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Applied Precision, Inc.
Issaquah (Company was located in Mercer Island for a previous WTC affiliation)
http://www.appliedprecision.com/
RTD Award: Phase II
Project Title: "Development of a fixed imaging platform and microfluidic devices for live-cell imaging"
Research Partner: Associate Professor Charles W. Frevert, DVM, ScD, School of Medicine, University of Washington
Phase Began: 2010
Applied Precision, an Issaquah-based manufacturer of biomedical imaging systems, and the University of Washington's School of Medicine plan to develop a microfluidic imaging technology for biomedical applications. Successful commercialization of the technology will meet an expanding market need and result in Applied Precision creating 50 new technology jobs in Washington during the next five years.
"We are very pleased to be able to continue our collaboration with Drs. Charles Frevert and Albert Folch at the University of Washington," reports Mr. Paul Goodwin, director of advanced applications at Applied Precision. "Microfluidic devices will enable scientists to interrogate cells in novel ways leading to new and important discoveries in cancer biology, infectious diseases, drug discovery, and personalized medicine."
"This grant support to the University of Washington from Applied Precision is extremely important to us as it could lead to important new products for our core live cell imaging technology platform," added Joseph Victor, CEO of Applied Precision. "Additionally, this grant will help create new jobs in Washington state not only for the grant effort but also for the products we design and manufacture in our home city of Issaquah, Washington."
In this Phase II project, UW will receive $95,215 in research and technology development funding from Washington Technology Center and $34,500 from Applied Precision for the project titled "Development of a fixed imaging platform and microfluidic devices for live-cell imaging."
Microfluidics technology has considerable potential for cell biology, but it has not yet been widely used outside of academic laboratories specializing in microfluidics.
With this project, the collaborative team of Applied Precision and UW Associate Professor Charles W. Frevert, DVM, ScD, plans to develop a live-cell imaging system that seamlessly integrates with application-specific microfluidic devices to make microfluidics readily available to scientists in the commercial life sciences industries.
RTD Award: Phase I
Project Title: "Development of a fixed imaging platform and microfluidic devices for live-cell imaging"
Research Partner: Research Associate Professor Charles W. Frevert, DVM, ScD, School of Medicine, University of Washington
Phase Began: 2009
Applied Precision, Inc., an Issaquah-based manufacturer of biomedical imaging systems, is collaborating with the University of Washington's School of Medicine to commercialize a microfluidic imaging technology for biomedical applications.
UW will receive $95,215 in Phase I research and technology development funding from Washington Technology Center and $22,500 from Applied Precision for the project titled "Development of a fixed imaging platform and microfluidic devices for live-cell imaging."
Microfluidics technology has considerable potential for cell biology, but it has not yet been widely used outside of academic laboratories specializing in microfluidics.
With this project, the collaborative team of Applied Precision and UW Research Associate Professor Charles W. Frevert, DVM, ScD, plans to develop a live-cell imaging microscope that seamlessly integrates with application-specific microfluidic devices to make microfluidics readily available to scientists in the commercial life sciences industries.
"The WTC R&D grant enables us to combine the system design and manufacturing expertise of API with world class research at the University of Washington. By joining forces we will be able to deliver on the promise of microfluidic systems. These systems will enable research into new drugs, disease mechanisms, and stem cell biology. This knowledge will benefit the citizens of Washington state with new tools for the treatment and cure of diseases while bringing new high technology jobs into the region."
Paul Goodwin, lead scientist for the project at Applied Precision.
"Applied Precision is enthusiastic for this opportunity to work with key scientists at the University of Washington to bring the promise of microfluidics towards commercial viability."
Joseph Victor, president at Applied Precision.
"The WTC R&D grant is important to us because it will enable new technology and strengthen a number of collaborations within the University of Washington. With this project, my laboratory and those of doctors Albert Folch and Charles Murry will be able to work together to solve important biological questions about cells of the immune system and how they fight off lung infections and also about the potential for adult and embryonic stem cells to regenerate cardiac muscle. The knowledge gained with these new tools will better our understanding of a number of important human diseases. This grant also strengthens our partnership with Applied Precision as we work together to commercialize a live-cell imaging microscope that seamlessly integrates with application specific microfluidic devices. Commercialization of this integrated turn-key imaging system will move microfluidics out of academic laboratories specializing in microfluidics and make this promising technology readily available to scientists in academic, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology research laboratories."
