Transvenous Coronary Sinus Annuloplasty Device for Canine Mitral Valve Disease
Dr. Tamilselvam Gunasekaran, Michigan State University, $25,000
Mitral valve disease is the most common acquired heart condition in dogs, affecting an estimated two million animals and frequently progressing to congestive heart failure. Existing repair options are expensive or limited to a small number of specialist centers. This project is developing a minimally invasive implant delivered through the jugular vein to a vessel near the mitral valve, where it applies gentle pressure to reduce leakage. Advance funding will support bench and cadaver testing of the delivery system, helping prepare the technology for patent protection, customer discovery, and a licensing or startup decision.
AI-Integrated Spectroscopy for Early Powdery Mildew Detection in Grapevines
Dr. Esmaeil Nasrollahiazar, Michigan State University, $25,000
Powdery mildew is one of the most damaging diseases affecting vineyards, prompting frequent preventive fungicide applications that increase production costs and environmental burdens. This project is refining a field-deployable sensing system that combines spectroscopy with machine learning to identify infection before visible symptoms emerge. Earlier detection could help growers apply treatments precisely where and when they are needed rather than spraying entire vineyards as a precaution. Advance funding will support model optimization, testing under real vineyard conditions, and development of scalable deployment strategies, moving the technology toward a licensable precision disease management platform.
EUREFSTICS for Ammonia Storage
Dr. Thomas W. Hamann, Michigan State University, $25,000
Ammonia is essential to fertilizer production and is gaining attention as a clean energy carrier, but conventional storage requires high pressure or extremely low temperatures, adding cost and safety challenges. This project builds on the discovery that certain inorganic salts combine with ammonia at room temperature and normal atmospheric pressure to form a new class of liquid solutions called eurefstics. Advance funding will help the team identify compositions offering the most promising balance of storage capacity, safety, and affordability. The work could move this fundamental discovery toward a practical commercial alternative for storing and transporting ammonia.
A Method to Measure the Viscosity and Density of Fluids and Soft Solids Using a Vibrating Dipstick
Dr. Sunil Kishore Chakrapani, Michigan State University, $20,000
Accurate measurement of viscosity and density is important in food production, pharmaceuticals, and industrial manufacturing, but existing methods can be slow, labor-intensive, or difficult to integrate into production lines. This project is advancing a vibrating dipstick sensor that uses machine learning to calculate these properties from the device’s response when placed in a sample. Current prediction accuracy exceeds 90%. Advance funding will support an automated sample-handling system, creation of a larger and more varied training dataset, and efforts to raise accuracy above 95%, including evaluation in soft foods such as cheese and milk curds.
A Mobile Robotic Platform for Real-Time In-Situ Chemical Sensing
Dr. Zhaojian Li, Michigan State University, $24,530
Monitoring soil chemistry typically requires collecting samples and sending them to a laboratory, making the process too slow and costly for real-time agricultural decisions. The focus of this project is the development of a mobile robotic platform that autonomously collects, mixes, and conditions soil samples before analyzing them with onboard chemical sensors. The system is designed to deliver field results within ten minutes and at greater than 90% accuracy. In collaboration with Dr. Wen Li’s electrochemical sensing group, the team is also adding heavy-metal detection, supporting a longer-term vision for affordable, large-scale mapping of soil nutrients and contamination.
Development of Novel Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase Inhibitors with Improved CNS and Retina Exposure for Treating Migraine
Dr. Kin Sing Steven Lee and Dr. Edmund Ellsworth, Michigan State University, $25,000
Migraine affects roughly 12% of the global population, yet many patients receive inadequate relief from existing treatments, while newer options remain costly and carry uncertainty about long-term use. In this early-stage project, the research team is developing oral compounds that inhibit soluble epoxide hydrolase, an enzyme associated with pain and inflammation. This approach has demonstrated effectiveness in animal migraine models but has been limited by poor drug properties and insufficient penetration into the brain and retina. Advance funding will support synthesis and screening of 20 targeted compounds and pharmacokinetic studies to identify a promising candidate for development as a non-opioid migraine therapy.
Humanization of an Anticancer Monoclonal Antibody
Dr. Xuefei Huang, Michigan State University, $20,000
Pancreatic cancer and several other cancers produce abnormally high levels of the CA19-9 antigen, making it a promising target for antibody-based treatments. The research team developed a monoclonal antibody called 13A7 that binds CA19-9 with substantially higher affinity than an antibody currently undergoing human clinical trials. The antibody has also killed pancreatic cancer cells and inhibited tumor growth in animal models. Because 13A7 originated in mice, it must be modified to reduce the risk of an immune reaction in humans. Advance funding will support this humanization process, a critical step toward developing a potential cancer therapy.
