Maryland Industrial Partnerships, a university-based program that fosters collaboration between schools and businesses, has approved 22 research projects worth $3.6 million that partner faculty from the University System of Maryland with local companies to develop technology for commercial use.
As part of the Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute, MIPS helps local companies develop high-tech products by allowing them to access university resources, such as professors and laboratory space, said Martha Connolly, director of the program. The projects focus on developing technology that has to do with health, security and energy.
“When you look at strong economic areas, they are always linked to knowledge producing institutions,” Connolly said. “We think every state should do this [program].”
MIPS will allow American Dynamics Flight Systems, a Maryland company that designs aircraft systems, to work with the engineering school to develop an unmanned aircraft capable of vertical takeoff and landing, according to a press release on the company’s website.
According to an MTECH press release, the university is also working with axonX LLC, a local company that designs vision safety technologies, to develop an outdoor video system that provides early detection of fire.
Other projects involve creating a drug for heart attacks and finding better ways to produce alternative fuel.
Now in its 21st year, MIPS has had a successful history of helping companies create technology, Connolly said. Under this program, Hughes Network Systems, a local broadband network provider, worked with university professor John Baras to develop the first consumer Internet provider that offers satellite coverage.
With this technology, users can have access to Internet anywhere in the world.
Thanks to MIPS, Quantum Sail Design Group was able to use the wind tunnel located on the campus to test their boat sails, Connolly said. Before participating in MIPS, the company had to wait on the Chesapeake Bay for winds to show up before they could do their measurements. But because they had access to university resources, they were able to grow into an international business, with more than 60 sales outlets around the world today.
Connolly said allowing local companies to collaborate with university researchers is a good way to push high-tech products into the market to stimulate the economy. This, in turn, helps create more jobs and sometimes a brand new industry. MIPS not only allows university faculty to work with the companies; students are allowed to participate as well, giving them practical experience for their field.
Because the partnership between local companies and universities can create so many advanced products and ideas, it can put Maryland in the forefront of a country driven by technology.
“The state and tax payers get an enhanced ability to compete in this new world,” Connolly said. “It improves society; it improves our reality; it improves the way we live.”
chrisyudbk@gmail.com
