Driving technology: USTAR is a long-term, state-funded investment to strengthen Utah's tech economy through three investment areas of research infrastructure, recruited researchers and regional technology development all aimed at commercialization.

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Since its inception in 2006, more than 50 researchers at the Utah Science Technology and Research Initiative (USTAR) have begun the work of filling the research pipeline with new technologies. These new inventions will support the existing industry and are the seeds for new tech start-ups. One example of a research invention commercializing and establishing a new Utah business is the launch of Wireless Advanced Vehicle Electrification (WAVE).

WAVE, a USTAR spin-out company from Utah State University (USU), launched their first commercial wirelessly powered electric bus on the University of Utah (U of U) campus in October 2014.

"We are excited to see a project USTAR played a role in become a viable spin-out company," says Greg Bell, chairman of the USTAR governing authority board. "It is a reminder of the entrepreneurial spirit here in Utah, and the ability our universities have to take an amazing idea and develop something that will truly change the lives of those living in our cities."

The WAVE technology operates by transferring energy wirelessly to stationary vehicles using infrastructure embedded in the roadway. This wireless charging capability allows for continuous use of the electric vehicle without requiring it to plug in. The service route that crosses the University of Utah campus is the first to feature WAVE's state-of-the-art Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) technology and includes a 50 kW wirelessly powered...

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