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UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA-CHAMPAIGN

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    Community News Partnerships & Acquisitions Recognition & Awards Research Park

    New Institute for Mathematical and Statistical Innovation Has Significant Ties to Research Park

    Champaign – The National Science Foundation has awarded a $15.5 Million grant to four Illinois universities, including the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, to create an Institute for Mathematical and Statistical Innovation (IMSI). The aim of the IMSI is to bring powerful mathematical ideas to bear on key contemporary scientific and technological challenges. Laura Frerichs, executive director of the University of Illinois Research Park, has been selected for one of the seven IMSI Board of Trustees. In addition to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IMSI will include a collaborative group of mathematicians and statisticians from the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, and the University of Illinois at Chicago. The $15.5 million grant will be provided by the National Science Foundation (NSF) over the next five years. “The project builds on the leadership of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences,” said Matt Ando, associate dean for life and physical sciences at the College of LAS, who played a key role in forming the institute. “The university’s outstanding record of success with interdisciplinary institutes, such as the Beckman Institute and the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, and the innovative record of the departments of Mathematics and Statistics in workforce development, in collaboration with the University of Illinois Research Park, were important strengths of the proposal.” Researchers at the new IMSI will build a platform that efficiently applies mathematical and statistical techniques into solutions for urgent real-world applications. Some of these applications include climate change, health care, quantum information theory, artificial intelligence, data science, economics, and materials science. IMSI will also have a sustained focus on communication with researchers in other fields, and in educating the public about how mathematics and statistics can be used for everyday problems and social issues. IMSI will sponsor outreach and workforce development programs aimed at K-12 students, teachers, undergraduates, and graduate students. With the goal to introduce participants to career opportunities in mathematics and statistics, especially to communities who traditionally have been underrepresented in STEM. To read more about the IMSI grant, click here.

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    Community Media Mentions News

    University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign EDA University Center Issues Report on Economic Gardening in the State of Illinois

    CHAMPAIGN — The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s EDA University Center published a report on how downstate Illinois communities are utilizing — and can continue to employ – economic development strategies that focus on enhancing and growing the existing assets of each community. The report, authored by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Urban Planning Professor Marc Doussard, was supported with funding from the university’s EDA University Center. The report points out successful examples of economic gardening strategies already happening in downstate communities, such as:– Building up fermentation expertise and resources in Carbondale– Students gaining business experience by operating arts-based ventures in Decatur– A partnership between a university medical system and local healthcare system that supports medical entrepreneurs in Peoria. The report identifies further opportunities to leverage assets such as healthcare systems, agricultural resources, and an abundance of highly educated, experienced human capital. “In our work with the University Center meeting with communities across downstate Illinois, we realized there was a need for incubator and entrepreneurship assistance along with “economic gardening” fundamentals to grow jobs and companies based on community assets and opportunities,” said Laura Frerichs, director of the University Center. “We worked with Professor Marc Doussard to develop strategies to help communities and assess the differing economic potential in downstate Illinois, and incorporate challenges and opportunities we experienced in regional economies.” Some of the report’s findings:– Whether entrepreneurs make software, whiskey or biomedical devices, most communities can support them by identifying ways to mitigate some of entrepreneurship’s basic and enduring challenges such as funding and risk.– Most economic gardening strategies can be initiated quickly, simply and without extensive up-front costs.– Retirees, students and immigrants all stand out as under-realized sources for new businesses. The full report is available online at https://go.illinois.edu/GrowOurOwnIL. The University of Illinois Economic Development Association (EDA) University Center exists to promote and foster entrepreneurship in Illinois south of Interstate 80. This program is supported by federal grant funding from the United States Economic Development Administration. For more information, please contact us at research-park@illinois.edu or 217-333-8324.

    University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign EDA University Center Issues Report on Economic Gardening in the State of Illinois Read Post »

    Community News Research Park

    New Monument Sign on Corner of First and Windsor

    New directional signage welcoming visitors to the south end of the Research Park has been erected at the corner of Windsor and First Streets. “The Research Park has grown significantly over its almost 20-year history,” said Executive Director Laura Frerichs. There are now 120+ companies in the Research Park, with 17 buildings – and three are currently under construction. “Our hope is that this sign will be helpful to visitors and residents alike. The Research Park is a bridge between campus and community, and this sign is another way to indicate that relationship,” Frerichs said. 

