The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) will award $2 million in funding to businesses, universities or researchers exploring novel techniques to increase productivity and save energy on advanced curing methods for coatings manufacturing processes. Techniques such as UV, visible light and electron beam technologies all present alternatives to traditional heat-based drying techniques for coatings, inks and adhesives, as well as resin binders used for composite materials such as wind turbine blades. These new methods can be used for the manufacture of hundreds of items, ranging from furniture and flooring to DVDs, beverage cans, food packaging, solar panels and automobile parts. NYSERDA will provide a total of up to $2 million in funding. Awards for individual projects will range from up to $100,000 for feasibility studies to up to $400,000 for demonstration or commercialization projects.Cost-sharing is required. "With this program, NYSERDA is continuing to foster the innovation needed to grow the cleantech economy in N.Y. while meeting governor Cuomo's goals of reducing energy use," said John Rhodes, president and CEO, NYSERDA. "These projects offer great potential to reduce operating expenses for manufacturing industries around the state." NYSERDA is seeking early-stage feasibility studies and lab-scale prototype design, as well as full-scale demonstration or commercialization projects, including field demonstrations at industrial manufacturing sites in New York, performance testing and commercial design development. This funding continues NYSERDA's efforts to promote the energy and cost savings available through the use of alternative curing. In 2011, NYSERDA provided nearly $1 million in funding to help create the Ultraviolet Light (UV) and Electron Beam (EB) Process Curing Systems Technology Center in Syracuse. NYSERDA partnered with the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, RadTech International and several New York-based industrial firms to develop the research, development and industrial testing center. For more information on this program, visit www.nyserda.ny.gov/PON2858