JVIC adds two affiliate tech companies

Partnerships with California-based Unidym and Massachusetts-based Foster-Miller Inc. have received board approval, but formal agreements between the companies and Missouri State University are still being finalized, said JVIC Executive Director Ryan Giedd.

Both companies plan to lease space at JVIC in downtown Springfield, according to an MSU news release.

Unidym is a nanotechnology company and a majority-owned subsidiary of Arrowhead Research Corp. The firm uses carbon nanotubes to make transparent conductive films for flat-panel displays and touch screens, thin film transistors for flexible electronic devices and fuel cells for portable devices.

Foster-Miller, a QinetiQ North America company, is a technology and product development company that manufactures TALON robots and LAST Armor, products used worldwide by the U.S. armed forces.

“These companies are at the forefront of the new advanced carbon electronics technology,” Giedd said in the release.

Giedd said the additions of Unidym and Foster-Miller will give the students, faculty and staff more opportunities to work side-by-side with corporate partners on some large-scale and groundbreaking scientific projects.

“The (JVIC) business model … is built around innovative companies with complementary technologies, working together to form new products and market opportunities,” said Jim Baker, MSU’s vice president for research and economic development, in the release.

JVIC’s other senior corporate affiliates are St. John’s, Brewer Science, Crosslink Polymer, Nantero, Applied Systems Intelligence and Carbon Nanotechnologies. Brewer, Crosslink and Nantero each occupy a floor at JVIC. Each of those three are in line to receive federal funding under a 2008 Defense bill.

To learn more about Unidym and Foster-Miller, visit their Web sites at www.unidym.com and www.fostermiller.com.[[In-content Ad]]