Protecting Communities and the Environment through Innovations in Water Treatment

InteliSpark client, Aclarity, LLC, wins a $1 million SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) grant from the National Science Foundation to develop a cost-efficient and comprehensive water treatment solution for industrial and municipal water.

Traditional water treatment systems are expensive, require high energy-use, and may result in harmful discharges to the environment. Aclarity’s patent-pending technology, developed at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, has the potential to revolutionize water treatment. This new technology uses an electrochemical design and destroys water contaminants on contact rather than merely separating out the contaminants. The innovative solution also has the potential for zero-liquid discharge/reuse operations. In zero-liquid discharge, all wastewater is purified and recycled, thereby leaving no discharge at the end of a water treatment process.  Reduction in freshwater demand and the utilization of recycled water in agriculture are tremendous benefits of zero-liquid discharge.

In this phase II project, the research team, led by Julie Mullen, Founder of Aclarity, will optimize efficacy and efficiency in destroying contaminants, finalize large-scale device design, and develop a pilot system. This new technology has the potential for commercial success in many industries by reducing costs while also protecting the environment by saving energy and eliminating discharge.

Winning Grant Advances the Development of a Novel 360° Panoramic Camera

InteliSpark client, Circle Optics LLC, wins a phase I SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) grant from the National Science Foundation to develop a new camera system for long-form panoramic images at a low cost.

Several challenges such as parallax errors or perspective errors may arise when multiple photographs are stitched or blended together to form a composite image such as in panoramic photography. Simply put, a parallax error is when an image you take appears differently than it did in your camera’s viewfinder. The viewfinder is located slightly above the lens and views the world at a slightly different angle than the lens does. This causes a displacement of a particular subject, particularly ones that are closer to the camera. These challenges lead to expensive and time-sensitive post-production for content creators and producers attempting to integrate many shots for panoramic images.

Circle Optics, a tech startup located in Rochester, NY, is developing the world’s first stich-less 360° camera that will save costs and labor by rendering a perfect 360° image instantly. The ability to minimize overlapping image capture will reduce the problems of parallax error and perspective errors. The research team, led by Andrew Kurtz, Director of R&D at Circle Optics, will develop software and optical-mechanical alignment and assembly concepts in this project.

Sectors that may benefit from this innovative technology include navigation, aviation, tourism, construction, manufacturing, and entertainment.

New Device May Improve Microscopic Imaging of Biological Samples

InteliSpark client, Mizar Imaging LLC, wins a phase I STTR (Small Business Technology Transfer) grant from the National Science Foundation to develop novel enhancements in microscopic imaging to capture high-resolution, high-contrast images of biological samples.

Traditional imaging methods in confocal microscopy, an optical imaging technique for increasing resolution and contrast of images taken by a microscope, require high levels of light. This results in damage to tissues and disruption to processes like cell division in biological samples.  Mizar Imaging is addressing this challenge by developing a simple, add-on mirrored sample chamber unit that will improve the collection of light in confocal microscopes and minimize damage to samples.

Dr. Paul Maddox, President and Founder of Mizar Imaging and professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, will work in partnership with Dr. Joel Smith, CEO at Mizar Imaging and experienced scientist and professor, on the design and development of this novel device in this phase I project. Their innovative technology has the potential for far-ranging applications for disease and pharmaceutical research.

Innovative Insect Repellent May Reduce Risk of Malaria and Other Insect-Borne Diseases

InteliSpark client, Longsleeve Inc. (formerly Hour 72, Inc.), is awarded a research grant from the National Science Foundation to develop and test the efficacy of an innovative, long-lasting insect repellent. This product is based on the company’s innovative platform technology of a novel material that may be used in other applications as well such as anti-microbials and sunscreens.

Billions of people worldwide are at risk of contracting an insect-borne disease such as malaria, Zika, dengue, and chikungunya. In 2018, approximately 228 million contracted malaria, and 405,000 died of the disease, concentrated mostly in Africa. The Zika virus outbreak of 2015–2016 posed a threat to public health in the international community with the emergence of new data that Zika could cause birth defects and neurological problems. Dengue, another widespread virus, can cause mild to severe, or even life-threatening illness in some people. Around 3 billion people live in areas that are at risk for dengue.

