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News Release
Contact: Joe King, Office of Public Affairs
(815) 753-4299
May 18, 2005
NIU aids launch of high-tech sensor company
DeKALB, IL – A new company planning on doing big things with tiny technology has a better chance to succeed, thanks in no small part to Northern Illinois University.
Working in conjunction with faculty at NIU's College of Engineering and Engineering Technology, the DeKalb-based Nano Micro Solutions found important technical support to start production and key business expertise to aid in getting those products to market.
The company was founded by John Sterbling and Len Wardzala, former employees of the recently closed AG Communications. The two men saw an unfilled market niche in industry for specialized sensors utilizing the latest in micro and nano technology. They had the technical backgrounds to make the project work, but realized that they would need more than that to build a successful company.
“We felt strongly that there was a demand for our expertise and that there was a market for our products, but we realized that we could not do this alone,” said Sterbling.
Looking for some assistance, they turned to Michael Haji-Sheikh, a professor in the Electrical Engineering Department of NIU's College of Engineering and Engineering Technology. They had collaborated with Haji-Sheikh before on technical matters, but their conversation with him this time led not only to help in the lab, but also opened the doors to the services they needed to get their business up and running.
On the technical side, Haji-Sheikh was able to offer the start-up company operational support through a venture recently formed by himself and colleagues, Northern Illinois Nanotechnology, Inc., a recently created venture set up to commercialize nanotechnology developed at Northern Illinois University. The two companies forged an alliance to better leverage their individual strengths like research & development and marketing. The NIU College of Engineering and Engineering Technology also was able to provide expertise and equipment through its Microelectronics Laboratory, an arrangement that benefits both parties.
“Nano Micro Solutions is proposing some cutting edge microelectronics work, and a partnership with NIU will provide an opportunity to demonstrate our university's physical and intellectual capabilities,” said Haji-Sheikh.
The cooperative arrangement will also benefit NIU students and faculty.
“We see many exciting research opportunities that will stem from a partnership with Nano Micro Solutions,” agreed CEET Acting Dean Promod Vohra. “The College is always looking for real-world applications for our students and faculty, and the work that Nano Micro Solutions is undertaking is a great complement to the research and facilities at NIU.”
Providing business expertise to Nano Micro Solutions (NMS) is another NIU affiliate, the West Suburban Technology Enterprise Center . Funded by a grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity, WESTEC supports businesses working to commercialize new technologies. Representatives from that group are providing the Nano Micro Solutions team advice on start-up strategies, potential funding sources, strategic partners, and joint development and marketing agreements.
“The relationship between NIU and Nano Micro Solutions illustrates some of the many ways in which the university, specifically its Division of Outreach, stands ready to assist companies across the region,” says John Lewis, associate vice president for University Outreach.
“NIU is thrilled to be able to implement a range of tools and resources for this particular project,” Lewis said. “The creation of Nano Micro Solutions is a wonderful example of how the University and regional resources are being leveraged to generate new opportunities.”
For their part, the founders of the company are hoping that this is only the beginning of a long and mutually beneficial relationship.
“Len and I are thrilled to have tapped the resources and forged the partnerships with WESTEC and Northern Illinois University,” said Sterbling. “We are hopeful with these resources and a lot of hard work, Nano Micro Solutions will be a huge success.”
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