The University of Hawaii-Manoa is trying to match researchers with businesses that may be able to help turn ideas into commercial ventures. UH seeks to
spin off research2 programs promote
the commercialization
of faculty inventionsStar-Bulletin staff
The university announced two new programs-- a "Meet the Researchers" series of talks that will begin Wednesday and a new grant program.
Accelerated Research Commercialization (ARC) Grants are designed to support research project collaborations with Hawaii's technology companies.
"The places with the most success in building strong technology industries have extensive interaction between companies and research institutes," said Keith Mattson, University Connections director, who developed the ARC program. "Cooperative research grants are a great way to get that kind of interaction going."
ARC will fund innovative projects in biotechnology, advanced communications, software development, ocean sciences, sensors and optics, alternative energy and materials scientists.
The university is offering $150,000 for fiscal year 2002-03. Up to $75,000 of ARC money is available per project. Companies must match that amount with funds or in-kind contributions.
The deadline for ARC proposals is Nov. 15. They will be reviewed by scientists from UH and other universities.
UH-Manoa Chancellor Peter Englert said the initial goal is to fund a few projects "with great science and excellent commercial applications. If there's enough high quality demand for these grants, perhaps the state can help expand it, as California and Georgia have done with similar programs."
More details on the ARC program and application instructions are online at www.connections.hawaii.edu.
The monthly series of discussions, sponsored by University Connections, will feature talks by different UH scientists about their research projects with comment from an investor, business executive or industry scientist familiar with the topic.
Song Choi of the UH Department of Mechanical Engineering will discuss his team's development of a semi-autonomous underwater robot for deep ocean missions in the first of the researchers' talks from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday in Room 20-A of the Alii Place Building, 1099 Alakea St., downtown Honolulu.
Todd Peltzer of Navatek Ltd. will comment on potential commercialization for Choi's technology.
Englert said, "UH has a wealth of exciting research that we'd love to share with the public. 'Meet the Researchers' will help us get this valuable information out into the community."
The talks are open to the public, but those attending must RSVP by e-mailing connecs@hawaii.edu or by calling 547-5644. Guests may take their own lunch. More details are online at www.connections.hawaii.edu.
University of Hawaii
