Sweet Science:
UF Technology Helps Turn Sugar Beets into Energy
Technology originally developed by the University of Florida (UF) for NASA will be used to help Minnesota-based American Crystal Sugar Co. efficiently recycle sugar beet tailings into methane gas, a burnable energy source.
The partnership came about because UF needed a large-scale test site to build upon tabletop experiments that proved its theory, while Crystal Sugar was searching for economically efficient ways to dispose of excess sugar beet tailings, a process that costs millions of dollars. To facilitate the research, the Xcel Energy Renewable Energy Development Fund grant provided UF and American Crystal Sugar $1 million for developmental research and the potential for an additional $2 million if the process proves commercially viable.
UF originally developed the technology for NASA, which was in search of high efficiency waste management and energy creation for possible use on a future planned mission to Mars.
For more information, visit: http://www.energy.ufl.edu/index.php?src=renew_bio.
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UCF Study Finds Physical and Mental Benefits of Video Games
Researchers at the University of Central Florida (UCF) were recently awarded a $200,000 grant by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) through the Health Games Research national program, an initiative that explores how video games can improve the nation's health and health care costs.
UCF will test whether role-playing video games can help people who are diagnosed with alcohol abuse or dependence prevent real world relapses. The study will compare behavior and health impacts of treatment, and access to the role-playing game versus treatment without access to the role-playing game.
In a separate study, a team of UCF faculty and graduate students found that immersive educational video games can improve student's math skills and comprehension and raise scores on district-wide benchmark exams. The 18-week long study supports previous research which has found that interactive games are more effective on learners' cognitive gains than traditional classroom institutions alone.
For more information, visit http://news.ucf.edu/UCFnews/index?page=article&id=002400414973f6b011a3a911f67011eb and http://www.rwjf.org/newsroom/product.jsp?id=30932.
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USF Researcher’s Study Shows Promise of Drug-Coated Stents
According to Kevin Kip, executive director of the University of South Florida (USF) College of Nursing Research Center, stents placed in coronary arteries to increase blood flow can actually reduce the need for a repeat procedure when coated in anti-inflammatory medicine.
Through Kip's study, bare-metal stents have been shown to cause a build up in scar tissue around the mesh device requiring a second revascularization procedure to replace the stent and widen the narrowed artery. While the study found that using the drug-coated stent resulted in a 37 percent lower risk of a repeat procedure, Kip defends that the individual results vary for patients who have already received treatment with bare-metal stents or have serious pre-existing conditions.
For more information, visit http://usfweb2.usf.edu/University-Communications-and-Marketing/marketing/USF-Magazine/2008/spring.html.
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INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT
 The Future of Aerospace in the Corridor
Since the establishment of the nation's space exploration program in Brevard County nearly 50 years ago, the region has emerged as a world-renown hub for aerospace. From the first test flights of unmanned rockets to the first human space flight program Project Mercury and on through the shuttle program, NASA's progress has attracted the brightest minds in aerospace and aviation engineering to Florida's Space Coast bringing along with it an industry of related fields in engineering, simulation and manufacturing. And while the upcoming retirement of the space shuttle and then the transition to the new crew vehicle will translate to fewer positions directly involved with the NASA program, the Florida High Tech Corridor Council (FHTCC) and its economic development, workforce and industry partners are implementing initiatives that will transition and retain these veteran scientists and engineers for a new economy in the region's aerospace industry.
Recognizing the importance of the space industry to the region's economy, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation recently held a field hearing in Port Canaveral to discuss possible solutions for the impending job loss at Kennedy Space Center. During the hearing, which included Florida's two U.S. Senators, Bill Nelson and Mel Martinez, NASA Administrator Michael Griffin announced that recent programs to create and retain jobs would place the number of job losses between 3,000 and 4,000—nearly half of the earlier-forecasted 6,400.
Lynda Weatherman, CEO of the Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast and former marketing chair of the FHTCC; Lisa Rice, President and Executive Director of the Brevard Workforce Development Board and former chair of the FHTCC workforce committee; Steve Kohler, president of Space Florida; and Randy Berridge, president of FHTCC, provided local, regional and state perspectives on the implications the upcoming transition will have on the local economy and discussed efforts to re-train workers for post-shuttle job opportunities.
One effort to help ease the transition is a $1 million grant for the Brevard Workforce Development Board and the Technological Research & Development Authority to provide an aerospace entrepreneurial assistance effort and develop an overall strategic plan to mitigate job loss.
Though the dawning of a new era in Florida's aerospace history could have an economic impact, local, regional, state and federal leaders have already displayed that they are up to the challenge and determined to maintain and enhance the storied history of Florida's Space Coast as a global aerospace leader.
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FACES OF TECHNOLOGY
 As a young student in Iran, Mansooreh Mollaghasemi never met a mathematical problem she didn't want to solve. "I'd be up at 4 a.m. every day before school, doing extra credit problems," she says.
