OCAST OKs research projects
BYLINE: JOHN DOBBERSTEIN World Staff Writer
Board members of the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology approved $1.8 million in applied research projects Tuesday that will span the next three years.
OCAST's board of directors also announced the opening of the bid period for the state's $5 million seed capital program. The program's request for proposals will be released Friday.
Michael Carolina, OCAST executive director, said release of the seed capital program is among a series of steps the agency is taking to implement programs approved by the Legislature.
"New programs included in the $10 million increase in funding for OCAST must undergo rule-making and satisfy legal requirements of the attorney general's office before we can announce a program roll-out," Carolina said in a statement.
"The process may appear lengthy," he said. "However, programs that involve taxpayers' money must be administered under rules that ensure fairness, and outcomes intended by Oklahoma lawmakers."
More information about the new seed capital program is available on the OCAST Web site.
The applied research project awards include:
Bennett Engineering Inc. in Broken Arrow.
Peter LoPresti, Kerry Sublette and Brian Bovaird will design a suite of sensors to be incorporated into an autonomous sensor system for monitoring grease trap operations. Funding is $89,975 for two years.
Constien & Associates in Owasso.
Vernon Constien and Dewayne Coffey will develop novel reactive coatings for covering wellbore screens to prevent plugging by drilling fluids and filtercakes. Funding is $300,000 for three years.
Advance Research Chemicals Inc., Catoosa.
Rajendra Singh will oversee research to develop an alternative method for using hexafluoroacetone as a reagent for certain polymers. Funding is for $171,000 for two years.
Project Frontier LLC, Tulsa.
Garry Booker and Nicholas Romano Jr. will develop a Rich Internet Application (a virtual office animator) designed to increase productivity. Funding is $184,506 for two years.
In other action, the OCAST board approved two applications for matching funds through the Small Business Innovation Research program, which helps Oklahoma's small businesses qualify for federal funds made available through 11 federal agencies.
ZigBeef LLC was approved for a $25,000 award. The firm is developing long-range cattle ear tags.
Also, Charlesson LLP was awarded $25,000 for its National Institutes of Health project that focuses on eye health.
John Dobberstein 581-8413
john.dobberstein@tulsaworld.com