emerging technologies : Innovation + Job News

The Multinational Development of Women in Technology (MDWIT) organization will soon be able to better help women around the world enter and progress in the technology workforce thanks to a new IT infrastructure funded by a $30,000 donatoin from Lockheed Martin.

MDWIT promotes the advancement of women in technology through the development and dissemination of best practices, programs, research and policy. The new Lockheed Martin-funded system will provide a forum for this information, enabling all women in IT to gain broad visibility, specifically enriching access to and development of innovations, knowledge and research across the industry. The new system will consolidate existing systems under a framework that is easier to use, more collaborative and more interactive than the previous system.

"A technological infrastructure that supports not only communication but also collaboration is critical to furthering our mission," said Claudia Morrell, CEO of MDWIT. "Thanks to the support of Lockheed Martin, we will soon be able to leverage the collective intelligence of women all over the globe to foster a more diverse, productive and innovative workforce."

The new infrastructure will support MIDWIT's regional, national and international initiatives. The application will allow the organization to establish a repository of global knowledge to manage and share information. The system also will provide personalized content and social media tools to facilitate two-way communication between MDWIT's constituents, sponsors, members and partners.

The Baltimore-based organization will introduce the new system later this year.

Writer: Walaika Haskins
Source: Claudia Morrell, MDWIT

There's a new incubator network in town. The Maryland Clean Energy Technology Incubator Network will offer support to early stage companies working with clean energy technologies and advance green job creation in Maryland.

The production of a partnership between Maryland Clean Energy Center and the bwtech@UMBC the new site, the Maryland Clean Energy Technology Incubator@bwtech (CETI), is the first in a planned statewide network of clean energy incubators designed to strengthen Maryland's "Smart, Green and Growing" energy economy.

"bwtech@UMBC is our first site because we were so impressed with their management and track record there," says Katherine Magruder, executive director of Maryland Clean Energy Center.

""The Maryland Clean Energy Center is striving to partner with energy experts throughout the state in order to fulfill its mission of growing Maryland's clean energy economy through related economic development and job creation. Because bwtech@UMBC has a proven track record of success our Board elected to work with their team to establish our first Clean Energy Incubator Network site at UMB," she adds.

The goal is to draw from the depth and variety of the research presence in the state, and use the incubator network to move discoveries from the bench to the bank in the commercialization pipeline, according to Magruder.

"The program seeks to provide affordable space as well as assistance with business plans, marketing, and management of intellectual property for start-up companies that are focused on a clean or renewable energy product, service or technology," she says.

CETI will provide services specifically tailored to the needs of companies working with solar power, wind power, geothermal, hydro-power, biofuels as well as energy management and storage technologies. A part-time Entrepreneur-in-Residence and an advisory board of experienced researchers and executives in the clean energy sector will also provide tenant companies with assistance.

CETI will occupy about 18,000 square feet of office and wet lab space in the Biotechnology Building of bwtech@UMBC's Incubator and Accelerator, located on the south campus of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC).

Writer: Walaika Hasins
Source: Katherine Magruder, Maryland Clean Energy Center

Engineers at Johns Hopkins University have put down their high-powered computers and cutting edge imaging software in favor of a popular child's toy. Instead of using routine high tech toys, they've turned to Lego pieces to help them visualize the behavior of particles, cells and molecules in environments too tiny to see with naked human eye.

Researchers use the peg-shaped Lego pieces to recreate the microscopic activity inside lab-on-chip devices, known as microfluidic arrays, at a more easily observable scale. The devices are commonly used to sort tiny samples by size, shape or composition, however, the minuscule forces at work at such an extremely small magnitude are difficult to measure, to say the least.

Led by Joelle Frechette and German Drazer, assistant professors of chemical and biomolecular engineering in the Whiting School of Engineering, the team of researchers used beads that were just a few millimeters in diameter, an aquarium filled with gooey glycerol and the Lego pieces arranged on a board to recreate the scene and unlock the mysterious workings taking place at the micro- and nanoscale level.

Data gained from the somewhat unusual tests could provide clues on improving the design and fabrication of lab-on-a-chip technology.

Writer: Walaika Haskins

Source: JHU

What Maryland company is behind the HD in the latest iteration of Microsoft's Zune HD? That would be Ibiquity Digital Corp., a Columbia, MD-based technology company. It's HD Radio technology powers the Zune's HD Radio receive, enabling listeners to listen to higher quality sound than available via traditional radios.

If you're not familiar with HD Radio, you're not alone. In development for about ten years, the new radio technology has flown under the public's radar, but it is the future of radio. Essentially the same as AM and FM radio, HD radio broadcasters send out signals that are then picked up by listeners' receivers.

Unlike traditional radio, however, HD radio stations emit a mixed signal comprised of both analog and digital transmissions. Using the same frequencies allotted to analog stations, the addition of the digital band enables radio stations to transmit multiple broadcasts and also include textual data. HD receivers pick up the signals as they bounce of off buildings and other objects, providing crystal clear sound due to designs that enable them to sort through the reflected signals and reduce static, hissing, popping and fades.

