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Caterpillar Celebrates 15-Year Anniversary of Champaign Simulation Center at University of Illinois and Announces Expansion Plans

Article Source: University of Illinois Research Park photo-9

As a tribute to years of innovation through collaboration, Caterpillar Inc. marked the 15-year anniversary of its Champaign Simulation Center today, located in Research Park at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. In celebration of the milestone, the company is announcing plans to establish a new data analytics laboratory. The expansion will build upon the existing recruitment efforts with the university to engage future science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) talent through additional research and development opportunities, and is a key component of the company’s innovation strategy.

Caterpillar opened the simulation center on the Urbana-Champaign campus in 1999, working in conjunction with the University of Illinois’ National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA). Since then, the center has not only contributed to Caterpillar’s recruiting efforts, but  also serves as a leading engineering hub for virtual product development, advanced simulation and design solutions. Now, the company looks to the next phase of its research and development efforts on the campus by leveraging the university’s data analytics capabilities and resources.

“Our Champaign Simulation Center has been a crucial component for our product development efforts by bringing in new talent – as evidenced by student teams working with our engineers – and through the use of new technologies to aid in research and development,” said Gwenne Henricks, Chief Technology Officer and Vice President of Product Development and Global Technology at Caterpillar. “Since the facility’s opening, we have been privileged to have more than 350 students involved with the center, either through the Caterpillar Practicum Program or as interns working at the center. We are proud to say that approximately 100 of those former students now work at Caterpillar. With today’s expansion announcement, we hope to inspire future innovators to dig into technology right in their own backyard.”

“Caterpillar’s new data analytics lab will serve to strengthen an already close relationship between the company, the University of Illinois and the Research Park,” said Peter Schiffer, Vice Chancellor for Research at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. “Caterpillar’s innovative approach to its Research Park operation started 15 years ago, when it pioneered the Research Park student employment model – one that has been replicated by many other companies. We are looking forward to more productive years ahead.”

Caterpillar and the university will begin efforts for the data analytics lab expansion later this year. The new lab will foster real world innovation by bringing together university researchers and Caterpillar analytics professionals from engineering, computer science, statistics and economics to work on challenges and opportunities raised by technological and cultural change. This investment aligns with the company’s strategy to exceed customer expectations with outstanding products and solutions.

About Caterpillar:

For nearly 90 years, Caterpillar Inc. has been making sustainable progress possible and driving positive change on every continent. Customers turn to Caterpillar to help them develop infrastructure, energy and natural resource assets. With 2013 sales and revenues of $55.656 billion, Caterpillar is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. The company principally operates through its three product segments – Resource Industries, Construction Industries and Power Systems – and also provides financing and related services through its Financial Products segment. For more information, visit caterpillar.com. To connect with us on social media, visit caterpillar.com/social-media.

Press:

Caterpillar to open lab at UI Research Park, The News-Gazette

Caterpillar, Inc. to build data analytics lab at Research Park, Daily Illini

Caterpillar & U of I Research Park Celebrate 15 Year Partnership, UIUC Office of the Vice President for Research

 

Kotewa Honored by Central Illinois Business Magazine as ‘Forty Under 40’ Award Recipient

The Champaign County Economic Development Corporation is pleased to announce that Erik Kotewa, our Deputy Director, has been selected as a ‘Forty Under 40’ award recipient by Central Illinois Business Magazine, a publication by The News-Gazette.

The awards recognize young professionals for their achievements, experience, innovation, leadership and community involvement. The magazine solicited nominations from the community, and an independent panel of judges reviewed the nominations and chose the 40 winners, including a Woman of the Year and Man of the Year.

“We are thrilled for Erik to be recognized with this honor and look forward to celebrating his award with him in October”, said Craig Rost, EDC Executive Director. “This list is a wonderful representation of the young professionals in Champaign County making a positive impact in their communities.”

Kotewa will be honored at the 7th Annual ‘Forty Under 40’ Awards luncheon on Wednesday, October 8, 2014. For more information about the luncheon and to view the full list of winners, visit http://www.news-gazette.com/news/business/2014-09-07/here-are-your-2014-forty-under-40.html.

IntelliWheels Receives $1.5 Million Grant to Develop Multispeed Geared Wheels for Manual Wheelchairs

Article Source: University of Illinois Research Park

A $1.5-million grant will enable IntelliWheels, Inc. to advance development of ultra-lightweight, multi-geared wheels for manual wheelchairs. This new innovation will further wheelchair functionality, allowing manual wheelchair users to be more physically active and increase their independence, health and well-being.