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    Community EnterpriseWorks Graduates News

    EnterpriseWorks Graduate, Serionix, Uses NASA Tech in Face Masks

    Serionix, an EnterpriseWorks graduate, may combat the face mask shortage with their Colorfil coating. Serionix’s proprietary, lightweight Colorfil coating is working on being used in NASA’s spaceships and space suits. The Colorfil technology can quickly soak up toxic chemicals and visibly changes color once it is saturated. Since Serionix technology is made of a self-sterilizing material that can filter harmful particles as well as viruses and bacteria from the air, it decided to implement this technology for face masks. Compared to other face masks, Serionix’s material features color-changing properties. Effectively sterilizing masks is difficult, even for medical professionals with access to methods like ultraviolet light and hydrogen peroxide vapors. For consumers, a color-changing mask would eliminate the need for mask-cleaning by visually showing when it is safe to reuse a face mask and when it is time to replace it. This sterilization technology has proven effective against other viruses in the past, so Serionix is looking into adding antiviral applications for their face masks. Serionix expects to hire more people to meet demands for their products and aims to solidify partnerships that can provide the materials that can be coated in the Colorfil Technology. If all goes according to plan, Co-founder Will Zheng said, “consumers could expect to see these masks in the next few months.” To read the full article by BuiltIn, click here

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    Community News Recognition & Awards Research Park

    Local Inventors and Entrepreneurs Innovating for COVID-19

    In addition to companies seeking support from federal loan programs to help sustain their businesses, local entrepreneurs and inventors are creating new products and technologies to help fight COVID-19. Serionix’s novel material filters toxic particles in space. Soon, its creators will know if it protects against the coronavirus in masks. Serionix co-founders Will Zheng and James Langer and their doctoral advisor James Economy from the University of Illinois Department of Materials Science, spent years developing a self-sterilizing material that can filter harmful particles, which is now being applied to face masks. Serionix was a winner of the Cozad New Venture Challenge and graduated from the EnterpriseWorks incubator, the company is now manufacturing its products in Urbana. Read more here. Three Nick Holonyak Jr., Micro and Nanotechnology Lab (HMNTL) faculty members have received NSF Rapid Response Research (RAPID) program grants, all of which aim to shorten the amount of time it takes to process a COVID-19 test. A team led by Rashid Bashir, Dean of the Grainger College of Engineering, has proposed the development of a point-of-care device that uses nasal fluid samples to detect the presence of COVID-19 within 10 minutes. A team led by Prof. Brian Cunningham combines capturing intact COVID-19 viruses with custom-designed DNA nanostructures so they can be immediately counted with a newly-invented type of biosensor imaging.  A team with Prof. Yi Lu (founder of Glucosentient and Andalyze at the Research Park) is working with Lijun Rong from UIC to develop a biosensor that could detect and differentiate infectious SARS-CoV-2 from the SARS-CoV-2 that have been rendered noninfectious by patient’s antibodies or disinfectants. This would allow patients to receive proper treatment in a timely manner, and would allow people who aren’t infected or contagious to be released from quarantine. The SBIR/STTR Technical Assistance program through EnterpriseWorks and the IL University Incubator Network (IUIN) is providing free 1:1 assistance with companies pursuing federal funding opportunities to address COVID-19 opportunities. Examples of federal funding opportunities can be found here, and from G2G.

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    Community News Research Park

    Continued Construction in Research Park

    Research Park is expanding as construction continues for the I-Hotel and Conference Center, 1907 S. Fourth St., and the Greenhouse. I-Hotel and Conference Center The I-Hotel and Illinois Conference Center expansion construction continues, and the walls of the expansion space are going up. The opening of the renovated I-Hotel and Conference Center is set to take place in September of 2020. 1907 S. Fourth Street A new multi-tenant building in Research Park is in the works to enhance the technological efforts in the Research Park community. Walls and floors are set, and now only the finishing touches remain. The development of this building will continue throughout Summer 2020 with an expected completion date this fall. Pre-leasing is available now.  The Greenhouse Construction is progressing on the greenhouse, which will support the RIPE research project. Crews completed the groundwork and began framing for the building. Completion of this project is expected in September 2020.

