Cirrus Photonics

Immunology grants will support stem cell research in multicolor flow cytometry

2010-08-11T10:28:00.000-07:00

Immunology grants will support stem cell research in multicolor flow cytometry

Jun 18, 2010

San Diego-- BD Biosciences, a segment of BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) will further expand its Research Grant program, adding $100,000 worth of reagents, cell culture tools and labware to support promising stem cell research inmulticolor flow cytometry, as well as cell signaling, cancer research, immune function, infectious diseases and neuroscience.

The focus of the new stem cell research grants is to support the continuing study of embryonic, adult and induced pluripotent stem cells to improve the understanding of both normal and disease processes.

"Even though the peak of the economic crisis appears to already have been reached, life scientists in the United States are still in desperate need for resources to keep their research projects alive," said Robert Balderas, Vice President of Biological Sciences, BD Biosciences. "BD Biosciences is proud to do its part to help advance some of the most promising stem cell and immunology research that could one day help cure or prevent disease."

When added to the existing $140,000 allocated to support immunology research, this new funding will bring the total annual support amount to $240,000, which will be distributed via 24 individual grants of BD Biosciences research reagents, cell culture tools and labware valued at $10,000 each.

Additional information about the grant program, including the application process and deadlines, is available atwww.bdbiosciences.com/grant.

Courtesy OptoIQ

TIP Announces 2010 Competition

2010-04-15T13:03:00.001-07:00

The Technology Innovation Program (TIP) of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) announced today that it is seeking proposals for high-risk, high-reward research projects in the area of Critical National Need: Manufacturing. Based on FY 2010 funds, TIP expects to award a total of approximately $25 million in first-year funding for R&D projects that address "Manufacturing and Biomanufacturing: Materials Advances and Critical Processes."

For detailed information on the announced competition, including submission requirements, deadlines and the scope of the Critical National Need topic area, see the Federal Funding Opportunity at www.grants.gov, the Federal Register Notice at http://www.nist.gov/tip/cur_comp/index.cfm or the TIP Web site at http://www.nist.gov/tip/.

TIP supports, promotes, and accelerates innovation in the United States through funding high-risk, high-reward research in areas of critical national need. The merit-based competitive program can fund cost-shared R&D projects by single small-sized or medium-sized businesses and joint ventures that additionally may include institutions of higher education, non-profit research organizations and national laboratories. TIP awards are limited to no more than $3 million total over three years for a single company project and no more than $9 million total over five years for a joint venture. TIP was established by the 2007 America COMPETES Act.

NSF: Proposals for the Innovations in Biological Imaging and Visualization program

2010-02-20T20:42:00.001-08:00

The Directorate for Biological Sciences invites proposals for the Innovations in Biological Imaging and Visualization program. The program supports the development of instrumentation and technologies to generate and to interpret biological images quantitatively in real time while also making the tools as accessible and as user-friendly as possible for the community at large. Selected proposals will be required to participate in the NSF Ideas Lab scheduled May 24 to 28. Up to 10 awards may be made from total funding of $5 million. Eligibility is unrestricted. Preliminary proposals are due April 12. More information regarding NSF 10-538 is available at: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2010/nsf10538/nsf10538.htm

Courtesy ERAU Grant Opportunities Update

Army Contracting Command: High-temperature diode pumped laser igniter assembly

2010-02-20T20:41:00.001-08:00

On or about Feb 18, the Army Contracting Command Joint Munitions & Lethality Contracting Center will request proposals to develop a manufacturing process for a high-temperature diode pumped laser igniter assembly for artillery. Limited details regarding W15QKN-10-R-0202 are available at: https://www.fbo.gov/notices/611b2ebfd283054368db91062919d60d. Once posted, the solicitation will be available at: http://procnet.pica.army.milCourtesy ERAU Grant Opportunities Update