"We are very excited about the launch of HD Radio technology on Microsoft's Zune HD. This brings a vast new group of consumers the high-quality, innovative HD2/HD3 programming only available through HD Radio broadcasts. Microsoft is blazing a trail for a whole new generation of small, hand-held HD Radio enabled products," says Bob Struble, president and CEO of Ibiquity.

With more than 3,000 HD Radio stations and an ever increasing number of auto manufacturers and electronics device makers embracing the technology, Ibiquity was reportedly able to add $21 million in backing from investors in August.

Microsoft'sZune HD, in 16GB and 32GB versions, is set for release on Sept. 15.

Writer: Walaika Haskins
Source: Bob Struble, Ibiquity

The University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute (UMBI) has reached a deal with Plasmonix, Inc. that grants the company license to its metal-enhanced fluorescence (MEF)patents. The agreement stipulates that Plasmonix creates a new spin-off company located in Maryland.

MEF technology dramatically increases the sensitivity and speed of a broad range of diagnostic and biological assays for DNA and for proteins. It has multiple applications in clinical diagnostics and homeland security.

One real world application of MEF technology will detect the elevated enzymes associated with a heart attack in 20 seconds as a patient is transported via ambulance to the hospital. From a security perspective, it can be used to rapidly detect minute amounts of biohazard agents.

The new company will be dedicated to bringing the MEF technology developed by UMBI's Institute of Flourescence to the marketplace.

"MEF is a major breakthrough for biological diagnostics and the spin-off of Plasmonix is just one example of the ways that UMBI addresses important human needs by bringing new technologies from the laboratory bench to the marketplace," says Dr. Jonathan Gottlieb, director of Technology Transfer and Commercialization for UMBI.

In a nationwide survey comparing job postings to the number of unemployed, Baltimore earned the No. 3 spot.

According to Indeed.com, an online job hunting site, there's one job for each unemployed person in the city. The survey looked at the top 50 metropolitan areas in the U.S. based on its index of over 50 million jobs posted each year.

Washington, D.C. came in first place with a total of six jobs for every unemployed person, while Jacksonville took the No. 2 slot with employers there offering 3 jobs for each unemployed resident.

Writer: Walaika Haskins
Source: Indeed.com

Columbia-based Martek Biosciences signed a joint development deal with BP to work on the production of microbial oils for biofuels applications. The respective partners bring a broad technology platform and operational capabilities to advance the development of a step-change technology to convert sugars into biodiesel.

Under the multi-year partnership, Martek and BP will collaborate to establish working prototypes for cost effective microbial biodiesel production through fermentation. Researched for more than 20 years, the challenge will be to adapt the technology to the needs of the biofuels market with regard to product profile and economics.

"Martek is pleased to partner with BP's Alternative Energy team, to combine our unique algae-based technologies and intellectual property for the creation of sustainable and affordable technology for microbial biofuel production," says Steve Dubin, Martek CEO.

BP will contribute up to $10 million for this initial phase of its collaboration with Martek, utilizing the company's expertise in microbial oil production and BP's production and commercialization experience in biofuels as the jumping off point for the joint project.

Martek will perform the biotechnology research and development related to the initial phase of the project, while BP will offer its integration within the biofuels value chain.

Biodiesel produced from sustainable feedstocks via the fermentation of sugars will offer the potential to deliver greenhouse gas emission reductions of up to 80 percent to 90 percent when compared to traditional fossil fuel.

Writer: Walaika Haskins
Source: Steve Dubin, Martek

RIP Les Paul, inventor of the solid body electric guitar, but a University of Maryland professor thinks he has the goods to be this century's guitar guru.

Bruce Jacob, a professor of electrical and computer engineering at University of Maryland, College Park, says that the new technology used in his so-called coil guitars enables the instruments to produce more sounds than any other guitar currently on store shelves.

Using his background in electrical and computer engineering to develop the guitar, Jacob launched Coil, LLC in 2006. With a list of the sounds he wanted to the guitars to produce, Jacob with the help of five of his students was able to create Coil guitars that according to the company feature an innovative circuitry unlike anything else available.

The guitars are available on the Coil Web site (www.coil-guitars.com) , starting at $999.

In an effort to bump up its profile, Hair Cuttery, the national salon chain, pegged Baltimore-based Vision Multimedia Technologies (VMT) to create several digital communications projects, including a Web site redesign, social marketing strategy development, pay per click advertising, search engine marketing, electronic lead capture and comprehensive reporting and analysis.

"Our proprietary technical solution really appealed to the Hair Cuttery team as they try to leverage the social networks of their fans, friends and followers. The reports that we will be able to generate will provide meaningful data in real time and that is truly valuable marketing return on investment information," says Brian Razzaque, president and chief technology officer of VMT, based in Hampden.

The using an open source content management system, DotCMS, VMT will bring social media functionality such as blogging and electronic newsletters to the revamped Hair Cutter Web site. The site is scheduled to launch in fall 2009.

In addition, the company will train Hair Cutter stylists on ways to engage and react to various social media outlets and how to promote their services online. VMT's proprietary software application will give Hair Cutter execs the power to track sales leads and results spawned by the stylists interactions on social networks.


