This is probably one of the best places in the world for a technology company. It has a great combination of favorable cost factors, core technology base and diverse set of skill sets. It’s a universally talented pool."

Scott Faris, CEO, Planar Energy Devices, in this month’s Faces of Technology.

Leading R&D Lab to Establish Research Center at USF

Last month, Governor Charlie Crist announced the expansion of Charles Stark Draper Laboratory Inc. which will be establishing a BioMEMS R&D Center at the University of South Florida (USF) and a Multi Chip Module (MCM) Center in St. Petersburg.

The Cambridge, Massachusetts-based research lab will partner with USF and its medical school, SRI-St. Petersburg and other organizations to develop applications for its microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technologies for medical and biological solutions. Its MCM Center will focus on refining multiple integrated circuits to create smaller and more complex electronic systems.

A partnership of 10 regional and statewide governmental and economic development organizations including the Florida High Tech Corridor Council worked to facilitate Draper Laboratory's expansion into Tampa Bay, which will add 165 new jobs with an average wage of $75,000.

For more information, visit http://www.flgov.com/release/10126.

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UF Professor Seeks Patent for Flying Saucer-Like Aircraft

University of Florida (UF) Mechanical and Aerospace Engineer Associate Professor Subrata Roy has submitted a patent application for a circular, spinning aircraft that resembles Hollywood's flying saucers. The prototype of the "wingless electromagnetic air vehicle," or WEAV, measures less than six inches across and will be efficiently powered by on-board batteries. NASA and the U.S. Air Force have expressed interest in the aircraft, and the University is seeking to license the design, which can be scaled up and would be ideal for surveillance and navigation. Roy says his revolutionary prototype, which would be able to lift off vertically and hover, and may one day soar through other atmospheres besides Earth's own.

UF's mechanical and aerospace engineering department and its electrical and computer engineering department will work together to produce the saucer.

For more information, visit http://news.ufl.edu/2008/06/11/flying-saucer.

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UCF Students Convert Waste Vegetable Oil into Biodiesel Fuel

Mechanical engineering students at the University of Central Florida (UCF) have designed and constructed a reactor that successfully converts used vegetable oil into biodiesel fuel that can power automobile engines – at just 80 cents a gallon. UCF's Department of Sustainability and Energy Management provided $2,000 to help develop the reactor.

The students – Jaimeson Jeffery, Michael Schulist, Eric Williams and Chad Heinrich – designed the system for a Senior Design class project using parts that are easy to find at local hardware stores so assembly would be user-friendly and affordable for the masses. They have since formed a company called Amber Station with the goal of assembling and selling reactors to companies with large fleets so they may create their own fuel.

UCF plans to produce biodiesel at a cost of $1.30 to $1.50 a gallon with the reactor to power its diesel fleet – a measure that will save the University thousands of dollars per year.

For more information, visit http://news.ucf.edu/UCFnews/index?page=article&id=
00240041039ca8f29011b0d8a566806b65&mode=news.

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INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT

Financial Services
Using the latest advances in technological security and online asset management, Corridor companies have added new life to the age old industry of banking and financial services. Core vendors have blossomed from the Corridor's growing wealth of programmers, engineers and innovative minds. And thanks to the region's newest developments in software and tech systems these banks utilize, major players in the financial sector call the Corridor home.

Fiserv Imagesoft, (http://www.imagesoft.fiserv.com) a unit of the Lake Mary-based Fiserv Corporation, has been ahead of the curve for quite some time. The company serves the financial services sector by streamlining processes and providing imaging and content management solutions to the financial marketplace. Its automated fraud detection and case management system, CheckFree FraudNet™, has blocked more than 21,000 attempted fraudulent bill payment transactions totaling $287.9 million since the service began in November 2005. The FraudNet service is part of a suite of fraud prevention solutions offered by Fiserv that helps detect and mitigate fraud from log-in authentication to back-end payment processing, resulting in a lower cost of ownership in the online channel for financial institutions.

Tampa Bay's thriving financial services sector continues to grow throughout the entire U.S. with St. Petersburg-based Raymond James Financial (http://www.raymondjames.com) leading the way. Serving all 50 states and numerous countries worldwide, Raymond James has been ranked among the best financial institutions in the country by the industry's leading research analysts, Forbes magazine, Fortune magazine and the Kanbay Research Institute.

Corridor companies large and small have continued to make an impact on the financial services sector, providing the new standard of technological services that has made the industry what it is today.

