The North Dakota Centers of Excellence Commission awarded funding for a total of $1,143,489 in research based grants. The awards, approved May 27, include four NDSU departments.

Awards included Research ND Grants, Phase 1 Venture Grants and Phase 2 Venture Grants.

Research ND promotes the development and commercialization of products and processes through industry/university research partnerships. The program provides matching funds to help companies pay for the university research.

The Venture Grant program helps move university-developed technology into the marketplace through startup or spinout companies.

NDSU received three $100,000 Research ND grants:

• The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering received a grant to refine the use of radio frequency to encourage gene expression. The work has the potential to revolutionize medical treatment through dramatic change in biotech and drug delivery fields.

• The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering received a grant to develop a network of sensors for efficient and rapid pipeline damage detection and monitoring.

• The Department of Veterinary and Microbiological Sciences received a grant to develop materials with biofilm inhibiting properties that can be used in for a variety of applications, including medical devices and food processing.

In addition, NDSU received a Venture Grant Phase II, which is used to launch a start-up or spin out company with technology that was proven in Phase I.

• The Department of Mechanical Engineering, in partnership with c2sensor Corp., was awarded $150,000 continue developing the SEED Sensor to monitor soil environment. In its final form, the SEED Sensor is anticipated to be the size of an acorn and developed from both bio-based and bio-inert materials.

As a student-focused, land-grant, research university, we serve our citizens.