Charles W. Frevert, DVM, ScD, School of Medicine, University of Washington
"Applied Precision has a cutting-edge imaging technology that promises to unlock new doors in cellular biology, one of today's hottest areas of medical innovation because of the great potential for preventing and curing disease. Let's face it, the demand for health care discoveries will continue to be huge worldwide."
State Sen. Cheryl Pflug (R-Maple Valley)
Labels: District_41, Issaquah, Life_Sciences, Mercer_Island, Puget_Sound_A-K, Quote-Company, Quote-Legislator, Quote-Researcher, RTD_Grant_Program_A-K, UW
Data Data
Vancouver
About Data Data, Inc.
Data Data Inc. is a real estate property data solutions company located in Vancouver, WA. They compile and distribute statistical data primarily for title companies enabling them to monitor market activity and their share of it. DDI provides county, state, and regional reports for their client base and has expanded its coverage to 49 counties in Washington, Oregon, and Colorado since July 2007.
RTD Award: Phase I
Project Title: "Machine Learning to Improve a Document Pipeline"
Research Partner: Scott A. Wallace, Ph.D., assistant professor, School of Engineering and Computer Science, Washington State University Vancouver
Phase Began: 2009
Data Data, a property data solutions company founded in 2007, is collaborating with the School of Engineering and Computer Science at Washington State University Vancouver to evaluate the use of machine learning algorithms to improve document classification and information extraction from images of public records documents. Data Data expects that successful application of this technology will enable the company to scale its real estate market statistics services to the national level and, in the process, create 40 new technology jobs in Washington during the next five years.
"The collaboration between WSU Vancouver and Data Data has the potential to bring overseas jobs back to Washington," said State Sen. Craig Pridemore (D-Vancouver). "At this crucial time, it's great that Washington Technology Center is investing in projects to develop the state's economy, and I'm excited that this particular project is in our own backyard."
"We are very pleased to partner with WSU to pioneer this new technology to advance our document processing capabilities," said Roger Bakken, president of Data Data. "Successful completion of this project will strengthen the quality, accuracy, and timeliness of our products while bringing new jobs to Washington. A successful breakthrough would also allow us to broaden this new solution for document processing into a vast number of other industries and applications nationwide."
WSU Vancouver will receive $28,546 in Phase I research and technology development funding from Washington Technology Center and $5,845 from Data Data for the project titled "Machine Learning to Improve a Document Pipeline."
Processing information from a large volume of public record documents is commonly implemented using an outsourced labor pool -- typically overseas -- to manually classify document images and perform data entry. This labor-intensive process poses a major obstacle for startup companies looking to grow and compete in the document processing industry.
Data Data proposes to automate and increase the efficiency of document processing in order to reduce its need for outsourced labor. By partnering with assistant professor Scott A. Wallace, Ph.D., of Washington State University Vancouver, the company plans to integrate WSUV's expertise in artificial intelligence with Data Data's expertise with industry requirements to assess a variety of machine learning algorithms on various aspects of the document classification and information extraction problem.
"Data Data, Inc. is well positioned to benefit from Artificial Intelligence technology," assistant professor Scott Wallace said. "Our preliminary experiments have demonstrated very promising results for automating one of the more costly steps in their document processing pipeline and we expect that this is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of what is possible. In this project we'll be exploring a variety of ways to use AI to improve Data Data's document processing; each approach has the potential to realize benefits that translate into more business and new tech-centric jobs."
Labels: Computer_Systems, District_49, Quote-Company, Quote-Legislator, Quote-Researcher, RTD_Grant_Program_A-K, Southwest, Vancouver, WSU
Enertechnix
Maple Valley
http://www.enertechnix.com
About Enertechnix
Enertechnix develops and commercializes innovative technologies for environmental monitoring and improving the efficiency, cleanliness and safety of large-scale energy conversion processes. Since its inception in 1995, Enertechnix has developed and commercialized acoustic systems for measuring gas temperatures in large-scale boilers, and mid-IR imaging systems for visual monitoring of conditions within high temperature, particle-laden environments. Enertechnix is involved in a broad program of research and development, aimed at airborne aerosol capture and classification, measuring temperatures in gasifiers, detection of IEDs, and monitoring of personal exposure to toxins and allergens.
