From better armor to asphalt that hardens under traffic: Six industry-university collaborations receive funding from the Washington Technology Center

SEATTLE, WA – The Washington Technology Center (WTC)http://www.watechcenter.org awarded $668,000 in December 2002 to projects teaming six Washington’s companies with university researchers through WTC’s Research and Technology Development (RTD) program.

The companies, located in areas across the state, are working with researchers from either Washington State University or the University of Washington. These companies are diverse—ranging from a manufacturer of pest control products to developers of diesel fuel processors and miniature mass spectrometers.

Survival, Inc. http://www.survivalinc.com/ of Seattle provides ballistic protection technology to military and law enforcement 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 partnered with Dr. Brian Flinn of the University of Washington’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering 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.

Sterling International, Inc. http://www.rescue.com/ in Spokane manufactures RESCUE!® pest control products, which use pheromones to attract the insects. This WTC project teams the company with Dr. Prashanta Dutta of Washington State University’s School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering 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.

VizX Labs http://www.vizxlabs.com/ of Seattle 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. Dr. Daniel Sabath of the UW’s
Department of Laboratory Medicine is the faculty researcher. He is developing biological and software methodology to understand which genes are active in a blood or tissue sample, and thereby allow customized disease treatment therapies.

Other companies who received funding are: InnovaTek, http://www.tekkie.com/ Richland (enhanced diesel-based fuel processor); Intelligent Ion, Inc., http://www.intelligention.com/ Seattle (portable and cheaper miniature mass spectrometer); YK Products, http://uscoldpatch.com/ Everett (engineering and environmental assessment of a cold-mixed asphalt concrete that hardens under the action of traffic). A complete list of the project descriptions can be found on WTC’s web site: http://www.watechcenter.org.

WTC makes awards twice a year through its Research and Technology Development program. Awards are up to $100,000 per year to support a company’s work with university researchers. The program helps Washington’s companies grow and create local jobs. For the 28 WTC RTD projects currently being funded, company partners have estimated they will create more than 1,300 high tech jobs by 2008.

About the Washington Technology Center

The Washington Technology Center is Washington’s statewide science and technology organization committed to accelerating the innovation-based economy. WTC stimulates job growth in Washington’s companies by helping develop commercially viable technology. Since 1995, over 200 Washington companies working with WTC have secured $280 million in outside financing or federal contracts. More than half the companies receiving WTC funding have had fewer than 100 employees. WTC also manages a Microfabrication Laboratory, a nationally recognized facility for research, technology development, and prototype manufacturing.

Contact: Ellen Barker, 206-543-7994,
[email protected]