InnovaTek, a Richland-based developer of patented technologies for sustainable power and environmental safety, is among 12 Pacific Northwest region semifinalists in the Clean Tech Open, a national competition and program that helps clean technology businesses. The semifinalists were chosen from a field of 56 initial competitors in the clean tech business plan competition. Companies are vying for three regional prizes of up to $50,000 in cash and services as well as one national prize of up to $250,000 in cash and services.

Related external links (will open a new window):

Clean Tech Open

Clean Tech Open rewards 12 startups from the Northwest
TechFlash - Seattle - June 26, 2009

Related WTC links:

InnovaTek is a WTC client

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Labels: Company_and_Client_News, Energy, Funding, InnovaTek, Life_Sciences, MEMS_and_Nanotechnology

Xconomy, a business and technology publication, recently compiled a list of Washington's clean technology and alternative energy companies.

Luke Timmerman, the national biotechnology editor for Xconomy, writes that they "defined the alternative energy industry broadly, including innovative developers of biofuels, solar power, wind, and energy storage, as well as technologies for hybrid vehicles and smart-grid applications and software for energy efficiency and conservation."

WTC client companies on the list include 3TIER, Boeing, EnerG2, InnovaTek, Microsoft, and Neah Power Systems. Several speakers at Washington's Innovation Summit 2009 come from companies on the list (Blue Marble Energy, General Biodiesel, PACCAR, and Prometheus Energy).

Xconomy compiled the list of more than 80 Washington companies with the assistance of several organizations and people: The Washington state Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development; the Washington Clean Technology Alliance; Rick LeFaivre of OVP Venture Partners; Eric Gertsman of the University of Washington; Jane Shaw of the Canadian Consulate’s office in Seattle; Pernick of Clean Edge; Gary Spanner of the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, WA; and Kim Zentz of Sirti in Spokane, WA.

Related external links (will open a new window):

Read the article and view the list at Xconomy

Related WTC links:

WTC client list

Washington's Innovation Summit 2009

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Labels: 3TIER, Boeing, Company_and_Client_News, EnerG2, Energy, InnovaTek, Microsoft, Neah_Power, Partner_News_and_More, Xconomy

Washington Technology Center awarded $64,275 in Research and Technology Development funding based on a proposal from InnovaTek in collaboration with Washington State University.

Related WTC links:

Read more

InnovaTek is a WTC client

More about the Research and Technology Development program

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Labels: Company_and_Client_News, InnovaTek, RTD, WTC_News

Several of the companies that WTC has supported had the opportunity to showcase their developing technologies directly to legislators at the 2003 Association of Washington Business (AWB) Legislative Reception. Held in Olympia, this event is one of the largest gatherings of business leaders and public officials in Washington.

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Companies and researchers developed exhibits and product demonstrations featuring WTC-funded projects. Legislators could see that technologies are being supported from around the state. The lawmakers and their guests received hands-on experience with new and future products from:

-- Hyperion Innovations, Inc., Seattle, cordless soldering tool based on Cold Heat™ technology.
-- InnovaTek, Inc., Richland, diesel fuel injection system for fuel cell processor.
-- MCD Technologies, Inc., Tacoma, heat transfer technology (Refractance Window™ evaporator) for food drying.
-- RS Medical, Inc., Vancouver, bone growth stimulation devices.
-- VisionGate, Inc., Gig Harbor, optical tomography for cancer screening.

The AWB is a diverse organization with a statewide membership of 3,700 small and large businesses that employ more than 600,000 Washington residents.

Related external links (will open a new window):

Association of Washington Business

Related WTC links:

Hyperion Innovations is a WTC client

InnovaTek is a WTC client

MCD Technologies is a WTC client

RS Medical is a WTC client

VisionGate is a WTC client

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Labels: AWB, Hyperion_Innovations, InnovaTek, Legislature, MCD_Technologies, Partner_News_and_More, RS_Medical, VisionGate, Washington

RTD Awards
In December 2002, WTC awarded R&D funding to six company-university research teams through its Research & Technology Development (RTD) program. This round of projects is supporting advances in areas as diverse as pest control, pharmacogenetics, diesel fuel processors, and enhanced asphalt for roads. A summary of these research collaborations is featured below.

InnovaTek, Inc., Richland
Researcher: Dr. Patrick Pedrow, WSU School of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science
InnovaTek is developing a diesel-based fuel processor to supply hydrogen for electrical generation by fuel cells. Using a plasma enhanced metal organic chemical vapor deposition system available at WSU, this research collaboration will help InnovaTek test the process of placing metal coatings directly onto microchannel surfaces-a technology it expects will greatly enhance its processor efficiency and reduce manufacturing costs.

