The State of South Carolina and a group of private donors have raised $8 million to establish the Advanced Fiber-based Materials Center of Economic Excellence (COEE) at Clemson University.
COEE researchers at the Center will study fibrous natural and man-made-polymer-based materials systems and manufacturing technologies, including the development and initial commercialization of new materials and processes. Research also will target metal-, ceramic- and polymer-based fiber-reinforced composite materials for the development of high-performance, lightweight automotive, aerospace, athletic equipment and medical prosthetic applications. The center will collaborate with Clemson's Natural Science Foundation established by the Center for Advanced Engineering Fibers and Films and will be home to the J.E. Sirrine Textile Foundation Endowed Chair in Advanced Fiber-based Materials.
"Our generous donors have helped the School of Materials Science and Engineering achieve a milestone that will have tremendous educational and economic impact," said COEE Director Kathleen Richardson. "We are very grateful for their investment, as the benefits will extend far beyond Clemson and the state of South Carolina. Participation by such a diverse range of fiber-based companies and private individuals in this initiative shows the strength of this community and an admirable willingness to work together to retool and retrain the knowledge base that exists across fiber disciplines within the state."
In 2006, the South Carolina Centers of Economic Excellence Program awarded COEE $4 million, which has been matched with private funds. The following industrial partners and individuals established endowments and made investments totaling $4 million: Greer, S.C.-based J.E. Sirrine Textile Foundation Inc.; Greenville-based Kentwool; Brian Morin, CEO, Greer, S.C.-based Innegrity LLC, and Amanda Morin; Columbus, Ohio-based Mettler Toledo Inc.; Inman, S.C.-based Inman-Riverdale Foundation Inc.; Carey Jordan and Brian Simmons; Grand Rapids, Mich.-based X-Rite Inc., Mr. and Mrs. H. Jack McCall; the estate of Elizabeth F. Rivers; Glen Raven, N.C.-based Glen Raven Inc.; Alfred W. Thomas III, president, Greenville-based Frankl & Thomas Inc.; and two anonymous donors.
COEE researchers at the Center will study fibrous natural and man-made-polymer-based materials systems and manufacturing technologies, including the development and initial commercialization of new materials and processes. Research also will target metal-, ceramic- and polymer-based fiber-reinforced composite materials for the development of high-performance, lightweight automotive, aerospace, athletic equipment and medical prosthetic applications. The center will collaborate with Clemson's Natural Science Foundation established by the Center for Advanced Engineering Fibers and Films and will be home to the J.E. Sirrine Textile Foundation Endowed Chair in Advanced Fiber-based Materials.
"Our generous donors have helped the School of Materials Science and Engineering achieve a milestone that will have tremendous educational and economic impact," said COEE Director Kathleen Richardson. "We are very grateful for their investment, as the benefits will extend far beyond Clemson and the state of South Carolina. Participation by such a diverse range of fiber-based companies and private individuals in this initiative shows the strength of this community and an admirable willingness to work together to retool and retrain the knowledge base that exists across fiber disciplines within the state."
In 2006, the South Carolina Centers of Economic Excellence Program awarded COEE $4 million, which has been matched with private funds. The following industrial partners and individuals established endowments and made investments totaling $4 million: Greer, S.C.-based J.E. Sirrine Textile Foundation Inc.; Greenville-based Kentwool; Brian Morin, CEO, Greer, S.C.-based Innegrity LLC, and Amanda Morin; Columbus, Ohio-based Mettler Toledo Inc.; Inman, S.C.-based Inman-Riverdale Foundation Inc.; Carey Jordan and Brian Simmons; Grand Rapids, Mich.-based X-Rite Inc., Mr. and Mrs. H. Jack McCall; the estate of Elizabeth F. Rivers; Glen Raven, N.C.-based Glen Raven Inc.; Alfred W. Thomas III, president, Greenville-based Frankl & Thomas Inc.; and two anonymous donors.
