November 2, 2009
Purdue professor wins commercialization award
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - |
Ramani is being honored for his work as chief scientist with Imaginestics, now called VizSeek, a Purdue Research Park company that provides an online shape search engine for businesses.
Ramani and his team at Purdue developed the technology, which allows users to search databases in which most information exists in 3-D visual form, such as images, computer-aided design geometry and drawings. Then, as chief scientist, Ramani worked with a team at Imaginestics to commercialize the technology for a business audience.
In 2007 VizSeek developed VizSpace, an online platform that allows companies to make their parts, catalogs and manufacturing capabilities available to a community of users who are part of their trust networks.
"I am very happy to be recognized by the university," Ramani said. "Purdue University and the School of Mechanical Engineering have provided an excellent platform to transform discoveries in labs into real-world impact."
The award is given to a tenure-track faculty member in recognition of outstanding contributions to, and success with, commercialization of Purdue research discoveries. It was established with an endowment gift from the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership Foundation.
Ramani is the seventh recipient of the award, which includes a $5,000 stipend.
"Dr. Ramani exemplifies what this award is about," said Victor Lechtenberg, Purdue vice provost for engagement. "He and his team saw new research opportunities, developed a technology and found the way to make it a viable commercial endeavor."
A reception for Ramani will be in the Purdue Memorial Union East Faculty Lounge from 3:30-4 p.m. Thursday (Nov. 5). After the reception, Ramani will speak on "The 3-D Highway in Search of Shapes" in a lecture sponsored by Purdue's Office of Engagement. The event is open to the public, but those attending need to make a reservation with Cheryl Butz at cab@purdue.edu.
Ramani also will be honored that evening along with 31 other members of Purdue's faculty and staff during the annual Inventors' Recognition Dinner, sponsored by Purdue Research Foundation.
"The process of patenting a discovery and moving it into commercialization is labor-intensive and time-consuming," said Joseph B. Hornett, senior vice president, treasurer and COO of Purdue Research Foundation. "But Professor Ramani, other Purdue faculty and the Purdue Research Foundation's technology transfer managers realize the importance of bringing new products and discoveries to the public."
Writer: Judith Barra Austin, 765-494-2432, jbaustin@purdue.edu
Sources: Karthik Ramani, 765 494-5725, ramani@purdue.edu
Victor Lechtenberg, 765-494-9095,vll@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
Note to Journalists: Karthik Ramani is pronounced "CAR-thick RAH-ma-nee."
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