The Slater Center for Ocean Technology has awarded $315,778 in grants to five local ocean technology firms. SCOT - based at the University of Rhode Island's Narragansett Bay Campus - is one of six technology transfer centers funded by the General Assembly and administered by the Rhode Island Economic Policy Council. The center serves as a catalyst for the commercialization of technologies developed in Rhode Island's marine sciences and ocean engineering communities.
"There is no shortage of great ideas in Rhode Island," said Kip Bergstrom, executive director of the Economic Policy Council. "What has been missing, in the past, is a robust tech transfer infrastructure that will encourage and support commercialization of viable technologies"
The projects awarded, include:
Polaris Imaging, Inc., of Narragansett ($84,932): Polaris is preparing to enhance its current complement of ocean search and survey imaging systems with the addition of a system which will acquire process and display multiple data sets in a single display, making it easier for surveyors to view and interpret the results.
Composite Tension Systems Corporation, of Newport ($84,450): Composite Tension has developed lightweight, high-strength structural components for use by the yachting industry in constructing higher performance sailing yachts. These components reduce the weight of the yacht above its waterline.
SubChem Systems, Inc., of Jamestown ($82,750): SubChem is developing miniaturized, intelligent ocean sensors, which will serve as the basis for a new family of coastal and ocean sensing systems. The company will utilize micro-electromechanical systems technology. And it is also in the final stages of development of a submersible nutrient analyzer - a project sponsored in part by previous grants from SCOT.
ENTECH, Inc. and Block Island Shellfish Farm, both of Block Island ($63,646): The companies are teaming up to develop a solar-powered device which will enhance the food supply of post-larval shellfish - such as clams, mussels and oysters. It is designed to increase their growth rate. The solar-powered device will be integrated with a floating shellfish incubation system.
"All of these projects are extremely promising in terms of their potential for commercialization," said Hugh Murphy, SCOT's executive director. "They also offer a sense of the full range of marine technology research and development under way in Rhode Island."
The projects supported by the grants, said Murphy, are expected to yield commercial products within the next two years.
Aquaculture legislation introduced
In other news related to ocean technologies, Rep. Eileen S. Naughton, a Democrat from Warwick, has introduced legislation designed help draw more aquaculture firms to Rhode Island. Her proposal would exempt aquaculture equipment from Rhode Island's sales and use tax.
Naughton said this proposal is part of a "wide-ranging strategic plan" that will be presented by the General Assembly's Aquaculture Commission.
The bill would exempt tank systems, parts, boats, nets and other equipment used in aquaculture firms from the state's sales and use taxes, thereby treating aquaculture in the same manner as agriculture.
There are currently 14 aquaculture firms in Rhode Island, according to Michael Rice, a professor and chairman of the University of Rhode Island's Department of Fisheries, Animal and Veterinarian Science. Of those, he said, 10 are commercial firms that breed quahogs, oysters and scallops as well as summer flounder, bass and ornamental fish. In addition, the state operates four fish hatcheries.
"Aquaculture has the potential to bring increased revenues to the state" Naughton said.
The Aquaculture Commission, headed by Naughton, is working to streamline the permit process for setting up an aquaculture farm. Naughton's legislation has been referred to the House Finance Committee. It is expected to be heard within the next four weeks.
