Partnership with Japan's sole Independent Administrative Institution deepens GE's innovation connection with Japan
TOKYO-27 May 2009 --- GE (Headquartered in Fairfield, Connecticut) and Japan's National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS; Headquartered in Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore new technological collaboration opportunities between GE and Japan's sole Independent Administrative Institution.
Under the agreement, GE's Global Research Center (headquartered in Niskayuna, NY), the technology development arm for GE, and NIMS, will focus on the development of mutually beneficial partnerships through spontaneous dialogue, researcher exchanges and joint seminars over the next five years. GE and the NIMS will look to identify future projects in the field of materials science and engineering that help promote a cleaner, more sustainable energy portfolio and environment.
The agreement is the result of GE's efforts to develop technological partnerships with Japanese companies and organizations, a strategic priority implemented with the launch of the Japan Technology Initiative (JTI) in 2004. Under this initiative, GE is committed to delivering innovative products and services to the world through mutually beneficial partnerships with Japanese companies, regardless of their size.
Regarding this MOU, Mark Little, Director of GE Global Research, stated:
"At GE, we see tremendous potential for what new material breakthroughs can do to create better products and solve tough challenges. When you look around the world, Japan stands out as one of the top leaders in the field of materials science and engineering. That is why we are so thrilled to be partnering with the NIMS to explore new ways we can combine our research expertise to drive new material advances that lead to a cleaner, more sustainable future,"
Teruo Kishi, President of NIMS, stated:
"Through GE's ecomagination initiative, GE is proactively providing innovative solutions that are driving corporate growth, while at the same time addressing important environmental issues that contribute to the greater good of society. By making full use of new materials, we believe that we can work with GE to help solve big environmental challenges. This MOU is a great first step, NIMS. NIMS will do its utmost to demonstrate its potential in three core areas: the development of materials and substance in accordance with specific functional needs; the nano-level analysis of the mechanisms underlying those functions; and the theoretical prediction of material functions."
A potential outcome of the MOU between NIMS and GE is new technology collaborations in materials science and engineering that help further GE's ecomagination initiative. To help drive cleaner, more sustainable technologies and products in the future, breakthroughs in materials science and engineering are seen as a key enabler. Better materials lead to better, more capable products.
About GE
GE is a diversified global infrastructure, finance and media company that is built to meet essential world needs. From energy, water, transportation and health to access to money and information, GE serves customers in more than 100 countries and employs more than 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the company's website at http://www.ge.com. GE is Imagination at Work. GE has 100 years of history and employs more than 5,000 people in Japan. For more information, visit the company's website at http://www.ge.com/jp/.
About NIMS
NIMS is Japan's sole Independent Administrative Institution (IAI) specializing in materials science.
NIMS is charged with the task of comprehensive management of basic research and development of materials science and to advance the level of expertise in the field. To do this, NIMS also reaches out to other research centers in Japan and around the world. For more information, visit the institute's website at http://www.nims.go.jp/eng/index.html.
Todd Alhart
GE
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