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FACES OF TECHNOLOGY

Much like the advanced batteries his company is developing, Scott Faris serves as a high powered energy source. The founder and CEO of Orlando-based Planar Energy Devices is a serial entrepreneur who has spent 20 years building and operating an array of more than 20 startup and emerging growth technology companies.

"I apply energy to the system," says Faris. He began working to spin technology companies out of universities in 1986, while studying information systems at Penn State and working for a venture capital firm. He moved to Tampa Bay the next year and founded the Enterprise Corporation, a technology accelerator, later serving as director of the Florida Seed Capital Fund and director of technology commercialization at the Center for Microelectronics Research. He has also held leadership roles at successful university spin-outs Ocean Optics (USF) and WaveGuide Solutions (University of North Carolina).

His latest project, Planar Energy, is developing commercial uses and efficient manufacturing processes for advanced micro-batteries – high energy density "solid state" thin-film and large-format batteries and applications for original equipment manufacturers. The company's core technology is licensed from two federal research labs, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Colorado and Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee. It's focused on enabling a new generation of lithium metal and lithium ion batteries that are safe, compact and deployable in very flexible arrangements – a promising offering at a time when the Consumer Electronics Association forecasts the 2008 U.S. market at $170 billion.

For the full story, visit http://www.floridahightech.com/pdf/scottfarisplanar.pdf.

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TAKE A BOW

Recognizing people who work "behind the scenes" to make Corridor Council initiatives shine
In a new segment of Inside Florida's High Tech Corridor, the eNewsletter will feature the many volunteers who work diligently to ensure the success of the Florida High Tech Corridor and its initiatives. This month we recognize the out-going and incoming chairs of two major committees. out-going FHTCC marketing committee chair Chris Steinocher, his replacement Bill McDermott, the out-going FHTCC work force committee chair Lisa Rice and her replacement, Gary Earl, for helping to attract, retain and grow the Corridor's high tech industry and workforce.

In his role as marketing committee chair, Chris Steinocher championed the concept of profiling forward-thinking individuals from across the Corridor as the "Faces of Technology." He also has helped initiate dialogue with Enterprise Florida, Workforce Central Florida, Visit Florida and other organizations that represent Florida's brand on how the organizations can work together to promote Florida. Steinocher serves as the COO and senior vice president at the Tampa Bay Partnership. Bill McDermott Bill McDermott, director of the Seminole County Economic Development Department, returns to the chairman's role for the marketing committee having previously chaired the committee during the early days of the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. Before accepting his current position in Seminole County, McDermott served as president and chief executive officer of the Central Florida Development Council.

As workforce committee chair, Lisa Rice led the charge for support of the region's workforce through her work with the High Tech Corridor Internship Program and other grants to boost the prominence of the space program in the Corridor. Rice, president and executive director of the Brevard Workforce Development Board, was recently awarded the Brevard County Manager of the Year Award, presented by the Florida Space Coast Council of the National Management Association. Rice's replacement, Gary Earl brings more than 30 years of workforce development experience to the Corridor. Earl, the president and CEO of Workforce Central Florida, has led two multi-million dollar nonprofits to blinding success in regional workforce development, the Central Florida Jobs & Education Partnership and the Private Industry Council of Seminole County.

FHTCC salutes the work of its out-going chairs, whose efforts have been integral to realizing the Corridor's mission and thanks the incoming chairs for their commitment to enhancing the growth of high tech industries and workforces across the Corridor.

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TECH BUSINESS PARTNER NEWS

Study Identifies Opportunities that may Synergize Florida’s Innovation Economy
with a group of 18 partners including state, regional and local economic development organizations, the Florida High Tech Corridor Council released "Florida's Innovation Benchmark Study," an in-depth review of the strengths, weaknesses and opportunities associated with Florida's efforts to build an innovation-based economy.

Conducted by Del Boyette and Charlie Sloan of Boyette Levy Strategic Advisors, the study identifies opportunities that might accelerate Florida's economic diversification efforts. It includes interviews with economic leaders from across the state and an analysis of innovation programs, policies and incentives being used across the country.

According to the report, one of Florida's strengths is its ability to attract outside talent because of the area's desirable quality of life, the state's cultural diversity and the willingness of area businesses, companies and universities to develop synergistic partnerships.

For more information, visit http://www.floridahightech.com/resources/benchmark.htm.

