Kestrel Ridge Pellet Is Using Wool to Fertilize Gardens

urban farming initiative

Kestrel Ridge Pellet Co is using sheep wool as an entirely natural fertilizer – a first of its kind in Nebraska.

Inspired by research being conducted at the University of Vermont, the company has developed a method of processing low quality wool to produce high quality fertilizer. This process takes advantage of the natural landscape of Nebraska’s sheep farms. These sheep are bred for meat and have low quality wool which, until now, has been burned or buried.

Kestrel Ridge Pellet Co., a first generation sheep farm, was looking for potential use cases for their accumulating low grade wool when they came across the research conducted by the University of Vermont on wool pellets. In this research, field trials were conducted on fruit and vegetable farms using wool pellets. It was found that wool pellets can absorb, hold and release water and nutrients over time, fertilizing those crops with “generous” nitrogen and then safely incorporating into the soil.

The company developed their own pelleting process to turn their leftover wool into pellets, first shredding and fleecing before pelleting in a mill. Throughout this process, the company has found the wool needs to be used within 1 year to maintain its efficacy. 

Kestrel Ridge Pellet Co has reached their maximum production capacity with their existing equipment and pans to scale up in the future as demand grows.

Are you developing new technology for an existing application? Did you know your development work could be eligible for the R&D Tax Credit and you can receive up to 14% back on your expenses? Even if your development isn’t successful your work may still qualify for R&D credits (i.e. you don’t need to have a patent to qualify). To find out more, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today or check out our free online eligibility test.

Who We Are:

Swanson Reed is one of the U.S.’ largest Specialist R&D tax advisory firms. We manage all facets of the R&D tax credit program, from claim preparation and audit compliance to claim disputes.

Swanson Reed regularly hosts free webinars and provides free IRS CE and CPE credits for CPAs. For more information please visit us at www.swansonreed.com/webinars or contact your usual Swanson Reed representative.

NUtech Ventures Celebrates Trailblazing Innovations

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NUtech Ventures, a nonprofit technology commercialization affiliate of the University of Nebraska, has honored the innovative researchers to highlight the accomplishments of University of Nebraska–Lincoln faculty, staff, students and partner companies at their annual Innovator Celebration.

NUtech Ventures’ recognition of pioneering researchers is a testament to the vibrant ecosystem it has cultivated. The company plays a pivotal role in bridging the gap between academic ingenuity and commercial viability, turning the spark of innovation into a flame that illuminates various industries.

The celebrated researchers span disciplines, showcasing the organization’s commitment to supporting a wide range of groundbreaking projects. From life sciences to technology and beyond, NUtech Ventures is actively fueling innovations that have the potential to reshape industries and improve lives. 

“We have an incredibly broad range of research and creative activity at Nebraska that can be translated into products and services by existing and startup companies that create new jobs, grow our economy, and improve quality of life,” said Brad Roth, executive director of NUtech Ventures. “NUtech Ventures is here to serve the campus as a proud partner in this work.”

During fiscal year 2023, Husker innovators shared 105 new inventions with NUtech Ventures for evaluation. Additionally, 31 patents were issued to Nebraska researchers this year, including 24 U.S.-issued patents. NUtech executed 37 licensing agreements for the commercialization of work produced at UNL, and NUtech’s licensing revenue totaled 5.7 million dollars in fiscal year 2023 — just under $4.5 million was distributed to inventors, colleges, and the campus.

Are you developing new technology for an existing application? Did you know your development work could be eligible for the R&D Tax Credit and you can receive up to 14% back on your expenses? Even if your development isn’t successful your work may still qualify for R&D credits (i.e. you don’t need to have a patent to qualify). To find out more, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today or check out our free online eligibility test.

Who We Are:

Swanson Reed is one of the U.S.’ largest Specialist R&D tax advisory firms. We manage all facets of the R&D tax credit program, from claim preparation and audit compliance to claim disputes.

Swanson Reed regularly hosts free webinars and provides free IRS CE and CPE credits for CPAs. For more information please visit us at www.swansonreed.com/webinars or contact your usual Swanson Reed representative.

