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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Two Northwest Arkansas companies, Arkansas Power Electronics International Inc. and SYSCONN Corporation, have been accepted as the first clients in the University of Arkansas Innovation Incubator (I²).

Developed with a three-year, $840,000 National Science Foundation grant, I² gives client companies the opportunity to perform in-house research in facilities capable of investigating a new technological idea.

"The Innovation Incubator is designed to encourage the testing and development of new technology-based concepts, with the end goal of bringing revolutionary ideas to reality," said Ron Foster, director of I². "By bringing this opportunity to our non-traditional partners, we hope to stimulate new technology-based business startups in Arkansas and the region."

Arkansas companies or individuals that have ideas for new technology products or concepts are potential clients for the program. After completing a comprehensive application program, I² clients work directly with UA researchers and graduate students and should have a working product prototype and a business plan completed by the end of the first year.

Arkansas Power Electronics International Inc. focuses on the development of better electronics for down-hole geological exploration. Led by Dr. Kraig J. Olejniczak, UA professor of electrical engineering, and Alexander B. Lostetter, UA doctoral candidate in microelectronics-photonics, the company is a client of the GENESIS Technology Incubator. Jared Hornberger, a master’s candidate in electrical engineering, will be working with the company as part of I².

SYSCONN Corp. is a technology-based company that designs and develops new packaging and methods for miniaturized micro and nano devices such as high-speed communications devices. Chad O’Neal, UA doctoral candidate in microelectronics-photonics, and Dr. Ajay P. Malshe, UA associate professor of mechanical engineering, lead the startup company. Daryl Spencer, master’s candidate in microelectronics-photonics, will be working with the company.

Established one year ago, I² has broad-based support. John Ahlen, president of the Little Rock-based Arkansas Science and Technology Authority; Otto Loewer, UA dean of engineering; Greg Salamo, University professor of physics at the U of A; and Ken Vickers, director of the UA microelectronics-photonics graduate program, all participated in writing the successful grant.

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