This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Grants to support innovative business products
13/09/2006
A new system to enable deep-sea transportation of objects is one of eight research and development projects to benefit from £400,000 funding from the Executive.
Deputy Enterprise Minister Allan Wilson today announced the second round of winning companies from the 2006 SMART:SCOTLAND Competition.
These awards are designed to help new and existing businesses with less than 50 employees improve their competitiveness by developing leading-edge products or processes that have real commercial potential.
Allan Wilson said:
"The SMART:SCOTLAND Awards focus on identifying and advancing dynamic, valuable projects that will contribute towards a strong Scottish economy.
"We recognise the importance of encouraging small businesses to develop leading-edge technologies and providing support for them to realise their potential and compete in global markets.
"I am impressed by the quality and diversity of this round of winning companies supported by the SMART Awards which I hope will follow in the footsteps of previous winners to grow into market leading companies."
Mr Wilson recently visited one of the SMART winning companies, Ythan Environmental Services Ltd, to discuss how their award will be used to develop specialist technology.
The eight winning companies in the 2006 Round 2 SMART:SCOTLAND Competition are:
- Amphotonix Ltd, Glasgow - Development Of A Significantly Higher Powered Semiconductor Optical Amplifier Chip
Amphotonix Ltd will use its SMART Award to develop a significantly higher powered semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) chip. This would be marketed to telecoms and datacoms equipment manufacturers as a replacement for the incumbent technology of single channel and low channel count erbium-doped fibre amplifiers (EDFAs). Website: www.amphotonix.com
- Calnex Solutions Ltd, South Queensferry - Development Of A Packet Transport Test Equipment Platform
Calnex Solutions Ltd will use its SMART Award to assess the feasibility of developing a new class of test equipment for use in evaluation and debug of telecommunications network equipment to be deployed in the emerging packet transport network. The product will be adaptable and upgradeable to deliver unique test capabilities to address the on-going requirements of this target market.
- Lightweight Medical Ltd, Glasgow - Development Of A Packet Transport Test Equipment Platform
Lightweight Medical Ltd will use their SMART Award to assess the feasibility of developing a Neonatal Acoustic Protection System as they aim to lead the market in neonatal care.
- M-Squared Lasers Ltd, Glasgow - Development of an ultra-violet laser
The SMART award will enable M-Squared Lasers Ltd to assess the feasibility of developing novel deep ultraviolet diode-pumped solid-state (DPSS) laser sources. This will have applications in the development of an extremely deep continuous wave ultraviolet DPSS laser. Overall the project will meet the emerging demand for a very reliable and compact laser platform. Website: www.m2lasers.com
- Oligon Ltd, Edinburgh - Development Of 2d Arrays Of Micro Electro Mechanical Systems Ultrasonic Transducers
Oligon Ltd will use its SMART Award to demonstrate the feasibility of creating 2D arrays of Micro Electro Mechanical System (MEMS) ultrasonic transducers in a single-step semiconductor (CMOS) foundry compatible process. This promises to enable various array configurations to be mass produced through the use of semiconductor techniques. Website: www.oligon.com
- Oxy-Gen Combustion Limited, Dundee - Development Of An Ultra Low Emissions Motor Engine
Oxy-Gen will use its SMART Award to deliver enabling technology for the Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) internal combustion engine. The company will create a more environmentally sustainable internal combustion engine with less dependence on catalytic converter technology for emissions control. The benefits of a HCCI engine are increased overall efficiency, power output, and reduced fuel consumption. Website: www.oxy-gencombustion.com
- ThinkTank Mathematics Ltd, Edinburgh - Development Of A Multivariate Ranking And Matching System For Online Content
ThankTank Mathematics Ltd will use its SMART Award to investigate the feasibility of a multivariate ranking and matching system for online and mobile content. The technology will have a number of applications for online gaming, online retail and mobile content delivery. This promises to enable increased revenue streams, improved user experience and increased robustness against cheating. Website: www.thinktankmaths.co.uk
- Ythan Environmental Services Ltd, Ellon - Development Of A Low Density Fluid And Subsea Delivery System
Ythan Environmental Services will use its SMART Award to assess the feasibility of developing a low density incompressible fluid and subsea delivery system. The "DeepLift" system will impart buoyancy to structures under water and will have significant applications in marine salvage industries, including those associated with the increasingly growing deep-sea oil and gas markets. Website: http://www.ythanservices.co.uk
Entries for SMART:SCOTLAND can be submitted by individuals planning to start a business in Scotland, and by existing small firms / groups with less than 50 employees.
There are three rounds of judging each year with closing dates for applications in January, May and September. The Government meets 75 per cent of the project costs and the maximum award payable is £50,000. Projects last between six and 18 months.
Winners who successfully complete their projects and require additional assistance to develop a pre-production prototype can apply for further funding under the SPUR scheme. SPUR is a non-competitive scheme and grant is available at 35 per cent of the eligible project costs, subject to a maximum grant of £150,000. These projects should last between six months and three years.