Saving Lives with Smartphone Apps: Earthquakes in California and Mexico

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Two powerful earthquakes struck Mexico earlier this month, ravaging the country and resulting in hundreds of casualties. Thankfully, fewer lives were lost compared to 1985’s earthquake that claimed thousands of lives and billions of dollars in damages. Smartphone apps may have been a contributing factor.

After 1985, the Mexican Seismic Alert System (Sasmex) was developed, an alert system detecting seismic tremors along the Western coast and sending at least a minute’s notice to residents of an impending quake via radio and television. Sasmex has since connected to smartphone apps like Sismos Mexico and Earthquake Alert, improving its speed and accessibility. The sooner the warning reaches residents, the faster they can safely take cover.

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U.S. Department of Health partnering with Johnson & Johnson company in R&D initiative to prevent pandemics.

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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has announced they will enter a public-private partnership with Janssen Research and Development, a company owned by well-known corporate giant Johnson & Johnson.  The purpose of the partnership is to perform R&D of products that could aid in treatment and prevention of emerging infectious diseases, some with the potential to cause a pandemic.

According to Johnson & Johnson, the scale of this research is too high for any company or government to achieve on its on, but by bringing together the efforts of the private and public sector, the partners believe achievements can be made.  Combined skills and resources can be used to advance their research and aim to develop treatments for influenza and prevention methods should a pandemic arise.

Influenza affects more than one billion individuals each year with up to 500,000 deaths.  The partnership will continue research on a drug developed by Janssen, which could prevent the influenza virus from replicating and spreading in the body.  Also included in the project will be research on vaccines to protect against a wide range of seasonal and pandemic viruses.

The Department of Health and Human Services will provide the project with up to $43 million for R&D in the first year and up to $273 million over five years.  Janssen has agreed they will match the Department’s contribution and both parties will jointly manage operations and resources and share costs associated with this R&D project.

R&D investment in the medical and health industry has been growing in recent years and is expected to continue growing as investments advance.  R&D Tax Credits can support businesses in any industry in furthering their research and development initiatives.  If you would like to find out how your business could benefit from R&D tax credits, contact a Swanson Reed R&D Tax Advisor today.

U.S. Army investing in R&D to create robots and other advanced technologies

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The U.S. Army has spent the last 10 years working with researchers and universities across the country in a collaborative technology alliance to help solve major military issues.  In 2008, a research an R&D program was launched and called Micro Autonomous Systems and Technology (or “MAST”). It was a program designed to research and develop technologies to improve tactical situational awareness and enhance safety for soldiers of the future.

The U.S. Army Research Laboratory, whose research team consisted of 19 partners, including the University of Michigan and MIT, recently displayed their findings at a Collaborative Technology Alliance capstone event.  New technologies developed through MAST were demonstrated live by 17 teams of researchers and included robots for both the ground and air, and self-organizing autonomous quadcopters.

Now that MAST has concluded, the Army has announced it will soon launch a new technology alliance research program called Distributed Collaborative Intelligent Systems and Technology (or “DCIST”).  This time around, the program will research and develop technologies that can enable many systems, heterogenous in nature, to distribute intelligence and communicate.  Researchers want to make it possible for information to transmit instantly to all different units.  This can include soldiers, robots and Humvees, in the air or on the ground.  Though there are challenges sure to be faced, researchers are calling it “an incredibly difficult, exciting program” and that it will play a major role in strategy for the Army.

The technology industry is growing at an aggressive rate and like the Army, many are investing millions in R&D to stay ahead of the technology curve.  An R&D Tax Credit can support businesses in any industry in further developing their research.  If you would like to find out more about R&D tax and whether your company may qualify for an R&D Tax Credit, contact a Swanson Reed R&D specialist today.

U.S. Businesses Are Spending More on R&D Than Ever Before

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In 2015, business research and development spending reached $356 billion in the U.S., putting R&D spending up almost 5% from 2014. Not only is R&D in the U.S. increasing, but companies are putting more of their own money into it as own company funding went up 5%. Not surprisingly, manufacturing companies accounted for 66% of domestic R&D.

The R&D Tax Credit is available to any of these companies developing new and improved products and processes, allowing a credit of up to 14% of eligible spending if the following four research criteria are met:

  1. technological in nature;
  2. new or improved products, processes or software;
  3. elimination of uncertainty; and
  4. process of experimentation.

Eligible spending covers payroll of direct labor, cost of supplies and developments, and contracted research services up to three years.

If you would like to find out how your company could benefit from R&D Tax Credits, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today.

Texas startup on mission to cure wine hangovers

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Research has shown that after drinking wine, up to 75% of adult consumers may experience hangover-like symptoms such as headaches, flushed skin or congestion.  PureWine is a Texas based startup that has created a new filter that removes ingredients (specifically, histamines and sulfites) from wine prior to drinking, aiming to prevent hangover like symptoms.  

PureWine’s co-founder, David Meadows, and his son started researching this system, referred to as a ‘Brita filter for wine’, over five years ago. Today, the company has successfully developed a wand-shaped filter that absorbs the chemical compounds, or ingredients, from the drink, preventing the dreaded hangover.  The wand filter has been designed to cover multiple beverage platforms, including beer and champagne.

