CSU awarded grant from OEDIT

DENVER — A Colorado State University team is the recipient of a $200,000 grant from the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade to be used to investigate and develop 3D printed molds that would function in the composites industry.

The grant was one of five Collaborative Infrastructure Grants that OEDIT issued Thursday. All five grants, under the Advanced Industry Accelerator program, totaled $1,120,000.

The grants provide state funding to collaborative projects that will have a broad, industry-wide impact across one or more of Colorado’s advanced industries. Eligible projects must demonstrate solutions that provide workforce training, deliver shared working space or equipment, or advance industry mentorship for Colorado companies.

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The grants:

• $500,000 — Colorado Longitudinal Study, Aurora — The longitudinal study is an early stage non-profit start-up that will create a resource for the bioscience industry. It uses and develops technologies to create a comprehensive, in-depth, longitudinal repository of biological specimens and accompanying personal health information. Biobanks have supported research innovation and economic development in other states and countries, but there is no such resource in Colorado.
• $470,000 — Rockies Venture Club, Denver — This grant supports the venture club to create new angel investing communities throughout the state, using established principles and practices of angel group formation and management, in order to mobilize accredited investors to invest in advanced industries companies.
• $150,000 — University of Colorado, Denver; Anschutz Medical Campus and Gates Biomanufacturing Facility, Aurora — This grant will help translate TIL (Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes) technology into the clinic in Colorado as well as accelerate the growth and establishment of GBF as an experienced cGMP manufacturing center of excellence supporting Colorado’s biotechnology infrastructure.
• $400,000 — National Renewable Energy Lab, Automated Wind Turbine Blade Finishing — This project will design and prototype an automation system for wind turbine blades in the finishing operations of the blade production steps. The project will leverage the capabilities and facilities established through the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
• $200,000 — Colorado State University, Fort Collins — A Colorado project team to include Ability Composites, Vartega Carbon Fiber Recycling and NREL will investigate and develop 3D printed molds that would function in the composites industry. This project will use the robotic system at CSU that was funded in the last Collaborative Infrastructure Cycle last June.

Collaborative Infrastructure Funding Grants are reviewed by committees comprised of business, technical and financial experts, as well as an industry-specific review. Final recommendations are reviewed and determined with approval from the Colorado Economic Development Commission.