RTD Award: Phase II
Project Title: "Improved Efficiency of Energy-Intensive Processes through Control of Build-Up on Critical Heat-Transfer Surfaces"
Research Partner: Associate Professor Alexander V. Mamishev, Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Washington
Phase Began: 2010
Enertechnix, a manufacturer of high-temperature imaging systems, and the University of Washington's Department of Electrical Engineering plan to develop algorithms to control the cleaning of heat-transfer surfaces in industrial paper and pulp processes.
Successful commercialization of the technology will lead to significant energy and cost savings, reduce the emission of associated pollutants and greenhouse gases, and result in Enertechnix creating 20 new family-wage jobs in Washington during the next five years.
In this Phase II project, UW will receive $100,000 in research and technology development funding from Washington Technology Center and $20,000 from Enertechnix for the project titled "Improved Efficiency of Energy-Intensive Processes through Control of Build-Up on Critical Heat-Transfer Surfaces."
Cleaning slag build-up in Kraft boilers used in the paper and pulp industries is currently an energy-intensive and inefficient process. Steam cleaners are typically operated on a timed sequence, based on historical experience with fouling in the convective systems.
With this project, the collaborative team of Enertechnix and UW Associate Professor Alexander V. Mamishev plan to develop image-processing and estimation algorithms to automatically control the cleaning of heat transfer surface build-up to maximize energy efficiency.
The goal of the proposed automatic control of build-up is to optimally trade-off between the maximum energy efficiency obtainable with clean equipment, and the costs of shutting down the equipment for cleaning.
RTD Award: Phase I
Project Title: "Improved Efficiency of Energy-Intensive Processes through Control of Build-up on Critical Heat-Transfer Surfaces"
Research Partner: Associate Professor Alexander V. Mamishev, Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Washington
Phase Began: 2009
Enertechnix, a Maple Valley-based manufacturer of high-temperature imaging systems, is collaborating with the University of Washington's Department of Electrical Engineering to develop algorithms to control the cleaning of heat-transfer surfaces in industrial processes.
UW will receive $100,000 in Phase I research and technology development funding from Washington Technology Center and $20,000 from Enertechnix for the project titled "Improved Efficiency of Energy-Intensive Processes through Control of Build-up on Critical Heat-Transfer Surfaces."
Cleaning slag build-up in Kraft boilers used in the paper and pulp industries is currently an energy-intensive and inefficient process. Steam cleaners are typically operated on a timed sequence, based on historical experience with fouling in the convective systems.
With this project, the collaborative team of Enertechnix and UW Associate Professor Alexander V. Mamishev plan to develop image-processing and estimation algorithms to automatically control the cleaning of heat transfer surface build-up to maximize energy efficiency. The implementation of the proposed technology would lead to significant energy and cost savings, and reduce the emission of associated pollutants and greenhouse gases.
"We are very excited at the potential of this project to positively impact operation of power and chemical recovery boilers. We look forward to working with the UW team to develop this technology and ensure that it is available to these energy-intensive facilities throughout the world."
George Kychakoff, President of Enertechnix.
"The intent of this effort is to move as soon as possible from laboratory experiments to real industrial environments. The University of Washington's Industrial Assessment Center (UW IAC) will work with the manufacturing companies in the Pacific Northwest to conduct field trials of the thermal imaging system that we will design."
Professor Alexander Mamishev, who serves as Principal Investigator in this project and Director of UW IAC.
"Enertechnix has an imaging process that allows high-heat industries, like pulp and paper companies, to 'see' inside their furnaces and clean them at optimum intervals. This allows companies to achieve maximum energy efficiency and minimum pollution levels, and both of those outcomes command a premium price today."
State Sen. Cheryl Pflug (R-Maple Valley)
Labels: District_20, Energy, Maple_Valley, Puget_Sound_A-K, Quote-Company, Quote-Legislator, Quote-Researcher, RTD_Grant_Program_A-K, UW
Healionics Corporation
Seattle (formerly Redmond)
http://www.healionics.com
Healionics in the WTC news forum
About Healionics Corporation
Healionics is a privately held biomaterials company founded on technology developed by Dr. Buddy Ratner and Dr. Andrew Marshall at the University of Washington Engineered Biomaterials center and licensed from UW. Our mission is to be the leading provider of tissue regeneration and device bio-integration solutions to healthcare manufacturers. The flagship STAR - Sphere Templated Angiogenic Regeneration - biomaterial scaffold is a paradigm shift in biocompatibility. Healionics Corporation is headquartered in Seattle, Washington. For more information, please visit http://www.healionics.com.
