What the State of the Union Means for Politics, Policy and Your Business

NSBA Issue Briefing:
What the State of the Union Means for Politics, Policy and Your Business

This Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. EST, NSBA will hold a
teleconference for members to discuss the State of the Union Address, the
Republican response and what lies ahead for small business in the 112th
Congress. Held the day after the address, this teleconference will connect
members with Washington, D.C. insiders, including Kent Hoover, the
Washington Bureau Chief for American City Business Journals, as they discuss
the politics and policy of Washington, D.C., and how it relates to your
small business.

Please click here to register and for more information.
http://www.nsba.biz/nm-issuebriefings.shtml

Are you interested in exporting issues? NSBA's international trade arm, the
Small Business Exporters Association (SBEA) is hosting a teleconference for
members on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. EST to discuss export
controls with Kevin Wolf, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export
Administration.
Click here for more information.
http://www.nsba.biz/content/3697.shtml

2.8.11 / CREOL 102 / 11-12pm / Seminar: “Organic Materials Chemistry” - Dr. Charles Lee

Seminar: “Organic Materials Chemistry” - Dr. Charles Lee CREOL 102 Tuesday, February 8, 2011 / 11:00am-12:00pm

Dr. Charles Lee

AFOSR Contract Manager

Abstract:

The research goal of this portfolio is to gain a better understanding of the influence of chemical structures and processing conditions on the properties and behaviors of polymeric and organic materials. An overview of the portfolio will be presented. Current emphases on decoupling coupled properties and materials with switchable properties will be discussed.

For More Information:

Dr. Shin-Tson Wu

407-823-4763

swu@creol.ucf.edu

1.31.11 / CREOL 102 / 12-1pm / Seminar: “Roughness, Scatter and Functional Properties of Optical Surfaces and Thin Films” - Angela Duparré

Seminar: “Roughness, Scatter and Functional Properties of Optical Surfaces and Thin Films” - Angela Duparré CREOL 102 Monday, January 31, 2011 / 12:00pm-1:00pm

Angela Duparré

Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering Albert-Einstein-Strasse Jena, Germany angela.duparre@iof.fraunhofer.de

Abstract:

There is in an urgent need for characterization and analysis techniques which allow a sensitive and comprehensive, but also fast and easy inspection of the roughness and connected properties of optical surfaces and thin film coatings. The talk will give an introduction into our approach to meet these requirements by combining various characterization and modeling methods. In particular, light scattering techniques developed at the Fraunhofer IOF will be presented. Examples of investigations are discussed for high precision optical surfaces, low-scatter multilayer coatings as well as ultrahydrophobic components.

Biography:

Angela Duparré received her PhD degree (thesis on optical properties of high power laser mirrors) from the Physics Faculty of the Friedrich Schiller University of Jena in 1985. In 1992, she joined the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering in Jena to become head of the Surface and Thin Film Characterization Group. Her interests have since been directed to the study of optical and non-optical surface and thin film properties such as light scattering, nano/microstructures and roughness as well as to the development of light scattering measurement and modelling techniques. She has published more than 100 papers, is involved in standardization committees and in the organization of conferences on optical metrology, fabrication, and thin film coatings.

For More Information:

Dr. James E. Harvey

407-823-6818

harvey@creol.ucf.edu

UCF Researchers Join Harvard, MIT in Prestigious NationalRanking

To: Florida Photonics Cluster members

You may have received this information through other channels, but I want to send it to you just to be sure. Although CREOL is not specifically mentioned in the press release, the center, and now college (first photonics college in the USA) was the first major research activity at UCF. And the founding director, Dr. MJ Soileau, not only led the development of CREOL into one of the leading photonics research institutions in the world, he brought the same skills and leadership to the entire university when he became Vice President for Research in 1998. Since that time, the total UCF research funding has almost quadrupled. And one of MJ's "lieutenants", Dr. Thomas O'Neal, who was in charge of the CREOL administrative services and is now Associate VP for Research and Commercialization reporting to MJ, has provided the leadership to develop the technology commercialization capabilities at UCF including the UCF Business Incubation Program and GrowFL that are mentioned in the press release below.

Jim Pearson

***************************

UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA

UCF Researchers Join Harvard, MIT in Prestigious National Ranking

ORLANDO, Jan. 19, 2011 - The University of Central Florida now ranks among the nation's top research institutions, according to an independent analysis just released.

The Carnegie Foundation for Teaching and Learning designated UCF as a university with "very high research activity." UCF joins universities such as Harvard, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Johns Hopkins and Stanford in that top tier, which does not include specific rankings for each university.

UCF researchers were awarded a record $133.3 million in external research funding in 2009-10.

