Physical Sciences News

Community Energy had a heck of a 2015

January 8, 2016

We can’t help but be impressed when one of our portfolio companies is actively advancing both adoption and execution of technology—and it’s fair to say that Community Energy is crushing it right now. Ben Franklin portfolio company Community Energy has become a recognized leader in developing and bringing to completion very large scale (utility scale) […]

How Yasmine Mustafa’s Athena device is changing how we talk about sexual assault

January 5, 2016

After Yasmine Mustafa sold her first company, she was feeling burned out by 30. She’d fled Kuwait as a child and had been working since she was 9 years old, so in the summer of 2013, the young Philly entrepreneur also sold off her apartment and went backpacking through South America. Though she describes the […]

Technology will make football safer

January 4, 2016

The game of football is under the microscope because of heightened awareness of concussions and other head trauma experienced by players of all ages. The new movie “Concussion” has intensified that debate. New technology advances can change these outcomes and allow the game to play on. I was privileged to play seven seasons in the […]

'Supermaterial' graphene could change medicine

January 4, 2016

Graphene, a thin layer of tighly packed pure cabon atoms, is often talked about as a “supermaterial” that is poised to change the way we live. From the simple convenience of charging your electronic gadgets in seconds to the development of faster internet networks and more efficient water filtration systems, the list of its potential […]

Biotech elbows its way in

December 21, 2015

When Max Perleman and his fellow co-founders at Biomeme were ready to go out and raise money for their Philadelphia-based medical device company, they went the traditional route of talking with venture capital firms and economic development organizations. They also chose to go a nontraditional route for life science companies and give crowdfunding — raising […]

December 21, 2015

Three Chester County companies were among 16 in the region to receive funding commitments from the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania. The three early-stage companies will receive more than $675,000 in total investments. They are: • ESS Energy Products of Paoli, a privately owned business that produces and sells proprietary energy saving niche […]

Three Eastern Pennsylvania InnovateHer Finalists Move To Next Round of Challenge Competition

December 17, 2015

U.S. Small Business Administration InnovaterHer Challenge finalists will have the opportunity to compete for $70,000 in cash prizes offered by Microsoft in a national pitch competition in Washington, D.C. March 16-17, 2016. The InnovateHer Challenge is a national competition aimed at unearthing products and services impacting and empowering the lives of women and families. SBA’s […]

Can a Wearable Device Keep You Safe?

December 14, 2015

The Doctors are joined by the creator of the Athena, a wearable safety device to deter would-be attackers. Find out how it works! Click here to learn more about Athena.

AGI and NORAD Track Santa in 2D and 3D Maps

December 2, 2015

Analytical Graphics, Inc. (AGI) and the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) once again teamed up to track Santa’s Christmas Eve trek this holiday season. From now until December 24th at http://www.noradsanta.org, Santa’s workshop and NORAD’s North Pole outpost are open to families with daily countdown calendar games, videos and even more holiday activities. Beginning […]

Community Energy Inc. signs deal to develop Maryland solar farm

November 20, 2015

Community Energy Inc., a Radnor renewable-energy developer, has signed an agreement with Eastman Chemical Co. to develop a 5-megawatt solar-generation facility on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The specialty-chemicals company will buy power from the solar farm for 20 years. “This long-term power-purchase agreement converts the company’s power consumption at its locations near the solar facility from […]