Latest technologies from University of Texas at Austin

Genetically engineered cell surface biosensors for high-throughput detection, screening, and recovery of rare earth elements

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 08:59:00 GMT

This technology uses genetically engineered yeast cells displaying fluorescent sensors to detect and recover rare earth elements from solutions, enabling rapid, specific, and scalable metal screening and extraction using fluorescence signals and high-throughput sorting. Background Rare earth elements (REEs) are a group of 17 chemically similar metals that are critical to a wide range of modern technologies, including electronics, renewable energy systems, electric vehicles, and advanced defense applications. The increasing global demand for REEs, coupled with their limited and geographically...

Accelerated, motion robust low-field Neonatal MRI with physics based motion models and generative machine learning

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 11:25:50 GMT

Artificial intelligence system for accelerated and motion-robust reconstruction of low-field neonatal MRI images This technology uses AI-powered generative models and physics-based motion correction to produce faster, clearer, and more reliable low-field neonatal MRI scans, reducing motion artifacts and scan times while improving image quality without needing sedation or patient transport. Background Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a critical tool in neonatal medicine, offering non-invasive, high-resolution visualization of the developing brain and other organs in newborns. However, the...

LanM engineered spores for capturing REE

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 13:22:43 GMT

Biotechnology platform for selective extraction and recycling of rare earth elements using engineered bacterial spores Engineered bacterial spores display a protein that selectively captures and releases rare earth elements from harsh environments, offering a reusable, cost-effective, and environmentally safe method for extracting these valuable materials from industrial and environmental sources. Background The extraction and recycling of rare earth elements (REEs) are critical challenges in modern industry, driven by the increasing demand for REEs in electronics, renewable energy, defense...

Liquid-phase gas nanotransducers as an ultrasound actuator and imaging reporter

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 13:06:17 GMT

Background Ultrasound imaging and actuation technologies play a critical role in modern medicine, however applications rely heavily on the use of gas-filled agents, such as microbubbles and gas vesicles, which enhance ultrasound contrast and facilitate mechanical effects in biological tissues. The demand for improved imaging resolution, deeper tissue penetration, and more precise therapeutic interventions has driven ongoing research into developing more effective and reliable ultrasound-responsive materials. As clinical and research applications expand, there is a growing need for agents that...

Metastable Atom in Resonator for Laser Isotope Separation (MARLIS)

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 13:39:00 GMT

MARLIS is a new laser-based technology that efficiently separates atomic isotopes by using long-lived atomic states and a powerful optical resonator, making the process more reliable, compact, and energy-efficient than previous methods. Background Isotope separation is a critical process in fields such as nuclear energy, medical diagnostics, and scientific research, where specific isotopes of elements are required for various applications. Traditional methods, such as gas diffusion and centrifugation, are often energy-intensive, slow, and limited to certain el...

Aptamer-based field diagnostics for infectious PRRSV and PEDV detection

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 13:31:11 GMT

Background Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV) and Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV) are two of the most economically destructive viruses impacting the global swine industry. These pathogens cause severe illness and death in pig populations, leading to reduced productivity, increased veterinary expenses, and trade restrictions. Early and accurate detection, especially of infectious viral particles, is essential for managing outbreaks, improving biosecurity, and reducing financial losses. There is an urgent need for robust, field-deployable diagnostics that ...

A Connector and Gas-Liquid Separator for Combined Electrical Submersible Pumps (ESP) and Beam Lift or Progressing Cavity Pumps (PCP)

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 13:17:32 GMT

Background In the field of hydrocarbon production, artificial-lift systems are used to enhance the extraction of oil and gas from reservoirs. As reservoirs deplete over time, their natural pressure diminishes, making it increasingly difficult to bring hydrocarbons to the surface. Artificial-lift techniques, which include the use of pumps and gas injection, are essential to maintain and improve production rates. These systems add energy to the fluid column within the wellbore, facilitating the upward movement of oil, water, and gas. Among the various artificial-lift methods, electric submersib...

A Look-Up-Table Based Control Architecture and Data Aggregation Methodology for Rapid Development and Deployment of Drilling Automation Solution

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 13:03:49 GMT

Background The field of oil and gas well construction involves complex drilling processes that require precise control and monitoring to ensure safety and efficiency. Automation in this field is increasingly being explored to address the challenges posed by the harsh and variable conditions of drilling environments. The need for advanced technology arises from the necessity to handle uncertainties in sensed data, which can significantly impact the drilling operations. Accurate and real-time data from various sources such as operators, service providers, drilling contractors, and equipment man...

Polybenzimidazoles Based on Monomers Derived from 4,4'-Dichlorodiphenyl

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 12:11:43 GMT

Background The field of high-temperature gas separation membranes is critical for various industrial applications, including energy production and chemical processing. One of the most important applications is the separation of hydrogen (H2) from carbon dioxide (CO2), which is essential for processes like hydrogen production and carbon capture and storage (CCS). The need for efficient and durable separation membranes is driven by the increasing demand for cleaner energy sources and the necessity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Traditional materials often fail to perform effecti...

A Magnetically Steerable Guidewire for Neuro-Endovascular Intervention

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 11:58:23 GMT

Background Neuro-endovascular intervention for acute ischemic stroke caused by large vessel occlusion relies on precise guidewire navigation through narrow, tortuous, and fragile cerebral vessels to perform mechanical thrombectomy (MT). Although MT has become the gold standard for restoring blood flow, navigating to the clot is technically demanding and often limited by the mechanical constraints of conventional guidewires, which require challenging manual manipulation and offer limited steerability. Robotic and magnetic navigation systems have been developed to improve precision, but most de...

A high-throughput single-cell screening platform for identifying and quantifying gene regulatory element activity

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 11:32:52 GMT

This technology enables high-throughput, single-cell screening of gene regulatory sequences using barcoded viral vectors and sequencing, allowing precise identification and quantification of active regulatory elements in specific cell types for gene therapy, disease research, and synthetic biology. Background The field of gene regulation is fundamental to understanding how genes are selectively activated or silenced in different cell types, developmental stages, or disease states. Regulatory gene elements (RGEs), such as promoters and enhancers, dictate the spatial and temporal patterns of g...

Attention-based decoder for medical image segmentation

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 11:08:42 GMT

A new attention-based decoder for medical image segmentation called CASCADE enhances hierarchical vision transformers by capturing both global and local contextual relationships among pixels for improved accuracy. Background Medical image segmentation is a critical task in computer vision and medical image analysis, aiming to partition an image into multiple regions representing different anatomical structures or abnormalities. This technology plays a crucial role in various clinical applications, including disease diagnosis, treatment planning, and surgical guidance. Accurate and reliable s...

Material for the Liquid-Phase Separation of Isomers of Divinylbenzenes

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 10:53:07 GMT

Background The field of chemical separation technology is crucial for various industrial applications, particularly in the purification of chemical compounds. One such area involves the separation of isomers, which are molecules with the same molecular formula but different structural arrangements. Vinylbenzenes, for example, have multiple isomers, including p-isomers, which are often required in high purity for specific applications in the production of polymers, resins, and other chemical products. The demand for efficient and selective separation techniques has grown as industrie...

Non-invasive sono-optogenetic platform for deep brain neural modulation

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 10:43:48 GMT

Background Neuromodulation technologies such as deep brain stimulation and optogenetics have transformed the treatment of neurological disorders by enabling targeted control of dysfunctional neural circuits, yet their clinical adoption is limited by invasive surgical requirements, off-target effects, poor penetration depth, and lack of cell-type specificity. Current non-invasive methods like transcranial magnetic stimulation and transcranial direct current stimulation provide insufficient spatial precision and cannot effectively reach deep brain structures. Meanwhile, nanoparticle-based or li...

Cathode additives for a sodium rechargeable battery

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 10:38:17 GMT

Background Rechargeable sodium-ion batteries are gaining traction as a promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries due to the natural abundance and low cost of sodium resources. Current lithium-ion batteries, while efficient, rely on scarce and expensive materials like lithium and cobalt, which pose supply chain risks and environmental concerns. Sodium-ion batteries offer a more sustainable solution, but they face challenges in achieving comparable energy densities and cycle lives. One of the significant challenges with current sodium-ion battery technology is the inefficiency and instabil...

Method for functional brain mapping using cross-participant models

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 10:00:55 GMT

A software platform for rapid functional brain mapping using cross-participant modeling of fMRI data This software rapidly creates detailed brain maps from under 30 minutes of fMRI scans by using cross-participant models, helping doctors plan surgeries, diagnose disorders, and guide neurotechnology with less patient-specific data and easy visualization. Background Functional brain mapping is a critical field within neuroscience and clinical medicine, aiming to identify which regions of the brain are responsible for processing specific types of information, such as language, sensory input,...

Fully Wearable Band for Long-Term Peripheral Ultrasound Neuromodulation in Pain Management

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 09:41:49 GMT

Wearable ultrasound neuromodulation device for peripheral nerve pain relief A wearable ultrasound armband uses a focused piezoelectric transducer and acoustic hydrogel to deliver low-intensity ultrasound pulses to peripheral nerves, noninvasively reducing chronic and neuropathic pain for several hours. Background Peripheral nerve stimulation has emerged as a promising field in pain management, seeking to address the growing global burden of chronic and neuropathic pain. Traditional pharmacological treatments often rely on opioids, which carry significant risks of dependency and systemic s...