That affinity for solutions didn't change when she moved to the United States at 16 to study chemical engineering at the University of Louisville, Ky., ultimately earning advanced degrees in both chemical and industrial engineering.
Mollaghasemi's company, Productivity Apex Inc., uses the principles of industrial engineering and operations research to help commercial enterprises and government agencies improve productivity and maximize efficiencies. On faculty at UCF's Department of Industrial Engineering since 1991, she founded Productivity Apex in 2001. "I have always been interested in solving real world problems," says Mollaghasemi. "Here at our firm, we do research for the sake of the real world, not the theoretical.
"In the university setting the focus is on advancing the state of knowledge," she says. "I saw this entity being able to use really skilled, highly energetic people to focus on making products for the client." UCF has been a constant pipeline of talent for her company. Mollaghasemi estimates she has hired between 17 and 20 graduates of the school's computer science, civil engineering and industrial engineering departments.
"Everything we do is under the banner of productivity improvement," says Mollaghasemi. "We develop high tech tools with the goal of increasing an organization's productivity."
For the full story, visit http://www.floridahightech.com/pdf/productivity.pdf.
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TECH BUSINESS PARTNER NEWS
 Navy Captain Joins FHTCC Roster of Leaders
Captain Harry M. Robinson, commanding officer of the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division (NAWCTSD) and the Naval Support Activity (NSA), has been added to the Florida High Tech Corridor Council's (FHTCC) roster of high tech leaders.
Robinson's valuable experience in emerging technologies as the commanding officer of the Naval Air Warfare Center, Training Systems Division, will contribute to fulfilling the Corridor's mission to attract, retain and grow high tech industry and the workforce to support those industries in the 23-county Corridor. Dr. John Hitt, Council co-chair and University of Central Florida (UCF) president, appointed Robinson.
Robinson will serve the Council in an advisory role and replaces recently retired Council member Captain Steve Burris, USN.
For more information, visit http://www.floridahightech.com/pressroom/navycaptain.html.
Nominate Florida's Innovative Tech Companies for Governor's Award
The Governor's 2008 Business Diversifications Awards program is now accepting nominations for Florida companies in emerging and high tech industries that contribute to Florida's economic growth. Companies will be evaluated relative to other companies in similarly sized markets for their contribution to Florida's economic growth and corporate citizenship and on criteria specific to the individual award.
 Winning companies receive an exclusive evening reception with Governor Charlie Crist along with other statewide winners and local development organizations at the Governor's Mansion in Tallahassee during Industry Appreciation Week September
15-19, 2008, recognition in a full-page ad in Florida Trend magazine and on high-traffic Web sites such as www.eFlorida.com
and www.myflorida.com, and promotion through a press release to their local newspaper.
Nominations must be received by 5 p.m. EST Friday, July 18, 2008.
For more information, visit http://www.eflorida.com/govawards.
Tech Jam 2008 Coming to Tampa Bay
The year's largest networking event for the high tech Tampa Bay community—the Tampa Bay Technology Forum's (TBTF) Tech Jam 2008—is coming to the St. Pete Times Forum on August 7. Mark your calendars for the opportunity to mix and mingle with the bay area's tech leaders, enjoy an entertaining performance from a nationally recognized, top 40 band and bid on dozens of items in a silent auction to benefit the TBTF Foundation.
Join more than 1,000 people from around the Bay Area at the summer's best high tech event starting at 6 p.m.
For more information, visit http://www.tbtf.org.
Northrop Grumman Funds Optics and Photonics Partnership
Northrop Grumman's Central Florida operations recently formulated a strategic research initiative focused on the co-development of advanced optic and photonic technologies.
Under the five-year Mastered Sponsored Research and License Agreement, Northrop Grumman will provide financial support and engineering brainpower to the University of Central Florida's Center for Research and Education in Optics and Lasers (CREOL) and the Florida Photonics Center of Excellence (FPCE), two research centers within the College of Optics and Photonics. In exchange, Northrop Grumman will receive preferential rights to any technology produced as a result of the partnership. The partnership will help create technologies that have military, intelligence, homeland defense and civil applications.
For more information, please visit: http://mae.pennnet.com/display_article/330305/32/NEWS/none/none/1/Northrop-Grumman-and-the-University-of-Central-Florida-to-develop-next-generation-optic-and-photonic-technologies/.
Central Florida IT Company's Expansion to Create 420 New Jobs
Internet technology company, Channel Intelligence Inc., will spend $33 million to expand its Celebration-based facility by 125,000 square feet. The expansion will create 420 jobs with an average annual salary of $55,400, which is 200 percent higher than Osceola County's current average wage. The company is eligible to receive up to $2.1 million in state and county economic development incentives in exchange for creating the new jobs between now and 2012.
