The Cornell Center for Materials Research (CCMR) has selected three projects for funding through the JumpStart program for the Spring 2024 semester. The JumpStart program, designed to support New York state small businesses in partnership with New York State Empire State Development’s Division of Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR), provides technical assistance and matching funds to advance collaborative research initiatives.

The selected projects encompass a diverse range of industries and technologies, showcasing the program's commitment to fostering innovation and economic growth in New York state. These projects were chosen for their potential to create significant impact and leverage the expertise of CCMR researchers.

The funded projects for this semester are:

• Understanding Failure Mechanisms in Next-Generation Battery Materials. NanoHydroChem (Buffalo) will partner with Jonathan Shu, director of CCMR Shared Experimental Facilities, to develop a method of in-situ characterization of silicon-based anode electrodes by electron microscopy.
• Design and Development of Swim Gear for Diverse Populations. rsspcts LLC  (New York City) will partner with Fatma Baytar, assistant professor of fiber science and apparel design in the Department of Human Centered Design in the College of Human Ecology, to further the swim cap design concept and yield a functional and fashionable prototype through textile research and development, engineering and 3D body scan data.
• Transition Metal Nanomaterial Characterization. ZeroValent NanoMetals (Rochester) will partner with Jonathan Shu, director of CCMR Shared Experimental Facilities, to analyze particle size, structure and shape distribution with electron microscopy; purity by Raman spectroscopy; and thermal stability using thermogravimetric analysis of transition metal nanomaterials.

These projects were selected after a rigorous evaluation process by Cornell staff and the CCMR JumpStart Advisory Board. Industry participation and projects selected for funding represent the ongoing commitment of CCMR and its partners to support the growth and development of small businesses in New York state.

“The projects funded by the JumpStart program in this cycle promise advances in materials ranging from metals and semiconductors to synthetic fabrics,” said Frank Wise, M.S. ’86, Ph.D. ’88, director of CCMR and the Samuel B. Eckert Professor in Cornell Engineering. “The outcomes of these projects will be great examples of materials research impacting all aspects of daily life.”

The JumpStart program offers financial assistance, technical expertise and access to state-of-the-art facilities at Cornell University to facilitate the successful completion of these projects.

The Cornell Center for Materials Research (CCMR) is an interdisciplinary research center at Cornell University dedicated to advancing materials science research and innovation. CCMR collaborates with industry partners to drive economic growth and promote innovation in New York state. Support for CCMR is provided by the National Science Foundation (DMR-1719875) as part of the Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers (MRSEC). Additional support for industrial partnerships is provided by New York State Empire State Development’s Division of Science, Technology, and Innovation (NYSTAR).