Electrical Engineering Student Team Wins at NSF Innovation Corps

from 2022 Fall Highlights

An Interview with Charles "Mick" Mayfield

After applying for and being selected to receive a $50k grant from the National Science Foundation, a group of graduate students in Electrical Engineering successfully completed the National Innovation Corps program. Organized and sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF I-Corps), the I- Corps program prepares student teams in commercializing their research by learning about topics such as customer discovery, value propositions, and revenue streams. From the University of Arkansas, 3D Copper included PhD students Mireille Sandjong and Fred Felizco as entrepreneurial leads, Roy McCann as the technical lead, and UA electrical engineering alum Dr. Wendyam Traore as the team’s mentor. 3D Copper is developing a new type of high torque electric motor and controller for robotic applications through the use of copper additive manufacturing (metallic 3D printing). A group of six instructors with the New York I-Corp Hub led 26 teams from research universities throughout the U.S. during the seven-week program starting in July and finishing in early September. Each team was required to interview at least 100 industry professionals related to all aspects of commercialization, such as customer discovery, suppliers, pricing and intellectual property. After an initial week-long workshop, the 26 teams met weekly to present their results and develop their commercialization plans.

At the conclusion of the I-Corps program, 3D Copper was awarded the New York I-Corps Hub Spirit – Team Award in recognition of their effort and commitment to the NSF Innovation Corps Teams Program. 3D Copper is planning to move forward in commercialization by exploring other funding opportunities such as the NSF Partnerships for Innovation.