In addition, UCF's success moving technology from the laboratory to the marketplace and helping emerging businesses grow elevated the university's classification since the last Carnegie Foundation analysis in 2005.

In one of the highest-profile examples of UCF's growth in commercializing technology, the strength and economic impact of the universitys patents were ranked third in the nation last year by IEEE, the world's leading association for the advancement of technology.

"Earning the Carnegie Foundation's top classification is a testament to our institutional commitment to fueling Florida's innovation economy," said UCF President John C. Hitt. "Through our many research partnerships, we are improving the quality of health care, training high-quality teachers, helping to preserve our environment and much more."

In 2009-10, UCF received $75.8 million in federal funding, a key indicator of strength for universities nationwide. That represents a 27 percent increase over the previous years total. In addition, a record 41 UCF researchers earned $1 million or more in grants.

University research also has played a major role in Central Florida's development of some of the nation's strongest concentrations of companies in optics and lasers, simulation and training, computer science, alternative energy and biomedical sciences.

UCF's Business Incubation Program has seen explosive growth since its launch in 1999. The program, which already has helped develop 100 companies, is set to open a ninth location in Central Florida. In 2009 alone, current and graduate companies involved in the initiative had an economic impact of about $200 million in the region and created about 1,650 direct and "ripple effect" jobs with an average salary of $60,000.

The incubation program helps new companies, many of which are strongly tied to UCF research, overcome the many challenges businesses often face in their first few years.

GrowFL, a companion program established by the Legislature in 2009, helps more developed companies grow and also is administered by UCF's Office of Research and Commercialization. In its first year, GrowFL helped 100 companies create 320 new jobs.

Last year, UCF became only the second public university in Florida to earn the Carnegie Foundation's classification as an institution that has made substantial commitments in the Curricular Engagement and Outreach & Partnership categories through its mission, culture, leadership, resources and practices.

-- UCF --

Contact: Chad Binette, News & Information, 407-823-6312, cbinette@mail.ucf.edu

UCF Stands For Opportunity: The University of Central Florida is a metropolitan research university that ranks as the 2nd largest in the nation with more than 56,000 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.

ARPA-E Invite to Largest Energy Innovation Showcase - Program now posted!

		Connect with America's Brightest Innovators! Join more than 1,800 energy leaders to explore how global energy challenges are directing research and investment priorities and driving American innovation. Space is filling up fast - register and book your room now! Select Speakers Steven Chu Secretary of Energy, U.S. Department of Energy Arun Majumdar Director, ARPA-E Raymond Mabus Secretary of the Navy, U.S. Navy Charles O. Holliday, Jr. Chairman of the Board, Bank of America Michael Howard CEO, EPRI David Mohler CTO, Duke Energy John Podesta President & CEO, Center of American Progress Laura Ipsen Senior VP & General Manager, Smart Grid, Cisco Thomas Siebel Founder, Siebel Systems Art Rosenfeld Former Commissioner, California Energy Commission Select Topics More than 200 Showcasers "Re-Inventing American Energy Manufacturing" "Driving Towards Zero Waste: Efficiency as the Path to Business Profitability" "Changing the Game (Again) in Natural Gas: The Role of Breakthrough Technologies" "The Future Grid" GE, ABB, Boeing, Honeywell, Delphi MIT, UCLA, CUNY, Iowa State, Michigan State Agrivida, Cree, Xylofuel, Porifera, QM Power PNNL, Oak Ridge, Savannah River National Lab Boeing, GM, Grid Manager, Echogen Power, Saft
		Hosted by: Presented by: Supporting Partners Platinum Sponsors Gold Sponsors Corporate Acceleration Partners *Partner Organizations are participants in programs designed to accelerate technology commercialization. Technology Development Partners
		Contact us: Sponsorship: Chris Erb · Registration: Sarah Wenning · Press: Laura Benold

SPIE Photonics West Cluster Proposals for 2012

To: Florida Photonics Cluster Members

For those of you exhibiting at this year's SPIE Photonics West 2011, please excuse this duplication. But I want to make all of the FPC members aware that it's already time to start planning for SPIE Photonics West 2012 - to be held once again in San Francisco at The Moscone Center. A Florida Cluster grouping will be organized again for PW-2012 by CREOL, with support from the Florida Photonics Cluster, Florida High Tech Corridor Council, Metro Orlando EDC, and Enterprise Florida. This email is an early notification of how your company can request to be located in the cluster grouping and receive valuable group benefits and discounts.

