UF Researchers Make Great Strides in the Development of Organic LEDs

A team of University of Florida (UF) researchers are shedding light on the future of energy- efficient lighting, making dull and cold lights things of the past.  The team has achieved a new record in efficiency of blue organic light-emitting diodes, or OLEDs, which produce high quality and efficient light similar to standard incandescent bulbs.  Built with organic semiconductors on large area glass substrates, the new lights have achieved a peak efficiency of 50 lumens per watt bringing the team significantly closer to their goal of achieving 100 lumens per watt.

OLEDs are used in cell phones, cameras, personal digital assistants and computer monitors.  The display screens in the computer monitors have high efficiency, better color saturation and a larger viewing angle.  Most recently, OLED flat panel TVs were introduced by Sony.

For more information, visit http://news.ufl.edu/2008/12/23/room-lights.

UCF and Florida Virtual School Form Partnership for Virtual Internships

University of Central Florida (UCF) education majors will be able to put their teaching skills to the test not in a school, but in a virtual classroom this year.  UCF and Florida Virtual Schools (FLVS) have teamed up for the first program of its kind where students will complete their education internship immersed in a virtual school environment.  The students will work with FLVS teachers and provide instruction through Webinars and conference calls with students and their families.  The six UCF students will work with the FLVS teachers for seven weeks and then spend seven weeks in classrooms in Central Florida.

The new partnership will infuse the traditional practices of teaching in a classroom with the new technologies available for students to teach online.  The communication tools available for students to learn are always growing, and the virtual internships will ensure teachers are properly trained and ready to teach in the online world.

For more information, visit
http://news.ucf.edu/UCFnews/index?page=article&id=00240041040e40
a1d011ebaca5f3e007d90&subject_id=0024004102975ad83011b2b83251c0c35.

USF/Byrd Institute Alzheimer Study Yields New Results

Researchers at the University of South Florida are making great strides in Alzheimer’s disease research with a new study on stress response in younger brains that clears an Alzheimer’s-related protein.  The study, which will be published in the American Journal of Pathology, shows how younger brains are more effective than older brains at getting rid of abnormal amounts of a certain kind of protein called tau.  In excess, tau protein causes Alzheimer’s tangles that clog the brain’s memory center.  Stress proteins may play a role in helping younger brains clear excessive tau, but older brains might find the stress proteins harmful.

Researchers may be able to develop a new treatment by harnessing the same mechanism that clears excessive tau in younger brains, for older brains.  The next wave of research will be a closer examination of tau pathology.

For more information, visit http://hscweb3.hsc.usf.edu/health/now/?p=3509.

INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT

The Corridor is a prime location for the ever-growing agritechnology industry.  In recent years, Florida has ranked No. 9 nationally in the value of farm products, No. 2 nationally in the production of fresh vegetables and is home to many fruit, vegetable and citrus organizations.  The agritechnology sector in the Corridor is in full bloom, making great strides for the sector nationwide and helping Florida consistently stay a big player in the industry.

The University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS, http://www.ifas.ufl.edu) is the research and development center for Florida’s agricultural and natural resources industries.  The industry has an estimated $101.9 billion annual impact for the state.  Throughout the holiday months, UF/IFAS tested the properties of LED holiday string lights to promote plant growth as well as serving as decorative pieces.  Researchers at UF are reconfiguring the light in the LEDs to emit very specific frequencies of light that could be used to grow stronger plants that produce more fruit.

Highlands County will be home to the first ever cellulosic ethanol facility in Florida to be built by a Massachusetts-based company, Verenium (http://www.verenium.com/news.asp).  Rather than processing food crops such as corn, the plant will convert renewable grasses and natural, plant waste products to cellulosic ethanol.  The company’s conversion process originated from technology developed by a team at the University of Florida.

The Corridor is home to a vast number of agritechnology organizations all working to assist growers in the halls of legislation or in the groves.  Florida’s commercial farmers are among the most productive in the world and the latest technology [and in the Corridor] are helping provide great products for the rest of the country.

FACES OF TECHNOLOGY

At a greenhouse at the University of Florida’s Sid Martin Biotech Incubator, Dr. Kelly Smith is fighting the agricultural industry’s largest unmitigated pest problem – plant-parasitic nematodes. These microscopic worms attack plant roots and cause an estimated $100-billion in worldwide crop damage each year… but not for much longer.

That’s because Smith has developed a new technology that enables the rapid and cost-effective growth of a natural predator for nematodes – Pasteuria penetrans. Her company, Pasteuria Bioscience, is preparing to introduce the world’s first commercially viable treatment for nematodes in turf.

Smith’s breakthrough “in vitro” production process has yielded an eco-friendly product that will replace pesticides such as toxic and ozone-depleting methyl bromide, a broad-spectrum pesticide that has been phased out of use in most countries since 2005. The product also addresses nematode problems that have never been treatable with any chemical.

Scientists first recognized that Pasteuria could provide effective nematode control more than 50 years ago. Until 2003, no one has been able to reliably grow these bacteria outside the body of a nematode.

