1 Sept 2006Aura Nanotechnology secures grant with the help of Quatro Consulting
Quatro Consulting delivers value by providing commercialization strategy to Aura Nanotechnology which results in Aura
reaching the first funding milestone. Aura’s promising dialysis technology was backed by a Phase I SBIR grant from the
National Institute of Health.
Grant Abstract: A key need for urea monitoring is a simple and disposable device that can be easily integrated with existing hemodialysis (HD) technology. This proposal aims to demonstrate the feasibility of accurate on-line urea clearance monitoring using nanoengineered colorimetric films deposited directly on the inside surface of short lengths of standard dialysis tubing. The ultimate application will involve the insertion of the disposable sensor within the output loop containing spent dialysate, and using an inexpensive optical device to quantify color shifts in the nanofilms due to urea levels. To test the potential for this approach, three specific aims have been developed. (1). Develop a nanoassembly process to repeatably deposit a stable pH sensing film and urease on the inner wall of standard dialysis tubing. (2). Design, construct and test nanofilm sensor and prototype reader that measure and correlate pH changes at physiological (dialysate) levels of urea. (3). Assess preparation and storage processes to produce sensitive, disposable devices with long shelf-life. It is an anticipated that this proposed work will result in a prototype sensor that is disposable. The ease and cost-effectiveness of fabrication would be very well suited for an application where disposable sensors are required and all steps amenable to scale-up. Aura Nanotechnology will leverage extensive experience in nanofabrication and optical sensors, while working with academic and clinical partners to realize this goal. Successful completion of this Phase I project will put Aura Nanotechnology in a position to perform extensive prototype testing in Phase II, including limited clinical trials. The total number of patients receiving ESRD therapy as of December 31, 2002 was over 430,000. Among these patients, approximately 280,000 were undergoing HD; a significant population of people that have a compromised quality of life and spend 8-13 hours per week receiving therapy. Real-time assessment of urea removal would allow immediate quantification of the delivered HD dose, allowing both clinicians and patients to identify inadequate performance and undertake corrective action prior to the next dialysis session, possibly even during the session. The proposed device would be significant, because it will be cost effective, simple to use, and easy to integrate with the current dialysis processes.
10 July 2006Software development services provided by Quatro Consulting contribute to Motive's success
TSTT and Motive Accelerate the Rollout of Broadband Services in Trinidad and TobagoAUSTIN, Texas, and PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad
Motive, Inc., a leading provider of broadband management software, and Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT), the leading telecommunications provider in Trinidad and Tobago, today announced the selection of Motive technology to help TSTT speed the rollout of broadband services to its customers.
TSTT has laid aggressive growth plans to expand the delivery of broadband services to the population of Trinidad and Tobago. To achieve this, TSTT will use Motive technology to automate the delivery of new services and help the provider lower operational costs while continuing to bring new customers on-line. As a result, the Motive solution will allow TSTT to deliver higher customer satisfaction while achieving exponential growth of their broadband customer base.
“It is an exciting time for customers in Trinidad and Tobago where the public now has a choice of a variety of broadband solutions. TSTT’s investments in major network upgrades, coupled with Motive’s solution, will certainly enable TSTT to maintain its competitive edge,” said Bernard Mitchell, chief operations officer for TSTT. “By building Motive’s proven technology into our broadband service, we can transform our customers’ experience and make new offerings easier to use and maintain.”
TSTT’s “Quick Start” is based on Motive’s High Speed Data FAST (Fully Automated Service Technology) solution, which allows users to activate their broadband service through self-installation. With Motive’s technology, TSTT subscribers are able to resolve many service issues themselves and TSTT customer service representatives are armed with accurate diagnostic information that will help them solve user problems more quickly and efficiently.
Motive’s software is used by many of the world’s largest broadband providers to automate the delivery of new services and help providers, such as TSTT, keep operational costs in check.
“TSTT understands that to profitably deliver, support and maintain new broadband services, the company must make these offerings easy to use, and impossible to do without,” said Sanjay Castelino, vice president of strategic marketing for Motive. “TSTT has made a strategic investment in Motive’s software that will build subscriber loyalty from services that are intelligent, automated and personalized for real-time issue diagnosis and problem resolution.”
In addition to Trinidad and Tobago, Motive’s broadband management solutions are available to subscribers in Antigua, Anguilla, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Turks and Caicos.
Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago Limited is jointly owned by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago (51 percent) and Cable & Wireless (49 percent). The company provides a complete suite of communications services throughout the twin-island state including fixed line and mobile communications, broadband Internet access, lease lines and data services. TSTT is the only communications solutions provider in the country deploying both wireless and wired next generation networks with voice, data and multimedia capabilities making it one of the most advanced solutions providers in country. The company's customers include key industry leaders in the finance, energy, government and tourism sectors.
About Motive, Inc.
Motive, Inc. (OTC: MOTV) has pioneered a unique approach to designing management services into Internet-era networks, systems and applications. Motive’s software makes complex products and services self-managing, reducing overhead costs and optimizing customers’ return on investment. Companies worldwide have relied on Motive’s software to provide a range of problem remediation and configuration management tasks for more than 45 million endpoints. Founded in 1997, Motive is headquartered in AUSTIN, Texas, and has offices in Europe and Asia. For more information, visit www.motive.com.
Motive and the Motive logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Motive, Inc. All other products or services mentioned herein are trademarks of their respective holders.
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties relating to the benefits and expected usage of our products by the named customer. Actual events or results may differ materially from those described in this press release due to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, among other things: our ability and our customers ability to achieve broad adoption and acceptance of our products, the ability of our software to produce results for the customer's subscribers, and the compatibility of our software with hardware and software platforms that are used by our customers and their subscribers now or in the future. Additional information concerning these and other risk factors associated with our business can be found in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available at www.sec.gov. Statements included in this press release are based upon information known to us as of the date of this release, and we assume no obligation to update any information contained in this press release.