Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/54910
Everyone agrees that innovation is the solution … but does Florida have what it takes to succeed? The Sunshine State has long sought to diversify its economy from a traditional base of tourism and agriculture, but what if studying the laws of chemistry and physics held the keys to a world- class economy? The Sunshine State has long sought to diversify its economy from a traditional base of tourism and agriculture, but what if studying the laws of chemistry and physics held the keys to a world- class economy? The First Law of Thermodynamics tells us that matter and energy can be neither created nor destroyed … though the atoms can be rearranged; and, therein lies what many say is the path to a prosperous future … through innovation. Making better use of the fixed supply of the earth's resources is the challenge. Dr. Paul Romer, chief architect of the "New Growth Theory," explains that "economic growth occurs whenever people take resources and rearrange them in ways that are more valuable." A successful software entrepreneur and now NYU economist, Romer suggests rearrangement of the hundred or so types of atoms found in the periodic table can result in more combinations than seconds since the big bang. That's a lot of opportunity for creative minds. The First Law of Thermodynamics tells us that matter and energy can be neither created nor destroyed … though the atoms can be rearranged; and, therein lies what many say is the path to a prosperous future … through innovation. Making better use of the fixed supply of the earth's resources is the challenge. Dr. Paul Romer, chief architect of the "New Growth Theory," explains that "economic growth occurs whenever people take resources and rearrange them in ways that are more valuable." A successful software entrepreneur and now NYU economist, Romer suggests rearrangement of the hundred or so types of atoms found in the periodic table can result in more combinations than seconds since the big bang. That's a lot of opportunity for creative minds. So, can innovation change Florida's trajectory? Will what happens in laboratories like those of research giants Scripps, Sanford-Burnham, Torrey Pines and Max Planck transform our economy? Will homegrown innovation from places like the McKnight Brain Institute at UF, the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition and Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute (now part of Florida Atlantic University) become the driver of jobs and wealth and turn Florida into a knowledge- worker state? Do the successes of researchers at our universities and in the labs of institutions like Moffitt Cancer Center hold the key? So, can innovation change Florida's trajectory? Will what happens in laboratories like those of research giants Scripps, Sanford-Burnham, Torrey Pines and Max Planck transform our economy? Will homegrown innovation from places like the McKnight Brain Institute at UF, the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition and Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute (now part of Florida Atlantic University) become the driver of jobs and wealth and turn Florida into a knowledge- worker state? Do the successes of researchers at our universities and in the labs of institutions like Moffitt Cancer Center hold the key? Moffitt spinoff M2Gen is advancing personalized medicine by using high-quality tissue, clinical data and molecular technology for personalized cancer treatments. Gainesville semiconductor R&D company Sinmat, a University of Florida product, has been recognized by President Barack Obama for advances "in developing new ways to manufacture microchips that can help power smarter energy systems." Orlando's Optigrate Corporation grew out of the University of Central Florida's highly regarded College of Optics and Photonics and today is a world leader in the development of narrowband optical filters. Everyone agrees that innovation is the solution … but does Florida have what it takes to succeed? Moffitt spinoff M2Gen is advancing personalized medicine by using high-quality tissue, clinical data and molecular technology for personalized cancer treatments. Gainesville semiconductor R&D company Sinmat, a University of Florida product, has been recognized by President Barack Obama for advances "in developing new ways to manufacture microchips that can help power smarter energy systems." Orlando's Optigrate Corporation grew out of the University of Central Florida's highly regarded College of Optics and Photonics and today is a world leader in the development of narrowband optical filters. University of South Florida researchers gave birth in 1989 to Ocean Optics with the development of a fiber optic pH sensor for exploring the role of the oceans in global warming. I t h o b " i t University of South Florida researchers gave birth in 1989 to Ocean Optics with the development of a fiber optic pH sensor for exploring the role of the oceans in global warming. "Florida's private sector is alive with innovation and has been for decades," said Florida Research Consortium (FRC) CEO Jack Sullivan. "People need to remember names like Dr. John Gorrie, without whom modern day Florida simply couldn't exist, had he not invented air conditioning. "Florida's private sector is alive with innovation and has been for decades," said Florida Research Consortium (FRC) CEO Jack Sullivan. "People need to remember names like Dr. John Gorrie, without whom modern day Florida simply couldn't exist, had he not invented air conditioning. "Contemporary innovators are making huge advancements that will drive the next century and we need to provide an environment and culture conducive to exploration. Names like Leon Glebov, Deepika and Rajiv Singh and Mike Morris will one day belong in a Florida Innovation Hall of Fame," said Sullivan. "Contemporary innovators are making huge advancements that will drive the next century and we need to provide an environment and culture conducive to exploration. Names like Leon Glebov, Deepika and Rajiv Singh and Mike Morris will one day belong in a Florida Innovation Hall of Fame," said Sullivan. a l a a M t s " c i " H a a S w h l e a t c