Join us! TechPort UAS Incubator and Community Innovation Hub
|
|
From the Director's Desk:
October is manufacturing month, highlighting the work of manufacturers and focusing attention on the industry in the hopes of attracting tomorrow’s skilled workers to the field. Here at TechPort, we are surrounded by innovators designing, developing and creating the next products for manufacturing. We thought this month we would use a portion of this space to salute all those manufacturers who toil for the betterment of all of us.
At the forefront of our thoughts is the heat sanitation “Hot Box” designed and developed here at TechPort, by our offshoot nonprofit Southern Maryland Loves You, at the start of the novel coronavirus lockdown in March. Featured in our May newsletter, the 16-feet long, 8-feet wide and 8-feet high unit was designed, engineered and built within one week. It’s currently in use at the University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center. With all testing completed, we are awaiting final authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before mass manufacturing begins.
I talked to Bill Dotson, owner of Charles County business, Modern Door, and supporter of the medical center, and he was so intrigued by the hot box he wanted to see it in action. Dotson, an entrepreneur himself, is dedicated to promoting Southern Maryland initiatives and new innovations like this one. (Click here to read full article by Tommy Luginbill, Director, TechPort)
|
|
Questions? Suggestions for future topics? Email us!
TechPort is pleased to announce that in early October 2020, Rick Tarr, Director of NAWCAD Tech Transfer Office and Southern Maryland Tech Bridge joined TechPort's Director Tommy Luginbill in launching "T2" or Tech Bridge @ TechPort as a monthly live interactive broadcast from TechPort via Facebook and LinkedIn presenting a current topic for discussion with featured panelists hosted by Tech Bridge and including Navy R&D topics of high interest to the NavalX Tech Bridge programs, with the goal of increasing engagement with university researchers, small businesses and other non-traditional partners to accelerate development of critical technologies and innovations.
|
|
Can you believe it...
Brooke Anne Luginbill is
now one month old!
Warmest congratulations to Tommy and Ali on welcoming their beautiful baby girl into the world!
|
|
|
|
|
Join Us for Project Opportunity Graduation! |
Please join us in celebrating Project Opportunity entrepreneur veterans on November 5, 2020.
Let us salute these Southern Maryland Graduates!
|
|
|
|
What does the TechPort Innovation Hub mean to you?
Or on our social medias!
|
|
This charity event saluted medical workers at MedStar St. Mary's Hospital. All proceeds from this event went to the Semper Fi Fund.
Innovative Maryland distillery, Tobacco Barn Distillery, is aging bourbon by attaching their product to the bottom of a Harrier Jump Jet. After takeoff, the speed and altitude pressure will accelerate the aging process and result in the world's "Fastest Distilled Bourbon" ever.
|
|
Thank you, Healthcare Workers!
At the same time of the 700 MPH Bourbon Event, S. Hunt Aero hosted an event at the St. Mary's County Regional Airport Terminal to salute medical works for their service.
Let us thank healthcare workers on the front lines of battling COVID-19 first hand!
|
|
|
UPD
TechPort's Featured Client of the Month
October 2020
|
|
It didn’t take long for Tracy Barkhimer to realize Matt Hayes had an idea that could disrupt the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) industry. Barkhimer, a 26-year U.S. Navy veteran who provides defense acquisition strategy consulting services to clients that want to do business with Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), believes Hayes’ hybrid gas and electric generator powered propulsion system will increase by eight to ten times the normal flight time of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV).
Hayes’ company, Unmanned Propulsion Development (UPD) builds lightweight generators to replace batteries on drones, allowing for significantly longer flight times. Small (55 pounds or less) vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) UAS can only fly for 30 to 40 minutes using batteries. Last December, UPD’s test quadcopter flew for 2.7 hours and landed with almost 4 hours of fuel left. It was long enough to unofficially break the Guinness World Record for FAA Part 107 UAVs. Barkhimer sees the potential and offered her program management expertise on a pro bono basis to help Hayes launch his business.
Now they are taking their product to Southern Maryland’s annual Crab Pot Pitch Competition on Oct. 29, as one of five finalists competing for $3,500 and a bushel of crabs. Runner-up receives $1,000. They are hoping to earn the money to make some adjustments and continue testing with another endurance flight in December.
“Obviously, Matt has been an incredible addition to our TechPort family,” says Luginbill. “We are so fortunate for all that he’s done for the community especially during the pandemic. We are dedicated to helping him in whatever ways we can to see Unmanned Propulsion Development take off and thrive.”
Hayes, who grew up in nearby Deale, Maryland, has been working in aircraft propulsion since 2006. One reason his hybrid gas and electric generator powered propulsion system differs so much from others in the field is because with his model the propulsion system needs to be built before the drone that will carry it.
|
|
Cyber Security + COVID = Worldwide Impact
In honor of Cybersecurity Awareness Month (October), TechPort Intern Alexandra Walker decided to interview an individual in the academic Cybersecurity field to get a better understanding of Cybersecurity and how it impacts our lives daily.
“Cybersecurity provides me the opportunity to not only teach people for a future career but also to educate everyday people on how to protect themselves online,” says Lakisha Ferebee, Cybersecurity Instructor at the College of Southern Maryland (CSM), a community partner of TechPort.
Ferebee has worked at CSM for approximately 4 years. She first obtained her bachelor’s in Interdisciplinary Studies from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. After discovering her newfound interest, she obtained her associates in Cybersecurity at CSM. She continued to pursue her education in Cyber Security at the University of Maryland University College (now UMGC) where she acquired her master’s degree in Cybersecurity Technology.
