Ajay Malshe understands that the best way to capitalize on any gold rush is to sell picks and axes to the miners. That's why he's using his expertise in nanotechnology to build companies that build tools for the nanomechanical factories of tomorrow.

He also understands that engineers have a unique capacity to transfer their innovative research into new jobs. That's why he co-chaired a collaborative project between the College of Engineering and the Sam M. Walton College of Business, along with Carol Reeves, associate professor, management. As a result, engineering doctoral students will be able to receive a certificate in entrepreneurship.

Chad O'Neal doesn't hold that minor, but while pursuing his doctorate in mechanical engineering, he co-founded a company with Malshe. SYSCONN specializes in wafer scale packaging for microelectronic (MEMS) using CO2 laser bonding. After receiving a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant, the company is seeking additional start-up funding.

"This opportunity was so important to my development," said O'Neal, now an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at Louisiana Tech University. "I gained a tremendous amount of experience and skills that have helped me greatly in my faculty career. I understand accounting, budgeting, human resources, grant writing very well now."

Malshe, trained as a physicist, decided to focus on materials science and engineering because "the traditional boundaries between engineering and science are blurred," he said. "I love making the connections between education, research, innovation and technology - and then converting all of that into a powerful economic engine."