Engineered T-cell receptor platforms for targeted detection and treatment of cytomegalovirus-infected cells

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 07:20:32 GMT

This technology uses highly engineered T-cell receptors to precisely detect and target cytomegalovirus-infected cells, offering improved therapies and diagnostics by enhancing binding strength, stability, and resistance to viral immune evasion. Background Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a widespread herpesvirus that poses significant health risks, particularly to immunocompromised individuals such as transplant recipients, cancer patients, and those with HIV/AIDS. CMV infection can lead to severe complications, including organ rejection, encephalitis, and even death. The immune system’s natur...

Drug-eluting Tubes for Improved Patient Care

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 09:24:15 GMT

Drug-Eluting Porous Polymer Tubes for Sustained Local Therapeutic Delivery in Medical Devices A porous polyethylene chest tube releases pain medication locally for up to two weeks after thoracic surgery, enhancing pain management while maintaining the flexibility and functionality of standard tubes. Background Effective pain management is crucial for patients undergoing thoracic surgery, as inadequate control can lead to complications such as impaired breathing, prolonged hospital stays, and reduced overall recovery. Traditional methods often rely on systemic analgesics, which may not provi...

Engineered prodrug with tumor-selective delivery for targeted glycolysis inhibition.

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 09:35:27 GMT

Engineered prodrug with tumor-selective delivery for targeted glycolysis inhibition A conjugate of 2-deoxy-D-glucose and a fatty acid forms albumin-binding nanoparticles that enter cancer cells via glucose and fatty acid transporters, inhibit glycolysis, and induce tumor-selective cell death with enhanced potency and targeting. Background The Warburg effect—whereby cancer cells preferentially metabolize glucose via aerobic glycolysis—has spurred interest in therapies that inhibit key metabolic pathways. Glycolysis inhibitors can selectively starve tumor ...

Messenger RNA Engineered Therapeutics for treating Genetic disorders (MeET)

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 13:48:00 GMT

Background The development of messenger RNA–based therapies has emerged from a growing recognition that many rare genetic disorders result from the absence or malfunction of critical proteins, which cannot be adequately addressed by conventional small molecules or enzyme replacement therapies. Unlike DNA-based approaches, mRNA can be designed to transiently produce therapeutic proteins directly within patient cells, offering rapid onset of action and the potential for modular design across diverse targets. This strategy is particularly appealing for conditions such as Neurofibromatosis ...

Allosteric transcription factors as peptide sensors

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 13:33:51 GMT

Modular intracellular peptide sensors for programmable gene control Background Synthetic biology increasingly relies on precise gene regulation systems that can sense and respond to specific molecular signals inside living cells. Peptides and peptide-tagged proteins are especially important targets because they govern communication, signaling, and metabolic pathways, yet current sensing systems are constrained by inefficient natural quorum sensing mechanisms. These pathways require peptides to be exported, processed extracellularly, and re-imported before activating transcription, making the...

Anti-CD160 Humanized Antibody

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 13:15:11 GMT

Engineered humanized anti-CD160 antibodies and derivatives for depleting CD160+ immune cells to attenuate inflammation Background: Adaptive immune responses contribute significantly to the progression of acute myocarditis, where overactivation of cytotoxic lymphocytes leads to myocardial injury and eventual heart failure. Targeting immune receptors such as CD160, which is selectively upregulated on activated natural killer (NK) cells and CD8+ T cells during inflammation, presents a promising therapeutic strategy. Antibody-based approaches that deplete these pathogenic populations may reduce ...

Ultrasound-triggered anesthetic drug delivery for on-demand chronic pain management

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 12:58:31 GMT

A nanoparticle-based ultrasound-responsive drug delivery system for precise, controlled, and targeted therapeutic release This technology uses ultrasound-triggered nanoparticles to deliver local anesthetics precisely and safely for pain management, reducing side effects and opioid risks, with potential for targeted delivery of other drugs in cancer, gene therapy, and regenerative medicine. Background Chronic pain management is a critical area in medicine, as millions of patients worldwide suffer from persistent pain due to conditions such as neuropathy, arthritis, or post-surgical recovery....

System and Methods for Optimizing Emergency Medical Transport for Acute Stroke

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 09:07:27 GMT

A real-time EMS routing and decision support system for optimizing stroke patient transport and outcomes This technology is a GPS-based device for ambulances that uses real-time patient data and hospital capabilities to guide EMS to the best stroke treatment center, improving outcomes by considering both travel time and the patient’s evolving condition. Background Stroke is a leading cause of death and long-term disability worldwide, necessitating rapid and precise medical intervention to minimize brain damage and improve patient outcomes. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) play a cri...

Supercharged fluorescent protein biosensors for real-time lanthanide monitoring

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 17:02:57 GMT

Background Rare earth elements—particularly lanthanides like terbium, thulium, and dysprosium—are essential to technologies underpinning renewable energy, electrified transportation, high-performance magnets, and medical imaging. As demand accelerates, sustainable extraction and recycling processes require precise monitoring of these valuable metals, especially within complex waste streams such as acid mine drainage and industrial effluents. Efficient, on-site sensing tools are critical for optimizing recovery operations, minimizing environmental impact, and supporting a resilient...

Genetically engineered microbes for resilient biomanufacturing in space environments

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 16:54:13 GMT

Background As space missions grow longer and more complex, the need for sustainable biomanufacturing systems becomes increasingly urgent. Biological production of materials, nutrients, and pharmaceuticals offers a self-sufficient approach to supporting human exploration and settlement beyond Earth. However, wild-type microorganisms used in terrestrial biomanufacturing are poorly equipped to function under space-specific stressors such as galactic cosmic radiation, X-rays, and microgravity. These environmental extremes reduce microbial viability and productivity, while standard growth-based a...

Wearable electronic tattoo for real-time hydration monitoring

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 16:47:29 GMT

Background Accurate hydration assessment is essential for maintaining health, performance, and safety; even mild dehydration can impair cognition, physical function, and cardiovascular stability. Populations such as older adults, athletes, outdoor laborers, military personnel, and individuals with limited access to clinical care are particularly at risk, creating a strong demand for reliable and continuous hydration monitoring tools. Current methods fall short of practical use. Urine color charts are subjective, laboratory assays are invasive and incapable of continuous measurement, swe...

Personalized ASR system for accurate recognition of dysarthric speech

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 16:41:47 GMT

Background Dysarthria is a neurological speech disorder that affects the clarity and intelligibility of spoken language, often resulting from conditions such as stroke, ALS, Parkinson’s disease, or cerebral palsy. Individuals with dysarthria experience slurred or slowed speech, making verbal communication difficult and impacting quality of life. While augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices can assist, they often require fine motor control and offer much slower communication rates compared to natural speech. As digital voice interfaces become more central to everyday i...

Wearable ultrasound and EEG patch for noninvasive REM sleep enhancement

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 16:37:38 GMT

Background Sleep is essential for emotional regulation, cognitive function, and overall health. Chronic sleep disruption, prevalent among individuals with PTSD, shift workers, and military personnel, affects tens of millions and contributes to serious long-term health consequences. Despite growing awareness, most existing sleep aid technologies fail to address REM sleep, the stage crucial for emotional processing and memory consolidation. Noninvasive neuromodulation techniques such as transcranial electrical or magnetic stimulation primarily enhance non-REM sleep and cannot accurately target...

Microfluidic evaporator concentrator for increasing analyte concentration in small-volume aqueous samples

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 16:28:25 GMT

Background Point-of-care diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and biomanufacturing increasingly require the detection of low concentrations of biomolecules and other non-volatile analytes in aqueous samples, yet many portable analytical systems lack sufficient sensitivity without a preconcentration step. Existing methods such as centrifugal evaporation, lyophilization, and membrane filtration are poorly suited for small-volume or temperature-sensitive samples, often causing biomolecule degradation, analyte loss, or membrane fouling. These techniques are also bulky, labor-intensive, a...

Bifunctional fusion protein for biofilm degradation and quorum sensing disruption

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 16:24:44 GMT

Background Bacterial biofilms pose a major challenge in clinical and industrial environments due to their dense extracellular matrix and heightened tolerance to antibiotics and immune responses. Infections involving biofilms, particularly those caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, are difficult to eradicate and contribute to chronic wounds, persistent medical device contamination, and severe respiratory conditions such as those seen in cystic fibrosis. Because antibiotics struggle to penetrate the protective EPS matrix and many biofilm-embedded bacteria enter dormant states that reduce drug sus...

Dual-stiffness passive prosthetic ankle for direction-dependent stability

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 14:58:34 GMT

Background Lower-limb amputees often struggle to maintain balance and stability during everyday activities, particularly when turning or navigating uneven surfaces, because the loss of natural ankle musculature and proprioception limits their ability to adapt to changing loads and directions. Most prosthetic ankles provide a single fixed stiffness, which does not match the variable mechanical demands of movements like turning, where the inside and outside of the foot require different stiffness levels to maintain control. While powered or microprocessor-controlled devices attempt to address ...

Real-time optical microdialysis sensor for continuous metabolite monitoring

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 14:54:26 GMT

Background Continuous, real-time monitoring of small molecule metabolites in living tissue is critical for managing conditions like traumatic brain injury (TBI), where rapid shifts in metabolism can precede clinical deterioration. Traditional methods such as microdialysis allow for extracellular fluid sampling of metabolites like glucose, lactate, and pyruvate, providing insight into tissue health. However, these approaches depend on manual sampling and offline biochemical analysis, resulting in delayed data that limits timely intervention. In acute clinical settings, especially neurocr...