Discovery and Optimization of Novel Topical AP-1 Inhibitors for the Treatment of Acne Vulgaris
Dr. Sunny Y. Wong, University of Michigan, $25,000
Acne affects millions of people, but the most effective treatments can cause significant side effects, including irritation from topical retinoids and serious risks associated with oral isotretinoin. Through spatial analysis of human acne tissue, this team identified abnormal activity in the AP-1 protein signaling pathway, which appears to help drive the disease at a molecular level. Advance funding will support development and optimization of compounds designed for topical delivery that inhibit AP-1 more effectively than existing options. The project could establish a first-in-class treatment strategy for acne and potentially other skin conditions involving the same biological pathway.
Towards an Electrochemical Immuno-Sensing Platform for Monitoring Biomarkers of Lung Cancer and Cardiac Dysfunction in Exhaled Breath Condensate
Dr. Greg M. Swain, Michigan State University, $25,000
Lung cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy currently need blood draws and clinical visits to evaluate treatment response and determine whether therapy is affecting the heart. In this project researchers are developing a diagnostic system that analyzes exhaled breath condensate, a non-invasive biofluid collected through normal breathing, to measure established markers of cancer response and cardiac stress. Advance funding will support prototypes of two electrochemical sensing assays designed for this liquid-biopsy approach. The long-term goal is a point-of-care device that could enable convenient, continuous monitoring at home, giving patients and clinicians more timely information throughout cancer treatment.
Commercializing Slow-Release Urine-Derived NPK Fertilizers
Dr. Nancy G. Love, University of Michigan, $25,000
Conventional fertilizer production consumes substantial energy and depends on mined resources, while human urine contains nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in forms plants can readily use. This project is advancing a process that converts urine into powdered and potentially pelletized slow-release fertilizers for gardening and landscaping markets, where sustainability can influence purchasing decisions. Advance funding will support development of low-odor formulations, evaluation of pelletizing methods to improve nutrient-release performance, and customer interviews. The findings will help determine whether the material should become a standalone fertilizer product or be commercialized more directly as an ingredient in existing sustainable fertilizer formulations.
Develop Therapeutic Extracellular Vesicles to Heal Wounds
Dr. Jiemei Wang, Wayne State University, $25,000
Chronic wounds in older adults and people with diabetes often fail to heal despite available treatments, creating serious health complications and substantial healthcare burdens. This team has shown that activating a specific cellular stress-response pathway can accelerate wound healing in animal models. Researchers have also found that the therapeutic signal can be delivered through extracellular vesicles, natural nanoscale particles cells use to communicate. Advance funding will support development of stable engineered cell lines that consistently produce these vesicles in sufficient quantities. This work is an important step toward a non-viral, low-toxicity wound therapy suitable for further testing and commercialization.
Automated and Reliable Calibration and Data Management Toolkit for a Wearable Intraocular Pressure Sensing System
Dr. Wen Li, Michigan State University, $20,698
Glaucoma is the world’s second-leading cause of blindness and is managed primarily by controlling pressure inside the eye, yet conventional monitoring depends on periodic clinic visits that can miss important fluctuations. This team has developed a wearable contact lens sensor capable of continuous, non-invasive intraocular pressure monitoring and demonstrated its effectiveness in early testing. Advance funding will support an automated calibration platform, a graphical interface for reliable data collection and wireless transmission, and safety testing of the sensor materials. These improvements will address key technical barriers separating the existing prototype from readiness for clinical trials and eventual commercial development.
Anti-Bacterial Coating for Implants and Medical Devices
Dr. Bei Fan, Michigan State University, $25,000
Infections involving pacemakers, defibrillators, and other implanted cardiac devices occur in up to 2% of procedures and may require complete device removal, costing $50,000 to $120,000 per episode. Existing antibiotic-releasing coatings provide only temporary protection and contribute to antimicrobial-resistance concerns. This project is advancing an antibiotic-free coating that uses hydrophobic and steric effects to physically prevent bacteria from attaching to implant surfaces. Advance funding will support laboratory and animal-model testing against two clinically relevant bacterial strains, along with evaluation of whether the coating maintains its protective properties after sterilization, an essential requirement for potential medical-device licensing partners.
UV Light-Emitting Diodes
Dr. Yoke Khin Yap, Michigan Technological University, $25,000
Quantum dots have improved digital displays by enabling precise and tunable color production, but many existing materials rely on toxic elements such as cadmium and lead, while dependable blue quantum dots remain difficult to produce. This team has developed non-toxic quantum dots that emit ultraviolet light, potentially enabling next-generation display pixels without conventional blue LED backlights. Advance funding will support development of ultraviolet light-emitting diodes using these materials. The project could establish a new foundation for flexible and wearable display technologies while advancing a non-toxic alternative for a projected target market valued at $7.4 billion.
