Idaho Department of Commerce Announces IGEM Grant RecipientsNovember 9, 2017

Idaho Department of Commerce Announces IGEM Grant Recipients

BOISE, Idaho— November 9, 2017 —The Idaho Department of Commerce is pleased to announce the latest recipients of Idaho Global Entrepreneurial Mission (IGEM) grants. IGEM funds are awarded to Idaho research universities to partner with industry leaders on research projects geared toward commercialization. 

On November 7, 2017, the IGEM Council approved the program’s second collaborative research project. This multi-institution project, led by the University of Idaho with partners Boise State University and SAKAE Casting USA, will focus on research efforts toward the development of an aluminum cast with embedded natural boron for cooling spent nuclear fuel. This commercialization research project was awarded $237,898. 

“We are delighted to receive this award and grateful to the IGEM Council and the State of Idaho for making it possible. I am extremely proud of our team for developing the first IGEM project involving nuclear energy research and collaborators from the University of Idaho and Boise State University,” said Dr. Janet Nelson, Vice President of Research and Economic Development at the University of Idaho. “This project will lay the foundation for a safer, cleaner future, and highlights the global impact of our research at the University of Idaho”.

The second IGEM grant was awarded to Boise State University with its industry partner, Shaw Mountain Technology, in the amount of $343,330. The grant will support development of a working Magnetic Shape Memory (MSM) Micropump prototype for volume production. 

“These projects represent two prominent research strengths in Idaho, material science and nuclear energy,” said Megan Ronk, director of Idaho Commerce. “We are excited about the commercialization opportunity of these two projects and the assistance this research is providing two emerging Idaho companies.”

This fiscal year, the IGEM Council has awarded $581,228 in total to commercialization research projects benefitting the State of Idaho.   

Please visit the IGEM website for program and application information http://igem.idaho.gov.

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