Researchers create two new polymers from sugar-based starting materials that retain common plastic qualities but are degradable and mechanically recyclable. The polymers' unique shapes and stereochemistry-dependent degradation rates offer a promising solution for sustainable plastics, with potential applications in various industries.
Researchers propose a method using optical cavities to enhance atom interferometers, enabling extreme momentum transfer for detecting dark matter and gravitational waves. This could facilitate breakthroughs in fundamental physics and future applications.
Researchers from Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia have developed a new precision strategy to hinder coronavirus infection by blocking the ACE2 receptor. The study, published in Pharmacological Research, reveals two anti-K353 aptamers that dose-dependently inhibit viral spike protein binding to human ACE2, preventing cell infection.
A NJIT-led team has received a $1.25 million grant to identify and eliminate barriers for women scholars in technology commercialization on university campuses. The team aims to increase diversity in STEM faculty researchers and entrepreneurs, particularly women and underrepresented groups.
A new method uses carbon dioxide, water, and food-grade citric acid to extract rare-earth metals from coal ash without damaging the environment. This technique increases a national resource while making coal ash cleaner and less toxic.
Scientists at KU Leuven developed a method to multiply coconut trees faster and store them more efficiently, preserving genetic diversity and meeting the demand for coconuts. The technique allows thousands of new specimens with the same genetic profile to be obtained, offering potential for coconut plantations worldwide.
Research at McGill University found that patented biomedical inventions created by women are more likely to benefit women's health, addressing conditions like breast cancer and postpartum preeclampsia. However, female inventors face significant barriers, including lower commercialization rates and biases in early-stage feedback.
Researchers analyzed over 900 patents to identify key technological trends in the New Space economy. The study found that data is the most valuable asset in this ecosystem, with 62% of patents related to data products and services. Emerging topics include active constellation management and new satellite systems design.
A study of over 440,000 U.S. biomedical patents found that all-female inventor teams were 35% more likely to focus on women's health than all-male teams. Female researchers are also more likely to discover female-focused solutions leading to women's health patents.
A patented technology combines two subsystems of an AC-DC converter into one, creating a more compact battery charger while maintaining full functionality. This innovation supports the goal of developing sustainable and economically sound electrified transportation.
A new artificial intelligence system, WE-FORGE, generates fake documents to protect intellectual property and make it difficult for adversaries to identify the real document. The system, designed at Dartmouth College, uses natural language processing to create believable and incorrect documents.
A new AI tool developed at Purdue University aims to improve healthcare outcomes by analyzing patient records and comorbidities. The tool provides personalized recommendations to help patients prepare for surgery, increasing the likelihood of successful outcomes.
A large-scale study found that innovative companies experienced 1.95% higher yearly growth in profitability compared to non-innovative firms. The study highlights the significant financial benefits of innovation for companies, supporting job creation and economic growth.
Researchers used machine learning to analyze brain network data from people with major depressive disorder, identifying distinct patterns of coordinated brain activity. The new brain network signature achieved 70% accuracy in detecting major depression across different imaging protocols.
Professor Robert Prud'homme at Princeton University has been awarded the inaugural Dean for Research Award for Distinguished Innovation for his invention of flash nanoprecipitation, a technique that promises to improve drug delivery. The award recognizes Prud'homme's innovative approach to solving critical challenges in society.
A recent study suggests that population density plays a crucial role in innovation, with cities producing unconventional patents and suburbs producing conventional ones. The research found that large innovative companies tend to perform their research in suburban office parks, while urban cores facilitate interactions between researche...
A new kirigami-based shoe sole has been designed to reduce the risks of slips and falls by adjusting as a person steps, increasing friction with pop-up spikes as necessary. The study found that the new grip could achieve a greater friction than standard winter boots by two- to three-fold.
Researchers at Purdue University have created an image- and video-based application using OpenCV algorithms that detects suspensible dust concentration, allowing employers to take safety measures before explosive atmospheres form.
A patented technology monitors stroke survivors' health parameters from the brain and cardiovascular system. Post-stroke rehabilitation starts instantly after medical stabilization, with a high risk of second strokes within 4 years.
Researchers found that humans can complement machine learning in correcting for biases. Vintage-specific skills and domain expertise are key attributes that help humans guide machines in mitigating bias. Human collaboration improves ML productivity but its impact on long-term productivity is unclear.
