NASA’s Glenn Research Centre and The Water Council are partnering to help businesses solve technical water challenges through Glenn’s Regional Economic Initiative with an event called TechConnect: Water Challenge Workshop. This will be the first ever NASA TechConnect event focused specifically on water technology.
The event, announced during the 2017 Water Environment Federation’s Technical Exhibition & Conference (WEFTEC) in Chicago, Illinois, United States (U.S.), is a unique opportunity for companies to receive up to 40 hours of support from NASA Glenn’s world-renowned subject matter experts in solving technical challenges they are having with either new or existing products, or within their manufacturing operations.
“NASA Glenn Research Centre is pleased to partner with The Water Council. Our Tech Connect events with organisations in the Midwest have been successful in solving challenges proposed by small, medium, and large companies who need assistance with in-house technical issues. Glenn’s subject matter experts provide a unique perspective in helping with these challenges, with the goal of developing new jobs in the region,” Laurie Stauber, NASA’s Water Initiative Lead and manager of Glenn’s Regional Economic Development team, said. “We look forward to supporting the Tech Connect event and also to developing additional partnerships connecting our organisation to regional companies who may be interested in NASA’s water-based capabilities and technologies.”
“The opportunity for water engineers to work alongside some of the world’s most highly-regarded scientists is matchless, and a great recognition of how our cluster continues to move the needle forward on public-private partnerships to spur innovation and opportunities,” Dean Amhaus, president and CEO of The Water Council, added.
Up to four U.S.-owned businesses will be selected to participate in the event that will be held in the spring of 2018. Those selected will have the opportunity to work with the Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership (WMEP), who will assist businesses in articulating a concise problem statement that corresponds with NASA competencies.
NASA experts will then assist the selected companies through a face-to-face, one-day consulting session on March 21, 2018, at the Ohio Aerospace Institute in Cleveland, Ohio. These selected manufacturers will also have the opportunity to apply for an additional 32 hours of technical assistance.
“Accelerating technology development and adoption is core to the Manufacturing Extension Partnership and WMEP’s mission,” Tim Wiora, CEO and executive director of WMEP, said. “WMEP is proud to partner with The Water Council to identify technologies that will aid their member companies bringing new products to market.”
