Celebrate Invention 2015
10/15/2015
Over 400 University of Michigan researchers, members of Ann Arbor’s entrepreneurial community, and area leaders gathered at the Michigan League the evening of Thursday, October 8, 2015 to celebrate the accomplishments of U-M innovators, who reported 422 new inventions, and assisted with 164 agreements and 19 new start-up ventures in FY 2015.
Addressing the crowd at the 15th annual Celebrate invention event, Vice-President of Research Jack Hu and Associate Vice President for Innovation Partnerships Ken Nisbet noted that these accomplishments were thanks to the heroic efforts of the hundreds of faculty, researchers and graduate students dedicated to seeing their work extend beyond the boundaries of campus.
As in years past, the festivities centered around eight invention kiosks featuring U-M researchers sharing their recent discoveries. This year’s participants included:
IA-CAN: Security and Safety of Cars (S2Car)… Advances in the monitoring and controlling of vehicles come with new risks largely due to inadequate security provided by the Controller Area Network (CAN), the de facto standard for in-vehicle networks. IA-CAN provides secure in-vehicle communications in real time with minimal impact on performance. [Kang G. Shin, Kyusuk Han & Swapna Divya Potluri]
Praktio… Praktio teaches law students and other professional students, as well as lawyers and other professionals, practical contract drafting and analysis skills through interactive games and exercises. [Michael L. Bloom]
Direct Brain Interface Lab (UMDBI): Motor-Free Access Platform… The Motor-Free Access Platform interprets brain activity so people with severe physical impairments can control devices and take multiple-choice tests without moving or speaking. Developed in the University of Michigan Direct Brain Interface Lab (UMDBI) and the Adapted Cognitive Assessment Laboratory (ACAL), this novel brain activity analysis method increases speed, accuracy and user experience compared to existing methods. A company, Neurable, has been formed to commercialize the platform. [Jane Huggins, Seth Warschausky & Ramses Alcaide]
Xondas: Wireless Power Transfer Using Near-Field Plates… Near-field plates are low-cost devices that confine electromagnetic fields to dimensions smaller than previously possible. This allows the wireless transfer of power for charging batteries and energizing electronic devices at considerable distances from the source and with unprecedented control and reduced human exposure. [Roberto Merlin & Anthony Grbic]
BNT: Battery Nano Technologies… BNT has developed a rechargeable lithium ion battery that has the dual benefit of increased performance and reduced flammability. BNT has replaced carbon in the lithium ion battery and developed a novel new substrate material. [Binay Prasad]
Cryoanesthesia… Intraocular injections have transformed the treatment of macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. The Cryoanesthesia team has developed a portable device that uses rapid, targeted cooling to anesthetize the eye surface. This device has the potential to significantly improve patient satisfaction and physician experience. [Cagri G. Besirli, Stephen Smith, Kevin Pipe & Gun-ho Kim]
MITIGATIUMTM: Impact/Blast Tuning and Mitigation… The invention involves a composite material designed to protect delicate structures from repeated impacts. The composite optimally reduces the transmission of pressure and impulse, assuring significant reduction in damage (stress, strain, velocity and acceleration). [Michael Thouless, Ellen M. Arruda & Tanaz Rahimzadeh]
Menin-MLL Inhibitors as a Therapy for Leukemia… We developed small molecules that inhibit the protein-protein interaction between menin and Mixed Lineage Leukemia (MLL), which plays an important role in acute leukemia. These compounds might represent a novel therapeutic strategy for MLL leukemia patients, as well as some other cancers. [Jolanta Grembecka, Tomasz Cierpicki, Dmitry Borkin, Hongzhi Miao, Jonathan Pollock, Duxin Sun, Katarzyna Kempinska, Trupta Purohit, Szymon Klossowski, Ting Zhao, Miao He, Bo Wen, Jay Hess & Andrew Muntean]