FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NIA News Release 2009-17
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Audrey Staples
National Institute of Aerospace
757-325-6981
Audrey.staples@nianet.org
Amber Callahan
City of Hampton
(757) 728-5146
acallahan@hampton.gov
NIA LANGLEY PROFESSOR RECEIVES SBIR CONTRACT
Hampton, VA. - Dr. Mool C. Gupta, NIA Langley Distinguished Professor from the University of Virginia and founder of Laser & Plasma Technologies (LPT), LLC, has been awarded a Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) phase II contract valued at $594,000 by the U.S. Navy to continue research and development on an optical corrosion monitoring system for aircrafts.
Under the contract LPT, in collaboration with the University of Virginia, will be addressing the Navy's critical need to reduce costly maintenance repairs and improve corrosion inspection measures. Professor Gupta and his team at LPT will develop IR-OPTI-SENSE™ to detect early corrosion under paint layers on aircrafts. IR-OPTI-SENSE system has multiple applications within DOD, NASA, and industry.
Professor Gupta is recognized as an expert in optical technology and advanced laser and plasma applications. LPT is focused on developing products and technologies in areas that include laser processing of materials, photovoltaics, nanomaterials, and devices and sensors.
LPT recently collocated their laboratory to the National Institute of Aerospace facility in the Hampton Roads Center North Campus in Hampton, VA. "The opportunity to grow and create jobs in the Hampton Roads Technology incubator and then position the company with an industry leader such as NIA is an important step for our future growth and success," said Professor Gupta.
"We are excited to see an entrepreneur like Dr. Gupta continue to grow in Hampton," notes James Eason, director of Hampton's Economic Development Department. "Fostering an innovative environment for companies such as LPT is a key component in Hampton's economic development strategy."
Anvil Prototype & Design Opens New Office in Hampton, VA
Anvil Prototype & Design, a recognized leader in the 3D-Printing industry, has opened a new office at the Hampton Technology Incubator to better serve its customers in the Hampton Roads region. Anvil Prototype offers rapid prototyping services and is a distributor of equipment and materials that create three-dimensional objects from computer input. 3D-Printing aids in a wide range of applications including: product design, tooling for manufacturing, concept development, and direct-to-consumer manufacturing. The company serves a vast number of industries such as defense, aerospace, engineering, industrial design, medical, manufacturing, architecture, education, modeling and simulation, art, gaming, and GIS.
“We are excited to now have a physical location in the Hampton Roads area. While investigating where to locate an office in the region, we immediately saw the opportunity to assist the efforts of the Incubator by serving as a resource for its startup technology clients,” said Carlton McFaden, Managing Partner. “We are also looking forward to working closely with the Hampton Roads Technology Council to actively assist with its mission to grow and connect the region's high-tech community."
Anvil Prototype’s office will be located at 144 Research Dr, Ste 122, Hampton, VA 23666.
About Anvil Prototype & Design
Founded in 2005, Anvil Prototype & Design is a Z Corporation partner for the sale and service of 3D printers in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast and offers a full-service bureau for rapid prototyping. Models from Anvil’s service projects have been featured in stories in The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Wired, on the BBC’s website, and on the G4 television network. For more information about Anvil Prototype & Design, please visit www.anvilprototype.com.