Writer: Walaika Haskins
Source: Brian Razzaque, Vision Multimedia Technologies

First, Cricket Communications brought its pay-as-you-go, no credit check wireless cell phone service to Baltimore, now the company hopes to bridge the digital divide and add affordable broadband service as well with the help of the Feds.

The mobile service provider filed a grant application on Monday for federal Recovery funding in parternship with One Economy Corporation. The proposal would extend Project Change access, a program to bring affordable wireless broadband service to low-income residents in five cities, to an additional 23,000 families in Baltimore, Houston, San Diego and Washington, D.C.

Launched in Portland in 2008, the pilot program created by LCW Wireless, Cricket's parent company, provides the families with sustainable, innovative broadband access and digital literacy training. The project provides subsidized, low-cost wireless broadband over Cricket's high-quality, all-digital 3G wireless network and a wireless device that can be used with desktops and laptops.

"As we have seen in the results of the Portland pilot of Project Change Access, universal broadband is the key to economic revitalization in low-income communities that need growth in businesses and jobs the most," said Dave Maquera, vice president, strategy at Leap. "Cricket remains committed to bringing the benefits of wireless and mobile broadband to everyone, including low-income families who deserve the benefits of digital innovation that online access brings."

Writer: Walaika Haskins
Source: Dave Maquera, LCW

Kalypso Media Group, a German-based game publisher continues its global expansion, choosing Baltimore as the site of its U.S. headquarters, beating out Los Angeles, New York and Silicon Valley. The deciding factor was the high concentration of video game companies in the area, including Firaxis Games, BreakAway and Big Huge Games. The Baltimore office boasts a minimal staff of about five.

With its new digs located in Roland Park, the company named Deborah Tillett president. Former president of BreakAway Games, Tillett is responsible for developing and implementing Kalypso's strategic and creative vision in North America. Kalypso is perhaps known best for its "Tropico" series now on its third installment.

The company is seeking game developers who have created PC or mobile phone games in any genre of entertainment software. The company is particularly interested in strategy, adventure, action and simulation games. Kalypso offers developers marketing on a global scale in retail stores and via online platform. Interested game designers should contact the company at [email protected].

In other gaming news, Zynga, a San Francisco developer of games for social networking sites including Facebook and MySpace, plans to hire 12 to 15 game designers, web developers, artists and producers by the end of the year. The company has chosen Baltimore as the location for its new East Coast office. Helmed by Brian Reynolds, a former exec with Firaxis Games and Big Hug Games, anticipates that the office will locate in Timonium.

Writer: Walaika Haskins
Source: Kalypso Media Group

A Baltimore-based technology firm is making money keeping computer systems secure. Sourcefire announced a 38 percent increase in revenues for the second quarter of 2009 -- topping $22.2 million for the quarter compared to $16 million for the same period in 2008. Revenues for the first six months of 2009 reached $40.8 million, an $11.1 million increase compared with the same period last year when revenues were $29.7 million.

This is big news and the best kind of news for Sourcefire. Since it went public in 2007, despite a reputation as one of the most innovative companies in the cybersecurity industry, Sourcefire had failed to turn a profit.

The improvement in financials comes one year after John Burris, a former Citrix exec, took the reigns as CEO.

"When I joined Sourcefire a year ago, we said we would grow revenue, control expenses, leverage our channel relationships, and achieve full year profitability on an adjusted basis. I am very excited by the progress that Sourcefire has made and confident in our ability to continue to execute against these objectives," Burris says.

Under his leadership, Sourcefire continues to grow and deliver new and innovative security solutions. Most recently, the company announced a virtual appliance for protecting leading VMware-based systems, a first in the industry.

Writer: Walaika Haskins
Source: John Burris, Sourcefire

Rockville-based ZeniMax Media, parent company of Bethesda Softwworks, added id Software, legendary game studio behind "DOOM," "QUAKE", "Wolfenstein" and other games, to its gaming roster in June. Bethesda Softworks will publish the titles of Texas-based id Software except for any upcoming releases already committed to other publishers.

The marriage of the two companies is being heralded for combining the first-person shooter expertise of id Software with the role playing game prowess of ZeniMax Media's Bethesda Game Studios, the team behind "Fallout 3," the 2008 Game of the Year and "The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion," the 2006 Game of the Year. The cost of the acquisition was not made public, but media reports have placed it at around $105 million.

"This was a unique opportunity to team with a smart, sophisticated publisher like Bethesda Softworks where the interests of the studio and the publisher will be fully aligned in the development and marketing of our titles," says id Software CEO Todd Hollenshead. "In addition, we will now have financial and business resources to support the future growth of id Software, a huge advantage which will result in more and even better games for our fans."

id Software will continue to operate as a studio under the direction of its founder, John Carmack, and no operation changes will be made in the development of id Software games. All id Software principals have signed long-term employment contracts stating they will continue in their roles at the studio. Carmack, a member of the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame, says he relishes the opportunity to "to grow and extend all of our franchises under one roof, leveraging our capabilities across multiple teams while enabling forward looking research to be done in the service of all of them."

Writer: Lucy Ament
Source: Todd Hollenshead, id Software