GATE is a collaboration of NASA Glenn Research Center, Ohio Aerospace Institute (OAI), and Battelle's Great Lakes Industrial Technology Center (GLITeC). GATE is an initiative born out of the recommendation by Northeast Ohio leaders that NASA Glenn forge additional partnerships with industry to contribute to national research excellence and commercial application.

"GATE is fostering a number of technology transfer initiatives between NASA Glenn and Ohio companies consistent with Dr. Julian Earl's vision for collaboration with the community," OAI President William R. Seelbach said. "Its primary purpose is to increase economic benefits to Ohio companies through the transfer of NASA Glenn technologies."

The GATE Partnership Award Program targets small Ohio companies interested in enhancing their products and processes with NASA technologies. GATE sought proposals from small Ohio companies that had identified NASA technologies or expertise that could be instrumental in developing new products or processes. Thirty-eight proposals were submitted from all over Ohio; four were selected for awards of $50,000 each. In addition to the cash award, another $50,000 is available to each company to pay for NASA assistance in developing the new product or process.

Dr. Earls, Director of the NASA Glenn Research Center, observed that, "The amount of interest generated by the GATE Partnership Award Competition, and the quality and potential impact of the winning proposals, clearly demonstrate the opportunity for connections between NASA Glenn technologies and Ohio companies."

The winning companies include Advanced Coatings International of Akron, Ohio. It is partnering with Michael Meador from NASA's Polymer Branch to develop an advanced water-based coating for the manufacture of printed circuit boards.

Essential Research, Inc. also received a GATE Award. Based in Cleveland, Ohio, the company will use NASA expertise to develop a new quantum dot photovoltaic test laboratory to better serve its customers.

A third GATE Award winner is Catacel Corporation, based in Garrettsville, Ohio. Catacel is developing a spiral stackable reactor for low-cost hydrogen production and will use NASA test facilities and expertise to speed product development and testing.

Western DataCom Company, Inc. of Westlake, Ohio, rounds out the list of award recipients. The company plans to partner with NASA Glenn's Space Communications Division to develop a secure Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) card for improved internet security.

According to Marty Kress, Battelle's NASA Group Vice President, "These awards are shining examples of the relevance of NASA Glenn technology to the implementation of NASA's exploration mission and the stimulation of high-tech industries on the home planet, especially in Ohio."

Funding for GATE was provided by an appropriation secured through the efforts of Senator Mike DeWine (R-OH) with the support of the Ohio congressional delegation. "The Ohio congressional delegation has long been supportive of NASA Glenn and has worked closely with us to identify projects that connect it with our economy and develop businesses in our region," said Les Vinney, Chairman of STERIS Corporation and the Ohio Aerospace Council, a division of NorTech that works with NASA Glenn Research Center to represent the interests of the business community in Congress. "The success of GATE reinforces our belief that this is a partnership that produces real results."

Given the strong interest in the first solicitation and the high quality proposals received, GATE is looking to continue this program. Current plans are to solicit another round of proposals in June, with awards expected in September.

For more information about GATE, contact the Ohio Aerospace Institute (OAI) at 440-962-3000 or gate@oai.org.

CONTACT: Patricia Grospiron of the Ohio Aerospace Institute (OAI), 440-962-3216, or gate@oai.org

WEB SITE: http://www.oai.org

SOURCE: Ohio Aerospace Institute