US (NY): Cornell student to develop weed-free growth media

Seven New York state businesses have been awarded funding to participate in the Cornell Center for Materials Research JumpStart Program, through which they will collaborate with Cornell faculty members to develop and improve their products.

The program is supported by Empire State Development’s Division of Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR), with the ultimate goals of revenue growth and job creation. JumpStart projects receive up to $5,000 in matching funds for project costs that include faculty and research staff time, facilities, services, supplies and materials.

One of this semester’s projects has Íko Systems (Ithaca) and Re-Nuble (Brooklyn), in collaboration with Neil Mattson, professor and greenhouse extension specialist in the Horticulture Section of the School of Integrative Plant Science, develop weed-free growth media that have been recycled and infused with Re-Nuble organic nutrients formulated specifically for use in the Íko grow system, a climate-controlled herb garden. Iko Systems was started by a team of engineers, designers and botanists at Cornell.

Source: Cornell University