Jeff Cornett
Next-generation manufacturing takes on a 50-year-old icon as ORNL researchers transform this classic sports car into a 3-D printed laboratory on wheels. The 3-D printed Shelby Cobra incorporates “plug and play” components such as new engine, battery and fuel cell technologies; hybrid system designs and power electronics and wireless charging systems, allowing researchers to easily and quickly test out innovative ideas in a driving laboratory. Industry partners, including Cincinnati Incorporated, TruDesign, Techmer and many others, were instrumental in the successful execution of this project.For years, Chattanooga area leaders have recognized that partnering with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has tremendous potential to boost the local economy. After all, as the largest U.S. Department of Energy science and energy laboratory, ORNL uses its $1.5 billion annual budget to pursue a wide range of inquiries that have business and manufacturing applications.
In recent years, Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, whose district includes both the Chattanooga area and Oak Ridge, has served as an important bridge and helped establish partnerships such as ORNL’s continuing work with EPB community-wide fiber optic network, among the most advanced in the nation.
Now, ORNL has announced a plan to broaden its interaction with Chattanooga area companies by designating Jeff Cornett as its local representative. Cornett’s official title is Manager, Industrial and Economic Development, and he brings a wealth of experience to the role, including nine years as the President and Chief Operating Officer of a private start-up enterprise as well as many years of experience in a variety of roles at ORNL.
We interviewed Cornett to give local companies what they need to know about interacting with ORNL.
Trend: What’s your process for helping companies figure out whether there may be an opportunity to partner with ORNL?