From the creation of simulated trauma patients used to train military medics, to virtual 3D people used to diagnose and treat patients, the place to be for some of the latest gaming and digital media technology for health and medical applications is Orlando, Florida.

Orlando is one of the top 12 clusters in the country for digital media, as well as one of only two cities in the world with a large-scale 'medical city' complex underway. The digital media and medical sectors are converging, bringing new innovations to life. Numerous people and organizations are leading the way.

360Ed has teamed up with the Florida Department of Health and the University of Florida College of Medicine to develop Burn Center, an interactive, 3D, game-based technology used to train medical professionals at trauma centers, hospitals and universities across the country. The purpose of the program is to improve the triage and care of critically injured victims of burn, bomb and blast disasters.

Virtual Reality Medical Center - Orlando (VRMC) develops and uses computer-generated simulations and other special effects to treat clients with panic disorder, specific phobias, agoraphobia and social phobia. VRMC has partnered with the University of Central Florida to create a virtual game (featuring flying, smash-able insects) to aid stroke survivors in expanding their range of movement.

To become better doctors, the new University of Central Florida College of Medicine will engage its first class of medical school students in playing games. A web-based avatar program developed by UCF Assistant Professor David Segal will help students learn how to properly evaluate and diagnose a variety of patient ailments. The digital patients can respond to questions, sneeze, cough, age and even call students in the middle of the night with an illness.

Engineering & Computer Simulations Inc. (ECS) developed a virtual world called Nexus to help first responders train and collaborate during natural disasters. The company also has a contract with the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command (RDECOM) to train military medical professionals.

GeoMotion Group is dedicated to being an innovative fitness leader. Its goal is to meet the training needs of individuals and groups, for all fitness levels and for any age. Two innovative products, the GeoMat and the GeoFloat were created to meet this goal. Used in elementary, middle and high schools, the GeoMat is used to teach locomotor moves, number recognition, number sequencing and math problem solving using a variety of activities and aids. The GeoFloat is used for exercising in water and works the core and stabilization muscles more effectively than other existing products.

Emergency Medicine Learning & Resource Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and advancing emergency medicine, disaster management, prehospital emergency care and public health by providing annual continuing medical education and research activities. Its 45-foot Mobile Simulation Lab (motor coach) trains emergency providers around the state. The Lab utilizes simulation technologies to train real lifesavers on everything from ER care, to pandemic flu, nerve agents, blast injuries and more.

Technology and research advances are being made every day in Metro Orlando. And the "clean tech" industry is a bright spot for innovation.

RubeLab, a Lake County think tank specialized in advancing environmentally-friendly innovations and solutions, has built a solar-powered recharge station for electric cars and golf carts in downtown Eustis.

The charging station - dubbed RubeStation - accommodates three slots for small electric cars and features a pedestrian bench and shelter. There is 200 square feet of photovoltaic array of panels that produce approximately 3,000 watts of energy from the sun.

Building Lake County's clean tech industry is a key objective of the county's recently adopted strategic economic development plan.

With warm weather and consistent sunshine, Florida is an ideal location for solar research and application. And with growing awareness of clean technology, Orlando is poised to become a leading force in the solar industry.

The existence of a strong technology cluster and proximity to the University of Central Florida (UCF) - one of the nation's top research universities - help set Orlando apart. In addition to research being conducted by UCF's Florida Solar Energy Center, local companies are working to leave their mark on the industry as well. Lake Mary based Advanced Solar Photonics is poised to become Florida's first photovoltaic solar manufacturer by producing thin-film solar panels. In nearby Longwood, SKYShades is merging shade structures and solar power by harnessing thin-film solar technology atop sidewalk umbrellas dubbed "Powerbrellas" in order to power small electronics.

For more information on the growing clean tech industry in Metro Orlando, click here.

Watch below as Executive Vice President of SKYShades, Joe McKenna, provides more info on the "Powerbrella."

Traditionally, pallets were traded back and forth between shippers until they were discarded -- a process that was both inefficient and expensive. CHEP USA sought to solve this problem by creating higher-quality, rentable pallets for manufacturers to use without the storage and repair issues.

