Connecting a world-class facility and experts to industry needs

Posted: 

The Ohio State University’s Center for Electron Microscopy and Analysis (CEMAS) recently received one of Procter & Gamble’s 2018 North America Connect+Develop Awards, reflecting its instrumental role in advancing P&G product development and strengthening the relationship between the two global organizations.

cemas-pg-9576.jpg
(l to r) Stephen Boona, Isabel Boona, Ron Swift, David McComb, Dan Huber, Marc Mamak and Zhanping Zhang
P&G’s Connect+Develop (C+D) open innovation program helps it engage with innovators and patent-holders to meet needs across the P&G business: for products, technology, in-store, ecommerce and the supply chain. C+D partnerships have delivered innovation across all areas of the company, including break-through products like Swiffer Dusters® and Mr. Clean® Magic Eraser®.

P&G Group Scientist Marc Mamak and Director for Corporate Analytical Ron Swift visited CEMAS in late April to present the award and discuss current and future research collaborations.

The CEMAS-P&G relationship began as early as it could, immediately after CEMAS opened its doors on west campus in 2013. The research has spanned multiple projects analyzing and characterizing distinct classes of materials related to seven different P&G brands, including Pampers®, Pantene® and Gillette®.

In a presentation to an audience including College of Engineering Dean David B. Williams and Ohio State Senior Vice President for Research Morley Stone, Mamak cited CEMAS’s impact on upstream R&D projects resulting in four journal publications. He added that collaborative projects have produced data to support several patent filings and revealed advantages of focused ion beam scanning electron microscopes versus traditional methods for soft materials.

P&G Connect+Develop award
“I’m excited about the great work that has already occurred,” remarked Swift, “but even more excited about future projects. Going around the lab today, I have several thoughts on other connections we might make.”

Home of one of the world’s most extensive collections of electron microscopes, CEMAS serves the Ohio State research community as well as industry and other research institutions seeking state-of-the-art equipment and expertise.

“This is a celebration of cutting-edge innovations that have been realized through our commitment to world-class microscopy and collaboration,” said CEMAS Director David McComb. “I am thrilled that P&G has chosen to recognize our involvement in this way and very proud of our team for their hard work and dedication toward making our collaboration with them a success.”

The recent addition of cryo-electron microscopy has enhanced CEMAS’s service to industry partners, especially those competing in bioscience markets.