LT. GOVERNOR FISHER ANNOUNCES $2 MILLION IN COMMERCIALIZATION GRANT AWARDS
COLUMBUS, OHIO (April 26, 2007) - COLUMBUS- Lt. Governor Lee Fisher today announced that more than $2 million in grants have been awarded to six Ohio companies to assist in the commercialization of high-tech products through the Third Frontier Project's Ohio Research Commercialization Grant Program (ORCGP).
"This program recognizes the contributions that small technology companies play in advancing innovation," said Lt. Governor Lee Fisher who also serves as Director of the Ohio Department of Development and the Chair of the Third Frontier Commission. "By providing funds that encourage market access and commercialization, companies are better equipped for sustainable economic success."
The 2007 ORCGP award recipients include:
ZIN Technologies, located in Brook Park (Cuyahoga County), was awarded $344,513 to commercialize a wireless biometric monitoring system to measure the pulse oximetry, temperature, ECG, and blood pressure of patients outside of the clinical and hospital setting. Based upon astronaut monitoring systems used by NASA, this modular, battery-operated device will have an operating period of 8-10 hours, or four-to-five times the life of current systems. It is wireless and can transmit data via cell phone, Bluetooth and 802.11 technologies. The device is expected to be useful for monitoring pre- and post-surgery patients, participants in clinical drug trials, and home health care patients.
Cornerstone Research, located in Dayton (Montgomery County), was awarded $350,000 to scale-up production of cyanate ester shape memory polymers to meet the needs of its largest commercial customer. Target markets for shape memory polymers include medical, composite manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, tooling and recreation industries.
Frontier Technology, Inc., located in Beavercreek (Greene County), was awarded $349,812 to adapt NormNet™, its predictive maintenance software program, for use in the trucking and aerospace industries. The software is capable of identifying deviations from normal behavior enabling the scheduling of maintenance and part replacement before an equipment failure occurs.
NexTech Materials, Ltd., located in Lewis Center (Delaware County), was awarded $350,000 to commercialize eCat Converter, a catalytic device for diesel engines which will convert oxides of nitrogen into nitrogen and oxygen. New emissions standards for oxides of nitrogen are scheduled to take effect in 2010 in the U.S. The applicant is working with Ricardo to design and build an emission control device that will allow heavy duty diesel trucks to meet these new standards.
MetaMateria, located in Columbus (Franklin County), was awarded $350,000 to identify and qualify new customers for its low-cost forming technology, which can be used to produce short to medium runs of complex ceramic parts. ORCGP funds would be combined with investment from NanoDynamics, the parent company, to complete these qualification trials for a variety of applications including medical, environmental, energy, abrasive/hard ceramics, and advanced ceramics.
Hyper Tech Research, Inc., located in Columbus (Franklin County), was awarded $350,000 to work with Rolls-Royce on the development and commercialization of superconducting fault current limiters (SCFL), low-cost high-current devices intended to protect the power grid. Using the applicant's patented magnesium diboride superconducting wire, Rolls-Royce has built and demonstrated prototypes for the commercial marine, Navy, and power utility markets. ORCGP funding would be used for manufacturing and quality control scale-up of the wire manufacturing.
The ORCGP was created in 2004 to support small businesses in commercializing new technologies and services developed under the federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR), Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase II awards, and Advanced Technology Program (ATP) grants. To date, more than $8 million in ORCGP funds have been awarded to projects across the state.
Media Contacts: Nikki Jaworski (614) 466-9161 or Maria Smith (614) 466-2382
