Cornell, Binghamton, and Clarkson University projects among those awarded FuzeHub manufacturing grants

ALBANY, N.Y. — Projects at Cornell University, Clarkson University, Binghamton University, and Seneca Cayuga Yates Counties Chapter NYSARC, Inc. have secured funding in the latest FuzeHub manufacturing grant awards.

The nonprofit FuzeHub, which is based in Albany, awarded nearly $700,000 in grants to facilitate research and development, industrial innovations, and creative products for New York State manufacturers.

The organization announced a total of 14 grant awards with money through the Jeff Lawrence Innovation Fund. All projects were awarded $50,000 or an amount close to that figure.

The Innovation Fund, supported by Empire State Development Division of Science Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR), works to spur technology development and commercialization across New York State. To date, the Fund has awarded nearly $6 million in funding.

The fund provides $1 million annually and is administered by FuzeHub, the statewide Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Center.

FuzeHub provides small to medium-sized manufacturers with access to a network of industry experts, programs and resources to solve business-growth challenges.

“In the current climate, the Jeff Lawrence Innovation Fund Manufacturing Grant awards are a vital resource to the companies that are supported in these projects” Elena Garuc, executive director of FuzeHub, said.  “The awards are allowing companies to stimulate the economy and further bolster manufacturing in [New York State].”

Jeff Lawrence, who died in 2015, was a top executive at the Albany–based Center for Economic Growth, the MEP Center for the Capital Region, and a supporter of New York manufacturing and entrepreneurial communities, according to FuzeHub.

 

Regional grant recipients

 

Cornell University Institute of Biotechnology / Inso Biosciences $50,000

 

Inso Biosciences Inc. is a startup from Cornell University and a client company of Cornell’s Kevin M. McGovern Family Center for Venture Development in the Life Sciences incubator.

Inso is developing a technology platform — originally invented at Cornell University — that can automate sample preparation for subsequent DNA sequencing or optical-mapping analysis.

 

Binghamton University, Center for Advanced Microelectronics Manufacturing (CAMM) / Aincobio LLC $50,000

 

In this project, the Center for Advanced Microelectronics Manufacturing (CAMM) at Binghamton University and Aincobio LLC, based in Syracuse, are teaming up to produce new additively printed, conductive-ink microelectronic biosensors capable of quantifying the antibiotic resistance of bacterial pathogens in less than one hour.

Bacterial infections that spread into the bloodstream can be lethal in a few hours, but current lab tests used to determine the most effective antibiotic drug(s) can take 2-5 days. This time delay contributes to high rates of mortality and morbidity, and often makes bloodstream infections one of the most expensive conditions to treat.

 

Clarkson University, Shipley Center for Innovation / Reset Water, LLC & Square One Coating Systems, LLC $50,000

 

This project will “accelerate” the commercialization of technology developed at Clarkson University to address the growing problem of harmful algal blooms (HABs) in New York State and around the world. HABs have existed for many years, but in recent decades the scope of the problem has increased dramatically as runoff from nutrient rich fertilizers works its way into our freshwater systems, and as global climate change has increased average temperatures around the world.

Through the FuzeHub funding, startup company Reset Water, LLC will launch a prototype boat outfitted with “HABs Terminator” technology licensed from Clarkson. This technology applies a proprietary electrochemical oxidation process to treat waters affected by HABs, removing both the visible blooms as well as their toxic side effects.

This boat, the second prototype that will be launched by Reset Water in 2021, will be outfitted with components sourced from another NYS manufacturer, Square One Coatings of Oriskany. The project will enable both of these companies to increase revenue with a new product line, ultimately leading to new manufacturing jobs that help to solve one of New York State’s most pressing environmental challenges.

 

Seneca Cayuga Yates Counties Chapter NYSARC, Inc. / Natural Beauty Breast Prosthesis, LLC $50,000

 

Finger Lakes Textiles is proud to partner with woman-owned, Natural Beauty Breast Prosthesis, LLC, to manufacture an organic, all-natural fiber, external breast form for women who have had mastectomies without reconstruction.

This project will create 10 new hires over the next three years. Many of these new hires will be individuals with disabilities. The two businesses expect to increase production capacity by 300 percent.

This collaboration will provide thousands of women with breast forms they can wear with comfort and give them peace of mind knowing that what they are wearing is safe as well as comfortable.