Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania Partners with Villanova University to Build on the Creation of the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Lab and Research Programs to Promote Commercialization in the Field of Advanced Communications


PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 27, 2006 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania (BFTP/SEP) (www.sep.benfranklin.org) entered into an agreement with Villanova University to build on the creation of the state-of-the-art Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Lab through corporate engagements and additional support of the entire Center for Advanced Communications at Villanova. The RFID Lab is complemented by three other labs; the Antenna Research Lab (ARL), the Wireless Communications and Positioning Lab (WCPL), and The Radar Imaging Lab (RIL). This initiative builds on a twelve-year partnership between BFTP/SEP and Villanova to create regional infrastructure for technical innovation, applied research and commercialization.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a popular and expanding technology which often utilizes a RFID tag or transponder with stored information. The information on the RFID tag can be read using radio waves and a receiver. The tag can be placed on retail products to ease checkout, or on an animal or person to aid in identification.

The goal of this collaboration is to foster advanced technology research which will eventually lead to commercialization in new and existing local technology companies. Areas of research will be focused on attracting company clients to the Lab. Villanova also hopes to attract exceptional students to their facility and encourage global interactions related to this innovative technology.

"We are excited by this opportunity to partner with the Ben Franklin Technology Partners with the RFID lab and the entire Center for Advanced Communications. These labs leverage our internationally recognized research program in advanced communications with BFTP's expertise in moving technological development to the marketplace. This is another example of how Villanova's College of Engineering and BFTP are working together to advance the technological base in Southeastern Pennsylvania," stated Dr. Gary Gabriele, Dean of the College of Engineering at Villanova University.

Recently BFTP/SEP and Villanova have agreed to share revenue generated by the Center for Advanced Communications through corporate engagements and grants secured as a result of joint activities. BFTP/SEP will continue to utilize its Technology Commercialization Group and extensive network and suite of investment, business, and technology support services to facilitate partnerships among regional enterprises and Villanova.

About Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania

Since 1982, Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania (BFTP/SEP) has served as a catalyst for stimulating entrepreneurial potential through the integration of systems designed to accelerate the transition of scientific discovery and technology development to commercialization. Part of a statewide network in Pennsylvania, BFTP/SEP provides entrepreneurs and established businesses the capital, knowledge, and networks they need to compete in the global marketplace. BFTP/SEP has provided more than $130 million to over 1,600 regional enterprises through various funding means. BFTP/SEP is a founding partner of the Nanotechnology Institute(tm) (NTI) and the Mid-Atlantic Nanotechnology Alliance (MANA(r)) and is funded by Pennsylvania's Department of Community and Economic Development. For additional information, visit www.sep.benfranklin.org.



            

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