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The U.S. National Science Foundation Industry-University Cooperative Research Centers (IUCRC) program is currently active and is managed by the Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP) Directorate; however, it is not accepting proposals at this time. NSF expects to release an updated solicitation later in 2026, subject to availability of funds.

Achievements

Read about the industrial and societal impact of cutting-edge research at a few of our Centers.

NRAO/AUI/National Science Foundation

Catalyzing Commercialization: Researchers Develop Rapid, Low-Cost Norovirus Detection Platform

A little bit of norovirus — the highly infectious microbe that causes about 20 million cases of food poisoning in the U.S. each year — goes a long way. Just 10 particles of the virus can cause illness in humans. While norovirus is often associated with cruise ships, it can also spread quickly through a community via its water supply. Norovirus causes about 200,000 deaths globally each year.

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Catalyzing Commercialization: Establishing a Reference Cell Culture Platform for Biomanufacturing

The biopharmaceutical industry has emerged as a major manufacturing engine of the U.S. economy. With new biological information brought about through technology innovation and data acquisition, ample opportunities exist to improve biomanufacturing efficiencies.

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Catalyzing Commercialization: Creating Novel Bimetallic Catalysts for Methanol Fuel Cells

Improvements in direct-methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) have been achieved at the Univ. of South Carolina based on a new, easy-to-scale method to synthesize bimetallic catalysts. The two most common types of fuel cells being developed for mobile transportation applications are DMFCs and hydrogen fuel cells. Methanol is safer than hydrogen, and it is easier to handle and install in refueling stations. Whereas a monometallic platinum (Pt) catalyst may be used for H2 fuel cells, a more-expensive bimetallic catalyst — typically consisting of Pt and ruthenium (Ru) — is required for DMFCs.

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Catalyzing Commercialization: Cold Sintering Creates New Avenues for Advanced Composites Manufacture

Engineers often want to combine many types of materials into a composite architecture to achieve specific performances in devices, from electronics to biomedical implants. However, material compatibility issues that arise during manufacturing can limit practical realization of these composites.

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Catalyzing Commercialization: A New Generation of Bio-Based Adhesives from Bioadvantaged Monomers

Biopolymers, produced at least partially from renewable resources, have gained attention as society, industry, and governments realize the need to move away from petroleum-based materials. There are two main types of biopolymers — bioreplacement polymers and bioadvantaged polymers. Bioreplacement polymers are produced using tools like synthetic biology and catalysis. In this approach, the polymers differ from their petroleum-based competitors only in the age of their carbon.However, achieving cost parity is extremely difficult.

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