WHITE HALL — Technology professionals from all over the area met Wednesday to learn about West Virginia University’s research initiatives.
It’s all part and parcel of the West Virginia High Technology Consortium Foundation’s monthly roundtable luncheons.
Each month, the WVHTCF invites business and technology professionals from all over the area to have lunch and listen to a guest speaker.
Wednesday’s speaker was Curt Peterson, WVU vice president for research and economic development, spoke about the university’s research programs.
Energy research is a high priority at WVU, Peterson said.
The university has identified several strategic research objectives and energy research is among those, he said.
WVU’s energy plan includes becoming nationally recognized for energy research.
To accomplish that goal, the university is hiring faculty with expertise in different areas of energy technology.
A new partnership with two other universities and the federal government is also helping.
In February 2008, WVU, the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University created CWP Inc. The company is designed to facilitate research opportunities on the three university campuses in association with the National Energy Technology Laboratories.
NETL, a part of the federal Department of Energy, has laboratories in Morgantown and Pittsburgh.
Peterson said work began to create CWP Inc. four years ago. Today, two other universities are in talks to join up.
“Through the consortium, we plan to grow funding in the region for energy research,” Peterson said.
Other areas of research at WVU are: biometrics, biomedical and nanoscience research. Those three areas, combined with energy research, are part of the “Bucks for Brains” initiative.
Authorized by the Legislature last spring, “Bucks for Brains” provides $50 million in funding for research for West Virginia and Marshall universities. In order to access the funding, WVU and Marshall must seek out matching funds to support the projects, turning that $50 million into $100 million.
Peterson said WVU is working on raising that money now, and may have it in hand in as little as two years.
Many business and technology professionals attend the luncheons each month.
Robert Kidwell, vice president of ManTech International, said he attended the event to hear about WVU’s research in nanotechnology, which makes up a fair portion of the corporation’s interests. ManTech has offices in Fairmont.
Jamie Travelstead, Scott Sinclair and Jayson Harris, all of Fairmont’s DSD Labs, come to the event every month to keep up with local technology events.
“We want to know what’s going on in the community and with other companies,” Travelstead said.
E-mail Katie Wilson at kwilson@timeswv.com.
In Today's TWV
August 7, 2008
Energy research is a high priority at WVU
- In Today's TWV
-
-
US kills Osama bin Laden decade after 9/11 attacks
Osama bin Laden, the face of global terrorism and architect of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, was killed in a firefight with elite American forces Monday, then quickly buried at sea in a stunning finale to a furtive decade on the run.
-
Construction around FSU
Construction matters were on the minds of the Fairmont State Board of Governors Thursday as they discussed projects to widen Locust Avenue and the continuing renovation of the historic Kennedy Barn.
First, a project to widen Locust Avenue to three lanes has been a priority for the state for several years. -
Goal: Redevelop site of former black Elks
City officials are hoping to solicit a buyer to redevelop the former site of the former black Elks building at the corner of Everest Drive and Cleveland Avenue.
Following the structure’s emergency demolition last weekend, city manager Jim Snider said the city is hoping someone will come forward to develop the site and recoup the city’s $72,000 demolition cost. -
Investigation continues into suspicious container, plastic jug that were blown up
Fairmont police detectives will continue their investigation into a suspicious can and jug that were blown up late Friday night by a State Police bomb squad, police said.
No one was injured, but the incident forced drivers to detour around Fairmont Avenue from Seventh to 10th streets while the area was secured and the containers were safely destroyed. -
Years of planning, work lead to new Baxter fire hall
In 1968, the Baxter Volunteer Fire Department opened its doors for the first time.
The department had its humble beginnings in a small pole building near the ball field. Over the years, the firefighters made do with the small building, adding on as they could, according to Destry Jones, Baxter fire chief. -
AmberView participation rising
Fairview Middle School has a higher percentage of students enrolled in AmberView than any other school in the state, officials said Friday.
AmberView is an innovative program, developed in West Virginia, that assists law enforcement by quickly issuing an up-to-date digital picture of a missing or abducted child. AmberView officials have seen participation rise dramatically in the last year. -
Police investigate, detonate suspected bomb
West Side’s main thoroughfare was blocked for hours while police investigated and then detonated a suspected bomb Friday night.
Fairmont City Police responded to a report of a suspicious package Friday after a 911 call from a passerby. -
Student housing at FSU booming
While enrollment may be down at Fairmont State this year, student housing is booming.
The university’s board of governors received preliminary enrollment numbers at its meeting Thursday. -
Jay to speak at convention
U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller, an early supporter of Sen. Barack Obama, will be a speaker at the Democratic National Convention in Denver later this month, a campaign aide said.
Rockefeller, 71, who is seeking a fifth-straight term in the Senate, will speak on Wednesday, Aug. 27, said Jessica Tice, his campaign press secretary. -
A strong ‘heartbeat’
“The chamber is the heartbeat of every community,” Gov. Joe Manchin told a crowd of approximately 375 people during the Marion County Chamber of Commerce’s 55th Annual Dinner.
Members of the business community gathered at Fairmont State University’s Falcon Center Thursday night for the event, which also serves as the chamber’s annual meeting. - More In Today's TWV Headlines
-
US kills Osama bin Laden decade after 9/11 attacks
