19 companies receive tech grants
BYLINE: From staff reports
The Maine Technology Institute has approved 19 seed grants to technology companies across the state, with companies spanning from Mapleton to Biddeford.
MTI seed grants of up to $12,500 are offered on a competitive basis to support early activities for product development, commercialization or business planning and development.
The award winners and their projects are:
Auburn Enterprises LLC in Greene, which will engineer, design and price elements necessary to move affordable, rapid-build, high-quality, low-maintenance, versatile and environmentally friendly residential and commercial buildings.
Maine BioFuel International LLC in Cape Elizabeth, which will develop a proposal to support commercialization of a biodiesel production facility.
Seacolors in Washington, with the help of EnergyWorks, will design and install active solar-energy systems for washing and rinsing wool yarns and rovings for textile manufacture.
R. J. Peacock Canning Company in Lubec will investigate mussel/sea urchin and scallop/sea urchin interactions to determine whether bivalve and sea urchin polyculture has the potential to be viable.
Royal Stag Corp. in Mapleton will conduct a market analysis and create a business plan to address evolving customer demand in the dietary supplement market for Red Deer Velvet Antler.
The Integrative Medicine Research Laboratory at the Teague Biotechnology Facility in Fairfield will investigate a plant extract that thwarts the capacity of neoplasms to invade tissues and forestalls the death governing all cells.
Creative Thoughts Inc. in Biddeford will manufacture and test prototypes of a nursing bed that provides support for nursing babies and allows the infant to remain safely on the bed once they are asleep.
Fernald and Johnson of Phippsburg will assess composite material properties to identify those best suited for production of composite string instruments.
Grant Safety Products in Orrington will complete development and testing of its double shaft kayak paddle.
The University of Maine will evaluate the feasibility of institutionally financing the commercialization of advanced/secure composite technologies.
Aeration Systems in Falmouth will obtain a third-party certification that will allow its product to be sold nationally.
nzymSys Inc. in Cape Elizabeth will measure the effectiveness of its enzyme-based liquid used to reduce selected contaminant concentrations in air streams.
Orono Spectral Solutions in Orono will file for a patent for its invention of an infrared-based, bio-aerosol detection system.
iSagacity Inc. in Bremen will develop a patent application for predictive condition monitoring technology.
The University of Maine's New Media and Internet Technologies Lab in Orono is collaborating with Intelligent Spatial Technologies to refine the iPointer, a location-based data service residing on cell phones with wireless data and global positioning system connections.
Cousineau Wood Products of Maine LLC in North Anson will develop and test market a laminated wood gunstock.
Mike Smiley Timberframes in New Sharon will construct and test a new type of woodworking machine
Simply Divine Brownies LLC of Brunswick, a producer of gourmet brownies, will determine the feasibility of launching a new frozen and dry mix product.
Southworth Products Inc. in Portland will perform market research and re-engineering to diversify its material-handling product line with a new device that targets the large retailer market.