Researchers at Georgia Tech were awarded two Centers of Innovation Research Grants from Governor Sonny Purdue's OneGeorgia Authority program, which is designed to spur economic development in rural Georgia.

The Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental Access (CATEA) and Dalton-based industry partner Cushion by Design will develop and commercialize specially designed wheelchair cushions as part of the program.

CATEA will bring extensive research on wheelchair seating together with Cushion by Design's innovative elastomer technologies to produce an affordable, yet highly effective cushion," says Center director Dr. Stephen Sprigle. CATEA is a unit of the College of Architecture focused on enhancing disabled individuals' capabilities through the appropriate use of technology.

Additionally, researchers in the Center for Geographic Information Systems (CGIS) and in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering will partner with the National Academy of Science, the United States Coast Guard and El Paso Energy to develop an innovative GIS-enabled ship recognition system.

"This sensing system will boost maritime awareness for building a secured and effective logistics chain, supporting regional economic growth," says Associate Professor James Tsai. "The system will be developed at Port of Savannah, America's fastest-growing port, but other ports will certainly be able to use the technology.

Tsai will lead the project from Georgia Tech Savannah along with researchers at CGIS, a unit of the College of Architecture.

Purdue's OneGeorgia Authority program allocates $17.5 million to invest in projects that will grow long-term economic opportunities, create jobs and attract new companies all across rural Georgia. The awards were announced last Wednesday, November 7 at the OneGeorgia Authority board meeting on the campus of Central Georgia Technical College in Macon.