IntelliWheels received the Phase II SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) grant from the National Institutes of Health, National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development.

“By using simple gearing we can create a more dynamic method of mobility, providing wheelchair users greater ability to interact in their environment,” said Marissa Siero, Co-Founder of IntelliWheels, Inc.

The IntelliWheels i series will give wheelchair users the option to shift into high and low gears, providing the ability to independently maneuver hills, uneven surfaces and longer distances.

IntelliWheels, Inc. will be working in collaboration with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and TiLite, a leading manufacturer of ultralight wheelchairs to conduct research on geared technology for wheelchair users as well as product development.

“Funding like this from the NIH is an incredible tool to help designers, engineers, and inventors create the very best technology and design that every wheelchair user deserves.  It has an additional benefit that it supports US manufacturing and small businesses,” said Scott Daigle, M.S., PI and President, Co-Founder of IntelliWheels, Inc.

About IntelliWheels 

IntelliWheels, Inc. is a product development company dedicated to innovating wheelchair technology and improving mobility options for wheelchair users. Utilizing wheelchair users’ feedback in the design process and product development phases enables IntelliWheels to create products for wheelchair users with optimal features and greater functionality. IntelliWheels believes in creating innovative products that can be used to increase a person’s ability to lead a more active and independent life.  IntelliWheels originated as a student startup from the University of Illinois, Urbana- Champaign.

Press:

Grant money could help ‘transform’ wheelchairs, The News-Gazette

 

A $1.5-million grant will enable IntelliWheels, Inc. to advance development of ultra-lightweight, multi-geared wheels for manual wheelchairs. This new innovation will further wheelchair functionality, allowing manual wheelchair users to be more physically active and increase their independence, health and well-being.

IntelliWheels received the Phase II SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) grant from the National Institutes of Health, National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development.

“By using simple gearing we can create a more dynamic method of mobility, providing wheelchair users greater ability to interact in their environment,” said Marissa Siero, Co-Founder of IntelliWheels, Inc.

The IntelliWheels i series will give wheelchair users the option to shift into high and low gears, providing the ability to independently maneuver hills, uneven surfaces and longer distances.

IntelliWheels, Inc. will be working in collaboration with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee, and TiLite, a leading manufacturer of ultralight wheelchairs to conduct research on geared technology for wheelchair users as well as product development.

“Funding like this from the NIH is an incredible tool to help designers, engineers, and inventors create the very best technology and design that every wheelchair user deserves.  It has an additional benefit that it supports US manufacturing and small businesses,” said Scott Daigle, M.S., PI and President, Co-Founder of IntelliWheels, Inc.

– See more at: http://researchpark.illinois.edu/news/intelliwheels-receives-15-million-grant-develop-multispeed-geared-wheels-manual-wheelchairs#sthash.J0E2DlyK.dpuf

A $1.5-million grant will enable IntelliWheels, Inc. to advance development of ultra-lightweight, multi-geared wheels for manual wheelchairs. This new innovation will further wheelchair functionality, allowing manual wheelchair users to be more physically active and increase their independence, health and well-being.

IntelliWheels received the Phase II SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) grant from the National Institutes of Health, National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development.

“By using simple gearing we can create a more dynamic method of mobility, providing wheelchair users greater ability to interact in their environment,” said Marissa Siero, Co-Founder of IntelliWheels, Inc.

The IntelliWheels i series will give wheelchair users the option to shift into high and low gears, providing the ability to independently maneuver hills, uneven surfaces and longer distances.

IntelliWheels, Inc. will be working in collaboration with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee, and TiLite, a leading manufacturer of ultralight wheelchairs to conduct research on geared technology for wheelchair users as well as product development.

“Funding like this from the NIH is an incredible tool to help designers, engineers, and inventors create the very best technology and design that every wheelchair user deserves.  It has an additional benefit that it supports US manufacturing and small businesses,” said Scott Daigle, M.S., PI and President, Co-Founder of IntelliWheels, Inc.

– See more at: http://researchpark.illinois.edu/news/intelliwheels-receives-15-million-grant-develop-multispeed-geared-wheels-manual-wheelchairs#sthash.J0E2DlyK.dpuf

A $1.5-million grant will enable IntelliWheels, Inc. to advance development of ultra-lightweight, multi-geared wheels for manual wheelchairs. This new innovation will further wheelchair functionality, allowing manual wheelchair users to be more physically active and increase their independence, health and well-being.

IntelliWheels received the Phase II SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) grant from the National Institutes of Health, National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development.

