Tri-Cities Tech Business Update

September 2009 Issue

Tech News and Notes

SzenSoft receives growth fund loan

Kennewick, Wash.-based SzenSoft has received $250,000 to fund continued growth and innovation. The funding was provided by the Sirti Technology Growth Fund. SzenSoft develops and markets a suite of integrated software products that manage all phases of operations for businesses such as hospitality, retail, and golf courses.  SzenSoft currently has more than 200 national and international customers.  The funding is aimed at furthering the company's product development and expanding sales efforts. Contact Loren Szendre at 509-396-9582.

EST president inducted into engineering hall of fame

Tom Kirchner, president and chief executive officer of Electronic Systems Technology, based in Kennewick, Wash., was inducted into a prestigious engineering hall of fame in August. Kirchner was elected into the Alumni Hall of Fame of Theta Tau Engineering Fraternity. Theta Tau is the largest and oldest professional fraternity in the field of engineering. Kirchner is the founder of Electronic Systems Technology, which was the first company to develop the wireless modem and receive a patent for the technology. Contact Tom Kirchner at 509-735-9092.

TRIDEC's Smith joining Lockheed Martin

Deanna Smith, previously director of public affairs for the Tri-Cities Development Council, has joined Lockheed Martin and the new Hanford Mission Support Alliance in the communications and external affairs division. Smith spent six years at TRIDEC, where she managed communications, protocol, media relations and state legislative issues. She also co-authored the Building Bridges to Life Long Learning document which accompanied the community's request to the governor for four-year authority for WSU Tri-Cities.

Energy Northwest welcomes new members

Energy Northwest, based in Richland, Wash., now has 27 member utilities. The agency's board of directors has approved membership applications from the Lewis County Public Utility District and the City of Centralia. This is the largest membership in the 51-year history of the organization. Energy Northwest was formed as a Washington State Joint Operating Agency in 1957 to provide low-cost power for its publicly owned utility members by aggregating needs and building power generation facilities to meet those needs. The agency produces power "at-cost" for its members and owns and operates Columbia Generating Station, Packwood Lake Hydroelectric Project, White Bluffs Solar Station and Nine Canyon Wind Project. Contact Rochelle Olson at 509-377-4728.

Dade Moeller staff elected to HPS positions

Two staff members at Dade Moeller and Associates, based in Richland, Wash., have been elected to leadership positions in the Columbia Chapter of the Health Physics Society. The society is a non-profit scientific professional organization that was established to promote radiation safety practices. Senior health physicists Donald Stewart and Mark Fishburn were selected as officers for 2009-10. Stewart will serve as the society's president-elect, and previous president-elect Fishburn will be the chapter president. Dade Moeller is a professional consulting firm specializing in radiological and nuclear safety, public and environmental health protection, occupational safety and health, and radiation and safety training. The company employs more certified health physicists than any other private company in the United States. Contact Paula Tumlinson at 509-946-0410, ext. 283.

Tech Opportunities and Resources

Clean Energy Technology grant funding

The Department of Energy is accepting Phase I grant applications from qualified small businesses for funds under the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer program. A total of $37 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds will be made available for SBIR and STTR Phase I and Phase II grants through the end of fiscal year 2010. Emphasis will be placed on near-term, clean energy technology commercialization potential and also on creating U.S. jobs. The deadline for submission of grant applications is September 4 and applications must be submitted electronically online. Up to 60 applicants may receive up to $150,000 each for a six-month Phase I grant to demonstrate the feasibility of their idea. More information.

Washington Technology Center grant funding

The Washington Technology Center is accepting grant applications for the Research & Technology Development grant program. The funding is designed to transition great ideas out of the laboratory and into the marketplace. The Center allocates $1 million annually for these grants, which are awarded on a competitive basis to university members of collaborative research teams working on innovative technology projects with strong commercial potential. The grants pay up to 80% of the cost of research projects to support work on breakthrough scientific discoveries. Project teams are eligible to receive up to $100,000 for initial proof-of-concept projects and up to $300,000 total for multi-phase projects. The next round of grants will be awarded in December for projects beginning in January 2010. The deadline to submit a Notice of Intent is September 24 and applications are due October 22. More information.

