University of California, Davis, $5,000

Chromatiscope is developing a smartphone device that provides cheap fluoroscopy for classrooms. We hope to develop a suite of smartphone lab devices for classrooms and research labs alike.

Oregon State University, $25,000

There are two commercially accepted approaches to automated manufacturing: subtractive and additive. Subtractive computer-controlled machining (e.g,. CNC milling) yields precise parts suitable for any prototyping or production scale, but suffers from inefficient use of material and slow operation. Additive methods, such as fused deposition modeling (FDM), substantially reduce material waste and build time while sacrificing precision and finish quality. Fused Machines is developing a desktop machine that combines both subtractive CNC milling and additive FDM build methods, allowing for the production of higher precision, higher quality parts while still retaining superior material efficiencies.

Northwestern University, $20,000

Hazel Technologies is developing technology to extend the shelf-life of produce at the retail level. The product uses Northwestern-patented material technology and an industry-standard ethylene inhibitor to control produce ripeness and reduce spoilage..

Pushing a standard manual wheelchair takes a great deal of strength and can cause arm pain and hand cramping. Solutions to make pushing easier are expensive and can inhibit one’s ability to brake. IntelliWheels Inc. designed Fit Grips, an accessory that increases the circumference of the hand rim to minimize the strain on your hand, while the improved grip allows users to push with less effort. The company’s patent-pending design is now sold by over 36 distributors around the globe. The team from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign participated in VentureWell’s E-Team program in 2010. VentureWell invested in the company in 2012.

www.intelliwheels.net

Northwestern University, $5,000

LiOnSafe is a Lithium-Ion Battery Separator that can be used by battery manufacturers to prevent thermal runaway, a situation where an increase in temperature changes the conditions in a way that causes a further increase in temperature, often leading to a destructive result. Overheating and exploding due to thermal runaway is a major pain point for LiB users, who must have safe batteries. LiOnSafe is a membrane, modified with a polymer, that can mitigate thermal runaway by 100%.

Pennsylvania State University – University Park, $5,000

The 3D printing industry has seen incredible growth in the past few years as countless businesses and individuals have begun using consumer 3D printers to quickly and easily bring their ideas to life. However, some users have been pushing the capabilities of these machines by creating detailed models with multiple parts, and even multiple copies of entire designs, which is time-consuming and inefficient.

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, $5,000

This E-Team is addressing two problems at the same time: e-waste, of which smartphones are becoming a rapidly increasing percentage, and the lack of people to fill job positions in the tech sector. The team’s product, the Neo, is a computer powered by a discarded mobile phone and comes pre-loaded with an operating system designed to introduce computer programming to novices. The Neo is envisioned as a sustainable and socially responsible way of introducing school-aged children to programming.

University of Missouri, $25,000

Pisces Technologies is developing a new method to raise sustainable shrimp at high yields on low value farmland without discharging pollutants to the environment. The technology provides a significant improvement on the reliability of production relative to imported shrimp, is of equivalent quality to wild catch, and can be produced at a competitive price.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, $5,000

Plantea is developing sensors that monitor plant growth and plant health in real-time, allowing farmers to get immediate feedback from plants and grow more produce with less resources. The vision is to build self-sustaining plant growth systems (shipping container farms) that automatically set the growth conditions for maximum food production, with minimum human involvement.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, $20,000

Innovations in almost every field of development engineering, including clean water, improved cook stoves, and solar lanterns suffer from inadequate methods of data collection and user feedback. Response bias, lack of data granularity, and prohibitive expenses make life harder than it needs to be. Today’s sensor and mobile phone technology can significantly reduce both the time and money required to gain the critical field data necessary for both monitoring and evaluation of new technologies. Sensen is a platform technology that can be used in emerging markets to allow organizations to seamlessly gather sensor-based data on the use and impact of their interventions.

University of South Florida, $5,000

This team is developing a smart microwave, capable of reading QR or UPC labels on packaging and determining the optimal cook time. Additional features include recognizing the user (his or her allergies, health and nutrition information) and being able to control the microwave with a smartphone.

Current approaches to “smart glass” or “electronic dimming windows” are expensive and impractical. SmarterShade created polarized film for shading windows. Unlike other smart glass technologies, SmarterShade’s patented technology can transition on command, with no electrical power needed, with simple mechanisms for a fraction of the cost. In 2015, VG SmartGlass acquired the IP assets, brand, and key human resources of SmarterShade Inc. to focus on the commercialization of the product. SmarterShade Inc. has re-named to ST Labs and still exists as an R+D entity. The team from the University of Notre Dame received an E-Team grant in 2007. VentureWell invested in SmarterShade in 2013.

smartershade.com

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, $20,000

Tactile Caliper is a geometric instrument for students with blindness that will measure and draw straight lines with precision. The device is increasing the accessibility of STEM in K-12 grades, allowing blind students be on par with their sighted peers.

West Virginia University, $5,000

WindPax is developing portable, collapsing power generating/power storage wind turbine devices. These rugged, lightweight devices can be easily shipped, transported and carried within backpacks. Two products are envisioned: a 25-watt Wisp and 100-watt Breeze.