Two upstate New York businesses have developed and improved new products with the help of Cornell scientists through JumpStart projects in the Cornell Center for Materials Research (CCMR) during the spring 2007 semester. Three more businesses have been accepted for new projects this fall.

JumpStart projects, supported by small grants from the New York State Foundation for Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR), allow a business to work with a faculty researcher for a short time on a specific problem. The projects often lead to a longer-term collaboration.

Canandaigua-based Select Fabricators worked with Juan Hinestroza, Cornell assistant professor of fiber science and apparel design, in exploring new technologies and product improvements for electromagnetically shielding fabrics that can be used to create a low-cost portable enclosure to keep out or contain electromagnetic fields. The company manufactures a range of products, including protective packaging, bags, covers, tarps and shrouds, metallized fabrics and anti-microbial medical components. Select Fabricators plans to continue working with Cornell on other product-development projects, according to David Jung, CCMR industrial programs manager.

Harrick Scientific Products of Pleasantville entered into a partnership with Itai Cohen, assistant professor of physics, to develop new analytical instruments for the optical microscopy market, using methods pioneered by Cohen to observe the effects of shearing stress on such tissues as cartilage, with possible applications in the treatment of osteoarthritis and similar diseases. Harrick develops and sells specialized laboratory optics and accessories to research labs and industrial users. "We expect this collaboration to continue and complete the development of this product," Jung said.

The New York small businesses G3 Technology Innovations Inc., Novipella Inc. and NYCO Minerals have been selected by the JumpStart Review Board to receive JumpStart awards for the fall '07 semester.

"We are confident that these new collaborations will benefit participating companies, faculty and students, and support economic growth in New York state as mandated by NYSTAR," Jung said.

NYCO Minerals of Willsboro will work with Emmanuel Giannelis, the Walter R. Read Professor of Engineering, to develop new methods for using wollastonite, a mineral used in ceramics that forms long, needle-like particles, as functional fillers in polymers, and to evaluate these inorganic-polymer blends for improved properties.

G3 Technology Innovations of Rochester will collaborate with Margaret Frey, professor of fiber science and apparel design, to use nanoparticles to make textiles water repellant without the use of harmful fluorochemicals.

Novipella Inc., also in Rochester, will do research with Lara Estroff, professor of materials science and engineering, to create a base that could lead to anti-microbial coatings on solid surfaces.

JumpStart projects receive up to $5,000 for project costs, which is matched by up to $10,000 by participating companies. The program chooses projects with the greatest potential for creating a mutually beneficial, long-term relationship with Cornell. Eighteen companies have benefited since 2005, and seven of those have continued their collaborations with the university, Jung said. CCMR is primarily funded by the National Science Foundation.

Companies can apply on the CCMR Web site at http://www.ccmr.cornell.edu/industry/smallbusiness/; applications will be accepted Oct. 12 to Nov. 14 for the spring semester.