Please note that certain sections are still being (re-)built! Bear with us.
We are a collection of industry members and academicians at The University of Akron who aim to advance state-of-the-art filtration technology.
Electrospun Nanofibers
We instruct undergraduate and graduate students to conduct fundamental research in the performance of coalescence filters and design of filter media, including the development and application of nanofibers.
We envision the development of filter technology through media and structural geometry will accelerate the ability to control and optimize coalescence.
Drops on Fibers
Measuring surface properties of spherical drop
Our work encompasses theory, modeling, and experimentation to capture and coalescence of micron and nanometer-size drops in non-woven filter media made of micron and nanometer-diameter fibers; methods of nanofiber generation and construction of non-woven media with nanofibers and liquid-liquid and gas-liquid coalescence. Fiber materials include polymers, ceramics, metals, and carbon.
Our advisory board reviews student projects, project plans, and provides recommendations to prioritize which projects to continue developing. The advisory board consists of one representative from each member company and elects a chairperson, who makes recommendations to our directors on the operations and conduct of activities.
Free use of technologies developed for consortium
Royalty-free use of patents by sharing in the cost of patents on technologies developed for the consortium with The University of Akron as patent owner
Learn about new research results before publication
Copies of papers, posters, photos, and videos can be provided
Advise and guide direction of research conducted by students
Interact with highly motivated and talented students
Meet students as prospective employees
Forum for easy access to faculty and students
Annual membership fee = $62,000 USD
Start-up fee (for new member access to proprietary technology) = $20,000 USD
This can be spread across 3 years
Attend semi-annual meetings to review research and directions
(last updated Mar. 2022)
VIII. Confidentiality.
A. All communications to and among the members of the Advisory Board and the Director members of the Research Member Policy Committee pertaining to research proposals, ongoing projects, or the results of research funded by the CFNC, or ideas for research and future directions for the CFNC shall be subject to the Confidentiality Agreement attached to and made a part of the Agreement between the University and CFNC Members.
B. A current and fully effective Confidentiality Agreement must be signed by an authorized official and in force for any CFNC Member or other individual(s) to participate in any meeting of the Advisory Board or to receive any official communications pertaining to the research program, as specified above.
C. Subcontractors performing services for CFNC projects shall be required to execute a confidentiality agreement. CFNC Members that visit another CFNC Member’s facilities shall treat disclosed information consistent with the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement.
VI. Intellectual Property.
A. All patents derived from inventions conceived and reduced to practice in the course of research conducted by University personnel working on CFNC supported projects, shall belong to University.
B. CFNC Members that desire to exercise rights to a royalty-free license agree to pay for the costs of patent applications. At time of application for a patent, University and CFNC Members agree that all such Consortium members are entitled to a nonexclusive royalty-free license. Such companies have the right to sublicense its subsidiaries (entities in which a CFNC Member has more than fifty percent ownership interest). If only one Company seeks a non-exclusive royalty-free license, that Company, through negotiation with University, may obtain an exclusive, fee-bearing license. Such Company has the right to sublicense its subsidiaries and affiliates. CFNC Members shall not have the right to royalty-free license intellectual property for which a patent application was filed prior to that party’s membership in the CFNC.
C. CFNC Members that desire to participate in the patenting and licensing rights of an invention must indicate in writing such interest and commit to the sharing of out-of-pocket costs within one hundred eighty (180) days of disclosure of the invention to the CFNC Member. Such CFNC Member shall reimburse the University on a pro-rated basis for the cost of obtaining and maintaining, in force, any U.S. or foreign patent rights. Failure by a CFNC Member to make such reimbursement shall terminate its license as to that specific patent. CFNC Members may select countries in addition to the United States in which to pursue patent protection; however, because country patent costs vary, the patent cost for each country will be divided equitably among the CFNC Members that chose that country. If no CFNC Members indicate an interest and commitment for a patent prosecution, the University, in its sole discretion, individually may pursue patents, licenses, and other uses of the inventions.
D. In the preparation of a patent, participating CFNC Members will be given opportunity to review the claims and recommend modifications. The University will make reasonable effort to maximize the time for CFNC Members to conduct reviews, but the actual available time will depend upon the time needed by the patent attorneys and the schedule set by the patent office.
E. Intellectual property developed independently by a CFNC Member before or during its membership in the CFNC shall remain the exclusive property of the CFNC Member.