Troy Tesmer, 51ÁÔÆæ alumnus and co-owner of Soul Mobility, met Professor Brooke Slavens, mechanical engineering, in 2023 through a mutual connection. Now the two, along with Scientist Alyssa Schnorenberg in the Slavens’ lab, have teamed up to study a problem they all care deeply about \u2013 making life easier for wheelchair users.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Their project, investigating solutions to the constant exposure to vibration that users often experience, is one of 12 funded in the college this year through the 51ÁÔÆæ Faculty-Industry Partnership Seed Grants (FIPS). Fifteen faculty members and two scientists from the college have earned the largest share of 20 grants awarded across 51ÁÔÆæ. These were awarded by Office of Research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Designed to facilitate deeper research collaboration with industry, the FIPS program helps faculty and industry partners move quickly from idea to application, with amounts ranging between $41,000 and $50,000 each. The grants support multidisciplinary research, early-stage product development, and preparation for larger external funding proposals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The College of Engineering & Applied Science stands out for its extensive industry collaborations, accelerating industrial innovation and training a highly skilled workforce. These partnerships include leadership roles in three federally supported Industry-University Cooperative Research Centers, focused on water, energy and concrete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here\u2019s a look at this year\u2019s awardees and their partners:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Brooke Slavens<\/strong>, professor, and Alyssa Schnorenberg, <\/strong>scientist, both mechanical engineering Feng Guo, <\/strong>assistant professor, and Rob Cuzner<\/strong>, professor, electrical engineering Qingsu Cheng<\/strong>, assistant professor, biomedical engineering Junjie\u00a0Niu<\/strong>, professor, industrial & manufacturing engineering Priyatha Premnath<\/strong>, assistant professor, biomedical engineering, (and Sandeep Gopalakrishna) Nikolai Kouklin, <\/strong>professor, computer science, and Konstantin Sobolev<\/strong>, professor, civil & environmental engineering Jian\u00a0Zhao, <\/strong>professor, civil & environmental engineering, and Nathan Salowitz<\/strong>, associate professor, mechanical engineering Rani F El Hajjar, <\/strong>professor, civil & environmental engineering, and Tian Zhao<\/strong>, associate professor, computer science
Partner: Soul Mobility
“Comparing suspension and non-suspension power-assist technologies for reducing vibration and impact exposure in wheelchair mobility.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Partner: Eaton
“Development of bidirectional-switch-based parallel SiC\/GaN hybrid three-level, T-type active-front end for high-power and ultra-high efficiency, fast-charging stations.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Partner: Exact Sciences
“Scalable automation for organoid-based cancer research.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Partner: GE Appliances
“PFAS removal via electrochemical oxidation in water.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Partner: RxOS
“Engineering of selective p21 inhibition with radical scavenging hydrogel matrices: a strategic academic industrial partnership for regenerative wound therapy.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Partners: Qcells, Silfab Solar, JincoSolar
“Polycrystalline zinc-phosphate thin films: multispectral, low-cost solar energy photovoltaics for industrial deployment.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Partner: Precast Engineering Company
“Nondestructive testing and field monitoring of adhesive anchors in precast concrete connections.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Partner: Carlisle Construction Materials
“Machine learning and acoustic methods for nondestructive characterization of thermoplastic polyolefin membranes.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n