Utah's High-Tech 20.

• Author: Skoy, Jenie

How do you wash water? Can snail venom be transformed into medicine? What's the best way to raise your home's IQ? Utah Business' High-Tech 20 answers these questions and more by highlighting local companies and their special brands of technology. From advanced materials with 14 times the strength of steel to smart software that digitizes libraries and a camera that takes 3-D photos, the innovations of these companies position them as some of the brightest stars in the high-tech sky.

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Campbell Scientific, Inc. www.campbellscientific.com

The influence of Logan-based Campbell Scientific has reached far and wide. The company's instrumentation, known for its reliability and precision, has found its way onto space shuttles and, among other things, has helped to monitor the deterioration of the Sphinx in Egypt and assist native Argentine fruit growers by gauging the water level of local rivers. Started in 1974 by brothers Eric and Evan Campbell as Logan Scientific Instruments, the company has stayed in the Campbell family and grown to over 200 employees with affiliate companies in England, Canada, Brazil, South Africa and Australia.

Ceramatec, Inc. www.ceramatec.com

The research and development (R & D) firm Ceramatec works in advanced materials and electrochemical devices--put in simpler terms, think of what was formerly known as "the Stockton-to-Malone assist." Commercial organizations, the military and government entities such as the Department of Energy partner with Ceramatec to conduct R & D on solid oxide fuel cells, gas sensors and a variety of other advanced technologies. The products are then turned over to the partners, who take them forward for commercial development, where the two partners can share in the products' success.

Cognetix, Inc. www.cognetix.com

Could it be possible that one of the most powerful and fastest-acting venoms found in nature could also be used to treat some of the world's most painful cardiovascular and nervous system disorders? Cognetix hopes so. Researchers at the company are studying the development of novel, highly efficacious drugs with minimal side effects based on the Cone Snail species. The venoms found in these snails are among the deadliest substances in the world. Cognetix isolates these venoms and explores potential medicinal uses. And you thought snails were harmless.

Dynix www.dynix.com

Even libraries need to adapt to the digital age--not by replacing all those printed books on the shelves, but by tapping technology to enhance productivity and streamline services. Dynix has a stronghold on the library technology industry, serving more than 10,000 academic, special, school, public and consortium libraries in more than 40 countries. The company this year celebrated its 20th anniversary of providing automation software and services to libraries.

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