Industry Connect

At Oregon State University’s O.H. Hinsdale Wave Research Laboratory, a small yellow buoy bobs up and down in mechanically created waves. Although it may not look like much to the casual observer, the apparatus is a test model for a next-generation device intended to capture energy from the continual movement of the ocean. Rigorous testing of this model is necessary before researchers begin assessing much larger units off the Oregon coast.
The new wave-power technology was made possible by a unique partnership between the university and Columbia Power Technologies. “Columbia Power Technologies is an example of a long-term partnership where the company has advanced their technologies through work with OSU,” said Belinda Batten, director of the Northwest National Marine Renewable Energy Center (NNMREC). “It has licensed some of Oregon State’s intellectual property, and several students have graduated and gone into this industry. That, for us, is a real success.”
From a broad perspective of economic development, university-industry partnerships make good sense, but collaborating with academia is a new concept for most companies. The Oregon State Columbia Power partnership provides a case study that illuminates the benefits when industry and academia join forces.

World-class physical facilities

Oregon State’s world-class wave-testing facilities,combined with numerous top-notch interdisciplinary researchers in engineering and sciences, can be made available for collaborative efforts similar to the Columbia Power project. The wave laboratory offers two exceptional shared-use coastal test facilities: the largest combined wave and tsunami flume in North America and a tsunami wave basin capable of generating multiple wave types and characteristics.

“The long-term partnership with Oregon State and access to local wave tanks have been an important part of our technical development,” says Ken Rhinefrank, vice president of research at Columbia Power. “Over the years we have had a number of discoveries and design improvements that led to performance gains of five or six times higher than in the early stages of our relationship.”

Precursor to economic development

In the past, complex university-industry partnerships like the one with Columbia Power began through informal connections or even by chance rather than through established institutional  mechanisms. For example, professors of electrical engineering Annette von Jouanne and the late Alan Wallace, pioneers and national leaders in ocean wave energy, developed several direct-drive ocean buoys capable of converting the power of ocean waves to electrical energy. To take advantage of their expertise, the founders of Columbia Power Technologies initiated discussions with Oregon State and eventually developed the mutually rewarding relationship that funded wave energy research efforts. These types of successes led Oregon State to make improving the effectiveness of university-industry partnerships one of its strategic goals. Ron Adams, Oregon State’s executive associate vice president for research, is leading a new initiative aimed at expanding engagement with the private sector.

Adams says major incentives for firms to partner with universities include access to great technology and unique capabilities, the opportunity for collaborative research and development and the potential acceleration of time-to-market.

The protection of intellectual property rights remains a key concern and the primary reason many companies aren’t quick to jump into such relationships. But when the university can make major and unique contributions that affect bottom-line business success, these concerns often can be addressed in a mutually beneficial manner.”
— Ron Adams

Adams and other experts in the university’s Research Office guide and shape the conversation between researchers and potential industry partners. Transparent and clear discussions establish trust and forge strong relationships.

High-caliber graduates fill the skills gap

University-industry partnerships also facilitate the education-to-employment transition. A recent McKinsey multinational study reports that although nearly three-quarters of education providers believe their graduates are work-ready, fewer than half of the employers surveyed say new graduates are adequately prepared for the workforce. The study concludes that to begin closing the skills gap, educational institutions and employers must work together to gain a common understanding of the situation.

Columbia Power’s collaboration with Oregon State made numerous opportunities possible for graduate and undergraduate students. “In one case, we had a very promising mechanical engineer we’d hired on as a MECOP intern in 2009,” said Rhinefrank. “As soon as he graduated, we hired him.” The company currently employs six Oregon State graduates and will likely add two more this coming year.

NNMREC’s Belinda Batten also sees value for graduates in sustaining industry-university collaborations. “Industry-university partnerships are key to graduating engineers that have the full experience and are ready to go out into industry,” said Batten.

— Thuy T. Tran