Intelligent Ion, Inc., Seattle
Researcher: Dr. R. Bruce Darling, UW Dept. of Electrical Engineering
Intelligent Ion, Inc. develops products that improve the speed and usability of biological and chemical information. The company is building a new miniature mass spectrometer that will be 75 percent smaller (to fit on a large PC card) and significantly less expensive than existing systems. Under the direction of Professor Darling at the University of Washington, this project will research, design, and build the spectrometer's precise, ultra-small focusing system (electronic and physical optics). This new small, low-priced portable instrument will be usable across a broad range of applications that require immediate, accurate compositional analyses -- including national security, law enforcement, and environmental monitoring.

Sterling International, Inc., Spokane
Researcher: Dr. Prashanta Dutta, WSU School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering
Sterling International manufactures RESCUE® pest control products, which use pheromones to attract the insects. This WTC project teams the company with Dr. Prashanta Dutta to develop a precision micro-pump capable of controlling the dispensing rate of pheromones in insect traps that eventually will be capable of responding to environmental conditions, such as turning on or off at night. This system will be both inexpensive and use little power. With no moving parts, it is an ideal solution for battery-operated traps with a long operating life.

Survival, Inc., Seattle
Researcher: Dr. Brian Flinn, UW Dept. of Materials Science & Engineering
Survival provides chemical defense and ballistic protection technologies to military and homeland defense personnel. While current fiber or composite wrapped ceramic plates offer limited multi-hit protection, they are too heavy to be used for full-body protection. The company is researching lightweight, multi-hit protective systems that do not impair mobility, cause distracting discomfort, or induce fatigue. Survival has teamed with Dr. Brian Flinn to develop a concept for a multi-material, multi-layer solution that will leverage new uses for existing materials, new textile technology, and manufacturing processes to put a superior, affordable armor on the market.

VizX Labs, LLC, Seattle
Researcher: Dr. Daniel Sabath, UW Dept. of Laboratory Medicine
VizX Labs is a life science technology company delivering knowledge discovery systems that enhance researchers' understanding of genetic mechanisms of disease. The diagnosis, treatment, and prediction of outcome from treatment of diseases such as cancer would substantially improve if tests were available to more precisely characterize various forms of the disease. VizX and Dr. Sabath are developing laboratory and software methodology to simultaneously measure the expression of multiple genes using DNA microarrays, to determine which genes are active in a blood or tissue sample. DNA microarrays will allow doctors to provide customized therapies by understanding the basis of disease at a molecular level.

YK Products, LLC, Everett
Researcher: Dr. A.T. Papagiannakis, WSU Dept. of Civil & Environmental Engineering
YK Products manufactures cold-mixed asphalt that is used primarily to fill potholes and other paving maintenance applications. Using WSU's state-of-the-art Center for Asphalt Technology and Laboratory of Atmospheric Research, this project will develop an engineering and environmental assessment of an innovative cold-mixed asphalt concrete that incorporates largely recycled material and hardens under the action of traffic without perceivable emissions of harmful chemicals. The collaborators will track the performance of repairs over time and compute survivability curves to better guide future uses and applications.

EA and FTI Awards
In addition to the Research and Technology Development (RTD) program, WTC has two programs that facilitate fast-track industry-university research collaborations. The Entrepreneur's Access (EA) and Focused Technology Initiative (FTI) programs are ideally suited to assist small businesses and startup enterprises in collaborative technology development. Both programs are available throughout the year.

FTIs provide up to $10,000–$30,000 for a project duration of 6–12 months and are targeted for companies with fewer than 100 employees. EAs fund a maximum amount of $5,000 for 3–6 month projects to companies with 15 or fewer employees.

The following projects received awards in 2002.

Allez PhysiOnix, Ltd., Kirkland
Researchers: Dr. Michel Kliot and Dr. Pierre Mourad, UW Dept. of Neurological Surgery
Intracranial pressure (ICP) is an extremely important determinant of brain function. At present, ICP can only be measured by performing a neurosurgical procedure in which a hole is drilled into the skull and a catheter is inserted into the space above the brain, into the brain itself, or into the brain's deep ventricular system. The risks of this procedure (hemorrhage, stroke, and infection) must be weighed against its benefit. Drs. Kliot and Mourad are working with Allez PhysiOnix to test a novel device that can measure ICP noninvasively. This device also would allow the procedure to be done both in and outside of a hospital setting, with or without an attending neurosurgeon.

