University of Akron Gets $5M from Third Frontier
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Ohio Third Frontier Commission approved nearly $5 million for projects at the University of Akron at its meeting Wednesday.
The university -- in collaboration with PolyOne, Lubrizol, SNS NanoFiber, Viscus Biologics and Austen BioInnovation Institute in Akron -- was awarded $3 million in Third Frontier Innovation Platform funds to support the development of numerous products including novel polymers, X-ray shielding materials, protective coatings for medical devices, and catheters and antimicrobial materials for would healing.
UA received a separate award from the same program, in collaboration with Exacter Inc. and Jacco & Associates, to develop a smart sensor platform for mitigating electrical grid outages and a sensor to regulate airflow and improve efficiency in heating, ventilation and air conditioning -- or HVAC -- systems.
The university also was awarded a total of $250,000 -- five $50,000 grants -- for a new low-cost, reliable technology for hybrid car engines; imaging goggles to make cancer surgeries less expensive; new technology to prevent cell phone screens from cracking; a 3-D printed socket for prosthetics to reduce discomfort; and software for faster graphics processing in computers.
The funds were among a total $12.5 million awarded by the commission. No Mahoning Valley projects were funded.
Other northeastern Ohio organizations receiving validation and startup funding included:
- Akron Ascent Innovations LLC, Akron, was awarded $100,000 to commercialize a dry, reusable adhesive that is easily removable without damaging surfaces or leaving sticky residue.
- Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, was awarded $50,000 to validate a rapid eye-tracking method for detecting social attention deficits. The technology will help identify individuals at-risk of Autism Spectrum Disorders and track treatment progress.
- iRxReminder LLC, Cleveland, was awarded $100,000 to commercialize a pill dispensing device that reminds patients to take their medication and tracks usage.
- Kent State University, Kent, was awarded two $50,000 grants for: technology to improve the energy efficiency of certain types of LCD’s and new thin film materials to improve the quality of OLED displays.
- Miach Medical Innovation Inc., Shaker Heights, was awarded $100,000 to prototype and test a feeding tube with embedded sensors. The tube can be inserted more accurately and monitored more closely.
The Ohio Third Frontier Innovation Platform Program provides grants to link established research at the state’s colleges, universities or other nonprofit research institutions to the needs of Ohio companies. These collaborations leverage the existing expertise, facilities and other institutional strengths to help companies with near-term product innovation and commercialization.
Cleveland Clinic was also awarded nearly $3 million in Innovation Platform Award funds, in collaboration with Renovo Biosciences, Renovo Neural, Juventas Therapeutics, ImageIQ and ChanTest for the development of a rodent imaging center at the Cleveland Clinic. Rodent models are a critical element to understanding human diseases.
Projects were also awarded at The Ohio State University and Ohio University and for entities in Cincinnati, Columbus and Holland.
“Taking ideas and getting them to the marketplace strengthens Ohio’s technology economy,” said David Goodman, director of the Ohio Development Services Agency and chairman of the Ohio Third Frontier Commission. “In addition, moving the state’s companies to the next level with new products will keep them competitive, ensuring jobs for Ohio’s future.”
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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