Four New York companies have received 2013 JumpStart Program grants for the spring semester through the Cornell Center for Materials Research. Funded by the New York State Foundation for Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR), JumpStart assists New York state small businesses in developing and improving through university collaborations.

This year’s winners:

• Cerion Enterprises, Rochester, will collaborate with Emmanuel Giannelis, the Walter R. Reed Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, to develop a new nano ceria material that has a very high weight suspension density for use as a novel lubricant/anti-corrosion material.
• ENrG Inc., Buffalo, will collaborate with Professor Bruce Van Dover, materials science and engineering, to develop coatings for flexible ceramic substrates to provide a suitable surface for the growth of semiconductor materials; ultimately, as a roll-to-roll process for the production of PV solar cells.
• SensGard LLC, Pittsford, will collaborate with Professor Anil Netravali, fiber science and apparel design, to develop new foam materials that will improve the performance and comfort of hearing protection products.
• The Decorated Cookie Co./Corso’s Cookies, Syracuse, will collaborate with Carmen Moraru, associate professor of food science, to develop a fast-drying frosting for use in their cookie decorating process.

The ultimate goal of the JumpStart program is revenue growth and job creation. JumpStart projects receive up to $5,000 in matching funds for project costs that include faculty and research staff, facilities, services, supplies and materials. Since its inception 51 companies have benefited from this program.

To apply for spring 2014 projects, see http://www.ccmr.cornell.edu/industry/.