Board of Research & Commercialization Technology
Commercialization Successes
Collaborative Research Applications of Innovative Protein Fluorescence Lifetime Spectrometer
Dr. Greg Gillispie and his team at Fluorescence Innovations, Inc. (FI2) in Bozeman have successfully commercialized an innovative fluorescence lifetime spectrometer, which was developed in part with MBRCT funding. The first customer is the University of Minnesota-Duluth, which will use the instrument to study membrane proteins involved in exocytosis. The University of Kansas plans to use its instrument to develop pharmaceutical formulations. Based on data obtained in collaborative studies with FI2, Montana State University (MSU) wrote a successful National Science Foundation grant proposal. The grant will fund further development and production of two systems for MSU. Compared to other instruments in the market place, the FI2 approach produces lifetime data 100 times faster and with 10 times better repeatability. For intrinsic fluorescence studies of proteins, the tunable ultraviolet laser source developed by FI2 only requires 10% of the bench space that competitor instruments need.
Immobilized Metal Polyamine Composites (IMPACS) for Removal and Recovery of Negatively Charged Species from Contaminated Waters and Mine Leaches
Dr. Edward Rosenberg, at the University of Montana, in collaboration with Purity Systems (PSI), Missoula, has advanced this project to the development of the commercial Immobilized Metal Polyamine Composite (IMPAC), ZrBPAP. Ammtec Ltd., an internationally recognized metallurgical testing firm specializing in mining, metals processing, and environmental remediation on mine sites, has become a minority owner in PSI. Ammtec is now marketing and testing this composite for arsenic and selenium remediation and remediation of the carcinogenic chromate ion. The technology is directed at positively charged ions and represents a new direction for supramolecular silica polyamine composite materials. Initial commercialization of earlier work funded by MBRCT has occurred at the Redbank Mines copper recovery project in Australia using PSI's copper selective composite, CuWRAM. Redbank Mines, Ltd. has engaged Ammtec to coordinate and implement the process, which is based on proprietary technology under license from PSI.
S2 Material Based Frequency Stable Laser (S2-FSL) Technology Development for Coherent Optical Communications
Under the direction of Kris Merkel, S2 Corporation, Bozeman, has developed, and is producing, a novel vibration dampening module for cryo-coolers to meet the needs of a customer base which requires sensitive measurements. This unique product has performance specifications which far exceed those of commercial cryo-cooler vendors. Markets include industry and research in spectroscopy, signal processing, quantum computing, academic institutions and other research or scientific studies. S2 Corporation is working with two commercial vendors of cryo-coolers, Janis Research Corporation and Cryomech, and can retrofit either of these systems with its module. S2 sold the first commercial unit to the University of Otago in New Zealand. This low vibration product is a direct result of work funded by MBRCT and the U.S. Navy.
Second Stage Field Clinical Trials & Bringing to Market of a Natural OTC ("Kre-Celazine") to Treat Chronic Inflammation
Jeff Golini, President of All American Pharmaceutical & Natural Foods Manufacturing, Billings, utilized MBRCT funding to conduct additional research on Kre-Celazine (TM), including human field trials. The research findings demonstrated that Kre-Celazine (TM) is safe and effective, and led to the filing of one patent pending. Two additional patents are in the process of being written. Millions of Americans have problems with chronic inflammation and are seeking alternatives to prescription medications. Kre-Celazine (TM) is sold as a pH controlled anti-inflammatory neutraceutical for use in addressing flexibility, joint mobility and inflammation.
Commercialization of Miniature Lasers: Evolving from Research and Development to Production
The results of the project, directed by Christopher Palassis, are being commercialized in various AdvR products, all of which have features developed under this project, including coupling laser light into an 
engineered photonic crystal (EPC), mounting and controlling the environment of the EPC, and providing an outer housing. Modules in which improvements to laser light coupling have been incorporated into EPC packages are being sold to industrial and government customers. This is one of several MBRCT grants received by AdvR that have played a significant role in its development as a high technology firm in Bozeman.
