Deadline Approaches for Matching Funds Research

With a history of investing millions into joint research projects between UCF, USF and industry partners, the Florida High Tech Corridor Council has once again issued a proposal for matching research grants. Companies who are interested in participating in matching funds research alongside UCF or USF professors and graduate students are encouraged to apply by May 16th.

For details on the application process, companies interested in the UCF program should contact Tom O'Neal, Director of the Office of Research, at (407) 882-1120. Those interested in USF's matching research program should contact Dick Streeter, Executive Director for Economic Development, at (813) 974-5458.

New Members Appointed to Florida High Tech Corridor Council

In an effort to further involvement from our community college partners, the Florida High Tech Corridor Council has appointed Dr. Kent Sharples and Dr. Sarah Pappas as council members as of April, 2003. Sharples is the president of Daytona Beach Community College. Pappas is the president of Manatee Community College and former director of the Daytona Beach campus of UCF.

Labor Market Study Goes Live

A new labor market survey of companies along the Florida High Tech Corridor is now available online. The survey is ideal for job seekers, employers and workforce professionals who want detailed information on career opportunities, salary ranges, educational requirements and leading industries.
Building on a 2002 corridor workforce study, it features companies with 25 or more employees in eight target sectors: aviation and aerospace; information technology; medical technologies; microelectronics; modeling, simulation and training; optics and photonics; educational institutions; and healthcare providers. Of 7,800 employers, an impressive 23 percent responded. To view the survey results, visit www.floridahightech.com/labormarketdata.

AuthenTec Inks Deal with Microsoft

Melbourne-based AuthenTec Inc., maker of a fingerprint-reading microchip, has inked a deal with Microsoft to design biometric authentication software for Windows operating systems. The two companies will work together on a software driver to enable Windows users to sign in to their systems using biometric devices such as AuthenTec's microchip finger scanner.

AuthenTec has developed fingerprint recognition technology that can be used with computers, other electronics and in doorway access. The company has partnership relations with a number of consumer electronics makers, including Texas Instruments, IBM, Targus, Acer and Samsung. For more information, visit www.authentec.com.

Bioterrorism Grant Awarded to USF

The Florida Department of Health Office of Public Preparedness has awarded a $323,600 contract to the Center for Biological Defense at the University of South Florida. The award will help teach "first-responders," such as police officers, firefighters and others likely to be called upon in the event of a bioterrorism threat, how to best collect suspicious samples, assess their threat and properly transport the samples to the laboratory.
The contract is part of $6 million earmarked by the department for statewide bioterrorism education and training. Funded by the U.S. Department of Defense since October 2000, the Center conducts research and provides training aimed at protecting the nation from the threat of bioterrorism. For additional information, contact USF's Center for Biological Defense at (813) 974-6663 or visit www.bt.usf.edu.

UCF Launches Photonics Center of Excellence

Strengthening its role in cutting-edge laser and optics research, the UCF School of Optics/CREOL (Center for Research and Education in Optics and Lasers) has inaugurated the Florida Photonics Center of Excellence. Last month, Gov. Jeb Bush and the Florida Board of Education underscored the significance of photonics for Florida's economy by approving spending $10 million to establish the Center of Excellence.
The Photonics Center, which ranked No. 1 out of 16 proposals competing for identification as a "center of excellence," will add an important dimension to UCF's internationally renowned School of Optics/CREOL, by providing resources to expand into the growing areas of nanophotonics, biophotonics, advanced imaging and 3D displays, and ultra-high bandwidth communications. The Center will seek partnerships with universities throughout the state to assure that the best photonics research and technology is achieved. For more information, visit www.creol.ucf.edu.

Orlando Company Develops Low-Cost, Reconfigurable Simulator

Tank drivers and helicopter pilots can now use the same simulator thanks to a low-cost, reconfigurable technology developed by RealSims LLC. A graduate of UCF's Technology Incubator, RealSims FasTrac product can also participate in larger battle scenarios through its ability to display and interact with other military training systems. This leading edge technology has led to a contract with the U.S. Navy and projects sales and grants worth more than $50 million this year. For more information on RealSims visit www.realsims.com.

Biohazard Detection System Tested in Tampa/St. Pete

U.S. Postal Service distribution centers in Tampa and St. Petersburg will be two of 14 sites in the nation to test a system that can detect anthrax and other toxins in the mail. The devices automatically monitor the air around mail passing through the sorting line.

The biohazard detection system is a prototype the Postal Service wants to put into each of the 1,728 distribution centers in the United States. The machines will be installed at the end of May and be tested in June. If the tests are successful, they will be installed in distribution centers next year. The devices, capable of testing for and identifying a wide variety of toxins, will initially monitor for anthrax.

New Companies Join Incubator Program

The University of Central Florida Technology Incubator (UCFTI) has recently accepted eight new high tech companies into its program. Intelliorg, Applicote Associates, Apecore, CME, Axena, Wolf Consulting, CD NetBox, and Digital Ribbon, Inc. are its latest clients.

Since opening its doors in 1999, UCFTI has served more than 30 technology companies that have created more than 400 local jobs with an average payroll of $68,000 in laser development, photonics, simulation products, advanced materials, electronics and energy related technologies. For detailed bios on each company, visit the client profiles section of the Incubator's Web site at www.incubator.ucf.edu.

Central Florida Middle Schools on a "Mission"

eCYBERMISSION, a U.S. Army-sponsored Web-based science, math and technology competition for 7th and 8th grade teams, has concluded and winners have been announced. Six regional winners in various categories came from three different middle schools in Central Florida.

Florida proved to be among the nation's elite, placing fifth in participation, fourth in number of teams registered, first in number of folders submitted and second in high submission rates. USA PEO STRI & RDECOM, in collaboration with many other volunteers, were instrumental in increasing local participation. For a complete winners list, log on to www.ecybermission.com.

Better Than Free Yellow Pages . HomeBase21.com!

A new resource is now available from the Florida High Tech Corridor and the Tampa Bay Partnership-HomeBase21 is a one-stop source for companies seeking homeland security products and services, or high tech products in general, along the 21-county Florida High Tech Corridor region.

HomeBase21 is a free, searchable online database that will be marketed to government purchasing agents. Participation in this business-to-business resource can provide greater exposure for your company, both locally and nationally. To submit your company's information, or for more information, log on to www.homebase21.com.

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