IsoRay, Inc., Richland
Researcher: Dr. Mark Phillips, UW Medical Center's Cancer Center
IsoRay was formed to develop radioactive "seeds" use to treat confined prostate cancer and other solid tumors. IsoRay is using a new radioisotrope with a shorter half life and higher dose rate than isotopes currently being used. The goal is to provide a seed that is better able to kill all cancer cells while minimizing side effects. The company has partnered with Dr. Phillips to evaluate the radiological properties and radiobiological characteristics of IsoRay's seeds as well as prepare a treatment planning computer program.

Isotron Corp., Seattle
Researcher: Dr. Buddy Ratner, UW Engineered Biomaterials Center
This team is developing a technology to provide semi-permeable reactive fabric coatings that can protect field troops, and industrial and healthcare workers in case of exposure to hazardous biological agents. This technology can also be applied to decontaminate drinking water systems. These industrial coatings are based on nanoparticle technology. Specifically, the company is working with Dr. Ratner to develop a new nanoparticle species that is capable of capturing and holding oxidant reactive species in a bioavailable state.

Leak Indicator Paint Systems (LIPS), Inc., Tacoma
Researcher: Dr. Gamal Khalil, UW Dept. of Chemistry
LIPS, Inc. is developing a microporous material that can remove arsenic in drinking water. The company believes this low-cost product will help small drinking water systems meet the new federal arsenic standard. This research collaboration is gathering data on surface areas, micropore structure, and loading capacity of a new microporous absorbent.

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Labels: Allez_PhysiOnix, Company_and_Client_News, Funding, InnovaTek, Intelligent_Ion, IsoRay, Isotron, LIPS, RTD, Sterling, Survival, VizX_Labs, WTC_News, YK_Products

For Immediate Release: February 20, 2001

Seattle - In December 2000, WTC awarded over $1.2 million in R&D funding to 10 company / university research teams through its Research & Technology Development (RTD) program. The RTD program is one of three WTC funding mechanisms that helps companies develop, refine, or test new products using the scientific and engineering expertise of researchers at the state's universities.

Between 1995 and 2000, companies and researchers participating in WTC projects were able to attract $167.25 million in follow-on investment from private and federal sources. This is an 11-times leverage of the state's $15.54 million investment in WTC.

More than 50 percent of the current funding went to Washington State University's five projects, with four awards made to the University of Washington and one to Eastern Washington University.

This cycle's round of projects is supporting advances in areas as diverse as electric power production, wireless communications, milk pasteurization, antioxidant research, and genome sequencing. A summary of these research collaborations is featured below.

Awards in Advanced Materials & Manufacturing

InnovaTek, Inc., Richland
Researcher: Philip C. Malte, UW Dept. of Mechanical Engineering
InnovaTek is an early-stage technology-based company that creates innovative solutions for health, safety and energy applications. Working with Dr. Malte, the company is developing and testing a fuel injection component for a diesel and natural gas-based fuel processor to supply hydrogen for electrical generation - creating a power production technology that can use the nation's current fuel distribution infrastructure to provide a clean, quiet and energy-efficient electrical energy generating system.

Saint-Gobain Crystals & Detectors, Washougal
Researcher: Albert E. Segall, WSU Dept. of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering
Saint-Gobain is a leading supplier of sapphire substrates, a favored material used as a substrate for blue light emitting diodes (LEDs) and lasers. Their project will develop a process to optimize production of high quality sapphire wafers, reducing manufacturing time while meeting tightened quality requirements.

Awards in Computer Systems

SuperTel Technologies, Inc., Redmond
Researcher: Ming-Ting Sun, UW Dept. of Electrical Engineering
SuperTel designs and develops wireless voice and data communications products for commercial and business applications. They are teaming with UW researchers to investigate and implement Wireless Local Loop (WLL), a technology that uses fixed or mobile radio transceivers to provide telephone services. WLL is an alternative to telephone lines or cellular services, which are costly and sometimes difficult to install and maintain.

Flat Spin Media, LLC, Spokane
Researcher: Michael Hendryx, WSU-Spokane, Health Policy and Administration
Flat Spin Media, an information technology-based hardware and software development company, is developing an electronic touchscreen notebook device for data collection. The company is collaborating with Dr. Hendryx to design a mental health survey application for their device. This technology can help health care system providers survey clients rapidly, efficiently and confidentially, thus enhancing their clinical management and accountability.

