The Authority Releases Funds For Educational Research And Business

Friday, Mar 21, 2008

The Arkansas Science & Technology Authority Board showed its support for business and research in its second meeting of 2008.

The Board of Directors voted to grant three Research & Development Tax Credits. Biobased Chemicals, LLC, and Biobased Systems, LLC were both recipients, as was Arkansas Power Electronics International Incorporated.

Both Biobased companies are co-owned businesses with the joint mission of developing a “green technology” soy-based alternative for petro chemicals in polyurethane.

APEI develops products for the high temperate electronics industry utilizing Silicon Carbide, a material with many properties superior to that of traditional silicon semiconductors.

In addition, the Board voted to support funding of a series of professional development fellowships and resource center workshop proposals. The funds allocated will be utilized by University of Arkansas at Little Rock, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, and Har-Ber High School.

UALR will use the financial support to benefit two of its programs: the High School Research Program, and SALEM (Success with Active Learning in Engineering and Mathematics) Program. At the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, the award will go to support the Center for Math and Science Education, and the remaining dollars will be allocated for the Courtyard Project on the Har-Ber campus.

The next Board meeting is scheduled for Friday, May 16, 2008.