News

Idaho Office of Science & Technology June 2005

In this issue:

# Forbes Ranks Boise, Pocatello "Best Places" in U.S.
# Industry Forum Features Lessons from New Mexico, Symposium
# Premier Technology to Build New Facility in Blackfoot
# Healthcast Teams With Wireless Firm for Hospital Solution
# AMIS Teams up to Develop Implantable Defibrillators, Pacemakers
# Idaho Pavilion to be Featured at International BIO Show
# Idaho Office of Science & Technology Seeks Specialist
# License Contest Draws More Than 80 Entries
# Neuroscience Association Launched
# Micron Sensors Make Autos Safer
# ISU Professor Named Top HIV Prevention Educator
# UI Graduates First in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology
# EmergeCore to Launch "Intellitainment" Device
# UI Engineering Students Win Awards for Excellence at 2005 EXPO
# BSU Receives SIA Grant to Foster More Engineering Grads
# News From Elsewhere

Forbes Ranks Boise, Pocatello "Best Places" in U.S

(Boise, Idaho) The cities of Boise and Pocatello made Forbes magazine’s "Best Places" list for business and careers.
Boise was named the best place overall for business and careers among all major metropolitan areas in America.
Boise received its top ranking by a survey of various criteria, including job growth, engineers, cost of doing business, crime rate and income growth among several other categories.
In the Forbes survey, Pocatello ranked 11th among smaller metropolitan areas.
Among larger metros, Boise was followed by Raleigh-Durham, N.C.; Austin, Texas; and Washington D.C.
Forbes Publisher Rich Karlgaard was quoted in The Washington Times as saying people are looking for a way out of the more urban areas and seeking "quality" environments. He named Boise as one of the outlying communities sought by those fleeing expensive, urban centers.
Karlgaard is also author of the book "Life 2.0; How People Across America Are Transforming Their Lives by Finding the Where of Their Happiness."

Industry Forum Features Lessons from New Mexico, Symposium

(Statewide) More than 20 technical speakers from companies and universities from throughout Idaho will be featured at the second annual Science & Technology Industry Forum June 8-9 in Boise.
Presentations will focus on the state’s four core competencies in technology: Imaging, Power and Energy, Ag/Biosciences, and the emerging area of Nanotechnology/New Materials.
Michael Orshan, director of the New Mexico Office of Science & Technology, will be the luncheon speaker on June 8 and will discuss lessons learned for creating collaborative projects and forming industry clusters.
Emile Loza, of Technology Law Group, will be the luncheon speaker on June 9 and will discuss intellectual property and licensing agreements on collaborative projects.
The event runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days at the Holiday Inn Airport in Boise. Attendance is free but RSVP is requested to: Rachel Hall, [email protected].
More information is at http://www.technology.idaho.gov.

Premier Technology Building New Facility in Blackfoot

(Chubbuck, Idaho) Premier Technology, Inc., a fast-growing high technology engineering and manufacturing company, plans to build a new headquarters, engineering and manufacturing facility in Blackfoot, Idaho.
The new 100,000-square-foot facility will be located in a new Technology Park and construction will begin next month. The project is expected to be completed next spring.
Premier Technology has grown from 45 employees and less than $5 million in annual sales in 1997 to 178 employees and about $30 million in annual sales this year. The company projects it will create an additional 125 jobs over the next five years, most in engineering, project management and production.
The firm provides products such as isolation barriers, shielding windows, environmental management systems and pressure vessels to customers from the U.S. Department of Energy and Defense to pharmaceutical manufacturers.
More information is at http://www.premiertechnology.cc.

Healthcast Teams With Wireless Firm For Hospital Solution

(Boise, Idaho) Healthcast Inc., a Boise health care software firm, has teamed with wireless firm InfoLogix, Inc. to create a workflow solution for hospitals.
Healthcast’s eXactACCESS software will be used on InfoLogix’ wireless mobile pc carts, allowing healthcare workers to use a single sign-on at multiple-shared workstations.
"The combination of eXactACCESS’s single sign-on workflow solutions and wireless mobile cart computing is a natural fit since carts are exposed to public areas and are often shared by nurses and physicians when visiting patients," said Joan Mehn, HealthCast CEO. "When a user is called away, eXactACCESS auto-launches its Privacy Shield to isolate the user’s session and prevent others from viewing patient information. A returning user authenticates to resume working exactly where they left off, and they can also ‘roam’ to other workstations to pick up their unique session."
HealthCast Inc. was formed in 1996 by an orthopedic surgeon who assembled a team of executives and software engineers to bring information technology advances to health care providers.
More information is at http://www.gohealthcast.com.