“By using simple gearing we can create a more dynamic method of mobility, providing wheelchair users greater ability to interact in their environment,” said Marissa Siero, Co-Founder of IntelliWheels, Inc.

The IntelliWheels i series will give wheelchair users the option to shift into high and low gears, providing the ability to independently maneuver hills, uneven surfaces and longer distances.

IntelliWheels, Inc. will be working in collaboration with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee, and TiLite, a leading manufacturer of ultralight wheelchairs to conduct research on geared technology for wheelchair users as well as product development.

“Funding like this from the NIH is an incredible tool to help designers, engineers, and inventors create the very best technology and design that every wheelchair user deserves.  It has an additional benefit that it supports US manufacturing and small businesses,” said Scott Daigle, M.S., PI and President, Co-Founder of IntelliWheels, Inc.

– See more at: http://researchpark.illinois.edu/news/intelliwheels-receives-15-million-grant-develop-multispeed-geared-wheels-manual-wheelchairs#sthash.J0E2DlyK.dpuf

A $1.5-million grant will enable IntelliWheels, Inc. to advance development of ultra-lightweight, multi-geared wheels for manual wheelchairs. This new innovation will further wheelchair functionality, allowing manual wheelchair users to be more physically active and increase their independence, health and well-being.

IntelliWheels received the Phase II SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) grant from the National Institutes of Health, National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development.

“By using simple gearing we can create a more dynamic method of mobility, providing wheelchair users greater ability to interact in their environment,” said Marissa Siero, Co-Founder of IntelliWheels, Inc.

The IntelliWheels i series will give wheelchair users the option to shift into high and low gears, providing the ability to independently maneuver hills, uneven surfaces and longer distances.

IntelliWheels, Inc. will be working in collaboration with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee, and TiLite, a leading manufacturer of ultralight wheelchairs to conduct research on geared technology for wheelchair users as well as product development.

“Funding like this from the NIH is an incredible tool to help designers, engineers, and inventors create the very best technology and design that every wheelchair user deserves.  It has an additional benefit that it supports US manufacturing and small businesses,” said Scott Daigle, M.S., PI and President, Co-Founder of IntelliWheels, Inc.

– See more at: http://researchpark.illinois.edu/news/intelliwheels-receives-15-million-grant-develop-multispeed-geared-wheels-manual-wheelchairs#sthash.J0E2DlyK.dpuf

US News & World Report Names Carle to Annual Best Hospital List

Article Source: Carle

U.S. News & World Report named Carle Foundation Hospital in its 25th annual Best Hospitals rankings.

For 2014-2015, U.S. News evaluated hospitals in 16 adult specialties and ranked the top 50 in most of the specialties. Just 3-percent of the nearly 5,000 hospitals that were analyzed for Best Hospitals earned national ranking in even one specialty.

Carle is recognized as among the Best Hospitals in Illinois ranking as 14th overall out of 220 hospitals in the state. Carle also received national recognition as “high-performing” in 12 specialties including:

Recognized in 2013, 2014:

• Cancer
• Cardiology & Heart Surgery
• Diabetes & Endocrinology
• Ear, Nose & Throat
• Gastroenterology & GI Surgery
• Geriatrics
• Gynecology
• Nephrology
• Orthopedics
• Pulmonology

Newly recognized specialties in 2014:

• Neurology and Neurosurgery
• Urology

This year, Carle is recognized for 12 specialties, with Neurology and Neurosurgery and Urology being added to the rankings. “We are proud that Carle’s neurosciences have received this national recognition.  With a new epilepsy clinic and a nationally certified stroke center, Carle offers some of the best neurological diagnosis and treatment in the country.  Patients coming here can be confident that they are receiving high quality, excellent care,” said Kenneth Aronson, MD, medical director of Carle Neuroscience Institute.

“We are pleased to be recognized among the best hospitals and to have two additional specialties ranked as high performing,” said Matthew Gibb, MD, chief medical officer, The Carle Foundation. “These rankings allow patients to compare hospitals and decide where they might want to seek treatment. Our staff ensures that Carle is consistently making improvements and these rankings illustrate how effectively the team is working,” he added.

U.S. News & World Report recognizes hospitals that perform nearly at the level of their nationally ranked peers and represent valuable regional sources of quality care. They publish Best Hospitals to help guide patients who need a high level of care because they face particularly difficult surgery, a challenging condition, or added risk because of other health problems or age. Objective measures such as patient survival and safety data, the adequacy of nurse staffing levels and other data largely determined the rankings in most specialties.

