Ten technologies that could affect the course of transportation and mobility are one step closer to market, thanks to the up-to-$700,000 awarded by the University of Michigan’s Michigan Translational Research and Commercialization (MTRAC) statewide Innovation Hub for Advanced Transportation.
Each of the technologies has been developed at Michigan universities, including the University of Michigan (U-M), Michigan Technological University (MTU), Michigan State University (MSU), Western Michigan University (WMU), and Wayne State University (WSU).
MTRAC, in partnership with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s (MEDC) Entrepreneurship and Innovation initiative, provides the funding to each technology.
The program is meant to bridge the gaps between research victories and successful commercialization efforts. While university faculty may be highly skilled at leading research efforts, not all of them may be the best at bringing technologies to market.
“The program allows us to capture, very early on, what’s going on at our universities and to provide a pathway to market when otherwise it might languish in a valley of death, if you will,” says MEDC university relations director Denise Graves.
Six projects will each receive up to $100,000 in funding. These include: Advanced Wireless Technology (U-M); All-Weather LIDARs System for Autonomous Vehicles (U-M); Coaxial Thermophone for Active Noise Control in Vehicles (MTU); Durable, Elastomeric, Antimicrobial Coatings with Instant and Persistent Efficacy (U-M); High-Resolution RADAR Imaging for Autonomous Vehicles (MSU); and Self-Powered IoT for Smart Manufacturing and Transportation (U-M).
Additionally, four projects will receive up to $35,000 in Kickstart funding. These include: Boosting the Accuracy of High-Speed 3D Printers (U-M); Multi-Color Irradiation System for Ultra Rapid Additive Manufacturing (U-M); Prediction of Fatigue Property of Materials and Components Based on Hardness Data (WMU); and Virtual RSW Weldability Prediction (WSU).
According to Graves, these technologies represent the projects with the highest probabilities of commercial viability.
“This benefits the state of Michigan by creating jobs and startups, follow-on funding, and licenses,” she says.
Visit Driven and learn how the Detroit region is leading the world in next-generation mobility.
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.