Researchers can chalk up another accomplishment for the University of Alaska’s Unmanned Aircraft Program. Based on the seal-observing performance of the program’s 40-pound ScanEagles, researchers have learned the aircraft can operate in snow and light icing conditions.  This feat enhances the viability of the technology, which has proven useful flying through smoke and fog during previous scientific flights.

The latest mission coupled University of Alaska staff with scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The unmanned aircraft was launched and flown repeatedly from NOAA’s ship, McArthur II, over a series of 30 days in the central Bering Sea.  “We have 42 hours of good flights behind us on this cruise,” said Greg Walker, manager of the University of Alaska Unmanned Aircraft Program. “I think we have proven the technology meets or exceeds the NOAA expectations for performance and the ability to capture the information they’re seeking.”

The unmanned aircraft was used to survey Bering Sea ice floes for bearded, spotted, ringed and ribbon seals. The ScanEagle flew up to five miles away—as far as the FAA allowed—from the McArthur II during each survey, capturing high-resolution images throughout with an onboard camera. The camera captured more than 25,000 images during the missions.

The USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) has opened it's FY-2010 SBIR solicitation (funding No. USDA-CSREES-SBIR-002363), that opened on June 10, 2009 and closes on September 3, 2009. The USDA SBIR program is grants based and utilizes grants.gov for the submission process. Grants.gov is still a complex process and takes time to get registered, so it is advisable to start the registration process early.

Depending upon the availability of funds, USDA expects to make approximately 85 Phase I awards not to exceed $90,000 each to small businesses in FY 2010. Awards are anticipated to be made on or after May 1, 2010. USDA will announce the names of those concerns receiving awards and successful applicants will then typically have eight months after awards are made to carry out their proposed Phase I effort.  Special consideration will be given to applications that address Agriculturally-related Manufacturing Technology and Energy Efficiency and Alternative and Renewable Energy as two cross-cutting priorities with relevance to all topic areas.

USDA Topics Areas Are:
8.1 Forests and Related Resources
8.2 Plant Production and Protection - Biology
8.3 Animal Production and Protection
8.4 Air, Water and Soils
8.5 Food Science and Nutrition
8.6 Rural Development
8.7 Aquaculture
8.8 Biofuels and Biobased Products
8.9 Marketing and Trade
8.11 Animal Manure Management
8.12 Small and Mid-Size Farms
8.13 Plant Production and Protection - Engineering

The solicitation is available from the USDA SBIR web site at www.csrees.usda.gov/fo/sbir.cfm

June 2-15
UAA/APU Consortium Library

UAA is pleased to present From the Earth to the Universe (FETTU), a traveling display of breath-taking astronomical images that showcase views of our universe from Earth's perspective. Based on work supported by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), this dramatic display features images from astronomers across the nation, including UAA's associate professor of astronomy, Dr. Travis Rector. UAA, in cooperation with NASA, is pleased to bring FETTU to Anchorage for a month-long exhibit. FETTU can be viewed in the lobby of the Egan Center from May 20 through May 31, and again at the UAA/APU Consortium Library from June 2 through June 15, 2009. This exhibit is free to attend at either location.

From the Earth to the Universe includes images of a variety of astronomical objects that are known to exist: planets, comets, stars, nebulas, galaxies and galaxy clusters. This landmark exhibit will be on display in a number of places worldwide during 2009, including Africa, Asia, Europe, Central America, the Middle East and North America. The intention is to present this exhibit in non-traditional venues such as public parks, metro centers and airports (among other locations) so the general public can have access to astronomical images in an unexpected way.

Below is a description of the exhibit from the FETTU Web site:

The fantastic images of the Universe captured by humanity's fleet of ground and space-based telescopes are largely responsible for the magical appeal that astronomy has on lay people. Indeed, popular images of the cosmos can engage the general public not only in the aesthetics of the visual realm, but also in the science of the knowledge and understanding behind them. [This] is an unprecedented opportunity to present astronomy to the global community in a way that has never been done before.

The Department Of Energy SBIR Office has contracted with Foresight Science & Technology, Inc., a leading firm in commercialization and technology transfer, to provide a Technical Assistance Program (TAP) commercialization web portal which provides prospective SBIR applicants and other energy entrepreneurs with the tools, training, and support to write a successful SBIR proposal.  For more details on what’s available to you, see http://www.science.doe.gov/sbir.

