NEWS

For the third consecutive year, Louisiana Tech University has been recognized by Small Times magazine as an industry leader in micro and nanotechnology. The recently released 2009 university rankings place Tech at #7 in the nation for nanotechnology commercialization.

Small Times, one of the nation’s premier micro and nanotechnology industry publication, ranked Tech #3 in 2006 for nanotechnology education and in the top ten in 2007 for nanotechnology commercialization. Small Times also named Louisiana Tech’s Dr. Yuri Lvov its 2007 Innovator of the Year.

“This recognition provides visibility to the highly innovative efforts of our faculty and staff and further solidifies our growing national reputation as a research institution that partners effectively with industry,” says Dr. Les Guice, vice president for research and development for Louisiana Tech.

According to its 2008 Office of Intellectual Property and Commercialization (OIPC) Annual Report, Louisiana Tech researchers are actively engaging in entrepreneurship and, by doing so they are helping to both commercialize their technology and stimulate local, regional, and state-wide economies.

Over the past few years, Louisiana Tech has also earned national recognition for innovation productivity as measured by new inventions generated per research dollar expended, and the rate of new spin-out or start-up companies.

“[This ranking] provides affirmation that we are making great strides in the commercialization of nanotechnology, and we that can play on the same field as the major institutions,” says OIPC Director Dr. Rich Kordal.

Louisiana Tech’s Enterprise Center (business incubator), Institute for Micromanufacturing (IfM), Biomedical Engineering, Technology Business Development Center (TBDC), and Trenchless Technology Center are just a few of the research and support centers that serve as the catalyst for Tech’s commercialization programs.

Much of Tech’s commercialization success can be drawn back to the strength of the university’s academic vision and interdisciplinary programs in areas such as engineering, computer science, business and entrepreneurship.

“Louisiana Tech’s B.S. in Nanosystems Engineering, which was the first in the nation, M.S. in Molecular Science and Nanotechnology, M.S. in Microsystems Engineering, and Ph.D. in Engineering attract high quality students from Louisiana and other states,” says Dr. Stan Napper, dean of the College of Engineering and Science. “The strong entrepreneurship program of elective courses and staff support also motivates and prepares students to participate in the early stages of commercialization.”

Kordal believes that the national recognition that publications such as Small Times provides keeps the university focused on the future.

“As we look ahead, we are excited about the prospect of additional Louisiana Tech-based products being launched into the marketplace and the positive impact they will make on society.”

Written by Dave Guerin