“I kind of fell into the (Cyber Security) field, to be honest. My father offhandedly mentioned something about Cybersecurity. I looked into it and it appealed to my inner nerd and geek.” Before working at CSM, Ferebee worked as a Graphic Designer and Computer Technician. “My background has always been based around art and computers, but once I knew about Cybersecurity, it stuck with me.”
Ferebee’s education and experience provide her the opportunity to teach a multitude of courses in the Cybersecurity Program at CSM; including Digital Forensics, Networking I-III, Computer Security, Computer Essentials, and Linux.
“Education allows you to reinvent yourself and be successful. If I did not have all my educational background, I would not be able to go into these careers and reinvent myself to be successful in it,” Ferebee continued, explaining the importance of education for students.
With the COVID-19 pandemic, education along with businesses have shifted to an online setting. With the overwhelming increase of people online daily, cyber risks have greatly increased.
“Right now (Cybersecurity) is more important than ever because everything is online now. We need to up our game and get new ideas and people. It is not going to go away. We are in a position where attackers are 3 steps ahead of us. The industry needs people who are on the defensive side to secure our information.”
Cybersecurity is a rapidly growing field, changing and developing every day. New threats and risks arise daily and require an ever-growing field of new employees that are up to date on the latest technology and cybersecurity efforts.
“Cybersecurity starts with you. Everything you do dictates how secure or insecure something is. Be wise when you are online. Be careful what you share. Remember the internet is forever.”
This month's feature article written by: Alexandra Walker
TechPort Intern and SIGNALS E-News Assistant Editor
|
|
#ThrowbackThursday
Since October is National Pizza Month, TechPort decided to celebrate with some delicious
Want to stay up to date with TechPort?
Check out our social medias!
|
|
Sign up for Signals E-News
TechPort's mission is to serve as a center of innovation for the community. Incubating ideas and accelerating diversification of the innovation ecosystem of Southern Maryland. Operated under contract by the University of Maryland,TechPort targets startup and early stage companies that specialize in autonomous systems and commercialization of Navy technology while serving as a community resource for innovators of all kinds.
For more information on how to become a client or invest in these businesses,
Sign up here for a private virtual tour of our Incubator space available to new clients.
|
|
Airgility TechDemoDay
An early-stage unmanned aerial systems company and University of Maryland start-up, Airgility briefs participants prior to a technology demonstration at TechPort on Monday October 12, and again on Thursday, October 22, for interested guests including: TEDCO team members, local federal contractors, St. Mary's County DED, and NavalX Capital Tech Bridge representatives, interested in the COVID-19 sanitation technology using UV light.
|
|
Do you have a new technology you would like to demonstrate? Contact Tommy Luginbill, TechPort Director for information on how the UAS Business Incubator and Community Innovation Hub works with start-up companies to demonstrate tech to potential investors and customers in the region. |
|
Interactive Innovation
Progress Culture Tuesdays
|
|
Last Week's Episode: Episode 25 - REELAAAAX Episode 25, w/ Tommy, Paul, & Dominic What puts you in flow? Is it always intended? Do you flow on accident? When it's going on do you notice?
This Week's Episode: Episode 26 - With Tommy, Paul, and SIF member & poet, Jere Carroll Murphy
Podcast out on Oct. 21
Video out on Oct. 22
This group originally performed at 5 p.m., Tuesday evenings at TechPort, and hope to begin offering the opportunity for live participation. Tickets will be available through TechPort's Events Calendar.
|
|
Interested in Sponsorship Opportunities in supporting our local Battle Bots Team?
|
|
|
Most Recent Episode of Intern Hours! |
Are you more left or right-brained?
In the most recent episode, the TechPort Interns spoke with Donna Jordan about left and right brain dominance, balancing one's creativity with one's analytical side, and the dynamics of having an entrepreneurial husband while being an entrepreneur herself.
Intern Hours is a biweekly video series hosted by the TechPort Interns that will feature discussions over various activities with a new guest every other week!
We can't wait for everyone to see some of what the interns have been up to!
Please subscribe to our channel so that all of our future videos show up on your news feed!
|
|
UPCOMING INDUSTRY EVENTS
October 29, 6:00 p.m. - Crab Pot
Virtual Southern Maryland Pitch Competition.
Make sure to register ahead of time to watch the event so you can cheer for UPD, a home-grown TechPort client selected to participate in this year's competition!
November 5, 6:30 p.m. - Project Opportunity GRADUATION
Project Opportunity hosts their graduation for their Southern Maryland Veteran Students. Join TechPort in saluting these Southern Maryland Graduates!
November 8 - National STEAM/STEM Day
National STEAM/STEM Day is devoted to all things science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics.
November 9 - Entrepreneur Empowerment Excursion (E3) Deposit End Date
Engaging Speakers, Fun Activities, Live Entertainment, Delicious Food and Drinks! Informative and Impactful Workshop Sessions for Entrepreneurs and Small Business.
*Special rates for those who place a small deposit by November 9th*
November 11 - Veterans Day
A celebration to honor those who have severed the country.
November 12 - TechBridge @ TechPort Event
Join the Discussion! 1:00 - 1:30 PM, when TechPort 2.0 hosts a presentation by Dr. John Barkyoumb, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carter Rock, Capital Tech Bridge, in a live interactive discussion on "Educational Partnership Agreements (EPAs) - What is an EPA? What can you do with an EPA? And the tech areas the Capital Tech Bridge is trying to build collaborative relationships through EPAs with Universities"
Visit the TechPort events page and register today!
MISSED IT?
The ART of Collaboration Southern Maryland Webinar Series "Connecting and Contributing to Community in Crisis" took place on July 14, 2020. Here is the audio link for final webinar and the graphic rendering by Jim Nuttle.
|
|
TechPort is a public-private sector initiative supported by: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