Research & Technology Development (RTD) Award: Phase II
Project Title: "Spherically Templated Angiogenic Regenerative (STAR) Materials for Reduced Infection and Improved Function of Percutaneous Devices"
Research Partner: Dr. Philip Fleckman, Professor of Medicine (Dermatology), Department of Medicine, University of Washington
Project Began: 2009
Healionics, a startup biomaterials company in Redmond [note: company is now located in Seattle], is partnered with the University of Washington Division of Dermatology in the Department of Medicine, in the School of Medicine to commercialize UW technology that will reduce infection from skin-breaching devices such as catheters. Healionics expects this technology will enable the company to capture a significant part of a $100-200 million market resulting in the creation of 50 new technology jobs during the next five years.
Max Maginness, Ph.D., Healionics Chief Technology Officer, stated, "We are very pleased to be able to again thank WTC for their support. The Phase 2 RTD grant allows us to continue the productive relationship with Dr. Fleckman and his team at UW in further developing the STAR biomaterial scaffold applications towards improved patient care and quality of life."
UW will receive $82,500 in Phase II Research and Technology Development funding from Washington Technology Center and $16,500 from Healionics for the project titled "Spherically Templated Angiogenic Regenerative (STAR) Materials for Reduced Infection and Improved Function of Percutaneous Devices."
Medical devices that breach the skin play an essential role in patient care. They deliver drugs and fluids to the body and have a variety of other uses. However, because the body's natural barrier to disease is broken by these devices, patients are predisposed to bacterial infection. For example, infections from central venous catheters are attributed to more than 30,000 deaths per year in the U.S. alone. Despite the risks, the medical use of these devices is expected to grow.
In this Phase II project, Healionics will continue a collaboration with UW Professor Philip Fleckman, M.D., to further develop and characterize Healionics' prototype catheter technology. The prototype's use of precisely-engineered biomaterials could help to maximize skin healing and thus reduce the risk of infection. Additional studies should help Healionics bring this promising medical technology to market.
"We are excited to continue our studies of the biology of the skin interface with STAR materials in collaboration with Healionics," Dr. Philip Fleckman said. "Support from the Washington Technology Center has fostered significant progress in studies that has advanced our understanding of the biology of the interaction and demonstrated the usefulness of these materials. The possibility of evolving this technology to a product that will help people by reducing morbidity while building the Washington state economy makes this a win-win project."
"As someone who's had a long-term catheter, I really understand the importance of developing this technology to reduce infections," said state representative and cancer survivor Ross Hunter (D-Medina). "Healionics and the researchers at the University of Washington are demonstrating how the private sector can work effectively with the public sector on advances in health care. I look forward to seeing the results of their collaboration."
Research & Technology Development (RTD) Award: Phase I
Project Title: "Spherically Templated Angiogenic Regenerative (STAR) Materials for Reduced Infection and Improved Function of Percutaneous Devices"
Research Partner: Dr. Philip Fleckman, Professor of Medicine (Dermatology), Department of Medicine, University of Washington
Project Began: 2008
Healionics Corporation, a start-up biomaterials company in Redmond [note: company is now located in Seattle], is partnered with the University of Washington Department of Medicine to commercialize technology that will reduce infection from skin-breaching devices such as catheters.
UW will receive $82,500 in Phase I Research and Technology Development funding from Washington Technology Center and $16,500 from Healionics for the project titled "Spherically Templated Angiogenic Regenerative (STAR) Materials for Reduced Infection and Improved Function of Percutaneous Devices."
Medical devices that breach the skin play an essential role in patient care. They deliver drugs and fluids to the body and have a variety of other uses. However, because the body's natural barrier to disease is broken by these devices, patients are predisposed to bacterial infection. For example, infections from central venous catheters are attributed to more than 30,000 deaths per year in the U.S. alone. Despite the risks, the medical use of these devices is expected to grow.
