Board of Research & Commercialization Technology
Commercialization Successes
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 grant from MBRCT supported analysis of an NSI team of grass scientists and botanists of morphological characteristics of native grasses that contribute to seed harvest difficulties and efficiency. These are characteristics such as awns, seed hairiness, seed size, type of inflorescence, indeterminacy, and disarticulation. 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, have 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 currently sold at Burleys Natural Home Supply and Home Resource in Missoula. Additional formulas for interior and deck stains/sealers are being developed under MBRCT funding 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, is to produce and market a biomimetic, self-sustaining floating island that will remediate 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 is to quantify and optimize the effectiveness of the islands for removing excess nutrients and other contaminants from lakes, streams and oceans. The islands will be marketed to commercial landscapers and potentially to municipal wastewater facilities and will be used primarily for water quality remediation testing. The company has confirmed a recent sale of floating islands to a wholesale distributor in New Zealand. The data generated by the MBRCT research project was an important factor in the customer's purchase decision.
Lasers Stabilized to Spectral Holes in Rare Earth Crystals
Dr. Rufus Cone and his research team at MSU Bozeman have 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.
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, has 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 Research and Commercialization 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 Research and Commercialization 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) , the Montana Board of Research and Commercialization Technology 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, east of the EARC. Both 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.