Boeing seeks advanced battery technology

To meet the increasing life-expectancy and electrical energy storage demands of the next generation of spacecraft, Boeing is exploring novel battery materials, electrochemistry, and cell design that would result in significant increases in energy and life cycle. Boeing is interested in cutting-edge battery technology and welcomes viable new battery technologies from universities or small businesses, for near-term to long-term applications. Contact Elaine Kong of the Washington Technology Center at 206-616-1078.

New small business stimulus program

The Washington Technology Center has launched the Microfabrication Laboratory Access Program, a new stimulus program that will award short-term, no-cost access to sophisticated fabrication equipment to help small companies in Washington develop innovative commercial technologies that will create jobs. The Center will accept proposals from companies with fewer than 100 employees in any technical area or industry that can utilize the facilities and equipment of the center's 15,000-square-foot Microfabrication Laboratory. Eligible projects include, but are not limited to: proof of concept, prototyping, testing, process development, and small-scale production. Proposals selected for awards will need to show clear potential for economic impact and a well-defined work plan. Proposals will be accepted on an ongoing basis; however, since the award program is focused on companies that have an immediate need for laboratory facilities, lab access projects will be limited to a maximum of three consecutive months. More information.

Resources online

1) The column "TLC needed to promote tech products" was published in the Tri-City Herald on July 26. The article discusses the ins and outs of marketing for tech-based businesses. 2) The presentation "Domination Marketing: Using the Internet to Gain a Maximum Competitive Edge" was presented at the Three Rivers Entrepreneur Network July workshop. The presentation features information about online marketing tools.

Tech Dates and Deadlines

The Business Case for Going Green

SEPTEMBER 10. REGISTER BY SEPTEMBER 8. Theddi Wright Chappell will be the next speaker in the Tri-Cities Research District Speaker Series.  Chappell will address business case implications that various "green" strategies, practices, and protocols may have on property values, including research parks. Chappell is the managing director of the Cushman & Wakefield of Washington Valuation Services, Capital Markets Group and National Practice Leader of the firm's National Green Building and Sustainability Valuation and Advisory Practice. Chappell's presentation, "The Business Case for Going Green," will also identify factors that are considered during market value assessments, as well as current trends and practices in the valuation and justification of green properties. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Lockheed Martin, and Washington State University Tri-Cities are teaming to host the speaker series dedicated to educating stakeholders, the community, and other interested individuals and organizations on what it takes to successfully develop a research park. There is no charge to attend this event; however, you must pre-register by Tuesday, September 8. Light reception to immediately follow sponsored by Lockheed Martin. Register online.

Nuclear Industry seminar

SEPTEMBER 18.  Washington State University is hosting a professional development seminar on the "Status of the Nuclear Industry" on September 18.  The event is scheduled from 12:10 pm to 1 pm.  Participants can attend on the Washington State University Tri-Cities campus in room 210 in the West building; and on the Pullman campus in room 53 of the Murrow building.  Contact Richard Stout at 509-528-7023.

2009 Micro Nano Breakthrough Conference

SEPTEMBER 21-23. REGISTER BY SEPTEMBER 11. The 2009 Micro Nano Breakthrough Conference will be held September 21-23 at the DoubleTree Hotel and Executive Meeting Center in Portland, Ore. The agenda includes a full-day symposium on solar energy and technical sessions on topics such as advanced nanomaterials for energy storage, sensor systems, microtechnology for energy applications, and many others. The cost is $195 until September 11 and $245 after September 11. There are also student rates available, as well as the option to sign up for individual short courses or the symposium. The event is sponsored by the Oregon Nanoscience and Microtechnologies Institute and the Washington Technology Center. Register online.

Governor's Life Science Summit 2009

SEPTEMBER 22. The Washington Biotechnology and Biomedical Association will report on progress and future goals for the state's life sciences industry at the annual Governor's Life Science Summit on September 22 in Seattle, Wash. The agenda will include reports on legislation initiated by the organization, an update on Life Sciences Discovery Fund activities, and a panel discussion moderated by Governor Chris Gregoire about priorities for upcoming years. Register online.

