Florida Institute of Technology (FIT) Partners with FL-CAN to Extend List of Lab Network and IP Opportunities

ORLANDO, FL, August 25, 2012 (Press-News.org) Florida Institute of Technology (FIT) has joined many other Universities in adding their Intellectual Property (IP) and Lab Facilities to the resource catalogs created by the Florida Cleantech Acceleration Network (FL-CAN). The FL-CAN program also offers services that include market assessment, Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) proposal development, market research expertise, and others available at http://www.flcleantech.com.

FL-CAN collaborates with several Florida Universities, now including FIT, to increase access to a list of over 400 intellectual properties (IP) and 80 Laboratory Facilities capable of supporting efforts in clean technology industries. These lists and other FL-CAN services were established to bring entrepreneurs, innovators, companies and researchers together to form a network for cleantech advancements.

"FL-CAN is always working to add to our already extensive network in order to help more and more individuals and companies in the cleantech field," said Thomas O'Neal, associate vice president for research and commercialization at UCF, and the principal investigator on the FL-CAN project.

The updated list now includes facilities specializing in ultraviolet photolithography, space traffic management, hydrogen storage mediums, and the development of robot mechanical systems.

One example of the FIT facilities located at http://www.flcleantech.com/our-services/lab-network-universities is the Laser, Optics and Instrumentation Laboratory (LOIL). LOIL exploits current technologies in continuous wave and short-pulse lasers and optics to develop new techniques for measuring and characterizing material properties. Another example is the NASA-funded National Center for Hydrogen Research (NCHR) which performs research and development concerning the application of hydrogen as a fuel for airborne platforms.

With the FL-CAN program, companies and entrepreneurs can pursue commercialization projects that are products of the cleantech research coming out of the Florida State University System and other participating organizations, such as the NASA Kennedy Space Center. The recently added FIT intellectual property is categorized into several subject areas, such as Marine and Environmental Systems, Climate, Mechanical, Imaging, Electrical, and Sensors. These and the rest of the cataloged intellectual properties can be viewed at http://www.flcleantech.com/our-services/ip-catalog.

If you'd like more information about this topic, or if you have questions, head to http://www.flcleantech.com or contact Ian Grant at 407/882-0345 or Ian.Grant@ucf.edu.

About FL-CAN: FL-CAN program links Florida-based universities, incubation networks, investors and industry resources together to create a network of Proof of Concept centers to accelerate the creation and commercialization of innovative clean technology research into new technology companies or to license into existing firms. FL-CAN is administered via a partnership between the University of Central Florida, The Technological Research and Development Authority, and the Florida Energy Systems Consortium.

UCF Stands For Opportunity: The University of Central Florida is a metropolitan research university that ranks as the second largest in the nation with more than 58,000 students. UCF's first classes were offered in 1968. The university offers impressive academic and research environments that power the region's economic development. UCF's culture of opportunity is driven by our diversity, Orlando environment, history of entrepreneurship and our youth, relevance and energy. For more information visit http://news.ucf.edu.

The Technological Research and Development Authority (TRDA) works with early-stage technology companies and entrepreneurs to accelerate their business planning, fundraising efforts, business development strategies and growth. Since its inception in 1987, TRDA has mentored hundreds of technology entrepreneurs and has supported over 175 new technology companies that have created more than 1,350 high wage jobs throughout Florida. In May 2007 TRDA opened a 31,000 square foot incubator in Melbourne that currently provides facilities and business development services to early-stage technology companies in sectors that include clean energy, software, wireless, IT, semiconductor, biotechnology and other high tech industries. For more information visit http://www.trda.org/

The Florida Energy Systems Consortium (FESC) was created in 2008 by Florida statute to promote collaboration among the energy experts at Florida's 11 public universities for the purposes of sharing energy-related expertise and assisting in the development and implementation of a comprehensive energy strategic plan for the state. The Consortium was charged with performing research and development on innovative energy systems that lead to alternative energy strategies, improved energy efficiencies, and expanded economic development for the state. To kick off this program, the legislature provided approximately $40M for energy research, education, outreach, and technology commercialization at five of the Florida universities. Please visit http://www.floridaenergy.ufl.edu to learn more about FESC.

This article and all content within was prepared by The University of Central Florida in partnership with the Technological Research and Development Authority and Florida's Energy Systems Consortium under award #04-79-06583 from Economic Development Administration, and U.S. Department of Commerce. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Economic Development Administration or the U.S. Department of Commerce.