MIT Innovation Center Awards Grants

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., March 4 -- The MIT School of Engineering Deshpande Center for Technological Innovation (Deshpande Center) has issued its first round of 2003 grants to faculty for a variety of emerging technologies.

The Deshpande Center supports the research of MIT faculty and students and facilitates collaboration among entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, innovative businesses and MIT faculty. It was established with a $20 million gift from Jaishree Deshpande and Desh Deshpande, co-founder and chairman of Sycamore Networks.

Among the grant recipients are:

Vladimir Bulovic, for his work in nanocrystal nonvolatile memory devices, which could lead to smaller, faster and lower voltage memory for computers, cameras, and other electronic devices by combining organic chemistry and quantum dot technology.

Fredo Durand, for contrast reduction for digital photography and video, a new image processing technology that "could be the key to taking full advantage of new high dynamic range digital cameras."

William Freeman, for image analysis for digital cameras, which would enable cameras to recognize objects, making it easier to edit photographs and possibly enhance them automatically.

Francesco Stellacci, for bridging nanolithography with industrial production, which "could solve the most elusive challenge with nanotechnology: scaling the manufacturing process."

The grants, which are awarded to benefit projects in the early, more conceptual stages, provide seed funding of up to $50,000 each.

For more information, visit: web.mit.edu/deshpandecenter