Two local companies, with ties to MechSE, have emerged as semi-finalists in the 2009 Innovate Illinois competition to be named ‘Most Innovative Illinois Company.’ Cbana Laboratories and SFM Technology, both founded by UIUC faculty, will advance to the final round in Chicago on November 10.
Innovate Illinois, now in its fifth year, is a statewide entrepreneurial and innovation competition designed to recognize Illinois companies for innovative products or designs; it is administered jointly by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce.
Cbana Laboratories was founded in 2006 by Mark Shannon, professor of Mechanical Science and Engineering, and Richard Masel, professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, with the objective of developing a small-scale micro gas analysis system that can be adapted to a number of applications such as detecting pollutants, narcotics, and even cancer. More information on the company is available in the Oct. 11 News Gazette article by Don Dodson.
http://www.news-gazette.com/business/2009/10/11/innovate_illinois_cbanas_small_systems_analyze_gases
SFM Technology was founded in 2005 by Jamie Stori, a former member of the Mechanical and Industrial Engineering faculty, and Placid Ferreira, the current department head of Mechanical Science and Engineering. The firm develops software tools to help companies that design and manufacture electronic products. It allows manufacturers to synchronize information between the electrical, mechanical and manufacturing areas. More information on the company is available in the Oct. 11 News Gazette article by Don Dodson.
http://www.news-gazette.com/business/2009/10/11/innovate_illinois_sfm_helping_electronics_designers