AMIS Teams up on Implantable Defibrillators, Pacemakers

(Pocatello, Idaho) More implantable defibrillators and pacemakers will contain tiny custom low-power electronics chips made by AMI Semiconductor in Pocatello.
AMIS signed a design and supply partnership with Interventional Rhythm Management Inc., a specialist cardiology company that makes several cardiac electrophysiology devices.
IRM’s new design allows defibrillators and pacemakers to be implanted within the vascular system without major surgery. A key element will be turnkey, low-power chips from AMIS that ensure extended battery life without compromising functionality, in addition to offering options for low-data rate wireless communications.
For more information, go to http://www.Amis.com.

Idaho Pavilion to be Featured at International BIO Show

(Statewide) For its second year, Idaho will have a presence at the international Biotechnology Industry Organization convention.
This year, however, a number of Idaho entities will partner up to host an expanded pavilion at the show, being held June 19-22 in Philadelphia.
Groups hosting the Idaho pavilion include: BioIdaho, the Idaho Office of Science & Technology, Boise State University, Idaho State University, University of Idaho, the Idaho National Lab, and the Idaho Economic Development Association.
BIO is the world’s largest show focusing on the biosciences and brings together experts in fields ranging from pharmaceuticals to food production.

Idaho Office of Science & Technology Seeks Specialist

(Statewide) The Idaho Office of Science & Technology has an opening for a specialist position to assist science and technology businesses and supports entrepreneurial activity throughout the state. Applicants can go online to http://www.dhr.idaho.gov for application materials.

License Contest Draws More Than 80 Entries
(Statewide) Atomic symbols, lightbulbs, computers — and even a Mr. Potato Scientist — were some of the designs submitted in the Technology License Plate Contest.
More than 80 designs were received from students and professional graphic designers from around the state. Contest winners will be announced June 15 and designs that made the finalist rounds will be posted at http://www.technology.idaho.gov later this month.
"We are pleased that so many students and professionals took an interest in creating a design that embodies Idaho’s technology industry," said Karl Tueller, executive director of the Idaho Office of Science & Technology.
Final judges in the contest were: Tueller; Idaho Sen. Hal Bunderson; Cathy Lyons, senior vice president for Hewlett-Packard Co.; Patrick Davis, graphic artist for The Idaho Statesman; Mike Reynoldson, public affairs for Micron Technology Inc.; Trish Stack from the Office of the Governor;and John Lindsay, public affairs for the Idaho National Lab.
Prizes were donated by the Idaho National Lab.
The contest was launched immediately after legislation enabled a new technology-themed specialty license plate in Idaho. The design for the new plate, now under consideration, will be released for sale next January.
For information, contact Julie Howard at [email protected].

Neuroscience Association Launched

(Pocatello, Idaho) Scientists at Idaho State University formed the Snake River Association for Neuroscience with the goal of establishing the first chapter of the international organization Society for Neuroscience in Idaho.
Membership includes scientists and physicians who study the brain and nervous system but also includes others with an interest in promoting neuroscience education and research.
"This chapter lets the rest of the world know that neuroscience research goes on here,and should encourage interactions with neuroscientists at our region’s universities," said Dr. Dan Selvage, ISU assistant professor of pharmaceutical sciences and treasurer of the new chapter.
SRAN is now working to expand membership across the Snake River region, from southern Idaho to Montana.
For information, contact Dr. Leslie Devaud, the chapter president, at (208) 282-2681.

Micron Sensors Could Make Night Driving Safer

(Boise, Idaho) Micron Technology Inc. is working with at least one automaker to make night driving safer.
Automakers are looking at creating vehicle vision systems that automatically shift headlights from high beams to low beams when detecting an oncoming car. That would prevent the driver from diverting his attention from the road.
An article in Globeandmail.com said a number of automakers are exploring how using new technologies, such as the tiny imaging systems made by Micron, can make vehicles safer.
More information is at http://www.micron.com.

