Sally V. Harrington
Lewis Research Center, Cleveland, OH             June 19, 1998
(Phone:  216/433-2037)
(Home: 440/777-7654)

Connie Dunlap
Governor's Office, State of Ohio
(Phone:  614/728-4192)

Kathleen M. McDermott
Case Western Reserve University
(Phone:  216/368-6518)

RELEASE:  98-108

NASA, STATE OF OHIO, CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY AND 
INDUSTRY LAUNCH ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVE 

     In response to a challenge from NASA Administrator Daniel 
S. Goldin, NASA's Lewis Research Center, Cleveland; the State 
of Ohio; and Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) today 
announced the Glennan Microsystems Initiative to address the 
research, development and application needs of NASA and 
industry in the field of microsystems.

     Cleveland Tomorrow's Technology Leadership Council, an 
organization of Northeast Ohio CEOs, advanced the idea to 
couple cutting-edge microsystems capabilities at NASA and Case 
Western Reserve University with industry.  The Initiative, 
named for T. Keith Glennan -- NASA's first administrator and 
former CWRU president -- will offer microsystems to a range of 
manufacturing- and technology-intensive companies, as well as 
meet NASA mission requirements.

     "Microsystems are miniaturized electrical and mechanical 
devices as small as a human hair that will not only help ensure 
NASA's future missions are faster, better and cheaper, but also 
give Ohio's companies cutting-edge technology to compete in the 
international marketplace.  This is an extremely important 
collaboration," said Goldin in praise of the effort.  This new 
technology is an area of increasing international competition, 
and joint activities such as these are essential to ensure U.S. 
leadership.  I believe this will greatly benefit NASA and Ohio 
industry."

     The Initiative -- including $16 million in federal and 
$4.5 million in state funds -- is a five-year project designed 
to build on existing strengths and resources in Ohio.  It is 
jointly funded by NASA, the State of Ohio, industry, and other 
foundations and federal agencies.

     While the emphasis is on Ohio industry, participation in 
the Initiative is open to any U.S. company.  State of Ohio 
support is being provided through its newly established 
Technology Action Fund, designed to leverage federal 
capabilities and resources.

     "This is a technology that will have immense impact on 
industry throughout Ohio," noted Ohio Governor George V. 
Voinovich.  "The Glennan Microsystems Initiative will provide 
great benefit to Ohio companies as they deploy this powerful 
technology in their new products and processes.  It is very 
appropriate that this be the inaugural award of the Technology 
Action Fund."

     "T. Keith Glennan was a visionary who helped shape 
technology in the 20th century, and it is appropriate that this 
initiative is named for him," said Agnar Pytte, CWRU president.  
"This collaboration with NASA and industry will allow us to 
continue Keith Glennan's commitments to both scientific and 
civic endeavor and promises to be a force in technological 
innovation for the 21st century."

     The Glennan Initiative builds on current strengths and 
collaborative relationships of its partners.  NASA Lewis 
provides more than two dozen investigators, state-of-the-art 
analytical and testing facilities, R&D 100 Awards and a NASA 
Center of Excellence.  CWRU is rated one of the top four 
microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) programs in the U.S. and 
provides a core of highly recognized investigators, state-of-
the-art fabrication and clean room facilities, multi-agency 
sponsorship, and is in the process of expanding its program 
capabilities.

     Bill Patient, CEO of Geon Company and leader of the 
Cleveland Tomorrow effort, commenting on the Initiative said, 
"Industry is keenly interested in microsystems.  They are also 
seeking opportunities to leverage excellence beyond their 
internal capabilities.  The Glennan Microsystems Initiative is 
a wonderful combination of technology and organizational 
opportunities whose time is now.  I commend NASA and the State 
of Ohio for their leadership in making this happen."

     Microsystems technology is projected to enable significant 
industrial innovations and change in traditional manufactured 
goods.  To date, microsystems have had only limited U.S. 
industrial applications, but the Glennan Initiative will 
deliver tangible results to companies as diverse as bearings 
makers, medical devices and imaging companies, aircraft 
suppliers, tire makers, and consumer product companies.  The 
Initiative will focus on physical and chemical sensors and 
actuators with a particular emphasis on harsh environments.  
Examples of such environments include high temperatures, large 
stress/strains, rotating parts, structural curvatures, erosive 
flows and corrosive media.  

     The Glennan Initiative will utilize a network of existing 
public-private technology intermediaries to commercialize its 
technology.  The Great Lakes Industrial Technology Center will 
lead this effort with the help of the Ohio Edison Centers 
(including CAMP and Edison BioTechnology Center); Ohio MEMSNet 
(a consortium including Ohio State University, University of 
Cincinnati, University of Dayton, University of Toledo, Wright 
State University, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, and the Air 
Force Institute of Technology); Lewis Incubator for Technology; 
Ohio Aerospace Institute; and selected universities.

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