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    Community Investments News Research Park

    Watch the Research Park Grow: Construction on Three Building Projects Continues

    With the exception of essential workers, Research Park companies are primarily working from home. What hasn’t come to a halt: construction. Below is a video of the walls rising at 1907 S. Fourth Street, the newest building in the Research Park. It is scheduled to open for occupancy in August. In addition to work on 1907 S. Fourth Street, the Illinois Conference Center expansion building walls will go up the week of April 13. The Gates Greenhouse — a very specialized build — will arrive from the plant on April 20. We are grateful to Fox/Atkins Development and all of its subcontractors for their commitment to forward progress on these projects.

    Watch the Research Park Grow: Construction on Three Building Projects Continues Read Post »

    Community News Recognition & Awards

    Team at the University of Illinois Develops Emergency Ventilator

    A team led by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s Grainger College of Engineering and Carle Health has produced a prototype emergency ventilator to help address the expected surge in the need for respiratory care associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The Illinois RapidVent, as the emergency ventilator is known, would plug into the oxygen source available in most hospital rooms or could plug into a tank of oxygen. The prototype has run for more than 75 hours, which is more than 125,000 breathing cycles. Over this time, the device delivered the amount of oxygen necessary and the pressure that patients would need when they are unable to breathe well enough on their own. So far, focused testing in the laboratory shows equivalent performance to commercial products—which are in very short supply. Partners in the Illinois RapidVent project include faculty and researchers from across the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, its Grainger College of Engineering, its Siebel Center for Design, its Applied Research Institute, Carle Health, Tekmill, and Creative Thermal Solutions, Inc. TEKMILL, the Applied Research Institute, and Carle all have facilities in the Research Park. Read the full article on the Grainger College of Engineering’s website here.

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    Community EnterpriseWorks News Research Park

    Research Park’s Response to COVID-19

    We are making continuous updates to our operations in light of the current information and policies with COVID-19. This is an unprecedented situation, and we are doing our best to be responsive to our clients, employees, and students who are all impacted by this global pandemic. The Champaign Urbana Public Health Department is the best local source for this information. We are following guidance that we are receiving from the University of Illinois and other public health sources. This is changing rapidly, so please be aware that new information is rolling out hour by hour.  The latest information is being posted to the university’s COVID-19 website. On March 11, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign announced its decision to eliminate in-person classes for the rest of the Spring 2020 semester. Starting March 23, all classes will be delivered online. Governor Pritzker issued a stay-at-home order effective through April 30.  This means that employees, unless those in essential jobs should work remotely. Jobs deemed essential include: Health care workers, grocery store employees, pharmacists, hardware store workers, plumbers, electricians, day care providers, bank tellers and roles that are essential to a business’ operations such as payroll and security. Police, firefighters, paramedics and sanitation workers will not be quarantined. Residents can still go to the grocery stores, put gas in their cars, take walks outside and make pharmacy runs.  While this may have a major impact on the University of Illinois community, we want to make sure that everyone understands what this actually means and how it will impact Research Park operations. (Of course, this information is changing hour by hour; this is what we know TODAY.) University of Illinois is not closing; dorms remain open and while students are encouraged to return home, they are welcome to stay in place. University employees will work remotely other than those in essential jobs defined in the order, such as police, healthcare workers, power plant operators, and housing and dining personnel. EnterpriseWorks and Research Park buildings remain open.  EnterpriseWorks and Research Park staff are working remotely for the remainder of the spring semester. Research Park Response to Covid-19 Following the CDC’s recommendation to cancel or postpone events of 50 or more people, the Research Park is suspending in-person events through the end of April. We will be hosting some workshops online via Zoom; please refer to our calendar for more information. EnterpriseWorks remains open by keycard access 24/7 to all tenants and their employees for the foreseeable future; extra cleaning supplies are available for tenant use. Please be respectful of others and return them when done. Starting Monday, March 23, EnterpriseWorks will be unlocked between 9 am and 2 pm to allow for couriers and USPS deliveries. This may change as we access the situation. EnterpriseWorks and Research Park staff are working remotely for the remainder of the spring semester. We will not not be signing for packages. Please email us with urgent needs; we will do our best to address remotely. Consider your company’s policies on remote work.  Please communicate clearly your company’s remote work policy. If you are a tenant in another Research Park building, please refer to your property manager/landlord regarding any changes in procedures during this time. Consider if your work falls into order’s definition of an essential job. More information on the order can be found here. Here are some suggestions and information as it relates to student interns and other employees in the Research Park. Consider your company’s policies on remote work. Many companies have implemented remote work strategies, however it may not be apparent how that impacts students specifically. Communicate clearly your company’s remote work policy and requirements of in-person attendance. Anticipate that some students may want to pick up MORE hours if they are able, since they will not have to spend time traveling back and forth to classes. MANY students do not plan to leave campus. Most students, especially upperclassmen and graduate students, live in private housing. Some students will be unable to leave the community, as it may not be safe for them to travel home. Given best practices for “social distancing” provided by public health professionals, consider the density of your office and evaluate if you need to limit how many employees should be in the office at one time. Here is some guidance from the World Health Organization on healthy workplaces. https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/getting-workplace-ready-for-covid-19.pdf Student Mindset Please keep in mind, students may be experiencing a lot of emotions in light of COVID-19. The uncertainty surrounding the rapidly evolving policies may leave students scared, stressed, and saddened. This policy may leave students isolated in their dorms, and some may find solace in coming to the office for work or school. By moving to online classes, some students have expressed feeling robbed of their collegiate experience. This is especially true for graduating students who have seen their “last” of everything cancelled. Considerations for Student Workers Some students may not have the ability to travel home and many have indicated plans to stay in the Champaign-Urbana area. Anticipate that some students may want to pick up MORE hours if they are able, since they will not have to spend time traveling back and forth to classes. It is important to keep in mind that remote work and online learning is a new environment for many students. Consider strategies to best mentor students and direct them while they adapt to the remote work environment. FIND UP-TO-DATE COVID RESPONSE INFORMATION HERE. 