Cluster/Pavilion Group Future Planning for Photonics West 2012

O Returning Cluster Group Members and Group Organizers, and new companies wanting to be in the Photonics Cluster Grouping, must sign up by the Early Bird deadline, 11 March 2011, 6 weeks after the show. Please designate to be part of the Florida Cluster on your Early Bird Exhibition Contract. If your company did not exhibit this year, but wants to do so next year, you can get the Early Bird contract by sending an email request to Michele Hurst Bennett at SPIE: micheleb@spie.org

O SPIE offers 2 unique ways to exhibit, Pavilions & Neighborhood Cluster Groups (see attached description). We have been using the "Neighborhood" grouping to date, and unless there is a lot of interest in the "Pavilion" grouping, we will do the same for PW-2012.

O SPIE will review positioning of Cluster/Pavilion Groups in late March 2011, depending on size and priority points accumulated, so your response by the Early Bird deadline is very important.

O Early Bird Contracts will be handed out the last day of the exhibition and also sent in the mail to each exhibitor.

If you do choose to be part of the Florida Cluster grouping for PW-2012, please also send me an email indicating your choice.

Best regards,

Jim Pearson

SBIR/STTR Webinars - 2011 - Registration Info

Free Online SBIR/STTR Grant Prep Webinars Available The Florida Economic Gardening Institute is providing a series of free online webinars about SBIR/STTR funding opportunities. Log on for six sessions to learn how research faculty, students, and technology entrepreneurs can access these government dollars for technology commercialization by working closely with small technology firms that are seeking universities and their research faculty as SBIR partners. In addition to an extensive overview on success strategies for writing winning SBIR Phase II proposals, these webinar workshops will focus on the STTR program, which requires collaboration between universities and faculty that are interested in spinning their research into innovative technology startup companies. Hear from Gail and Jim Greenwood, experts in SBIR/STTR proposal writing, as they provide an in-depth discussion of a simple, yet highly effective, four-step process for developing a competitive SBIR Phase II proposal. Over $2 billion in SBIR grants will be awarded to innovative small and startup technology companies this year. Learn how your company can get governmental funding to expand your commercialization efforts. Please register at www.growflsbirsttrwebinars2011.weebly.com

The Florida Economic Gardening Institute was created by the 2009 Florida Legislature as the Economic Gardening Technical Assistance Program to stimulate investment in Florida’s economy by providing technical assistance for expanding businesses in the state. Qualified companies must be engaged in the following sectors to receive no-cost technical assistance: Manufacturing; Finance & Insurance Services; Wholesale Trade; Information Industries; Professional, Scientific & Technical Services; Management Services; and, Administrative & Support Services. Additional information is available at www.GrowFL.com. Florida Economic Gardening Institute 12201 Research Parkway, Suite 501, Orlando, FL 32826 407.823.6384

SAVE THE DATES

SBIR Workshops

· All online webinars run from 9 to 10:30 a.m. (EST)

· Monday, February 7th

· Phase I: Basics of SBIR/STTR

· Monday, February, 14th

· Phase I: Identifying agencies

· Monday, February 28th

· Phase I: Developing the proposal

· Monday, March 7th

· Phase II: Basics of Phase II

· Monday, March 14th

· Phase II: Developing the Phase II proposal

· Monday, March 21st

· Phase II: The Phase II Commercialization Plan

PR: The Optical Society Releases Statement on Shooting of U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Angela Stark
The Optical Society
202.416.1443
astark@osa.org

The Optical Society Releases Statement on Shooting of
U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords

WASHINGTON, Jan. 10—The Optical Society (OSA) today released the following the statement from CEO Elizabeth Rogan regarding the shooting that occurred in Tucson, Ariz. on Jan. 8:

“All of us at OSA were stunned and saddened to hear of the tragic shooting that occurred in Tucson over the weekend. Rep. Giffords,OSA’s 2010 Advocate of Optics, is a dedicated public servant who has worked tirelessly to promote science and technology issues in the U.S. Congress, with a particular emphasis on solar technology. She is a friend to the optics community, as evidenced by her leadership on the House Science & Technology Committee and her recent work on the Solar Technology Roadmap Act. We wish Rep. Giffords the best as she fights for a swift recovery. Our thoughts are with all of those who were affected by this horrific event.”

About OSA
Uniting more than 106,000 professionals from 134 countries, the Optical Society (OSA) brings together the global optics community through its programs and initiatives. Since 1916 OSA has worked to advance the common interests of the field, providing educational resources to the scientists, engineers and business leaders who work in the field by promoting the science of light and the advanced technologies made possible by optics and photonics. OSA publications, events, technical groups and programs foster optics knowledge and scientific collaboration among all those with an interest in optics and photonics. For more information, visitwww.osa.org.

