Polymers is commercializing a proprietary chemical process for recycling polyurethane scrap destined for landfills into a new line of products used to make new polyurethanes.
Ornicept, Alternative Energy: Ornicept has developed automated bird-monitoring technology for wind energy developers, military natural resource managers, regulators, and airfield controllers.
Protean Payment, Products & Services: Protean Payment, the Ann Arbor-based startup and TechTown client, has developed the reprogrammable Echo card, which uses a mobile app and a tiny, embedded computer to mimic your debit, credit, loyalty, or prepaid cards. Fun fact: Thiago Olson, co-founder and CEO, is a defense engineer and plasma physicist who built a nuclear reactor in his parents’ basement during high school.
Peoples Choice Award, $10,000:
Retia Medical: Headquartered in East Lansing’s Technology Innovation Center, Retia Medical makes monitors for high-risk patients in the operating room and in intensive care units.
Student Winners:
Kymeira Advanced Materials, University of Michigan: Kymeira makes “thermoset ceramics” materials that can outperform many existing high-grade engineering ceramics.
Lemon Peel, Hope College: Lemon Peel makes a Vital Sleep Headband with noise-cancelling technology and vital-sign monitoring to help hospital patients sleep.
SkySpecs, University of Michigan: SkySpecs designs Unmanned Aerial Vehicles that gather video and other data from locations that are difficult or dangerous for a person to access.
