New Companies to Market UNC-CH Technologies
CHAPEL HILL (June 21, 2000) -- The University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill has signed license agreements with three new companies
that will commercialize computer graphics technology developed by UNC-CH
computer scientists.
"The department of computer science has a worldwide
reputation for the development of new technology," said Tim Quigg,
associate chairman of the department. "It's always exciting when the
technology can proliferate through commercial channels to a worldwide user
community."
The agreements cover three different technologies:
· DeltaSphere -- a 3-D laser scanner and scene digitizer that
enables the capture and creation of an accurate 3-D model of room-sized objects
and spaces for use in construction, maintenance, set design for film and video,
Web and game design, accident reconstruction and security.
· HiBall Tracker -- a wide-area, high-performance optical
tracking system that provides very accurate position and orientation information
for use in virtual and augmented reality, training, simulation and
entertainment.
· NanoManipulator -- a unique user interface, with
force-feedback and 3-D visualization, for an atomic force microscope that
provides scientists new tools for research in biotechnology, materials
development and other disciplines. The NanoManipulator allows users to clearly
see and manipulate atoms, viruses and other microscopic objects.
The companies are the first created by 3rdTech Inc., a
business incubator that develops new technologies into businesses and products.
"Scientists at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have a
history of creating exciting new technology," said Nick England, president
and chief executive officer of 3rdTech Inc. "It is 3rdTech's mission to be
the channel for this technology by creating companies which can turn research
into products to be used by a wide audience."
3rdTech worked with the inventors of the licensed technologies
to form the new technology holding companies -- DeltaSphere Inc., HiBall Tracker
Inc. and NanoManipulator Inc. Staff at 3rdTech will develop and market products
based on these technologies. The goal is to spin off the individual companies
through venture capital investment or buy-out by another company. The inventors
are the principal owners of the three individual companies, with both 3rdTech
Inc. and UNC-CH owning small percentages of each.
The agreements provide for ongoing technology transfer between
university researchers and the three start-up companies. The university
researchers will continue to improve the technologies, while the start-ups will
commercialize them through hardware and software engineering, feature
enhancement and manufacturing. Each organization will benefit, Quigg said. The
university gains a wide user base for its technology and access to manufactured,
supported products to use in its research efforts. In addition, he said, 3rdTech
gains access to leading technology as a foundation for product development.
Besides equity in the new companies, the university also will receive royalties
on all sales of products incorporating any aspect of the licensed
technologies.
"The UNC Office of Technology Development is very pleased
with the three technology licensing agreements and with the development of a
high-tech incubator focusing on UNC-CH," said Dr. Fran Meyer, director of
the university's Office of Technology Development. "These agreements
exemplify (the office's) mission of enabling transfer of technology from the
university to the marketplace in a manner that is beneficial to all
parties."
Note: Doug Schiff, media contact for 3rdTech, can be
reached at (919) 929-1903, dbs@3rdtech.com. More information can also be found
at 3rdTech's Web site, www.3rdTEch.com. Quigg can be reached at (919) 962-1777,
quigg@cs.unc.edu. Meyer can be reached at (919) 966-3929, fran_meyer@unc.edu.
News Services contact: Mike McFarland