For the full story, visit http://www.floridahightech.com/pdf/FacesofTechnology09.pdf.

TAKE A BOW

What happens when Knights, Bulls and Gators meet off the football field?  For UCF’s Vice President for Marketing, Communications and Admissions, Tom Huddleston; USF’s Director of Marketing, Karla Willman; and, UF’s Associate Vice President for Marketing and Public Relations, Joe Hice, they assist in developing a creative advertisement showcasing the research efforts of successful university alumni.  The Corridor university marketing directors collaborated to share the story of three FHTCC Matching Grants Research Program entrepreneurs and the technologies that they have brought to market.

Thanks to the hard work of these three marketing directors, the ad featuring the research partners also appears in the January edition of Delta Sky in a feature on Metro Orlando.  In addition, the ad can also be seen in upcoming issues of the three universities’ alumni publications, UCF’s Pegasus, USF’s Alumni Voice and UF’s Today.

Over the years, Tom Huddleston, Karla Willman and Joe Hice have had tremendous impact on the Corridor.  Their help with this advertisement not only conveys the success of the Corridor as a whole, but the success of the work being produced by the universities. The Florida High Tech Corridor Council thanks Tom, Karla and Joe for their tireless efforts to carry out the mission of FHTCC to attract, retain and grow high tech industry and the workforce to support it in our 23-county region.

TECH BUSINESS PARTNER NEWS

Florida High Tech Corridor’s Faces of Technology Début on YouTube
With a passion for developing the region’s technological industry, the Florida High Tech Corridor Council now shares success stories of area professionals online.  Through the Faces of Technology YouTube channel, viewers can watch video profiles of 15 of the most influential technological professionals in the industry that were showcased in the Florida High Tech Corridor Council’s annual publication florida.HIGH.TECH2009.

Each with an individual video, the Faces of Technology discuss how they are facilitating the growth and development of creativity in the region through their technology.  From designing and constructing rocket boosters to creating a national database to combat cancer, these individuals now share their professional successes in a new, virtual manner.

For more information, visit http://www.youtube.com/user/facesoftechnology.

Florida Legislature Creates Economic Gardening Business Loan Pilot Program
During their special January session, the Florida Legislature took an important measure to provide small business owners with access to financial support by passing the Economic Gardening Business Loan Pilot Program.  The program will help provide loan support to businesses with 10 to 50 employees that are poised for job growth and that will create additional high-wage jobs in Florida.

This loan program will help support companies that have grown past the start-up phase, but have not yet reached maturity.  Support for organizations in this “gap” area was identified in the Florida Innovation Study, which was funded last year through a statewide partnership of 19 organizations including the Florida High Tech Corridor Council, as something that was vital to future growth and expansion of high-wage innovation businesses in Florida.

Seminole Community College Offers Degree in Homeland Security
Starting fall 2009, Seminole Community College (SCC) will offer a new two-year degree in Homeland Security in its newly renovated Center for Public Safety, located on SCC’s Sanford/Lake Mary campus.

The Center currently offers programs in criminal justice, emergency medical services and fire science.  The Homeland Security degree will benefit students wanting to get involved with the federal and state agencies or students seeking elective classes in the field.  The possibility exists of building the degree into a four-year program in conjunction with the University of Central Florida.

For more information, visit http://www.scc-fl.edu.

Verenium Corporation Announces Plan to Build First Commercial Cellulosic Ethanol Plant
A leader in the development and commercialization of cellulosic ethanol has plans to build Florida’s first commercial cellulosic ethanol plant in Highlands County.  The facility will use next-generation cellulosic ethanol technology to convert renewable grasses to fuel rather than processing food crops.  The plant is to be constructed on uncultivated land, producing up to 36 million gallons of fuel per year and providing 140 full-time jobs.

The project has also been awarded a $7 million grant under Florida’s “Farm to Fuel” initiative, designed to stimulate the development of a renewable energy industry in Florida. As the most abundant organic polymer on Earth, the production of cellulosic ethanol is essential to ensuring next-generation biofuels are cost-efficient.

For more information, visit http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=81345&p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=1244987.

Corridor Universities Ranked on Kiplinger 'Best Values' List
The University of Central Florida, University of South Florida and University of Florida clinched spots on Kiplinger Magazine’s 100 Best Values for 2008-2009.  Schools are ranked based on several measures of academic quality and affordability.  The University of Florida, University of Central Florida and University of South Florida ranked No. 5, No. 42, and No. 75, respectively.  Also on the list was Sarasota’s New College of Florida ranked at No. 8.

For the complete list, visit http://www.kiplinger.com/tools/colleges.

ACCOLADES

Space Coast EDC Director Named to Federal Reserve Branch
Lynda Weatherman, President and CEO of the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast, was recently appointed to serve on the board of directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta’s Jacksonville branch.  Her term will run through 2011.

