Oregon BEST Funds New Polymer Aimed at Ag’s Water Woes

As the California drought drags on and moves north in the Pacific Northwest, Oregon BEST is helping fund research for a Portland startup that has developed a biodegradable superabsorbent polymer (SAP) for agricultural applications that can soak up 300 times its weight in water, then release the moisture back into the soil near plant roots […]

Oregon BEST Helps Advance Energy-Saving Cooling System for Data Rooms

PORTLAND, Ore. ­ As sprawling server farms and increasing numbers of data rooms consume more and more energy for critical cooling, a commercialization grant from Oregon BEST, in partnership with the Portland Development Commission (PDC), is helping the City of Gresham implement and test an innovative, Oregon-developed cooling system that could cut energy costs associated […]

Oregon BEST Awards Commercialization Grant To University-Industry Collaboration On Stormwater Treatment Device

Oregon BEST has awarded a commercialization grant to an industry-university team developing a floating, solar-activated stormwater treatment device that could be deployed in retaining ponds or ditches along roadways and parking lots to keep contaminants from reaching streams. The technology could also be used to pre-treat stormwater, helping reduce overflow situations at municipal treatment facilities […]