The R&D Tax Credit is available to PureWine and other companies developing new and improved products and processes, allowing a credit of up to 14% of eligible spending.

If you would like to find out how your company could benefit from R&D Tax Credits, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today.

Fort Worth in Bidding War to Win Next Spot for $5 Billion Investment in New Amazon Headquarters

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Amazon is always coming up with something new, whether it is Amazon Prime, Amazon TV, or now a flying airship warehouse to deliver products to customers. This new invention is like something we have never seen before and is completely new technology. Amazon is able to claim research and development (R&D) tax credits due to the highly technological nature of this product. Companies who are experimenting and testing new products, procedures etc., are eligible for R&D tax credits.

Amazon will be investing $5 billion dollars into a new headquarter building that they are looking to build in the U.S., Fort Worth (FW) is on their list of top contenders. Brendan Gengelbach, the executive president at the FW Chamber of Commerce says he has already spoken with state officials and real estate reps about the possibility of Amazon opening up their new headquarters.

Amazon will bring billions of dollars in investments for FW if this is to happen. Amazon has already said that they are looking into the possibility of tax incentives for this project. If your company is experimenting with new products or technologies, contact a Swanson Reed R&D Tax Advisor today to check your eligibility.

Automated Vehicles- The Next Big Thing for R&D in Fort-Worth Region

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Self-driving cars are set to be the next big thing in Texas, specifically in the Forth Worth region as congestion is a major issue. The U.S. ranks 16th overall for congestion, making the market for self-driving cars needed. The development of this product is something that is completely new and innovative. It requires experimentation in regards to safety, maintenance, etc. Research and development (R&D) tax credits is something that will be very useful in this industry.

Thomas Bamonte, the automated vehicles program manager is a team of one in the Fort-Worth region and is looking into the legality of having more vehicles on roads but increasing traffic flow at the same time with self-driving cars. Bamonte believes that before self-driving cars hit the market, there has to be a few changes. The focus may change from cement and road structure to back-end computing systems, digital technology within signs, traffic lights etc. R&D tax credits will benefit this industry due to the highly technological changes that will need to happen.

The changes that will need to happen to make the autonomous vehicle industry flourish are ongoing and still in the design stages. If your company is experimenting with new products or technologies contact a Swanson Reed R&D Tax Advisor today.

Thermal Energy Storage Market Expected to Progress Immensely Between 2017-2015

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The thermal energy storage market is expected to grow due to the rise in demand of thermal energy. Solar and wind energy can be conducted on the same site but the storage of the energy made is the issue. The high cost of the storage is the only downfall to this innovation. Developed countries like the U.S. have an advantage as they are able to claim research and development (R&D) tax credits during the process of the development of this technology.

The adverse effects of greenhouse gases has helped the thermal energy storage market become more of a need. The issue with renewable energy is that there is not enough space to store the energy that is being made. Solar and wind energy are available infrequently meaning that the thermal energy storage unit is needed to make the energy usable and the creation of energy worthwhile.

The downfall of this market is the high cost of the development and installation of this product. Companies in the U.S. have the opportunity to apply for R&D tax credits in order to aid in the cost of this new technology with up to 14% in credit. If your company is improving or developing a new product, contact a Swanson Reed R&D Tax Advisor today to check your eligibility.

Electric Scooter Transportation On The Rise

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By the end of 2017 the electric scooter market is expected to be valued at more than $8B with the market then jumping 3.9% to $12B by the end of 2027. Research and development (R&D) is being conducted in order to find the best hybrid scooter, and the most efficient way to charge the scooters, taking it from hours to minutes.

Charging stations producing a direct current need to be readily available, allowing scooters to be charged in less than an hour. Engineers are currently trying to find a way to provide direct current as opposed to alternating current being sourced from overhead grid lines. The nature of this project is eligible for R&D due to the experimentation relying on the engineering of these charging stations, and the increased performance of this transportation.

The sales of electric scooters made up 2% of the total number sold worldwide in 2015. In order for this to change these charging stations need to be readily available. With the help of R&D Tax Credits this can happen.

If you would like to check your eligibility for R&D, contact a Swanson Reed R&D Tax Advisor today.

R&D Tax Credit Opportunities within the 3D Printing Industry

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3D printing is expected to grow more than 31% every year, surpassing $1.4 billion in revenue in the U.S. alone. Startup businesses have the opportunity to apply for research and development (R&D) tax credits if they are producing new or improved products or services, including the materials and software associated with 3D printing.

The most difficult task for a startup is deciding which business model to use, including their manufacturing model. Startups are tending to favour 3D printed products, as they are more responsive than traditional manufacturing methods – being readily customizable, with a fast turnaround time and low production costs. The large investment in 3D printing has resulted in huge progress over the recent years. However, it is widely recognized that there is still considerable progress to be made. The significant research and experimentation being undertaken in this industry means it is a prime candidate for R&D tax funding.

All businesses have the opportunity to apply for the R&D Tax Credit, which is backed by both the Federal and State governments. Now is the time for 3D printing businesses to take advantage of the possible 14% R&D Tax Credit. If your company is experimenting with new technology or products, contact a Swanson Reed R&D Tax Advisor today to see if you are eligible to claim.