WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE — Representatives from a cross-sector of science, technology and businesses will look to the future at the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Business and Tech Showcase scheduled for 12-4 p.m. Monday, March 13 at the Tec^Edge Innovation and Collaboration Center, 5000 Springfield St., Suite 100.
The event, presented by the AFRL Junior Force Council, seeks to unite government, academic and private sectors to demonstrate the AFRL and Dayton Metro Ecosystem of Innovation: Cutting-Edge Research, Technology Transfer and Collaboration Opportunities.
Dayton has a wealth of assets including AFRL, headquartered at Wright-Patterson AFB. The organization commands a $4 billion research and development budget. Dayton is also the fourth largest recipient of Small Business Innovation/Technology Transfer Research awards in the United States. The Dayton region is also rich in higher education, with two dozen accredited universities and colleges educating 120,000 students. Businesses, institutions of higher education and government agencies such as AFRL collaborate closely by developing and operating research, commercialization and internship programs that benefit all while enriching the area’s technical and commercial resources.
The AFRL Junior Force Council aims to better interface AFRL young professionals with entities outside of Wright-Patterson AFB to achieve a vibrant academic and industrial synergy between AFRL, local universities and the greater Dayton industrial sector.
“The Junior Force wants to demonstrate our technology and educate the Dayton community about AFRL mechanisms to collaborate on research and garner capital for a business,” said Kevin Schmidt, president of the AFRL Junior Force Council. “We want to partner our newest AFRL scientists and engineers with local academics and entrepreneurs to advance our research portfolio and the commercial application of AFRL technologies.”
“Using AFRL technology, licenses, equipment, knowledge, and intellectual property will advance local businesses and advance Dayton entrepreneurial activities,” said C. Douglas Ebersole, executive director of AFRL. “Dayton has a wealth of assets and this event will only add to the opportunities available to both AFRL and local businesses.”
“This event is going to be a great cross-sector opportunity for young professionals at AFRL and Dayton to showcase their contributions to science and technology,” said Dr. Morley Stone, chief technology officer of AFRL. “AFRL continues to be committed to furthering the collaboration between government, academic, and private sectors to catalyze future scientific and technical innovation.”
Technologies on display will consist of: infrared lasers, big data analytics computing platforms and visualizations, heat resistant fast roping gloves, stretchable electronics and more.
“Help us connect local companies and universities with the gamut of AFRL technology from the research phase focused on military applications to commercially marketable solutions for business and consumer demand that benefits national security and economic prosperity in Dayton,” Schmidt said.
Meet the researchers, see the technology and find the money to grow business in the Dayton region of the future. For more information and to register to attend the event, visit www.wpafb.af.mil/afrl/AFRL-Young-Professional-Tech-Showcase. For information on how to get involved, contact Kevin Schmidt at 937-938-2573 or contact the AFRL Junior Force Council.
