Media Advisory: UB Faculty Inventor to Discuss his Solar Technology at Advanced Energy 2011 Session on Emerging Companies

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- A session on emerging energy companies at this week's Advanced Energy 2011 conference will feature a University at Buffalo inventor: Vladimir Mitin, who is looking to commercialize a new and highly efficient solar cell technology that he developed through his research.

The session will take place Thursday (Oct. 13) at 9 a.m. in the Niagara Room of the Hyatt Regency Buffalo at 2 Fountain Plaza in Buffalo, starting with a welcome and introduction from UB Vice President of Research Alex Cartwright.

The event will feature presentations by Mitin, a SUNY Distinguished Professor of electrical engineering, and representatives of other companies making technical advancements.

Martin Casstevens, business formation and commercialization manager for UB's Office of Science, Technology Transfer and Economic Outreach (STOR), is chairing the session, the first of two at the conference on emerging companies.

At UB, Casstevens serves as director of Directed Energy, a clean energy incubator program run by STOR and funded by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). Directed Energy offers technical, and business support, financial assistance, industry seminars and other services to facilitate the growth of Western New York companies that focus on alternative energy or energy-saving products.

Casstevens and Mitin are among several UB innovators scheduled to speak or chair sessions at Advanced Energy 2011. A full program and other information about the conference are available online at http://www.aertc.org/conference2011/conferenceprogram.html.

Media arrangements: Contact Charlotte Hsu in the Office of University Communications at 510-388-1831.