GSA Technology Council

KEMET Corporation, a leading manufacturer of tantalum, multilayer ceramic, solid aluminum, plastic film, paper and aluminum electrolytic capacitors, today announced the signing of a $31.7 million contract with the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Energy Technology Laboratory. This contract is based on the $15.1 million grant awarded on August 5, 2009 as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Electric Drive Vehicle Battery and Component Manufacturing Initiative plus a $16.6 million matching investment by KEMET.

KEMET has been working with the DOE on the details of the contract since that original announcement. The contract will enable the company to produce film and aluminum electrolytic capacitors within the United States to support alternative energy products and emerging green technologies such as hybrid electric drive vehicles.

“We are aiming to have two production lines operational by the last quarter of the current calendar year with an additional two lines coming on board by the end of 2011 and another two by the end of 2012,” stated Dr. Johnny Boan, KEMET’s Senor Director of Business Development, and the project lead in securing this grant.

“The grant will allow KEMET to install capacity in the United States for DC bus capacitors, which reduces the supply chain risk that Electric Drive Vehicle manufacturers face with the current dependence on non-United States suppliers for this key subcomponent,” stated Dr. Daniel Persico, KEMET’s Vice President of Strategic Marketing and Business Development. “This grant will position KEMET as a key player in this rapidly developing and growing industry. Customer response has been very favorable,” continued Persico.

The additional capacity resulting from this grant will create over 110 new jobs in South Carolina. Hiring for these positions will start later this year and the Company will make an official announcement at the beginning of the hiring process.

via: Kemet

Clemson University and the South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA) are scheduled to begin construction in mid-March on the approximately 43,000 square-foot innovation center complex in Anderson County to support the state’s growing advanced materials industry. Harper Corporation of Greenville is the design/build contractor on the project, with Goodwyn Mills and Cawood, Inc., serving as architect of record.

Clemson’s innovation center will occupy approximately 25,000 square feet and be dedicated to supporting tenants interested in growing start-up companies or “landing parties” associated with Clemson research, especially in advanced materials. SCRA will house secure research in approximately 18,000 square feet, with the remaining square footage devoted to a common area and collaboration space.

The facility will be adjacent to the Clemson University Advanced Materials Research Laboratory, where Clemson offers some of the nation’s top research facilities in optical materials/photonics and electron microscopy and houses cutting-edge research programs.

Chris Przirembel, Clemson’s vice president for research and economic development, said the facility will complete the ‘innovation chain’ that links academic research to the marketplace — and jobs.

“The knowledge generated by faculty and students is not intended to remain within the confines of the university,” Przirembel said. “Providing office and laboratory space for fledgling companies that want to start businesses and create jobs based on university discoveries is an exciting prospect. We look forward to creating an environment that nurtures new business for South Carolina, particularly in advanced materials where we know there is great opportunity for growth.”

Przirembel noted that Innovate Anderson, a public-private economic development organization formed by Anderson County, the City of Anderson, Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce and private businesses, is a critical partner in the development of the Advanced Materials Center, having purchased the remaining undeveloped property in the research campus to attract private development to Anderson County.

Bill Mahoney, SCRA’s chief executive officer, said the facility is specially designed for commercialization of advanced materials by start-up companies with intellectual property primarily coming out of Clemson University.

“This is one of three world-class facilities that SCRA is providing with its university partners in South Carolina to grow the knowledge economy,” said Mahoney. “With these centers, SCRA is fulfilling legislative mandates identified in the Innovation Centers Act focused on commercialization of new knowledge-based discoveries, using SCRA company-retained earnings instead of state taxpayer money.”

The innovation center complex was funded through a public-private partnership that includes Advance SC, the Duke Energy Foundation, federal agencies and South Carolina Research Infrastructure Act funds, in addition to Clemson and SCRA. Construction is expected to be complete by early 2011.

via: Clemson University

SCI Electronics, Inc., a multimedia communications solutions firm headquartered in Greenville, today announced it has selected Richard S. Hardaway as its Director of Sales and Marketing.

Hardaway comes to SCI Electronics with over twenty years’ experience in effectively building sales and marketing teams, improving top line revenue and creating extraordinary customer relationships.

“We are very fortunate and pleased to have someone of the experience level of Richard Hardaway and his well known abilities to maximize sales while being customer focused. It has taken SCI Electronics quite some time to find the right individual, and we know we have found that in Richard” said SCI Electronics President Scott Daniel.