Red Way: A New Hope for Lincoln’s Struggling Airport – Exploring the Prospects of a New Ultra-Low-Cost Carrier

Stratodynamics Shows Pomise in Unmanned Aerial Turbulence Detection

Lincoln, Nebraska, a city known for its history and recreational facilities, has become a battleground for a new startup called Red Way, which has stepped up to fill the void left by legacy carriers withdrawing from the city. Red Way is an ultra-low-cost carrier that is aiming to operate twice-weekly flights to major cities across the United States. 

Red Way’s modus operandi is unique, as it functions as a “virtual airline” by handling sales and bookings via a Red Way-branded website, while Florida-based charter operator Global Crossing Airlines will supply and operate the aircraft. The airline has already received revenue guarantees in the form of COVID-19 relief funds from the city and county, totaling $3 million.

Red Way’s business model is centered around leisure markets, which can be tricky given the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the travel industry. However, Red Way CEO Nickolas Wangler is confident that the company will succeed. The airline plans to fly to destinations such as Atlanta, Austin, Dallas, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, Nashville, and Orlando, and it aims to respond directly to consumer demand, meaning it will cancel routes that don’t resonate with passengers. In addition, Red Way plans to add more flights to warmer destinations in the US during the winter months.

Although the concept of Red Way seems promising, industry experts and bloggers have expressed concerns about its long-term viability. Some analysts have criticized the airline’s limited flight schedule and its pricing structure, which requires passengers to pay extra for additional services such as carry-ons and checked bags. Moreover, recent Department of Transportation data reveals that few people have been flying the new routes added by Red Way.

Despite the challenges, the airline is optimistic about its future. The company has a strong community backing, and it is hoping to cater to a demand for low-cost leisure travel to destinations that are currently not served by other carriers. Red Way’s first flight from Lincoln Airport is scheduled to depart for Orlando on June 16.

Are you developing new technology for an existing application? Did you know your development work could be eligible for the R&D Tax Credit and you can receive up to 14% back on your expenses? Even if your development isn’t successful your work may still qualify for R&D credits (i.e. you don’t need to have a patent to qualify). To find out more, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today or check out our free online eligibility test.

Who We Are:

Swanson Reed is one of the U.S.’ largest Specialist R&D tax advisory firms. We manage all facets of the R&D tax credit program, from claim preparation and audit compliance to claim disputes.

Swanson Reed regularly hosts free webinars and provides free IRS CE and CPE credits for CPAs. For more information please visit us at www.swansonreed.com/webinars or contact your usual Swanson Reed representative.

Tiiga, Inc. Receives $100K from Nebraska Incubator

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Nebraska-based Tiiga Inc. has received $100,000 in funding this past week from the Lincoln-based startup accelerator NMotion via its growth accelerator program. Tiiga, alongside 5 other Nebraska startups, was selected from a pool of 179 applicant companies.

Tiiga, a plant-based nutritional drink supplement company, intends to use the funding to expand and accelerate their startup’s reach. They intend to open up new avenues for selling Tiiga products. The company launched in June 2020 and have since secured shelf space for their products at about 50 Hy-Vee supermarkets across five states and are expanding the product to Texas and Salt Lake City.

The company was born when the founders met in Lincoln, Nebraska decided the world needed to experience the joy of baobab-based beverages. Harrouna Malgoubri introduced Jeff Tezak and Katy Kerins to the baobab fruit which came from his native country, Burkina Faso, in western Africa.

They began to explore the benefits of the fruit and quickly moved into an R&D phase to formulate a low-calorie and natural drink option. The formula also had to be sustainably produced and have the potential to create positive change in the health of others and for women and entire communities in Africa. This is no easy feat, requiring extensive formulation testing and experimentation. 

Are you developing new technology for an existing application? Did you know your development work could be eligible for the R&D Tax Credit and you can receive up to 14% back on your expenses? Even if your development isn’t successful your work may still qualify for R&D credits (i.e. you don’t need to have a patent to qualify). To find out more, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today or check out our free online eligibility test.

