Cash prizes total $165k plus a $75k voucher for use with DOE partner, AltaRock Energy
FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS January 2023 – Ozark Integrated Circuits Inc.’s approach to high-temperature electronics recently received major accolades from two separate competitions in early December, as well as recognition of the efforts of its team and founder with an award from an important industry group.
While the $165,000 in cash prizes plus $75,000 in vouchers to further their work is significant, Ozark IC Founder and President Dr. Matt Francis said the recognition of its work is even more valuable.
“What is really significant for us is the validation that these awards provide, as well as the opportunity to improve our product lines by working closely with our customers,” he said. “We are of course, very pleased with the cash awards, but the validation of the hard work that our team has done is the greatest reward.”
The first award came December 2, when the Geothermal Technologies Office (GTO), which is in the U.S. Department of Energy, announced that Ozark IC was one of 10 semi-finalists of the GTO Geothermal Geophone Prize with Ozark’s project, entitled “High-Temperature Seismology: High-Temperature LVDT-based Geophone.”
In this Phase 1 of the competition, each semifinalist team was awarded a $75,000 cash prize in addition to $75,000 in vouchers to use with an industry expert or national laboratory to advance their project. In Phase 1 of the Prize, teams identified and developed initial concepts for high-temperature, downhole seismic sensors.
Ozark IC will use its $75,000 in vouchers to collaborate with AltaRock Energy Inc., a geothermal exploration company that is registered as a DOE “Connector.” In Phase 2, which opened December 3, teams will advance their concepts and demonstrate the promise of their designs.
Through a three-phase competition, the Geothermal Geophone Prize will help spur innovation in seismic sensors for use in geothermal environments, which will support the expansion of geothermal deployment.
“We at AltaRock Energy are excited to work with Ozark IC again on such an important project in the field of high-temperature electronics,” said Dr. Geoffrey Garrison, Vice President of Research and Development at AltaRock Energy. “I’m looking forward to helping bring the next phase of this idea to life.”
The second award, the U.S. Army’s xTechManufacture Prize, was announced December 8 at the Defense Manufacturing Conference in Tampa, Fla. In this Prize, Ozark IC’s entry, entitled “Rapid Deployment of Hypersonic Systems using High Temperature Control XNodes®”, won second place, which earned them $75,000. There were more than 100 entrants, which were then narrowed to 10 finalists. Each finalist received $15,000 to make their presentation at the conference, as well as have a booth to show their technologies to representatives from the Department of Defense and industry. This brings the total cash award to $90,000.
https://www.xtech.army.mil/announcement/awards-joint-defense-manufacturing-technology-solutions/
The third award was to Dr. Francis from IEEE-USA. Dr. Francis was awarded the 2022 IEEE-USA Entrepreneur Achievement Award for Leadership in Entrepreneurial Spirit. This award recognizes an IEEE member who has been instrumental in furthering both entrepreneurial growth and spirit in the United States. The dedication for this award was “For entrepreneurship through Ozark Integrated Circuits and for inspiring future STEM innovators through mentoring”. In addition to his work at Ozark IC, Dr. Francis has long volunteered for IEEE, hosting a weekly robotics club at his local library and currently serves as a Region Director, Elect, for IEEE Region 5 (the US Southwest).
https://ieeeusa.org/2022-ieee-usa-awards-recipients/
About Ozark Integrated Circuits Inc.
Ozark Integrated Circuits, Inc (Fayetteville, AR). was founded in 2011. Ozark IC’s mission is to bring the internet of things to everywhere it isn’t; anywhere hot, cold or in extreme vibration/radiation. Ozark IC brings computing to the edge in the extreme conditions experienced in Energy Exploration, Aerospace, Space Exploration and Industrial Controls. Ozark IC’s solutions include hardware and software, integrated circuits, and packaging. Ozark IC’s strategy and technology have led industry watchers to recognize Ozark IC as a disruptive player in the rugged electronics marketplace.
About AltaRock Energy
AltaRock Energy develops and commercializes geothermal technology to produce clean, renewable power. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Seattle, AltaRock Energy, Inc. is a full-service geothermal energy technology and services company. AltaRock’s experienced team, innovative technology, and creative approach turns under-performing assets into highly profitable energy projects, building and operating the geothermal power plants of the future.