(January 4, 2011) — University of Michigan-Dearborn mechanical engineering Prof. Pravansu Mohanty’s start-up company, CSquared Innovations, won a $25,000 Next Gen Manufacturing Award. The company uses nano-structured films and materials for diverse applications.

CSquared, a start-up venture that Mohanty founded in 2010 with his three-person team, is deploying laser-assisted atmospheric plasma deposition technology which offers a high-speed, cost-effective and highly scalable platform approach to the synthesis of nanostructural materials and films for large-area lithium-ion battery electrodes, photovoltaic materials, and industrial coatings.

The company was among 50 semi-finalists in the Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition, one of the nation’s largest business plan competitions that awarded more than $1 million in cash prizes and attracted 600 entries.

The Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition targets business startups with the potential to generate an immediate impact on Michigan’s economy. The awards were given by the Business Accelerator Network for Southeast Michigan in partnership with the New Economy Initiative for Southeast Michigan, Business Leaders for Michigan and the University Research Corridor during the inaugural Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition at the University of Michigan’s North Campus Research Complex in Ann Arbor, MI.

In Fall 2010, Mohanty was invited to display the CSquared technology at U-M’s 10th annual "Celebrate Invention" event, which was held Sept. 29 at the Michigan League on the Ann Arbor campus. He was one of eight researchers selected to feature their discoveries at special kiosks during that event.

For more information, contact Beth Marmarelli, Assistant Director of Communications, 313/593-5542

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