and innovative ways,” Mahajan says.
Media contact: Denise Henry, 330-972-6477 or henryd@uakron.edu.