SCI Electronics, Inc. is a Greenville-based multimedia communications solutions firm focusing on customized Audio/Visual Systems, CCTV & Access Control Systems and structured cabling solutions. Founded thirty years ago, SCI Electronics assists specific industry groups that require precise installation practices for superior communications capabilities, customer presentations and electronic security. Current client groups include healthcare, manufacturing, education, financial services and government.

SCI Electronics, Inc. is headquartered at 56B Pelham Davis Circle, Greenville, SC 29615. Telephone number 864-234-7313.

via: SCI Electronics

In the aftermath of the 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Chile, Verizon Wireless has waived all calling fees for its customers trying to reach loved ones in Chile.

Starting immediately and retroactive to the time of the earthquake, Verizon Wireless customers with regular monthly bills can make calls to connect with family and friends in Chile at no cost when they’re on the Verizon Wireless network in the U.S. Verizon Wireless customers with monthly bills who receive calls from Chile will also receive those calls free of charge. The company is making calls free for at least one week. Calls made while roaming are billed at normal rates.

Dan Mead, chief operating officer of Verizon Wireless, said, “At times of crisis, we spring to action. By acting urgently, we are helping families connect without worrying about cost.”

In addition, Verizon Wireless teams are working with international relief organizations to provide mobile giving options for customers who wish to donate to the earthquake relief efforts. All Verizon Wireless customers who pay a monthly bill, including those formerly with Alltel, may contribute to Chilean earthquake relief efforts via their mobile phones. To make a $10 donation to Habitat for Humanity, text the word “CHILE” to 23583; to make a $10 donation to World Vision, text the word “CHILE” to 20222. Customers will receive a text response to confirm the $10 donation, and 100 percent of customers’ donations will go directly to the relief organization’s efforts to help the victims of the Chilean earthquake. Additional international relief organizations are expected to begin mobile giving campaigns soon.

Verizon Wireless donates the cost of the back-and-forth text messages. Customers will not be charged for the text messages, and the $10 donation will appear on their regular monthly bills.

via: Verizon Wireless

Sage Automotive Interiors announced today that it has signed a letter of intent to move into a newly-constructed facility on Clemson University’s International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR) campus. The building will become the international headquarters for Sage.

The new construction is part of a $3 million government grant. Construction on the facility will begin in April 2010. Sage plans to move into its new facility by June 2011.

“Sage is thrilled to have the opportunity to be headquartered on the CU-ICAR campus,” said Brian McSharry, COO of Sage Automotive Interiors. “Being on an automotive research campus just makes sense for us. The proximity to the outstanding academic research is a great strategic fit for Sage’s international operation, plus our partnerships with Clemson and the Greenville Area Development Corporation (GADC) make it an added bonus.”

“We’re pleased that Sage Automotive recognizes the many advantages that Greenville County and the CU-ICAR campus offers their company,” said Mike Buiter, Chairman of the Greenville Area Development Corporation Board. “As an innovative organization with global opportunities in the automotive industry, they had no shortage of location options in which to place their international headquarters. As a prized member of the local and South Carolina business communities, we’re delighted that they have selected Greenville County.”

“Sage is a perfect complement to our growing CU-ICAR community,” said Bob Geolas, CU-ICAR executive director. “They are at the front end of customer trends in automotive interiors. The staff experience and global reach of this company makes them a recognized market leader. We could not be more excited about having such a dynamic and creative company join the CU-ICAR campus.”

“We are pleased about Sage Automotive Interiors location to CU-ICAR,” said Greenville Mayor Knox White. “This continues to confirm that our partnership with CU-ICAR and the community’s commitment is paying dividends with new jobs and exciting companies like Sage.”

via: Sage Automotive Interiors

Investments by C. Tycho Howle of Atlanta and an anonymous private sector partner, along with a state match, total $4 million to support an endowed chair position in the Cyber-Institute Center of Economic Excellence (CoEE) at Clemson University.

The center’s primary focus will be to develop novel software-based approaches and new computational capabilities to solve complex societal issues and meet complex human and business needs. The endowed chair holder will be the academic leader of the center and hold the title “hf Flagship Endowed Chair in Human Centered Computing in the Holcombe Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.” Human-centered computing is an emerging field focused on making computational technologies more usable and how computational technologies affect society.

