University of Arkansas Technology Ventures

#InventorSpotlight Today we celebrate Han Hu. Hu, a dedicated researcher and assistant professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Arkansas, whose drive to find order fuels his passion for discovery. In the field of thermal fluids, Hu focuses on two-phase cooling systems, essential for cooling powerful computers and even spaceships. Beyond research, Hu is deeply committed to outreach, inspiring students to approach life with a problem-solving mindset. #weARinnovators #startherearkansas #innovation #research #technologytransfer #economicdevelopment #arkansasalumni

#InventorSpotlight Today we celebrate Susanne Striegler, professor in the department of chemistry and biochemistry at the University of Arkansas. Professor Striegler's innovative research is unlocking the potential of glycosidases to transform biomass into valuable products, from pharmaceuticals to biofuels. Her interdisciplinary approach leverages catalysis, material science, and molecular recognition to create sustainable alternatives to petrochemicals. With two patents already issued and more in progress, Striegler's work has significant implications for biorefining and the development of eco-friendly solutions across multiple industries. Her goal: a breakthrough in converting complex biomass into simple sugars within the next three years, driving forward the bioeconomy! #weARinnovators #startherearkansas #innovation #research #technologytransfer #economicdevelopment #arkansasalumni https://lnkd.in/g3NvgaEz

Technology Ventures is excited to announce the issuance of U.S. Patent No. 11,876,226 titled “Cu2S-based superior anode for sodium-ion batteries”. Sodium-ion batteries function similarly to lithium-ion batteries but use sodium instead of lithium. Traditionally, sodium-ion batteries consist of a hard carbon anode, a sodium-based cathode (e.g., sodium cobalt oxide or sodium iron phosphate), and an electrolyte with sodium salts. During charging, sodium ions move from the cathode to the anode, storing energy; during discharging, they return to the cathode, releasing energy. While sodium-ion batteries are safer and more cost-effective due to the abundance of sodium, they generally have lower energy density and shorter cycle life compared to lithium-ion batteries. Sodium-ion batteries are advantageous due to the abundance and low cost of sodium, as well as their safety. However, they typically have lower energy density and shorter cycle life compared to lithium-ion batteries. This patent covers an innovative anode design that integrates cutting-edge materials to enhance the performance and efficiency of sodium-ion batteries. Specifically, this patent covers: 🔋 Anode Material: Cu₂S (Copper Sulfide), known for its superior electrochemical properties enabling high-rate capabilities and long-term cyclability. 🔋 Nitrogen-Doped Graphene-Based Material: This material wraps around the Cu₂S anode, creating a protective and conductive layer. 🔋 N-Doping Sites: Incorporated into the graphene, these sites boost conductivity and stability, paving the way for longer-lasting, more efficient batteries. This advancement is a significant leap forward in energy storage technology, promising to power the future more sustainably. Exciting times ahead as we continue to innovate and push the limits of what's possible! 🌟 The inventors are Xiangbo Meng and Jiyu Cai. For more information, contact University of Arkansas Technology Ventures (ventures@uark.edu). #weARinnovators #startherearkansas #technologytransfer #research #innovation #economicdevelopment #arkansasalumni

We are thrilled to welcome Christopher Konicki, our newest IP Analyst Intern, to Technology Ventures! Chris, originally from Chicago, Illinois, is a second-year law student at the University of Arkansas with a keen interest in intellectual property and patent law. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Ball State University and intends to pursue a Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering. Chris recently completed an internship at Dexcom in San Diego, focusing on patent litigation, prosecution, and licensing. His background also includes litigation clerk roles in Colorado, Boston, and Massachusetts, as well as research on glycogen storage diseases and medical devices for managing insulin resistance. Outside of his professional pursuits, Chris has been running daily for 14 years, having competed in cross-country through college, and has lived and worked in five states across the U.S. Welcome aboard, Chris! We're excited to have you with us.

