Facility to Accelerate Scientific Research and Development

• WINLAB
• Energy Storage Research Group
• Provid Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Rutgers University has opened a building that will help speed development of scientific discoveries in the growing fields of wireless data networking, high density electric energy storage, and pharmaceutical discovery and development.

The Rutgers Technology Center II is a 26,000-square-foot facility in North Brunswick, N.J., that houses advanced development laboratories. Here university researchers collaborate with technical experts in startup ventures, established corporations and government agencies. Together they define new capabilities for wireless computer and cell phone networks, invent lightweight yet powerful energy sources for products ranging from body implants to hybrid cars, and formulate targeted drug therapies to relieve chronic diseases.Rutgers constructed the facility with $3.7 million in financing from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA).

  Three Rutgers-affiliated groups moved into the building in 2005: the Wireless Information Networking Laboratory (WINLAB), the Energy Storage Research Group (ESRG) and Provid Pharmaceuticals.

The crown jewel of Tech Center II is WINLAB's National Science Foundation sponsored "ORBIT Radio Grid Testbed." This array of 400 radio transceivers tests ways for mobile computing devices such as laptops and PDAs to exchange data faster and more efficiently. ESRG has also constructed a dry room for testing new battery chemicals and structures at a few percent relative humidity. Both facilities are among a handful nationwide that provide these kinds of capabilities. In their previous buildings, both groups had smaller, more limited versions of these facilities.

The third group in Tech Center II, Provid Pharmaceuticals, is a drug discovery company providing collaborative services to industry and academic groups. Provid has programs and compounds in preclinical stages for autoimmune diseases. Rutgers holds a minority interest in Provid.