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Five faculty entrepreneurs who have developed technologies with commercialization potential have had their projects selected for the inaugural Chancellor’s Innovation Fund. These faculty members, whose research ranges from stadium safety to quantum computing, will each receive $50,000 and the support they need to move their technology from the lab to the market.
The Chancellor’s Innovation Fund, administered by the Office of Research, Innovation and Economic Development, is designed to strengthen East Tennessee’s entrepreneurship pipeline and provide faculty with a path to commercialize technology.
“Translating the discoveries of our faculty into technologies that benefit people is one of the most tangible ways we fulfill our mission as a land-grant research university,” said President Donde Plowman. Stated. “I’m proud of this initiative and the bridge it helps build. Without this kind of seed money, many high-tech ideas like this won’t reach the people who need them.
Winners, who will be recognized at a ceremony on February 21st, were selected through a rigorous process that included a pitch competition where they were asked to explain the benefits of their technology and how funding could help bring their ideas to market. I did.
Projects were evaluated based on their ability to address unmet market needs, current state of the technology, proposed technology development plans, and funding impact on commercialization. The UT Research Foundation supported the program by evaluating proposals and mentoring participants.
“We often talk about conducting research that improves lives and livelihoods, and the Prime Minister’s Innovation Fund is a perfect example of putting those words into action.” Rob Coleman, Director of Entrepreneurship and New Business at ORIED He said: “Our five award winners will use the funding over the next 12 months to hone their technology, develop prototypes, and perform validation testing to demonstrate that their solutions address specific customer needs. confirm.”
The following projects were selected for the award.
Reconsidering superconducting logic system using ferroelectric SQUID and heater cryotron
Ahmedullah Aziz Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Tickling Engineering Department
Aziz’s project aims to revolutionize superconducting processors, which are essential for quantum computing, high-performance computing systems, and space electronics. His project includes simulation, fabrication, and characterization to evaluate and advance this promising superconducting logic system.
A portion of the award funding will be used for the fabrication and characterization of wafer-scale superconducting circuits at the Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems in Dresden, Germany. The remainder will be used to support part-time graduate research assistants responsible for the physical design and testing of the chip.
“Working at UT allows me to collaborate with the best people in my field, access cutting-edge resources, and engage in impactful research that contributes to the advancement of science and technology,” Aziz said. said. “The focus on research provides a stimulating environment that aligns with my passion for pushing the boundaries of knowledge and making meaningful contributions to my field. I am grateful for this opportunity. ”
Data engine, automatic visualization
Professor Jian Huang, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Tickle College of Engineering
Huang’s projects are based on research in the areas of visualization, big data, and cloud computing. He coined the term Visualization as a Service (VaaS). His project is an intelligent VaaS that produces analytics and visualization apps for users, especially those working in organizations that need to use big data but cannot afford to hire their own data scientists. is intended to create.
Huang will use the award to increase the level of technical readiness for intelligent VaaS, specifically by translating research methods from university labs into prototype systems that users can operate in business-critical environments. It’s about changing.
Huang said working at a research university allowed him to engage in a unique type of intellectual exploration in both teaching and research. “Over the past 20 years at UT, I have been blessed with amazing students. They are talented, passionate, and bold,” he said. “Working with them has given me the energy and sustainability I need to do the kind of exploration I truly enjoy.”
Enzymes for bioplastic recycling
Professor Todd Reynolds and PhD student Jordan Cannon from the Department of Microbiology Faculty of Arts and Sciences
Reynolds and Cannon’s project focuses on engineering bacterial proteins that can break down polylactic acid in bioplastics and make them more heat resistant. This protein will become more versatile in biodegradation and recycling applications that require high temperatures. PLA products can be converted back to their original lactic acid composition to rework PLA products, or they can be degraded in the environment to avoid contaminating landfills, compost piles, and landscapes.
The award funds will support Cannon’s research in Reynolds’ lab and provide supplies and reagents to advance the research.
Reynolds said he is grateful for the support from the university and the UT Research Foundation.
“It’s exciting to be a Vol. “You get to interact with some graduate students, some undergraduate students, some world-class faculty. It’s a public benefit for Tennessee, America and the world,” Reynolds said.
fLEX Field Athletic Field Tester
John Sorochan Distinguished Professor, Turfgrass Science and Management; University of Texas Agricultural Research Institute; Kylie Dixon, researcher and co-director of the UT Athletic Field Safety Center
Sorochan and Dickson’s project is a test device called fLEX, which measures the performance and playability of surfaces, typically sports surfaces. The device they co-designed is portable and can simulate foot strikes during stopping or accelerating motions for athletes weighing 35 to 350 pounds.
The test focuses on three areas: the actual surface (natural grass, artificial grass, etc.), footwear, and athletes (weight, sport, etc.). The funding awarded to Sorochan and Dixon will be used primarily for continued software and mechanical development. Current beta prototype development.
Sorochan said working at UTIA has given him the freedom to explore creative research ideas. He added that their research and inventions have the potential to have real-world impact, contribute to improving the quality of playing fields, and improve athlete performance and safety.
“UTIA has been very supportive of our turfgrass research program, making us one of the world leaders in all areas of turfgrass research, from weed science to sports turf to basic turfgrass pathology research. “Being a Vol means being a team, and there’s no one bigger than the program,” Solochan said. As a team, we work hard to represent what we believe is best for our department, institute, university, state, people and nation.”
Aligned nonwoven composite material using carding technology
UT-ORNL Advanced Composites Manufacturing Governor Chair Uday Vaidya, Researcher Pritesh Yeole, Graduate Research Assistant Vinit Chaudhary, Tickle College of Engineering, Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Biomedical Engineering
Vaidya, Yeole, and Chaudhary’s project addresses creating value-added material shapes from carbon, glass, and natural fibers. It can be compared to combing tangled hair. For example, waste carbon fiber can be carded or combed into straight fibers that can be woven into value-added engineered products. This process also minimizes landfill and creates opportunities for the fibers to be used in subsequent applications ranging from mass transit, trucks, cars and boats to sporting goods and other sectors.
The winning funds will be used to scale up carding and combing to produce material that allows prototype parts to be discussed with potential customers.
“Leveraging industry partners such as the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation and opportunities at the UT Oak Ridge Innovation Institute, Bredesen Center, and UT Research Foundation, this ecosystem is designed to foster entrepreneurship, high-impact research, and the next It provides a great opportunity for workforce development for a generation. A generation,” Vaidya said.
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Media contact:
Tyra Haag (865-974-5460, tyra.haag@tennessee.edu)
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