Who We Are:

Swanson Reed is one of the U.S.’ largest Specialist R&D tax advisory firms. We manage all facets of the R&D tax credit program, from claim preparation and audit compliance to claim disputes.

Swanson Reed regularly hosts free webinars and provides free IRS CE and CPE credits for CPAs. For more information please visit us at www.swansonreed.com/webinars or contact your usual Swanson Reed representative.

Thyreos has Received an SBIR Grant for their Vaccine Research

Sartorius AG to Open Center of Excellence in Michigan

Thyreos, a Nebraska based vaccine research company, has been awarded a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The grant is intended to support the development of a new vaccine to protect against Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR), a disease that causes respiratory illness in cattle.

Thyreos’ vaccines use proprietary technology capable of protecting the animals nervous system by removing the viral component responsible for the viral transmission. Bovine alphaherpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) is endemic in the US cattle population leading to a significant loss of milk and viable beef. 

Thyreos R2 technology can selectively remove the neuroinvasive potential of the herpesvirus by removing a key viral component. The SBIR program will support the continued research and innovation to bring this technology to scale.

“We are pleased to receive a Phase I SBIR grant from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture,” said Eric Zeece, CEO of Thyreos. “BoHV-1 and associated respiratory diseases are responsible for significant costs to cattle producers. Thyreos R2 vaccines represent a new technological approach to developing alpha herpesvirus vaccines that decrease producer costs through improved efficacy and safety.”

Are you developing new software for an existing application? Did you know your development work could be eligible for the R&D Tax Credit and you can receive up to 14% back on your expenses? Even if your development isn’t successful your work may still qualify for R&D credits (i.e. you don’t need to have a patent to qualify). To find out more, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today or check out our free online eligibility test.

Who We Are:

Swanson Reed is one of the U.S.’ largest Specialist R&D tax advisory firms. We manage all facets of the R&D tax credit program, from claim preparation and audit compliance to claim disputes.

Swanson Reed regularly hosts free webinars and provides free IRS CE and CPE credits for CPAs. For more information please visit us at www.swansonreed.com/webinars or contact your usual Swanson Reed representative.

Tethon 3D Patents Genesis Printing Resins

New Mexico Patent of the Month - June 2021

Nebraska-based Tethon 3D has officially patented their genesis 3D printing resins. Tethon 3D is focused on revolutionizing ceramic 3D printing by developing novel and innovative resins. They develop and manufacture ceramic powders and photo curable ceramic, metal and polymer resins, each of which can be used in 3D printing.

Their new patent, titled “Photopolymer Development Resin Base for Use with Three-Dimensional Printer” covers the entirety of their Genesis product line – a series of base resins. These products aren’t suitable for 3D printing on their own, they serve as a development base and can be mixed with solid powdered additives to formulate polymer-based composites. These composites can then be 3D printed on SLA and DLP systems. Genesis acts as a starting point for photopolymer resin research and development when adding in solid powders with potential applications in a wide range of industries from dentistry to jewelry to biotech.

Right now Tethon 3D is advertising Tethon 3D as designed for experimental use with a set of guidelines. They also encourage experimentation outside of the guidelines. Tethon 3D formulated this product with specific goals in mind, working towards high loading and physical flexibility. These goals allow for a border range of solid materials to be added into the Genesis line.

Since the launch of Genesis in 2016, numerous customers have experimented with the base resin. Using this base allows customers to add their own custom ingredients to formulate novel ceramics without needing to worry about the lower-level materials science details. This could speed up and enhance resin development across the board.

Tethon 3D has been plenty busy recently, having just announced a partnership with Mechnano, an additive manufacturing materials company. This partnership will work to develop a novel high-temperatures, ESD-safe resin for 3D printing. Called C-lite, this material will withstand temperatures of up to 225°C and uses Mechnano’s proprietary carbon nanotube technology to dissipate static.

