Kent State gets $3 Million for Liquid Crystal Research

State Rep. Kathleen Clyde (D-Kent) announced Monday that the state has released $3,000,000 for Kent State University’s Liquid Crystal Institute through the Ohio Third Frontier Innovation Platform Program. 

The award will be used for development of new liquid crystal technologies at the Kent State University Liquid Crystal Institute in collaboration with regional businesses. The Liquid Crystal Institute was founded in 1965 and is a comprehensive research and educational center. Kent State will collaborate with four local companies: Kent Displays, Inc.; AlphaMicron, Inc.; and Crystal Diagnostics, Inc., all of Kent; and Akron Polymer System, Inc. of Akron, OH.

Funding was granted through the Ohio Third Frontier Project Innovation Platform Project, which was established with the goal of creating greater economic growth in the state based on start-up companies that commercialize technologies developed by Ohio institutions of higher education. 

“This funding is a great example of just how valuable the partnerships between our universities and local businesses are to Ohio,” said Rep. Clyde.  “The technological advances produced by this collaboration will continue to foster economic growth and further proves that Portage County Ohio is a great place to do business.”

Rep. Clyde represents the 68th Ohio House District in Portage County, serving Northern and Southeastern Portage County, including Aurora, Garrettsville, Hiram, Kent, Mantua, Ravenna, Streetsboro, and Windham.