While the rental concept has been around for more than fifty years, CHEP has made the supply chain more effective by investing $20 million in logistical technology and tracking systems that use real-time, historical data to reduce the distance pallets travel and anticipate times of high usage. This system reduces energy consumption and green house gas emissions.

For more on CHEP, click here.

Virtual Reality Medical Center (VRMC) merges special effects with simulation technology at its Center for Injury Creation Science.

Attracted to Metro Orlando because of the strength of the region's simulation and training industry combined with the upcoming University of Central Florida College of Medicine, the company develops prosthetic tissue and wounds for medical training purposes, among several other focus areas. These prosthetics can be adhered to mannequins or human actors and create a realistic training environment for combat medics or first responders.

In addition to its Center for Injury Creation Science located in downtown Orlando, VRMC has a location in Central Florida Research Park with UCF's Institute for Simulation and Training and will soon have another location in Orlando's emerging 'medical city' at Lake Nona.

Watch as Angela Salva demonstrates the merging of special effects and simulation in action.

Orlando-based Emergency Medicine Learning Resource Center (EMLRC) provides pre-hospital emergency care providers with the medical training necessary for disaster situations. The company's Mobile Emergency Simulation Lab (SimLab) is a motor coach designed to resemble a simulated ER and ambulance, allowing first responders to train in a realistic environment. This training prepares first responders for disaster situations they may encounter.



Inside the training center are responsive mannequins that act out real world injuries and illnesses. The simulation lab is on the road five days a week visiting hospitals, EMS agencies and fire departments. EMLRC is the first mobile simulation lab in the country.



Watch Beth Brunner, CEO of EMLRC give a tour of the SimLab.

High tech innovation may not conjure up images of household appliances, but with advanced technological knowledge, anything is possible. President of Hydromatic Technologies Corporation, Michael Brown, believes in the use of new technologies to conserve energy and increase efficiency.

It all began when Brown discovered the source of his soaring electric bills- his dryer. After conducting research on dryer technology, he found that 80 years had passed with minimal improvement in dryer technology and energy conservation. This led Brown to develop the first "hydronic" process for clothes drying. Using a heated liquid rather than a combustible source of heat, the dryer is able to dry clothes up to 41 percent faster, while using 50 percent less energy and is also safer than the traditional dryer.

Hydromatic's "Dryer Miser" retrofit kits can be purchased soon, which will allow consumers to benefit from energy savings without purchasing a new dryer. Brown credits the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission and UCF's Technology Incubator for helping bring his ideas to fruition.

To read more about Hydromatic, click here.

Watch Mike Brown, president of Hydromatic Technologies explain how the "Dryer Miser" works.

In the last few years, there has been a multitude of recalls of products, foods and medicines. But there are steps in place that are supposed to make sure this doesn't happen, and that the product, whether food or medicine, does what it is supposed to do. One Central Florida company is making this happen for drug manufacturers.

Amaro & Associates, Inc. (dba Comply Shield), a biopharmaceutical technology consulting firm delivers quality assurance testing and validation, quality IT business processes and performance testing to ensure pharmaceutical manufacturing systems function properly through the development of its Total Validation Management (TVM) system.

In a period of stronger pushes toward FDA regulation, this system consolidates multiple processes into one efficient program. The client is then able to create testable requirements, test plans, test scenarios and summary documents, which are not only less confusing but are accurate and complete.

Watch Jorge Amaro, president of Amaro & Associates, explain his company.

Online shopping is at an all-time high. As people flock to the Internet in search of good deals, one Central Florida company is helping consumers easily find and buy products online.

Channel Intelligence (CI) - based in Celebration, Fla. - is a software company that provides e-commerce solutions to online retailers such as Best Buy, Target, Neiman Marcus, Circuit City, Overstock.com and hundreds of others. CI's innovative technology not only enables consumers to find available products (in real-time, in-stock status), but also provides them with information on where to purchase the products whether it be on-line or in stores. The company also helps manufacturers by enabling them to track and manage their inventory levels and pricing, while comparing the data with competitors.

Channel Intelligence recently expanded their headquarters operations, adding 420 new jobs and a capital investment of $33 million.

For more info, click here.