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Washington Technology Center releases 2007 Annual Report
Washington Technology Center's 2007 Annual Report showcases our work in advancing technology-based economic development in Washington. Throughout the report we follow the experiences of Ultreo and InnovaTek, two clients of Washington Technology Center. Their stories provide a context for how we work with companies to spark ideas, make connections, and foster job growth in Washington state. Below are a few of Washington Technology Center’s highlights for fiscal year 2007: -- Awarded more than $1 million in R&D funding to companies throughout Washington. -- Reported a $23 leverage on each $1 of the state’s investment through Washington Technology Center. Companies generated nearly $66 million in additional investment as a result of our assistance. -- Supported our Angel Network groups as they invested $3.4 million in entrepreneurial start up companies. -- Launched a three-year applied research program to further ready Washington state for commercial opportunities in nanotechnology. -- Succeeded in the first steps to design a semiconductor user facility in southwestern Washington — a facility that will be a major resource for Pacific Northwest companies. Related WTC links:WTC 2007 Annual Report
- end of post -Labels: WTC_News
Micro Nano Breakthrough Conference examined 'small' innovations
Dr. Clayton Teague of the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office, Stan Williams of HP, Holger Neuhaus of the SolarWorld subsidiary Deutsche Cell, and Alan Nelson of VisionGate (a WTC client) were among the highlights of the 2007 Micro Nano Breakthrough Conference, a regional showcase for an audience of more than 300 global nanotechnology leaders. - more in full post - - continued below -
Oregon Nanoscience and Microtechnologies Institute (ONAMI) and Washington Technology Center co-hosted the event in Portland, Oregon on September 10-12, 2007 as part of our efforts to promote regional cooperation around nanotechnology.
Using a mixture of scientific overview and business talks, the conference covered research and commercialization topics in energy, biofuels, photovoltaics, forest products, green nanotechnology, environmental health & safety, and medical diagnostics, devices and therapeutics.
Dr. Clayton Teague, Director of the U.S. National Nanotechnology Coordination Office, captivated the audience with an overview of the origins of the nanotechnology boom (see Richard Feynman's 1959 speech "Plenty of Room at the Bottom") and a vision of the not-so-distant future of nanotechnology where large amounts of materials may be created by assembling atoms one by one.
Stan Williams, Hewlett-Packard Laboratories Senior Fellow & Director of Quantum Science Research, discussed the use of titania as a storage medium for the world’s smallest electronic storage devices developed in HP Labs. HP uses nanoimprinting to produce the ultra-small electrodes to wire the storage elements.
Holger Neuhaus, Head of Technology for the SolarWorld subsidiary Deutsche Cell, presented a fascinating overview of state-of-the-art silicon solar cell fabrication using screen printing — a technology that accounts for almost 90% of the solar cell market. SolarWorld, an international solar concern based in Germany, has recently acquired a silicon factory in Hillsboro (Oregon) from Japan's Komatsu-Group. SolarWorld is upgrading this facility to become the largest solar factory on the American continent.
Alan Nelson, CEO of VisionGate, explained the context and potential impact of their technology for cancer cell screening. With research funding through Washington Technology Center, VisionGate and UW researcher Eric Seibel are expecting to break new ground in 3D cell nucleus diffraction analysis which will lead to new capabilities in pharmaceutical drug discovery and cell biology research.
"The conference was a very good snapshot of research and business activities in Oregon and Washington in the fields of nano and microtechnology," said Dr. Dirk Weiss, Senior Research Scientist at Washington Technology Center. Dr. Weiss, who will co-chair the 2008 Micro Nano Breakthrough Conference, notes that the annual event is a valuable opportunity to make new contacts with experts in the field. At next year's event, Dr. Weiss plans to include a special symposium on nanoscale lithography, drawing together experts from across the Pacific Northwest.
Related external links (will open a new window):
Read more
Related WTC links:
is a WTC client
- end of post -Labels: MEMS_and_Nanotechnology, MNBC, ONAMI, WTC_News
Innovation Partnership Zones will spur economic development
Governor Gregoire announced the designation of 11 Innovation Partnership Zones, geographic areas that will promote and develop the state’s regional economies. Washington Technology Center will help support these communities as part of their overall development strategy.
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Communities designated as Innovation Partnership Zones bring together businesses, researchers and training in cooperative efforts to develop new commercially-viable products and jobs. View Governor Gregoire's press release for a list of Innovation Partnership Zone designees.
"Each of these communities is committing to a long term development program," says Lee Cheatham, Executive Director of Washington Technology Center. "Washington Technology Center can support their development plans. We afford highly-leveraged access to research institutions, to early-stage funding and access to key customers or partners that will be key to the success of these zones."
Washington Technology Center has existing strong relationships with Vancouver and TriCities -- two communities designated as Innovation Partnership Zones.
In Vancouver, Washington Technology Center has developed a strong relationship with the regional semiconductor industry and the emerging research capability at Washington State University-Vancouver. Recently, more than $1 million in state and federal funds were committed to help design a semiconductor user facility that will help small companies access the resources they need.
Washington Technology Center has increased support to TriCities and Eastern Washington through a partnership with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Energy Northwest. In 2006, a joint operating agreement with Energy Northwest established a staff person to serve as Washington Technology Center's Outreach Manager for Eastern Washington and as Director of the Applied Process Engineering Laboratory (APEL), a technology business start-up center located in Richland.
Areas designated as Innovation Partnership Zones receive special access to state resources such as funding. It is the goal of Washington state to further the success of these regional economies.
Washington Technology Center will spend time with the organizations and companies in these new Innovation Partnership Zones. According to Cheatham, "We will work to understand the challenges these communities face; we will encourage the entrepreneurs in these communities to participate in our programs, and others."
Related external links (will open a new window):
Read Governor Gregoire's press release
- end of post -Labels: IPZs, Partner_News_and_More
Statewide resources for entrepreneurs
Washington Technology Center connects our clients to a variety of resources such as R&D funding, business consulting, and facilities and tools critical to new product development.
Related external links (will open a new window):
More in the Puget Sound Business Journal
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POWER-GEN Renewable Energy 2008 - Feb. 19-21, 2008
Stretch your tradeshow dollars by participating in NWETC's Pacific Northwest booth.
Related WTC links:
Visit NWETC.com
- end of post -Labels: NWETC, WTC_News
2008 Washington State Technology Summit - Apr. 15, 2008
Clean technology, renewable energy, global health, and advanced materials & manufacturing will be the focus of this summit on innovation.
Related WTC links:
Learn more
- end of post -Labels: Events, Summit, WTC_News
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