In this Phase I project, UW Professor of Medicine Philip Fleckman plans to evaluate healing responses and bacterial reduction attained with a prototype catheter technology developed by Healionics. The prototype's use of precisely-engineered biomaterials could help to maximize skin healing and thus reduce the risk of infection. Additional studies should help Healionics bring this promising medical technology to market.
"We are very pleased WTC recognized the potential of our next generation STAR biomaterial scaffold technology to advance patient care and improve quality of life. We look forward to expanding our strong relationship with Dr. Fleckman and his team at the UW."
Max Maginness, Ph.D., Chief Technology Officer, Healionics
"We are excited about the opportunity to extend our studies of the biology of the interface of the skin with STAR materials and continue our collaboration with Healionics. The possibility of evolving this technology to a product that will help people by reducing morbidity while building the Washington state economy makes this a win-win project."
Dr. Philip Fleckman, Professor of Medicine, University of Washington
"I am so pleased with the quality of these research and development partnerships. The funds are clearly encouraging work with enormous potential to provide good jobs. Hospital-based infections are a growing problem, so this grant could have wide public benefit, too."
State Rep. Deb Eddy (D-Kirkland)
"I congratulate Healionics Corporation and the University of Washington research team for their technology to improve patient care. This kind of innovation not only helps Washington lead in global health, it helps to keep our local economy diversified and strong."
State Rep. Ross Hunter (D-Medina)
Labels: District_43, King_County, Life_Sciences, Puget_Sound_A-K, Quote-Company, Quote-Legislator, Quote-Researcher, RTD_Grant_Program_A-K, Seattle, UW, WTC_Angel_Network_Funding
inVision Technology LLC
Seattle
http://www.invisioncomposites.com/
RTD Award: Phase I
Project Title: "Innovative Composite Structure Development"
Research Partner: Brian D. Flinn, Research Associate Professor of Materials Science & Engineering, University of Washington
Phase Began: 2010
inVision, a Seattle-based developer of integrated composite components technology, and the University of Washington Department of Materials Science & Engineering plan to develop an optimized design and manufacturing process for producing high-strength, low-weight composite structures. inVision plans to apply this technology initially to the rapidly growing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) market and, in the process, create 25 new technology jobs in Washington during the next five years.
"Congratulations to the inventive, hard-working team at inVision. This state investment will leverage the best in university researchers and private-sector innovation to keep Washington at the forefront of the technology sector," said 41st District state Rep. Marcie Maxwell (D-Renton), vice-chair of the House Community & Economic Development & Trade Committee. "As we confront today's economic challenges, we cannot lose sight of Washington's long-term economic prospects. This funding is a seed for jobs and economic growth in our region."
"The WTC grant will help us find the limits of our extremely efficient designs and continue Washington state's legacy of disruptive technology innovation," said Bill Rodman, president of inVision Technology.
University of Washington will receive $100,000 in Phase I research and technology development funding from Washington Technology Center and $20,000 from inVision for the project titled "Innovative Composite Structure Development."
Advanced composite structures are used in a wide variety of industries and applications where light weight and high strength are critical. The existing composite manufacturing process involves bonding or fastening separate composite components into complex structures. This process can introduce added costs and time, degraded structures and increased weight.
inVision provides an innovative tooling system that integrates previously separate composite components into a single easy-to-manufacture part, which does not need the assembly work and tools of current composites technology. By partnering with UW's Brian D. Flinn, Research Associate Professor of Materials Science & Engineering, the company plans to develop a design and manufacturing process to build an optimized wing/rib joint for a major UAV manufacturer. The knowledge developed in this project will be a vital element for the adoption of inVision technology.
inVision Technology President Bill Rodman said, "inVision Technology is a small business that has created a new lighter, cheaper, and better composites design methodology and manufacturing technology that uses existing aerospace/commercial materials, processes, and quality standards. The simplified methods create structures that engineers have only dreamed of at a fraction of existing technology's weight, cost, and flow. AAI/Textron, inVision's targeted end use customer, was quick to recognize the potential benefits to its Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) product line, and has been a long standing supporter of inVision's technical and business development. Although currently focused on UAS systems, the technology has a high likelihood of being adapted by other composites technology sectors, including automotive, transportation, commercial and general aviation, as well as wind energy. inVision's research partnership with Dr. Flinn, utilizing the University of Washington's infrastructure, will accelerate dispersion and adoption. The WTC grant supports a firm foundation for continued growth and development of Washington's technological base and workforce."