Founded in 1999, Channel Intelligence enhances the Web-buying experience for consumers by organizing and simplifying Web site product information for over 300 manufacturers and retailers, including Best Buy, Overstock.com and Target.
For more information, visit:
http://channelintelligence.vnewscenter.com/press.jsp?id=1214244955035.
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Accolades
Ernst and Young Announces Florida Entrepreneur of the Year Award Winners
Six companies from across Florida's High Tech Corridor were named 2008 Ernst and Young Florida Entrepreneur of the Year Award winners. The recipients included: Thomas A. James, chairman and CEO of Raymond James Financial Inc. (Lifetime Achievement Award); Harris Corp. (Master); Zero Chaos (Services); FARO Technologies Inc. (Technology); PSCU Financial Services, Inc. (Financial Services); and The Melting Pot Restaurant Inc. (Retail and Consumer Products).
Teachers Educated to Boost Student Interest in High Tech Careers
Last month, 27 teachers from Lake County attended the Physics Day Program at the University of Central Florida (UCF) hosted by the Florida High Tech Corridor Council initiative, techPATH's Math & Physics Day. Educators toured UCF's Institute for Simulation and Training, a research institute that focuses on increasing understanding of simulation's role in training and education through advanced modeling and simulation technology. The one-day program is intended to educate teachers about the importance of students pursuing advanced science classes later in school, and to boost student interest in tech-related careers.
Overall feedback from the participants was overwhelmingly positive. Remarks such as "Excellent, very interesting and informative," and "It was great – keep up the good work" littered evaluation sheets.
Florida High Tech Corridor Council Core Team Member
from UF Addresses World Bank in South Africa
The World Bank invited Erik Sander, director of Industry Programs at the University of Florida – College of Engineering, to speak at the Annual Bank Conference on Development Economics in Cape Town, South Africa, last month. Sander spoke during a session on global trends and impacts of higher education and high tech industry. The conference brought together over 500 global thought leaders in economics, politics and technology to focus on three broad themes: Globalization, Investment and Growth; Human Development for Equitable Growth; and the Political Economy of Shared Growth.
Sander also manages the FHTCC Matching Grants Research Program at UF, which provides investments in university-industry R&D collaborations, and as President of V2R Group, provides executive level direction to growing companies in diverse markets.
Orlando, Brevard Metro Areas Outpace Nation in Tech Industry Job Growth
According to a report compiled by the Orlando Sentinel and the Florida Council for AeA, technology sector jobs in the Orlando (Lake, Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties) and Brevard County metropolitan areas increased between 2001 and 2006 while technology employment in the U.S. declined during that same time period. The Orlando metro area grew by 3.6 percent, or 1,531 new jobs, while the Palm Bay-Melbourne area grew by 9 percent or 1,708 jobs. During that same time period, technology employment in the U.S. dropped by 11.7 percent or 763,443 jobs.
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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:
2008 Fast 50 Luncheon
Presented by: Tampa Bay Business Journal
Thursday, July 17, 11:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
A La Carte Event Pavilion, 4050 Dana Shores Drive, Tampa
For event information, visit
http://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/calendar/?op=event_details&listing_id=25367.
ASME Power 2008
Presented By: ASME Power
July 22-24, 2008
Disney's Contemporary Resort, 4600 North World Drive, Lake Buena Vista
For event information, visit http://www.asmeconferences.org/Power08/index.cfm.
Tech Jam 2008
Presented by: Tampa Bay Technology Forum
Thursday, August 7, 6 p.m.
St. Pete Times Forum, 401 Channelside Dr., Tampa
For event information, visit http://www.tbtf.org.
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CORRIDOR INDUSTRY NEWS
Pinellas Startup Tech Center Star TEC Hatches Companies
St. Petersburg Times
By Madhusmita Bora
Celebrating five years in May as a business incubator for small but promising defense and technology companies, Star TEC—the Star Technology Enterprise Center—is busy growing staff and tenants, and expanding its influence across the Tampa Bay region.
For full article, visit http://www.floridahightech.com/pdf/pinellasstartup.pdf.
House of Moves Offers New Tool for Filmmakers
Orlando Business Journal
By Richard Bilbao
Vicon Entertainment's House of Moves is introducing a new tool to lure more production work to Central Florida: pre-visualization. Capturing scenes digitally helps make scenes clearer, easier to make.
For full article, visit http://www.floridahightech.com/pdf/houseofmoves.pdf.
Harris Radios to Go into Space
Florida Today
By Scott Blake
Harris Corp. in Melbourne has received a potential seven-year, $58 million contract to supply the communication and navigation system for NASA's next-generation space suit.
For full article, visit http://www.floridahightech.com/pdf/harrisradios.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
©2008, Florida High Tech Corridor Council Inc. All rights reserved.
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