Space Florida Students and Companies to Benefit from Regional Internship Program
The NASA/Florida Space Grant Consortium and Space Florida are co-sponsoring the first annual state-wide Internship program. The 10-week paid summer internship matches tech-savvy Florida undergraduate and graduate students with a company located in the Florida High Tech Corridor. Interns will network and gain work experience in a professional environment, while participating companies receive high-quality work product at no cost. Jan Baskin and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council were instrumental in helping the project sponsors identify companies and interns for the program.

This year, 13 students were placed with companies in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) industries. Students receive a $4,000 stipend during the internship and are eligible to receive $5,000 upon successful graduation.

Participating Corridor companies are Lockheed Martin, Progressive Glass Technologies, Orange County Public Schools, Adapt 4, Teleflex, Florida Turbine Technologies, Pall Aeropower Corp., Osprey Biotechnics, Rockwell Collins and C2C Development.

For more information, visit http://www.spaceflorida.gov/fhtc.php.

Teacher Quest Impacts Future Workforce by Linking Business with Education
Sponsored by Florida's Technological Research and Development Authority, Teacher Quest, is a professional development program that employs eligible Florida K-12 teachers with tech-based businesses during the summer. Teachers take this knowledge and experience back to the classroom to enrich student awareness of careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

The partnership, co-developed in 1997 with the Florida Department of Education, is a turn-key solution for businesses to link to education and impact the future workforce. Participating companies employ motivated professionals in a cost-effective manner while eligible teachers secure seven weeks of full-time employment and gain valuable knowledge in STEM-related fields.

Employment opportunities include alternative energy analyst, CAD/CAM analyst, engineering analyst, machinist, manufacturing and planning aide, instructional software designer and software quality assistant.

For more information contact Diane Matthews at dmatthews@trda.org, call (866) 263-9564 x106, or visit http://www.trda.org/programs/education/teacher_quest.asp?pageID=21.

Polk Community College Supply Chain Management Institute Awarded $1.2 million
The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded a $1.2 million grant to the Supply Chain Management Institute at Polk Community College (PCC) to increase its national leadership role in providing training for high paying jobs in Florida's supply chain management and logistics industries. PCC plans to utilize the funds to expand the curriculum, establish a training lab with new computer hardware and software, and offer scholarships to professionals in the supply chain field who wish to pursue studies at the Institute.

"We are elated and proud to be the only community college in the nation to receive a fully funded federal grant that will enable us to develop, refine, and expand degree and certificate programs offered by PCC's Supply Chain Management Institute," said PCC President and Florida High Tech Corridor Council member Eileen Holden. "This grant not only reflects favorably on PCC, but also on our industry partners, who have collaborated with us in bringing the Institute to fruition."

Earlier this month, PCC announced the college started accepting applications for Associate of Science (AS) and Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree programs in supply chain management.

For more information, visit http://www.polk.edu/news!/Supply_Chain_Mgt.htm.

New FPL Solar Energy Center to be Built at Kennedy Space Center
Florida Power and Light Company (FPL) plans to build a solar photovoltaic power generation system on 60 acres of land at Kennedy Space Center as part of an agreement it signed at Governor Charlie Crist's state Climate Change Summit in June. The solar energy facility, called the Space Coast Next Generation Solar Energy Center, will produce about 10 megawatts of energy, enough to power about 3,000 homes. The FPL-maintained facility would convert sunlight directly to electricity, use no fuel or water and produce no waste.

FPL also intends to build Next Generation Solar Energy Centers in DeSoto and Martin counties by 2009, which will provide electricity for about 33,000 homes. The three projects will prevent about 3.5 million tons of greenhouse gases from entering the atmosphere – the equivalent of removing 25,000 cars from the road per year.

For more information, visit http://www.fpl.com/news/2008/062508b.shtml.

SCC's Digital Media Banner Center Opens and Names Director
Last month Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp held a news conference to signal the opening of the Seminole Community College (SCC) Employ Florida Banner Center for Digital Media, which received a $500,000 startup grant from Workforce Florida Inc. and a $50,000 grant from the Florida High Tech Corridor Council (FHTCC). The center, to be located at SCC's Heathrow campus, was established to improve the skills of students and professionals in the digital media field and to develop new talent for the industry.

SCC named Judson French Jr. as director for his efforts in establishing relationships with local stakeholders including Electronic Arts Tiburon, Digitec Interactive, Engineering & Computer Simulations, the Center for Business Excellence, Hunton Brady Architects, the National Center for Simulation and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. French is the founding member and executive director of Digital Media Alliance Florida Inc.