Improving Productivity and Value of Wheat for Montana
This project resulted in release and deployment of new winter wheat cultivars adapted to Montana. Under Dr. Mike Giroux's leadership at Montana State University, Bozeman, four single-gene, imidazolinone-resistant winter wheat cultivars were developed. MT1159CL, the first herbicide resistant cultivar released in 2004, was replaced by the improved cultivars, Norris, Hyalite, and Bynum, which were released in 2005. Westbred LLC has licensed the technology for marketing and production in Montana. Over 60,000 acres of production of one-gene winter wheat varieties were planted in Montana in 2008.
Development of Disposable and Reusable Acoustic Bioreactors
Resodyn Acoustic Mixers, Inc., an affiliate of Resodyn Corporation, has developed an innovative patented technology called Resonant-Acoustic (R) Mixing (RAM). This technology utilizes low-frequency, high-intensity acoustic energy to process difficult-to-mix compounds found in many industries such as cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, ceramics, coatings and plastics. Under the direction of Todd McAdams, this project uses RAM technology to greatly improve the performance of cell culture bioreactors, which are important tools in the pharmaceutical industry used to produce some of the most effective and also costly new therapeutic drugs. Improved performance of these bioreactors has the potential to lead to both faster development times for new drugs and lower production costs. These research funds enabled Resodyn to expand its RAM intellectual property and have improved the company's ability to sell laboratory and production scale mixers.
Camelina Sativa: A Low-Input Oil Crop for Omega-3 Culinary Oil and Animal Feeds
Alice Pilgeram, Montana State University, Bozeman, is the Principal Investigator on this project to scale up production of Camelina sativa in Montana and develop, process and market high omega-3 culinary oils and animal feeds. Camelina oil has applications in human foods, animal feeds, cosmetics, and biofuel. Currently, the largest consumer of Montana camelina oil is the pet food industry. The oil is marketed as a pet supplement under the brand name OmegaDog 
and is distributed by PetCo, Inc. Additional camelina dog products are available from smaller online distributors. Camelina meal, OmegaMeal (tm) (Great Northern Grower Cooperative), is the byproduct of oil extraction and has been evaluated in animal feeds for production of omega-3 rich eggs, dairy, beef and pork. FDA AAFCO approval of OmegaMeal (tm)for poultry is expected in 2009. A second focus of the project is to evaluate and develop new varieties of camelina for production in Montana. Two new varieties of Camelina sativa (Blaine Creek and Suneson ) were developed by Dr. Duane Johnson and released by the MSU Foundation and Seed Program in 2007. Several additional varieties are being developed for specialty markets.
Innovative Native Seed Harvester
Lee and Maggie Arbuckle and colleagues at Native Seedsters, Inc. (NSI) used rapid prototyping techniques to develop two models of a native grass seed harvester, the Arbuckle Native Seedster. Seedster technology was specifically developed to increase seed harvest efficiency of the most difficult to harvest native grass species. The role of native grass for reclaiming disturbed lands and biofuel is well documented. An important example is switchgrass with potential for millions of acres as ethanol feedstock. After release in late 2007, 
Seedsters were sold to a switchgrass research facility and a Nebraska seed producer. In 2008 NSI contracted with Ceres, Inc. to design and build several units of a specialized switchgrass seed harvester. A second MBRCT grant supported analysis of morphological characteristics of native grasses that contribute to seed harvest difficulties and efficiency. A database was developed that exhibits the key morphological characteristics of 197 species of native grass seed that are commercially traded in the continental United States.
Research and Development of Biobased Products from Montana Grown Oil Seed Crops
Paul Miller and David Tooke, Sustainable Systems, Inc. , Missoula, developed an ultra low VOC wood stain/sealer for exterior wood surfaces. EcoSeal (tm) is made from more than 80% Montana grown and processed oilseeds. The product capitalizes on the market swing away from wood coating and preservative products that release VOCs and toward more environmentally friendly formulations. EcoSeal (tm) is sold at Burleys Natural Home Supply and Home Resource in Missoula. Additional formulas for interior and deck stains/sealers are being developed and will be commercialized in the near future.
