Advanced Materials
Kent State has a long history of world-class invention and innovation in materials science. Since 1965, researchers at Kent State’s Liquid Crystal Institute have invented some of the most important liquid crystal device technology to date. In the advanced materials area, the University has taken a unique multi-disciplinary approach that involves chemistry, physics, chemical physics, biology and more to create an environment of creativity and exploration. And, our researchers have a close collaborative relationship with industry that has led to significant regional economic development.
Our new focus in the Liquid Crystal Institute and in the university as a whole is the next generation of materials - flexible electronics. These new flexible materials are enabling further development in display technologies, plus the creation of advanced medical and energy technologies, the latter being an excellent example of Kent State’s focus on the major global challenges of healthcare and energy/sustainability. Our flexible materials incorporate interesting new physical, chemical and biological properties, including flexibility, responsiveness and ultimately the ability of materials to react in a synchronized manner to external stimuli, thus making these materials ideal as sensors, renewable energy components and medical devices.
On the biomedical front, Kent State has established bioFLEX. bioFLEX is a newly formed consortium of researchers and industry focused on the application of advanced flexible electronic materials such as liquid crystals to the creation of implantable devices. For example biosensors can be created that incorporate biocompatible coatings, implantable power and communications modules and other capabilities into a single small flexible device that can be implanted in the body and operate on-demand to measure and transmit physiological information and to deliver therapeutics.
In energy and sustainability, we have established flexPV. Similar in theme to bioFLEX, flexPV is a research-industry consortium dedicated to creating partnerships in the alternative energy business sector and branding northeast Ohio as a nexus for this new energy economy.
We invite you to explore our advanced materials research in the Liquid Crystal Institute and in our science and technology disciplines and discover the many collaborative opportunities and facilities available for partners.
October 26, 2011 Each year, food-borne pathogens cause an estimated 48 million illnesses (affecting one in six people), 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Variant E. coli strains in ground beef and lettuce, Salmonella in turkey and chicken, and Listeria in cantaloupe and romaine lettuce have sparked widespread recalls due to contamination. May 14, 2012 If researchers at Kent State University's Liquid Crystal Institute have their way, the technology we currently put in our purses and pockets will be incorporated into the very clothes that we wear. Prev | Next