For more information, visit http://www.digitalmediabannercenter.com.

Call for Nominations: Metro Orlando EDC Industry Innovation Awards
The Metro Orlando EDC is now seeking nominations for its 2008 William C. Schwartz Industry Innovation Awards, which will honor an innovative company from each Metro Orlando county that is helping to build and diversify our economy. Companies located in the Metro Orlando counties (Orange, Seminole, Lake and Osceola) are eligible for the awards which will be announced at a luncheon on Wednesday, September 17, at the Lake Mary Marriott Hotel.

Past recipients of the Metro Orlando EDC's William C. Schwartz Industry Innovation Award include Mitsubishi Power Systems, JetBlue University, Gaylord Palms Resort and Senninger Irrigation – companies that are notable for unique products, ideas or processes.

Florida High Tech Corridor Council president Randy Berridge applauds all of the companies that continue to add prominence to the region and encourages eligible companies to apply for this year's awards.

For more information, visit http://www.orlandoedc.com/edcPublic/Events/schwartz%202007/callfornominations.htm.

USF Sarasota-Manatee Hosts Russian Technology and Business Forum
The Institute for Public Policy and Leadership at the University of South Florida (USF) Sarasota-Manatee will facilitate a technology and business forum on August 21 with speakers from the Russian Trade Ministry, Russian Chamber of Commerce, U.S. Department of Commerce and Enterprise Florida. It will include a video conference link to Moscow with representatives of the Russian high tech industry. Panels will discuss building trade opportunities and research relationships between Russian and U.S. companies in the United States, and in developing incubation space for startups in the Florida High Tech Corridor.

Speakers for the program will discuss innovation for the Russian economy, the logistics of working with companies overseas and the U.S. Government's and Florida's support for going global.

For more information, visit http://russianamericanassociation.org.

TBTF Seeks Nominations for Industry Achievement Awards
The Tampa Bay Technology Forum (TBTF) has opened its nomination pool for the Fifth Annual Industry Achievement Awards, honoring the best in business and technology across Tampa Bay. All companies that have been in business for at least three years are encouraged to apply for the five award categories: CIO of the Year, Emerging Technology Company of the Year, Innovation of the Year, Professional Services Company of the Year and Quantum Leap Technology of the Year.

Selected finalists will be honored at a black-tie awards gala held at Tampa's A la Carte Event Pavilion on November 6. Nominations must be received by August 29.

As a sponsor of the event, the Florida High Tech Corridor Council encourages all companies and business leaders to submit nominations for this innovative award celebrating the best and brightest of Tampa Bay.

For more information, visit http://www.tbtf.org.

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Accolades

FHTCC President Randy Berridge Appointed to Workforce Florida Board
Last month, Governor Crist appointed 28 members to the Workforce Florida board of Directors including Randy Berridge, president of the Florida High Tech Corridor Council (FHTCC). For 12 years Randy has overseen the Council's mission to attract, retain and grow high tech industry and the workforce to support it.

EDUCAUSE Awards UCF Vice Provost with Leadership Award
Joel L. Hartman, vice provost for Information Technologies and Resources at the University of Central Florida, has been named a recipient of the 2008 EDUCAUSE Leadership Award, which recognizes work that has had a significant positive impact on information technology's contributions to higher education. Hartman was selected for his efforts in advancing learning technologies, developing education and research networks, and leading statewide and national information technologies organizations.

Computerworld Names Raymond James Financial to Top 100 Places to Work
St. Petersburg-based Raymond James Financial, Inc. was recently selected as one of the top workplaces for information technology (IT) professionals in IDG's Computerworld, the "Voice of IT Management." This is the company's third year in a row it has been named to the list.

Lockheed Martin Secures $50 Million Contract for Marine Helicopter Fire System
Lockheed Martin has been awarded a $50 million contract by the Naval Surface Warfare Center for a new fire control system for the U.S. Marine Corps' AH-1Z Cobra attack helicopter. The Target Sight System (TSS), produced at Lockheed's Orlando and Ocala facilities, will help protect maritime battle space, defeat armored seaborne and land threats and offer improved surveillance through long-range missile and gunfire targeting capabilities.

USF Garners National Science Foundation Grant for Student Retention
The National Science Foundation awarded the University of South Florida (USF) a three-year grant of $1.15 million to increase student recruitment and retention in science, technology, engineering and math. USF has set a goal to increase graduation rates in these areas by 20 percent.