HSAT Nasal Pressure Cannula Securement Device
Dr. Sonja G. Schuetz, University of Michigan, $15,000
Home sleep apnea tests use a nasal pressure cannula to measure breathing, but the cannula can move out of position during an unattended overnight test, producing unclear results and sometimes requiring the test to be repeated. This project is developing a single-use foam device that keeps the cannula properly positioned by addressing several common failure modes, including lateral movement, rotation, condensation, and signal loss caused by kinking. Advance funding will support fabrication of 25 to 50 prototype units and bench validation. The team envisions commercializing the technology through licensing to an original equipment manufacturer serving the sleep-testing market.
A Beacon-Based Airport Ground Traffic Safety and Access Control System
Dr. Yanchao Liu, Wayne State University, $25,000
Although the FAA recorded more than 1,700 runway incursions in 2023, most small general aviation airports cannot afford the advanced surface surveillance systems needed to reduce these numbers. Researchers at Wayne State University (WSU) are working on a lower cost solution. This project is adding two capabilities to an existing WSU conflict-detection system: an access-control layer that issues or revokes electronic clearance tokens for runways and taxiways, and a portable beacon that communicates clearance status through color and sound without vehicle modifications or driver training. Advance funding will support development of both components. Michigan’s approximately 230 general aviation airports represent an initial target market for the team’s proposed subscription-based safety service.
Nonlinear Optical Crystal Ba3(ZnB5O10)PO4 (BZBP): Toward Commercial High-Performance Photonic Applications
Dr. Yuejian Wang, Oakland University, $25,000
High-powered lasers used in semiconductor manufacturing and scientific research require optical crystals to convert light into specific wavelengths, but commercially available materials can be toxic or unstable under demanding conditions. This project is validating a new synthesis method for BZBP, a non-toxic and highly stable crystal intended for deep-ultraviolet optical applications. Advance funding will support synthesis optimization using in-situ synchrotron monitoring at Argonne National Laboratory and industrial performance benchmarking with Coherent Inc. The resulting proof-of-concept data will help determine the material’s commercial potential and support future licensing discussions or an application for federal small-business development funding.
Biomass-Derived Hard Carbon for Sodium-Ion Batteries
Dr. Ankun Yang, Oakland University, $25,000
Sodium-ion batteries offer a potentially affordable alternative to lithium-ion technology because sodium is abundant and inexpensive, but they require different anode materials because sodium cannot enter graphite in the same way as lithium. This team has developed a method for converting corn cobs, an agricultural residue generated in large quantities in Michigan, into high-performance hard carbon for sodium-ion battery anodes. Advance funding will support improvements in battery performance, development of a scalable production process, and refinement of the commercialization strategy. The technology could transform a low-value agricultural byproduct into a strategic domestic material for energy storage.
Toward Batteryless Wireless Microphone Commercialization
Dr. Huacheng Zeng, Michigan State University, $25,000
Wireless microphones rely on batteries that require regular charging, create the risk of power failure during use, and contribute to electronic waste. This project is advancing TagMic, a batteryless wireless microphone that harvests energy from radio-frequency signals already present in the surrounding environment. Advance funding will support the transition from a research prototype to custom semiconductor components and a professional-quality circuit board. The team will also conduct regulatory analysis related to FCC compliance. Together, these steps will move the technology closer to licensing or startup commercialization in professional audio applications and other markets requiring environmentally sustainable wireless sensing.
Early Screening of Alzheimer’s Risk Based on EEG and Machine Learning
Dr. Tongtong Li, Michigan State University, $25,000
Detecting Alzheimer’s disease early enough to support meaningful intervention remains a major challenge because current screening approaches can be expensive, invasive, or dependent on specialized facilities. This team has developed an AI-powered tool that analyzes brain activity captured through a standard EEG examination lasting three to five minutes. In a pilot study, the approach predicted Alzheimer’s-related brain changes with accuracy comparable to blood-based biomarkers. Advance funding will support additional validation in preparation for clinical use. The long-term goal is to make early Alzheimer’s risk screening more affordable and accessible within primary care and other community-based healthcare settings.
