• Who We Are

    The Innovation and Materials Science Institute (IMSI) is a group of academic and business leaders specializing in todays innovation economy. The goal of The Institute is to accelerate the development of materials technology through scale-up and commercialization, by providing entrepreneurs access to critical services and assets. Some of those assets have been used by Kodak to develop its materials based products. Technology focus areas include clean energy (photovoltaics, super-capacitors, fuel cells,) Optical films (smart windows, polarizers for applications in displays,) printed electronics (transparent conducting films, touch screens) and packaging films.

     

     

    The IMSI Technology Accelerator

    The IMSI Accelerator was formed to reduce the cost, the risk and the time to market for development for new materials technology, while driving better utilization of existing assets and expertise. Analytical Sciences, Laboratory Space, Thin Film Coating and Testing, and Specialty Chemical Synthesis are examples of what's available in Eastman Business Park in Rochester, NY. While other services and connections are available through board members representing organizations such as Stanford, RIT, Techvision 21 and CGVentures. Assets are accessible through a simple fee for service model or in some cases through joint development.

  • Objectives

    • Accelerator
      • Developing pathways from concept to commercialization by providing logistical support and access to extensive materials science knowledge and manufacturing assets.
      • Forming innovation ecosystems that stimulate cooperative ventures: creating bridges between parties; facilitating links between start-ups and established businesses; creating local consortia and forums.
       
    • Asset Utilization
      • Strengthening relationships between organizations that have innovative concepts or prototypes and those that possess technical know-how, scale-up and manufacturing assets, all of which are necessary for successful development and commercialization.
      • Helping innovators find the best resources within the pool of IMSI assets to move projects to successful commercialization.
       
    • Public Relations, Education and Communications
      • Discussing ways in which innovation – beyond discovery and invention – can create value and deliver beneficial change.
      • Working with prominent innovation and economic development organizations to enable successful delivery of innovative technologies to the market.
      • Facilitating regular discussions about the state of innovation and successful paths to commercialization. The focus will be on identifying untapped opportunities as well as overcoming any obstacles.
       

     

  •  IMSI Presentation (pdf_icon 700 kb) 

  • Members

    Josh

    John W. Bryant- General Manager, Photo Services, Eastman Kodak Company, President, Event Imaging Solutions, Qualex Inc., A Kodak Subsidiary Company, IMSI Executive Director

    As General Manager of Photo Services, John is responsible for the profit and loss of Kodak services to Pro and Minilabs as well as for Event Imaging Solutions, a worldwide digital souvenir imaging service business. John began his career at Kodak in 1987 and has held numerous individual and leadership/ management roles. He holds a B.S. degree in Engineering and an M.S. in Statistics and Quality Management.

      
    Carnes

    Kelly Carnes- President & CEO, TechVision21, Advisory Board, WITI

    A nationally recognized technology policy expert and former US Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Technology Policy, Kelly is currently President and CEO of TechVision21, a Washington, DC-based technology strategy firm. TechVision21 leverages technology, business, and government expertise to help companies secure funding, forge alliances with business and government leaders, and promote their interests in Washington. Kelly is a graduate of Georgetown University Law School.

      
    Juba

    Mark Juba- General Manager, Industrial Materials Group, Eastman Kodak Company

    As General Manager of Industrial Materials Group, Mark is responsible for silver halide products in aerial photography, printed circuit board films, and industrial materials (film base, specialty chemicals, gelatin, and silver nitrate). His 35-year career at Kodak began as a research scientist. Mark has a B.S. degree in Macromolecular Science, and an M.S. in Chemical Engineering. Mark has a B.S. degree in Macromolecular Science and an M.S. degree in Chemical Engineering.

      
    krutchen

    Brad Kruchten- President, Kodak’s Film, Photofinishing & Entertainment Group, Senior Vice President, Eastman Kodak Company

    Brad began his career at Kodak in 1982 as a Quality Engineer and rose to become Chief Operating Officer of the Document Imaging Unit in 2000. Currently, Brad is President of Kodak’s Film, Photofinishing & Entertainment Group (FPEG), responsible for all silver halide products. He holds a B.S. degree in Engineering and an M.S. in Statistics and Quality Management.

      
    Sellinger

    Alan Sellinger- Executive Director, Center for Advanced Molecular Photovoltaics, Stanford University

    Alan is a Consulting Professor in Materials Science and Engineering at Stanford University. Alan’s group is interested in the design, synthesis and characterization of organic-based semiconductor materials for application in solar cells (OPV), white lighting (WOLED), and thin film transistors (OTFT). He also serves as the Executive Director of the Center for Advanced Molecular Photovoltaics. Alan holds a PhD in Macromolecular Science and Engineering.

      
    Summers

    Michael Summers- Managing Partner US & Asia, CG Innovation Partners

    Michael is a Managing Partner, US & Asia, for CG Innovation Partners, an early-stage lead investment firm that identifies opportunities and commercializes businesses based on its preferential access to government-funded disruptive technology. He has over 25 years of experience in creating, managing, and investing in technology ventures. Michael holds an M.S. degree in Business Administration.

      
    Nasr

    Nabil Nasr- Assistant Provost for Academic Affairs, Rochester Institute of Technology; Director, Golisano Institute for Sustainability and CIMS

    At Rochester Institute of Technology, Nabil is Director of the Golisano Institute for Sustainability (GIS), which conducts world-class sustainability research and education. Nabil also founded the National Center for Remanufacturing and Resource Recovery (NC3R) at RIT, a leading source of applied research and solutions in remanufacturing technologies. He holds a B.S. degree in Industrial Engineering, an M.S. degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering, an M.Eng. degree in Manufacturing Engineering, and a PhD in Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering.

      
    Taber

    Terry Taber- Chief Technical Officer, Vice President, Eastman Kodak Company

    After joining Kodak in 1980, Terry was involved in research on new synthetic materials, an area in which he holds several patents. He later became Associate Director of Research and Development, then Director of Materials and Media Research and Development before taking his current position as Chief Technical Officer. He holds a B.S. degree in Chemistry, a PhD in Organic Chemistry, and an M.S. in General Management.

      
    Valente

    Ron Valente- Vice President, Research & Development, Novomer, Inc

    Ron is Vice President of Research and Development at Novomer, an emerging sustainable chemistry company pioneering a family of high-performance, environmentally responsible polymers and chemical intermediates. Prior to joining Novomer, Ron was Division Director of Worldwide Process R&D for specialty chemicals at Kodak, and later served as Division Manager for Rochester Film Base Manufacturing at Kodak. Ron holds a PhD in Organic Chemistry.

      
    WoodHouse

    Michael Woodhouse- Solar Energy Materials Scientist, National Renewable Energy Laboratory

    At the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the nation’s primary laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development, Michael has focused on the development of new materials and architectures for organic-based solar cells. He currently is concentrated on the technical and economic analysis of incumbent and developing solar technologies. Michael holds a PhD in Materials Science and Physical Chemistry.