A novel membrane and chemical reduction process have been patented by University of Delaware researchers to remove perchlorate from drinking water. The technology has shown high efficiency in reducing perchlorate concentrations, making it a potential solution for mitigating human health risks associated with this contaminant.
A recent study reveals that nearly a third of US patents rely on government-funded research, underscoring the importance of federal investment in driving technological progress. The research found that corporations have increasingly relied on federally supported research, leading to more important and impactful patents.
Researchers have created a new type of electronic memory device that consumes significantly less energy than current devices, potentially reducing peak power consumption in data centres by a fifth. The invention could transform daily life with its ability to enable computers to instantly go into an energy-saving sleep mode.
Researchers at Waseda University found that partnerships between research institutions and private firms are on the rise, leading to more joint patent applications and a sharp increase in innovation. The study suggests that encouraging collaboration can lead to breakthroughs in nanotechnology and improve technology transfer.
Researchers in Poland and South Korea have developed a computer program that suggests synthetic strategies to circumvent patent-protected aspects of essential drugs. The software, called Chematica, uses mechanistic rules to identify new retrosynthetic pathways, allowing for the generation of alternative yet economical starting materials.
UTA faculty Teik C. Lim and L.K. Mestha have been elected as National Academy of Inventors fellows for their prolific spirit of innovation in creating or facilitating outstanding inventions. Their work has made a tangible impact on quality of life, economic development, and society.
The Nomad is a low-cost rotary wing vehicle designed for electronic warfare, featuring counter-rotating coaxial rotors and compact storage in an integrated launch tube. Patent licensing makes it available for repurposing in other applications, including commercial sales.
The CRISPR Journal has published new articles on the development of a novel transcriptional activator system, CRISPR-Cas classification, patent appeals, anti-CRISPR proteins, and CRISPR-based art. Researchers have made significant advancements in understanding the complexities of CRISPR biology.
A mouse study found that paternal sperm DNA epigenetic changes may cause cognitive deficits in offspring, regardless of exposure to secondhand smoke. The effects were seen in both male and female mice, but were more pronounced in females.
Three Alberta startups, GlyCa BioSciences, PanTHERA CryoSolutions, and 48Hour Discovery Inc., received grants from GlycoNet worth $90,000. The funding supports patent protection and licensing activities to drive commercialization of glyco-based technologies.
The International Journal of Molecular Sciences has released a special issue to commemorate Zijian Xie's 20-year-old discovery of the scaffolding/signaling function of the Na/K-ATPase sodium pump. This significant finding has had tremendous applications in biology and medicine.
Researchers at UTA have patented a smart seat cushion that uses real-time pressure monitoring and automated pressure modulation capabilities to redistribute body weight and prevent painful ulcers. The same technology can be used to create adaptable prosthetic liners, improving comfort and reducing skin damage in amputees.
Dr. Ben Conley has invented a metamaterial to bring full-spectrum infrared to warfighters, expanding sensed spectrum and improving visibility in caves and tunnels. The technology will not add weight or require additional battery power.
A project analyzing telecommunication patents found an exponential increase in patents and fragmentation hindering lawsuit progress. Experts recommend unifying courts, limiting lawsuits, improving training on property rights, and enhancing visibility for small and medium-sized companies.
The National Academy of Inventors (NAI) recognizes and encourages inventors with life-saving and life-changing advances. The journal Technology and Innovation features research on pillars of academic innovation, including public policy, industry-university partnerships, and mentorship of innovators.
A Virginia Tech student research team has discovered the Melt Mat, a thermally absorptive blanket that increases melting rates by threefold without any effort or energy input. The product can be used on residential driveways, sidewalks, parking lots, and athletic fields to save municipalities millions and homeowners from snow shovel duty.
Dereje Agonafer's election as an NAI Fellow marks the highest number of NAI Fellows at any university in Texas. He is a renowned expert in thermal engineering and has developed innovative cooling systems for high-power chip stacking.
Physicists at NIST have created a new method to link atoms' properties quickly, potentially providing precise sensing and quantum computer tools. The approach uses dipolar interaction to enable fast entanglement propagation through groups of atoms.
Universities are employing innovative programs, makerspaces, and business accelerators to nurture future innovators. Researchers highlight the benefits of platform strategies in tech transfer, accelerating research and IP commercialization.
Researchers at KTU created a cheaper and more efficient organic semiconductor material, which has been licensed to Tokyo Chemical Industry. The material has similar characteristics to existing alternatives but is significantly cheaper and easier to produce.