Improving Productivity and Value of Wheat for Montana
Information obtained from this work, conducted under the direction of Dr. 
Mike Giroux, Montana State University, Bozeman, was used to develop a new wheat variety, named Vida, in honor of the beautiful town in the midst of spring wheat country in eastern Montana. Vida has demonstrated excellent yield potential in dryland production areas and is available to seed growers.
Biomimetic Floating Islands that Maximize Plant and Microbial Synergistic Relationships to Revitalize Degraded Fisheries, Wildlife Habitats, and Human Water Resources
The goal of this project, led by Frank Stewart and a research team at Floating Island International, Livingston/Bozeman/Billings, was to produce and market a biomimetic, self-sustaining floating island for remediation of degraded fisheries, wildlife habitats, and human water resources. Existing anecdotal evidence indicates numerous benefits of floating islands for improving water quality. The purpose of the research project was to quantify and optimize the effectiveness of the islands for removing excess nutrients and other contaminants from lakes, streams and oceans. The islands are being marketed to commercial landscapers and municipal wastewater facilities primarily for water quality remediation testing. The data generated by this project was an important factor in the sale of a floating island to a wholesale distributor in New Zealand.
Lasers Stabilized to Spectral Holes in Rare Earth Crystals
Dr. Rufus Cone and his research team at MSU Bozeman developed ultra-stable lasers with purity and stability to 13-digit accuracy. Special rare earth crystal frequency references were developed, and the crystals were grown by Scientific Materials Corporation, Bozeman. These crystals were used to make the most accurate measurements ever recorded of light absorption frequencies in any crystal of any kind by any laboratory. S2 Corporation, Bozeman, a spin-off from Scientific Materials, has been contracted by Northrop Grumman as the sole-source provider of a turn key stable laser system, and the successful development and delivery of that system may lead to a significant commercial market for the made-in-Montana device. Applications for ultra-stable lasers include: compact stable continuous wave lasers for S2 CHIP and other S2 devices to precision vibrometers and metrology devices; secondary optical frequency standards using persistent spectral holes as references; compact stable mode locked lasers that can provide periodic trains of optical pulses and optical clocks; and, mode locked lasers which have new uses in material characterization and system development.
Biological Treatment of Animal Wastes by Endophytic Fungi and "Mycofumigation"
Phillips Environmental Products, Belgrade, produces an innovative compact dry toilet system. A core product of the company is the WAG (Waste Alleviation Gel) bag, which fits into the PETT portable toilet and traps wastes. Phillips incorporates Earthpure, an important technology developed with the help of MBRCT funding, into this product line. Earthpure contains a composite of endophytic microbes, M. albus and F. culmorum, which decontaminate human/animal wastes and degrade organic matter, thus beginning the process of recycling. The fungus used by Phillips in the WAG bags is produced in mass at the Laverlam facility at Butte, Montana. Phillips has generated millions of dollars in revenues and hired an army of home assemblers in Belgrade and Fort Benton for assembly of major components used in the PETT and WAG bag systems. The concept of making a safe reliable system to dispose of human wastes is attractive to the military, emergency organizations, school systems, police workers, various government agencies, the United Nations, and outdoor suppliers.
Deployment of a Real-Time Coal Content/Ore Grade Sensor
The design and manufacture of imaging spectrometers is the central technology of Resonon, Inc., an electro-optic sensor company located in Bozeman. Funding from the Department of Energy and the Montana Board of Research and Commercialization Technology was used to develop 
a machine vision project for mining applications. This effort was under the direction of Rand Swanson in collaboration with faculty from Montana Tech of the University of Montana. Commercial sales of the spectrometer system and support services have generated significant revenues in a wide array of applications, including use of an imaging spectrometer for research involving snow and snow contamination.
