Entrepreneurship and Tech Transfer
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ECE Spinout company NS Nanotech releases first solid-state semiconductor to produce human-safe disinfecting UV light
NS Nanotech’s new product, enabled by ECE Prof. Zetian Mi’s research, can safely disinfect high-risk spaces like ambulances and school buses.ECE startup MemryX releases MX3 Edge AI Accelerator
MemryX has announced production availability of a new AI chip, enabled by U-M ECE research.Aline Eid receives MTRAC Award to commercialize radar vision for autonomous indoor navigation
Prof. Eid will partner with the industry startup Atheraxon to market technology for automated guided vehicles in warehouse environments and beyond.University of Michigan team partners with Semiwise to tackle cryogenic control electronics technology
Prof. Dennis Sylvester and PhD student Qirui Zhang are working with UK-based company Semiwise Ltd. to design cryogenic circuitry and improve the efficiency of quantum computing.Alum Mo Faisal on building a successful semiconductor company
Faisal, the 2023 ECE Rising Star Alumni Award recipient, founded Movellus based on his doctoral research conducted under Prof. David Wentzloff.In a new Technical Sales course, students practice the skill set of selling technology to businesses
Alum Eli Neumann, the Senior Vice President of Worldwide Sales Engineers, co-designed the Center for Entrepreneurship course.ECE Expeditions rides to the Lone Star State for a tour of engineering companies
Students networked with alums, tested demos of new technology, and toured labs at HPE, NASA, Ambiq, Dell, Torc Robotics, and NI.Vikram Verma talks the value of engineering and leadership to society as the 2022 ECE Alumni Impact Award winner
Verma credits his distinguished 30-year executive career with leading technology companies, including Savi Technology, Lockheed Martin and 8x8 Inc., to a combination of education, leadership, and luck.ECE at the center of Celebrate Invention: 2022
Wei Lu talked about his innovations as the 2022 Distinguished University Innovator, followed by a panel discussion about the University's role in fueling new high tech companies in the area.ECE alum Mihir Sheth receives Young Innovator Award from Innovate UK for making a medical device that weans patients off ventilators quicker
Sheth is the co-founder of Inspiritus Health and has developed a simple to use, non-invasive medical device that keeps patients’ muscles engaged when they are on a ventilator to prevent muscle atrophy.Michigan startup MemryX, Inc. promises faster, cheaper AI processing
The ECE startup builds neuromorphic computer chips uniquely suitable for AI applicationsWith Slide, student entrepreneurs aim to make contact sharing frictionless
Built by students and funded by student VCs, the venture marks a new model for launching ideas into ventures.
Amulya Parmar: One conversation can change everything
Amulya Parmar started his first company at 15, and is committed to positive impact in all of his endeavors.U-M startup SkyGig aims to take 5G to the next level
With new funding in the company, the hardtech startup is bringing revolutionary technologies to reshape mmWave wireless.
U-M startup NS Nanotech unveils new generation of LEDs for high-efficiency, high-performance displays
Brighter, crisper screens that draw half the power and lasts twice as long are possible with NS Nanotech’s next-gen LEDs.
The Wolverines Behind the Next Generation of Autonomous Vehicles
The Center for Entrepreneurship profiles a team of EECS students, who are working to develop the next generation of delivery vehicles.Battery-free sensor startup takes aim at industrial efficiency
Part of the team that brought us the world’s smallest computer in 2015 brings the future of computing technology into the present.
Two ‘U’ researchers receive Distinguished University Innovator Award
The Michigan Daily profiles Professors David Blaauw and Dennis Sylvester, who are this year’s recipients of the 2019 Distinguished University Innovator Award.Five EECS faculty and alumni recognized for business success
Nominees were selected based on their career accomplishments, impact in their field, and contributions to their community.
Blaauw, Sylvester are 2019 Distinguished University Innovators
Pioneering computer technology that is spurring innovation and disruption across industries has earned David Blaauw and Dennis Sylvester, professors of electrical engineering and computer science, this year’s Distinguished University Innovator Award.
KLA opens new R&D office in Ann Arbor
The global capital equipment company is looking to harness the engineering talent at U-M and power a brighter future with tech.
Advancing AI for Video: Startup launches powerful video processing platform
Voxel51 uses AI processing to identify and track objects and activities through video clips.
A Spotlight on Optics
The Optics Society at U-M hosted an Industry Spotlight event, which brought academia, industry, and community together to celebrate all things optics and photonics.
U-M startup raises $6 million in venture funding
Movellus is a U-M startup founded by alumni Dr. Mo Faisal (now CEO) and Dr. Jeff Fredenburg (now VP of Engineering).
Rick Bolander: Entrepreneurship is a team sport
Rick Bolander (BSE MSE EE ’83 ’85; MBA ’94, Harvard) has devoted his career to fulfilling the entrepreneurial dreams of others as much as his own.
Transformative approach to 5G funded by new Innovator program
Nine technologies competed for $75k in the ECE Innovator Program, which emphasizes a team approach to entrepreneurial success.