Thin-film freeze-dried antibiotic powders for fixed-dose pulmonary delivery

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 14:45:05 GMT

Background Pulmonary diseases such as nontuberculous mycobacterial infections and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remain major global health challenges, often requiring long-term antibiotic therapy delivered directly to the lungs to achieve effective pathogen clearance. Inhaled drug delivery provides a promising approach to increase local drug concentration while reducing systemic toxicity, but current dry powder formulations suffer from significant limitations. Many antibiotic combinations cannot be co-formulated because of conflicting solubility profiles, and crystalline ...

Bio-inspired continuum robot for advanced minimally invasive surgery

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 14:36:36 GMT

Background Minimally invasive surgery has transformed patient care by reducing trauma, accelerating recovery, and improving outcomes, especially in delicate fields such as fetal surgery, pediatric procedures, and advanced endoscopy. These procedures demand instruments that can navigate tightly constrained and highly curved anatomical pathways with exceptional precision. However, existing robotic and manual tools face major limitations that restrict their usefulness in complex environments. Rigid instruments cannot bend sufficiently, pneumatic systems often respond slowly and introduce tremor...

Sequence-defined oligourethane probe libraries for high-resolution surface characterization

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 12:35:02 GMT

Background Understanding the chemical landscape of material and biological surfaces at the molecular level is critical for advancing applications in materials science, biotechnology, and environmental monitoring. Surface-bound functional groups govern key interactions relevant to contamination detection, catalyst performance, biosensing, and drug discovery. However, many surfaces present heterogeneous and complex chemistries that traditional analysis tools struggle to profile with high specificity and throughput. Current techniques—such as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), second...

Sulfonyl-triazole activators for cell-selective glycolysis enhancement in cancer and Parkinson’s disease

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 16:44:41 GMT

Background Cellular metabolism is a central regulator of immune cell function and neuronal survival, making it a promising therapeutic target in both cancer and neurodegenerative disease. In solid tumors, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) frequently succumb to metabolic exhaustion due to the nutrient-depleted and immunosuppressive microenvironment, reducing the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors and T cell–based therapies. In Parkinson’s disease, degeneration of dopaminergic neurons is linked to chronic bioenergetic failure, a process unaddressed by current sym...

Microneedle array coating technology for enhanced stability and targeted delivery of mRNA and biologics

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 16:35:24 GMT

A microneedle-based system uses cryogenically pre-cooled needles coated via thin-film freeze-coating to preserve mRNA stability, enabling efficient, multi-therapeutic intradermal delivery of temperature-sensitive drugs. Background The field of advanced drug delivery systems has grown substantially as the biomedical industry grapples with the complexities of transporting labile therapeutic molecules, particularly mRNA and other temperature-sensitive biologics. There is an increasing urgency to develop methods that ensure the stability and efficacy of these agents during storage and administra...

A microneedle-based resonant sensor system for continuous, wireless monitoring of wound and physiological states

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 16:10:14 GMT

This technology uses gold-coated microneedles and wireless sensors to directly sample wound fluid, detecting infection and other changes in real time. Data is analyzed with machine learning and sent to clinicians for early, continuous wound monitoring. Background Wound monitoring is a critical aspect of healthcare, especially for patients recovering from surgery or those with chronic wounds. Early detection of infection and timely intervention can significantly improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs. Traditionally, clinicians rely on visual inspection, patient-reported symptoms...

Antibody compositions for improving detection and treatment of Bacillus anthracis infections

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 15:47:56 GMT

This technology uses specially designed antibodies with enhanced ability to detect or treat Bacillus anthracis infections, improving both diagnosis and therapy for anthrax. Background Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax, is a highly virulent bacterium that poses significant threats to both public health and national security. Anthrax can manifest in cutaneous, inhalational, or gastrointestinal forms, each with potentially fatal outcomes if not promptly and effectively treated. The rapid progression and severity of anthrax infections, particularly in cases of inhalational expos...

Engineered enzyme therapy for targeted reduction of plasma homocysteine in metabolic disorders

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 15:08:24 GMT

This technology is a specially engineered human enzyme, modified and PEGylated to break down excess homocysteine in the blood, offering a new treatment for homocystinuria and hyperhomocysteinemia with improved effectiveness and dosing flexibility. Background Homocystinuria and hyperhomocysteinemia are metabolic disorders characterized by elevated levels of homocysteine in the blood, primarily due to genetic defects affecting enzymes involved in methionine metabolism, such as cystathionine β-synthase (CBS). These conditions can lead to a wide range of serious health problems, including v...

Ultrathin graphene electronic tattoos for continuous, high-fidelity, and unobtrusive physiological monitoring

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 10:46:12 GMT

Graphene electronic tattoos are ultrathin, flexible, and transparent sensors that stick to skin like temporary tattoos to comfortably and accurately monitor vital signs, brain and muscle activity, hydration, and temperature for long-term, unobtrusive health tracking. Background Wearable physiological monitoring technologies have become increasingly important in healthcare, fitness, and research, enabling continuous, real-time assessment of vital signs and biometric data outside of clinical settings. Traditional approaches, such as gel-based electrodes and rigid wearable devices, have facilit...

DNAzyme-based biosensor technology for selective and real-time detection of potassium ions in biological systems

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 10:37:52 GMT

Background The ability to monitor potassium ion (K+) dynamics is of critical importance, particularly in the context of cancer research and neurobiology. Potassium ions play a fundamental role in maintaining cellular homeostasis, regulating membrane potential, and influencing processes such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, and immune responses. Disruptions in K+ homeostasis are closely linked to disease progression, including tumor growth, metastasis, and the development of drug resistance. Accurate, real-time detection of K+ fluctuations within living cells is therefore essential for a...

Engineered prefusion-stabilized RSV fusion proteins and nucleic acids for enhanced vaccines and diagnostics

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 09:00:59 GMT

This technology uses engineered RSV prefusion proteins with specific mutations to boost stability, expression, and shelf life, enabling more effective and affordable RSV vaccines, treatments, and diagnostics in both protein and nucleic acid (e.g., mRNA) formats. Background Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a leading cause of severe respiratory illness worldwide, particularly affecting infants, young children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. The virus is responsible for millions of hospitalizations and substantial mortality each year, making the development of effective vac...

Spray-dried RNA-lipid nanoparticle dry powder technology for stable and inhalable delivery of therapeutics

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 08:48:37 GMT

Background Messenger RNA (mRNA) therapeutics have rapidly emerged as a transformative method for vaccination and gene therapy. However, the field faces significant hurdles related to the instability of mRNA molecules, which are highly susceptible to enzymatic degradation. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have become the delivery vehicle of choice, shielding mRNA from degradation and facilitating cellular uptake. Despite these advances, mRNA-LNP therapeutics is hindered by the need for ultracold storage and distribution. Pulmonary delivery via dry powder inhalers (DPIs) represents an alternative, o...

Dry powder cell formulations for long-term viability and therapeutic applications

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 08:41:58 GMT

This technology stabilizes eukaryotic cells by mixing them with sugars, antioxidants, polymers, and optionally proteins, then rapidly freezing and freeze-drying them to create a dry powder that maintains high cell viability for long-term storage. Background The field of biopreservation and cell therapy is fundamentally challenged by the need to maintain the viability and functionality of sensitive biological materials during storage. As cell‐based treatments and research applications grow, there is increased pressure to develop processes that reliably sustain therapeutic cells for long durat...

Dual-target antibody toolkit for overcoming resistance in anti-angiogenic cancer therapy

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 08:33:25 GMT

Background Angiogenesis is a fundamental process in cancer progression, enabling tumors to grow and metastasize by forming new blood vessels. Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) is a central driver of this process and a primary target for existing anti-angiogenic therapies. However, clinical resistance often develops through the compensatory upregulation of placental growth factor (PlGF), which also promotes pathological angiogenesis and shares key receptors with VEGFA, including VEGFR1 and neuropilin-1. The overlapping signaling pathways of VEGFA and PlGF, combined ...

AI-powered framework for rapid and reliable colonoscopy diagnosis

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 08:26:05 GMT

Background/problem Colorectal cancer is the fourth leading cause of death and accounts for 15.6% of total deaths linked with cancer worldwide. Late detection dramatically reduces its five-year survival rate and increases treatment costs. Polyps (precancerous or cancerous growths) develop in the early stages of this cancer, and an important goal of colorectal cancer screening is to detect and remove these polyps. Colonoscopy is the current gold standard, and yet it is still flawed as it is heavily physician-based and prone to human error. Current methods of colonoscopies can result in up...

KinetiSol powder ejection for low-temperature formulation of thermolabile APIs

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 07:49:09 GMT

Background Many emerging drug candidates suffer from poor aqueous solubility and heat sensitivity, making them difficult to formulate using conventional manufacturing techniques. These challenges are especially problematic for inhalation and nasal drug delivery, where fine particle size and chemical stability are essential for therapeutic performance. Existing methods such as hot-melt extrusion require elevated temperatures that frequently degrade thermolabile ingredients, while spray drying depends on organic solvents that may not adequately dissolve the drug and often result in low yi...

Thin film freezing technology for stable dry formulations of mRNA therapeutics

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 10:26:00 GMT

A thin film freezing method transforms mRNA and lipid nanoparticles into stable dry powders that retain their effectiveness and size. This eliminates the need for ultra-cold storage, allowing the powders to be inhaled or reconstituted, improving the distribution of mRNA therapies. Background mRNA therapeutics represent a groundbreaking advancement in medicine, offering the potential to treat a wide range of diseases by instructing cells to produce specific proteins. This technology has gained significant attention, especially highlighted by its successful application in COVID-19 vaccines. Th...