DARPA: Proposals to advance the production of Gradient Index (GRIN) lenses

2010-02-20T20:40:00.000-08:00

DARPA invites research proposals to advance the production of Gradient Index (GRIN) lenses from Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3 to Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) 8. Proposed R&D should investigate innovative approaches that enable revolutionary and fundamental advances in the design and fabrication of 3-dimensional GRIN lenses with arbitrary design flexibility for both imaging and non-imaging systems. Eligibility is open; however, there are conditions on FFRDCs and federal government entities. Multiple awards are anticipated. Proposals are due Mar 18. More information regarding DARPA-BAA-10-31 is available at: https://www.fbo.gov/spg/ODA/DARPA/CMO/DARPA-BAA-10-31/listing.html

Courtesy ERAU Grant Opportunities Update

OSA: DARPA Seeks Low-Cost Lightweight Portable Photovoltaics

2010-01-02T08:12:00.000-08:00

(Applications Due: April 21, 2010)

The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting proposals for its Low-Cost Lightweight Portable Photovoltaics program. The program is seeking "innovative research proposals in the area of photovoltaic power sources that excel in efficiency, portability, flexibility, durability, and ease of manufacture." Applications are due by April 21, 2010.

From "Low-Cost Lightweight Portable Photovoltaics (PoP)" Federal Business Opportunities (11/12/09)

Courtesy Optical Society of America (Photonics R&D Insider)

World Usability Day (WUD) Project to Make 1,000 LED Spot/Bulbs Available for Free

2009-11-11T06:57:00.001-08:00

How many light bulbs does it take to change the world? Just one, if you make it LED.

The World Usability Day (WUD) project will make 1,000 LED spot/bulbs available for free via their website http://www.worldusabilityday.org. “Assume the following math: 1,000 bulbs can replace all of the light bulbs in 20 medium-sized houses,” said Brian Sullivan, the usability principal at the Sabre Human Factors Center in San Francisco, CA, and co-chair of World Usability Day. “The LED bulbs are easily three times more efficient than standard bulbs. So that is the equivalent of lighting 100 houses,” said Brian Sullivan, co-chair of World Usability Day. By using 1 LED bulb rather than 3 filament bulbs you will save 268.24 kWh.
The WUD free light bulbs will be offered worldwide. The project is being made possible by Next Generation Lighting Supply (NGL Supply) and Seoul Semiconductor, Inc. (Seoul). NGL Supply will provide the bulbs with Edison bases (standard in most lamps, ceiling fans, and recessed lighting outlets) and fulfillment, and Seoul will supply the inner workings. WUD web site visitors will fill out a form with a DISCOUNT code. When the visitor clicks a button from the WUD site (after filling out a form), they are taken to the NGL site for fulfillment. Participants will pay for shipping and handling (which is very common for FREE items).

“We are thrilled to be able to offer free LED light bulbs,” said Elizabeth Rosenzweig, founder and president of WUD. “These products are just now reaching the market; they’re very cutting edge,” said Rosenzweig. “Thanks to NGL Supply and Seoul, we will change the world one light bulb at a time. It’s just that simple.”
“Seoul Semiconductor is proud to be part of this event and share our Acriche LED technology with those concerned about making a better world. Our basic tenets, starting with our CEO Mr. C.H. Lee, include being a good corporate citizen along with doing the right thing for the environment. The WUD event is a showcase for responsible products available today that will make a better future,” said Doug Hardman, Americas Strategic Marketing Director, Seoul Semiconductors.

“Working with WUD makes it possible for NGL Supply to make LED technology readily available to 1,000 people who wish to make the change to energy efficient environmentally friendly lighting solutions,” said Kennie Alton, principal, Next Generation Lighting Supply.
The Fifth Annual World Usability Day will be celebrated globally on November 12 with the theme “Designing for a Sustainable World.” Countries that announced WUD projects last week included Estonia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates bringing the total number of countries to 38 and the number of events to 112.

