KU News Release

KU creates product to improve usability of radio frequency identification technology

LAWRENCE — New technology developed by the Information and Telecommunication Technology Center at the University of Kansas will allow a global company to improve asset management and security to its customers.

The KU-Tag will be used by Container Technology Inc., a leading supplier and innovator of liquid container technology located in Santa Barbara, Calif.

Radio frequency identification technology identifies tagged items through radio communication between electronic readers and tags that contain data on microchips. In certain frequencies when tags are on or near metal or liquid, RFID communication is obstructed. Metals block radio waves, whereas liquids absorb them. Dan Deavours, an ITTC research assistant professor, solved the metal/liquid problem by developing the KU-Tag. Four U.S. patent-pending technologies make it one of the best-performing, least costly and thinnest RFID tags specifically designed to work near metal or liquids.

Container Technology stores liquids, from fuels to medicine, in ultra-clean containers that prevent contamination. The company has engineered innovative solutions for the safe, efficient transport of hazardous materials as well. According to Gary Clancy, managing director of Container Technology, the KU-Tag enables the company to monitor its liquid containers. Such monitoring will increase profitability and security by improving the return rate on the reusable containers. The KU-Tag will reduce warehouse and labor costs. A remote electronic reader will replace time-consuming manual scans.

“We see the need for RFID technology that works with liquids and steel,” said Clancy. “Liquids and steel are difficult to track with RFID. In addition, these tags need to be read at a distance, eliminating hand scanning. The KU-Tag has overcome both of these obstacles.”

ITTC, named a Center of Excellence by the Kansas Technology Enterprise Corporation, assists companies and conducts applied industry-led research. Toby Rush, president of Lenexa-based Rush Tracking Systems, saw the need for objective performance testing of

RFID systems and came to ITTC. ITTC, Rush Tracking Systems and RFID Journal then partnered to form the RFID Alliance Lab to conduct the needed research. During testing, Deavours observed no tag had satisfactorily solved the metal/liquid problem.

“Container Technology’s customers need to track containers and the material in those containers. RFID makes that practically automatic,” said Deavours. “The KU-Tag gives them all the performance they need.”

ITTC’s Office of Applied Technology develops partnerships with local and national companies that advance both the research mission of the KU and the business interests of industry partners. During the past decade, the center has worked with 87 companies.

A state-of-the-art KU research facility, ITTC supports multidisciplinary information technology research. ITTC conducts research and development in information systems, telecommunications, bioinformatics and radar systems.

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