We are excited to announce that U.S. Patent No. 12,012,329, titled “Carbyne-based sensing device for high spatial resolution in DNA sequencing and biomolecule characterization and method of fabricating the same” has been issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Patent Highlights: This innovative method details the fabrication of a state-of-the-art sensing device, involving: -Attaching a monolayer graphene sheet to the silicon nitride diaphragm. -Dicing the graphene sheet to form a graphene microribbon. -Converting the graphene microribbon to a graphene nanoribbon, and ultimately to carbyne. The step-by-step method ensures precision and efficiency in creating a highly sensitive device for advanced biological analysis. Key Features of the Sensing Device: -Microelectrodes and monolayer graphene integration. -Carbyne for enhanced detection capabilities. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize DNA sequencing and biomolecule characterization, paving the way for new advancements in medical research and diagnostics. The inventors are Steve Tung, Bo Ma, and Ty Seiwert. For more information, contact University of Arkansas Technology Ventures (ventures@uark.edu). #weARinnovators #startherearkansas #technologytransfer #research #innovation #economicdevelopment #arkansasalumni

🚀 Technology Spotlight: Continuous Carbon Fiber Reinforced Thermally Cured Thermoset Composite 3D Printing System Revolutionizing manufacturing with a robot-assisted 3D printing system for high-performance carbon fiber composites. This cutting-edge technology introduces a robot-assisted continuous carbon fiber (CF) reinforced thermoset composite 3D printing system. This innovation addresses key challenges in traditional manufacturing methods, such as energy inefficiency, high costs, and limitations in producing complex structures. By utilizing a robot-assisted approach, this system significantly reduces energy consumption and manufacturing time while enabling the creation of complex, high-quality CF composites. This novel technique does not require large ovens or autoclaves, making it a more versatile and cost-effective solution for various industries. Benefits Energy Efficient: Drastically reduces energy consumption compared to traditional methods. Low-Cost: Minimizes manufacturing costs by eliminating the need for large, high-temperature curing chambers. Fast Manufacturing: Accelerates the production process, reducing overall manufacturing time. Complex Structure Printing: Capable of producing intricate and complex 3D structures. High Mechanical Performance: Delivers superior stiffness, strength, and thermal stability. Wide Applications: Applicable to a variety of industries due to its versatility and high performance. Applications Automotive: Enhances vehicle performance and efficiency with lightweight, strong components. Aerospace & Defense: Provides high-strength, thermally stable materials for critical applications. Healthcare: Enables the production of durable and complex medical devices. Consumer Goods: Facilitates the creation of high-quality, custom consumer products. Construction: Supports the development of robust and innovative building materials. Others (Electronics, Education, Food, etc.): Offers versatile solutions across multiple sectors. The inventors are: Nahid Tushar AND Wan Shou This innovative technology is available for licensing. For more information, please contact: Tech Ventures, University of Arkansas 🚀🌟 #3DPrinting #CarbonFiberComposites #ThermosetComposites #Robotics #ManufacturingInnovation #TechInnovation #HighPerformanceMaterials #IP #Business https://lnkd.in/gKFhwRz3

🚀 Technology Spotlight: Multifunctional Integrated Microchannel Bussing Connector for Direct-Cooled Electronics Revolutionizing cooling and electrical interconnections in high-power electronic systems with cutting-edge multifunctional microchannel technology. This advanced technology introduces a multifunctional cooling component that provides both electrical interconnections and efficient heat removal for high-power electronic systems. The invention addresses critical challenges in current cooling methods, such as high thermal resistance and non-uniform cooling. By incorporating controlled dielectric fluid flow within the package, this system significantly lowers thermal resistance and enhances cooling uniformity. Additionally, it implements thermal management at the device level while ensuring adequate voltage isolation, resulting in a more reliable and efficient cooling solution. Benefits Low Parasitic Inductance: Reduces energy losses and improves efficiency. Improved Power Density: Low volume and weight enhance overall power density. Lower Thermal Resistance: Enhances cooling performance in high voltage modules. Uniform Cooling: Ensures consistent cooling across high current density modules. Compatibility: Works with traditional packaging processes like encapsulation. Device-Level Thermal Management: Provides effective cooling without direct fluid contact with electrical components. Applications Electric Vehicle Charging: Enhances the efficiency and reliability of charging systems. Solar Power Converters: Improves performance and longevity of solar power systems. High Voltage Traction Inverters: Ensures robust and efficient operation in electric vehicles and other high-power applications. The inventors are David Huitink, Ph.D., Ange Christian Iradukunda, Geoff Campbell, and David Underwood. This innovative technology is available for licensing. For more information, please contact: Tech Ventures, University of Arkansas 🚀🌟 #CoolingTech #PowerElectronics #MicrochannelCooling #HighPowerSystems #TechInnovation #ThermalManagement #ElectricalInterconnections #IP #Businessdevelopment https://lnkd.in/gMQCXWEN

