NSF I-Corps Regional Teams 

Advanced Optronics*

Our technology uses flexible micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) sensors integrated with the cochlear implant electrode to provide real-time feedback to surgeons to improve patient outcomes

CMU Affiliation: Electrical and Computer Engineering

Maysam Chamanzar, PI
Hannah Mormer, Entrepreneurial Lead
Jay Reddy, Technical Lead
Elora Gupta, Industry Mentor

*accepted to I-Corps National Program 

Aquatonomy

We will provide unique capabilities for underwater navigation with applications ranging from the Navy domain over oil and gas to infrastructure and ship inspection. We will provide software licenses, services and potentially also hardware (sensor pod or small autonomous underwater robot).

CMU Affiliation: Robotics Institute

Michael Kaess, PI
Xiaoyu Kaess, Entrepreneurial Lead
Josh Mangelson, Technical Lead

BAS (Battery Avionics System)

We are a group of battery scientists, researchers, and engineers who are rethinking ways to build batteries for aviation. We have developed the Battery Avionics System which is both the energy source and energy management solution for electric aviation.

CMU Affiliation: Mechanical Engineering

Venkat Viswanathan, PI
Shashank Sripad, Entrepreneurial Lead

Beyond Reach Labs

Pioneering the future of infrastructure, delivering High Expansion Ratio Displayable (HERD) structures for environments where conventional rigid systems are restrictive. We redefine assembly, minimize transport challenges, and ensure seamless deployment in even the most inaccessible terrains.

CMU Affiliation: Robotics Institute

Zachary Manchester, PI
Mitchell Fogelson,Entrepreneurial Lead

Cloud Experimental Design and Optimization (CLEDO)

CMU Affiliation: Chemical Engineering

Maya Bhat,Entrepreneurial Lead

CompassionateSynergy

CompassionateSynergy is a modern day popup greeting card. 3D animations are displayed on compatible CompassionateSynergy greeting cards when using the CompassionateSynergy app. 

CMU Affiliation: Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering

Maxine Attobrah,Entrepreneurial Lead

Consistency*

Process development for 3D printing of metal alloys.

CMU Affiliation: Mechanical Engineering

Jack Beuth, PI
David Guirguis, Entrepreneurial Lead
Shlok Desai, Technical Lead
Dave Farnsworth, Industry Mentor

*accepted to I-Corps National Program

CoolElectricMotors

Electric motors are commonplace in robotics and becoming widely accepted in other industries such as ground, aerial, and aquatic electric vehicles. However, motors can overheat and burn out when required to sustain high operational torques. We introduce a smaller and lighter motor than conventional electric motors without using water or oil cooling, which add extra weight and require pumping mechanisms.

CMU Affiliation: Mechanical Engineering

Kevin Dai,Entrepreneurial Lead

Edulis Therapeutics Inc.*

Providing an ingestible, gastroretentive platform for the extended, non-invasive application of medical technologies in the GI tract.

CMU Affiliation: Biomedical Engineering

Chris Bettinger, PI, 
Spencer Matonis, Entrepreneurial Lead
Vladimir Lamm, Technical Lead
Laura Ohlund, Industry Mentor

*accepted to I-Corps National Program

Fluid Reality*

Developing novel haptic interfaces that use low-cost tactile actuators to deliver high-fidelity sensations to the skin.

CMU Affiliation: Human Computer Interaction Institute

Chris Harrison, PI
Joe Mullenbach, Entrepreneurial Lead
Craig Schultz, Technical Lead
Afshan Khan, Industry Mentor

*accepted to I-Corps National Program

Formaldehyde Sensors

We are developing low-cost metal oxide sensors for detecting hazardous VOCs (volatile organic
compounds) in air. These hazardous VOCs include formaldehyde and benzene, which are both
carcinogens present in indoor and outdoor environments.

CMU Affiliation: Mechanical Engineering

Albert Presto, PI/Entrepreneurial Lead 

Incept EV*

A complex system analysis algorithm which couples high-fidelity battery and vehicle dynamics, informed by locality with agent based simulations to accurately simulate fleets of electric vehicles.

CMU Affiliation: Mechanical Engineering

Venkat Viswanathan, PI
Matt Guttenberg, Entrepreneurial Lead
Jiankun Pu, Technical Lead
Dave Farnsworth, Industry Mentor

*accepted to I-Corps National Program

Instinct Robotics

We provide automated robotic grinding solution. Our robot can automatically identity the area to grind, program itself and run.

CMU Affiliation: Robotics Institute

Wenzhen Yuan, PI
Tianhao Wei, Entrepreneurial Lead

Kestrel*

Quantum optimal control software.

CMU Affiliation: Robotics Institute

Zac Manchester, PI
Aaron Trowbridge, Entrepreneurial Lead

 *accepted to I-Corps National Program

Latent Robotics, Inc.

E-waste recycling

CMU Affiliation: Robotics Institute

Matt Travers, PI
Jay Maier, Entrepreneurial Lead

LICA Tech*

CMU researchers are developing non-invasive methods that use near-infrared light, signal processing, and machine learning to correlate hemodynamic-based cardiac waveform morphology with ICP.

