Company:Viaspace

From HandWiki
Viaspace
TypePublic
Expert Market: VSPC
Genreclean energy
FoundedViaSpace 1998
Viaspace 2005
Key people
Dr. Carl Kukkonen (CEO)
Mr. Sung Hsien Chang
OwnerDr. Carl Kukkonen
DivisionsRenewable Energy
Alternative Energy
Monitoring Systems
Websitewww.viaspace.com[Usurped!]

Viaspace is a clean energy company focused on commercializing technologies from NASA, Caltech, University of Southern California and the United States Department of Defense.[1][2] The company operates in the alternative energy, renewable energy, and chemical sensing sectors. The company is associated with the Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) and the California Institute of Technology through its CEO, Dr. Carl Kukkonen (the former Director of the Center for Space Microelectronics Technology (CSMT) and Manager of Supercomputing at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory).[3]

History

Viaspace was founded in 1998 as a Caltech/NASA spin-off. The company began with the objective of transforming space and defense technologies that were originally developed at JPL into commercial products.[2]

In 1998, Viaspace signed a memorandum of understanding with RGC to commercialize a Quantum well infrared photodetector. This led to a joint venture partnership between the two companies called QWIP Technologies (QWIPTECH), which was incorporated in December 1998.[4] Dr. Carl Kukkonen, CEO of Viaspace, served as initial CEO of QWIP Technologies until RGC acquired 100% of QWIPTECH in 2000.[5] Since RGC's Q iaspace has had n Well Infrared Photodetector patents.[6]

In the summer of 1998, Viaspace also signed a memorandum of understanding with Omicron Technologies to form a joint venture for the commercialization of applications of a technology known as Active Pixel Sensors (APS).[4] It was anticipated at the time of the joint venture that APS technology would be a strong competitor in its field and ultimately have a chance of replacing the widely used Charged Coupled Devices (CCDs) used in imaging technology.[4] However, in 2000, Omicron announced that it had dropped out of the project due to financial issues.[7] Viaspace decided to discontinue commercialization efforts for APS technology because it would be too costly.[7] Commercialization of the APS technology by Omicron and Viaspace never materialized; however, Viaspace reacquired three patents from the failed Omicron partnership. These three patents are not associated with the imaging technology, but rather, in the field of radio satellite technology.Cite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag Five million of HP's $10 million went to the development of Viachange.com, which Viaspace no longer operates.[8]

In 2002, a new company, Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Corporation (DMFCC) was formed. DMFCC, Caltech and USC signed a letter of intent for DMFCC to acquire rights to 22 issued and over 40 pending U.S. and foreign patents. These include the original and fundamental patent for using methanol dissolved in water as the fuel for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells. In exchange, Caltech and USC became equity shareholders in DMFCC and receive a royalty on sales. Dr. Carl Kukkonen was and continues to operate as CEO of DMFCC.[9]

In 2005, Viaspace became a public company through a merger between ViaSpace and Global Wide Production. The name ViaSpace was changed to Viaspace (all caps). Dr. Carl Kukkonen remained CEO, Mr. Amjad Abdallat took the position of vice president and chief operating officer, and Mr. Stephen Muzi became the chief financial officer, Secretary, and Treasurer of Viaspace.[10] At the beginning of 2006, DMFCC exercised an option for a worldwide license to 50 issued and 50 pending fuel cell patents from Caltech and USC.Cite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag

In 2006, Viaspace's wholly owned security and homeland defense subsidiary, Arroyo Sciences Inc., was renamed Viaspace Security Inc.[11] In 2007, Viaspace Security's expert system software, "SHINE Expert System", licensed from Caltech, was awarded the NASA Space Act Award.Cite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag In October 2008, Viaspace entered the biofuels market with the announcement of the acquisition of Inter-Pacific Arts Corp (IPA), a company with a license to grow a fast-growing grass.Cite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag Viaspace is currently seeking or already has undisclosed contracts for DMFCC products and Giant King Grass products. In 2010 Viaspace announced the launch of its first product, Green Logs.[12] About a month later, Viaspace Green Energy announced its first power plant MOU.[13]

Presently, two of the three Viaspace business units (the alternative energy and chemical sensing units) are based on exclusive technologies developed by JPL and funded by NASA and the DOD. The renewable energy business unit is based on a worldwide license granted by China Gate to grow Giant King Grass, a non-genetically modified hybrid grass.[citation needed]