Northrup Grumman Receives $185 Million for Joint STARS Program
Northrup Grumman's Melbourne operation has received a $185 million contract for its Joint STARS combat surveillance aircraft program. The Joint STARS fleet provides long-range precision monitoring of enemy forces and is considered to be a key asset in war-time defense. The funding includes $85.4 million for advanced radar work, $36 million for bandwidth upgrades, $4.1 million for advanced radio communications and $1.4 million for an inter-service combat operations demonstration.

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Calendar of Events

The following events are taking place across the Corridor's 23-county region or in the surrounding area:

Tech Jam 2008
Presented by: Tampa Bay Technology Forum
Thursday, August 7, 6 to 10 p.m.
St. Pete Times Forum, 401 Channelside Dr., Tampa
For event information, visit http://www.tbtf.org.

Manatee EDC Think Tank 2008
Presented by: Manatee County Economic Development Council
Friday, August 15, 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Stoneybrook Golf Club at Heritage Harbour, 7515 Grand Harbour Pkwy, Bradenton
For event information, contact Debbie Scott at DebbieS@ManateeEDC.com.

Russia and Florida: Partners in Technology and Business Development
Presented by: The Institute for Public Policy and Leadership at USF Sarasota-Manatee and the Russian-American Association
Thursday, August 21, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
USF Sarasota-Manatee, 8350 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL
For event information, visit http://russianamericanassociation.org or call (941) 465-8905.

Negotiating the Term Sheet
Presented by: Florida Venture Forum
Thursday, September 25, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
University Club, 1 Tampa City Center, Suite 3800, Tampa
For event information, visit http://www.floridaventureforum.org/subpage.asp?pagename=events.

Early Stage Company Showcase
Presented by: Technological Research and Development Authority and the University of Florida – Office of Technology Licensing
Thursday, October 2, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
TDRA Business Innovation Center, 1050 West NASA Blvd., Melbourne
For event information, visit http://www.trda.org.

Disability Mentoring Day Career Fair
Presented by: Florida Disability Mentoring Day
Thursday, October 2
Rosen Centre Hotel, 9840 International Dr., Orlando
For more information, visit http://www.abletrust.org/ndmd/careerday.shtml.

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CORRIDOR INDUSTRY NEWS

Research focused on renewable energy
Miami Herald
By Win Phillips
State policymakers at this week's 2008 Climate Change summit in Miami will focus on renewable energy in Florida. At our four largest research schools – the Universities of Florida, Central Florida, South Florida and Florida State University – faculty have received more than $188 million in grants for energy research over the past three years alone.

For full article, visit http://www.floridahightech.com/pdf/renewableenergy.pdf.

Scientists find link to X-rays, lightning
The Gainesville Sun
By Jessica Newman
The University of Florida and the Florida Institute of Technology recently came closer to pinning down the source of X-rays emitted by lightning, which could lead to the ability to predict where lightning will strike and to determine after-the-fact strike locations.

For full article, visit http://www.floridahightech.com/pdf/x-rays.pdf.

Robot takes bomb disposal to another level
Orlando Sentinel
By Richard Burnett
Orlando-based defense contractor Cubic Simulation Systems has produced a tactical robot that can disarm bombs, conduct video surveillance and perform other functions for military and law enforcement agencies.

For full article, visit http://www.floridahightech.com/pdf/orlandosentinelrobot.pdf.

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Inside Florida's High Tech Corridor is published by the Florida High Tech Corridor Council Inc. (FHTCC) and its economic development partners. FHTCC is an initiative of the University of Central Florida (http://www.ucf.edu), the University of South Florida (http://www.usf.edu) and the University of Florida (http://www.ufl.edu). For more information, visit our Web site at http://www.floridahightech.com, or contact one of the region's economic development partners listed at http://www.floridahightech.com/resources/economicDevOrgs.html.

Florida High Tech Corridor Link Library
For a comprehensive list of FHTCC University Partners; Community Colleges; Economic Development Organizations; Technology Groups and Programs; Workforce Boards and Organizations; Technology Incubators and Venture Capital Organizations; and Industry Organizations, visit the FHTCC link library at http://www.floridahightech.com/resources/linksLibrary.html.

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Eric Ambinder, Inside Florida's High Tech Corridor coordinator ** Please do not reply to this message.If you want to contact someone directly, send an
e-mail to pressroom@floridahightech.com.

Eric Ambinder, Inside Florida's High Tech Corridor coordinator

©2008, Florida High Tech Corridor Council Inc. All rights reserved.
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