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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Steve Goll, Communications Manager
Washington Technology Center Awards $561,797 in Research Funding
Eight company-researcher projects have been awarded state funding for the development of innovative commercial technology applications.
SEATTLE – January 14, 2009 – Washington Technology Center awarded research and technology development funding totaling $561,797 to eight projects developed between companies and Washington researchers.
Companies with winning projects for January 2009 are: Applied Precision, of Issaquah; ATS, of Silverdale; The Boeing Company and HEATCON® Composite Systems, of Seattle; Enertechnix, of Maple Valley; GeoMonkey, Inc., of Vancouver; Greenwood Technologies, LLC, of Bellevue; Omeros Corporation, of Seattle; and Theo Chocolate, Inc., of Seattle. Winning proposals described innovative research in computer systems and microelectronics, advanced materials and manufacturing, food safety and quality, and biotechnology and biomedical devices.
"Washington’s success in research and development is known globally," said Washington Governor Chris Gregoire in support of this round of award winners. "And the bold innovations created by these companies will help keep Washington’s economy robust. Congratulations to each of you."
Washington Technology Center competitively awards around $1 million in state funding annually as part of the Research and Technology Development Grant Program. 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 331 Research and Technology Development projects.
Each project team is comprised of a Washington company partner and a researcher from a university or research nonprofit in the state. The company defines the research challenge and provides access to the commercial market. The university or nonprofit researcher executes the research with funding from both Washington Technology Center and the company partner.
This round of projects addresses a wide range of innovation:
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. More
ATS, a Silverdale-based provider of intelligent search software and services, is working with Washington State University’s School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science to develop data merging algorithms. WSU will receive $50,000 in Phase II research and technology development funding from Washington Technology Center and $17,500 from ATS for the project. More
The Boeing Company’s Research & Technology group and HEATCON® Composite Systems, a Seattle-based composite repair equipment supplier, are collaborating with the University of Washington’s Mechanical Engineering Department to improve the efficiency of composite-structural repairs. UW will receive $75,190 in Phase I research and technology development funding from Washington Technology Center and $20,000 from The Boeing Company for the project. More
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. More
GeoMonkey (doing business as MapWith.Us), a Vancouver-based developer of mapping software, is collaborating with WSU Vancouver’s School of Engineering and Computer Science to develop a framework for publishing geo-spatial data generated from consumer mobile communication devices. WSU Vancouver will receive $35,582 in Phase I research and technology development funding from Washington Technology Center and $8,092 from GeoMonkey for the project. More
Greenwood Technologies* is a renewable heating solutions company headquartered in Bellevue, Washington. Greenwood manufactures high efficiency wood and biomass boilers for residential and commercial applications. The company is collaborating with the University of Washington’s Department of Mechanical Engineering to enhance the capabilities of one of the company’s wood-fired hydronic furnaces. UW will receive $76,536 in Phase III research and technology development funding from Washington Technology Center and $27,383 from Greenwood Technologies for the project. More
(*Project Canceled)
Omeros Corporation, a Seattle-based biopharmaceutical company, is working with the University of Washington’s Department of Bioengineering to develop a new drug delivery platform for applications in medical imaging and cancer therapy. UW will receive $99,274 in Phase II research and technology development funding from Washington Technology Center and $34,746 from Omeros Corporation for the project. More
Theo Chocolate, Inc., a Seattle-based manufacturer of artisan chocolates and confections, is collaborating with the University of Washington’s Department of Chemistry to develop food-safety and quality-analysis technology. UW will receive $30,000 in Phase I research and technology development funding from Washington Technology Center and $6,000 from Theo Chocolate for the project. More
This round of funding is anticipated to generate more than 400 full-time technology jobs in Washington during the next five years. Washington Technology Center estimates that through its work with entrepreneurs, more than 7,000 new technology jobs have been created in Washington state, many of these from award recipients. New project funding is awarded twice annually.
Annual follow-up surveys show that the Research and Technology Development Grant Program has helped Washington companies transition novel technologies into commercially-viable ventures.
Proposals for the next round of funding are due April 23, 2009. More information about the Research and Technology Development Grant Program is available online at http://www.watechcenter.org/rtd.
About Washington Technology Center
Washington Technology Center is a statewide economic development organization focused on technology and innovation. We spark ideas, form connections between people and resources, and foster job growth to position Washington state as a national technology leader. As an organization, Washington Technology Center channels state, federal, and private resources to help companies develop and commercialize new products and technologies. Our 15,000-square-foot Microfabrication Laboratory provides companies and university researchers access to facilities and specialized equipment for micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) research and product/process development. The impact of Washington Technology Center’s work has generated more than $600 million in additional investment for Washington companies and researchers. For more information how Washington Technology Center can help research and development projects succeed, visit www.watechcenter.org or call 206-685-1920.
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