A plasma-enabled catalytic system for low-temperature, emission-free conversion of methane to hydrogen and chemicals

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 15:45:21 GMT

This technology uses non-equilibrium plasma and special catalysts to convert methane directly into hydrogen and valuable chemicals at low temperatures and pressures, without CO₂ emissions, offering efficient, tunable, and coking-resistant production of clean fuels and chemicals. Background Methane conversion technologies are a critical area of research within the broader field of energy and chemical production. Methane, the primary component of natural gas, is an abundant and energy-rich molecule, making it an attractive feedstock for the generation of hydrogen and valuable chemicals such as...

WAVE: Wearable Analog-processed Vascular Echography

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 15:21:35 GMT

Background The field of ultrasonic imaging is crucial for non-invasive medical diagnostics, offering detailed insights into internal body structures and physiological processes. There is a significant need for continuous, long-term monitoring of hemodynamic parameters, such as blood volume and vessel dynamics, particularly for early detection of critical conditions like hypovolemia. Traditional wearable vital sign monitors often fail to provide timely warnings, as the body's compensatory mechanisms can mask symptoms until a severe state is reached. Conventional digital ultrasound sy...

Additive manufacturing platform for customizable drug-releasing IUDs and pharmaceuticals

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 14:39:16 GMT

Using 3D printing to create customizable IUDs that can release multiple drugs in a controlled way, tailored to individual patient needs Background Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are a widely used form of long-acting reversible contraception, valued for their efficacy, low maintenance, and extended duration of action. The field of reproductive healthcare has seen significant growth in the use of IUDs, with millions of women worldwide relying on them for birth control. However, despite their popularity, IUDs are associated with several challenges, including side effects such as pain, cramp...

A robotic system for autonomous detection and classification of microparticles in environmental monitoring applications

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 10:40:48 GMT

This technology is an autonomous robotic system that uses optical scanning, near-infrared spectroscopy, and machine learning to detect, identify, and map microparticles in the environment in real time, enabling efficient and accurate monitoring of microparticles, including microplastics. Background The field of environmental monitoring has become increasingly important as concerns about pollution, particularly microplastic contamination, continue to grow. Microplastics—tiny plastic fragments less than 5 millimeters in size—are pervasive in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, posi...

A ligand-assisted mineral dissolution process for accelerating and optimizing CO₂ mineralization in alkaline rocks

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 10:29:45 GMT

This technology uses formate-based ligands to speed up the extraction of calcium and magnesium from rocks, enabling faster, more energy-efficient carbon capture and storage by turning CO2 into stable minerals without harsh chemicals or intensive grinding. Background The field of carbon capture and storage (CCS) is critical in the global effort to mitigate climate change by reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) levels. One promising CCS strategy is mineralization, which involves converting CO2 into stable carbonate minerals by reacting it with naturally occurring rocks such as ultramafic ...

Boron-methylated dipyrromethene technology for rapid radical polymerizations using low-intensity green light

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 09:03:08 GMT

Background Visible light has emerged as a promising stimulus to drive polymerizations for a variety of applications, particularly in the biomedical and advanced manufacturing arenas such as 3D printing. This is due to its inherent spatiotemporal control, high penetration depth, low energy, and discrete absorption, which enable benign and wavelength-selective fabrication of multifunctional soft materials. The discrete absorption of low-energy photons in the visible to near-infrared spectral region results in deeper light penetration into biological materials (e.g., tissue) and a reductio...

A smartphone-based machine learning system for non-invasive detection and assessment of fetal movements

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 08:57:35 GMT

This technology uses a smartphone app and microphone placed on a pregnant woman’s abdomen to record and analyze fetal movement sounds with AI, providing at-home, non-invasive monitoring and alerts for both patients and clinicians to improve prenatal care. Background Fetal movement monitoring is a critical aspect of prenatal care, as changes in fetal activity can be an early indicator of fetal compromise or distress, including the risk of stillbirth. Late stillbirth remains a significant global health issue, with millions of cases annually, particularly in low- and middle-income countri...

Precision-crafted membranes for enhanced separation efficiency

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 08:52:02 GMT

This technology enables fast, scalable production of durable biomimetic membranes by co-depositing polymers and nanosheets with embedded channels, then covalently crosslinking them, creating high-performance filters for water purification and molecular separations with enhanced permeability and selectivity. Background Membrane-based separation technologies are critical in fields such as water purification, desalination, gas separation, and molecular bioseparations. Traditional polymeric membranes have been widely used due to their scalability and mechanical robustness; however, they are fund...

Mobile bedside station for optimized pediatric CPR delivery

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 16:50:46 GMT

Background Pediatric resuscitation requires rapid and high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to maximize survival and reduce the risk of neurological impairment. Despite advances in emergency care, over 15,000 children receive in-hospital CPR annually in the United States, with survival to discharge remaining around 40 percent. Many survivors experience lasting complications, highlighting the urgent need for better resuscitation workflows. Current systems, including the Broselow cart, are not optimized for the dynamic nature of CPR, often contributing to treatment delays. Issue...

3D-printed, patient-specific external breast prostheses with enhanced comfort and thermal performance

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 16:35:56 GMT

Background External breast prostheses (EBPs) play a vital role in post-mastectomy care, with approximately 80 percent of U.S. mastectomy patients relying on them to restore symmetry, improve self-image, and enhance quality of life. Despite their widespread use, conventional silicone-based prostheses often fail to meet patients' comfort and personalization needs. Many users report shoulder pain, general fatigue, and overheating, all of which stem from poor thermal regulation and inadequate material properties. Additionally, current solutions offer limited customization for individual size,...

Layered simulation software for optimizing freeze-drying of porous particle beds

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 16:31:02 GMT

Background Freeze-drying is a critical process in pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and food manufacturing where product stability and preservation are paramount. Despite its widespread use, traditional freeze-drying remains inefficient, requiring long cycle times and high energy input. These limitations become even more pronounced during scale-up, where maintaining uniform drying performance across larger batches poses major challenges. Current modeling tools often assume uniform sublimation and overlook the dynamic behavior of porous particle beds, leading to suboptimal process control and inc...

Engineered orthogonal elongation factor for SECIS-independent noncanonical amino acid incorporation

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 16:20:33 GMT

Background Selenocysteine (Sec), the 21st amino acid, offers unique redox and catalytic properties that are valuable for biocatalysis, therapeutic protein engineering, and redox biology. However, its use in synthetic biology and protein engineering has been restricted by the complexity of its natural biosynthetic machinery. Sec incorporation typically requires a specific mRNA hairpin structure (SECIS element), a dedicated elongation factor (SelB), and specialized tRNA (tRNA^Sec). These requirements limit insertion to native selenoprotein contexts and prevent the precise incorporation of Sec a...

Detergent-induced crystallization of protein-polymer nanosheets for rapid membrane production

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 16:13:24 GMT

Background Biomimetic membranes offer transformative potential in areas such as desalination, molecular separations, and sustainable resource recovery. These membranes depend on the integration of functional membrane proteins within polymeric nanosheets. However, the widespread adoption of these technologies has been limited by slow, inefficient, and scale-restrictive fabrication methods. Techniques like detergent dialysis require days to complete and involve large volumes of detergent-containing buffers, while solvent evaporation methods use harsh chemicals that can denature proteins and red...

Beta-sitosterol lipid nanoparticles for aerosolized gene editing in lung diseases

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 16:06:17 GMT

Background Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a life-threatening genetic disorder caused by mutations in the CFTR gene, leading to progressive lung dysfunction. A particularly challenging mutation, W1282X, introduces a premature stop codon that results in non-functional CFTR protein. Patients with this mutation are largely unresponsive to current small molecule treatments, highlighting a critical unmet medical need. While gene editing offers a promising solution, delivery to lung epithelial cells is complicated by the need for localized, safe, and efficient delivery systems. Traditional lipid nanoparti...

Sulfonyl-purine probes for covalent targeting of lysine and tyrosine in drug discovery

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 15:18:17 GMT

Background A significant portion of the human proteome remains inaccessible to traditional drug discovery approaches, particularly proteins lacking reactive cysteines or well-defined binding pockets. These so-called “undruggable” targets present major challenges for small molecule therapeutics, limiting the development of treatments for many diseases. Current covalent drug design strategies largely rely on cysteine-targeting electrophiles, which suffer from selectivity issues due to cysteine’s widespread distribution and offer limited scope for expanding the druggable proteo...

CRISPR-enhanced biosensor for ultrasensitive and multiplexed enzyme activity sensing

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 14:47:34 GMT

Background Proteases play essential roles in numerous biological and pathological processes, including inflammation, cancer metastasis, neurodegeneration, and infectious disease. Specific protease activity serves as a valuable biomarker for disease progression, treatment monitoring, and drug development. However, existing detection methods are often limited by poor sensitivity, complex sample preparation, high instrumentation costs, and inability to monitor multiple proteases simultaneously. These challenges hinder early diagnosis and the adoption of protease assays in point-of-care and high-...

DNAzyme-seq: a single-cell metal ion and transcriptome profiling platform

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 13:34:37 GMT

Background Metal ions such as zinc, copper, and calcium play indispensable roles in nearly every facet of cellular physiology, from enzymatic catalysis to signal transduction. However, conventional single-cell transcriptomics has largely overlooked the contribution of metal cofactors to gene expression, metabolism, and disease progression. With metal homeostasis increasingly implicated in cancer, neurodegenerative conditions, and immune responses, there is a growing need for tools that can provide simultaneous insight into both metal ion distributions and cellular transcriptomes at ...