Research Support for the Manufacturing and Marketing of the Drip Flow Biofilm Reactor
Darla Goeres, at the Center for Biofilm Engineering at MSU Bozeman, in collaboration with Bryan Warwood of BioSurface Technology Corporation (BST), Bozeman, received funding to develop the drip flow biofilm growth reactor into a commercial product. Biofilm consists of surface-associated bacteria embedded in a slime matrix. In the drip flow reactor, biofilm forms under low fluid shear close to the air/liquid interface. The reactor is useful for studying medically important biofilms, for instance the biofilm infection associated with cystic fibrosis. Other applications include biocide efficacy testing, microscopic imaging of the biofilm architecture and medical device evaluations. Increased demand for biofilm reactors has resulted in BioSurface Technologies hiring additional employees. Customers include testing and evaluation laboratories, government agencies, health industry suppliers, chemical companies and academic research institutions.
Development of an Oxygen-Consuming Biological Barrier to Prevent Oxidation of Pyritic Mine Tailings
This project combined laboratory and field research to successfully develop biofilm barrier technology, which prevents the oxidation of pyrite minerals and the subsequent generation of acid rock drainage originating from mine waste. Under the direction of Dr. Al Cunningham at the Center for Biofilm Engineering at Montana State University, and in collaboration with MSE Technology Applications, Inc. in Butte and Golden Sunlight Mine near Whitehall, this project has contributed to the growth and success of Center for Innovation, Inc. (CFI). Technology derived from this project is being commercialized by CFI, an employee ownership company developing technologies and providing services in the area of bioremediation. CFI, with its corporate office in Butte and an office and laboratory in Bozeman, provides biotechnology services to the Golden Sunlight Mine and to the EPA sponsored Mine Waste Technology Program.
Advanced Materials for Metal Processing, Recovery and Remediation
The project is a collaboration between Purity Systems Inc. (PSI) in Missoula and the Department of Chemistry at the University of Montana 
under the direction of Professor Edward Rosenberg. The research is directed at the development of new granular materials that allow more environmentally benign methods for metal processing and recovery, including acid mine drainage clean up. The effort has resulted in the development of two new resins, one for the selective removal of ferric ion from transition metal mixtures and from lanthanides, and one for the selective removal of gallium from aluminum, zinc and iron. Resin sales have been made for pilot demonstrations and PSI anticipates additional orders.
Specialty Mushroom Farming in Montana
Research for improving production methods for specialty mushroom farming in Montana, under the direction of Dr. Cathy Cripps, enabled Garden City Fungi, Missoula, to increase its productivity and profitability. A new more flavorful, market-quality, organic strain of Shiitake mushroom that grows in two-thirds of the time previously required was developed. Chefs throughout the Northwestern United States purchase and use this new strain. Using MSU strains, the company sells 5-pound mixed boxes of Garden City specialty mushrooms through food service companies to customers throughout Montana and North Central United States. Mushroom kits, which allow customers to grow and harvest their own edible mushrooms, use strains from the MSU collection and are available nationwide through Carolina Biological Supply.
A Real-Time Coal Content/Ore Grade (C2OG) Sensor
The coal content/ore grade sensor is a machine vision system based on remote sensing technology known as hyperspectral imaging or imaging spectroscopy. The design and manufacture of imaging spectrometers is the central technology of Resonon, Inc., an electro-optic sensor company located in Bozeman. The C2OG project was a joint venture between Resonon, Montana Tech and Stillwater Mining Company. The sensor is designed to address some of the pressing needs of the mining industry with regards to economic competitiveness, energy conservation, environmental sensitivity, and miner safety. Resonon markets an imaging spectrometer system with the initial sale going to the University of Minnesota. Imaging spectrometers have multiple applications in the agricultural, mining, biomedical and environmental monitoring sectors.
Research, Education and Technology Transfer in the Plant Sciences
Dr. Luther Talbert and his research team at Montana State University developed and released a new solid-stemmed wheat named Choteau. The wheat has excellent yield potential and sawfly resistance. Montana farmers are expected to grow at least 500,000 acres of Choteau per year, with an average yield advantage of two bushels per acre over current varieties. This amounts to a minimal value of $3 million per year to Montana farmers.