The specialty rankings and data were produced for U.S. News by RTI International, a leading research organization based in Research Triangle Park, N.C. Using the same data, U.S. News produced the state and metro rankings. The complete rankings and methodology are available at http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals and will appear in the U.S. News “Best Hospitals 2015” guidebook, available in August.

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UC2B Makes Deal to Widen Fiber Network

Article Source: The News-Gazette

Champaign, IL – After more than a year in waiting, residents who committed hundreds of thousands of dollars toward the expansion of Urbana-Champaign Big Broadband finally have an answer about its future.

During the next few years, officials announced Thursday, the network will be built out to the rest of the cities — a crucial step forward in keeping the system afloat over the long run. And much as they envisioned, it will be a private company that comes in to do the work and provide the service.

Family Video subsidiary iTV-3 will take over the operation, maintenance and customer service of what’s now operating as UC2B. The network’s 1,100 customers will be allowed to continue on their existing contracts if they choose. Moving forward, however, they will get their service from the private provider instead of UC2B.

But the linchpin of the deal has bigger ambitions: iTV-3 also plans to build out the high-speed fiber network to neighborhoods where at least half of the residents agree to purchase a subscription. That means hard-wired and high-speed Internet, TV and voice connections to homes which can muster up support in their areas.

Officials hope that, eventually, the high-speed fiber network will reach every home in the community.

“It was articulated that that was what we would need to sustain this and grow this,” said UC2B manager Sabrina Gosnell.

The existing $31 million network, which the cities and the University of Illinois cooperated to build mostly with federal grant money, is now somewhat limited in scope. The grant-funded portion of the network reaches only low-income neighborhoods where Internet access had not previously been prevalent — part of government agencies’ goal to roll out access to crucial online services in disadvantaged areas.

When they set out to build the network in 2009, local officials always knew they would have to find a way to expand the network to the rest of the community to keep afloat the business that has essentially turned into an Internet service provider — something like Comcast or AT&T on a smaller scale.

The deal relieves UC2B of the business side of the network, Gosnell said.

“The not-for-profit is a startup for all intents and purposes,” she said. “It’s not easy to be a startup. It’s especially not easy to be a startup ISP.”

The Internet service provider arm of UC2B started as a function of Champaign city government before it was officially turned into its own private nonprofit agency last October. Gosnell said that, in November, iTV-3 expressed interested in building out the network.

While there’s no dollar amount yet available, it will be a big investment for iTV-3 to expand the fiber network to neighborhoods which are not already covered in the two cities. Starting Thursday, residents anywhere can visit http://www.theperfectupgrade.com to commit to buying the service — iTV-3 will be obligated to build fiber infrastructure in any neighborhood where 50 percent or more residents sign up.

That’s actually an important business strategy, Bowersox-Johnson said.

“Ultimately, that’s what we want,” he said. “We need them to build in neighborhoods where there’s enough people to stay afloat.”

The nonprofit agency called UC2B which is currently running the network will drop its operations, maintenance and customer service responsibilities. It will instead begin to focus on promoting digital literacy and getting the word out about the buildout, said UC2B board chairman Brandon Bowersox-Johnson.

And the nonprofit will have a role in rallying residents to sign up.

“If you can sign up half of your neighbors, you will get this in your neighborhood,” Bowersox-Johnson said.

More than 500 residents in 2012 had already signed up and committed nearly $400,000 toward the expansion as UC2B began gathering cash to entice a private company to build the network out. Those residents offered the cash in return for a promise of future discounts and being among the first connections when that private builder came in.

In the absence of a deal with a private service provider, that money has sat untouched since then. Some residents received refunds, and UC2B officials said they will continue to allow refunds should residents not be happy with the deal. Anyone who has already committed money, however, will still be eligible for the same discounts they were promised from the beginning.

Officials all along asked residents to be patient while they worked out the details of a big deal. UC2B officials say they will communicate with existing customers and those who had committed money so everyone is aware of what’s going on and what their options are.

“I didn’t think it would take this long,” Bowersox-Johnson said. “And I really applaud all the people in the community who have been this patient.”

Press:

Gig.U Executive Director Blair Levin on the Announcement of the Urbana Champaign Gigabit Network Partnership, Gig.U

UC2B Announces Partnership with Private Sector Company, Smile Politely

UC2B News Conference, Fixed Media [VIDEO]

UC2B announces partnership with private sector company – See more at: http://smilepolitely.com/culture/uc2b_announces_partnership_with_private_sector_company/#sthash.0lLhQX15.dpuf
UC2B announces partnership with private sector company – See more at: http://smilepolitely.com/culture/uc2b_announces_partnership_with_private_sector_company/#sthash.0lLhQX15.dpuf
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