PHILADELPHIA, May 24, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania (BFTP/SEP) and Villanova University's Center for Advanced Communications (CAC) were recently awarded a three-year $600,000 grant from the National Science Foundation for their proposal "Partnership for broadband wireless innovations, development and commercialization."
"The vision of the Partnership is to transform existing one-dimensional collaborations in broadband wireless research, technology, education and commerce now serving the Delaware Valley region, into a multi-dimensional integrated community of partners pursuing a common objective," stated Moeness Amin, Professor, Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Villanova University and director of the CAC.
The Partnership's goals are: technology development and core research by the university partners, interacting with supporting federal laboratories and large corporations, educational diversification through focused enrichment projects with community college and high school partners, educational outreach through advanced engineering training programs with industry partners, and applied research and technology commercialization resulting from Ben Franklin's investment initiatives for small and medium growth-oriented companies.
"A distinguishing feature is the inclusion of Ben Franklin as a principal partner to make technology commercialization and economic development equivalent to the goals of research and education," stated RoseAnn Rosenthal, president and chief executive officer, BFTP/SEP. "The Partnership also represents the only technology transfer model in the country to include universities, community colleges, high school, large and small companies, federal laboratories, and a state agency," she added.
The project's collaborating partners include the private sector (Ablaze Systems, LLC, BAE Systems, Boeing Company, InterDigital Communications Corp., Kulicke & Soffa Industries, Lucent Technologies, Motorola, Inc., Rajant Corp., VerdaSee Solutions, Inc.), federal labs (Air Force Research Lab, Naval Surface Warfare Center), universities, community colleges and high schools (Villanova University, Widener University, Bucks County Community College, Montgomery County Community College, North Penn High School), and a state agency (BFTP/SEP).
Wireless systems host a wide range of technologies from both software and hardware perspectives. The Partnership has identified three key interrelated technologies that are an integral part of present and next generation wireless systems; namely, Smart Antennas, Low-Profile Antennas, and Thermal Management.
Since 1982, Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania (BFTP/SEP) has helped grow the region through science, technology and entrepreneurship. Ben Franklin provides entrepreneurs and established businesses the capital, talent, and expertise they need to compete in the global marketplace. Like its namesake, Ben Franklin invests in, builds upon and delivers solutions that grow communities and create wealth by supporting today's technological ideas and tomorrow's scientific discovery.
For more information: www.sep.benfranklin.org