Are you developing new products for an existing application? Did you know your development work could be eligible for the R&D Tax Credit and you can receive up to 14% back on your expenses? Even if your development isn’t successful your work may still qualify for R&D credits (i.e. you don’t need to have a patent to qualify). To find out more, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today or check out our free online eligibility test.

Who We Are:

Swanson Reed is one of the U.S.’ largest Specialist R&D tax advisory firms. We manage all facets of the R&D tax credit program, from claim preparation and audit compliance to claim disputes.

Swanson Reed regularly hosts free webinars and provides free IRS CE and CPE credits for CPAs. For more information please visit us at www.swansonreed.com/webinars or contact your usual Swanson Reed representative.

Nebraska Aims to Store CO2 Below Ground

West Virginia Patent of the Month - June 2021

Nebraska is set to develop an entirely new industry that aims to store carbon dioxide from ethanol plants below ground. This industry could provide financial benefits for ethanol producers while simultaneously combating climate change. The industry will be explored by numerous companies who plan to partner with ethanol producers across the state. Some intend to develop methods to store the produced CO2 within the state, while others will lay below-ground pipes to transport it elsewhere.

Based on state Senator Mike Flood’s LB650 bill, other production facilities, such as power and fertilizer plants, are also eligible to participate. The general ideology will be the same across facilities. Rather than allowing CO2 to emit from a producer’s stacks, those stacks would be capped and route the carbon dioxide to a series of compressors. The CO2 is then converted into a transportable form such as liquid and stored well below the surface – at least 2,600 feet below.

One storage plan, outlined by Battelle, wants to put CO2 below the ethanol plants or within a couple miles of the plant. They intend to test their design in a region in the state with porous rocks below the surface to maximize carbon storage.

Another company, Navigator CO2 Ventures, will experiment with a pipeline network that will transport liquefied CO2 from Nebraska (and four other states) and store it below the Mount Simon Sandstone Formation. 

Once successfully implemented, a producer will receive a $50 tax credit for every metric ton of CO2 stored. In addition, as a producer stores more carbon dioxide, they reduce their CO2 intensity score and make their ethanol more widely sellable. For instance, California has strict regulations in place and can only purchase ethanol from producers with sufficiently low intensity scores.

The climate incentives are also significant. Navigator believes their pipeline plan could store carbon dioxide in volumes equivalent to the emissions of 2.6 million cars annually. 

Are you developing new software for an existing application? Did you know your development work could be eligible for the R&D Tax Credit and you can receive up to 14% back on your expenses? Even if your development isn’t successful your work may still qualify for R&D credits (i.e. you don’t need to have a patent to qualify). To find out more, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today or check out our free online eligibility test.

Who We Are:

Swanson Reed is one of the U.S.’ largest Specialist R&D tax advisory firms. We manage all facets of the R&D tax credit program, from claim preparation and audit compliance to claim disputes.

Swanson Reed regularly hosts free webinars and provides free IRS CE and CPE credits for CPAs. For more information please visit us at www.swansonreed.com/webinars or contact your usual Swanson Reed representative.

Fylamynt Cloud Automation Platform Launch

code automation platform

Cloud automation platform, Fylamynt, announced its launch on December 2nd, with $6.5 million in seed funding. With little to no code, the platform provides cloud secure capabilities for building, running, and analyzing automation workflows. Rather than attempting to replace similar platforms in this competitive field, Fylamynt is instead providing integration for numerous cloud platforms and code all in one space. The funding comes from Gradient Ventures, Mango Capital, and Point72 Ventures, among others.

With experience in web-scale and shipping infrastructures for both private and public cloud, and helping companies manage their cloud operations, cofounders, Dr. Pradeep Padala, Dr. Xiaoyun Zhu, and David Lee started Fylamynt in 2019. They wanted to resolve issues surrounding high operations costs due to application downtime and failures. These technical issues can cause enterprises up to $2.5 billion per year, or up to $1 million per hour. Fylamynt augments workflows with AI, which enables the connection of any code, including integrating code from Terraform and Ansible (two commonly used code software tools) with any infrastructure service through site reliability engineering (SRE). This means that you can connect and use codes and tools from multiple cloud services. For example, if you’re using a script from one platform and a template from another, Fylamynt integrates and connects them to create a fast and efficient infrastructure workflow build. Fylamynt also works on the top three cloud providers: Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure. 

