Washington Technology Center has awarded $528,978 to eight projects to be developed between private companies and university researchers with the intent of developing the concepts for commercial use. Four of the projects include WSU researchers. The projects, companies and researchers include:
ATS Intelligent Discovery, a Silverdale-based provider of intelligent search software and services, is working with associate professor Krishnamoorthy Sivakumar, WSU School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, to develop a graphical database mining platform for improved data analysis and discovery. Funding to WSU: $43,368.
Columbia PhytoTechnology, an innovator in the field of nutritional ingredients located in Carson, Wash., is working with researcher Dr. Kerry Ringer, WSU Prosser Irrigated Agricultural Research and Extension Center, to develop an innovative dehydration technology for nutraceutical and food ingredients. Funding to WSU: $45,334.
Efficere Technologies, a creator of patented technology for high-performance electronics located in Vancouver, Wash., has teamed with researcher Xiaolin (Linda) Chen, WSU Vancouver School of Engineering and Computer Science, to develop a software toolset that improves the electronic systems design process. Funding to WSU Vancouver: $24,788.
nLight Photonics, a manufacturer of high-power laser diode-based products located in Vancouver, Wash., is teamed with WSU Vancouver’s School of Engineering and Computer Science to improve the cooling of their products. Funding to WSU Vancouver: $42,500.
Washington Technology Center competitively awards around $1 million in state funding annually as part of the Research and Technology Development program. State funding enables collaboration between companies and nonprofit research institutions on technology projects that show strong potential for commercializing products and creating jobs. Since 1996, the state has funded 317 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 funding, all eight projects, 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 grant award recipients. New project funding is awarded twice annually.
Washington Technology Center’s Research and Technology Development grants have proven effective in helping Washington companies and researchers transition novel technologies from “good ideas” into commercially-viable ventures. Annual follow-up surveys show that assisted companies have been successful in leveraging these grants into more than $500 million in additional funding.
Applications for the next round of funding are due April 24, 2008. More information about the Research and Technology Development grants program is available online at www.watechcenter.org/re/rtd.
