Five CSU researchers received awards totaling $669,150 from the 2024 Advanced Industries Proof of Concept Grant Program. Funding for the program is provided to Colorado State University through the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade with the goal of accelerating commercialization of CSU innovations with high potential for creating economic impact in the state of Colorado. CSU STRATA manages the selection process for these funds in conjunction with the Office of the Vice President for Research.
Grantees were selected from a pool of 15 applicants whose projects spanned various industries pivotal to Colorado’s growth, including aerospace; advanced manufacturing; bioscience; electronics; energy and natural resources; infrastructure engineering; and technology and information. Each applicant pitched their concept to a review committee coordinated by CSU STRATA’s technology transfer team with the goal of demonstrating its feasibility as a commercial product. Selected applicants were then invited to submit full applications detailing their project for review by CSU STRATA and a team of subject matter expert reviewers.
2024 Grantees
Unlocking the Secrets of Cellular Metabolism for Cancer
Improving the development of cancer therapies through a multisensor platform for real-time measurement of cellular metabolism.
Primary Investigator: Thomas Chen, Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Improving the Tolerance to QPE in CoAXium Wheat by Manipulating a GRAS Transcription Factor
Developing a novel trait to increase herbicide resistance in wheat to create more sustainable agriculture practices in Colorado and beyond.
Primary Investigator: Franck Dayan, Professor, Agricultural Biology
Destruction of “Forever Chemicals” (PFAS) in Water by Electrochemical Treatment
Developing a system to break down PFAS in contaminated water – a current environmental challenge in Colorado and nationally.
Primary Investigator: Mitchell Olson, Associate Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering
SMASH: Situational Awareness with Mobile Air Sampling for Hazards
Reducing the risks to responders to climate disasters through real-time sensing of environmental hazards.
Primary Investigator: John Volckens, Professor, Mechanical Engineering
Laser Sensor for Trace Detection of Hydrogen in the Energy Transition
Supporting the emerging hydrogen economy through the development of an accurate, versatile system for monitoring hydrogen emissions.
Primary Investigator: Azer Yalin, Professor, Mechanical Engineering
Additional AI POC funding is available to researchers at eligible Colorado research institutions directly through OEDIT, with applications due by Feb. 28, 2025. CSU researchers should contact CSU STRATA about applying for these funds.
Learn more about the Advanced Industries Proof of Concept Grant Program at csustrata.org/technology-transfer/ai-poc-grant.
Subscribe to our newsletter to read upcoming features on each of the 2024 Advanced Industries winners, starting with Dr. Tom Chen.