University inventions to be featured at Mid-Atlantic Innovation Showcase
Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties (VTIP) Inc. will show off inventions from Virginia Tech faculty members, students, and partners at the Mid-Atlantic Innovation Showcase Nov. 14 at the McLean Hilton in Tysons Corner, Va.
Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties will introduce a new piezoelectric energy harvester that converts vibrations across a range of frequencies into electrical output. The L-Beam Energy Harvester, invented by Virginia Tech graduate students Alper Erturk and Jamil Renno and Professor Dan Inman, director of the Center for Intelligent Material Systems and Structures, is ideal for charging batteries or capacitors or powering small electronic devices. Providing twice the electrical output of existing designs, the invention also offers design options for different environments and uses readily available piezoceramics.
Erturk, a Ph.D. candidate in engineering science and mechanics, is from Eskisehir, Turkey; and Renno, of Saida City, Lebanon, recently received his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering.
A second student invention to be featured is the HydroSpine, a swiftwater victim-transport harness developed four students from the Virginia Tech College of Architecture and Urban Studies. It provides proper spine immobilization, self-righting to face-up flotation, and protection from water hazards. Read more about HydroSpine.
Other Virginia Tech technologies to be presented at the showcase will include antimicrobial compounds developed by biological sciences Professor Joe Falkinham and chemistry Professor Rich Gandour; and wood science Assistant Professor Maren Roman’s technology of cellulose nanocrystals for targeted drug delivery. Read more about this nanocrystal research.
“In addition, two Virginia Tech spin off companies will be with us,” said Jackie Reed, one of three Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties licensing associates who will be at the showcase.
NBE Technologies LLC, located in the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center, produces nanoTach, an adhesive with better thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties than soldered or epoxied attachment for use in producing high power-density semiconductor electronic or optoelectronic devices.
BioTherapeutics Inc, newly incorporated in August 2008, will introducing novel Virginia Tech-developed nutraceutical technologies, specifically nutritional interventions against chronic inflammatory and infectious diseases. Read more about BioTherapautics Inc.
“We are participating in the Mid-Atlantic Innovation Showcase in order to develop partnerships that may someday take early-stage research into the product development phase or get a start-up company the capital it needs to bring a new technology to the public,” said Reed. “We are looking forward to connecting with hundreds of industry professionals from a diverse array of fields as well as venture capitalists, angel investors, and fellow academic researchers.”
Showcase-supporting organizations include the Chesapeake Crescent Innovation Alliance, Virginia’s Office of the Secretary of Technology, and numerous sponsors.
In addition to Virginia Tech, the showcase presents the latest research, tech transfer, licensing, and industry partnership opportunities from George Mason University, Hampton University, Hampton Roads Research Partnership, James Madison University, Old Dominion University, Virginia Commonwealth University, the University of Virginia, the College of William and Mary, Eastern Virginia Medical School, the University of Maryland, federal labs, and other institutions in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Exhibit topics include information technology and information security, sensors, biometrics, modeling, dielectric materials and nanotech superconductors, health and medical technologies, environmental technologies, remote power, biofuels, polymers, plasma displays, and life sciences.
For more information about Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties’ participation, contact Reed at (540) 443-9217. Find more information about the Innovation Showcase online.
