Tag Archives: Battelle Memorial Institute

Xerox Research Centre Canada (XRCC) forms a materials alliance with Battelle Memorial Institute

Could this be described as an example of Canadian innovation? Xerox Research Centre Canada (XRCC) has signed a document with Battelle Memorial institute according to a May 8, 2014 news item on Nanowerk,

The Xerox Research Centre Canada (XRCC) and Battelle Memorial Institute have signed a strategic alliance to co-market and collaborate on materials science research services.

The alliance will allow clients of XRCC and Battelle to access the deep capabilities of the two renowned research organizations – including the use of XRCC`s pilot plant and manufacturing scale-up facility – to augment their own resources in developing and bringing new products to market. [emphasis mine]

Does anyone know if the XRCC pilot plant and/or the manufacturing scale-up facility received any Canadian government funding or tax credits? If so, it would appear that Canadian taxpayers have paid for a facility that will be used to develop materials for sale by a US-based organization. It is entirely possible that those materials could be sold back to Canadian institutions at a hefty profit for Battelle.

A May 8, 2014 Xerox news release (available on the Xerox.com site but not the XRCC.ca site), which originated the news item, provides more details (Note: Links have been removed),

Both XRCC and Battelle also expect the alliance will attract new innovation services customers. “Tapping into the strong capabilities of Xerox and Battelle is an agile and cost-effective way for businesses and government to add value, improve performance, gain competitive edge…or create something entirely new,” said Martin Toomajian, Battelle president of energy, health and environment.

Scientists at XRCC specialize in the design and development of electronic materials PDF file and specialty components; environmentally responsible processes PDF file; coatings, applied nanotechnology PDF file; polymer science PDF file, engineering and pilot plant scale-up PDF file. XRCC is part of the global Xerox Innovation Group, comprised of five research centers around the globe that each leverage XRCC’s unique, integrated, global materials research and development mandate.

Battelle manages the world’s leading national laboratories and maintains a contract research portfolio spanning consumer and industrial, energy and environment, health and pharmaceutical and national security. From large government agencies and multi-national corporations to small start-ups and incubator projects, Battelle provides the resources, brainpower and flexibility to fulfill client needs.

Battelle and Xerox share a unique historical connection. One of Battelle’s early clients was Chester Carlson whose invention of xerography launched Xerox Corporation. Seventy years ago, the two signed an agreement that provided Carlson with access to the Battelle labs in the interest of collaborative research, development and engineering work. Today’s announcement marks the beginning of the next generation of collaboration between two of the world’s most renowned innovation organizations.

Intriguingly, the ‘About’ section of the news release does not include XRCC (Note: Links have been removed),

About Xerox
Since the invention of Xerography more than 75 years ago, the people of Xerox (NYSE: XRX) have helped businesses simplify the way work gets done. Today, we are the global leader in business process and document management, helping organizations of any size be more efficient so they can focus on their real business. Headquartered in Norwalk, Conn., we have more than 140,000 Xerox employees and do business in more than 180 countries, providing business services, printing equipment and software for commercial and government organizations. Learn more at www.xerox.com.

About Battelle
Every day, the people of Battelle apply science and technology to solving what matters most. At major technology centers and national laboratories around the world, Battelle conducts research and development, designs and manufactures products, and delivers critical services for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio since its founding in 1929, Battelle serves the national security, health and life sciences, and energy and environmental industries. For more information, visit www.battelle.org.

Earlier this year in an April 4, 2014 posting, I featured another XRCC deal where I questioned its relationship to Canadian innovation,

An April 1, 2014 news item on labcanada.com describes a recently signed deal which may turn up the competition in Canada’s currency authentication business sector,

The Xerox Research Centre Canada [XRCC] says it has signed a multi-year materials research services agreement with Dallas-based Authentix, a provider of anti-counterfeiting, brand protection and program integrity solutions for the oil and gas industry; currency, branded products and tax stamp markets.

“Working with companies like Authentix adds to the value our scientists bring to the research world,” said Paul Smith, vice president and director of the Xerox Research Centre Canada. “Not only do we continue to strengthen our scientific role in Canadian innovation, we are now bringing valuable research capabilities to other companies globally.” [emphasis mine]

Given that Xerox is a US company with a Canadian branch, I’m not sure how signing a deal with another US company aids Canadian innovation. On the plus side, it does give some Canadian scientists a job.