Wichita State University's Center for Innovation and Enterprise Engagement (CIEE) has awarded development grants to three business innovation projects.

The technologies were selected by the center's board of directors after a rigorous competition and evaluation by technical experts.

Innovations were chosen because of their unique ideas, potential for commercialization and likely positive impact on the region's economy and workforce. Grants ranged in value from $20,000 to $50,000 for year-long product and process development.

Last September, CIEE won a $2 million federal economic development grant to accelerate the transfer of cutting-edge technologies within Wichita State and the surrounding community.

The grant is part of the Obama administration's $37 million Jobs and Innovation Challenge awarded to WSU and 19 other applicants.

Wichita State continues to use the grant to focus on bringing innovative advanced manufacturing products and processes from the laboratory to the factory floor.

Enterprises receiving innovation development funding include:

• Carbon Fiber Remanufacturing, to develop and demonstrate the technologies and processes to move scrap carbon fiber to “remanufactured” fiber forms preferred by the composites industry. Grant proceeds will be used to test the comparison of mechanical properties between virgin carbon fiber and reclaimed carbon fiber.
• Momentum Wheels LLC, to develop overbraided carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic wheels for automotive fuel efficiency improvement. Grant proceeds will be used to design a more efficient and cost effective manufacturing process for production of high strength, low-weight automotive wheels.
• Grail Engine Technologies Inc., for development of an ultra-high efficiency internal combustion engine via the “Grail Cycle.” Grant proceeds will expedite the prototype engine development that will result in improved power generation, energy efficiency and reduce foreign oil dependency.