Tri-Cities Tech Business Update

October 2013 Issue

News

Jet Biofuels Center Announced

Washington State University (WSU) Tri-Cities will co-lead a new aviation jet fuel research center with $40 million in funding over 10 years from the Federal Aviation Administration. On September 13, Senator Maria Cantwell, D-Wash, announced the new Center for Excellence in Alternative Jet Fuels and Environment, which WSU will lead with Massachusetts Institute of Technology on WSU's Richland campus. The work includes 42 university, industry, and federal partners, including Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Alaska Airlines, and Boeing. Areas of study will include new aircraft technologies and sustainable alternative aviation jet fuels. Read more ...

Electric Vehicles Rolled Out

Nearly 80 people learned about electric vehicles at an event in August sponsored by the new Mid-Columbia Electric Vehicle Association and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's Community Science & Technology Seminar Series. Twelve electric cars were on display at the Richland Public Library. There are currently 146 registered electric vehicles in Benton and Franklin Counties, including a battery-powered bus operated by Ben Franklin Transit.  Read more ...

Construction Begins on Wine Science Center

A groundbreaking on September 26 marked the start of a new $23 million Wine Science Center at Washington State University Tri-Cities. The 39,000-sq-ft center, expected to be completed in early 2015, will attract world-class researchers and future students to the wine industry in Washington State.  It will also serve as the south boundary gateway to the Tri-Cities Research District. Additional partners include the City of Richland, Port of Benton, Washington State Wine Commission, and Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers. Read more ...

Trees Will Fuel Northwest Bioenergy Industry

Washington State University is one of nine partners in a new national program that will use Pacific Northwest hybrid poplar trees to develop a sustainable biofuel system.  The Advanced Hardwood Biofuels project is a $40-million, five-year research project funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The goal: Produce 400 million gallons of poplar-based liquid biofuels annually from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and northern California. The 92-acre Pilchuck site near Stanwood, Washington, one of four demonstration farms, was planted with seedlings in spring 2013. A demonstration-scale biorefinery is planned for Boardman, Oregon. Read more ...

Tech Opportunities and Resources

$1.5M in Grants Available

The Life Sciences Discovery Fund announced nearly $1.5 million in proof-of-concept grants to Washington for-profit and non-profit organizations to foster translation of health-related technologies from idea to market launch. For the first cycle, invited proposals, already identified from pre-proposals, are due October 16. For the next cycle, pre-proposal submissions are due January 3, 2014. For the third and final cycle, pre-proposals are due May 7, 2014. Up to 32 pre-proposals will be reviewed per cycle. Read more...

Manufacturing Businesses Sought

Manufacturers:  Here's an opportunity to tell your company's story on National Manufacturing Day, October 4. Impact Washington is seeking manufacturers
to host community open-house events that highlight the value of manufacturing and associated careers. Read more ...

First Look Forum

Applications are now open for Northwest Entrepreneur Network's (NWEN) Fall 2013 First Look Forum, which is November 19 in Seattle. NWEN is the region's home for innovative businesses in every growth sector in the economy. Applicants will have the chance to access the breadth and depth of coaches, advisors, investors and more - all dedicating their time and talents to help your business reach the next level of success. Read more...

Small Business RFP Extended

The response date for the request for proposal (RFP) for the U.S. General Service Administration's One Acquisition Solution for Integrated Services Small
Business has been extended to October 10. This is a 10-year contract to provide federal agencies with total solutions across disciplines including engineering, financial management, marketing consulting, research and development, and other services.  Read more ...

Tech Dates and Deadlines

Doing Business with the GSA

October 15. Learn how to do business with the U.S. General Services Administration.  Attend a free workshop, "GSA 101 - Understanding the Multiple Award Schedules Program" on October 15 from 10 am - 12 noon at the Bechtel Board Room, Tri-Cities Business and Visitor Center, 7130 Grandridge Blvd., Kennewick. It's not for startups; attendees should have made sales for at least two years. The workshop is presented by the Washington Procurement Technical Assistance Center and the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce.  Registration is required. Read more ...

Future Workforce Needs in Clean Energy

October 17. The Tri-Cities Research District, Port of Benton, and Columbia
Basin College are sponsoring an event to educate the public, legislators, and higher education institutions about regional energy efforts and new
technologies to assist utilities in meeting the climate initiative milestones
in 2015 and 2019. Speaker topics will include the Mid-Columbia Energy
Initiative, Washington State University Tri-Cities Bio Chem Cat project,
HAMMER, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's smart grid work, and the Pacific Northwest Center of Excellence for Clean Energy. This event will provide opportunities for education and industry representatives to identify needs in curriculum and degree programs, to network, and to discuss policy needs with legislators.  RSVP and read more ...

Entrepreneur Tells His Story

November 19. In celebration of Global Entrepreneurship week, the Tri-Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (TCHCC) and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory are teaming to host entrepreneur Richard Tait at a TCHCC luncheon. Tait, who has won numerous awards for his maverick approach to building brands and corporate cultures, will speak about how he's reaching the Hispanic market, the soccer community, and the wine community through creative business models and products. Samples of his specialty food and drink products will be available. The event, which is open to the public, is November 19, 11:30 am - 1 pm at the TRAC Center in Pasco, 6600 Burden Blvd.  The cost is $20 for members and $25 for non-members. RSVP by November 14 to http://www.tricitieshcc.org/calendar/740/. For more information, contact the TCHCC at tchcoc@hotmail.com or (509) 542-0933.

Energy Technologies of the Future

November 19. "Big Bang Energy Disruption" is the topic of a seminar in Seattle that answers the question, "What technologies are being developed in our region that will affect the future of business and the urban environment?" The MIT Enterprise Forum of the Northwest presents a panel of energy experts, with a buffet and networking, at the Washington Convention Center. Read more ...

PNNL This Month

Hydrogen Fuel Safety App Available for Download

A new hydrogen fuel safety app can help those who design, approve, or use hydrogen fuel cell systems and facilities. The app, called Hydrogen Tools, includes information about ventilation, safe distances and pressures, and best practices for safely handling hydrogen. PNNL developed the Hydrogen Tools app for the U.S. Department of Energy. Download the free app through the Apple App Store. Read more ...

Ocean-Based Magnesium May Reduce Fuel Use

A lightweight metal that reduces fuel use in cars and planes could be extracted from the ocean through a unique process being developed by PNNL. The process could ultimately make fuel-efficient transportation more affordable, while expanding the American magnesium market. Read more ...

Got News?

We invite your contributions! We will consider items that fit the mission of this publication, including your tech-related news, awards, and notices of upcoming events. Please send text and photos to Andrea McMakin or call (509) 372-6013.

Tri-Cities Tech Business Update is published by the Economic Development Office at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Each month, we send you an e-mail message, giving you the link of news, tips, awards, upcoming events, and other information about local technology-based businesses and organizations that support them. With business and community partners, our goal is to build and diversify the Tri-Cities economy—adding skilled jobs in primary-sector industries that bring in outside dollars. Currently, more than 1,100 tech-related businesses, investors, and economic development stakeholders subscribe to the newsletter, mostly in the Mid-Columbia area and the rest of the Pacific Northwest. This newsletter (RL-P00-009) supports DOE-Richland's vision for the future of the Hanford Site and surrounding area through the creation of research opportunities, new industries, and new business clusters