Award Data

The Small Business Technology Transfer Research (STTR) Phase I project will address the need for an advanced process control system for improved manufacturing of photovoltaic cells. Thin film silicon photovoltaic modules offer a potentially lower cost alternative to crystalline silicon modules through reduced materials utilization and lower processing temperatures if improvements in conversion ef ...

This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project aims to apply the unique property of high-speed jets to adhere to nearby curved surfaces, with a turning radius much larger than the size of the jet - the so-called COANDA effect. The proposed research aims to take advantage of this effect to manipulate thermal spray jet stream and vector the stream such that the hot thermal gas stream ...

The Small Business Technology Transfer Research (STTR) Phase I project addresses the scale-up to kilogram quantities of a novel university laboratory solid-state method of synthesizing metal oxide and metal nanoparticles by mixing common chemical starting materials and baking the resulting precursor material at modest temperatures; and the dispersment of the loosely agglomerated particles for comm ...

The Small Business Technology Transfer Research (STTR) Phase I project will investigate the production of silane gas (SiH4) and photovoltaic-grade silicon (Sipv) from high silicon content agricultural waste. Current solar cell production struggles against the tremendous cost and complexity of refining Sipv or its more valuable gaseous pre-cursor SiH4. It is believed that the application of electro ...

This Small Business Technology Transfer Phase I project will develop algorithms for a quality control system for colonoscopy (a procedure where the mucosa of the large bowel is inspected via a flexible tube with a camera on it) that has contributed to a marked decline in the number of colorectal cancer related deaths. However, recent data suggest that there is a significant miss-rate for the detec ...

Intellectual Merit: KTM Industries in cooperation with Michigan State University plans to design and engineer biodegradable starch based biofoam materials for the protective packaging market. These new, biobased foam materials are expected to displace petro-based polyethylene, polystyrene, and polyurethane materials used currently in these applications. KTM Industries, working with National Starc ...

This STTR Phase I research proposal will demonstrate the feasibility of a nanoscale needle (nano-needle) probe biosensor assaying low-abundance nucleic acids without target-/signal amplification. The unique point in the proposed work lies in the combined use of dielectrophoresis and capillary action to fabricate a high-aspect ratio nano-needle made of a hybrid nanomaterial and to operate the nano- ...

This Small Business Technology Transfer Phase I project will transition an innovative 1-5 kW energy generating system from the University of Michigan (UM) Marine Renewable Energy Laboratory (MRELab) towards the commercial market place. The system is based on a system of cylinders that are made to oscillate by water currents at velocities as low as 1-2 knots (water turbines require 5-7 knots). It i ...

This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project will develop lithium-ion battery (LIB) applications for hybrid electric vehicles. The project will develop an advanced 5 volt cathode with enhanced capacity. The implementation of 5 volt cathodes will enhanced specific energy will contribute to the development of lithium-ion batteries with energies as high as 350 watt-hours per kilogra ...

This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I research project aims to develop a catheter for cooling the brain tissue of individuals who have suffered from traumatic brain injury (TBI). The catheter, which can be set in place by the physician, will enable the direct cooling of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which will in turn, cool the surrounding tissue. Each year 50,000 deaths, 235,0 ...