Winter 2007
Let There Be Light: New Series Flicks a Switch on Nanophotonics
Cell phones no thicker than a credit card. Clean, inexpensive power whenever and wherever it’s needed. Computers that operate literally at the speed of light. All of these and more will be made possible through nanophotonics, proving that good things really do come in small packages.
In October, the University of Washington and the Technology Alliance, along with other partners, introduced a new series designed to help business and community leaders understand the commercial potential of our state’s emerging nanophotonics cluster. The Nanophotonics for Breakfast series features leading researchers from around the country explaining how the combination of extremely tiny (nanoscale) devices and light (photons) has the potential to revolutionize the way we live, from energy and health care to computing and communication. Local industry and venture capital leaders are also on hand to provide their perspectives, drawing the link between what is being developed in the laboratory and its potential impact in the marketplace.
Among the fascinating developments being shared as part of this series:
A bright idea for energy conservation: Dr. Paul Burrows, fellow at Battelle/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, kicked off the series with a presentation on solid state lighting, which uses a special breed of materials called semiconductors to directly convert electricity into light at room temperature.
Seeing health care in a new light: Dr. Paras Prasad, professor of chemistry, physics, medicine and electrical engineering at the State University of New York at Buffalo, explained an emerging field of biotechnology called biophotonics, which harnesses light for new platform technologies that enable early diagnosis of disease.
A laser-like focus, in miniature: Dr. Axel Scherer, the Bernard A. Neches Professor of Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics & Physics at California Institute of Technology, described how revolutionary fabrication techniques have produced miniature – or microfabricated – lasers accompanied by major improvements in speed, power and cost.
Don’t be in the dark! To register for the Nanophotonics for Breakfast series, click here. To find out more, visit the University of Washington’s nanophotonics page at http://depts.washington.edu/nanophot/.
Holding Our Breath: Dr. David Sherman of Seattle Biomedical Research Institute Takes on Tuberculosis
At the November 9th breakfast of the Seattle Science & Technology Discovery Series, Dr. David Sherman, tuberculosis program director at SBRI, discussed the spread of TB across the globe and how researchers are working to develop new drugs to fight this tricky disease.
Advancing the “Virtuous Cycle” of Education, Research and Entrepreneurship: Highlights of the 2007 Technology Institute
Every other year, the Technology Alliance convenes a group of business leaders, heads of education and research institutions, and state policymakers to discuss the key issues facing Washington’s science and technology sector and how we as a state can bolster our long-term economic competitiveness. The retreat provides a unique opportunity to hear from state and national experts about our position in the global innovation economy and to discuss in depth how we can advance Washington’s future economic success.
At the 2007 retreat, a combination of keynote presentations, case studies and interactive panel discussions guided participants toward identifying strategies to position Washington for prosperity, focusing on strengthening the “virtuous cycle” of K-12 and higher education, research capacity and entrepreneurial climate in our state.
The College & Work Ready Agenda: Improving the Odds of Student Success
Last year, the Technology Alliance joined forces with a number of business and labor organizations across Washington State to focus on transforming our education system to prepare students to be successful in higher education and 21st century careers. Last month, the coalition drew a line in the sand on an issue that figured prominently at the Technology Institute: the preparation gap between high school and postsecondary education.
Two More MBA Students Get Their Wings as Part of Alliance of Angels Fellowship Program
Alliance of Angels, the Technology Alliance program that advances early stage investment and entrepreneur education, has ramped up its activities in recent months with the help of two new, part-time program managers: Jacob Miller, the 2007-08 William H. Gates, Sr. Fellow in Innovation & Entrepreneurship, and 2007-08 K&L Gates Fellow Kevin Kirn.
Vision and Leadership for Washington’s Long-term Economic Success: Technology Alliance Welcomes New Members of the Board
The TA continuously strives to bring together visionary leaders from Washington’s science and technology sector to advance our goals of excellent education systems, strong research capacity and a robust entrepreneurial climate. We are proud to welcome five outstanding individuals to our board of directors overseeing TA programs and activities that strengthen our state’s competitiveness in the knowledge-based economy.
Stay up to date with the Technology Alliance
Make it your New Year's resolution to update your contact information with the Technology Alliance. Email Kristin Osborne with new or changed email, mailing address, or phone number. Thanks.
A new angle
Check out the new blog of the Alliance of Angels--The Angel Angle--providing an inside look at angel deals, entrepreneurial innovation, and startup activity in the Pacific Northwest.