Multi-Tunnel Demineralized Human Bone Matrix Membrane for Fully Guided Periodontal Tissue Regeneration
Dr. Qiming Jin, University of Michigan, $22,141
Periodontal disease affects nearly half of U.S. adults, but current regenerative treatments restore only 30% to 60% of lost tissue and cannot reliably reconstruct the complete tooth-supporting structure. This team has designed a demineralized human bone matrix membrane containing precisely arranged tunnels that guide growth of the periodontal ligament, the fibrous tissue connecting teeth to bone. Advance funding will support optimization of the tunnel geometry, which pilot studies identified as a critical factor in successful regeneration. The resulting data will provide a technical foundation for future FDA regulatory submissions and potential licensing of a more complete periodontal regeneration technology.
Commercial Production of Isotopically Labeled Cyanopeptide Standards: ABP A, ABP B, ABP F, and Oscillamide Y
Dr. Jeremy Kodanko, Wayne State University, $25,000
Harmful algal blooms can contaminate drinking water and recreational waterways with numerous toxic compounds, but testing remains limited because reference standards do not exist for many of these substances. This project will produce the first isotopically labeled standards for four cyanopeptides found in algal blooms, allowing laboratories to detect and accurately quantify them using standard mass-spectrometry methods. Advance funding will support final synthesis optimization, pilot manufacturing, analytical validation, and initial customer outreach. The project has a defined near-term commercialization pathway through a startup company or licensing to an established supplier of analytical reference standards.
Development of Novel Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase Inhibitors for the Treatment of Osteoarthritis in Dogs
Dr. Kin Sing Steven Lee, Michigan State University, $24,499
Osteoarthritis affects an estimated 15 million dogs in the United States and is commonly treated with anti-inflammatory drugs that can cause significant side effects when used over extended periods. This project focuses on developing orally administered compounds that inhibit soluble epoxide hydrolase, an approach that has demonstrated anti-inflammatory and pain-reducing effects in dogs with osteoarthritis. Advance funding will support screening of an existing compound library, synthesis of 20 to 25 optimized candidates, and pharmacokinetic testing. The goal is to identify a lead compound ready for canine efficacy studies within a market estimated at approximately $1 billion.
Eye Drop Adherence Monitoring System to Enable Glaucoma Self-Management Support
Dr. Paula Anne Newman-Casey, University of Michigan, $25,000
Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness and is treated primarily with medicated eye drops, yet fewer than 40% of patients administer their medication as prescribed. This team has developed a prototype monitoring device that evaluates whether eye drops are being used correctly and may also detect early indications of neurological conditions. Advance funding will support regulatory and reimbursement consultation, market analysis, and design-for-manufacturing improvements. These activities will prepare the technology for usability testing and a future multi-health-system study evaluating whether the device can improve medication adherence, self-management, and long-term vision outcomes.
The BestFeeder: A Novel Device to Increase Breastfeeding Success
Dr. John P. Farris, Grand Valley State University, $24,600
More than 70% of U.S. infants do not meet recommendations for exclusive breastfeeding during their first six months, and early supplementation can contribute to that gap because conventional feeding devices provide constant flow rather than reinforcing natural suckling patterns. The BestFeeder uses real-time intraoral pressure sensing to adjust milk flow dynamically, reproducing the cyclical rhythm of breastfeeding while helping infants develop suckling skills and supporting maternal milk production. Advance funding will support algorithm development, flow-control design, and prototype testing, moving the device toward commercialization as a transitional tool connecting necessary early supplementation with successful exclusive breastfeeding.
Metabolomics of Donor Livers During Normothermic Machine Perfusion as Predictors of Graft Function
Dr. Jonathan Xia, University of Michigan, $18,084
Normothermic machine perfusion keeps donor livers functioning outside the body before transplantation, but physicians have limited tools for predicting how well an organ will perform after surgery. This project will use mass spectrometry to analyze metabolites in the perfusion fluid surrounding donor livers and identify molecular patterns associated with transplant outcomes. Advance funding will support this pilot profiling study. The long-term goal is to discover biomarkers that provide transplant surgeons with stronger evidence when deciding whether to accept an organ, while reducing unexpected complications and improving the assessment of donor liver function before transplantation.
ContainDiff: A Lateral Position Enema Outflow Drain and Splash Shield
Dr. Vincent Young, University of Michigan, $25,000
Patients with severe Clostridioides difficile infection often require retention enemas because oral or nasogastric administration of medication is not feasible. However, administering enemas to bedridden patients in a lateral position can result in leakage, splash injuries, contamination of bedding and healthcare environments, and increased risk of spreading infection. This project is developing ContainDiff, a combined splash shield and absorbent collection system designed to safely contain enema outflow while preserving patient comfort and dignity. The technology could improve infection control, reduce healthcare worker exposure, and support treatment of severe C. difficile infections, including administration of fecal microbiota therapies.