Core Values

As a member of the MDS-Rely Center, your organization gains unique access to world-class research, state-of-the-art facilities, and highly skilled talent from Case Western Reserve University and the University of Pittsburgh. Through the Industry/University Cooperative Research Center (I/UCRC) model, members are empowered to shape the direction of research and collaborate on projects that directly align with their business needs and strategic goals.

Cutting-Edge Research and Cost-Effective Innovation

  • Gain early access to innovative research and emerging technologies from Case Western and Pitt.
  • Select research projects to align with your industry’s needs and challenges.
  • Benefit from pooled research funding and NSF cost-sharing for cost-effective R&D

Networking and Industry Collaboration

  • Connect with a cross-disciplinary network of industry partners, government labs, and academic researchers.
  • Build strategic relationships through regular meetings, project discussions, and seminars with potential collaborators and customers.

Collaboration and Talent Recruitment

  • Collaborate with leading professors, researchers, and students from Case Western and Pitt.
  • Hire top undergraduate, Master’s and PhD students for internships, co-ops, and full-time positions, ensuring a steady pipeline of highly skilled talent.

High ROI

  • Benefit from membership fees without indirect costs.
  • Stay competitive by adopting breakthrough innovations from academic research.
  • Achieve a high return on investment (ROI) through direct access to research and accelerated product development.

Intellectual Property and Faster Commercialization

  • Access shared IP with non-exclusive, royalty-free licenses to reduce development costs.
  • Collaborate on joint IP development to accelerate innovation and product commercialization.

Access to Facilities and Software

  • Use advanced university facilities, minimizing the need for costly in-house equipment.
  • Access state-of-the-art tools for research in materials science, manufacturing, and data science.
  • Utilize robust, tested software and sample datasets.