The private sector has found that it is just as hard to transfer research out of their own labs into commercially productive ventures as it is to transfer research out of universities. We build avenues leading to cooperation and fruitful relationships. In addition to helping entrepreneurs like those who have moved out of the Center for Ultrafast Optical Science , OTT brings major manufacturers into University labs. Other relationships with businesses are less formal but no less fruitful. J. Downs Herold, who manages the OTT's industrial conferences, is strategically developing conferences that place U-M researchers and spinoff entrepreneurs like Steve Williamson of Picometrix in touch with major industries.
Japan is the leader in flat panels, but our state is a logical site for the industry.
Aerospace and military firms would also be big users. OTT conferences are designed to establish good relationships between the faculty and industry by providing opportunities for consultation, establishing good relations and learning how to ease the transfer of technology from researcher to industry. The Aastrom Co., in which the U-M has equity, produces cancer stem cells for medical research. The Software Council, a group that unites local computer industry firms with the University.