The Washington Technology Center has awarded grants to Washington State University to support research projects the school is undertaking with a Spokane maker of pest-control products and a Richland-based client of the Spokane Intercollegiate Research and Technology Institute.


The Seattle-based WTC, a technology-promotion organization that receives state, federal, and industry funding, gave about $116,000 to WSU to support work the school is doing with Sterling International Inc., of Spokane, and gave $40,000 to the university to fund research in connection with the SIRTI client, InnovaTek Inc., of Richland.


Sterling International has been working with Prashanta Dutta, of WSUs School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering, to develop a micro-pump that could be used in the Spokane companys insect traps, the WTC says. The pump would control the rate at which pheromonesthe substances Sterling uses to attract insects into its trapsare dispensed into the device. The pump also potentially could respond to changes in conditions, such as turning on during the day and off at night.


The InnovaTek grant will support research that company has undertaken with Patrick Pedrow, of WSUs School of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, the WTC says.


InnovaTek and Pedrow are using specialized equipment available at WSU to test processes they hope will enhance the efficiency and reduce the cost of InnovaTeks diesel-based fuel processors, which are used in electrical generation by fuel cells.


The WTC awards grants twice a year through its research and technology development program. Six grants were given this round. The organization, which is based at the University of Washington, also operates a microfabrication laboratory there.