MIRTHE research and technology applications focus on new products and processes in health, environment and homeland security. Some areas of MIRTHE efforts focus on emerging technologies, and involve collaboration with young high tech companies. MIRTHE, in cooperation with its Non-Profit Member, New Jersey Small Business Development Center, co-sponsors Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer Research (STTR) Program workshops in advance of major solicitation releases throughout the year. MIRTHE is committed to the development of new infrastructure to assist technology start-ups and other technology small businesses. Access to “seed-stage” funding is a critical need for small technology businesses. MIRTHE has launched a Mid-IR Investment Focus Group to inform private and corporate venture capital and angel investors on emerging technologies related to MIRTHE’s efforts and related fields of mid-IR technologies, to help identify promising commercial applications, and to provide networking and communication exchanges between MIRTHE faculty, students, members and collaborators. Additional details will be available in Spring 2009.