Are you developing new tech? Did you know your R&D experiments could be eligible for the R&D Tax Credit and you can receive up to 14% back on your expenses? To find out more, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today or check out our free online eligibility test.

Who We Are:

 

Swanson Reed is one of the U.S.’ largest Specialist R&D tax advisory firms. We manage all facets of the R&D tax credit program, from claim preparation and audit compliance to claim disputes. 

Swanson Reed regularly hosts free webinars and provides free IRS CE and CPE credits for CPA’s. For more information please visit us at www.swansonreed.com/webinars or contact your usual Swanson Reed representative.

$100 Million invested into medical technology

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The American medical technology company, Becton Dickinson (BD), which produce more than two billion insulin syringes per year, have announced a $100 million research project to expand the company’s Nebraska research facility.

The investment will support new manufacturing equipment and technology to expand production for BD insulin syringes. Insulin syringes are used by approximately 40 percent of people with diabetes as part of their management regimen. This research investment will provide significant benefits to the diabetes population and underscores BD’s commitment to supply high-quality, industry-leading syringes to patients.

BD’s Nebraska facility is 350,000 square feet in size and was established in 1966. The facility houses more than 650 employees and manufactures 20 different products.

This is not the first time BD has significantly invested into research and development. In August 2016, after 60 years of running its facility in Utah, the company completed a $20 million facility upgrade. The upgrade allowed for more space and technology to produce IV catheters and valves, blood collection devices and surgical products.

The Utah facility was first purchased in 1956 and has since grown to 440,000 square feet in size and 1,200 employees. The research facility was the first to use renewable energy sources and later became landfill-free, where waste is reduced, recycled or converted into energy.

Companies like BD demonstrate the significant positive outcomes that result from investing in R&D. If you believe your company is incorporating research and innovation into its business activities, it may be eligible for an R&D tax credit. To find out more contact a Swanson Reed R&D Tax Advisor today for an assessment.

Nebraska’s New Power Plant to Reduce CO2 Emissions

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Over half of the electricity in Nebraska is produced by coal-fired plants. However, two-thirds of the electricity generated by Monolith Materials’ proposed $50 million manufacturing headquarters will be from carbon-free sources such as nuclear, hydro and wind. The Lincoln plant is expected to be in operation by 2020 or 2021. It is expected to bring 200 jobs to the plant and potentially 600 spinoff jobs.

Monolith Materials have developed a way to produce carbon black using natural gas rather than crude oil or coal tar, which reduces emissions by around 90% and produces clean-burning hydrogen in the process.

This hydrogen by-product will be used at the Sheldon Station plant, which will be the first large-scale power plant in the US to produce electricity using this method. Monolith Materials have partnered with the Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) and have decided to reduce emissions by replacing a coal-fired boiler with a hydrogen-fired boiler. Although the hydrogen is not considered renewable energy, as it is derived from natural gas, it is estimated that it will cut Nebraska’s CO2 emissions by around a million tons per year.

The Silicon Valley start-up chose Nebraska as the best location for the plant because of its cheap electric rates, public power partnerships, infrastructure and skilled workforce. NPPD’s Generation Strategy Manager wants to replace more coal with natural gas and make Nebraska “the carbon black capitol of the world.”

Over the past five years, Nebraska has grown by over 52,000 manufacturing jobs. Chief Commercial Officer, Rob Hanson described the company as, “a California company with a development division in Nebraska,” but that “In two years, we’ll be a Nebraska company with R&D in California.”

Energy companies like Monolith Materials are continually finding cleaner ways to produce electricity. Please contact one of Swanson Reed’s offices to find out whether your company is eligible for the federal or state R&D tax credit.