A Programmable Frequency Chirped External Cavity Diode Laser Based on KTP Waveguides
The successful development of a waveguide based external cavity diode laser by Kevin Repasky and his research team at Montana State University, led to a commercial product for AdvR, a Bozeman based photonic company. Stanford University was the first customer for the laser. The flexibility to provide a source at any wavelength for which a laser diode is commercially available and the ability to offer rapid EO tuning without any moving parts makes targeting a wide range of applications and corresponding wavelengths financially practical.
Discovering Important Genes and Deploying New Feed Barley Varieties
Dr. Thomas Blake, Department of Plant Sciences at Montana State University, and his research team moved genes for dramatically improved feed quality from an obscure group of lines in the world collection to the successful release of two new feed barleys and a hay barley. Haxby, a high test weight, high yielding improved feed barley, was released effective 2002. High-yielding feed barley, MT960228, and Hays, an improved, high grain yield hay barley, was released in 2003. The new varieties with high grain yield are expected to rival the leading feed and hay barleys currently in production in Montana and are expected to account for significant increases in the $115 million barley industry.
Indian Rice Grass: A Value Added Perennial Crop for Montana Growers
Indian Rice Grass is a new perennial grain crop for Montana identified by Dr. David Sands and a team of researchers at Montana State University. The grant facilitated technology transfer for the use of Indian Rice Grass seed as a source of gluten free flour. The flour, trade-named Montina, is used to produce a wide variety of gluten-free breads and products at a dedicated milling, processing and packaging facility in the Mission Mountain Market at Ronan, Montana. In addition, Amazing Grains Cooperative was formed to organize and train growers in establishing production fields and to perform the business functions of milling, packaging, shipping and marketing seed.
CDC Biofilm Reactor
Dr. Martin Hamilton, at the Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University, completed research support to manufacture and market a Suspended Coupon Biofilm Reactor. The reactor is a laboratory apparatus which is used by industrial, governmental regulatory and academic instructional labs to conduct tests of antibiofilm agents. BioSurface Technology Corporation (BST), Belgrade, licensed the CDC Biofilm Reactor from the Center for Disease Control and is selling it. Successful completion of this project established BST as the main source for the reactor. BST has a history of success in manufacturing and marketing laboratory and field research instruments under license from the University.
Autonomous Carbon Dioxide Sensor (SAMI)
Dr. Michael DeGrandpre, University of Montana, and David Irwin, Sunburst Sensors, Missoula, used grant funds to make modifications to the SAMI (Submersible Autonomous Moore Instrument for CO2 ). These modifications resulted in a user-friendly instrument for quantifying sources and sinks of atmospheric carbon dioxide. Sunburst Sensors sells the instruments to oceanographic and freshwater researchers in Germany, Spain, Australia, Norway and the United States. Potential commercial applications include global climate change, biomedical and industrial markets.
Value-Added and High-Value Crop Development in Eastern Montana - Production Agricultural Projects Attract Anheuser-Busch Malt Barley Facility
According to Dr. Jerald Bergman, Superintendent at MSU Eastern Agricultural Research Center (EARC), MBRCT grant activity had a very positive influence on Anheuser-Busch officials' decision to locate a $6.8 million malt barley handling and storage facility in Sidney, Montana. Grant projects helped demonstrate the potential for expanded irrigation development and the use of malt barley as a value-added rotational crop with sugar beets, potatoes, and other high-value crops. Bergman states, "These projects are a perfect example of promoting and developing new and expanding agricultural industries and the creation of new wealth through agriculture as part of a regional team effort. Research is definitely an investment in the growth of agriculture and high-value / value-added products and their commercialization. It is very rewarding to have the grant resources to conduct this pertinent research to support irrigation development and the commercialization of high-value and value-added crops including the malt barley industry." The research at EARC is conducted under the leadership of Bergman and Dr. Joyce Eckhoff.
