FISE Energy Technology Incubator (FISE – ETI)
The FISE Energy Technology Incubator will accelerate commercialization of energy technologies in Florida. This recently awarded Florida Center of Excellence houses both a Biofuel Pilot Plant and a Prototype Development & Demonstration Laboratory. These state of the art facilities are available for commercialization of FISE derived energy technologies, as well as technologies developed by FISE ’s industrial partners and throughout the SUS system, to stimulate Florida's economic development and help meet its energy needs.
The Biofuel Pilot Plant facility serves as a platform to accelerate successful commercialization of cellulosic ethanol. The pilot plant is used to develop and improve bioethanol production processes, to test production feasibility of bioethanol from various plant substrates and residues available in Florida, and to demonstrate unit operations needed for commercialization.
The Prototype Development & Demonstration Laboratory is used to advance energy technology research into commercial prototypes. Energy conversion and energy efficiency technologies involve the creation of engineered devices. The leading edge research at UF results in significantly improved materials and designs for these devices. However, in order to take the next step fabrication of integrated devices and/or commercial prototypes is necessary. This Lab will address this crucial need to accelerate commercialization of energy technologies.
Laboratory Memberships
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Equipment Available
Industrial Collaboration and Technology Commercialization
The College of Engineering Director of Industry Programs provides FISE-ETI with a suite of industrial collaboration partners and commercialization assistance. To assure timely transfer of FISE’s technologies to the private sector, key industry partners are engaged at every step of technology development from inception of the research program to commercialization.
In addition, FISE-ETI will accelerate commercialization of energy technologies through the UF Office of Technology Licensing (OTL). OTL has in depth experience in technology management and commercialization and provides a comprehensive array of intellectual property management, patent licensing, and support for faculty researchers. It is one of the largest technology licensing offices in the country with 18 staff members and 6 licensing teams.
UF has seen a tremendous increase in new invention disclosures, currently generating almost 300 annually. OTL executed an impressive 66 license agreements in fiscal year 2005. UF has consistently ranked in the top ten universities in the country in annual licensing income earning over $40M in FY 2005.
OTL has established strong relationships with research organizations and service providers throughout Florida, the Southeast and nationally to assist in the movement of technologies to the marketplace and has been heavily involved in numerous committees that drive economic development in Florida, including: The Florida Research Consortium, The Gainesville Area Innovation Network, The UF Commercialization Council, BioFlorida, Southeast Bio, Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM), The Florida Business Incubation Association, and The Licensing Executives Society. OTL and the Office of Industry Programs in the UF College of Engineering encourage new venture creation and provide a working relationship with Venture Capitalists (such as Gainesville-based Inflexion Partners, LLC and Emergent Growth Fund, LLC, a Gainesville-based angel investment group with $3.5M of funds under management) to the start up companies licensing UF technology. Many of these spin-off companies reside in the UF-supported incubators.