Modular robotic-assisted system for enhanced endoscope and colonoscope navigation

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 13:26:47 GMT

Background Endoscopic and colonoscopic procedures are essential for diagnosing and treating a wide range of internal conditions, from gastrointestinal bleeding to early-stage cancers. These minimally invasive techniques depend on the clinician’s ability to skillfully navigate complex, tortuous anatomical structures to achieve clear visualization and accurate sampling. As demand for these procedures rises and specialist availability remains constrained, there is an urgent need for more intuitive, efficient control systems that reduce clinician workload, standardize procedural performanc...

Performance-enhancing socks for energy-efficient human locomotion

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 13:18:43 GMT

Background Improving the efficiency of human locomotion can enhance endurance, reduce fatigue, and boost athletic performance across a wide range of activities such as walking, running, hiking, and sprinting. These improvements are valuable not only for elite athletes but also for individuals managing age-related declines in mobility or seeking better physical performance in daily life. Most current strategies for optimizing locomotion rely on altering footwear, such as adding carbon fiber plates or modifying midsoles. While effective in some contexts, these methods often restrict natural foo...

Kirigami-structured wearable EEG system with hair-compatible hydrogel electrodes

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 13:11:42 GMT

Background Electroencephalography (EEG) is essential for monitoring brain activity across clinical, research, and consumer health applications. It plays a central role in diagnosing neurological disorders such as epilepsy and sleep disorders, supporting stroke rehabilitation, and enabling brain-computer interfaces. As demand grows for continuous and mobile EEG monitoring, especially in real-world settings, conventional systems fall short. They are often uncomfortable for extended use, require laborious scalp preparation, and fail to deliver stable signals through hair or during movement. Thes...

Solvent-free enhanced 3D printing of biologics

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 15:59:52 GMT

Background/problem 3D printing holds great potential for creating personalized medication and pharmaceutical dosage forms. However, it faces challenges when using powder bed-based technologies like Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) and Binder Jetting. These methods require powders with excellent flow characteristics to function smoothly. This is a straightforward case in single-component systems but becomes problematic in pharmaceutical applications where there are multiple components needing different compositions. Biologics, which are therapeutic molecules derived from living organisms such ...

Engineered E. coli platform for high-yield selenoprotein expression

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 14:39:56 GMT

Background Selenoproteins, which incorporate the amino acid selenocysteine (Sec), are prized for their unique redox properties and catalytic capabilities in therapeutic antibodies, industrial enzymes, and diagnostic reagents. However, these proteins remain difficult and costly to produce in large quantities. Traditional chemical synthesis is labor-intensive and inefficient, while native biological sources provide only trace amounts. Recombinant production in E. coli offers an attractive solution, but the incorporation of selenocysteine during translation presents significant technical barrie...

Operando platform for liquid-solid visualization in SEM

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 14:29:12 GMT

Background To visualize and understand the interactions between liquids and solids at the microscopic level is crucial for advancements in diverse fields including geochemistry, battery technology, materials science, and pharmaceuticals. Understanding reactive transport at the nanoscale (<10 nm), where transport, sorption, and reaction kinetics diverge from bulk behavior, has long been the fundamental challenge to understanding, designing, and controlling natural and engineered interfaces. Observing these interactions by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) requires stopping the process to ...

Self-assembled nanoparticle monolayer formation via ultrasonic spray coating

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 14:15:18 GMT

Background The self-assembly of nanoparticle monolayers is crucial in applications, such as optoelectronics, photovoltaics, and biomedical devices that require precise and reliable coatings. Traditionally, methods for forming monolayers rely on syringe dispensing needles or pipettes to introduce nanoparticle solutions to an air-water interface. These methods produce relatively large droplets (10-100 mm in diameter) that disrupt the water surface, causing a significant portion of the nanoparticles to disperse into the bulk water instead of forming a monolayer. This inefficiency hampers the sc...

Methods, systems, and techniques for enhancing clathrate hydrate formation and efficiency

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 14:00:39 GMT

Background The field of clathrate hydrate formation is critical in various industrial applications such as desalination, gas separation, and gas sequestration. Clathrate hydrates are crystalline water-based solids physically resembling ice, in which small non-polar molecules are trapped inside the lattice of water molecules. The ability to efficiently form clathrate hydrates is essential for processes like capturing and storing greenhouse gases, purifying water, and separating gas mixtures. The need for this technology arises from the increasing demand for sustainable and efficient methods...

Metal organic framework membranes for ion transport and separation

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 12:57:30 GMT

Background Ion-selective separation membranes play a critical role in applications such as water purification, energy storage, and chemical processing. These technologies are essential for tackling global challenges like clean water scarcity, efficient energy utilization, and sustainable industrial processes. Traditional ion separation methods, including reverse osmosis and electrodialysis, have notable limitations in selectivity and energy efficiency. As industrial demands and population growth accelerate, the need for more effective and selective ion separation technologies is bec...

Techniques for enhanced oil recovery using heated water vapor and dimethyl ether

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 11:00:14 GMT

Background The field of oil recovery, particularly enhanced oil recovery (EOR), is crucial for maximizing the extraction of oil from existing reservoirs. Traditional methods often leave a significant portion of oil trapped underground, making it economically unfeasible to extract. With global energy demands on the rise and conventional oil reserves depleting, there is an increasing need for more efficient and effective oil recovery techniques. Enhanced oil recovery methods, which include thermal, chemical, and gas injection techniques, aim to improve the extraction rates of heavy oil and ...

Light-directed nanofabrication technology for precise deposition of nanomaterials

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 07:23:55 GMT

Background Nanofabrication is a pivotal technology in various high-tech industries, including electronics, biomedical devices, and materials science. The ability to precisely deposit colloids, compounds, and molecules enables the creation of intricate micro- and nano-scale structures essential for developing high-performance semiconductors, sensitive sensors, and innovative materials. As the demand for smaller, faster, and more efficient devices grows, the need for scalable and highly accurate nanofabrication techniques becomes increasingly critical to meet the evolving requirements of cutti...

Mechanically robust mesoporous membranes for enhanced ultrafiltration performance

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 07:16:06 GMT

Background Membrane separation technology is an essential field within chemical engineering and environmental science, offering a more sustainable alternative to traditional separation methods that often require energy-intensive phase changes. The demand for advanced membrane technologies, such as isoporous membranes, is driven by their potential to achieve high selectivity and permeability, which are crucial for applications ranging from water purification to industrial filtration processes. Isoporous membranes are promising due to their uniform pore size distribution and high pore den...

Technology for converting methane to methanol using tailored vibrational excitations and plasma-assisted processes

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 07:04:48 GMT

Background Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, constitutes most natural gas and is emitted from various sources such as agriculture, wetlands, and fossil fuel industries. Despite its potential as an energy source, methane’s low boiling point and flammability pose significant challenges for its compression and transport, leading to its frequent flaring and substantial CO2 emissions. Converting methane into methanol (a liquid at ambient conditions) is a promising solution to mitigate these emissions while producing a valuable fuel. However, traditional methods for this conversion ...

Nanofluidic electrodeposition technology for precision synthesis and high-throughput screening of bimetallic nanoparticles

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 07 Oct 2025 15:55:03 GMT

Background The field of nanotechnology has shown immense potential in various applications, including catalysis, optics, electronics, and biomedicine. Bimetallic nanoparticles have garnered attention due to their superior properties compared to single-component nanoparticles. The ability to precisely control the size, shape, composition, and spatial arrangement of these nanoparticles is crucial for optimizing their performance in specific applications. However, the vast parameter space, including the size, structure, and composition of nanoparticles, presents significant challenges...

Supramolecular membrane channels for highly selective lanthanide separations

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 07 Oct 2025 15:33:02 GMT

Supramolecular membrane channels built from pillar[5]arene scaffolds with specialized ligands selectively transport middle lanthanide ions like europium and terbium, enabling efficient, eco-friendly separation and recycling of rare-earth metals. Background Lanthanide elements are vital components in modern clean energy and electronics, finding applications in batteries, permanent magnets, lighting, catalysts, and medical imaging. Global demand for these metals has surged alongside the expansion of electric vehicles, wind turbines, portable devices, and advanced defense systems. Despite thei...

Multilayer composite foil materials for enhanced structural and electrochemical performance in lithium-ion batteries

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 07 Oct 2025 15:06:13 GMT

Background As the demand for sustainable energy storage solutions increases with the growth of portable electronics and electric vehicles, the need for enhanced energy storage systems becomes critical. To meet these demands, it is crucial to develop rechargeable batteries with enhanced performance, safety, and longevity. Lithium-ion batteries are a promising solution due to their high energy density and efficiency. However, traditional anode materials, such as graphite, are limited by their relatively low capacity and stability under strenuous cycling conditions. Thus, it is crucial to devel...

Engineered bacterial platform for in situ mRNA delivery to mammalian cells

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 07 Oct 2025 10:56:40 GMT

Background Genetic medicine depends on the ability to deliver messenger RNA (mRNA) into mammalian cells to enable therapeutic protein expression, correct genetic defects, or produce antigens for vaccines. But current delivery systems face critical barriers that limit their clinical utility. DNA plasmid-based approaches often show poor transfection efficiency, while synthetic mRNA encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles typically requires injection, which restricts dosing flexibility and mucosal access. These synthetic carriers may also suffer from limited cell-targeting capabilities and stab...

Aqueous amine solutions for enhanced CO₂ capture and efficient desorption

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 16:03:33 GMT

Background As the world grapples with the escalating issue of carbon emissions and their significant impact on climate change, the pursuit of innovative solutions for achieving carbon neutrality and a sustainable future has become paramount. Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies are crucial in this endeavor, with amine-based post-combustion capture (PCC) being the most established and widely implemented method for large-scale applications. The development of an optimal CO2 capture solvent is a critical challenge in CCUS, requiring characteristics such as high CO2 cycli...

