Agreement will bring to market unique RFID-based wireless sensor technology that can detect and measure chemical, physical, and biological conditions in a variety of applications

NISKAYUNA, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- GE (NYSE:GE - News), acting through its Technology Ventures operation, today announced its intent to commercialize GE’s Radio Frequency Sensing technology (RFS) through a commercial license to the RFID division of Avery Dennison (NYSE:AVY - News). The proprietary RFS technology will enable a wide range of low-cost wireless sensing products in a series of applications, including industrial, food & beverage, packaging and pollution prevention.

GE RF Sensing technology provides a platform for passive, wireless sensing capability. Built on traditional RFID technology, these sensors can detect toxic industrial chemicals (TICs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), as well as biological agents and physical parameters. Developed by a diverse team of scientists and engineers at GE Global Research, this unique sensing approach is capable of providing selective quantification of chemical agents with low detection limits, and can operate in the presence of ambient humidity and other interferences. The sensors comprise HF RFID tags laminated with unique films, and work in combination with a proprietary reader that interrogates the tag to read both the RFID tag data and the complex RF waveform associated with the chemical, biological or physical measurement.

“This agreement marks an exciting milestone in the RF Sensor program,” said William Kernick, Vice President of Technology Ventures for GE. “Avery Dennison, a global leader in RFID technology, has a long-standing commitment to innovation and we are looking forward to working together to launch in-field customer trials.”

Jack Farrell, Vice President and General Manager at Avery Dennison RFID, added, “Through our technology development with GE, we have successfully demonstrated that RF Sensors can be manufactured using a standard roll-to-roll process. This achievement makes RF Sensors a commercially viable solution for high-volume applications across our diverse base of customers.”

In the upcoming months, GE and Avery Dennison will collaborate to engage partners and conduct RF Sensor technical field trials of applications for relevant industries such as pharmaceutical, food assurance, and agriculture.

About GE:

GE is a diversified global infrastructure, finance and media company that is built to meet essential world needs. From energy, water, transportation and health to access to money and information, GE serves customers in more than 100 countries and employs more than 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the company's Web site at http://www.ge.com. GE is Imagination at Work.

GE’s Technology Ventures group, a component of Corporate Licensing, drives the technology commercialization and maximizes the business development opportunities of licensing portfolios for GE. With close ties to GE’s Global Research, Technology Ventures supports the protection, development and marketing of GE’s Intellectual Property on a global level, offering a dynamic combination of investing, licensing, industry and technical expertise.

About GE Global Research

Celebrating its 110th anniversary, GE Global Research is the hub of technology development for all of GE's businesses. Our scientists and engineers redefine what’s possible, drive growth for our businesses and find answers to some of the world’s toughest problems.

We innovate 24 hours a day, with sites in Niskayuna, New York; Bangalore, India; Shanghai, China; and Munich, Germany. Visit GE Global Research on the web at http://www.ge.com/research. Connect with our technologists at http://edisonsdesk.com and twitter.com/edisonsdesk.

About Avery Dennison:

Avery Dennison (NYSE:AVY - News) helps make brands more inspiring and the world more intelligent. For 75 years the company has been a global leader in pressure-sensitive technology and materials, retail branding and information solutions, and organization and identification products for offices and consumers. A FORTUNE 500 company with sales of $6 billion in 2009, Avery Dennison is based in Pasadena, California and has employees in over 60 countries. For more information, visit www.averydennison.com. Avery Dennison RFID, headquartered in Flowery Branch, Georgia, is the world's largest producer of RFID inlays, manufacturing and marketing RFID inlays and durable tags through label converters and system integrators. With design, testing and manufacturing facilities around the globe, Avery Dennison RFID is a leader in the global UHF and HF RFID marketplace, serving retail, aviation, supply chain, healthcare and government applications.

GE Technology Ventures
Colleen Sabo, 609-936-6112
colleen.sabo@ge.com
or
Avery Dennison
RedSky PR
Stephanie Worrell, 208-484-9470
Stephanie.worrell@redskypr.com