THIRD THURSDAYS AT 3

The Advanced Manufacturing Initiative and Third Thursdays at 3PM are pleased to jointly ahost a special program on Thursday, November 20 at Noon at YSU’s College of STEM, Moser Hall, Room 2400.

Norm Chagnon, Ph.D, Technology and Innovation Division, Ohio Department of Development, isstaff director of the Third Frontier Project. Initiated in 2002, the Third Frontier Project is a 10 year,$1.6 billion commitment to expand Ohio's high-tech research capabilities and promote innovationand company formation that create high-paying, skilled jobs. Ohio has identified clusters of excellence in industries such as biomedical, advanced materials, information technology andadvanced energy that will sustain Ohio’s global competitive advantage by:

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Increasing the quantity of high quality research that has commercial relevance for Ohio.

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Expanding the availability of investment capital needed to form and grow new companies.

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Growing and nurturing an increasingly experienced pool of entrepreneurial managementtalent supported by organized systems of services and networking.

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Expanding the availability of capital and assistance to support product innovation inestablished companies.

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Attracting new-to-Ohio company activity that grows and strengthens the function of Ohio’sclusters of excellence.Norm will discuss the Third Frontier grant opportunities and other Ohio Department of Developmentprograms that support technology development and integration.Also, hear from two successful Third Frontier applicants:

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YSU Chemistry Professor Tim Wagner will discuss YSU’s Center for Excellence in AdvancedMaterials Analyses that was awarded $2.1 million. In conjunction with Fireline TCON, Inc.,and the Ohio Supercomputer Center, the project will focus on research, analyses, modelingand commercialization of products with increased resistance to thermal shock and lower thermal conductivity to improve liquid aluminum-resistant refractory materials for use duringmolten metal handling, melt treatment and casting.

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Gary Wakeford, President, Syncro Medical Innovations, Inc. will share insights on receivinga $350,000 grant for commercialization of the Gabriel Magnetically Guided Feeding Tubewhich uses strategically placed magnets to position the tube while minimizing other medicalprocedures for the patient. The company anticipates that the project will create 20 jobs andbring in $50 million in annual revenues by 2013.

The program is free and lunch will be provided but reservations are required.

Reserve your seat by contactingJulie Michael Smith, Chief Development Officer , YoungstownBusiness Incubator at jmsmith@ybi.orgor 330-259-7644.