I have been reading more and more about innovative and collaborative organizations based in the Dayton area that are focused on RFID (radio frequency identification) and sensors. I knew a bit about RFID from reading about how Wal-mart has been trying to incorporate into their distribution and inventory systems. (http://www.rfidgazette.org/walmart/)

So, what is RFID? It basically is an object (usually called an RFID tag) incorporated into a product, animal, or person for the purpose of identification and tracking using radio waves. Some tags can be read from several meters away, and application for this product is being researched for the retail and pharmaceutical industries as well as the military.

Not surprisingly, Dayton put bar codes on the map through NCR (I am still mourning that loss to our region). But for that Jeopardy fact - a Marsh's supermarket in Dayton was the site of the first UPC symbol scanned in a retail store, when in 1974 a pack of Wrigley's gum passed across a point of sale scanner manufactured by NCR. File that one away in your list of random facts.

Dayton and the surrounding area, to include Cincinnati, is currently home to at least 36 businesses involved in RFID, and, to support RFID research and growth, a number of resources are available. The Dayton RFID Convergence Center (Dayton RCC) is a public-private business incubator, sponsored by the City of Dayton, Citywide Development Corporation, and EPC Technologies, Inc. The premise of this organization is to foster and encourage the early phase of technology ventures in this area.

Currently, the Dayton RCC is looking for ideas on RFID. They are seeking applications from entrepreneurs who have an idea, but need a little help getting started. The overall goal is to support 10 businesses through this program, and then offer lucrative incentives for them to stay in Dayton after program completion. At a time when we all could use some good news, I think this is an interesting proposition that may become the hot, emerging industry that the Dayton region needs.

Think that you might have an idea? Visit the Dayton RCC website: http://daytonrcc.com/default.php.