Five New York state companies have received JumpStart grants for spring 2015. The Cornell Center for Materials Research JumpStart program, funded by the Empire State Development Division of Science, Technology and Innovation, assists small businesses with developing and improving their products through university collaborations.

• Buckingham Manufacturing Company of Binghamton will collaborate with Juan Hinestroza, associate professor of fiber science and apparel design, in the development of a device that shows the effects of ultraviolet degradation in nylon and alerts users to potential danger.

• Empire Brewing Co. of Syracuse will work with George Hudler, professor of plant pathology and plant-microbe biology, to characterize the metabolites produced during fermentation of a green tea-infused beer.

• Energy Materials Corp. of Rochester will collaborate with Kit Umbach, adjunct professor of materials science and engineering, on microstructural characterization of thin conductive polymer films.

• North Brook Plastics of Auburn will work with Anil Netravali, professor of fiber science and apparel design, to perform accelerated aging tests on plastic plywood sheets made of 100 percent low-grade recycled materials, manufactured using a powder impression molding process.

• Performax Sports of Buffalo will collaborate with Huiju Park, assistant professor of fiber science and apparel design, to develop a cut-resistant, durable and washable neck protection device for ice hockey players.

The projects receive up to $5,000 in matching funds for costs, including faculty and research staff, facilities, services, supplies and materials. Since JumpStart’s inception in 2005, 63 companies have benefited from the program.