Yesterday the University of Pittsburgh announced:

"...the creation of a Radio Frequency Identification Center of Excellence, which will enable the University to expand its already-powerful capabilities in the RFID field and remain a leader in directing RFID research. Pitt's RFID research program has been identified as among the top three such programs worldwide.

The center will be directed by Marlin H. Mickle, Nickolas A. DeCecco Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Telecommunications, and Industrial Engineering at Pitt.

University Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg, School of Engineering Dean Gerald D. Holder, Mickle, and representatives from GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Del Monte Foods, and Supply Systems Inc. (SSI) spoke at today's announcement event. Representatives from at least 30 other international, national, and local companies were present at the event."

RFID Centers such as Pitt's present opportunities for businesses to subsidize university research, and for universities to develop applied product research, leading to economic development in the business community. As Corilyn Shropshire writes in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, the new director "hopes to raise an additional $3 million from companies looking to capitalize on developments in the field."

Of course, not everyone agrees that business investment and resulting product research necessarily should be the goal of university research centers, as this post on the Madisonian and the comments it sparked, demonstrates.

Tags: RFID; Business