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    Community Events News Research Park

    Illinois Conference Center Expansion Celebrated with Groundbreaking Ceremony

    Representatives from campus and community gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Illinois Conference Center expansion on Monday, Nov. 25. The Conference Center expansion will add 32,500 square feet to the facility, nearly doubling its size. The $13 million project will include a 12,500 square foot exhibit hall and add roughly 140 parking spaces. The expansion will provide the campus and community with a dynamic event space that can hold more than 600 attendees at one time. The building is scheduled to be completed in September of 2020. “The expansion of the Illinois Conference Center is the result of the university’s commitment to serve our students, staff, faculty, and the Champagin-Urbana community,” said Danita M. B. Young, Ph.D., Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs.  “The expanded Conference Center will serve as a gathering, learning, and networking space for a larger number of patrons than we have ever been able to engage with previously. The new modern facility will provide students with the opportunity to display and discuss what they are learning in classrooms and labs, gain access to expert speakers, and discover chances to expand their knowledge, thanks to the access the larger conference space will provide.” Located adjacent to the I-Hotel, the Conference Center has been a fixture in Champaign-Urbana since 2008. A public-private partnership, the Conference Center is owned and operated by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, while the hotel is owned and managed privately. “The first exposure many people have with the Research Park is the iHotel and Conference Center, which makes it an important part of our outreach,” Research Park executive director Laura Frerichs said. “In addition to hosting companies and organizations for collaboration, conferences, and events, it is a place that bridges the university and the community.” Currently the Illinois Conference Center hosts over 3000 events per year, and there are already 2000 on the books for 2020. The project addresses the concern that the community has been unable  to cater to large conferences of 700+, including meetings of interest to Illinois faculty as well as meetings for Illinois-based associations and business. “To this point we’ve been selling a concept,” said Jayne DeLuce, President and CEO of Visit Champaign County. “After today it’s a reality. We are ready to bring in more and more business.” The project is being constructed by Fox/Atkins Development, the development partner of the University of Illinois Research Park. This story was featured in the News Gazette. Read their coverage here.

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