CMU Affiliation: Biomedical Engineering

Jana Kainerstorfer, PI
Filip Relander, Entrepreneurial Lead
Bradley Scammon, Technical Lead
Laura Ohlund, Industry Mentor

*accepted to I-Corps National Program

Magnify BioSci*

The project will enable and evaluate the commercialization potential of a nanoscale tissue imaging platform called MAGNIFY that can extract previously hidden biological information from patient specimens.

CMU Affiliation: Biological Sciences

Yongxin (Leon) Zhao, PI/Technical Lead
FeiFei Fu, Entrepreneurial Lead
Ron Jankowski, Industry Mentor

*accepted to I-Corps National Program

MEC

We are helping inculcate an Entrepreneurial culture in educational institutions (who do not know where to start from) by creating Entrepreneurial intention in students using Entrepreneurship resources via our Ecosystem.

CMU Affiliation: Integrated Innovation Institute

Rishabh Banga, Entrepreneurial Lead

Mimetic (formally PrintSil)*

We can enable anyone with commercially available, low-cost resin-based 3D printers (<$500) to rapidly produce silicone parts with various material properties, by providing specially formulated silicone resins. We intend to commercialize the resin and sell through B2B and B2C channels.

CMU Affiliation: Mechanical Engineering

Vickie Webster-Wood, PI 
Kevin Dai, Entrepreneurial Lead
Saul Schaffer, Technical Lead
Robert Harbage, Industry Mentor

*accepted to I-Corps National Program

Morphing Program

We specialize in robotic printing techniques to create high-quality products from recyclable plastics, reducing waste and promoting eco-friendly practices.

CMU Affiliation: School of Architecture

Chengyuan Wei, Entrepreneurial Lead

NovoLINC, Inc.

For thermal interface materials, a paper-like composite nanostructured film was strategically designed with an ultra-high thermal conductivity like metal, which is promising to efficiently dissipate heat and boost-up the performance of electronic devices. For battery, supercapacitor and photo/electro-catalysis related applications, the tunable nanostructure provides large surface area and extra current flow paths that are favorable for improving the energy conversion performances.

CMU Affiliation: Mechanical Engineering

Sheng Shen, PI
Rui Cheng, Entrepreneurial Lead

PainAllay

A novel approach for non-invasive brain stimulation with submillimeter scale resolution. Using this approach, they are developing a device, “PainAllay” which aim to help in mitigation of chronic pain following stroke, intense surgeries and similar conditions.

CMU Affiliation: Electrical and Computer Engineering

Maysam Chamanzar, PI 
Vishal Jain, Entrepreneurial Lead

Phin

We aim to revolutionize how materials are discovered and developed. Historical materials development.

CMU Affiliation: Mechanical Engineering

Venkat Viswanathan, PI
Emil Annevelink, Entrepreneurial Lead

Power 3D*

As Li-ion batteries (LIBs) become more prominent, higher demands on energy density, charge rate, and power capability are the primary challenges for battery manufacturers. Our team has developed a novel manufacturing process that can address these concerns.

CMU Affiliation: Mechanical Engineering

Rahul Panat, PI 
Alex Sanchez, Entrepreneurial Lead
Jonghyun Park, Technical Lead
Peter Scott, Industry Mentor

*accepted to I-Corps National Program

ReflectAR

3D photorealistic virtual avatar technology

CMU Affiliation: Robotics Institute

Fernando De La Torre, PI 
Francisco Vicente, Entrepreneurial Lead

Resilient Lifescience

Developing a wearable medical device that can detect and reverse an opioid overdose.

CMU Affiliation: Mechanical Engineering

Bradford Holden, Entrepreneurial Lead

Robust Operations

Help firms identify their hidden supply chain risks, and prepare against disruptions.

CMU Affiliation: Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy

Ningji Wei, PI
Peter Zhang, Entrepreneurial Lead

SafeRails*

We formally verified (wrote a computer-checked, mathematical proof of) the safety of the Federal Railroad Administration freight train kinematics model with all its relevant forces and parameters, including track slope and curvature, air brake propagation, and resistive forces as computed by the Davis equation.

CMU Affiliation: Computer Science Department

Stefan Mitsch, PI/Technical Lead
Aditi Kabra, Entrepreneurial Lead
Lakisha Greenwade, Industry Mentor

*accepted to I-Corps National Program

Science Inquiry Learning

The final product will be computer-based software that supports student learning of science inquiry processes (e.g., selecting a good research question; developing a good hypothesis).

CMU Affiliation: Psychology

David Klahr, PI/Technical Lead 
Stephanie Siler, Entrepreneurial Lead

StimGen

We propose the development of a bio-electronic platform using real time electrical stimulation and sensing that will revolutionize the standard of care for VML (volumetric muscle loss) therapeutics.

CMU Affiliation: Materials Science Engineering

Sam Gershanok, Entrepreneurial Lead

Wood Wide AI

Highly performant automated Vectors.

CMU Affiliation: Machine Learning, School of Computer Science

Pradeep Ravikumar, PI/Technical Lead
Varsha Raj, Entrepreneurial Lead