Source: http://www.worldusabilityday.org/

Courtesy AZoOptics.com

NIH Seeks Imaging Research Proposals

2009-11-06T12:08:00.000-08:00

(Applications Due: April 11, 2011)
The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) is soliciting research proposals for its “Quick-Trials for Imaging and Image-Guided Interventions: Exploratory Grants” program. The program “is intended to support clinical trials conducting preliminary evaluation of the safety and efficacy of imaging agents, as well as an assessment of imaging systems, image processing, image-guided therapy, contrast kinetic modeling, and 3-D reconstruction and other quantitative tools.” Applications are due by April 11, 2011.
From “Quick-Trials for Imaging and Image-Guided Interventions: Exploratory Grants”Grants.gov (09/18/09)
Courtesy OSA

OSA hosts Congressional briefing on the needed switch to LED lighting

2009-11-06T12:07:00.000-08:00

November 6, 2009–With energy efficient technology becoming a government priority, cities across the country are investing in greener lighting sources. The Optical Society (OSA; Washington, DC), in conjunction with the House of Representatives’ Research & Development (R&D) Caucus, is hosting a Congressional briefing next week to discuss how solid-state lighting, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs), can significantly reduce the amount of energy used for residential, commercial, automotive, and street lighting (see also “OIDA/SPIE hope message “resonates” in Congress” and “OSA members to support research into renewable energy sources“).
Lighting uses 22% of the electricity and 8% of the total energy spent in the U.S., according to government reports. A panel of experts will discuss current and future LED technologies, why municipalities across the country are switching to them, cost savings associated with LEDs, and the role of government in LED-related research. The briefing is free and open to the public.
The Congressional Luncheon Briefing is entitled LEDs: Cities Investing in a Greener Future and will be held at B340 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 on Thursday, November 12, 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m.
Speakers include Andrew Brix, Energy Programs Manager, City of Ann Arbor, Michigan; James Brodrick, Solid-State Lighting Program Manager, U.S. Dept. of Energy; and Matthew Sommers, LED Design Manager, GE Lumination. The presentations will be moderated by Alex Fong, Senior Vice President, Life Sciences & Instrumentation at Gooch and Housego.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act makes investing in energy efficient technologies and reducing the cost of high-performance lighting products a priority. Continuing advances, with the support of federal funding for energy efficient technologies, can accelerate progress toward creating a U.S.-led market for high-efficiency light sources that save more energy, reduce costs and have less environmental impact than conventional light sources. LEDs use half the energy (or less) and last 10 to 12 years longer than conventional bulbs. Additionally, LEDs contain no mercury, unlike compact fluorescent light bulbs. Studies suggest that a complete conversion to the LEDs could decrease carbon dioxide emissions from electric power use for lighting by up to 50% in just more than 20 years.
For more information, contact Angela Stark at the OSA at astark@osa.org.
Courtesy Gail Overton, LaserFocusWorld

OSA Press Release: Photonics Included in List of Industries Targeted to Receive New Small Business Grants

2009-11-04T10:44:00.001-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Angela Stark
The Optical Society202.416.1443
astark@osa.org

Photonics Included in List of Industries Targeted to Receive New Small Business Grants

OSA thanks Rep. Kosmas for efforts to add photonics industry to House bill

WASHINGTON, Oct. 30—The U.S. House of Representatives accepted an amendment yesterday by Rep. Suzanne Kosmas (D-Fla.) that would add photonics technology to the list of targeted industries eligible to receive federal grants under a new early-stage investment program.

The Kosmas amendment was accepted to H.R. 3854, the Small Business Financing and Investment Act of 2009. The legislation aims at improving the Small Business Administration’s programs that provide entrepreneurs with access to capital.

H.R. 3854 also establishes the Small Business Early Stage Investment (SBESI) Program, which is a public/private partnership grant program to channel investment capital to emerging companies. Rep. Kosmas authored an amendment, which was adopted by voice vote to add the photonics technology industry to the list of targeted industries qualified to receive grants under this new early-stage investment program. Under the SBESI program, the Small Business Administration will provide matching grant funding to act as a co-investment in highly qualified investment companies that will focus on investing in small businesses, with particular emphasis on investing in early-stage small businesses in targeted capital-intensive industries. The bill will now be considered by the Senate before being sent to the President for signature.

