February 9, 2004

New AIME Director Envisions Partnering for Economic Development through Research Initiatives

Pictured with Dr. Bob Wells (right) is Rick Swatloski, a doctoral student in chemistry who will become CEO of a start-up company based on UA technology that will be incubated in the AIME facility. He is demonstrating an example of the environmentally benign technology that will be found in AIME. Wells' vision for AIME includes embracing a technology-based economic development.

Dr. Robert Wells, assistant academic vice president for research, has been named executive director of the Alabama Institute for Manufacturing Excellence (AIME). Dr. Keith McDowell, UA vice president for research, said the appointment is effective immediately.

"We are excited about the leadership Bob Wells brings to the AIME program. Bob has been involved with the program since its inception. He has great plans for expansion of the institute as it continues to evolve and serve the needs of today's manufacturing industry," McDowell said.

Wells has been affiliated with UA in research administration since 1977, and served as interim vice president for research from March through November 2003. During Wells' tenure at UA, the University's sponsored projects increased from $10 million in 1977 to $80 million in 2002. He has participated in developing a wide variety of centers, institutes and programs including the School of Mines and Energy Development, Center for Freshwater Studies, Center for Materials for Information Technology, Center for Advanced Vehicle Technologies, Institute for Social Science Research and numerous others.

AIME was conceived some years ago by several individuals, including former UA President Roger Sayers, Chancellor Malcolm Portera, and others, who had a vision of how a comprehensive research university could more effectively support economic development in Alabama. The notion of a substantial automotive manufacturing presence in Alabama fueled the vision.

Wells talked recently with Dialog about his vision for AIME.

Dialog: How will you approach the transition to this new position?

Wells: President Robert Witt, Provost Judy Bonner and Vice President Keith McDowell have provided me with a new opportunity at UA. While somewhat daunting, I have chosen, with other options, to accept the challenge. That challenge is to generate a new revenue stream allowing us to advance the entire institution in ways not possible with dwindling state financial support. The daunting aspects of the challenge have been mollified by the support I have already received from Drs. Witt, Bonner and McDowell.

Dialog: How does AIME serve the manufacturing sector?

Wells: While manufacturing employment in the automotive sector remains remarkable, the manufacturing landscape in Alabama has changed and we continue to see losses in manufacturing employment. Alabama and The University of Alabama must develop a broader approach to fully embrace a technology-based economic development strategy. This strategy is multi-faceted and requires substantial partnering between the University, government, and industry. These are slow to develop and do require substantial investments.

Dialog: What changes will you make as executive director?

Wells: I plan to promote investments and direct faculty energy towards market-driven, goal oriented research and innovation. We will identify pre-competitive technology at UA which is ripe for commercialization. The technical focus is on new materials (chemical, magnetic, electronic, biological) which are environmentally benign in the process of manufacturing and, as products, are environmentally friendly. I have the luxury of starting this microscopic experiment at UA with a nice portfolio of technology and faculty interest. What is lacking is an 'innovation process.' I will develop that process in niche areas (one size does not fit all) at UA which will mitigate the inherent conflicts and contentious issues of whether academicians, who are genuinely interested in education and new knowledge for curiosity consumption, can move towards market-driven research in support of economic development. I have developed the requisite skill set by dabbling in this area for many years at UA. Now, I have the opportunity to devote all of my time and energy to this goal.

Dialog: How will you position AIME for growth?

Wells: I plan to position the institute to gain "brand recognition" in specific areas of research and for its innovation process. A recent comment in the journal Nature Biotechnology is appropriate for this initiative: "an institution…[ not only] can be national or world class in its research, scholarship, and educational programs, but also can be effective at a variety of partnering activities that enhance regional economies and contribute to the growth of technology industry. In short, universities can be smart, do well financially, and do well in a public mission sense, all at the same time."

Dialog: Can you give some examples of AIME success stories?

Wells: Researchers in AIME's Center for Green Manufacturing have recently discovered that several environmentally friendly liquid salts can directly dissolve cellulose (the natural polymer in cotton and in trees used to make textiles and paper). The discovery allows the easy modification of cellulose to prepare new advanced biorenewable materials from such natural materials as trees. CGM researchers are currently using the discovery to develop inexpensive sensors for biological and radiological detection which can be incorporated into the fabric of one's clothing, or colorimetric sensors for the detection of mercury in drinking water. The film is doped with a chemical (orange) which changes color (black) in the presence of radioactive material. The color change can also indicate severity of exposure to indicate whether an individual is "safe in place" or should evacuate and seek emergency medical assistance.

I was instrumental in creating two new companies this week which will conduct business in Alabama. Both either have been or are being registered with the Secretary of State and will seek federal trademark protection. The 525 Group holds exclusive rights in North and South America for the development and/or commercialization of several products and technologies. UA/AIME and the 525 Group are negotiating a joint development agreement which provides for UA/AIME to be their exclusive partner in commercializing the technology with UA/AIME being assured of a share of profits from all successful efforts. The second company, 525 Solutions, will be affiliated but will operate as a separate company. 525 Solutions is a start-up company based on UA technology that will be incubated in the AIME facility. Upon graduation, Rick Swatloski, currently a doctoral student in chemistry, will be the CEO and will work with UA/AIME in an arm's length manner to move this company into a production facility in Tuscaloosa County. Financing for the start-up effort is well underway.

Dialog: What are the significant successes of the Office of Sponsored Programs under your direction?

Wells: Taking on a new and exciting challenge at UA does cause me to pause, to reflect, but only momentarily. I need to thank the entire University community for the privilege of serving in an administrative capacity for a long time. Together, we have secured several hundred million dollars supporting our research, educational and outreach missions. Student and faculty lives and careers have benefited from how we spent this money, not how we got the money. It is clear, however, without the intellectual assets of the faculty, I would not have had the modicum of success I have enjoyed. I have also had the pleasure of working closely with our congressional delegation over the last several years. To the member, they support The University of Alabama. I am unabashedly proud that our delegation has supported federal funding for more than 500,000 square feet of modern, state-of-the-art research space on our campus.

Dialog: Any final thought on this transition?

Wells: I offer a favorite story: Misplaced cab driver, obviously of Southern descent, is touring a first time visitor in Washington, D.C. In front of one of the many stately buildings is a sign that says, "The past is prologue." The visitor asks what it means. The cab driver, without hesitation says, it means, 'you ain't seen nothing yet'!"

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