Awards in Biotechnology / Biomedical Devices

Avista Utilities, Spokane
Researcher: Gustavo V. Barbosa-Canovas, WSU Dept. of Biological Systems Engineering
Dr. Barbosa-Canovas is collaborating with Avista, a natural gas and electricity utility, and Inland Northwest Dairies to develop an augmented milk pasteurization process using pulsed electric fields to obtain a product of better quality and longer shelf life. Energy requirements are expected to be significantly less than the requirements of competing processes.

GenPrime, Inc., Spokane
Researcher: Jim Fleming, EWU Dept. of Biology
GenPrime, a biotech company, has developed and is selling test kits for determining microbe concentrations in the cultured dairy and brewing industries. Funds will support generating a new rapid test for raw milk, which will alert farmers to contaminated milk within minutes - rather than after the milk has gone to the dairy processor.

La Haye Laboratories, Inc., Redmond
Researcher: Boon P. Chew, WSU Dept. of Animal Sciences
La Haye Labs is a developer, manufacturer and marketer of natural pharmaceutical, nutritional or dietary supplement products intended primarily for humans. Their latest product is astaZANTHIN™, an all-natural antioxidant that has shown promise in many areas including cardiovascular diseases, dermatology and cancer. Antioxidants are thought to prevent certain types of cell damage associated with artery disease and aging, but their usefulness has not been proved. Project funds will help support studies of the product's possible immune-enhancing activity, a step that is necessary for the product to be accepted as a nutritional or dietary supplement.

Micronics, Redmond
Researcher: Albert Folch, UW Dept. of Bioengineering
Micronics is a leading developer of microfluidics-based solutions for application in life science (genomics), in-vitro medical diagnostics and analytical chemistry markets. Their proprietary technologies enable companies to perform chemical analyses faster, less expensively and with less complexity. Dr. Folch will collaborate with Micronics to develop a unique microfluidic device that will generate a large number of different mixtures by combining a few input compounds.

Molecular Kinetics, Inc., Pullman
Researcher: A. Keith Dunker, WSU School of Molecular Biosciences
Molecular Kinetics is a biotech company that markets equipment used for experiments aimed at understanding protein structure and function. With the recent completion of the DNA sequencing of the Human Genome Project, researchers are now looking to ascertain functions for the 35,000+ proteins in the human genome - opening avenues to improve all areas of human life. This project will focus on developing software tools for prediction and identification of regions of order and disorder in proteins.

RationalDiagnostics, LLC, Seattle
Researcher: Daniel E. Sabath, UW Dept. of Laboratory Medicine
RationalDiagnostics is a startup clinical genomics company whose goal is to develop novel diagnostic tools based on the discovery of disease-specific genes. The company is currently focusing on identifying genes whose patterns of expression distinguish different types of B cell lymphomas and developing a highly sensitive lymphoma diagnostic tool. Better diagnostic tools are expected to improve the management of lymphoma patients and may yield molecular targets useful for developing new drug treatments.

Awards in Optical Systems

ALL-OPTICAL DEVICES

Washington State University
Researcher: Alexander D.Q. Li, Dept. of Chemistry
Current optical fiber technology is hampered by some network protocols that require optical fiber signals to be processed electronically. Developing all optical, fiber optic-based devices can be much more cost-effective and bandwidth (capacity) efficient. This project will explore synthesizing new organic electro-optic materials that are critical for polymer optical fiber devices in ultra-high speed telecommunications.

OPTICAL SWITCHES

University of Washington
Researcher: Daniel T. Chiu, Dept. of Chemistry
There is an urgent need for high-speed and high-density optical switches to handle the ever-increasing demand of internet and telephone traffic. The current state-of-the-art switching device has a switching speed in the range of milliseconds. This project will develop laser-induced switches, which can potentially enable speeds in the nano- to microsecond range.

University of Washington
Researcher: Alex K.-Y. Jen, Dept. of Materials Science & Engineering
This project will develop low cost, high speed, wide bandwidth, low loss, and low power consumption electro-optic polymer materials for optical switch and modulators used in computing and telecommunications applications.

Related WTC links:

RTD Grant Program

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Labels: Avista, Flat_Spin_Media, GenPrime, InnovaTek, La_Haye, Micronics, Molecular_Kinetics, RationalDiagnostics, RTD, Saint-Gobain, SuperTel, UW, WSU