Labels: Advanced_Materials, Aerospace, District_41, King_County, Quote-Company, Quote-Legislator, RTD_Grant_Program_A-K, Seattle, UW
Modumetal
Seattle
http://www.modumetal.com
About Modumetal, Inc.
Modumetal was co-founded in 2006 in Seattle, WA to realize the commercial potential of a unique class of advanced materials. Modumetal is creating revolutionary nanolaminated and functionally-graded materials that will change design and manufacturing forever by dramatically improving the structural, corrosion and high temperature performance of coatings, bulk materials and parts. Modumetal represents a whole new way of producing parts and is leveraging nanotechnology to achieve this unprecedented performance. Modumetal is made by a "green" electrochemical manufacturing approach, which reduces the carbon footprint of conventional metals manufacturing at the same time that it redefines materials performance.
Research & Technology Development (RTD) award: Phase I
Project Title: "Functionally-Graded Polymer-Derived Ceramic Coatings for Extremely Corrosive Applications"
Research Partner: Brian Flinn, research associate professor of materials science & engineering, University of Washington
Award Began: 2009
Modumetal, a Seattle-based developer of nanostructured materials, is teamed with the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Washington to develop an innovative nanostructured anti-corrosion technology. Modumetal projects this new technology will lead to many opportunities in a $120 billion market and grow 50 jobs in the company during the next five years.
"Washington Technology Center is once again serving as a catalyst for the creation and development of exciting new technology, bringing together our premier research university with a very exciting private company," said state Rep. Jamie Pedersen (D- Seattle). "Grants such as this one will help us create great jobs and keep our state a leader in the technology economy."
UW will receive $100,000 in Phase I research and technology development funding from Washington Technology Center and $20,000 from Modumetal for the project titled "Functionally-Graded Polymer-Derived Ceramic Coatings for Extremely Corrosive Applications."
Extreme environment corrosion of metals is a serious problem in a broad spectrum of industries and applications. Typical anti-corrosion coatings have a weakness -- if breached, they leave the metal surface underneath the coating vulnerable to acid attack. Modumetal has a unique production method that eliminates this surface weakness by allowing anti-corrosion materials to be functionally combined with metal.
Modumetal has teamed with Research Associate Professor Brian Flinn, Ph.D. and Professor Rajendra Bordia, Ph.D., both of UW. The researchers and company plan to integrate UW's expertise in polymer-derived coatings with Modumetal's expertise with functionally graded materials to develop coating systems to protect metal components from high-temperature corrosive conditions and concentrated acidic exposure. This project builds on preliminary work funded by an Entrepreneur's Access grant from Washington Technology Center.
Entrepreneur's Access award
Project Title: "Functionally-Graded Preceramic Polymer Coating for Corrosion Resistant Commercial Sulfuric Acid Pipelines"
Research Partner: Professor Rajendra Bordia, Ph.D., Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Washington
Award Began: 2009
Modumetal, Inc., a Seattle-based developer of nanostructured materials, is collaborating with the University of Washington's Department of Materials Science and Engineering on a project titled "Functionally-Graded Preceramic Polymer Coating for Corrosion Resistant Commercial Sulfuric Acid Pipelines."
"We are excited about this opportunity to partner with the exceptional researchers at the University of Washington to create this cutting-edge material for new commercial anti-corrosion application," says Leslie Warren, Modumetal's Project Manager and senior engineer in this effort. Christina Lomasney, the company's CEO confirms that "with support from partners like the WTC and University of Washington, Modumetal is poised to create a new technology that will have broad industrial application and will result in new jobs and economic growth in our region."
Sulfuric acid is a highly corrosive substance used extensively in industrial processes. Typical anti-corrosion coatings have a weakness -- if breached, they leave the metal surface underneath the coating vulnerable to acid attack. Modumetal has a unique production method that eliminates this surface weakness by allowing anti-corrosion materials to be functionally combined with metal.
With this project, the team of Modumetal and UW Professor Rajendra Bordia, Ph.D., plans to modify a preceramic polymer system developed at the University to merge with a functionally graded materials system developed by Modumetal for corrosion protection of commercial sulfuric acid production pipelines for ConocoPhillips.
