Application Open Until January 17, 2025

Title: Vizling

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Title: Plant based materials for Stereolithography (SLA) 3D printers

Description: Plant oil based polymers are economical and renewable as compared to petroleum-based polymers, which are from a limited and depleting resource. The goal of this proposal is to develop commercially viable plant based resins for Stereolithographic 3D printers. Stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing technology is the preferred technology for highly detailed prototypes requiring tight tolerances and smooth surfaces. Although, we have demonstrated our ability to develop plant based resins that could be 3D printed using SLA 3D printers, additional work is needed to scale up and translate this technology to commercially available printers. The funds from this award will be used to carry out the development of several commercially relevant resin prototypes, product testing and preliminary market analysis for developing a commercialization plan for these resins.

Title: Superhydrophilic Nanofiber Desiccants for Enhanced Food and Drug Packaging

Description: Desiccants are agents (montmorillonite clay, silica-gel and molecular sieve) utilized to control moisture in packages. They are mainly used for storage, transportation, and maintenance in food, pharmaceutical, and electronic industries. Most of the desiccants have some limitations (hydroxylation, degradation and stability at different temperature, pressure, pH and light). Studies showed that silica-gel is potentially carcinogenic (silicosis), while others go into dust or mud/gel (unusable). Thus, there is an urgent need for safe and reliable desiccants with excellent performances under various conditions. Goal of this project is to develop a prototype for food and drug packaging using superhydrophilic nanofiber desiccants incorporated with activated carbons. Objectives are to produce superhydrophilic nanocomposite fibers; integrate these functional nanofibers into cover stocks; test the performance of desiccants for moisture and odor controls; and perform cost/benefit analysis. Superhydrophilic nanofiber desiccants provides high surface area with greater adsorption rate (20-folds) and works between 0 and 99c.

Title: nwire

Description: Currently, learning a new subject can only be done in a limited number of mediums. Technical reading requires a high amount of effort for consumption while watching videos produces a low retention rate. These traditional methods require high levels of engagement and focus for proper retention of content. We did not evolve to learn in this two-dimensional process. We evolved to learn by doing. We learn by being immersed in experiences. That’s where nwire comes in. nwire is an immersive learning platform that places learners in interactive experiences. This is achieved using mixed reality technologies. Our first learning experience will teach the fundamentals of blockchain, explaining both the concepts and technology behind it. This is just the beginning. After the blockchain beta, we will begin to rapidly expand our immersive learning to biology, anatomy, and civilizations.

Title: Direct Conversion of CO2 to Graphene for Solar Energy Applications

Description: Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a critical greenhouse gas which is responsible for global warming. While technologies to capture CO2 are commercially available for large CO2 emitters (such as power plants), CO2 storage is challenging due to issues, such as leakage of CO2 from storage media and high sequestration costs. The conversion of CO2 into useful materials, which is very difficult due to its high stability and low reactivity, is being considered as a promising solution to solve CO2 issues. The current processes for the CO2 conversion are synthesis of energy-rich C1 compounds, carboxylation and carbonation of organic substrates, electrochemical reduction, combustion reduction to carbon nanomaterials, and photochemical conversion. However, none of them is efficient. Here I present an invented process and designed reaction unit for synthesizing graphene directly from CO2. Furthermore, the obtained graphene materials process excellent properties of high electrical conductivity and high catalytic activity.

Title: Boost Hoop

Description: It's time to reinvent youth basketball with the Boost Hoop. The Boost Hoop is a basketball training tool designed to spark a player's love for the game. It simultaneously boosts a player's confidence and naturally teaches shot-arc, a key shooting concept that coaches have never dreamed of being able to teach their young players. No tools currently exist on the market that boost a player's confidence and shooting skills like the Boost Hoop does. Rather, the tools readily available are geared for higher-skilled players looking to increase their skills further; are often expensive, large, and/or awkward; and lack the encouragement and engagement aspect that the Boost Hoop is able to provide. A strategic partnership has been formed with the Andover YMCA to beta-test the Boost Hoop with youth teams to get strong customer feedback.