What these diseases all have in common is that transmission occurs through mosquito bites. Protection is possible through the use of insect repellent, but the challenge is that most products are only effective for a few hours. The New-York based start-up, Longsleeve Inc., is addressing this global health issue through their innovative platform technology that aims to extend the life of functional skin products.

In this phase I Small Business Innovation Research project, Longsleeve researchers will develop an insect repellent that is low-cost, long-lasting (effective for at least 3 days), waterproof, not absorbed in the bloodstream, contains zero synthetic repellents, and imperceptible to the touch when applied to the skin. If proved effective, large scale commercialization of the product could greatly improve public health in areas of the world where insect-borne diseases are prevalent.

Researchers Address Counterfeiting by Developing Smart, Microscopic Electronic ID Tags

InteliSpark client, OWiC Technologies, wins a phase I Small Business Innovation Research award from the National Science Foundation to develop intelligent, invisible electronic ID tags, linking physical objects to the digital world.

Counterfeiting is a growing business in the United States and across the world. The value of imported counterfeit goods worldwide was $509 billion based on 2016 customs seizure data. Not only does it hurt legitimate companies by tainting their reputations, counterfeiting is dangerous. When lower quality goods enter a supply chain for medical equipment or pharmaceuticals, for example, these products could jeopardize the health and safety of patients.

The New York based start-up, OWiC Technologies, is developing an innovative class of Optical Wireless Integrated Circuits (OWiCs). This research project, led by Dr. Alejandro Cortese, Co-founder of OWiC Technologies and recent graduate of Cornell University, will directly address this global issue of counterfeiting by developing a new OWiC designed specifically for use as a unique ID tag.

This innovative technology will help ensure that products are authentic for consumers as well as ensure quality control for manufacturers as they track components through their supply chains. The unique ID tag is microscopic, low-cost, and secure based on programmable integrated circuits, thereby overcoming the challenges in tagging products or components due to size, security or cost.

Promising New Drug May Treat Severe Flu Cases

InteliSpark client, CytoAgents, is awarded $1.66 million from the National Institutes of Health to research and test the safety and efficacy of a new drug that treats influenza-related hypercytokinemia, a severe immune reaction that may be life-threatening and lead to multiple-organ failure.

Every fall, Americans young and old, get the flu vaccine only to have to take it again the following year and perhaps every year thereafter for the rest of their lives. With the existence of multiple strains and the emergence of new ones, the vaccine does not provide 100% protection even for those who are most diligent in getting the vaccine annually.

An estimated 45 million people contracted the flu in the 2017–2018 influenza season, resulting in 21 million flu-related medical visits, 810,000 flu-related hospitalizations, and 61,000 flu-related deaths. The annual economic burden of the flu on the US healthcare system and society is around $11.2 billion.

The severity of flu varies from person to person with the most extreme cases leaving patients in a state of acute respiratory distress and multi-organ dysfunction. Hypercytokinemia is a severe immune response when a large number of cytokines are released into the body causing infections, autoimmune conditions, or other diseases. Antiviral drugs are not always effective due to the existence of multiple strains. Some patients even develop resistance to antivirals.

CytoAgents, a clinical stage biotechnology company, is revolutionizing the treatment of viral infectious diseases. Their platform technology is based on a well-studied agent that has the potential to mitigate flu-related hypercytokinemia. The NIH Small Business Innovation Research program selected this project for a direct-to-phase II, demonstrating the promise this new drug may have in treating severe cases of the flu.

Federal Funding Advances Innovations in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

InteliSpark client, Bitome, Inc., is awarded a phase I Small Business Innovation Research grant from the National Science Foundation to develop automated small molecule monitoring and analysis via miniaturized nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.

NMR spectroscopy is versatile and has a wide range of applications. Chemists use NMR spectrometers to probe chemical structures and determine molecular identities. Medical practitioners use MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), an application of NMR, for medical diagnostics.

