Business & Tech

Bringing Research and Business Together at The Innovation Connection

Students participating in UConn's Research Experience for Undergrads program presented their research and business ideas at Nerac this Thursday.

Engineering students from across the country have spent their summer honing their research and marketing skills with faculty and students from the UConn School of Engineering, as part of the innovative Research Experience for Undergrads program.

The students, who partnered with businesses in their various research industries, presented their findings at The Innovation Connection event, hosted by Nerac and .

Elizabeth Smith, a student from University of Massachusetts Amherst, spent her summer refining a zinc hydroxystannate nanocube coating. This flame retardant and smoke suppressant material is non-toxic and can be applied to materials like cotton.

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She noted that the coating could save many lives, since soft furnishings are typically ignited first in residential fires, according to her research. The market for a non-toxic substance is also huge, she said, since many other flame retardant and smoke suppressant materials are made with halogens, which can create toxic fumes.

Smith, however, stressed that she learned about much more than just the chemicals and materials in her research.

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"I learned how important it is to ask for help and to ask questions," she said, citing the excellent mentors in the program. She also added that she appreciated the dual focus between academic research, as well as business tips. She said that her presentation to the class explaining the commerical opportunities of her research was a great learning tool.

Jeffrey McCutcheon, a chemical, materials and biomolecular engineering professor from UConn, said that the blend of laboratory experience and business savvy is what makes the REU program special.

"We connect the academic research in our labs to commercial realities," he said before the students presented at Nerac on Thursday.

For more information on the REU program, visit the program's webpage


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