The Alaska Center for Energy and Power at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and Tanana Chiefs Conference have formed a new partnership aimed at finding rural energy solutions for the 42 communities in the TCC region.  The communities are located primarily off the road system and the state’s electric grid. Residents’ energy costs are among the highest in the nation. ACEP rural energy specialist Ross Coen will coordinate the partnership’s efforts to implement clean and affordable energy solutions to meet TCC’s goal of creating sustainable communities.

“Our communities have abundant renewable energy resources available to them,” said Jerry Issac, president of TCC. “We have geothermal, biomass, hydrokinetic and other potential energy sources. By combining the community-organizing skills and representation of TCC with the university’s technical and scientific expertise, we’re confident we can achieve long-term sustainable energy solutions for rural Alaska.”

The National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) has announced its 2009 Technology R&D Competition to Address Civil Infrastructure, and Manufacturing.  TIP is the program that morphed from NIST's former Advanced Technology Program (ATP) and the venerable Marc Stanley remains at the helm as TIP Director.   

In the area of Manufacturing, TIP officials plan to allocate approximately $15 million in first-year funding for R&D projects in manufacturing that would enable better, more cost-effective use of advanced materials in innovative products.  In the area of Civil Infrastructure, TIP officials plan to allocate approximately $10 million in first-year funding for the civil infrastructure category of the competition. 

Small and medium-sized businesses, institutions of higher education, nonprofit research organizations and national laboratories are eligible for TIP support, with some restrictions on the size of companies, ownership and the types of research that are eligible. 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.

The House and then the Senate on March 17 approved HR 1541, which temporarily extends the SBA's Small Business Innovative Research Program and the Small Business Investment Company program until July 31, 2009. Authorization for the programs was due to expire on March 20, 2009. To access a press release issued by the Senate Small Business Committee about the passage of the legislation, see http://www.asbdc-us.org/News/2009_03_20_SenTempReauth.pdf

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) have announced their Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program Solicitations. The NSF Phase I Solicitation is now open and will close on June 9, and the EPA Phase I Solicitation will open on March 19 and close on May 20. EPA SBIR Phase I awards will be $70,000, and NSF Phase I awards will be $150,000. SBIR awards are designed to help small businesses participate in federally funded R&D opportunities. To read an announcement from the NSF, http://www.asbdc-us.org/News/2009_03_11_NSF-SBIR_factsheet.pdf. For an announcement from EPA, http://www.asbdc-us.org/News/2009_03_11_NSF-SBIR_factsheet.pdf.

Dell is calling for entries for its global 2009 Dell Small Business Excellence Award*! In its sixth year in the United States and second year globally, the award gives small businesses applying technology in innovative ways to better serve customers a chance at up to $50,000 in Dell solutions and a meeting with Dell Chairman and CEO Michael Dell. For more information see http://www.dell.com/content/topics/global.aspx/bizportal/sbaward/en/index_new?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd&redirect=1

Superior Pellet Fuels will start construction on a 10,000 square foot wood pellet plant this spring. The plant will be built near the intersection of Badger Road and the Richardson Highway. When operational it will produce wood pellets for Interior Alaska to use as a renewable, affordable and environmentally friendly fuel source. This new business venture will create a dozen plus family wage jobs in our local community.

“We are excited to bring this facility to the area.” said Superior Pellet Fuels General Manager Chad Schumacher. “Fairbanks is a perfect location for this new venture because of the long heating season and the high dependence on heating oil.” Schumacher will be relocating to Fairbanks in March. “I cannot wait to become a part of this community and get to work.”

The Fairbanks Economic Development Corporation (FEDC) has been working towards establishing a wood pellet fuel plant in Fairbanks for almost three years. “It’s exciting to think that Fairbanks will be able to produce an alternative, value added fuel source that is renewable, cost effective and can help Fairbanks meet the PM 2.5 standards set by the federal Environmental Protection Agency.” said Cassie Pinkel, Forestry/Biomass Project Manager at FEDC.  Superior Pellet Fuels Resource Manager Dane Crowley is pleased with how FEDC and the community worked together to get this plant built in the Golden Heart City. “The Fairbanks Economic Development Corporation (FEDC), made building the plant in Interior Alaska an easy decision for us.”