University of Colorado at Boulder, $5,000

Big Blue Technologies is developing new materials processing technology that will reduce cost and lower emissions in the ceramics and light metal industries.

University of Oregon, $25,000

This team is developing Tessellation, a biodegradable alternative to fiberglass insulation.

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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.

Illinois Institute of Technology, $25,000

This team is developing IntelliCoat, a low-cost, environmentally friendly coating system for steel structures that will afford 50 years of corrosion protection before the first major maintenance needs to be done.

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, $20,000

Mantis Composites provides strong, light, and customizable parts to their high performance customers to create a new age of faster and more efficient machines.

Oklahoma State University, $25,000

Carbon fiber-reinforced composites are widely used in aerospace and some automotive applications. However, they are damaged by low velocity, localized impact, especially in curved areas. MITO Material Solutions is developing a simple and affordable additional manufacturing step that can allow the structure withstand these impacts and increase reliability.

Fiber-reinforced composites tend to fracture and delaminate under stress, causing severe mechanical failures during a machine’s lifetime. MITO Material Solutions developed a revolutionary nano-filler additive that can toughen fiber-reinforced composites by one hundred percent. In 2020, the team startup closed a $1M Series Seed funding round led by Dipalo Ventures and Clean Energy Trust. The team from Oklahoma State University participated in our E-Team program in 2015 and 2016, ASPIRE in 2017, and OPEN Minds in 2018. VentureWell invested in March 2018.

Cornell University, $5,000

Traditionally, most industries disinfect surfaces by spraying or wiping disinfectants every time it is required. NTi Technology is focusing on changing the disinfection pattern by providing continual protection to the surface. NTi uses modified nanoparticles to deliver a product that not only disinfects when sprayed onto a surface, but also remains on the surface to protect it from bacteria and viruses without user intervention.

University of Central Oklahoma, $5,000

ParaNano LLC is developing an electrospinning device for the nanofiber research industry and small volume, high value product manufacturers. The patent-pending device provides unique capabilities for controlling and aligning branched nanofibers as they are produced in a continuous fashion.

North Dakota State University-Main Campus, $5,000

Spider silk is a naturally occurring organic polymer synthesis that allows the spider to create different microscale silks with different mechanical properties. Many industries rely on light-weight fibers and composites in the development of their products that each have different needs (waterproof, antimicrobial, heat-restraint, strength, and ductility). Spinthesis’ idea to imitate spider silk will create a versatile, sustainable and biodegradable material with great market potential.