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You Visit Tour. Webb Lion Fountain. June 1 2017. Photo David B. Hollingsworth

CIT Awards Grants to Four ODU Researchers for Technology-based Projects

Four Old Dominion University researchers have been awarded grants by the Virginia Center for Innovative Technology (CIT) as part of the 2013 Commonwealth Research Commercialization Fund (CRCF).

The allotments, which totaled $3 million, went to 43 proposals from 27 organizations, including ODU and other Virginia universities. At Old Dominion, the four projects funded under the CIT program total $375,000.

"CIT is pleased to have the opportunity to conduct the CRCF process on behalf of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Investment Authority. These awards will advance essential technology research and commercialization initiatives, creating vast opportunities throughout the commonwealth," said Pete Jobse, CIT president and CEO.

Helmut Baumgart, professor of electrical and computer engineering at ODU's Applied Research Center in Newport News, received $100,000 in the energy category. His project is titled "Advanced Nano-Architecture for High Efficiency Energy Convergence Systems."

Richard Heller, professor and director of ODU's Frank Reidy Center for Bioelectrics, received a $99,471 matching funds grant in the environment category for his project, "Efficient Diesel Exhaust Remediation Using a Nonthermal Plasma Reactor."

ODU's Asad Khattak, professor and director of the Center for Innovative Transportation Solutions in Virginia Beach, received a $100,000 transportation matching funds grant. His project is titled "Reducing Energy Use and Emissions Through Innovative Technologies and Community Designs: Methodology and Application in Virginia."

Shirshak Dhali, professor and chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in ODU's Frank Batten College of Engineering and Technology, received a $75,000 matching funds grant in the energy category for the project "Smart Combiner for Residential Photovoltaic Systems."

CRCF funding is available to public and private institutions of higher education, private-sector businesses, research institutes, federal labs and political subdivisions. Gov. Bob McDonnell and the General Assembly appropriated $4.8 million to the fund each for FY2013 and FY2014. Five programs were eligible for awards during the most recent solicitation: commercialization, facilities enhancement loan, matching funds, SBIR matching funds and STTR matching funds.

Awarded projects represent the areas of advanced manufacturing, aerospace, communications, cyber security, energy, environment, information technology, life sciences, modeling and simulation and transportation.

Created in 1985, the Center for Innovative Technology is a nonprofit corporation that plugs gaps at the earliest stages of the innovation continuum - commercialization and seed funding - as it helps entrepreneurs launch and grow high-growth technology companies and create high-paying jobs for the future.

This helps create technology-based economic development strategies to accelerate innovation, imagination and the next generation of technology and technology companies.

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