Subsidiaries

Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Corporation

For the alternative energy market, Viaspace subsidiary Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Corporation develops and manufactures disposable fuel cartridges for fuel cell powered electronic devices such as notebook computers, mobile phones and military systems.[14][15] Caltech and USC are equity shareholders in DMFCC and will receive royalties on any sales.[16] DMFCC currently owns 65 issued and 33 pending patents related to fuel cells.[17]

Laws forbidding methanol and other fuels onboard aircraft has deterred large OEMs from proceeding with commercialization of fuel cell powered devices. The regulation and safety standards of fuel cells is one cause of the long delay for the roll out of Direct Methanol Fuel Cell powered devices. The decisions to allow Direct Methanol Fuel Cells onboard aircraft will enhance the future prospect of Viaspace.[18]Cite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag[19] By June 2010, the company had 279 acres (113 ha) of land under cultivation.[20]

Ionfinity

Through its subsidiary Ionfinity, Viaspace is involved in collaborations with Caltech and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory to develop and commercialize new sensor technology that can detect very small amounts of hazardous materials such as explosives, chemical/biological weapons, toxic gases and drugs.[21][22] Ionfinity's sensors are based on mass spectrometry technology. Ionfinity is partnered with General Dynamics Corp., Sionex Corp., and Imaginative Technologies LLC.[21]

References

  1. ↑ "About Us". http://viaspace.com/au_overview.php. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "viaspace_10k-123109.htm". Sec.gov. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1270200/000101968710001232/viaspace_10k-123109.htm. 
  3. ↑ "Completion of $11.4M Private Placement Financing to Advance APS Technology". Business Wire (Findarticles.com). 1999-02-18. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_1999_Feb_18/ai_53899496/. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Omicron Technologies Signs Memorandum of Understanding with ViaSpace Technologies LLC. - Business Wire". 1998-08-14. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-50246785.html. 
  5. ↑ "Rainbow Group Hires QWIP Inventor From Jet Propulsion Laboratorye". 2000-04-07. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-61398393.html. [dead link][|permanent dead link|dead link}}][|permanent dead link|dead link}}]
  6. ↑ "QWIP Systems Inc. Company Profile - Yahoo! Finance". Biz.yahoo.com. http://biz.yahoo.com/ic/123/123189.html. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Omicron Technologies Drops APS Technology.". Business Wire. 2000-04-28. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-61791383.html. 
  8. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named highbeam2
  9. ↑ "Caltech and University of Southern California Fuel Cell Technology to be Commercialized". Ewire.com. 2002-02-27. http://www.ewire.com/display.cfm/Wire_ID/995. 
  10. ↑ "Global Wide Publication Ltd. complete merger. - PR Newswire". 2005-06-21. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-133417045.html. 
  11. ↑ "Viaspace Announces Name Change of Subsidiary to Viaspace Security Inc. - PR Newswire". 2006-12-18. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-156022444.html. 
  12. ↑ "Viaspace Introduces First Green-Energy Product" (Press release). Viaspace. May 25, 2010. Retrieved June 25, 2010 – via PR Newswire.
  13. ↑ "Viaspace Signs Agreement With German Biogas Producer Ruba Energie GmbH" (Press release). Viaspace. June 14, 2010. Archived from the original on June 28, 2022. Retrieved June 25, 2010.
  14. ↑ "Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Corporation (DMFCC) - Alternative Energy". http://viaspace.com/ae_dmfcc.php. 
  15. ↑ "Viaspace Subsidiary Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Corporation to Begin Sampling Cartridge Product". Fuel Cell Today. 2006-01-11. http://www.fuelcelltoday.com/online/news/articles/2006-01/Viaspace-Subsidiary-Direct-Metha. 
  16. ↑ "Caltech and University of Southern California Fuel Cell Technology to be Commercialized. - Business Wire". 2002-02-27. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-83328648.html. 
  17. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Intellectual Property
  18. ↑ "U.S. Department of Transportation Rule Allows Passengers to Carry Methanol Fuel Cells and Cartridges Onboard Aircraft. - PR Newswire" (Press release). 2008-05-06. Retrieved 2010-06-25.
  19. ↑ "Viaspace To Trademark Giant King Grass". Biofueldaily.com. http://www.biofueldaily.com/reports/Viaspace_To_Trademark_Giant_King_Grass_999.html. 
  20. ↑ "Viaspace Increases Giant King(TM) Grass Production Capacity" (Press release). Viaspace. June 9, 2010. Retrieved June 25, 2010 – via PR Newswire.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 "Ionfinity - Monitoring and Detection Systems". http://viaspace.com/ms_about.php. 
  22. ↑ "Sniffing Out Bombs From a Distance". Defense News. 2008-08-18. http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=3679059. 



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