A recent study published in Science reveals that public funding for biomedical research is essential for driving innovation. The analysis found that 30% of NIH-funded grants generate articles that are subsequently cited by commercial patents, highlighting the importance of publicly-funded research in informing commercial innovation.
Researchers analyzed 56,000 patents granted by U.S.-based research-intensive universities with incubators. They found a strong negative association between incubator establishment and patent quality. The study suggests that incubitors may dilute innovation by competing for resources.
A new study by Lily Fang of INSEAD found that China's success in innovation is hindered by weak intellectual property protection, which leads to lower quality patents and fewer international citations. The study suggests that improving IP protection is crucial for China's sustainable growth
A team from Michigan Tech developed an online search engine to explore inactive US patents, which are nearly half of all registered patents. The tool helps inventors and innovators find potential goldmines for new developments.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a new principle to measure external forces using parametric oscillation. The discovery has advantages for small sensors, enabling the creation of extremely precise force meters.
A recent study published in Science reveals that patent trolls are suing firms regardless of actual patent infringement, leading to a negative impact on research and development investment. The authors propose advance review procedures to screen out trolling and encourage legitimate infringement claims.
The APLU task force suggests that universities consider the value of technology transfer activities in tenure and promotion decisions, with a focus on merit-based recognition rather than requirement. The task force recommends flexibility in evaluating technology transfer work, weighing impact, quality, and societal benefit.
Dr. Elliot J. Androphy and his colleagues will test compounds to determine the best candidate to treat spinal muscular atrophy, a genetic disease affecting voluntary muscle movement. The grant aims to increase SMN proteins in mouse models to mitigate the disease.
Researchers from Louisiana Tech University published a study on the prevalence and impacts of 'serial inventors', who are inventive scientists and engineers producing patents at a high level. Approximately 10 percent of faculty inventors account for about 50 percent of patents generated at a university.
A recent issue of Technology & Innovation explores old issues in health-related environmental research and new trends. Researchers found significant asbestos exposure risks from motorcycle riding on contaminated soils, while studies on organic vs conventional foods concluded there's no scientific basis for a preference.
A team of UMass Amherst computer scientists designed an algorithm to rapidly remove inventor ambiguity from patent records, improving searches. The winning approach will be incorporated into the USPTO's new online platform, PatentsView, providing users with more efficient and effective search capabilities.
Heloise Anne Pereira, a University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center professor, has been recognized as a National Academy of Inventors Fellow. Her research on the naturally occurring protein CAP37 and its derived antimicrobial peptides has led to significant advancements in treating antibiotic-resistant infections.
Diana Shu-Lian Chow, a University of Houston professor, has been named a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors in recognition of her work on developing new drug formulations. Her work has led to significant improvements in the safety and efficacy of stem cell transplants for leukemia patients.
The UAEU symposium highlighted the importance of intellectual property rights and technology transfer in driving innovation and economic growth. Key speakers emphasized the need for a culture of excellence and innovation, as well as strategies for commercializing inventions and protecting intellectual property.
A new study by the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management suggests that truly innovative breakthroughs need in-depth knowledge in a narrow domain. Most high-impact innovations occur through cross-collaboration, but this research shows that recombining existing knowledge is only one part of the puzzle.
The current issue of Technology and Innovation highlights the challenges of ensuring water security due to growing concerns over fresh water availability. Advances in analytical techniques, nanobiotechnologies, and monitoring methods are being explored to develop innovative solutions for water conservation and quality improvement.
A new IU study reveals that women are patenting at higher rates in academia compared to industry and government, with 18% of patents having women's names attached. The study found that women inventors were more collaborative and multidisciplinary, contributing to the relative success of large research universities in fostering innovation.
NREL's Innovation and Technology Transfer Awards ceremony recognized professionals behind the lab's greatest innovations from FY14. Distinguished Innovator Min Zhang and Rising Stars Chuck Booten and John Simon were honored for their contributions to clean energy technology development.
A new study by Battelle Technology Partnership Practice found that R&D programs at NIH, NSF, DOE, and NIST generated significant patents and drove downstream R&D activity. The NIH produced the most patents per dollar spent, with its NIBIB institute being a top producer.
A new study of nearly 2 million patents in the US found that most inventors choose to disclose information about their patents before approval, contrary to previous economic research. The disclosure correlates with more valuable patents, and small inventors also opt for disclosure, challenging initial concerns about secrecy.