“The holder of the endowed chair in human-centered computing will be a catalyst for bringing together an interdisciplinary research team involving a wide range of computing applications in engineering, physics, biology, psychology, sociology and many other fields,” said Holcombe Electrical and Computer Engineering Department Chair Darren Dawson. “This multidisciplinary team will develop software-based approaches and computational capabilities to build new tools and methods to gain a better perspective on their research. For example, when a computer combines a map with the data from thousands of sensors measuring ocean currents and temperatures around the globe, a collection of numbers can become a stunning visualization that helps us understand shifting climate patterns. Likewise, a computer-generated visualization can help a surgeon better understand what is happening inside a patient’s heart before ever picking up a scalpel.”

“In order to solve many of today’s complex societal issues, we must be able to analyze and understand large amounts of data,” said James Bottum, Clemson’s chief information officer and principal investigator of the CoEE proposal. “To do this, we often require high performance computer systems, high bandwidth communication systems and innovative user interfaces for remote collaboration. So, the center also will focus on developing new capabilities for improving and expanding electronic collaboration.”

“This new center will facilitate research, education and workforce development and provide an environment for collaboration,” said Clemson President James F. Barker.

“These capabilities will allow Clemson researchers to tackle more complex problems and enhance our ability to support economic development in our state. We are grateful to the donors and the State of South Carolina for their vote of confidence in Clemson.”

Howle and the anonymous private sector partner each invested $1 million to support the research and infrastructure of the center, and that will be matched by the state for a $4 million total investment.

“I’ve had the privilege of an exciting career centered on harnessing the power of computing to make business processes faster, more accurate and more measurable,” said Howle. “But, we’ve only scratched the surface on making the interaction between humans and software more intuitive, informative, accessible and interactive. There is tremendous potential for transformative innovation in this area, and this $4 million investment will help Clemson stay on the forefront of important technology research. The hf Flagship Foundation is honored to support this endowment.”

Howle is founder and chairman of Atlanta-based nuBridges, Inc., a leading provider of software and managed services that help businesses protect and exchange sensitive data in compliance with increasingly tight compliance requirements. He is a long-time supporter of Clemson. Howle received a bachelor’s degree in physics and a master’s degree in systems engineering — a degree program previously in the electrical and computer engineering department — from Clemson University in 1971. He also holds an M.B.A. from the Harvard Business School. A native of Lancaster, he and his wife, Marie, reside in Atlanta.

The South Carolina General Assembly established the Centers of Economic Excellence Program (http://www.sccoee.org/) in 2002, and it is funded through South Carolina Education Lottery proceeds. The legislation authorizes the state’s three public research institutions to use state funds to create Centers of Economic Excellence in research areas that will advance South Carolina’s economy. The state funds must be matched dollar-for-dollar by private investment in the program. The program also supports CoEE endowed chairs, world-renowned scientists who lead the Centers of Economic Excellence.

The Centers of Economic Excellence program has created 12 Centers of Economic Excellence supporting 15 endowed chairs at Clemson to take advantage of the university’s faculty expertise and research strengths. This state program awarded the Cyber-Institute Center of Economic Excellence at Clemson in 2008 with $2 million to be matched in private funds.

via: Clemson University

Clemson University researchers have developed a hands-free alternative to cell phone texting while driving.

“If you can’t keep people from doing it, make it safer,” said Juan Gilbert, professor and chairman of the human-centered computing division of Clemson’s School of Computing.

He said one problem with banning texting while driving is that people are likely to continue doing it. He said it will be difficult for police to enforce a ban unless they actually see someone in the act. Gilbert said evidence of texting while driving often surfaces only after an accident.

Gilbert’s team developed an application, called VoiceTEXT, that allows drivers to speak text messages and keep their eyes on the road at the same time. Drivers using VoiceTEXT put their cell phones in Bluetooth mode and connect it to their car.

via: Clemson University

“Through the car’s speaker system or through the driver’s own Bluetooth headset, drivers can give a voice command that delivers a text message,” Gilbert said. “So you can speak to your phone and tell it to send a message to an individual. The recipient’s phone recognizes the voice as a text message and the other person is able to respond appropriately.”

Gilbert and his researchers are conducting a survey on the use of VoiceTEXT at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DC6S5X7. The survey opens with a video demonstration of VoiceTEXT, followed by three multiple-choice questions and space for comments.

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration reports that 80 percent of crashes and 65 percent of near-crashes involve driver distraction. Cell phone use is among the reasons for driver distraction, the agency says.