ISU Professor Named Top HIV Prevention Educator
(Pocatello, Idaho) TheBody.com, one of the largest health resources online that is specifically dedicated to HIV and AIDS, has named Idaho State University microbiology Professor Larry Farrell one of Ten Outstanding HIV Prevention Educators in America.
Farrell helps plan and deliver HIV prevention programs throughout Idaho and also created and teaches a course on AIDS at ISU.
TheBody.com is one of the largest and most-used health resources online, serving 600,000 unique visitors each month.

UI Graduates First in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology
(Moscow, Idaho) Three years ago, University of Idaho was one of only two universities in the nation with a doctoral program in the combined major of bioinformatics and computational biology.
Today, as about two dozen universities add similar programs, UI has graduated its first students. UI has 17 students on the Ph.D. track and another four pursuing master’s degrees in what is expected to be a high-demand field.
Zaid Abdo, who received his doctorate last month, was involved in research led by Larry Forney, head of UI Biological Sciences Department, that has since caught the attention of Procter & Gamble. The research on women’s microbial communities could help improve feminine protection products.
The university has applied for a patent for the pioneering method for using biological and statistical methods to profile microbial communities.
For more information, contact Bill Loftus, UI science writer, [email protected].

EmergeCore to Launch "Intellitainment" Device
(Boise, Idaho) EmergeCore Networks plans to launch an all-in-one networking device that will have new "intellitainment" functionality.
The new capabilities will expand the firm’s offering of a device focused on the small and medium-sized business market. The "IT in a Box" product combines in one device multiple functions, from an email server to a firewall to a wireless connection point.
The new home product, which will be called "HomeCore", will create a new level of interaction between home entertainment centers, computers and even wireless PDAs. For instance, it would enable family members to instant message other famly members by flashing a message directly to the TV set.
"Imagine a TiVo-like product with functionality that extends to a myriad of new and additional features, all accessible to product and service providers at a very low cost," said Dave Brown, president and CEO of EmergeCore Networks.
EmergeCore plans to release its new product in early 2006.
For more information, go to http://www.emergecore.com.

UI Engineering Students Win Awards for Excellence at 2005 EXPO
(Moscow, Idaho) University of Idaho had some of the top student projects and exhibits at the 2005 Engineering Design EXPO.
Top exhibits included:
– Airbag Automation, a workstation that accommodates a variety of folding tools capable of folding several different airbags.
– Dynamic Prosthetic, a prosthetic device that has a unique plate design for growing children. An automated control system will maintain proper skeletal alignment for two years before replacement is necessary.
– UI Clean Snowmobile, a 2003 stock Polaris Pro-X snowmobile with a direct injection two stroke engine, a catalyst exhaust treatment, an after-market silencer, various sound absorbing materials, and a custom gear drive resulting in a cleaner running, fuel efficient, quieter trail snowmobile.

The Peoples Choice Award, voted on by EXPO attendees, was:
– Shot In the Dark, a high-speed automated visual inspection system for police grade 9-millimeter ammunition that will detect and remove defective cartridges.
For more information, go to http://www.uidaho.edu or email [email protected].

BSU Receives SIA Grant to Foster More Engineering Grads
(Boise, Idaho) Boise State University is the recipient of one of five grants awarded nationally by the Semiconductor Industry Association to support innovative programs aimed at addressing the high drop-out rate among electrical engineering students.
Rochester Institute of Technology, University of California-Riverside, North Carolina A&T University and University of the Pacific also received the $20,000 "Stay Tech" grants. Forty-three engineering schools at universities across the nation vied for the awards.
According to the SIA, approximately half of electrical engineering students nationwide drop out before earning bachelor’s degrees, and the attrition rate is even higher among minority students. As a result, concerns are growing that there will be an insufficient number of electrical engineers for industry needs in the years ahead. Boise State received funding for a pilot program, "Staying on Course," that aims to strengthen ties between new electrical engineering students and the College of Engineering. Elisa Barney Smith, an electrical and computer engineering professor and associate department chair, is the grant’s principal investigator.
The grant will fund three upper division students to serve as "route leaders" to maintain contact with newer students. Informal lunches with engineering professors and staff, and "route guides" that include a printed handbook, a Web site and other support services are also planned. Jose Arturo Garcia, a senior-year electrical engineering student from Emmett and an officer of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers student chapter at Boise State, has been selected as the lead route leader.
The SIA is the leading voice for the semiconductor industry and has represented U.S. semiconductor companies since 1977. Collectively, the chip industry employs a domestic workforce of 255,000 people. More information is at http://www.sia-online.org or contact Patricia Pyke at [email protected].

