East-Lansing based Claytec, Inc. and Lansing Community College (LCC) are joining in a program to employ students and faculty in the growing field of nanotechnology.
Thanks to a $40,000 National Science Foundation grant, Claytec will hire one faculty member and two students this summer full time, and part-time in the fall.
“This helps our faculty stay current, our students to gain experience in the practical world of chemistry and Claytec to get skilled employees,” says Thomas Deits, LCC Science Department chair.
Claytec is a small start up company founded by Thomas Pinnavaia of the Michigan State University (MSU) chemistry department. The company is working on a specialized nanomaterial that can be used to save energy in the production of chemicals, to strengthen materials for auto parts and other products, among other applications.
The grant, called a Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) grant, is one that many companies in the Capital region could access, Deits says. Key to acceptance is partnership with a community college.
In the past, the grants were limited to minority students, but recently parameters were broadened. The grants are offered through several portals, such as the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Defense. Deits recommends contacting Juan DeFiguero, SBIR program director, who may be reached here.
“Start up companies are all short of money. This is a great way to get employees,” Deits says.
Source: Thomas Deits, Lansing Community College
Gretchen Cochran, Innovation & Jobs editor, may be reached here.