Mississippi State President Charles Lee (l-r), AEA Technology group finance director David Lindsay and U.S. Rep. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., participated in ceremonies on the MSU campus Wednesday announcing a new partnership between MSU and the United Kingdom-based battery systems company.
STARKVILLE, Miss.--A new partnership announced today [July 6] between Mississippi State and United Kingdom-based AEA Technology will establish a research and development facility to produce portable power systems in support of space, defense and homeland security missions.
Initially to be located in the university's Diagnostic Instrumentation and Analysis Laboratory in Starkville, AEA Technology Battery Systems anticipates developing a more permanent facility near the Golden Triangle Regional Airport east of campus.
DIAL, as it's usually referred, is among facilities in the Thad Cochran Research, Technology and Economic Development Park, which is situated adjacent to campus.
"AEA is an international company with several U.S. sites, and we're delighted that they will expand research, development and manufacturing operations into Mississippi," said MSU President Charles Lee.
"AEA's presence in Thad Cochran Park will build on Mississippi State's research expertise and will contribute to the creation of new high-technology jobs in our state," he added.
One of the United Kingdom's leading technology companies, AEA Technology was privatized in 1996 from a former government agency, the Atomic Energy Authority. It now employs 2,700 people across 50 locations worldwide, in three major divisions: rail, environment and portable power.
"The latter will be the focus of the new MSU alliance." said group finance director David Lindsay.
Lindsay said AEA has developed a world-leading reputation in advanced power solutions, including lithium-ion cells, battery packs and chargers for highly demanding environments such as the defense, space, aerospace, and marine markets.
"The company's lithium-ion technology is particularly appropriate for the future power requirements of military users," he observed, adding, "Power on the battlefield has become a critical issue in an increasingly digitally dependent fighting force."
Lindsay said AEA's lithium-ion technology, combined with its leading development in power management, "will offer huge operational and logistic benefits to U.S. defense forces."
The company's technology could be a key factor in emerging military programs such as the "Land Warrior"--the U.S. Army's soldier modernization program--its Joint Tactical Radio System program and the next generation of unmanned aerial vehicles, Lindsay said.
The partnership between AEA and Mississippi State will make use of technical expertise in both the James Worth Bagley College of Engineering and the College of Arts and Sciences, said engineering dean Kirk Schulz.
"Many new technologies fall into areas that cross traditional academic boundaries, and the decision of AEA to locate a research facility at MSU will strengthen research collaborations and opportunities between the two colleges," Schulz said.
Rep. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., praised the new collaboration as a benefit for all Mississippians.
"To have a company that leads the world in its field bring operations to Mississippi is a tribute to our workforce, local and state officials, and Mississippi State University," Wicker said. "With yet another high-tech company coming to the Golden Triangle, it's clear that the secret is out about North Mississippi.
"I look forward to helping continue the momentum we have generated to produce jobs and greater economic opportunities in the region," Wicker added.
AEA also has U.S. facilities in Baton Rouge, La., Burlington, Mass., Detroit, Mich., Herndon, Va., Mooresville, N.C., Pittsburgh, Pa., Richland, Wash., and Urbana, Ill.
In the past nine months, Mississippi State also has established partnerships with Aurora Flight Sciences, a manufacturer of unmanned aerial vehicles; and II-VI Incorporated, a manufacturer of silicon carbide expitaxial material used in high-voltage, high-temperature, and high-frequency applications, including defense.
NEWS EDITORS/DIRECTORS: For more information, telephone Dr. Colin Scanes, MSU vice president for research and graduate studies, at (662) 325-3570.
