In partnership with Arizona State University (ASU) and Avnet, Zero Mass Water is proud to host the ASU Innovation Open. Much like athletes hone their skills and train to compete, entrepreneurs prepare their technologies and companies for the market. The ASU Innovation Open puts multidisciplinary teams through rigorous preparation with semi-finalists and finalists working closely with industry leaders to optimize their companies to secure the coveted prize and funding.
“At Zero Mass Water, we know the next generation of disruptive leaders are students today with ideas for solving the world’s greatest challenges- problems that can’t wait for solutions,” said Zero Mass Water CEO, Dr. Cody Friesen, “The ASU Innovation Open advances these incredible students, enabling them to bring their ideas to the market now, accelerating the pace at which we fix problems hurting people worldwide today.”
On Friday, December 14th, 15 semifinalist teams from across the United States presented their projects to a panel of expert judges. The five finalists listed below were selected to move on to the next round, with the final pitch competition taking place in the Spring. These five student teams will compete for the $100,000 grand prize.
Strella Biotech: 22% of all produce is wasted in distribution along the food supply chain. Strella Biotechhas developed a biosensor that can predict the maturity of virtually any fresh fruit so packers and distributors know which produce to provide to their customers first, minimizing spoilage and costs. Their sensors are installed in controlled atmosphere storage rooms, monitoring apples as they ripen.
Soundskrit: To replace current microphone arrays currently used in cell phones, conference phones, home automation, and automotive applications, Soundskrit developed an innovative microphone sensor technology.
Cloud Agronomics: Around the world, 20% of crop yield is lost to disease. This undergraduate team is dedicated to reducing food waste and improving farm income using hyperspectral imaging and data analysis to identify crop disease early.
SoleMate: To bridge the gap between clinic visits, SoleMate created an insole to monitor injuries to lower extremities which go largely unsupervised during recovery. Data from the insole is used to correct improper form, track rehab instructions, and measure progress week by week.
Infinite Cooling: Power plants consume 39% of the earth’s fresh water. Infinite Cooling harvests the evaporated water plumes, and can reduce water usage by 20%.
Zero Mass Water’s participation in the ASU Innovation Open demonstrates the company’s commitment to building a robust ecosystem of support for burgeoning entrepreneurs in Phoenix and throughout the US. The ASU Innovation Open Finalists each received $5,000 from Zero Mass Water for their ventures.
For more information on the ASUio, please visit winasu.io.
About Zero Mass Water: Zero Mass Water’s mission is to make drinking water an unlimited resource. SOURCE is a HydropanelTM that creates drinking water by combining sunlight and air – made possible by the application of advanced materials science, thermodynamics, and controls technology. With SOURCE Hydropanels, Zero Mass Water puts the power of safe, high-quality water production into the hands of every person in nearly every climate and corner of the world. Zero Mass Water is headquartered in Scottsdale, AZ, USA with installation partners across the globe.
About Avnet: From idea to design and from prototype to production, Avnet supports customers at each stage of a product’s lifecycle. A comprehensive portfolio of design and supply chain services makes Avnet the go-to guide for innovators who set the pace for technological change. For nearly a century, Avnet has helped its customers and suppliers around the world realize the transformative possibilities of technology. Learn more about Avnet at: www.avnet.com.
Photo Credit: ASU Department of Entrepreneurship + Innovation
Entrepreneurship + Innovation at @ASU
Copyright to: Avnet and ASU Department of Entrepreneurship + Innovation
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