A new company, Omniscent, is sniffing out dangerous levels of toxic chemicals in the air
Subscription service offers real-time monitoring
Q&A with Mingyan Liu
The incoming electrical and computer engineering chair talks about her vision for the future.
The next medical markets of Collin Rich
An expert health sciences entrepreneur, Rich is ready to repeat success with revolutionary technology.
Mingyan Liu, 2018 Distinguished University Innovator, talks about her company and data science commercialization
Mingyan Liu, recipient of the 2018 Distinguished Innovator of the Year award, gave a talk about her startup company and participated on a panel discussing data science commercialiation.
Evigia founder Navid Yazdi creates essential sensor networks
Alumnus Navid Yazdi develops sensors that accomplish incredible tasks.
Footsteps all her own
The unexpected journey of father-and-daughter Raytheon engineers.
Fred Buhler builds better chips for “Aweslome” applications
Fred Buhler founded Aweslome to provide custom-build chips for a broad range of applications, including machine learning, neural networks, security, and circuits testing.
Rick Bergman, CEO of Synaptics – giving tech a sense of touch
ECE alum Rick Bergman, CEO of Synaptics, is working to make tomorrow’s technology user friendly, safe, and reliable. The company hopes to lead what they call “the human interface revolution.”
A VR-powered crystal structures app (video)
MHacks winner Duncan Abbot wants his VR software startup, Gwdion, to change how humans interact with technology.
The ‘Power’ of a lunchbox
Vasanthakumar came back to Chennai in 2016 with a goal to reinvent traditional and widely used personal products, starting with one of the most versatile products –— the lunchbox.
ECE Alum Kevin Johnson receives IEEE-USA Award
This award is given to those for Distinguished Public Service that is expected to help tech employees
CubeWorks: Solving problems with the world’s smallest and lowest-power computers
Cubeworks receives its first external funding to manufacture millimeter-scale computing devicesAlum startup wins $25,000 at Accelerate Michigan Competition
Movellus Circuits won $25,000 in the University Research Highlight and People’s Choice categories
MHacks win propels virtual reality startup named Gwydion, focused on child therapy and 3D gaming
EE senior Duncan Abbot and his new startup Gwydion want to make VR worth the while. Their early projects range from therapy in children’s hospitals to helping materials scientists study 3D crystals.
U-M cyber security startup purchased by FICO
Analytic software company FICO of San Jose, Calif., bought QuadMetrics to help in its development of a FICO Enterprise Security Score.
Fighting cyber crime with data analytics
QuadMetrics offers a pair of services to help companies both assess the effectiveness of their security and decide the best way to allocate (or increase) their security budget.
Making Memory Smaller, Better, Faster, Stronger
Prof. Wei Lu and former student Dr. Sung Hyun Jo co-founded Crossbar, Inc. to tackle the physical limitations of conventional memory technology.
G is for Google
Larry Page changed the web forever in 1998, now he wants to change the world.Engineering a better life for people with diabetes
Hygieia automates and streamlines diabetes treatment, a disease affecting over 29 million Americans.
Cutting the cost of hearing
MEMStim’s technology is already two phases into pre-clinical testing in preparation for FDA examination. Very few MEMS devices have made it this far.
Googling the physical world
IoT applications are the next wave of computing and the next driving force of the semiconductor industry. The startup PsiKick [now Everactive] is helping shape this future.
First-ever ECE Career Fair builds student careers and alumni connections
Local companies set up stands in the EECS Atrium to recruit from over 200 graduate and undergraduate students.
Ashraf Dahod: 2015 CoE Alumni Medal Award Winner
Dahod has combined an understanding of technology with a knack for recognizing market opportunities and built a string of successful technology companies.
Jimmy Hsiao – A local player in a global market
Jimmy founded Logic Solutions, Inc., a consulting company offering website development, web and mobile applications, and other tech solutions to companies around the world.
Claude Gauthier and OmniPhy: Connecting to the ethernet revolution
Dr. Gauthier is co-founder and CTO of the semiconductor interface intellectual property (IP) company, OmniPhy.
3 ECE companies make the Silicon 60 List – again!
Ambiq Micro, Crossbar, Inc., and PsiKick, are leading the way in ultra-low power chip design, pioneering computer memory, and ultra-low power wireless sensor platforms.
Engineering friendship
Alum startup Jetivity aims to bring people together around shared interests with a free platform for posting activities.
EECS students make career connections at NSBE conference
55 U-M engineers attended the convention, themed “Reimagining Your Future,” and developed vital connections in their field.
Four EECS companies make Crain’s list of most innovative companies, and one tops the list
This annual ranking of innovative companies in SE Michigan is based on the quality of patents received during the past year.
ECE alum Ruba Borno to join Cisco’s new executive team
The young executive has an extensive history in both the business and tech worlds.
The Mad Scientist’s Lab: A look inside Mitch Rohde and Quantum Signal’s school-sized playhouse
Don’t let the retro arcade games and oscilloscopes fool you – Mitch’s company is as modern as they come.
