UCF’S FIEA Opens for Business
A comprehensive new program that promises to prepare the next generation of artists and technologists for the video game industry is now accepting applications for the fall semester. Located at the Expo Centre in downtown Orlando, as many as 50 students will enroll in the intensive 16-month graduate certificate program at the University of Central Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy (FIEA) to learn about the development, design and delivery of video games.

Differentiating FIEA from other institutions is its relationships with industry leaders such as Electronic Arts. In addition to many of its staff serving as academy instructors, Electronic Arts’ Orlando studio – EA-Tiburon – is providing the services of its vice president and studio chief operating officer, Ben Noel, through an executive in residence arrangement. Noel’s addition to FIEA is especially notable because as the chief operating officer of one of the world’s most successful game development studios, the industry veteran knows what it takes to succeed in the field of interactive entertainment.

For additional information or to apply, visit http://fiea.ucf.edu.

USF Protects Against Terrorism at Super Bowl XXXIX
Two important University of South Florida centers played key roles in providing anti-terrorism surveillance for this year’s Super Bowl XXXIX. The Center for Ocean Technology provided underwater surveillance using its Mobile Inspection Package (MIP). MIP used real-time video and 3-D sonar along Jacksonville’s seawalls, piers and bridge abutments to look for suspicious devices and activities.

The Center for Biological Defense used its Syndromic Surveillance system, BioDefend, to keep a watchful eye on a five-county area through a unique computer system that would alert health officials to any unusual rise in illness system reports that might signal a bioterror attack.

For additional information, visit
http://usfnews.usf.edu/page.cfm?link=article&aid=825.

UF Scientists Help Farmers Predict Mother Nature
Scientists from the University of Florida (UF) and the Southeast Climate Consortium, a group of researchers from universities in Florida, Georgia and Alabama, have designed an interactive Web site to help farmers predict climate conditions to minimize the risk of damage to their crops.

The Web site (http://www.AgClimate.org) will use computer crop models designed from historical information about soil and weather patterns for growing seasons to provide farmers with the tools to predict how the coming season will affect crops and minimize damage. It is currently equipped to develop potential yields and climate conditions for peanuts, potatoes and tomatoes. Over the next year, researchers will add cotton and corn to the site.

The project is funded by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration and by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency.

For additional information visit http://www.napa.ufl.edu/2005news/agclimate.htm.

Conference to Showcase Technology and Commercialization
 

Researchers and business leaders are invited to attend the Second Annual Florida Tech Transfer Conference May 18 - 19 in Orlando. The event, hosted by The Florida Research Consortium, Tampa Bay Technology Forum, and Central Florida Technology Partnership, and sponsored by the Florida High Tech Corridor Council and Florida Trend’s Research Florida, will showcase emerging technologies and commercialization opportunities from Florida’s leading research universities in biomedicine, enabling technologies, and defense and homeland security.

The First Annual Florida Tech Transfer Conference was held in 2004. It attracted more than 400 people and covered more than 100 new technologies from 11 of Florida’s research universities.

For additional information, visit
http://www.floridaresearch.org/index.php?src=gendocs&link=Tech%20Transfer_Home&category=TechTransfer.

Support for Centers of Excellence
When the Florida Legislature passed the Technology Development Act in 2002, it appropriated $30 million for the creation of three Centers of Excellence: The Center of Excellence in Regenerative Health Biotechnology at UF, The Florida Photonics Center of Excellence at UCF and The Center of Excellence in Biomedical and Marine Biotechnology at FAU.

Through June 2004, these Centers have achieved extraordinary results, including the creation of six startup businesses, leveraging of state funds on a one to one match ratio, attainment of $30 million in out of state funds and raising $15 million in venture capital. Reports for the current year of operation also are encouraging, with startups, the leverage of federal and private funding and venture capital still on the rise.

Here’s where your help is needed: in order for Florida to keep pace with some of our national competitors additional Centers of Excellence need to be created. We are asking for your help in communicating their benefits and importance to the Florida legislature.