Tampa Chamber Committee of 100 Welcomes New Director
The Cabinet of the Committee of One Hundred, the designated lead economic development agency for the Tampa/Hillsborough County market, has selected Keith A. Norden, Senior Vice President, Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance, Norfolk, Virginia, to serve as its new Executive Managing Director.

UF Start-up Company Garners $350,000 Investment
Sestar Solar Technologies will now be able to take their development of solar energy products to the next level, thanks to a generous $350,000 investment from Thomas J. Shannon Jr., a University of Florida alumni and recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award.  Created from technology licensed from the University of Florida Research Foundation, the UF start-up company is working diligently to become a leader in organic semiconductors that will be capable of generating eco-friendly electricity.

Hillsborough Community College Receives Grant to Expand Technology-Based Learning
The U.S. Secretary of Labor announced Hillsborough Community College as one of 20 recipients selected to receive grants to increase technology-based learning.  Hillsborough Community College will be awarded $498,825 to put toward its advanced manufacturing projects over a three-year period.  Of the 193 applicants, the 20 chosen will employ a variety of technology-based learning applications.

Corridor Companies Selected to Present at Venture Capital Conference
Tampa companies Avalon Healthcare Holdings Inc., OttLite Technologies, RedVector, and Tribridge, Sunbelt Software from Clearwater, Digital Risk LLC from Orlando, Melbourne-based Audigence, Gainesville’s Transgeneron Therapeutics Inc., and Alachua-based Sharklet Technologies, are all slated to present at Florida Venture Forum’s 2009 Venture Capital Conference.  The companies will each make a 12-minute presentation to a group of nearly 200 venture capitalists, investment bankers, financial intermediaries, entrepreneurs and service providers from across the country in hopes of obtaining venture capital investments.

WiPower’s Wireless Technology Featured on the Today Show
A University of Florida spin-off company, WiPower, showcased their wireless power technology at the Consumer Electronics Show and was later featured on the “Today” show. Hosts Ann Curry and Natalie Morales demonstrated the wireless technology with light bulbs.  The company is producing cutting edge technology and can also be seen in the February issue of Fast Company.

Calendar of Events

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

Funding Start-ups with Retirement Plan Assets
Presented by:  USF Connect
Wednesday, February 4, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
USF Connect, 3802 Spectrum Blvd., Suite 100, Tampa
For event information, contact mail@connect.usf.edu.

2009 Conference for Industry and Education Collaboration
Presented by:  American Society for Engineering Education
Wednesday, February 4 through Friday, February 6
Royal Plaza Hotel, 1905 Hotel Plaza Blvd., Lake Buena Vista
For event information, visit http://www.asee.org/conferences/ciec/2009.

Power Player Breakfast
Presented by:  Tampa Bay CEO Magazine
Thursday, February 5, 7:30 to 9 a.m.
Quroum Hotel, 700 N. Westshore Blvd., Tampa
For event information, visit http://www.eventbrite.com/event/235717036.

STAR Tech Information Session
Presented by:  STAR Tech
Monday, February 9, 5:30 p.m.
7887 Bryan Dairy Road, Building 100, Second Floor, Largo
For event information, visit http://www.startecflorida.com.

Grant Writing Workshop
Presented by:  Disney Entrepreneur Center and Grant Writing USA
Monday and Tuesday, February 23 and 24, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Landmark One Building, 315 East Robinson Street, Suite 100, Orlando
For event information, visit http://www.grantwritingusa.com.

TBTF Entrepreneur Boot Camp
Presented by:  Tampa Bay Technology Forum
Monday and Tuesday, February 23 and 24, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Catalina Marketing, 200 Carillon Parkway, St. Petersburg
For event information, visit http://www.tbtf.org.

Second Annual Tampa Bay Inventors Fair
Presented by:  Tampa Bay Inventors Council
Saturday, February 28, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
St. Petersburg Pier, Downtown St. Petersburg
Independent inventors wishing to demonstrate at this event can contact Wayne at admin@tbic.us for details.

Florida Medical Device Symposium
Presented by:  Florida Medical Manufacturers’ Consortium
Monday and Tuesday, April 7 and 8
Marriott Tampa Waterside Hotel & Marina, 700 South Florida Ave., Tampa
For event information, visit https://www4596.ssldomain.com/flamedmfg/upcomingEvents.cfm.

CORRIDOR INDUSTRY NEWS

Fla. Legislature Passes $10M Business Loan Measure
The Miami Herald
By Brent Kallestad

At least 34 Florida businesses would be eligible to obtain low-interest loans from the state to help them expand under a bill lawmakers passed during their special session.

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

Stetson Opens $11M Science Center
Orlando Business Journal

Stetson University’s $11 million Sage Hall Science Center opened for classes Jan. 13.

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

New Help in Fight Against Cancer
Brandon News & Tribune
By D'Ann Lawrence White

It looks like it could be a prop in a futuristic science fiction movie.  But for residents diagnosed with deadly tumors, Brandon Regional Hospital's newest robotic addition may be a present day knight in shining armor.

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