Graphene-enhanced membranes for improved proton exchange membrane fuel cells

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 15:33:25 GMT

Background Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs) are integral to advancing clean energy, offering high efficiency and low emissions for automotive power and stationary energy generation. However, widespread adoption of PEMFCs is hindered by several performance and durability challenges. Among these, hydrogen crossover—where hydrogen molecules permeate through the membrane—results in reduced fuel efficiency, safety risks, and compromised energy output. Existing membranes often fail to balance proton conductivity with hydrogen selectivity, which reduces overall performance. ...

Machine learning model for real-time prediction of bottom-hole circulating temperature in geothermal wells

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 15:17:26 GMT

Background Drilling high-temperature geothermal wells presents significant technical and economic challenges due to the extreme conditions encountered deep underground. Effective thermal management is crucial to ensure that the bottom-hole circulating temperature (BHCT) remains within the operational limits of downhole tools, which is essential for the safe and economical exploitation of geothermal resources. While some oil and gas wells encounter temperatures up to 150°C, geothermal wells often exceed these temperatures, necessitating precise control and understanding of BHCT to prevent ...

A class of anion redox active materials for rechargeable batteries

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 12:40:46 GMT

Background The rapid evolution of battery technologies has ignited a fervent quest for safer, more efficient, and sustainable solutions. As lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) continue to dominate the market, concerns about the availability and cost of lithium resources have spurred interest in alternative battery chemistries. Among the emerging contenders, sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) have recently gained attention due to their potential to offer performance comparable to LIBs while utilizing more abundant sodium resources. The cathode, a pivotal component of SIBs, plays a crucial role in determini...

A methodology for efficient CO₂ capture using organic carbonates

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 12:28:07 GMT

Background The field of carbon capture technology is crucial in addressing the growing concerns over climate change and the increasing concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere. Traditional energy production methods, particularly those reliant on fossil fuels, release significant amounts of CO2, contributing to global warming. As industries and governments worldwide strive to reduce carbon emissions, the development of efficient and cost-effective CO2 capture technologies has become a priority. These technologies aim to capture CO2 from industrial emissions before they reach th...

A device for deagglomerating fine powders in aerosol-based processes

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 12:17:03 GMT

Background The field of powder technology is crucial in various industries, including pharmaceuticals, ceramics, and metallurgy, where the manipulation and processing of fine powders are essential. A significant challenge in this field is the tendency of fine powders to agglomerate, forming larger clusters that can impede the efficiency and quality of processes such as aerosol-based film deposition. These agglomerates can lead to defects in films, reduce deposition efficiency, and limit the achievable film thickness. The need for effective deagglomeration methods is critical to enhance the p...

Rechargeable battery electrolytes for extreme cycling conditions

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 12:05:09 GMT

Background As the world increasingly relies on portable electronics, electric vehicles, and renewable energy storage, the demand for high-performance, reliable, and durable rechargeable batteries continues to grow. However, current lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) face significant challenges under extreme operating conditions, such as subzero temperatures, high charging rates, and high-voltage applications. Traditional electrolytes struggle with limited oxidative stability, low ionic conductivity, and inadequate electrode-electrolyte interphase formation, leading to reduced performance, sho...

New methods and equipment for reliable permeability and saturation measurements in tight rock samples

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 10:10:24 GMT

Background In the field of petroleum engineering and geosciences, understanding the fluid-flow characteristics in reservoir rocks is crucial for optimizing hydrocarbon recovery. This involves accurately assessing permeability and saturation-dependent relative permeability, which are key parameters in evaluating how fluids move through porous rock formations. Tight rock formations, such as organic-rich mudrocks, present a challenge due to their low permeability and complex pore structures. Traditional methods for measuring these properties are often time-consuming, labor-intensive, and may not...

Non-contact inspection system for detecting rail defects using laser doppler vibrometer measurements

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 09:51:20 GMT

Background Railroads are a critical component of transportation infrastructure, facilitating the movement of goods and people. As train speeds and axle loads increase, so does the strain on aging and deteriorating railroad tracks, leading to a rise in rail defects. One of the most hazardous types of defects is transverse defects located inside the rail head, which can cause rail breaks if they reach a critical size. According to the Federal Railway Administration, crack-type defects in the rail head were responsible for a significant percentage of railway track-related accidents in the United...

Universal chimeric primer system for real-time, sequencing-compatible lamp assays

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 08:44:16 GMT

Background Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) has become a cornerstone of nucleic acid detection for clinical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and point-of-care testing, offering rapid amplification with minimal equipment needs. Operating at a constant temperature, LAMP avoids the complexities of thermal cycling required by PCR, enabling easier field deployment. However, the method’s reliance on custom-designed sets of four to six primers per target complicates assay development, increases costs, and slows responsiveness to emerging pathogens and variants. Efforts to e...

Nozzle design for high-velocity deposition of ceramic nanoparticles

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 06:09:32 GMT

Background The micro-cold spray (MCS) method offers a promising technique for producing dense metal and ceramic films with thicknesses ranging from 1 to 100 μm. Unlike conventional methods, MCS operates by aerosolizing particles (with diameters ranging from 200 nm to 5 μm) in a carrier gas, which are then accelerated through a nozzle into a low-pressure vacuum chamber. Upon impact with a substrate, these particles deform and adhere, forming the desired film. This process is particularly advantageous for substrates sensitive to high temperatures, such as polymers, as they do no...

Non-flammable electrolyte mixtures for high-stability alkali-metal batteries

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 03 Oct 2025 17:16:36 GMT

Background As the demand for sustainable energy storage solutions grows during the advancement of portable electronics and electric vehicles, there is a pressing need for enhanced energy storage systems. Alkali-metal batteries are a promising solution for energy storage due to their high energy-density capabilities. However, their widescale adoption has been dendrite formation, battery degradation, and safety issues that arise from flammable electrolytes. One approach to mitigating alkali-metal degradation involves the implementation of localized high concentration electrolytes (LHCE), ...

Pressure-assisted 3D printing for tunable micro/nanoparticle drug delivery

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 03 Oct 2025 17:01:22 GMT

Background In the realm of drug delivery and biomedical therapies, advanced formulations are essential for improving treatment efficacy, minimizing systemic toxicity, and achieving precise therapeutic targeting. Technologies capable of encapsulating and preserving the bioactivity of small molecules, proteins, and live cells are particularly critical for emerging treatments in oncology, immunotherapy, and regenerative medicine. Despite considerable progress, many current encapsulation techniques are ill-suited for heat-sensitive compounds or multi-agent therapies, limiting their clin...

High-stability eutectic alloy anodes

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 03 Oct 2025 16:50:41 GMT

Background As the demand for sustainable energy storage solutions grows during the advancement of portable electronics and electric vehicles, there is a pressing need for enhanced rechargeable batteries. Metal alloy batteries are a promising solution for energy storage due to their high energy-density capabilities. However, their widescale adoption has been limited by irreversible capacity loss that results from catastrophic volume change during battery operation. Prior strategies to mitigate volumetric expansion, such as the incorporation of nano-structured materials, lead to diminished acti...

Engineered microbial antigen-presenting system for targeted T cell activation

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 10:10:50 GMT

Background Targeted immunotherapy depends on the ability to modulate specific T cell populations to fight chronic infections, cancers, and autoimmune diseases. Achieving precise control over T cell activation is essential for generating effective immune responses while minimizing off-target effects. Traditional vaccines and existing antigen-presenting cell (APC) technologies often fall short of this goal. Conventional vaccines rely on indirect and variable antigen presentation, while synthetic APCs involve complex manufacturing that limits their scalability and clinical use. Attempts to deliv...

Three-component secretion system for extracellular delivery of folded proteins in gram-negative bacteria

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 10:03:39 GMT

Background Efficient production and secretion of functional proteins are essential to a wide range of applications in biotechnology and medicine, from therapeutic protein delivery to industrial enzyme manufacturing. Gram-negative bacteria such as E. coli are commonly used expression hosts due to their rapid growth, affordability, and genetic flexibility. However, current bacterial secretion systems are limited in their ability to export complex proteins directly into the extracellular environment. Most systems are constrained by cargo size and structural complexity, often failing to sec...

One-pot assembly of long, modified DNA via scaffolded oligo ligation

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 09:30:31 GMT

Background As synthetic biology advances, the need for efficient construction of long, chemically modified DNA has become increasingly critical across applications such as gene editing, DNA data storage, epigenetics, and personalized therapeutics. These technologies require precise, site-specific incorporation of chemical tags into DNA strands that often span hundreds of nucleotides. However, conventional assembly methods such as PCR-based amplification or multi-step ligation often fail to retain chemical modifications and are prone to low yields, especially when repetitive or non-canonical s...

Sustainable, low-cost, high-contrast electrochromic displays for smart windows

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 21 Aug 2025 16:31:41 GMT

Background Energy efficiency and sustainability are critical concerns in both residential and commercial buildings. Traditional windows, while essential for natural light and ventilation, are often a significant source of energy loss. They allow heat to escape during the winter and enable excessive heat gain in the summer, leading to increased energy consumption for heating and cooling systems. This not only escalates energy costs but also contributes to a larger carbon footprint, exacerbating environmental issues. Conventional solutions such as window films and thermal curtains provide stat...

Dual-action topical formulations for enhanced skin penetration and targeted dermal repair

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 16:35:24 GMT

Background Dermatological and cosmetic treatments increasingly focus on targeted delivery of active compounds to the deeper skin layers to combat photoaging, oxidative damage, and carcinogenesis. However, the stratum corneum presents a formidable barrier to percutaneous absorption, limiting the efficacy of topically applied actives. Conventional formulations like gels, lotions, and emulsions often either fail to penetrate adequately or disrupt the barrier excessively, leading to irritation and unintended systemic absorption. Furthermore, most delivery systems do not effectively...