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TRDA Launches Clean Tech Initiative

TRDA Launches Clean Tech Initiative Clean Tech Ventures provides Florida-based entrepreneurs and early-stage clean technology companies with the resources they need to transform great ideas into high-growth companies that create jobs, wealth and intellectual capital in Florida. Clean Tech Ventures utilizes the proven technology commercialization and business acceleration process of the TRDA to enable clean technology and energy start-ups to attract funding, develop profitable business plans and recruit high-performing teams. If you are an entrepreneur or an early-stage company with a clean technology or energy product or idea, then you are a candidate for the Clean Tech Ventures program. To participate, simply fill out an application so we can assess where you are in the development lifecycle of your business. Clean Tech Ventures participants will receive access to one or more of the following, dependent upon the maturation of the applicant's business plan or company growth: Intensive business mentoring, technology commercialization assistance and technical support from experienced business professionals, serial entrepreneurs and Subject Matter Experts with specific industry related expertise. Hands-on guidance for developing a business plan, SBIR proposal and other documents required to obtain early-stage capital. Access to TRDA's network of investors, including regional angel groups and venture capitalists. Participation in the FastTrac® NewVenture™ Entrepreneurship Program (a Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation Initiative), which is a two-day entrepreneurship boot camp that provides the tools to help participants understand the business behind successful technology companies. A year-long series of webinars on topics such as market analysis, business and commercialization planning, presentation development, and partnership formation. TRDA will also conduct a Clean Energy Technology Showcase in 2011 for Clean Tech Ventures participants to promote their technologies and companies to potential customers, investors and industry executives. The event will include presentations, exhibits and networking designed to facilitate rapid assessment of the technologies and be a unique opportunity to foster opportunities for licensing, commercializing and investing in new clean technologies.

ELIGIBILITY: Entrepreneurs and early-stage companies located in Florida with products or services that include alternative and renewable energy technologies (biofuels, hydro, solar, wind, etc.), conservation and pollution mitigation, distribution and transmission solutions, energy efficiency (in building technologies and transportation), energy storage solutions, environmentally friendly production, research and development, smart grid, or training and support of the clean technology sector workforce. COST: Free to participants selected through an application process. APPLICATION DEADLINE: February 11, 2011 at 5:00 p.m. FOR QUESTIONS AND AN APPLICATION: Contact Chester Straub, Executive Director at cstraub@trda.org

Contact Us

Technological Research and Development Authority 1050 West NASA Boulevard, Suite 125 Melbourne, Florida 32901 321-872-1050 ~ www.trda.org

St Cloud Incubator - Entrepreneur Open House

Entrepreneur Open House!

St. Cloud Incubator

3201 Budinger Ave.

Corporate Campus @ Stevens Plantation

St. Cloud, FL 34769

407-498-0432

Wednesday, January 26th 5:00-6:30pm

“NO RSVP REQUIRED”

Learn why 87% of entrepreneurs that launch their business in an incubator, are still flourishing 5 years later!

The goal of the UCF Business Incubation Program and its community partners is to facilitate smarter, faster, growth of emerging start-up companies.

We offer Facilities, Services, Resources & Coaching for Entrepreneur Companies!

Get the Discovery Tour to see if your business is the right fit for the UCF fast track to success!

• Gordon Hogan – Director of Operations
• Jim Bowie – Site Manager JABowie@mail.ucf.edu
• Jessica Filter – Program Assistant

UCF Business Incubation Program Information: www.incubator.ucf.edu

UCF St. Cloud Incubator Website: www.incubator.ucf.edu/Locations/stcloud.html

FastTrac NewVenture Entrepreneurship Program

The TRDA is pleased to offer the FastTrac® NewVenture™ Entrepreneurship Program (a Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation Initiative) for Florida-based technology entrepreneurs. Practical and hands-on, FastTrac® NewVenture^TM is a two-day entrepreneurship boot camp that will provide the tools and hands-on mentorship to help participants understand the business behind successful technology companies. The workshop will help technology entrepreneurs develop a business plan, market strategy, and an investor pitch, and will also help participants understand how to finance technology ventures via angel or venture capital.

In addition to having access to the nationally recognized FastTrac® NewVenture™ Program curriculum and business planning materials, attendees will be actively mentored during the boot camp by experienced technology startup executives that have founded technology companies and raised venture capital for their companies. These mentors will be joined by experienced legal, accounting and operations professionals that understand the dynamics of early-stage technology companies. The boot camp will also include up to five hours of 1:1 mentoring at the TRDA by experienced entrepreneurs to help participants develop their business plans and investor presentations.

The boot camp will be held on January 14 and 15, 2011 from 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM at the TRDA Business Innovation Center in Melbourne, Florida.

The cost for the boot camp is $399, which includes five hours of one to one mentoring for participants that complete both days of the boot camp sessions. For more information and to register on line go to http://www.trda.org/events/index.asp or call 321-872-1050, ext 103.

Technological Research and Development Authority
1050 W. NASA Boulevard, Melbourne, Florida 32901

www.trda.org