LANSING – The Michigan Economic Development Corporation approved five projects through Michigan Tech’s Michigan Translational Research and Commercialization program, which supports the acceleration of commercially viable applied advanced material technologies developed by university researchers.

An 11-member oversight committee consisting of venture capitalists, materials experts from various fields and successful entrepreneurs reviewed each project and approved funding for further development. From biodegradable stents to carbon nanotubes used for noise control in defense vehicles, all projects develop milestone related objectives for moving technologies that address unmet or poorly met market needs into commercial development. The awarded projects at Michigan Tech included:

  • Active Noise Control (ANC) with Carbon Nanotube Thin-films: a lightweight, small and immovable film used for “low noise” mode of operation for military ground and marine vehicles.
  • Artificial Enzymes: synthetic enzyme used in medical diagnostic kits to improve sensitivity and accuracy of test results.
  • Bioabsorbable Stents: the bioabsorbable metal stents harmlessly erodes within the desired timeframe and has demonstrated superiority to current materials.
  • Cell Patch for Wound Healing: composite tissue created from natural and artificial cells used to better heal wounds. 
  • Microwave Vermiculite Exfoliation: an energy-efficient process for processing vermiculite and similar minerals.

“All of the projects reviewed are in the prototype phase or in negotiations for marketing,” said John Diebel, Project Director for MTRAC at Michigan Tech. “Everyone was impressed with the presentations and depth of the products in development. In the three years of the program, more than 40 new product proposals have been reviewed and $400,000 has been awarded in funding toward projects.”

Michigan Tech is one of four universities with an MTRAC program; others include the University of Michigan, Michigan State University and Wayne State University. Each university has a different focus for projects to receive funding to accelerate to commercialization within agriculture bio, life sciences, advanced transportation and biomedical. 

“The recent statewide expansion of MTRAC will allow for greater collaboration with industry partners across the state, as it relates to advancing technologies and innovation into commercial applications,” said Denise Graves, University Relations Director at MEDC. “With the success we’ve seen through programs like Michigan Tech’s, we’ve received interest in our current program from those who currently do not have the ability to participate. Between that interest and the success of the current programs, this expanded model will allow all institutes of higher education, non-profit research centers and hospital systems to have a pathway for translating their research into the commercial market and, ultimately, help increase the number of startups, jobs, industry licenses and investment for Michigan.”

Developed and managed by the MEDC, MTRAC programs, through March 2016, have funded 79 projects, helped develop 13 start-up companies, created 33 jobs, secured $21.4M in follow on funding, and licensed technology to three Michigan companies to-date.

MEDC’s Entrepreneur and Innovation initiative establishes Michigan as the place to create and grow a business by providing high-tech start-up companies with access to a variety of critical resources, such as funding and expert counsel, from ideation to maturation. For more on MEDC Entrepreneurship & Innovation visit michiganbusiness.org.