What is "deka"

Deka or DEKA may refer to:

• deka-, a historic spelling for deca-, a prefix in the International System of Units
• DEKA (New Zealand), a defunct discount store chain, formerly in New Zealand
• DEKA (company), located in Manchester, New Hampshire in the United States
• Ramesh C. Deka, specialist and the Director of All India Institute of Medical Sciences

DEKA Research & Development Corporation is a company based in New Hampshire, founded in 1982 by Dean Kamen, consisting of nearly 400 engineers, technicians, and support staff. DEKA is an acronym derived from Dean Kamen.

The company is located in a series of old Amoskeag Falls Millyard buildings in Manchester, New Hampshire.

DEKA's mission is "to foster innovation." Dean Kamen was awarded the National Medal of Technology in 2000 by then President Clinton for inventions that have advanced medical care worldwide. In 2003, his "Project Slingshot," a cheap portable water purification system, was named a runner-up for "coolest invention of 2003" by Time magazine.

Dean Kamen appeared on The Colbert Report showing off his water purifier by dumping Doritos into a red liquid, and having it purify the red liquid into a clear colorless pure water

DEKA is a major sponsor and strategic partner of FIRST, also founded by Dean Kamen.

DEKA was a microdispensing contractor for the development of Coca Cola Freestyle.

DEKA was a nationwide chain of general merchandise stores in New Zealand. It was launched in 1988 by L.D. Nathan, which split its supermarket and general merchandise divisions. In 1992 ownership of DEKA shifted to the Farmers Trading Company, which had until then been a competitor. As a result of unsustainable financial losses, all DEKA stores were either closed or converted to Farmers stores in 2001.