Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. engineers were at the University of Toledo in Ohio on June 12 to explore ways to apply space-age innovations to company projects involving the development of a coating for tire molds and RFID technology.
Members of Cooper's technology team consulted with scientists and engineers from NASA Glenn Research Center. A second Cooper team will soon travel to NASA Glenn Research Center, which is located in Cleveland, Ohio, for a similar consultation with subject matter experts.
Cooper is is among a select group of Ohio and Michigan-based companies to consult with NASA experts.
The consultations are being provided to manufacturing companies who applied for the opportunity to receive up to eight hours of no-cost consulting from the NASA experts to bring new insights into technical challenges and opportunities the companies are experiencing.
Cooper applied for and was qualified to receive assistance with two projects—one focusing on development of a coating for tire molds and the other on RFID technology.
"NASA has some of the best minds in the world who have developed all types of innovations; not only those related to the exploration of space. Cooper is pleased to have been selected to tap into the brainpower, research capabilities and resources of NASA as we continue to improve our operations and products," says Chuck Yurkovich, vice president, global research and development.
Companies that applied for the consulting time submitted detailed statements of the needs to be addressed with their projects and also estimated an economic impact.
Cooper is one of 16 area companies receiving consulting through the NASA Roadshow, a program which is in its second year.
In Northwest Ohio, NASA is partnering with The Lucas County Economic Development Corporation, Toledo Regional Chamber, The University of Toledo and the Toledo Community Foundation in partnership with MAGNET, the Northwest Ohio MEP and the Ohio Development Services Agency.
