PHILADELPHIA, Pa., Nov. 18, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Nine southeastern Pennsylvania companies, Creative Industries, Inc., Dynamis Therapeutics, Inc., Laminators, Inc., Materials Sciences Corp., Norquay Technology, Inc. PHOTECH Corp., Sentry Technology, Inc., Smarter Agent, Inc., and Versilant Nanotechnologies, Inc., have engaged Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania (BFTP/SEP) to help further their research and development efforts.
To improve their competitive ability through product analysis, design, manufacturing and/or testing activities, companies in the five-county southeastern Pennsylvania region are provided access to BFTP/SEP's technological resources, including 13 university-based research centers, federal laboratories, research institutes, and commercial corporations. BFTP/SEP's Technology Services/Product Development department field representatives are working with the following companies to identify and implement process and product development changes:
Creative Industries Inc., Philadelphia County, is working with the Engineering and Design Studio (EDS)-Philadelphia University to develop more competitive cement and resin custom-made products designed for large-scale architectural and home furnishings. Creative Industries is a designer and contract manufacturer of molded cement and resin accessories for home interior and exterior furnishings. Their product line of sculptured cast-formed products made from recycled materials includes fireplaces, door and window surrounds, wall tiles, lighting, table bases/tops, and kitchen and bath countertops. Ben Franklin provided $15,000 in funding to EDS for this project. For more information, contact Harvey Leis at (215) 426-7766.
Dynamis Therapeutics, Inc., Montgomery County, and the Center for Recombinant Protein Production and Structure Evaluation-Wistar Institute have teamed to develop a reliable method of producing a highly purified recombinant baculovirus protein of chicken, mouse, rat, and human origin for in vitro kinetic studies and drug discovery programs. The overall goal is to compare the recombinant forms of the company's therapeutic enzyme Amadorase to its native proteins. BFTP/SEP provided $5,000 in funding to Wistar for Dynamis Therapeutics. For more information, contact Michael Schwartz at (215) 402-9347 or via email at mlschwartz@dynamis-therapeutics.com.
Laminators Inc., Montgomery County, will use BFTP/SEP's newest research center, Electrotechnology Application Center (ETAC) -Northampton Community College to perform a two-part study to reduce the time required to cure the adhesive bond between the polyethylene and aluminum laminated sheets produced by the company. The first part of the study will determine the cure rate of the adhesive at various temperatures. The second part of the study will determine if radio frequency energy exposure is the more cost-effective method of rapidly curing the epoxy structural adhesive, compared to infrared energy exposure. BFTP/SEP provided $5,000 to the ETAC to support the research. For more information, contact J. David Thompson, Sr. at (215) 723-8107 or via email at jdt@omegapanels.com.
Materials Sciences Corporation, Montgomery County, will team with the Center for Textile Structural Composites-Drexel University to fabricate a series of sample performs having specified three-dimensional stitching configurations using Drexel's ALTIN robotic system. The samples will consist of multiple layers of woven S-2 glass fabrics. BFTP/SEP provided Drexel University $7,500 for the project. For more information, contact Dr. C.F. Yen at (215) 542-8400 or via email at yen@materials-sciences.com.
Norquay Technologies Inc., Chester County, is partnering with the Institute for Environmental Engineering Research (IEER)-Villanova University to synthesize several catalysts as well as perform a literature search for catalysts used in low temperature destruction or organic compounds. With this data, Norquay intends to obtain further funding from other sources to conduct additional research and development work. Ben Franklin committed $7,500 to Villanova University for this project. For more information, contact Dr. Peter Litak at (610) 874-4330 or via email at plitak@norquaytech.com.
Photech Corporation, Chester County, and the Center for Fiber Optics and Photonics Manufacturing Engineering-Drexel University are working together to design an optical device for tactical law enforcement applications. The Center will design the lens system and a compact, rugged housing to protect the optical and electronic components from the rigors of tactical service. Ben Franklin committed $10,000 to Drexel University for this project. For more information on Photech Corporation, contact Jim Fessenden at (610) 436-4986 or via email at jfessenden@photechcorp.com.
Sentry Technology, Inc., Chester County, has entered into an agreement with the Center for Fiber Optics and Photonics Manufacturing Engineering-Drexel University to assist in its development its compact and efficient projection system to capture palm and fingerprint images. Sentry is developing this optical imaging system for homeland security applications, which provides instantaneous and accurate forensic identification of individuals by scanning palm prints and fingerprints. BFTP/SEP committed $10,000 to Drexel University for this project. For more information on Sentry Technology, contact Robert Waryga at (215) 281-3690 or via email at rwaryga@hometownalert.com.
Smarter Agent, Philadelphia County, have formed a relationship with the Center for Advanced Communication-Villanova University to improve the non-recto linear algorithms currently employed with Smarter Agent's current products. Ultimately, Smarter Agent's products will gain a highly accurate methodology for large regional areas. BFTP/SEP provided $7,500 in funding to Villanova University for this project. For additional information on Smarter Agent, please contact Richard Burgess at (215) 243-4141 or via email at rich@smarteragent.com.
Versilant Nanotechnologies, Philadelphia County, is working with the Center for Textile Structural Composites-Drexel University to provide its graduate students with experience in wet chemistry and electrospinning to aid its polymers' processing and carbon nanotubes' experiments. Versilant will use Drexel University's method of electrospinning to complement their carbon nanotubes experiments. BFTP/SEP provided $7,500 in funding for this project. For more information regarding Versilant, contact Dr. Cynthia Kuper at (215) 796-1898 or via email at ckuper@versilant.com.
About Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania
An independent not-for-profit economic development organization, Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania (BFTP/SEP) (www.sep.benfranklin.org) was established in 1982 to stimulate economic growth through innovation, entrepreneurship and the development and adoption of new technologies. BFTP/SEP, part of a statewide network supported by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, provides capital and expertise in technology, finance and business that helps entrepreneurs and established businesses overcome challenges and plan for growth. Through our network of resources, the organization fosters dynamic relationships among companies, institutional and private investors, research institutions and the university community.