Soft inflatable robot for in-pipe inspection

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 16:04:22 GMT

Background Pipeline infrastructure in oil and gas, water systems, and chemical processing requires regular internal inspections to detect corrosion, blockages, and structural damage. However, many pipelines are narrow, tortuous, and operate under variable pressure and flow conditions, making access with conventional tools difficult. Rigid robotic crawlers often cannot maneuver through diameter transitions or tight bends, while manual inspections are dangerous or impossible in confined, fluid-filled environments. There is growing demand for compact, self-guided robots that can navigate complex...

High-dose dry powder inhaler for dual pulmonary and oral indomethacin delivery

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 15:05:10 GMT

Background Dry powder inhalers (DPIs) offer a non-invasive and rapid route for drug delivery, particularly for medications requiring swift systemic action. This is especially relevant for poorly soluble drugs such as indomethacin, where oral administration is often limited by gastrointestinal degradation and adverse side effects. For indications like acute headache relief, achieving rapid and sustained plasma levels is critical. While DPIs are valued for their portability and stability, current formulations fall short when tasked with delivering high therapeutic doses efficiently and rep...

Inhalable vancomycin–DNase powder for eradication of MRSA lung infections

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 12:14:00 GMT

Background Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major cause of hospital-acquired pneumonia, contributing to elevated mortality, prolonged hospitalizations, and increased healthcare costs. The persistence of MRSA in the lungs is largely due to its ability to form biofilms and generate persister cells, both of which protect the bacteria from conventional antibiotics and immune responses. Current treatment regimens, including intravenous vancomycin and linezolid, often fail to achieve effective concentrations in the lungs and carry risks of systemic toxicity. These shortcoming...

Modular protein degradation platform bypassing ubiquitination

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 31 Jul 2025 13:27:31 GMT

Background Targeted protein degradation is rapidly emerging as a powerful therapeutic approach for eliminating disease-causing proteins in cancer, neurodegenerative conditions, autoimmune disorders, and viral infections. By removing, rather than inhibiting, harmful proteins, this strategy enables direct and sustained therapeutic effects. However, current tools such as PROTACs and molecular glues rely on the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS), which introduces key limitations. Their dependency on cellular ubiquitination machinery often results in inconsistent degradation efficiency, l...

Biocompatible photoenzymatic system for selective C–H fluorination

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 31 Jul 2025 12:58:24 GMT

Background C–H fluorination plays a central role in pharmaceutical and agrochemical synthesis, as the introduction of fluorine often enhances a molecule's metabolic stability, potency, and bioavailability. Over 20% of approved drugs contain fluorinated functional groups, underscoring the demand for efficient and selective fluorination methods. However, traditional C–H fluorination techniques rely on harsh conditions or corrosive reagents that limit functional group tolerance, reduce selectivity, and pose significant safety and environmental risks. These challenges hinder ...

OPG153-based vaccine for targeted mpox immunization

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 31 Jul 2025 12:17:37 GMT

Background The global re-emergence of monkeypox virus (MPXV) has created a critical need for effective and well-tolerated vaccines to prevent infection, limit disease severity, and reduce transmission. As an orthopoxvirus related to smallpox, mpox presents a unique public health challenge, especially for immunocompromised populations. Current prevention strategies rely on repurposed smallpox vaccines, including ACAM2000 and JYNNEOS. While these vaccines provide some cross-protection, they were not designed specifically for mpox and come with notable safety concerns. ACAM2000, a live vir...

Irreversible DGKα inhibitors for enhanced T‑cell activation in cancer immunotherapy

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 31 Jul 2025 12:00:24 GMT

Background Cancer immunotherapy seeks to harness the immune system to target and eliminate malignant cells. However, immune suppression within the tumor microenvironment poses a major challenge, blunting T-cell activation and allowing cancer cells to evade immune detection. Diacylglycerol Kinase α (DGKα) is a key enzyme that suppresses T-cell receptor signaling, limiting effective anti-tumor responses. Although reversible DGK inhibitors have been explored, their short duration of action and poor isoform selectivity have constrained their clinical impact. These agents often require...

Multilayered drug delivery implants for localized brain tumor therapy

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 08:21:23 GMT

Background As treatment strategies evolve for brain tumors, especially post-surgical resection, localized therapy is emerging as a promising alternative to systemic drug delivery. The blood-brain barrier, along with the sensitive anatomy of the brain, makes it difficult to achieve effective therapeutic concentrations using traditional methods without risking widespread toxicity. Targeted delivery systems are essential to improve therapeutic efficacy and minimize side effects. Existing implantable solutions, such as Gliadel® wafers, present a range of challenges including limited drug eff...

Label-free molecular data storage using oligourethanes and desorption spray ionization

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 14:53:30 GMT

Background The explosion of digital information—from scientific data to entertainment media—has outpaced the capabilities of traditional storage technologies. Magnetic hard drives, solid-state drives, and optical media face limitations in terms of environmental robustness, long-term retention, and energy efficiency. Large-scale data centers incur substantial operational costs related to redundancy, cooling, and maintenance, while archival needs across government, research, and cultural sectors demand platforms that offer much higher density, longevity, and minimal resource co...

Engineered SGPL1 enzymes for selective extracellular S1P depletion in cancer immunotherapy

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 14:40:55 GMT

Background The sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) signaling axis plays a pivotal role in regulating immune cell trafficking, particularly in the context of cancer immunotherapy. S1P gradients between tumor-draining lymph nodes and the tumor microenvironment govern lymphocyte migration, with elevated extracellular S1P concentrations leading to lymphocyte retention, immune suppression, and resistance to checkpoint blockade therapies. Restoring effective lymphocyte circulation and tumor infiltration requires new strategies capable of selectively depleting extracellular S1P while minimizing ...

DNA-based sensors for live-cell mapping of metabolite- and metal ion-protein interactions

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 13:12:11 GMT

Background Understanding how metabolites and metal ions interact with proteins inside living cells is essential for decoding cellular signaling, metabolic regulation, and disease mechanisms. These small molecules function as cofactors, second messengers, and allosteric regulators, orchestrating critical pathways that govern cell behavior. However, traditional biochemical methods often rely on lysate-based assays that disrupt native spatial organization and lose transient or low-affinity interactions, creating significant gaps in our knowledge of dynamic cellular processes. Existing interacto...

Artificial nitrogenase enzymes for ambient-condition, decentralized ammonia production

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 12:42:49 GMT

Background Ammonia synthesis is foundational to global agriculture and chemical manufacturing, providing the primary source of fixed nitrogen for fertilizers, polymers, and pharmaceuticals. Traditional ammonia production through the Haber-Bosch process, however, operates under extreme conditions—temperatures exceeding 400°C and pressures over 150 bars—requiring massive energy inputs and fossil fuel-derived hydrogen. This results in significant carbon emissions, accounting for nearly 2% of global CO₂ output, and creates centralized infrastructures that limit access in remo...

SMART 3D-printed proliposomes for stable, targeted drug delivery

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 27 May 2025 07:27:00 GMT

Background In the realm of drug delivery, particularly for cancer therapeutics, there is a growing demand for robust nanocarrier systems that offer improved targeting, extended shelf-life, and consistent efficacy. Liposomes have historically served as biocompatible delivery vehicles; however, they often suffer from formulation instability and limited storage viability. As pharmaceutical pipelines increasingly depend on nanoparticle-based delivery systems, the need to overcome limitations in processing and stability becomes increasingly urgent. Current fabrication methods—such as p...

System for characterizing effective permeability for oil and water in shale reservoirs

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 19 May 2025 13:54:18 GMT

Background Accurately quantifying how oil and water move through shale is essential for optimizing energy production from unconventional reservoirs like those in the Permian Basin. These formations present significant measurement challenges due to their ultra-low permeability, variable wettability, and the presence of microfractures. Traditional methods generally assess only a single property, such as total permeability or fluid saturation, and often fail to provide a complete or reliable representation of how multiple fluid phases behave under realistic reservoir conditions. The limitations...

Diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and left ventricular hypertrophy using frequency domain analysis of ECG signals

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 19 May 2025 13:20:59 GMT

Background Cardiac conditions involving abnormal thickening of the heart muscle, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), present significant diagnostic challenges due to their overlapping symptoms and similar manifestations in standard ECG readings. Existing diagnostic methods—including echocardiograms, genetic testing, and traditional ECG criteria like Cornell and Sokolow-Lyon—are often expensive, require specialized equipment or expertise, and rely on time-domain analyses that may not capture the subtle differences in the heart's ele...

Deep learning quantitative MRI platform for predicting breast cancer treatment response

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 16:05:01 GMT

Background Despite major advancements in quantitative medical imaging, accurately forecasting patient-specific treatment outcomes remains a critical unmet need—especially in oncology, where early insights into therapeutic efficacy can profoundly impact survival. The complexity of cancer progression and variability among individuals challenge current treatment paradigms, which are largely built around generalized clinical trial data. Personalized predictions are essential for optimizing care, minimizing ineffective interventions, and improving long-term outcomes. Conventional imaging ap...

Multi-material electrospinning system for 3D-printed fiber architectures

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 15:40:08 GMT

Background Electrospinning and additive manufacturing have become increasingly important in fields such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and tissue engineering, where there is growing demand for complex fiber architectures and multifunctional material systems. However, traditional electrospinning methods struggle to meet the precision, scalability, and customization needs of these advanced applications. Creating multi-material, multi-scale structures with embedded bioactive components remains a critical unmet challenge. Conventional systems are often constrained by multi-step fabrication p...

