University of Minnesota named most innovative public university

CSE leadership in MnDRIVE robotics, sensors, and advanced manufacturing area contributes to award

MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (02/09/2016)—The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) has recognized the University of Minnesota as the most innovative public research university in the nation. The University received the honor at APLU's fourth annual Innovation & Economic Prosperity University Awards.

The awards, which honor public universities that are actively engaged in promoting regional economic development, were awarded at the APLU Annual Meeting. APLU named one winner for each of the award’s four categories — talent, innovation, place and connections — which recognize different components of economic engagement. The University of Minnesota's award in the “innovation” category recognized how the University fuels entrepreneurship and builds resilient communities through research and innovation.

“It's still early, but we see indications that MnDRIVE is boosting startup companies and license agreements, creating new ideas and companies that build on areas of strength for both the state and the University,” said Brian Herman, University of Minnesota vice president for research. “Researchers in the College of Science and Engineering are leading and developing many of these technologies across departments, disciplines, and colleges at the University. At the same time, they are helping build public-private partnerships and driving business creation.”

APLU highlighted several noteworthy examples of innovation at the U of M, including MnDRIVE, an innovative partnership between the University and the state of Minnesota that targets research in key and emerging industries to address grand societal challenges.

MnDRIVE (Minnesota’s Discovery, Research and InnoVation Economy) Initiative was established in 2013 when the Minnesota Legislature authorized an $18 million recurring annual investment in four research areas identified by University faculty, deans, and corporate partners as the most promising areas for partnership: Robotics, Global Food, Environment, and Brain Conditions. Researchers in the College of Science and Engineering are leading the key area of robotics, sensors and advanced manufacturing.

“Our researchers working on sensing, robotics, and 3D printing are at the forefront of solving someof our most challenging problems,” said Mos Kaveh, CSE associate dean of research and planning. “This includes diagnosing and treating disease, sustaining our resources while protecting our environment, developing technological advances that enhance our standard of living, and more.”

The organization also highlighted the record 16 startup companies launched in 2015 by the Office for Technology Commercialization, which brings the total number of startups based on U of M research to 86 since 2006.

Of the 16 startup companies, five have roots in CSE. They include:

 

 

 

 

 

• Adama Materials—Adama radically improves the properties of resin and fiber composites, such as epoxy/carbon fiber and polyester/fiberglass, at very low cost. Members of this startup include Chris Macosko, professor of chemical engineering and materials science, and Andreas Stein, Distinguished McKnight professor of chemistry, and holder of the Merck Professorship in Chemistry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Andarta Medical—The company is developing a non-invasive "lung pacing" device that reduces how long patients have to be treated with ventilators, resulting in significant cost savings. Members of this start up include CSE alumni James Krocak (ChemE ’01) and Medical Devices Center Innovation Fellow (2011-13) and John Ballard (EE M.S.’07, Ph.D.’12) and Medical Devices Center Innovation Fellow (2013-14), as well as Jesus Cabrera Medical Devices Center Innovation Fellow (2012-14).

 

 

 

 

 

 

•  Blossom Medical—The Medical Device Center Innovation Fellows from 2012 have developed a neonatal medical device that cradles and supports infants during early stage of life to launch this startup.

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Flora Therapeutics—The company is developing targeted microbial therapeutics based on comprehensive human microbiome data. Dan Knights, assistant professor of computer science and a McKnight Land Grant professor is part of this startup company.

 

 

 

 

 

 

•  PSI—PSI is developing a satellite image analysis algorithm to detect changes in resources (forest, crops, water, urbanization). Members of this startup include Vipin Kumar, professor of computer science and engineering and holder of the William Norris Endowed Chair, CSE alumnus Shyam Boriah (CSci Ph.D. ’10), and Karsten Steinhaeuser, research associate in computer science and engineering.

 

To learn more about companies commercialized by the University of Minnesota, see a list of recent University startups.

“This award demonstrates the University’s commitment to making a positive impact on the communities of Minnesota,” said Maura Donovan, Ph.D., executive director of University Economic Development. “By strengthening business and promoting discovery, entrepreneurship and workforce development, the U of M is contributing significantly to our state’s vibrant innovation ecosystem, positioning Minnesota as a leader in improving our world.”

The U of M was one of four land-grant universities to receive the 2015 award. The others were Auburn University, which received an award for the “place” category; Clemson University, which took the award in the “talent” category; and University of Maryland, which garnered the “connections” award.

“Each of the four winners have demonstrated an institution-wide commitment to economic engagement and have delivered on that commitment by spurring economic development in their communities,” said APLU President Peter McPherson. “APLU applauds their work and is happy to spotlight these universities as models of economic engagement.”

For more information about research and the commercialization of intellectual property at the University of Minnesota, visit research by the numbers.