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January 22, 2009

Lewiston shoe co. explores tech

By The Mainebiz News Staff

Falcon Performance Footwear in Lewiston has received a $10,000 grant to develop mining boots with tracking devices that will help locate miners trapped in collapses.

The Maine Technology Institute awarded the company the seed grant to determine if there's a market for a mining boot equipped with radio frequency identification circuits, according to a press release from MTI. The company, which makes boots for firefighters and miners, plans to spend three to six months on market research, after which it could develop a prototype, according to the Sun Journal. In the event of a mine collapse, the tracking devices would be able to tell emergency rescue personnel how many miners are trapped and where they are located.

In 2006, Congress passed the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act, which requires electronic tracking devices for miners by the end of 2009, according to the release. MTI last week gave out 14 seeds totaling nearly $155,000.

 

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