November 20, 2008
Hattiesburg, MS - The University of Southern Mississippi has signed a lease agreement with the Missouri-based company Crosslink to provide research space in the university’s polymer science building.
Inked by Southern Miss President Dr. Martha Saunders and Crosslink Vice President Don Landy, the agreement expands the company’s presence with four Crosslink employees in Hattiesburg and continues a partnership that started with a single research contract in 2005.
“We’re very excited about the implications of this partnership,” said Saunders. “We’re confident that our success with Crosslink will serve as a catalyst in bringing more technology companies to Hattiesburg. This lease agreement is a significant step toward innovation-based economic development and future employment opportunities for our students.”
Pictured (L to R): Dr. Pat Kinlen and Don Landy of Crosslink, Dr. Martha Saunders and Dr. Cecil Burge of Southern Miss, and Dr. Les Goff of Noetic Technologies. (Southern Miss Public Relations Photo by Steve Rouse)
By leasing laboratory space and locating research operations on the Southern Miss campus, true collaborative research that focuses on commercializing technology will provide valuable real-world education for Southern Miss students involved in the projects.
“This is the high-caliber type of company that our research enterprise attracts,” said Dr. Cecil Burge, vice president for research and economic development. “It is a model for the way we want to pursue innovation-led economic development.”
Crosslink will gain access to the university's specialized equipment, further tap the expertise of researchers and graduate students and identify future employees from the university’s student base. Sharing expertise will provide both parties a strong competitive edge in their ability to secure funding from grant sources such as the National Science Foundation and the Department of Defense.
Crosslink has worked with Southern Miss polymer science researchers, Dr. James Rawlins and Dr. Charles Hoyle since 2004. Previous collaborations include a variety of research projects in polymer-related technologies, particularly for military applications.
For example, Crosslink and Southern Miss hold a joint patent for a chrome-free corrosion-inhibiting polymer system that senses the onset of corrosion and responds to inhibit the corrosion mechanisms from advancing. The research and development project was performed jointly with funding from the Naval Air Warfare Center – Patuxent River, Md.
Additionally, the Crosslink and Southern Miss teams are currently collaborating on an Air Force-funded project specific to aerospace composites for the development of an embedded damage sensor system coupled with a self-repair response. The smart composite ultimately could alert personnel when damage occurs and initiate the repair process by itself.
“The relationship with Crosslink has followed an ideal path of continuous growth based on performance from both parties,” said Les Goff, president and CEO of Noetic Technologies Inc. “With the recent launch of The Garden, Southern Miss' new innovation and commercialization park, Hattiesburg is prepared to offer the natural next step for Crosslink employees as they transition from their space at the university.”
As the primary technical marketing and commercialization arm of Southern Miss, Noetic has been the liaison between Crosslink and the university since it introduced the two parties in 2004. Noetic also assists companies in private industry that wish to partner with the university to bring new products to market.
“Noetic has been with us every step of the way,” says Don Landy, vice president of Government Relations and Operations for Crosslink. “Southern Miss and Noetic have a commercial bent that fits nicely with our company’s culture. We’re not here just to do research – we’re here to bring new technology to market and grow our company.”
About The University of Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi, founded in 1910, is a comprehensive doctoral and research-extensive university fulfilling its mission of being a leading university in engaging and empowering individuals to transform lives and communities. In a tradition of leadership for student development, Southern Miss is educating a 21st century work force providing intellectual capital, cultural enrichment and innovation to Mississippi and the world. Southern Miss is located in Hattiesburg, Miss., with an additional campus and teaching and research sites on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
For more information visit www.usm.edu
About Crosslink
Crosslink develops and manufactures customized electroactive polymer coatings for innovative commercial applications. A privately held company, Crosslink is positioned to lead in what is forecasted to be a $1.5 billion industry in 2008. The company is headquartered in St. Louis, Mo. at a newly renovated facility featuring five wet labs and manufacturing capabilities. The company has built strong partnerships with leading universities offering exceptional knowledge and advanced research capabilities in the fields of nano-chemistry, conductive polymers, conductive chemistry and other advanced technology fields.
For more information visit www.crosslinkusa.com
About Noetic Technologies
Noetic Technologies, Inc. began as an initiative of The University of Southern Mississippi and is geared toward marketing and commercialization of the university’s technology. Since 2004, Noetic has played a vital role in bringing ideas to the marketplace for several high tech startup companies. Noetic’s management team comprises more than 50 years of combined experience in market research, product development, process management and marketing strategies.
For more information visit www.noetictechnologies.com
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