Silicon valley entrepreneurs help bring WIMS2 technology to the world
Shahin and Sassan discussed everything from the acquisition trends of small vs. large companies to the importance of building a team with a range of expertise.
Stephen Forrest receives 2015 Distinguished University Innovator Award
Prof. Forrest is widely acknowledged as one of the most successful academic inventors and entrepreneurs today.
Two ECE alums make top semiconductor CEOs list
Two ECE alumni were recognized in an ‘Electronics Weekly’ list of 2014’s top semiconductor CEOs.
Student team reaches Qualcomm finals with their proposal for a wearable haptic device
The goal of the project is to augment the transmission of audio and video with the sense of touch.
Nick Yang: Investing in the age of robotics
At the age of 24, Yang sold his company ChinaRen for $35 million.
EECS alums are flying high with drone startup Skyspecs
SkySpecs is currently in the process of launching their first product, the Guardian, which will help prevent collisions.
Scott Hanson receives 2014 Arbor Networks Ph.D. Research Impact Award
Dr. Hanson is the co-founder of a startup semiconductor company that plans to lead the low-power revolution in electronics by powering the Internet of Things.
Steve Mollenkopf: Leader of Qualcomm and Mobile Technologies
Mollenkopf was elected as the third CEO of Qualcomm, Inc., which has become the largest fabless semiconductor producer in the world.
Peter Tchoryk: An entrepreneurial CEO
At MAC, Peter’s been able to combine his passions for scientific research and entrepreneurial creation.
Alumni Spotlight: Steve Mollenkopf, New CEO of Qualcomm
PsiKick startup attracts financing for its Internet of Things technology
The chips’ extreme energy efficiency enables them to be powered without a battery from harvested energy sources like vibration, thermal gradients, and more.
Keravnos Energy wants to make fast electric vehicle charging economical
The idea behind Keravnos Energy is for there to be an energy transfer between three entities: the building, a large stationary battery, and the car.
Muhammad Faisal wins business competition with technology critical to the Internet of Things
Movellus Circuits’ product is a patent-pending clock generator technology that is smaller, cheaper, and faster than existing solutions.
Alumni Spotlight: Allan Evans and Avegant: Creating a brilliant multimedia experience from anywhere with Glyph
Glyph is a wearable mobile personal theater and is the first head-mounted display coming to market that will have a virtual retinal display.
Making the Internet of Things happen
Wentzloff aims to remove the necessity of a power outlet or even a battery to power miniature sensors.
Faster, more powerful mobile devices: U-M startup Crossbar could disrupt the memory market
RRAM is a new form of nonvolatile memory that has the potential to replace the flash memory commonly used in tablets, digital cameras and solid-state drives.
Michael McCorquodale named 2012 UBM Electronics ACE Innovator of the Year
“Without McCorquodale’s vision, unwavering persistence, and leadership in the face of decades of thinking to the contrary, CMOS oscillators would not exist today.”
Next-generation computer memory firm receives U-Ms first startup investment
Crossbar is developing a new nonvolatile memory technology that will offer unprecedented density and power improvements in tomorrow’s electronics.
ePack, Inc. wins Masco Next Gen Manufacturing Award at Innovation Competition
“ePack utilizes state of the art micromachining technology to provide a cost effective and high performance packaging service for micro- and milli-scale devices.”
Powering breakthrough technologies
Ambiq Micro could revolutionize ubiquitous computing, with energy-efficient microcontrollers that are 10 times more energy efficient than conventional microprocessors.
MEMStim takes first prize in the Michigan Business Challenge
MEMStim is committed to improving the standard of patient care in neurostimulation. Congratulations, Angelique!
Connor Field — Growing energy on a solar farm
“Energy will be the major concern in the United States for my generation,” Connor says. “Now is the time to research and invest in the technologies that will power our future.”
Najafi, Wise named Distinguished University Innovators
The pair is being honored for their role developing technologies in microelectromechanical systems and working to apply these innovations when making new products.
Two electrical engineers set up a global charity
“Our mission is to find volunteer opportunities at the places that people want to travel to, opportunities that won’t cost the traveler a lot of money.”
EECS Spinoffs recognized as Key Innovators in Business Competition
Congratulations to these winning companies. Go Blue!
Students give a couple of the best among 3,000 Elevator Pitches
Congratulations to Keith Porter and Patrick Theisen!
Ambiq Micro: Taking a startup to the next level
“Imagine a microprocessor so tiny and long lasting that it can be implanted in the eye of a glaucoma sufferer to measure the progress of the disease.”
Mini generators make energy from random ambient vibrations
The energy-harvesting devices are highly efficient at providing renewable electrical power from arbitrary, non-periodic vibrations.
Enertia and ABC take 1st and 2nd prizes in the clean energy prize business plan competition
The competition was established by DTE Energy and the University of Michigan to encourage entrepreneurship and the development of clean-energy technologies.
University of Michigan Office of Technology to showcase inventions
Guo’s computer chip imprinter is one of more than 300 inventions that researchers disclosed last year to U-M’s Technology Transfer office.