Building the Hydrogen Economy - Action Summit and Short Course Novemer 7 & 8

The hydrogen revolution is now underway, sparked by rapidly advancing technologies and pushed to the national policy forefront by issues related to energy, national security and the environment. The comprehensive energy bill just passed by the United States Congress includes Senator Dorgan’s plan to invest aggressively in hydrogen-powered transportation. An epicenter for groundbreaking work in hydrogen has been established at the National Center for Hydrogen Energy Technology located at UND’s Energy and Environmental Research Center, one of the world-class, anchor research centers of the Red River Valley Research Corridor.
The Coordinating Center
The Coordinating Center of the Red River Valley Research Corridor will be a catalyst for the development and growth of science and technology-based enterprises throughout North Dakota.
Join us at the UND Energy and Environmental Research Center for this fifth in a series of Research Corridor action summits to explore how hydrogen energy technologies can be advanced to provide energy solutions and create new economic opportunities.

At the Action Summit Nov. 7:
  • Learn about the international, national, regional and industry trends that are driving the hydrogen revolution.
  • Connect with leaders in business, research and government who are forging the way in hydrogen technology development.
  • Discuss ideas and strategies for public policy and initiatives you’d like to see to help take hydrogen energy development in our nation and state to the next level.
  • Visit the nation’s first research and development center that will focus on research, development and commercialization of hydrogen energy technologies.
Follow this link for more information and to register for the Action Summit.
View action Summit Agenda.

At the Short Course Nov. 8:
If you are wondering about the business, research or career opportunities that are going to be available in the hydrogen energy industry or are just curious about how hydrogen is produced, stored and used then this short course is for you.

Join us for this one-day short course with people who are on the leading edge of the hydrogen revolution right here in the Red River Valley Research Corridor. The short course is delivered by the Energy and Environmental Research Center's National Center for Hydrogen Technology.

Follow this link for more information and to register for the Hydrogen Economy Short Course.

Supplier Mandates Driving RFID Adoption

The Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Conference held on October 12th in Fargo far exceeded NDSU organizers’ expectations. More than 120 conference guests arrived to hear the how the impact of RFID technology will effect the future of business.

Benefits of RFID implementation include improved supply chain visibility, real time information gathering and data accuracy, reduced shrinkage, process efficiencies, increased sales and product availability, and improved inventory management. For a business, this means fewer inventory days, higher cash flow, greater revenue opportunity, and higher velocity of goods.

Leaders in RFID implementation include the Department of Defense and Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart has issued a “Supplier Mandate” which requires its top 100 suppliers to implement an RFID system by the end of this year and all suppliers by the end of 2006. This mandate is promoting industry adoption, increasing the acceptance of an RFID strategy as a universally accepted practice and driving the demand for RFID products and services. These mandates are the target of some industry criticism arguing it is not fair that small suppliers be required to choose between implementing a process or losing its biggest source of revenue.

Federal research funding directed to NDSU by U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan has allowed NDSU to continue to grow its research capabilities in RFID technology and to commercialize research developments, such as the attraction of companies like Alien Technology, a leading manufacturer of RFID tags. For more information regarding RFID strategies at NDSU, visit the Center for Nanoscale Science and Engineering.

Back to Top

Upper Great Plains Technology Show Held at Fargodome

Five thousand people attended the two day 7th Annual Upper Great Plains Technology Conference & Trade Show October 10th & 11th at the Fargodome. This year's Conference, hosted by U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan and the Fargo Moorhead Chamber of Commerce, featured three keynote speakers including: Art Collins, Chairman and CEO of Medtronics, Inc.; Dr. Irwin Jacobs, Chairman of Qualcomm Inc.; and Hugh Panero, President and CEO of XM Satellite Radio.

New to the Technology Conference this year was the introduction of a “Youth Summit” designed to increase awareness among junior high and high school students of the danger posed by cyber predators, cyber security, and internet piracy. The Youth Summit, co-sponsored by i-SAFE America attracted more than 740 students from 36 schools across North Dakota.

The goal of the Upper Great Plains Technology Conference & Trade Show is to explore innovative uses of technology in business and examine how technology can create new jobs and expand economic development. The trade show environment allows regional and national companies to showcase their capabilities and network with potential partners. Look for the 8th Annual Upper Great Plains Technology Conference & Trade Show October 9th and 10th next year. Visit www.uppergreatplainstechnology.com.

Back to Top

Upcoming Events

October 24
U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan's Aerospace and Defense Manufacturers Roundtable During this six-hour action summit, co-sponsored by the New Economy Initiative Aerospace Power Group and the Greater North Dakota Chamber of Commerce, specialists from the U.S. Department of Defense, prime contractors, and successful North Dakota companies will share their experience and expertise with companies that want to become suppliers and subcontractors.

North Dakota companies that attended the 2002 and 2003 events have won upwards of $38 million in contracts. These contracts provide opportunities for additional North Dakota companies to become qualified subcontractors for those who were recently awarded contracts.
Follow this link for more information and to regsiter for the Aerospace & Defense Manufacturers roundtable

October 24-25
Sustainable Development: Global Priorities, Local Applications
A conference at the Crookston campus of the University of Minnesota to take a global look at the interdependencies of our ecological, economic, and social imperatives and focus on what we do, tomorrow, to act as though we planned to stay. The conference will feature overview presentations and case studies of how various college campuses have implemented principles of sustainability.
Click here for more information (.pdf)...
Click here for registration...


Send Us Your Science & Technology News

Visit www.theresearchcorridor.com for the latest news about what’s happening in science and technology in North Dakota and the Upper Great Plains. Let others know about emerging science & technology developments in your company, college or organization by e-mailing to delore@theresearchcorridor.com

The Red River Valley Research Corridor

The goal of the Red River Valley Research Corridor is to expand upon the research capacity at North Dakota's universities to help build and attract high-tech businesses, generate new economic opportunities and create good-paying jobs for the region.

Visit theresearchcorridor.com.

This website and action summit prepared and maintained by the Red River Valley Research
Corridor Coordinating Center to advance the Red River Valley Research Corridor initiative.