Wind Power for Communities workshops

SEPTEMBER 23 and 24. REGISTER BY SEPTEMBER 9. Northwest Sustainable Energy for Economic Development is conducting two workshops for rural landowners, public officials and community members interested in learning more about wind energy development. The Wind Power for Communities workshops will include an introduction to modern wind technology, the various scales of wind development and state incentives and policies effecting wind energy projects. Afternoon break-out sessions with subject matter experts focused on small/community wind projects and landowner participation in large-scale wind projects will also be offered. The workshops are open to the public and will be held on September 23 in La Grande, Ore., and on September 24 in The Dalles, Ore. The cost is $35 and lunch will be provided. Register for La Grande. Register for The Dalles.

Gesa SmartMap Expo 2009

OCTOBER 1. The Tri-Cities Development Council will hold its annual Gesa SmartMap Expo, on October 1 at the Trade, Recreation, and Agricultural Center in Pasco, Wash. There is no cost to attend the expo. TRIDEC will also hold a manufacturing luncheon at noon, which costs $35 for members and $40 for non-members. Register online or call 509-735-1000.

Workforce and Economic Development Conference

OCTOBER 27-29. The Workforce and Economic Development Conference will be held in Spokane, Wash. in October. The conference is hosted by the Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board and the Washington State Department of Commerce. The conference focuses on generating growth by creating diversity, partnerships, and innovation. Register online.

Entrepreneur University 2009 - Dig In, Branch Out

NOVEMBER 5. The Northwest Entrepreneur Network's annual Entrepreneur University event will be held in Bellevue, Wash. in November. This year's event "Dig In, Branch Out: Growing a Company That Lasts" will feature keynote speaker Jill Mintz Clark, the deputy chief operating officer in the Obama for America campaign. The conference will also focus on the two most requested areas of importance to previous attendees: business fundamentals and marketing. The cost is $125 for members and $275 for non-members. Register online.

Harvesting Clean Energy 2010

FEBRUARY 7-9, 2010. The 10^th annual Harvesting Clean Energy Conference will be held at the Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick, Wash., in February. The event focuses on advancing rural economic development through clean energy production. The conference features a variety of tracks that emphasize opportunities for rural landowners, the latest in renewable energy technologies, where the new clean energy jobs and training programs are, and the new clean energy economy. Register online.

Life Science Innovation Northwest Conference

MARCH 16-17, 2010. The Washington Biotechnology and Biomedical Association will hold the first Life Science Innovation Northwest Conference in Seattle in March. The new conference will replace the organization's Invest Northwest event and will focus on the life science industry in the Pacific Northwest.

PNNL This Month

PNNL named Energy Frontier Research Center

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, Wash., has been named as an Energy Frontier Research Center by the Department of Energy. DOE awarded a total of $377 million to fund 46 centers at universities, national laboratories, nonprofit organizations, and private firms across the nation. The funding is an effort to accelerate the scientific breakthroughs needed to build a new 21st-century energy economy. PNNL received $22.5 million for the first year of the five-year program. Read the DOE news release.

Energy Secretary visits PNNL

Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu visited Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in August and called on its scientific staff to deliver the innovative science and transformational technologies that can help solve the United States' energy challenge. Chu also toured two unique facilities at PNNL: the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, and the Electricity Infrastructure Operations Center. Download multimedia resources from the Secretary's visit.

Climate research and smart grid funding

The Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, Wash. has received nearly $6 million through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to advance climate research and to further its ability to analyze "smart" power grids. Nearly $5 million is allocated to build a dedicated, high-performance computer for integrated assessment climate research, to understand human and natural Earth system interactions, and to create decision support tools for policy makers and the public. And just under $1 million is allocated to test ways of analyzing new "smart" data being received from the power grid, in order to more quickly and effectively determine abnormalities, and to identify potential areas of stress before they become a problem. Read the PNNL news release.

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 Diane Kahler or call (509) 372-4133.

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