Innovation-Related Research

The Burton D. Morgan Program for Liberal Arts and Entrepreneurship Education brings innovation and entrepreneurship to the fore in one of Denison’s most valued programs, the Summer Scholar Program.  Each summer several faculty/student pairs will be selected to conduct innovation-related research. 

Innovation Summer Scholars for Summer 2009

Brooke Esarey`11 and Dr. Joe Reczek: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Synthesis and testing of electron-rich aromatic molecules for a low cost solar cell: An innovative approach to the materials chemistry of solar cells

The goal is to creatively enhance an important technology, Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells, with the long-term goal of bringing it to be useful and marketable product.  Though this is a heavily chemistry-based undertaking, the objectives of this project encompass a broader impact on the environment through innovation and entrepreneurship.  The outcome of this research aims at an imaginative new approach to provide new solar cells that could impact a worldwide audience.  We hope to break established paradigm of dye-monolayers in DSSCs by using novel DACLCS.  

Yu Guo`12 and Dr. Robin Bartlett: Department of Economics
The Relative Effectiveness of Returned Overseas Students Technology Park in China
The Chinese government supports traditional  technology parks (business incubators) and those specifically created for students returning from overseas study.  This study will compare traditional Chinese business incubators, those Chinese incubators designed specifically for returned overseas students and traditional U.S. business incubators.  The study will use a Chinese designed evaluation system based upon the Analytical Hierarchy Process system. The research will also investigate differing intellectual property restrictions placed on entrepreneurs by Chinese and the U.S. governments and how these serve to promote or inhibit entrepreneurship. 

Innovative Summer Scholars Summer 2008

Daniel Andrews’10, a student of the Environmental Studies Program, will be conducting entrepreneurial research this summer in establishing innovative means in creating a community pathway plan for the Granville area.  The project involves an intensive effort to compile a wide range of information to accomplish challenging tasks according to a tight schedule.  Andrews will investigate past attempts at planning, both in Granville and examples from other locations, and develop a community survey.  These responses, in turn, will provide the foundations for a computer-based map highlighting the areas of the Village and Township most requiring attention for pedestrian and bicycle access.  Andrews will engage in an array of activities that are both technical and interactive with local citizens.  He will be guided in his work by Dr. Abram Kaplan, Director of Environmental Studies, as well as by the Granville manager, planner, and financial director, with additional input from Village Council and the Township Trustees.

Robert Flax ’10, a student of the Music Department, found that that there was little to no literature on jazz violin and “there are almost no jazz violinists who learned directly from other jazz violinists.” This set Flax’s entrepreneurial mind in motion – he would conduct his own research in jazz education and share his knowledge with the violin/classical community. Flax plans on developing education systems for teaching advanced jazz violin.  He will develop a systematized jazz studies method book.  The tentative outline for the book includes historical background on jazz violin, “language” development, transcriptions, etudes and exercises and a “what to do next section” or conclusion.  He will be advised by Dr. Andy Carlson, Associate Professor of the Music Department. 

Application Guidelines [pdf]