For additional info, visit http://www.floridaresearch.org/ and click “Centers of Excellence”, or contact Jack Sullivan, Jr., President/CEO of the Florida Research Consortium at jsullivan@nettally.com or 850-425-5223.

Advanced Aero Announces New Design for Aircraft
Advanced Aero, LLC of Titusville has released a preliminary design report for a newly-patented aircraft that promises to be safe and better performing for Light Sport Aviation (LSA) enthusiasts. The new revolutionary design features a unique Inverted V Tail (IVT) that offers performance, economy and improved safety features not seen on any other aircraft.

Advanced Aero will move into the Florida/NASA Business Incubation Center to complete the development and establish manufacturing facilities for the aircraft, which fits into the new Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rule for a safer, more affordable sport flying design.

For additional information, visit
http://sites.securemgr.com/folder4226/index.cfm?fuseaction=browse&id=4258&pageid=67.

Valencia Building Opens New Opportunities for High Tech Students
With the opening of the new technical science, information technology and workforce development building at its Osceola Campus, Valencia Community College will now be able to better serve the community by training workers for high tech and health care occupations.

The 60,000-square-foot, three-story building features a learning center for studying and tutoring stocked with the latest computers with Internet access. The center offers workforce programs in computer engineering, Cisco and Microsoft certification, computer information technology, IT support, computer programming and analysis, database technology, and Oracle and office systems technology.

For additional information, visit
http://conviveon.valenciacc.edu/valencia/index?page=press&guid=001176fbc20ff49d98f40006aa5.

PC Dispatch Unveils Vehicle Maintenance Software
DeLand-based PC Dispatch, a provider of software for the ground transportation industry, has announced its newest software, a Vehicle Management System known as VMS Logic. The new system includes modules such as fleet maintenance, preventive maintenance, work order management, and many others.

PC Dispatch will first install the system on Data General Computers for Greater Houston Transportation Company (GHTC) and Connex North America, Inc. – one of the largest private companies in the world – to operate and manage public transportation systems.

For additional information, visit http://www.pc-dispatch.com/pressrelease.asp.

Clearwater Company Receives $1M to Develop Air Carrier Server
SkyWay Communications Holding Corp. of Clearwater has signed a $1 million agreement with California’s IBISES International, Inc. to manufacture its SkyWay Media Server II and drop-down display screens known as hydratrac monitors. The SkyWay Media Server, which is used to distribute video on narrow body aircraft utilizing drop down screens strategically placed throughout the cabin, will be installed in five MD-80 aircrafts.

Lion Air will be the first international carrier to install the SkyWay Media Server on their MD-80 aircraft.

For additional information, visit http://www.skywayaircraftsecurity.com/pnsibises.htm.

Did You Know?
University of Central Florida’s Office of Research is changing its name to the Office of Research & Commercialization to more accurately represent the breadth of services it offers.

For additional information, visit http://www.research.ucf.edu/.

Corridor People in the News

Peter Panousis has been appointed by Gov. Bush to director of the Institute for Economic Competitiveness at the University of Central Florida on the Workforce Florida, Inc. Board of Directors.

Florida Tech and Dr. Kunal Mitra, associate professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at Florida Tech, have been assigned a U.S. patent for an X-ray delivery device, which can be used for arterial irradiation following balloon angioplasty. The methodology can prevent the frequent re-formation of plaque after angioplasty and stent implantation.

Dr. James Mantovani, Florida Tech assistant professor of physics and space sciences, has received a $75,000 NASA grant to work on an electrodynamic system for self-cleaning solar panels and other surfaces that could be used on future space exploration missions to Mars and the moon.

Calendar of Events
 

The following are events taking place across the Corridor’s 23-county region or the surrounding area, which readers may be interested in attending:

Applied Surface Analysis 2005
Presented by: 2005 Annual Joint Symposium, Florida Chapter of AVS Science and Technology Society (FLAVS) and Florida Society for Microscopy
Sunday, March 13 - Thursday, March 17 – University of Central Florida, Student Union
For event information, visit http://www.flavs.org.

The UCF Leadership Edge
Presented by: UCF ORBIT
Monday, March 14 - Tuesday, March 15 – Orlando Science Center
For event information, visit http://www.orbit.ucf.edu/LEupcoming.asp.