🚀 Technology Spotlight: Portable DNA Sequencing System Using Graphene Sensors and DNA/CNT Hybrid Structures Revolutionizing portable DNA sequencing with cutting-edge nanofluidic technology. This advanced technology introduces a portable DNA sequencing system that leverages innovative graphene sensors and DNA/carbon nanotube (CNT) hybrid structures. The system addresses key challenges in current sequencing methods, such as high background noise and limited surface area. By incorporating a novel nanofluidic device with sophisticated DNA sample preprocessing, this system significantly reduces motion-induced noise and enhances spatial resolution. The result is a more accurate and cost-effective DNA sequencing solution. Benefits Enhanced Accuracy: Achieves precise DNA sequencing with minimal noise. Improved Resolution: Maximizes signal clarity and spatial resolution. Cost-Effective: Reduces overall sequencing costs. Applications DNA sequencing RNA sequencing The inventors are: Han Hu, Jim-Woo Kim, and Steve Tung This innovative technology is available for licensing. For more information, please contact: Tech Ventures, University of Arkansas 🚀🌟 #DNASequencing #GrapheneSensors #Nanotechnology #PortableDevices #TechInnovation #BiomedicalResearch

Technology Spotlight: Binuclear Copper Complexes for Selective Glycoside Hydrolysis Introduction Recent advancements in synthetic chemistry have unveiled a groundbreaking approach to glycoside hydrolysis through the use of binuclear copper complexes. This innovative technology presents a highly selective method for carbohydrate discrimination and hydrolysis, surpassing traditional enzymatic methods in versatility and stability. Core Technology The binuclear copper complexes exploit the asymmetry of their structure and the specific distance between metal ions to achieve precise carbohydrate binding and hydrolysis. This method mimics the chiral discrimination seen in natural enzymes like glycosidases, lipases, and esterases but in a more robust and adaptable synthetic form. Unlike conventional enzymes, these synthetic complexes provide exceptional diastereoselectivity and chiral discrimination in aqueous solutions, enabling the selective cleavage of glycosidic bonds. Key Benefits ·        Ease of Preparation: The binuclear copper complexes are straightforward to synthesize, including in large-scale production, making them highly practical for industrial applications. ·        Ambient Storage: These complexes maintain their efficacy at room temperature, simplifying storage and handling requirements. ·        Unlimited Shelf-Life: The catalysts exhibit no loss of activity over time, ensuring long-term usability without the need for frequent replacements. ·        Enhanced Stability: They demonstrate superior resistance to pH fluctuations, temperature variations, and solvent exposure, as well as aging. ·        Poisoning Resistance: The complexes are insensitive to contamination by transition metal ion traces, a common issue with other catalytic systems. Market Application The primary application of binuclear copper complexes lies in the food industry, specifically in the selective hydrolysis and digestion of oligosaccharides from industrial waste. By converting biomass into fine chemicals or biofuels, these catalysts offer a cost-effective method to enhance the value of by-products. Their robust nature and broad application range make them ideal for processing food waste or transforming biomass into high-value chemicals. In summary, binuclear copper complexes offer a transformative approach to carbohydrate hydrolysis, combining the precision of enzyme-like selectivity with the durability and practicality of synthetic catalysts. Their potential to enhance industrial processes while reducing costs marks a significant advancement in catalytic technology. Inventors are: Susanne Striegler https://lnkd.in/g4YvnEXf #IP, #BusinessDevelopment, #Intellectual, #Idea,#Newinvention.#SYNTHETICCATALYSTS

Awesome news alert: 🚨 ProPika became the first #UARK team to win the prestigious Bangkok Business Challenge, earning $20k for their venture to transform ag waste into eco-friendly fuels and chemicals. 🚜🌾 Co-founded by Nhiem Cao and Angel Treat, ProPika was the sole U.S. representative among 20 teams in #Bangkok, winnowed from more than 200 applicants representing 62 institutions across 19 countries. “We plan on continuing the research and push it as far as we can," Cao said. "There are some technical challenges we need to overcome. If we can break through those, this is definitely a homerun opportunity." 💡🚀 Launched in 2002, the Bangkok Business Challenge has distributed more than $220 million in funding to startups. The competition is hosted by the Sasin School of Management. #StartSomethingAR #BangkokBizChallenge #GreenTech