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TEDCO and NASA Goddard Space Flight Center to Partner Through 'Space Act Agreement'

GREENBELT, Md. – The Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO) and NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) announced today that they have entered a formal partnership through the “Space Act Agreement.” The agreement will be formally signed during the TEDCO and Tech Council of Maryland (TCM) technology transfer and federal marketplace event, “NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Technology Partnering Opportunities: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.” This showcase will highlight information technologies, developed in NASA GSFC’s laboratories, which are available for commercialization, and will be held at the Marriott in Greenbelt on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2006.The agreement will serve as a catalyst and valuable link between Maryland companies looking to benefit from the capabilities and technologies being developed by and available from NASA GSFC. In addition, this agreement will enable local businesses and universities to use NASA’s research and development, and also alert them to NASA’s technological and innovation needs. Outcomes of this new relationship include the potential for more partnerships and/or licenses of patented NASA GSFC technologies, and an increase in the economic growth and success of Maryland businesses.“We are very pleased to enter this agreement with TEDCO and look forward to spreading knowledge to businesses and entrepreneurs about NASA innovations that offer the potential to create new products and advance many industries,” said Nona Cheeks, chief of the Office of Technology Transfer at NASA GSFC. “The transfer of our technologies for the betterment of society has always been a key activity for NASA. The showcase with TEDCO and TCM on Oct. 12 presents a great forum for our researchers to generate awareness about the latest technology advancements with interested business leaders.”During the upcoming technology showcase, local businesses and entrepreneurs will learn about cutting-edge information technologies that present viable new commercial opportunities. NASA GSFC is home to the nation’s largest organization of scientists and engineers dedicated to learning and sharing knowledge of the Earth, solar systems and the universe through observations from space. “The R&D being conducted at NASA GSFC offers a wealth of intellectual property that make its laboratories an economic goldmine for technology companies and entrepreneurs in this state,” said Renée Winsky, interim executive director of TEDCO. “We are happy to be formally working with NASA through the ‘Space Act Agreement’ and eagerly anticipate hearing about the latest innovations during next month’s event.”Technologies that are available for further development, licensing or commercialization and that will be highlighted during the Oct. 12 showcase include:
  • Global Alert Resolution Network (GARNET), an enterprise software application capable of delivering emergency and time-sensitive alerts to affected individuals via a variety of communication channels.
  • Hilbert-Huang Transform (HHT) is a revolutionary, adaptive set of signal-analysis algorithms that can effectively analyze nonlinear and non-stationary signals. Currently, federal investigative organizations are working to incorporate HHT into systems to analyze speech patterns andentify individuals in recordings in forensic examinations, and the U.S. Navy is using HHT in its research to improve submarine design and to more easilyentify and locate different types of submarines.
  • Three-dimensional imaging and mapping technology that can be used for: large-scale surveying; construction and maintenance of highways, bridges, etc.; shore erosion and shallow water bathymetry; forest management; and flood risk assessment and monitoring.
“The number of potential commercial applications these technologies present will be very exciting for TCM, our members and all attendees,” said Julie Coons, president of TCM. “We are delighted to work with TEDCO and NASA GSFC to demonstrate the array of opportunities available to Maryland’s businesses.”About “NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Technology Partnering Opportunities: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow”
  • COST: $60 per person – Online registration for the showcase and facility tour (participation in limited; pre-registration is required) is available at www.MarylandTEDCO.org and will end on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2006.
  • WHEN: Thursday, Oct. 12, 2006 from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; Goddard Alliance Reception, “Goddard Technology Transfer at Work Yesterday and Today,” follows from 2:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.
  • WHERE: Marriott Greenbelt, 6400 Ivy Lane, Greenbelt, MD 20770
About the Goddard Space Flight CenterThe mission of the Goddard Space Flight Center is to expand knowledge of the Earth and its environment, the solar system and the universe through observations from space. To assure that the United States maintains leadership in this endeavor, Goddard employees are committed to excellence in scientific investigation, in the development and operation of space systems and in the advancement of essential technologies.The Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO), an independent entity, was established by the Maryland General Assembly in 1998 to facilitate the creation of businesses and foster their growth in all regions of the State. TEDCO's role is to be Maryland's leading source of funding for seed capital and entrepreneurial business assistance for technology transfer and development programs. TEDCO connects emerging technology companies with federal laboratories, research universities, business incubators and specialized technical assistance. For the third consecutive year, TEDCO was recognized as the most active early/seed stage investor in the nation in the July 2006 issue of Entrepreneur Magazine. For more information on TEDCO and its programs and resources, visit www.MarylandTEDCO.org. The Tech Council of Maryland's (TCM) mission is to serve as the preeminent technology think-tank where executives discusseas, innovate, and solve technology issues that lead to bigger business. TCM has more than 600 member companies from the biotechnology, advanced technology, government, academia, and the service provider industries, representing more than 200,000 forward thinkers from throughout the region. The Council’s goal is to create an environment where technology companies meet, learn and collaborate, and to be Maryland's best technology networking organization. For additional information on the Council and its upcoming programs and resources visit www.techcouncilmd.com. TCM is supported in part by a grant from the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development.For more information contact:Morag MuirheadPhone: (410) 902-5051Email: mmuirhead@mghus.com