Owens-Illinois Inc. (NYSE: OI) announces that it has signed a three-year agreement with the University of Toledo College of Engineering, Chemical & Environmental Engineering Department, to support research at O-I´s new R&D Innovation Center.
Scheduled to be completed by the fall of 2013, the R&D Innovation Center will produce sample glass containers using new manufacturing technologies and product designs being tested by the company. "We are excited about the opportunity to use UT´s state-of-the-art equipment to help us advance our understanding of basic principles," said Dr. Kimberly Houchens, vice president of R&D for O-I. "Our scientists will benefit from the help of UT graduate students, who will leverage the university´s extensive laboratory capabilities."
UT´s College of Engineering, Chemical & Environmental Engineering Department has considerable experience developing and characterizing other types of sustainable materials. "This partnership with O-I will give us an opportunity to expand our efforts and add glass to our materials experience, giving our students new opportunities to learn and grow," said Dr. Maria Coleman, professor and co-director of UT´s Institute for Sustainable Engineering Materials.
The agreement covers salary and fees for graduate research assistants to partner with O-I scientists and engineers. The budget also covers the purchase of newly available equipment specific to characterize glass, and fees to use UT´s existing equipment, including x-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy instruments.
