Innovation Networks for Collaborative Product Development in the Wisconsin Plastics Industry Cluster

0332696 Veeramani该奖项是威斯康星大学麦迪逊分校支持下面描述的活动24个月。 该提案是为了响应创新伙伴关系计划征集而提交的（NSF-03521）。合作伙伴合作伙伴包括威斯康星大学麦迪逊分校（牵头机构）、威斯康星州-斯托特大学、威斯康星-普拉特维尔大学、密尔沃基地区技术学院、菲利普斯塑料公司、Serigraph公司、Flambeau公司、Teel塑料公司、Bemis制造公司、格鲁吉亚太平洋公司、Kelch公司、工程工业公司、Kaysun公司，Simtec-USDA森林产品实验室，威斯康星州大学-扩展小企业发展中心，欧克莱尔/齐佩瓦福尔斯经济发展协会，威斯康星州州长办公室，威斯康星州商业，威斯康星州技术理事会&，和前进威斯康星州。该项目通过以下方式促进威斯康星州塑料集群的创新驱动型可持续经济增长：（1）通过知识创造、技术转让、新兴和新颖的聚合物工程和聚合物加工方法和工具的应用以及行业合作伙伴的商业化来促进创新，（2）通过劳动力教育和培训来建设人力资本，以向行业提供创新聚合物材料、工程和加工方面的专业知识，以及（3）加强网络、协作和创业的基础设施，以促进创新。潜在的经济影响塑料行业是美国在全球市场上仍然保持强大领导地位的少数几个行业之一。 然而，全球竞争的威胁是非常真实的，因为公司越来越多地外包给外国公司，那里的制造成本低得多，因为劳动力和材料成本较低，监管限制也较少。制造业占威斯康星州就业岗位的23%。改善和保持美国竞争地位的唯一手段是通过创新。该活动的智力价值在于创造、转让和应用新兴材料、工具和技术，从而开发出具有上级特性和商业化经济潜力的新塑料和工艺。该活动的更广泛影响包括具备科学和技术知识的多样化劳动力，他们准备利用这些新知识推动创新和生产力增长，此外，该公司还拥有一个基础设施，可通过威斯康星州塑料行业的网络、协作和创业精神实现创新。 代表性不足的群体参与了研究和劳动力发展计划。

0332696VeeramaniThis award is to the University of Wisconsin-Madison to support the activity described below for 24 months. The proposal was submitted in response to the Partnerships for Innovation Program Solicitation (NSF-03521).PartnersThe partners include the University of Wisconsin-Madison (Lead Institution), University of Wisconsin- Stout, University of Wisconsin-Platteville, Milwaukee Area Technical College, Phillips Plastics, Serigraph, Flambeau Corporation, Teel Plastics, Bemis Manufacturing, Georgia Pacific, Kelch Corporation, Engineering Industries, Kaysun Corporation, Simtec-USDA Forest Products Laboratory, University of Wisconsin- Extension Small Business Development Centers, Eau Claire/Chippewa Falls Economic Development Association, Office of the Governor of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, Wisconsin Technology Council, and Forward Wisconsin.This project fosters innovation-driven sustainable economic growth in Wisconsin's plastics cluster by (1) catalyzing innovation through knowledge creation, technology transfer, application of emerging and novel methods and tools for polymer engineering and polymer processing, and commercialization by the industry partners, (2) building human capital through workforce education and training to provide expertise in innovative polymer materials, engineering, and processing to industry, and (3) enhancing enabling infrastructure for networking, collaboration, and entrepreneurship to catalyze innovation.Potential Economic ImpactThe plastics industry is one of the few industries in which the United States still holds a strong leadership in the global market. However, the threats of global competition are very real as companies are increasingly outsourcing to foreign companies where manufacturing is far cheaper owing to lower labor and materials costs as well as fewer regulatory constraints. Manufacturing accounts for 23% of the jobs in Wisconsin. The only means to improve and maintain the United States' competitive position is through innovation. The intellectual merit of the activity lies in the creation, transfer and application of emerging materials, tools and technologies that lead to the development of new plastics and processes having superior characteristics and economic potential for commercialization.The broader impacts of the activity include a scientifically and technologically literate and diverse workforce prepared to capitalize on this new knowledge to drive innovation and productivity growth, plus an infrastructure that enables innovation through networking, collaboration and entrepreneurship in Wisconsin's plastics industry. Underrepresented groups are involved in the research and workforce development programs.