Texas A&M Texarkana partners with Maxell for research gains

TEXARKANA, Texas (KTAL/KMSS) — Texas A&M University-Texarkana (TAMUT) has announced a research collaboration agreement between the university and Maxell, Ltd. (Maxell).

Known for consumer electronics, Maxell was formed in Japan in 1960 and produced the first alkaline dry battery in the country. Maxell has specialized in battery power and media storage ever since.

Under the terms of the agreement, signed at an event on June 18, Maxell will make a large financial contribution to the university to “further educational opportunities on campus and for collaborative research within A&M-Texarkana’s Electrical Engineering Program.”

As a result of the contribution, TAMUT will rename its existing electrical engineering degree, the Maxell, Ltd. Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering.

Specific research will be done to improve and advance all-solid-state batteries, other Lithium and Lithium-ion battery and micro battery technologies, optical lens technologies, OLED, micro-LED, nano-LED, and other display and television technologies, and the Internet of Things (IoT), 5G, and wireless technologies.

University Dr. Ross Alexander said, “We are beyond grateful for this historic partnership with Maxell. For more than 60 years, Maxell has been at the cutting edge of the technology that has helped change the world. By working hand in hand with engineers and developers from Maxell, our students will be at the very forefront of developing the technology that will power the world going forward.”

The agreement also forms an academic partnership with a signed memorandum of understanding. Under the new partnership, full-time employees of Maxell and its affiliates receive tuition discounts on all undergraduate, graduate, certificate, or micro-credential programs, and the university waives the standard application fee. Eligible employees also receive the First Flight Scholarship.

Mr. Kenichi Sano, Executive Officer and GM of New Business Producing Division of Maxell, Ltd., said, “We anticipate the creation of innovative solutions by combining Texas A&M University – Texarkana’s outstanding research capabilities with Maxell’s unique Analog Core Technologies. Through our future joint research, we will work on developing new technologies and products to address social issues and customer needs. We sincerely appreciate the support and cooperation of all parties involved in the conclusion of this agreement.”