ECE Faculty Receive MIPS Funding for Technology Commercialization

ECE faculty are associated with four new Maryland Industrial Partnerships (MIPS) contract awards announced this week. The MIPS program accelerates the commercialization of technology in Maryland by providing matching funds for collaborative university-based research projects that help companies develop new products.

Professor Martin Peckerar is working with Prime Circuits, Inc., a company based in Potomac, Md., to develop fast, three-dimensional x-ray baggage screening systems to detect explosives. This project has particular relevance in light of the recent attempted terrorist plots involving air travel to the U.S. The total projected funding for the project is $80,100.

Professor Rama Chellappa is working with ACAGI, Inc. (Frederick, Md.) to build a portable video camera system with real-time face recognition, as well as live marking and indexing for immediate archival. The total projected funding for the project is $109,243.

Professor K. J. Ray Liu is working with Pharad, LLC (Glen Burnie, Md.) to optimize Pharad’s portable system for detecting concealed weapons on individuals from a distance. The system can be used in a variety of indoor and outdoor environments, including airport concourses and passenger train terminals, public buildings, shopping centers, stadiums, and retail centers. The total projected funding for the project is $134,324.

Dr. Pamela Abshire is working with Quantum Molecular Pharmaceuticals (Bethesda, Md.) to develop a new radiation sensor that could significantly reduce the size and cost of positron emission tomography (PET) scanners. PET is a nuclear medical imaging technique that produces a three-dimensional image of functional processes in the body. The total projected funding for the project is $501,597.

More information can be found at: http://www.mips.umd.edu/Rounds/round_38.html.

Published August 17, 2006