Recordpub.com - OUR VIEW: Kent State innovation Liquid crystal research spurs unique greenhouse test project in Cleveland

Kent State University researchers are no strangers to thinking outside the box. Or, as a new project in Cleveland demonstrates, inside the greenhouse.

An energy-efficient "smart" greenhouse unveiled at the Cleveland Botanical Gardens is utilizing innovative technology developed at Kent State, which has been a leader in liquid crystal research for more than a generation.

Using liquid crystal techonology, the windows of the greenhouse can be made transparent or opaque through a simple electrical current that allows crystals sandwiched between specialized panes of glass to regulate the amount of light passing through them.

This enables gardeners to study the effect of temperature and light on plants by simulating partial sunlight inside the test greenhouse in comparison with those housed in a traditional greenhouse. The technology also can be tied into a weather station through sensors that will automatically adjust the liquid crystal panes.

It will take several years to determine how effective the technology is, but it's an exciting development nevertheless as energy issues and sustainability concerns take on growing importance as society deals with global climate change.

While one KSU administrator jokingly described the project as "geeks meet gardeners," the intiative is a promising one that underscores the university's commitment to nurture innovative research in partnership with those who are likely to benefit from it. It's a great example of how higher education in Ohio can take the lead in adjusting to the new reality of the state's economy as manufacturing and industry give way to a technology-driven economic base.

As KSU President Lester Lefton put it, the technology being tested is "a 21st Century response to 'How does your garden grow?'" We're hoping that Kent State can play a key role in answering that question.