News From Elsewhere
Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano signed a bill recently that provides incentives to high-tech investors.
SB 1335 provides tax credits to investors of early-stage high-tech companies. Investors will receive a 30 percent credit when they invest $25,000 to $250,000 in start-up high-tech companies with at least two full-time employees but no more than $2 million in assets.
The tax credit is raised to 35 percent for biotech companies or rural high-tech companies.
A number of entities in Arizona worked in concert to craft the bill.

Have an Idea/Submission for this Newsletter?
Contact Julie Howard at the Idaho Office of Science & Technology at (208) 334-2650, ext. 2147, or at [email protected]

2005 Events Calendar
June 6
Doing Business in Australia
Idaho companies interested in learning more about business opportunities in Australia are invted to a free seminar that will provide the latest market and industry intelligence companies need to be successful.
The seminar is 10 a.m.-12:15 p.m. at the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce office, 250 S. 5th St.
To register, call Amy Benson, director of the Boise Export Assistance Center at 208-364-7791 or via e-mail at [email protected].

June 7
Patent & Patent Portfolio Strategies
7:30-9:30 a.m., Perkins Coie LLP, 251 E. Front St., Suite 400, Boise
Patent attorney will give an overview of patents and the process for obtaining them, as well as cover a number of other issues.
To register, email to [email protected]. Space is limited.

June 7-9
SCP Global Technologies International Symposium
Boise Centre on the Grove
Event features presentations, panel discussions, the annual Werner Kern Award, a poster session and more.
For more information on this event, click here

June 8-9
2nd Annual Industry Forum
Holiday Inn Boise
Industry technical presentations and collaboration. RSVP to Rachel Hall at [email protected].

June 8
21st Century Entrepreneur
3:30-6:30 p.m. in Sandy, Utah
This seminar teaches the entrepreneur how to identify and prioritize his or her company’s relationship assets and select a target list of investors to pursue. Cost is $25.

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June 14
Audit Committee Institute
Boise
For the first time, KPMG and Hawley Troxell Ennis & Hawley LLP have teamed up to present the Audit Committee Institute in Boise. Program will focus on Internal Controls as mandated by SOX.
For details, go to http://www.kpmg.com/aci.

June 15
Governor’s Science & Technology Council Meeting
Moscow
Council meets to discuss statewide science and technology policies and strategies. For information or to RSVP, contact Karen Lewis, [email protected].

June 19-22
Biotechnology Industry Organization Convention
Philadelphia
Worldwide BIO show brings together the latest in the biosciences. For information, go to http://www.bio.org/events/2005/

June 29-30
TechLaunch 2.0
Sun Valley
Program trains emerging entrepreneurs to present before investors. More information at http://www.ieda.biz/techinfo.cfm.

July 31-Aug. 5
Northwest Economic Development Games
Ellensburg, Wash.
This 14th annual economic development course brings consultants, practitioners and teacher to collaborate on how states and communities can establish a healthy environment for businesses. For information, go online to http://www.cted.wa.gov/ed/et.

August 22-23
Northwest Energy Symposium
Portland, Ore.
The symposium is an energy technology event bringing together entrepreneurs, utilities, investors, research organizations, academia, and government involved with the region’s emerging energy sector.
For more information, go to http://www.nwetc.com

For more calendar information, visit Conferences and Events at cl.idaho.gov

"We Create Jobs, Strengthen Communities and Market Idaho."

IDAHO COMMERCE & LABOR
PO Box 83720, Boise, Idaho 83720-0093
Tel: 208-334-2470; Fax: 208-334-2631
Web: cl.idaho.gov
05-62000-250

DIRK KEMPTHORNE, GOVERNOR
ROGER MADSEN, DIRECTOR
KARL TUELLER, DEPUTY DIRECTOR & OST EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Idaho Commerce & Labor is an equal opportunity employer.
This document is available upon request in alternative formats for individuals with disabilities.
[email protected] • Idaho Commerce & Labor

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