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Ryan Wayne, GrafTech International

Ohio Third Frontier Fosters Career Development in Advanced Energy Sector, One Rising Star Scientist Shares His Story

What is a talented material science and engineering graduate to do in Ohio? This is the question that Ryan Wayne faced in the earlier part of this decade as he graduated from Case Western Reserve University with no clear job prospects on the horizon given the down post-911 economy. Fortunately for Ryan, Ohio Third Frontier's support of fuel cell technology helped him land a position researching fuel cell capabilities with the Case Advanced Power Institute. His experience working with fuel cells eventually landed him a job as a scientist with GrafTech, a global leader in carbon and graphite products headquartered in Parma, Ohio. With more than 120 years of experience in the carbon and graphite industry, GrafTech is a company with deep Ohio roots that has evolved its business to accommodate the advanced energy industry of the 21st century. At GrafTech, Ryan develops components for fuel cells and other advanced electrochemical devices. Recently, Ryan spoke to us about how Ohio Third Frontier has helped launch his career.

Q. In what way has funding from Ohio Third Frontier help shape your career?
A. After earning my B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from Case in May 2002, the job market for college graduates was not attractive due to the economic climate resulting from the dot-com bust and the 9-11 tragedy, so I decided that graduate school would be my best option. Around the same time, Governor Taft announced the state's investment in Ohio Third Frontier, an unprecedented and bipartisan commitment to create technology-based products, companies, industries and jobs in Ohio. Grants from Ohio Third Frontier enabled Case to rapidly expand its fuel cell research capabilities through the establishment of the Case Advanced Power Institute (CAPI) and the Wright Fuel Cell Group, which are now both part of the Great Lakes Energy Institute. Having just completed a senior project on fuel cells, I was awarded a CAPI fellowship, which was also made possible by Ohio Third Frontier grants. The new facilities and funding enabled me to stay in Ohio and continue my fuel cell research. Had this opportunity not been available, I would probably have gone to graduate school in another state and/or started working in another industry.

In 2004, as I was completing my thesis ("Durability Studies on PEM Fuel Cells") Dr. David Kaschak at GrafTech contacted my advisor, Professor Joe Payer, about hiring a new graduate with experience in electrochemistry and fuel cells. Dr. Kaschak was looking for someone that could be part of an upcoming R&D project at GrafTech, which was funded by a grant from the Ohio Third Frontier Fuel Cell Program. This opportunity led to my first job at GrafTech developing a fuel cell testing method and device called the PEMLITE® system. In addition, taking on the project benefited other areas of fuel cell research at GrafTech that have ultimately led to successful commercial products and helped to retain jobs in Ohio. To this day I continue to work on and lead fuel cell R&D projects funded by the Ohio Third Frontier Fuel Cell Program.

Q. How has GrafTech's work contributed to the global fuel cell industry?
A. GrafTech's fuel cell efforts have provided major contributions to the global industry. Since the early 1990s, GRAFCELL® fuel cell components have played a vital role in improving fuel cell power density and performance. Through a patented manufacturing process, GRAFCELL materials retain a continuous graphite phase. This unique phase continuity, combined with an extremely low contact resistance, provides superior electrical and thermal properties in comparison to competing materials like synthetic graphite composite and metallic fuel cell components. The unique properties of GRAFCELL materials have enabled innovative stack designs that are used today in commercially available fuel cell systems for vehicular, backup power, and materials handling (forklift) applications.

Q. Overall, how do you think Ohio Third Frontier is helping to drive Ohio's innovative future?
A. I believe that Ohio Third Frontier funds are extremely successful in driving Ohio's innovative future. There are two primary reasons I believe this: 1) by supporting research in emerging fields and encouraging collaboration between Ohio's universities and industry, Ohio Third Frontier creates job opportunities for researchers on the leading edge of technology, helping reverse the brain drain from our state, and 2) the programs help create high-tech, "green" manufacturing jobs by encouraging established companies to expand their operations and providing a catalyst for the formation of innovative start-up companies in Ohio. Ultimately, I believe that Ohio Third Frontier will be successful in its long-term mission to create the technology clusters that will establish Ohio as a world leader in advanced and renewable energy.