U N I V E R S I T Y
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RFID Center of Excellence
The Last Mile The University of Pittsburgh RFID Center of Excellence is focused on providing RFID tag solutions at all levels for users and manufacturers. This includes the development of the fundamental technologies for a broad range of applications, such as biomedicine, shipping, and consumer goods. “The Last Mile� is the critical connection that makes RFID technology applicable and useful for your company. Marlin Mickle, Director, RFID Center of Excellence
The RFID Center of Excellence has worked with the following companies to investigate and develop RFID solutions: ADCUS, Inc. AIM Global Avery Dennison Corp. Checkpoint Systems, Inc. ClearCount Medical Solutions, Inc. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency Defense Logistics Agency FireFly Power Technologies, LLC GENCO GlaxoSmithKline Hewlett-Packard Development Co. iDentifi Inc.
Matthews International Corp. McKesson Corp. MEDRAD, Inc. Matrics/Symbol Mobile Aspects National Instruments Corp. PPG Industries Procter & Gamble Siemens AG Union Switch & Signal Inc. Supply Systems Inc. Vocollect, Inc. Zebra Technologies Corp.
Pitt is also establishing a fullservice facility for fundamental research as well as for reader and tag conformance and performance testing. The RFID Center of Excellence is working with Techtronix, Agilent Technologies, and National Instruments Corp. to develop this state-ofthe-art facility.
The RFID Center of Excellence provided technologies to develop three new companies. •
E-SOC is an early stage company developing micro-, nano-, and molecular-scale biomedical devices and applications using energy from radio frequency (RF) harvesting technology. The initial focus of E-SOC is the development of new devices using electrical stimulation for treatment of human diseases and disorders.
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FireFly Power Technologies, LLC provides solutions to previously unsolvable power design problems by using RF power. Instead of being limited by battery technology, wireless device engineers can design devices with increased functionality and life span while reducing the operating costs of their devices.
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Supply Systems Inc. has combined cutting-edge materials, techniques, and an innovative manufacturing process to revolutionize wafer-level manufacturing through antenna and finished-product design. Supply Systems’ polymeric antenna system has reduced the mass of traditional antenna systems while reinventing the silicon die attachment process, which has contributed to substantial manufacturing cost savings and improved yields.
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To become involved with the RFID Center of Excellence or for more information, please contact: Marlin Mickle, Director, RFID Center of Excellence E-mail: mickle@pitt.edu Phone: 412-624-9682 Donald C. Shields, Director of Corporate Relations, School of Engineering E-mail: dshields@engr.pitt.edu Phone: 412-624-8120
School of Engineering RFID Center of Excellence 348 Benedum Hall 3700 O’Hara Street Pittsburgh, PA 15261 The University of Pittsburgh is an affirmative action, equal opportunity institution. Published in cooperation with the Department of University Marketing Communications. UMC6182-0307