Aspiring Upstate entrepreneurs have an exciting resource to help them prepare for launching a new business. The Clemson University Small Business Development Center is excited to announce enhancements to an interactive workshop to provide information needed before taking the plunge. “JumpStart Your Business, Tips for Start Up Success” will explore the basics of what it takes to get into business. Topics include how to set-up a business, forms of business organization, an overview of financial statements, general legal requirements, the elements of an effective business plan, financing options, and how to improve the odds of success. This practical program is designed to help you ask the right questions and find the most important information to make informed business decisions. Pre-registration is required. Call 864.370.1545
OR EMAIL SBOSTIC@CLEMSON.EDU

WHEN
Tuesday, March 16th, 2010; 6:30 – 8:00 pm

WHERE
Clemson at the Falls
55 East Camperdown Way, Greenville
Classroom 1A

INVESTMENT
$25

via: Clemson

The South Carolina Department of Commerce, the Greenville Area Development Corporation and Bosch Rexroth Corporation today announced that the company will expand its hydraulics business unit in Greenville County. Bosch will invest $10 million and expects to create up to 50 new jobs, requiring a variety of skilled workers to fill both managerial and manufacturing positions.

“Working with the State and local developmental agencies, we are pleased to be able to continue to invest in our Fountain Inn, South Carolina site,” said Mike McCormick, vice president and technical plant manager, Bosch Rexroth Corporation.

Bosch Rexroth currently employs nearly 400 associates at its facility on Southchase Court in Fountain Inn, where it manufactures industrial hydraulic units, including piston units and pumps. The changes will allow the company to also manufacture hydraulic motors used in oil drilling, transportation and other industries. The company’s investment will also better position the plant for potential future Bosch expansions.

“The consolidation of our operations here, while a challenge for the Bosch Rexroth organization overall, is a very positive development for our plant. We find South Carolina provides a stable business climate and a solid workforce for our company,” said Keith Beasley, vice president and commercial plant manager, Bosch Rexroth Corporation.

“Bosch has been an important part of the South Carolina business community for many years, and this investment further strengthens the company’s commitment to our state. Bosch Rexroth’s decision to bring this additional work into Fountain Inn is another sign that our business-friendly climate, highly-skilled workforce and exceptional market access are working to attract new investment and foster growth among our existing businesses. This announcement is also a positive reflection of the continued dedication and work of Commerce’s European office in Germany to stay in contact with our existing businesses and ensure that South Carolina is continuing to meet their needs,” said Joe Taylor, Secretary of Commerce. “We thank Bosch for choosing to grow in South Carolina and look forward to furthering our long-standing relationship with the company.”

“Bosch Rexroth Corporation’s decision to invest in Greenville County is again the result of a true team effort,” added Mike Buiter, chairman of the Greenville Area Development Corporation, noting that grants from both Advance SC and Duke Energy were instrumental in landing the expansion. “Bosch Rexroth is a long-standing quality corporate citizen of this community, and their growth will continue to create good paying jobs while affirming that manufacturing can thrive in our state.”

“We’re pleased that the leadership of Bosch Rexroth recognizes the many advantages that the Fountain Inn facility offers their company,” said Gary Long, mayor of Fountain Inn. “This announcement is another shot in the arm to Fountain Inn’s growing business community.”

Bosch Rexroth will be making physical improvements and adding new equipment to the Fountain Inn facility over the next few months. The company plans to begin hiring for the new positions before the end of the year. When hiring begins, persons interested in job opportunities can visit www.boschjobs.com for more information or contact Human Technologies Inc. of Greenville at 864-467-0330.

via: Bosch

Immedion, LLC, a South Carolina based dedicated data center and managed services provider is opening a second data center in Columbia, SC. The second site further expands Immedion’s redundancy and disaster recover offerings and allows Immedion to better serve the managed hosting needs of more of South Carolina.

“Locating our second data center in the Innovation Center will better enable us to provide services to businesses in the Midlands as well as throughout the state of South Carolina. In addition, the provisioning of a second, geographically diverse location will allow Immedion to provide uptime for critical technology beyond the capabilities of any single data center location.”

Immedion’s Columbia site is located in the SCRA USC Innovation Center. The location, with easy access to the Columbia Statehouse, airport and University of South Carolina, is an ideal site. The building is adjacent to the USC Engineering School and is also within walking distance of Innovista, USC’s forward-looking campus for research and entrepreneurship.

Today’s announcement “helps expand a knowledge-based company,” SCRA chief executive Bill Mahoney said. “Immedion is the kind of company we are looking for.”

The Columbia site will offer the same services as the Greenville headquarters with the goal of helping customers meet all of their IT Space, Server Power, Disaster Recovery and Regulatory Compliance demands. Immedion’s outsourced data center services and solutions help organizations lower costs, maximize internal resources and keep valuable information technology safe 24×7x365.

via: Immedion