Building a Customer Centric Web Presence that Really Works
Presented by: Knight Images, Inc.
Friday, March 18 – Disney/SBA National Entrepreneur Center
To register, e-mail or call Laura Meers at lgiffin@mail.ucf.edu or
(407) 882-0202.

Graduate Research Forum
Presented by: UCF Division of Graduate Studies and the Graduate Student Association
Tuesday, March 22 – University of Central Florida, Student Union
For event information, visit
http://www.graduate.ucf.edu/sitemap/index.cfm?RsrcID=55&SubCatID=166.

Fifth Annual State of the Ports Address
Presented by: World Trade Center Orlando
Thursday, March 24 – Citrus Club, Orlando
For event information, visit http://www.worldtradecenterorlando.org.

Defense and Security Symposium
Presented by: The International Society for Optical Engineering
Monday, March 28 - Friday, April 1 – Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center, Kissimmee
For event information, visit http://www.spie.org/conferences/programs/05/dss/.

March GAIN Meeting
Presented by: Gainesville Area Innovative Network (GAIN)
Wednesday, March 30 – Gainesville Country Club
For event information, visit http://www.gain-net.org/.

Disaster Recovery Construction Symposium
Presented by: Florida Tech University
Wednesday, March 30 – Florida Tech University, Olin Engineering Complex, Room 118
For event information, visit http://www.fit.edu/recovery/.

Industrial Affiliates’ Day 2005
Presented by: University of Central Florida College of Optics and Photonics
Friday, April 1 – University of Central Florida, Student Union
For event information, visit http://www.creol.ucf.edu/people/affiliates/AffiliatesDay2005/Default.htm.

STTR/SBIR Faculty Workshop
Presented by: UCF Venture Lab
Wednesday, April 13 – University of Central Florida, CREOL Building, Room 103
For event information, visit http://www.venturelab.ucf.edu/Events.htm.

April Authors’ Luncheon – Biomimicry
Presented by: Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County
Speaker: Janine M. Benyus, author of Biomimicry
Monday, April 18 – Hyatt, Sarasota
For event information and reservation call (941) 309-1200 x203.

9th UCF ORBIT Executive Briefing in a Series
Presented by: UCF ORBIT
Friday, April 29 – Westin Grand Bohemian, Orlando
For event information, visit http://www.orbit.ucf.edu/EBupcoming.asp.

The UCF Strategic Leadership Edge
Presented by: UCF ORBIT
Thursday, May 12 - Friday, May 13 – The Orlando Science Center
For event information, visit http://www.orbit.ucf.edu/LEupcoming.asp.

2nd Annual Florida Tech Transfer Conference
Presented by: Florida Research Consortium, Tampa Bay Technology Forum and Central Florida Technology Partnership
Wednesday, May 18 - Thursday, May 19 – Hilton Walt Disney World Resort
For event information, visit http://www.flatechtransfer.org.

National Events

The following calendar items are national happenings in which readers may be interested in attending:

Biotech 2005
Presented by: University of Miami
Thursday, March 10 – University of Miami Conference Center at the Hyatt Regency
For event information, visit
http://www.edc-tech.org/news/newsreader.asp?id=57.

AeA Venture Forum and Technology Industry Golf Event
Presented by: AeA Venture Forum
Tuesday, March 15 - Wednesday, March 16 – Ritz-Carlton at Reynolds Plantation, Greensboro, GA
For event information, visit
http://www.aeanet.org/events/fstm_ventureforum2005homepage.asp?bhcp=1.

Innovative Technology Conference
Presented by: The Florida Court Automation and Government Technology Congress
Thursday, April 28 - Friday, April 29 – Florida Gulf University
For event information, visit http://www.catcongress.com.

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

Florida High Tech Corridor Link Library

Visit the Florida High Tech Corridor link library (www.floridahightech.com)for a comprehensive list of FHTCC University Partners; Community Colleges; Economic Development Organizations; Technology Groups & Programs; Workforce Boards & Organizations; Technology Incubators & Venture Capital Organizations; and Industry Organizations.