“OSA is thrilled to see Congress recognize the importance of investing in small businesses that focus on photonics technologies,” said Elizabeth A. Rogan, CEO of the Optical Society (OSA). “OSA thanks Congresswoman Kosmas for her efforts to include photonics in this legislation. The state of Florida has a strong photonics industry and many companies there and across the country have the potential to benefit from the Congresswoman’s work.”

Photonics is a specialized field of physics and engineering, based on the science of light. From fiber optics and lasers used in telecommunications to medical imaging and detection to aid cancer research, optics and photonics are critical technologies that are prevalent in almost every aspect of day-to-day life.

About OSAUniting more than 106,000 professionals from 134 countries, the Optical Society OSA) brings together the global optics community through its programs and initiatives. Since 1916 OSA has worked to advance the common interests of the field, providing educational resources to the scientists, engineers and business leaders who work in the field by promoting the science of light and the advanced technologies made possible by optics and photonics. OSA publications, events, technical groups and programs foster optics knowledge and scientific collaboration among all those with an interest in optics and photonics. For more information, visit www.osa.org.

NSF Phase 1 SBIR/STTR

2009-09-13T21:54:00.000-07:00

NSF's Directorate for Engineering invites supplemental requests for Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) grantees to join an Industry/University Cooperative Research Center (I/UCRC). Visit http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503192

NSF's Directorate for Engineering supports the Small Business Innovation Research Program Phase I. The primary objective of the SBIR Program is to increase the incentive and opportunity for small firms to undertake cutting-edge, high risk, high quality scientific, engineering, or science and engineering education research that would have a high potential economic payoff if the research is successful. Visit http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2009/nsf09609/nsf09609.htm

Courtesy ERAU Grant Opportunities Update

DARPA Bioinspired Photonics Program

2009-08-26T21:41:00.000-07:00

DARPA invites research proposals for the Bioinspired Photonics program. The program's goal is to harness the best of nature's photonic structures and utilize advances in materials technology to create controllable photonic devices at visible and near infrared wavelengths. There are three specified phases to the program; fabrication and understanding, activation and dynamic control, and advanced capabilities. Eligibility is generally unrestricted but there are some limitations on FFRDCs and foreign entities. Multiple awards are anticipated. Proposal abstracts are due Oct 7. More information regarding DARPA-BAA-09-71 is available at: https://www.fbo.gov/spg/ODA/DARPA/CMO/DARPA-BAA-09-71/listing.html

Courtesy ERAU Grant Opportunities Update

Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP)

2009-08-04T21:07:00.000-07:00

The Department of Defense invites proposals for the Defense University Research Instrumentation Program. DURIP is designed to improve the capabilities of U.S. institutions of higher education to conduct research and to educate scientists and engineers in areas important to national defense, by providing funds for the acquisition of research equipment. Approximately $40 million will be awarded for FY10 with individual award ceilings of $1 million. Eligibility is limited to accredited U.S. institutions of higher education with degree-granting programs in science, mathematics and/or engineering. Proposals are due Sep 15. More information regarding AFOSR-BAA-2009-5 is available at:

http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do;jsessionid=rSPvKsGG5hgnrCwQrjzGqdYp1LnYmRl6jfDQcBgtsYQ28vNG1STn!1656926990?oppId=48702&mode=VIEW.

Courtesy ERAU Grant Opportunities Update

Welcome To Cirrus Photonics!

2009-08-02T09:54:00.000-07:00

Welcome to our Blog!

Here's where will keep you posted on the latest developments on our products, services and in the world of optics and photonics, especially technical and research lighting sources. We look forward to hearing from you!

Please don't hesitate to contact us via our email (info @ cirrusphotonics.com), website feedback form at www.cirrusphotonics.com or just leave a comment here.