Innovation Ambassador: Catherine Fromen
Dr. Catherine Fromen, Associate Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Delaware (UD), is spearheading cutting-edge work that bridges fundamental science with real-world therapeutic innovation. Supported in part by pilot funding from the UD NSF Accelerating Research Translation program (NSF ART 2331440) and the Institute for Engineering Driven Health, Dr. Fromen has […]
IGNITE FSU Client Piersica Unveils PIRION™, A Breakthrough Polymer Technology Engineered For The Battery Industry
Piersica, Inc., a leader in next-generation battery innovation, today announced the launch of its patented polymer technology, PIRION™, engineered specifically to advance lithium-ion battery performance. PIRION offers a unique combination of qualities, delivering high conductivity and voltage stability, strong thermal resilience and durability, setting a new standard for lightweight battery materials and advanced energy storage applications. […]
Discovery Days: Five FSU-affiliated startups with innovative, impactful ideas compete for $85,000 at third annual FSU Discovery Challenge
Florida State University-affiliated startup companies took to the stage “Shark Tank”-style at the third annual Discovery Challenge event, pitching their cutting-edge businesses and walking away with a combined $85,000 in new funding. Discovery Challenge was a high-energy event with five startups pitching their ideas to judges and a packed audience about how they planned to […]
Innovation Ambassador: Jason Gleghorn
Dr. Jason Gleghorn, Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Delaware, is pioneering the development of microfluidic organ-on-a-chip models that are compact—approximately the size of two postage stamps—and cost-effective. These devices replicate human organ systems, enabling more accurate disease modeling and drug testing compared to traditional animal models. Dr. Gleghorn’s innovation aims to […]
University of Delaware Senior Advances Women’s Health Research with Organ-on-a-Chip Technology
This summer, University of Delaware biomedical engineering senior Victoria McKeown got hands-on research experience in Professor Jason Gleghorn’s lab, where she helped develop tiny “organ-on-a-chip” devices to better understand how diseases progress and how drugs move through the female reproductive system. Her work included 3D-printing the chips, running fluid simulations, and testing them with cells […]
Innovation Ambassador: Harsh Bais
University of Delaware plant biologist Dr. Harsh Bais has been appointed as an Innovation Ambassador, a role that enables him to mentor fellow researchers in translating their scientific discoveries into real-world applications. Dr. Bais’s notable achievement includes the development of UD1022, a beneficial bacterium strain that enhances plant immunity and growth. Through collaboration with UD’s […]
Nearly two years in, NSF program maximizes research impact at Montana State
Nearly two years in, NSF program maximizes research impact at Montana State By Reagan Cotton, MSU News Service August 29, 2025 BOZEMAN – The crux of many research projects lies in a deceptively complex question: “So what?” At Montana State University, a unique program funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation is helping scientists to […]
Mentorship in Action: WashU’s Visit to MU
Strengthening Ties Between WashU and MU: Advancing Translational Research Through Mentorship The recent visit from Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) to the University of Missouri (MU) marked a significant step forward in fostering a strong mentor-mentee relationship aimed at accelerating translational research. This collaboration exemplifies a shared commitment to bridging the gap between […]
IGNITE FSU Client Secures Approximately $1.9 Million U.S. Army Contract to Advance Ultra-High Energy Density Batteries
Piersica, Inc., a technology company specializing in ultra-high energy battery solutions, announced it has been awarded approximately a $1.9 million Army SBIR Phase II contract to develop its next-generation technology further. After completing its prior Army Phase I contract in November 2024, Piersica was eligible to apply for a Phase II grant titled Energy Demand Reduction and […]
US Navy funds Eta Space to develop advanced cryogenic cooling systems
Eta Space has been awarded a Phase I STTR contract to research rapid cryogenic cooling of superconducting systems for defense applications. The six-month contract with Florida State University’s Center for Advanced Power Systems (CAPS) began July 7. The Phase I contract will consist of thermal design and analysis with an optional period of prototype testing. Upon […]