However, NMR systems are expensive and not always user-friendly, thus preventing widespread adoption of NMR spectroscopy. Bitome researchers are developing a platform technology with wide ranging applications to address these key challenges. In this phase I project, they will develop a miniaturized, cost-effective, and user-friendly NMR system to be use in biochemical industrial manufacturing environments. Their innovative, push-button design will allow broader use and reduce manufacturing costs.

Novel Information Tracking System May Improve Work Flow in Operating Rooms

InteliSpark client, M&S Biotics, wins a phase I research grant from the National Institutes of Health’s Small Business Technology Transfer program. In partnership with The Baylor College of Medicine, Dr. Stuart J. Corr will lead this effort to test and improve a novel system to passively collect and quantify intraoperative data points related to surgical instrument usage.

Many factors may affect patient outcomes from any given surgical procedure including the length of time between the start and end of surgery, known as operative time. Studies indicate that prolonged operative time is correlated with an increased risk of complications and patient deaths. Additionally, poor equipment management in operating rooms may contribute to prolonged operative times. If surgeons were more familiar with surgical equipment and its location in the operating room, they could use their time more efficiently during a procedure.

Currently, no data collection system exists to measure pre-operative planning optimization and equipment usage. M&S Biotics is a healthcare, Internet of Things startup, using analytics to improve efficiency, efficacy and safety of surgical procedures. In phase I of this project, researchers will develop a novel system to passively collect data points related to instrument usage, as well as surgical set optimization, patient outcomes, instrument longevity, technique variation, operating room throughput, and patient safety.

This innovative surgical instrument tracking and information gathering system may have the potential to significantly improve work-flow in operating rooms, allowing surgical teams to work more efficiently during procedures and ultimately improve patient outcomes.

Research Funding Advances the Development of Novel Solar Energy Technology

InteliSpark client, nTact, wins a phase II Small Business Technology Transfer grant from the National Science Foundation to develop new, low-cost and high efficiency perovskite solar cells.

A source of energy that is renewable, accessible and abundant is right outside our window. Scientists have spent many years perfecting ways to harness the sun’s energy into electricity. Solar panels, made up of solar cells which convert the sun’s energy into electricity, have many advantages such as reducing our carbon footprint and reducing electricity bills. And researchers have discovered that a particular type of solar cells, namely perovskite, have increased conversion efficiency from 3% in 2006 to 24% in 2019, showing promise for higher performance. Yet, issues such as device lifetime, high costs, controllable perovskite deposition, and manufacturing processes are setbacks for perovskite solar cells to be competitive in the market.

nTact, in partnership with the Texas State University, will address these issues by advancing to phase II funding of their project to develop reliable, reproducible, cost-effective, and highly efficient perovskite solar cells based on their innovative slot-die coating technique. Researchers will significantly reduce manufacturing and installation costs by using novel technology to make parts that can be printed on plastic foils.

Plant Scientists Will Test Efficacy of Seed Treatment to Combat Foodborne Illness

InteliSpark client, Ascribe Biosciences, wins a phase I Small Business Technology Transfer grant from the National Institutes of Health. Researchers will develop a novel seed treatment based on a natural molecule that activates plant defenses, to potentially prevent sprout-related foodborne illnesses.

Outbreaks of foodborne illnesses have occurred across the United States, causing at least 1,953 illnesses, 212 hospitalization, and 5 deaths between 1996 and 2017. Edible sprouts, including alfalfa, mung bean and clover, are prone to contamination in the seeds by bacterial pathogens such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria, which has led to severe outbreaks of foodborne illnesses. Though some seed treatments exist, no treatment is currently available to completely eliminate pathogens on seeds or sprouts that cause foodborne illness.

Ascribe Biosciences, an agricultural biotech startup, will develop an innovative seed treatment technology that enhances plants’ innate defense against pathogens, which is a great alternative to combatting pathogens with toxins. The research team, led by Dr. Murli Manohar, co-founder and CTO of Ascribe Biosciences, will test the efficacy of their seed treatment in phase I with the hopes of ensuring protection at the seed stage and throughout growth, harvest and point of consumption.

This novel technology has the potential to reduce sprout-related infections and outbreaks across the United States and abroad.