"This project combines the research that has been done at the University of Washington and at Modumetal to develop a novel solution for a significant problem in the area of corrosion," said Dr. Bordia. "The short term EA funding from WTC gives us a chance to initiate this joint development and prepares us for long term collaboration with Modumetal. The need for corrosion resistant coatings is widespread and the proposed solution that we will be exploring with Modumetal has the potential to impact a broad range of industries."
Modumetal expects that successful application of this technology will lead to many opportunities in the $300 million corrosion-prevention market.
The $5,000 award for this project comes from an Entrepreneur's Access grant from Washington Technology Center (WTC). WTC competitively awards around $1 million in state funding annually for research and technology development projects. State funding enables collaboration between companies and non-profit research institutions on technology projects that show strong potential for commercializing products and creating jobs. Since 1996, the state has funded 330 research and technology development projects.
"This grant is a great example of state government at its best," said Washington State Representative Jamie Pedersen (D-Seattle). "The seed money from WTC, combined with world-class research facilities at the University of Washington and the innovative entrepreneurs at Modumetal, will create jobs and help the state maintain its lead in technology."
Labels: Advanced_Materials, Defense_and_Security, District_43, Entrepreneur's_Access, King_County, Quote-Company, Quote-Legislator, Quote-Researcher, RTD_Grant_Program_L-Z, Seattle, UW
Paine Electronics
East Wenatchee
http://www.paineelectronics.com
About Paine Electronics, LLC
Established in 1951, Paine Electronics, LLC is a leading manufacturer of precision pressure and temperature instrumentation for some of the most vital technologies in the world. Paine Electronics products are used extensively in the aerospace, defense, oil & gas, sub-sea, industrial and renewable energy industries world-wide.
Paine Electronics maintains a world-class, AS9100 certified, manufacturing facility in East Wenatchee and Renton Washington. These vertically integrated facilities include engineering, manufacturing, advanced testing, automated machining, hybrid microcircuit design and manufacturing capabilities. Our advanced bonded strain gage technology and 58 years of product performance has made Paine Electronics the preferred choice for customers with pressure and temperature requirements in the toughest applications. To learn more about Paine Electronics, please visit them on the web at www.paineelectronics.com.
RTD Award: Phase I
Project Title: "High Temperature Pressure Sensor ASIC"
Research Partner: Robert Bruce Darling, professor, Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Washington
Phase Began: 2009
Paine Electronics, a manufacturer of pressure instrumentation with headquarters in East Wenatchee and a production facility in Renton, is collaborating with the Department of Electrical Engineering at the University of Washington to develop an integrated circuit for use in high-temperature sensors. Paine Electronics expects the new sensors will open up opportunities in the growing geothermal and mineral exploration markets, and create 25 jobs during the next five years.
"The research and development funding provided by the Washington Technology Center will assist Paine Electronics in developing high temperature, advanced-communication sensors for the mineral exploration market," said Roy Ferguson, president of Paine Electronics. "This project will enable Paine to maintain its status as a technology leader in downhole sensing and position Paine to become a major player in the emerging geothermal energy market, creating additional technology-based jobs in a traditionally agricultural area of Washington state."
UW will receive $65,408 in Phase I research and technology development funding from Washington Technology Center and $14,538 from Paine Electronics for the project titled "High Temperature Pressure Sensor ASIC."
Mineral exploration companies are constantly pushing to greater depths in an effort to develop previously unreachable resources. In addition, some companies within the mineral exploration market are expected to shift to geothermal energy sites as interest develops in alternative energy sources. Both of these factors will drive sensor technology to greater temperatures than are presently possible.
Paine Electronics has teamed with UW Professor Robert Bruce Darling to integrate UW's expertise in integrated circuit design with Paine Electronics' expertise with rugged sensor technology. The team will design, prototype and test an application-specific integrated circuit for use in a new family of pressure transducers that will be capable of long-term operation at temperatures up to 225 degrees Celsius.
"This project will provide a timely route for commercialization of UW electrothermal systems technology, specifically involving integrated circuit design and sensor interfacing," Professor Darling said. "Combined with the expertise from Paine Electronics, this work will lead to a new class of sensors for use in harsh environments, and which are particularly suited for geophysical applications."
