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Congressman Paul Tonko today toured Crystal IS in Green Island to discuss a $5 million grant the company has been awarded to do work for the U.S. Military, and also highlight House Democrats’ “Make it in America” agenda, to improve manufacturing and create new jobs.

“Crystal IS is another local company which proves that the investment of taxpayer dollars in new technologies can help grow business, attract private investment, and lead to job creation,” said Congressman Tonko. “I am committed with my colleagues in Congress to helping create better conditions for manufacturers here in this country so we can create good paying, middle class jobs and strengthen our economic recovery.”

“I want to thank Congressman Tonko for his work in advancing support for high tech research and development that has the potential to create jobs and provide better economical and environmental solutions for the world,” said Crystal IS Founder and Chief Technology Officer Dr. Leo Schowalter. Thanks to this DARPA grant, we have been able to assemble a group of expert collaborators, including university partners and an agreement with the Army Research Laboratory, to advance this technology which has tremendous potential to provide clean water for developed and developing nations.”

Crystal IS is leader in the development of ultraviolet light emitting diodes (UVC LED’s) for use in long-lasting, energy efficient water and air purification equipment. LEDs have an advantage over tube-based fluorescent lights currently used for water purification because they do not contain mercury and are environmentally safe, they use less energy, and they are small and can be used in large arrays to cover large areas and also can be used in portable systems. Dr. Schowalter is the former head of the physics department at RPI, and the company got its start in the RPI incubator program.

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) recently awarded Crystal IS a $5 million grant to develop their technology for use in portable applications, which would help the military disinfect water for troops who are operating in the field and are not near any type of clean, filtered water supply. The military is also looking at the development of this technology for other uses, including the detection of biological agents.

DARPA is an Agency of the U.S. Department of Defense that is responsible for the development of new technologies for use by the military. DARPA has been responsible for funding the development of many technologies which have had worldwide impact – including in the Internet, Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and stealth technology. DARPA was established in 1958 after the Soviets beat the United States into space with the launch Sputnik.

During today’s event, Congressman Tonko highlighted House Democrats’ Make it in America legislative agenda, which is a series of bills aimed at boosting job creation and improving the business climate for manufacturers. Some of the bills include expansion of tax credits for research and development, expansion of job-training partnerships between high tech and advanced manufacturers and community colleges, and closing tax loopholes that reward companies that ship jobs overseas.

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