The Rutgers Technology Center II

New Facility to Accelerate Scientific Research and Development

Rutgers University has opened a building that will help speed development of scientific discoveries in the growing fields of wireless data networking, high density electric energy storage, and pharmaceutical discovery and development.

ERSG staff test new materials and structures for tomorrow's compact, portable and powerful energy sources.

The Rutgers Technology Center II is a 26,000-square-foot facility in North Brunswick, N.J., that houses advanced development laboratories. Here university researchers will collaborate with technical experts in startup ventures, established corporations and government agencies. Together they will define new capabilities for wireless computer and cell phone networks, invent lightweight yet powerful energy sources for products ranging from body implants to hybrid cars, and formulate targeted drug therapies to relieve chronic diseases. Rutgers constructed the facility with $3.7 million in financing from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA).

"This facility brings together a critical mass of people and resources to help propel Rutgers' technology assets - knowledge and patents - into the private sector," said Michael Breton, associate vice president for research and sponsored programs. Three Rutgers-affiliated groups have moved into the building: the Wireless Information Networking Laboratory (WINLAB), the Energy Storage Research Group (ESRG) and Provid Pharmaceuticals.

The crown jewel of Tech Center II is WINLAB's National Science Foundation sponsored "ORBIT Radio Grid Testbed." This array of 400 radio transceivers will test ways for mobile computing devices such as laptops and PDAs to exchange data faster and more efficiently. ESRG has also constructed a dry room for testing new battery chemicals and structures at a few percent relative humidity. Both facilities are among a handful nationwide that provide these kinds of capabilities. In their previous buildings, both groups had smaller, more limited versions of these facilities.

The third group in Tech Center II, Provid Pharmaceuticals, is a drug discovery company providing collaborative services to industry and academic groups. Provid has programs and compounds in preclinical stages for autoimmune diseases. Rutgers holds a minority interest in Provid.

WINLAB's ORBIT testbed facility sports a grid of 400 radio transceivers to test new wireless computer networking configurations.   ERSG staff work on new chemical and material compositions for lightweight, long-lived batteries.

Hot Links:

WINLAB
http://www.winlab.rutgers.edu/pub/Index.html

Energy Storage Research Group
http://ceramicmaterials.rutgers.edu/faculty.php?name=Amatucci

Provid Pharmaceuticals Inc.
http://www.providpharma.com/