"It's so rewarding to see this type of partnership emerge between one of our innovative 12th District companies and the bright minds at the University of Washington," said Senator Linda Evans Parlette, (R-Wenatchee). "It will be exciting to watch as they work together to develop this new and important technology."
Researcher: Dr. David Bahr, WSU School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering
Phase Began: 2004
Research efforts will produce two prototype strain sensors for Paine's pressure gauges, which will increase the products' sensitivity while maintaining the robust mechanical reliability of the devices. Paine's pressure transducers and pressure transmitters are used in aerospace, defense, oil and gas, marine, and other industries.
Labels: Aerospace, Central, Defense_and_Security, District_12, Energy, MEMS_and_Nanotechnology, Quote-Company, Quote-Legislator, Quote-Researcher, RTD_Grant_Program_L-Z, UW, Wenatchee, WSU
Simulab Corporation
Seattle
http://www.simulab.com
About Simulab Corporation
Simulab is a market leader in the development of realistic, portable, and affordable medical simulators and surgical simulators for a wide array of educational and medical training needs. With research and development efforts focused on anatomical realism and product innovation, Simulab has contributed significant advances to the field of medical simulation, including the TraumaMan® System, an advanced trauma surgery trainer, and the CentraLineMan System, a central venous trainer. Simulab, located in Seattle, Washington, collaborates with leading educators worldwide and bringing its specialized knowledge of materials and manufacturing processes to the medical model and simulation industry.
RTD Award: Phase I
Project Title: "EDGE Enhanced Surgical Skill Evaluation"
Research Partner: Blake Hannaford, professor, director of BioRobotics Laboratory, Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Washington
Phase Began: 2009
Simulab, a Seattle-based developer of medical and surgical simulators, is working with the BioRobotics Laboratory at the University of Washington to commercialize UW software capable of measuring hands-on surgical skills. Simulab plans to target surgical residency programs and large hospitals for the skill-evaluating simulators, and projects the creation of 20 jobs during the next five years.
"Simulab is thrilled to continue to build upon our partnership with the University of Washington on this ground breaking project," said Christopher Toly, CEO of Simulab Corporation. "EDGE will fill a significant void for the medical education community, providing a reality-based laparoscopic trainer that provides a validated surgical skills scoring system -- nothing like it currently exists."
"During this time of historic unemployment, this partnership will spur job creation and get many back to work," state Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles (D-Seattle) said. "I commend the Washington Technology Center, Simulab Corporation, and the University of Washington for bringing public and private resources together to strengthen our economy and improve our health care system."
UW will receive $100,000 in Phase I research and technology development funding from Washington Technology Center and $20,000 from Simulab for the project titled "EDGE Enhanced Surgical Skill Evaluation."
Medical training and certification is going through a transformation in which the traditional apprenticeship model is being supplanted by a structured curriculum with well-defined milestones. Inherent in this transformation is a need for evaluation technologies that can measure hands-on surgical procedural skills. As a maker of realistic and affordable surgical simulators, Simulab is uniquely positioned to extend its specialized knowledge of materials and manufacturing processes to address the surgical skills-evaluation market.
Simulab has teamed with Professor Blake Hannaford, Ph.D., director of the UW BioRobotics Laboratory, to integrate UW's expertise in surgical performance measurement with Simulab's expertise with medical simulation. The team will refine, test and implement advanced algorithms for quantitatively measuring surgical skill for the purpose of training and assessment.
"I'm excited to work with such a dynamic and creative young company as Simulab to push the frontier of surgical performance evaluation software technology," said Professor Blake Hannaford.
"This is the kind of award that highlights the importance of the Washington Technology Center grant program," said state Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson (D-Seattle). "This partnership between the UW and Simulab not only has the potential to create jobs, it has the potential to create a product that could one day save many lives."
"This funding will serve as that critical nexus between cutting-edge lab research and private sector innovation, helping to get this software to the marketplace where it can help people. This kind of strong partnership is vital not only to our region's economic future but also to the medical-technology field worldwide," said Rep. Reuven Carlyle (D-Seattle).
Labels: District_36, Life_Sciences, Puget_Sound_L-Z, Quote-Company, Quote-Legislator, Quote-Researcher, RTD_Grant_Program_L-Z, Seattle, UW
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