Tunable dual-network viscoelastic hydrogels for tissue engineering and cell modeling

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 08:52:54 GMT

Background Advances in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine continue to emphasize the importance of recreating physiologically relevant mechanical environments for in vitro studies. Cellular behavior, tissue regeneration, and drug response are all significantly influenced by the viscoelasticity of the surrounding matrix. While native tissues exhibit both elastic (storage) and viscous (loss) properties, most engineered materials fail to replicate this complexity, hindering their use in predictive biological models. Traditional biomaterials typically prioritize elasticity while neglect...

Lipid-coated granule feedstock for high-precision pharmaceutical 3D printing

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 08:16:07 GMT

Background The field of pharmaceutical manufacturing is rapidly evolving to meet increasing demands for personalized drug delivery, precise dosage forms, and consistent controlled-release profiles. As healthcare shifts toward individualized treatment plans, clinicians and researchers are seeking advanced manufacturing solutions that deliver compact, robust, and high drug-loading formulations. Additive manufacturing, particularly powder bed fusion methods, offers a promising route, but widespread adoption is limited by persistent processing and formulation challenges. Traditional powder-...

A general strategy for synthesizing molecularly functionalized biomass for atmospheric water harvesting

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 13:58:22 GMT

Background Water scarcity remains a pressing global challenge, and conventional atmospheric water harvesting methods often struggle to balance efficiency with environmental sustainability. Existing technologies frequently rely on synthetic polymers or salt‐polymer hybrids that exhibit issues such as limited water uptake under low relative humidity, high energy requirements for water release, and undesired salt leakage, which compromise their long-term viability and scalability. Academic studies have highlighted these limitations, revealing that while some materials show promise in controlled ...

Quamba2: a robust and scalable post-training quantization framework for selective state space models (SSMs)

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 15:22:45 GMT

Quamba2 highlights Supports W4A8 / W4A16 / W4AX / W8A8 for Mamba1 and Mamba2 Achieves 4x memory reduction and 3x generation speedup Enables 8B model inference on Orin Nano 8G at 13 tokens/sec Outperforms W4A8KV4 Llama3-8B in both speed and quality Background Deploying state space models (SSMs), which excel at processing long sequences but demand intensive memory and computation, poses significant hurdles on resource-constrained hardware. Conventional post-training quantization methods, effective for transformer architectures, tend to fail when applied to the unique structures of these...

Fabrication process for creating functional nanostructures on sapphire and other hard optical ceramics

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 04 Apr 2025 09:18:55 GMT

Background Achieving precise high-aspect-ratio nanostructures on hard optical materials presents significant technical hurdles due to the intrinsic properties of these substrates, such as sapphire’s high hardness, chemical stability, and thermal tolerance. Traditional fabrication methods often struggle with generating uniformly patterned, tall, and sharply defined features because the robust chemical and physical properties that make these materials desirable for optical applications also limit the efficacy of common etching and pattern transfer techniques. Inconsistencies like non...

Technology for fabricating dense sapphire nanostructures using near‑field focusing of ultrafast lasers

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 08:34:50 GMT

Background Nanostructuring ultrahard materials like sapphire is challenging due to their inherent hardness and chemical stability, which complicate the precise modification and removal of material. Traditional approaches such as multilayer masking, low-power dry etching, and direct ultrafast laser processing have struggled to achieve the fine, dense features necessary for advanced functionalities, as these methods often lead to incomplete material removal or uncontrolled modification below the surface. Recent research has explored the use of near-field focusing techniques with dielectric...

Hydrogels with self-irrigation and slow‑fertilizer-release properties for sustainable agriculture

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 04 Mar 2025 13:02:09 GMT

Background Water scarcity and inefficient fertilizer use have long hindered sustainable agriculture, as traditional irrigation and nutrient delivery methods often fail to optimize resource utilization and prevent environmental harm. Existing approaches typically provide static solutions that do not account for fluctuation in environmental conditions, resulting in rapid water loss through evaporation and nutrient runoff that not only diminishes crop yield but also contributes to soil degradation and pollution of water bodies. Additionally, the inability to synchronize water supply with p...

Thermoresponsive hydrogel technology for efficient atmospheric water harvesting

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 04 Mar 2025 12:54:55 GMT

Background Rapidly growing global water scarcity and the need for decentralized, energy-efficient water collection have driven the search for atmospheric water harvesting systems that can overcome limitations in conventional approaches. Traditional fog capture or dew condensation methods often depend on high humidity levels, while existing sorbent-based techniques such as silica gels, zeolites, and conventional polymeric hydrogels face challenges including low water uptake, high energy requirements for regeneration, and slow vapor sorption kinetics. Furthermore, modifications like incorporat...

Scalable artificial tissue engineering for tunable 3D structures and selective membranes

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 04 Mar 2025 09:45:32 GMT

This invention uses a scalable droplet interface bilayer method to create customizable artificial tissues from water droplets. The tissues are tunable for conductivity, stiffness, and self-healing, enabling applications like 3D bioprinting and selective electrically driven separations. Background The field of tissue engineering has long sought to develop biomimetic constructs that address the challenges in biomedical, environmental, and technological applications. There is a pressing need for reliable systems that can safely replicate the dynamic functions of natural tissues, enabling a...

Amphiphilic glycopolymer nanomaterials for pH‐responsive heavy metal and rare earth ion removal

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 09:13:18 GMT

A novel, recyclable polymer technology uses ring‐opening metathesis to create nanoscale, pH-responsive glycopolymers with glucuronic acid side chains that efficiently capture heavy metals and selectively bind rare earth elements from water. Background The need for advanced metal ion separation technologies has grown due to increasing environmental contamination from industrial and urban sources, which introduce heavy metals and interfere with critical water resources. Industries and municipalities require efficient, reliable methods for removing these hazardous substances to meet strict heal...

Controlled synthesis of poly(acetamidosaccharide) for sustainable and versatile materials

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 08:59:23 GMT

A new sustainable polymer, poly(acetamidosaccharide), is created through a simple two-step process. Serving as a sustainable cellulose acetate alternative, it mitigates microplastic pollution and offers customizable properties suitable for textiles, coatings, biotechnology, and food stabilization. Background Polymer science is integral to numerous industries, including textiles, coatings, biotechnology, and food stabilization, where the demand for sustainable and customizable materials is continually rising. As environmental concerns escalate, there is an urgent need for alternatives to conv...

Glycoprotein engineering for hemorrhagic fever virus vaccines

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 08:33:33 GMT

Scientists stabilized the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus glycoprotein complex to study its structure and develop a potential vaccine. This complex elicits an immune response and sheds light on the virus's entry mechanism. Background Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is a serious threat to human health, with mortality rates ranging from 10% to 40%. The virus is primarily transmitted through tick bites or contact with infected livestock, and its range is expanding due to factors like climate change and livestock trade. The lack of approved vaccines or treatments for CCHF...

Advanced electrode architectures for high-density and high-performance energy storage

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 11 Feb 2025 15:44:37 GMT

Background Global warming is largely driven by the release of greenhouse gas emissions through the burning of fossil fuels for various human activities, such as electricity, heat, and transportation. Among these, transportation contributed up to approximately 27% of the total CO2 emissions in the United States according to the Environmental Protection Agency in 2020. As the most promising candidates to replace fossil fuel-powered transportation, electric vehicles (EVs) have been playing an increasingly important role in sustainable transportation over the past decade. Due to the blooming of t...

Super-sodiophilic seeds for dendrite‑free sodium metal batteries

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 11 Feb 2025 15:11:53 GMT

Background As the demand for renewable energy sources and electric vehicles grows, there is a pressing need for efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective battery technologies. Sodium-metal batteries (SMBs) show great promise for energy storage applications due to the natural abundance and low cost of sodium compared to lithium. However, SMBs are limited by non-uniform deposition of sodium metal at the anode called dendrites. Dendrites are needle-like structures that can pierce the battery’s separator and cause short circuits, posing safety risks and reducing the battery&rsquo...

DNA synthesis method using template switching for detection and sequence analysis

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 14:18:46 GMT

A method to create DNA copies of specific genetic material using primers and enzymes, enabling easier detection, amplification, cloning, and sequencing of DNA and RNA. Background Advancements in molecular biology have underscored the critical need for efficient and accurate methods to prepare DNA copies of target polynucleotides. Techniques such as PCR amplification, cloning, and sequence determination are fundamental for applications ranging from medical diagnostics to genetic research. As the demand for high-throughput and precise genetic analysis grows, the ability to generate relia...

Stabilized reverse transcriptase fusion proteins for reliable nucleic acid amplification

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 13:09:20 GMT

A stable enzyme is created by combining reverse transcriptase with a stabilizing protein, enhancing its durability and performance for DNA amplification methods like RT-PCR Background Reverse transcription is a cornerstone technique in molecular biology, facilitating the conversion of RNA into complementary DNA (cDNA) for various applications such as gene expression analysis, diagnostic testing, and the study of viral genomes. Methods like reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) depend on efficient and reliable reverse transcriptase enzymes to ensure accurate and sensit...

DNAzyme sensor for selective manganese ion detection in biological systems

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 12:54:42 GMT

A selective DNAzyme-based fluorescent sensor detects manganese ions in cells by lighting up when Mn²⁺ binds, allowing precise monitoring of manganese levels for biological research and potential therapies. Background Manganese (Mn²⁺) is an essential trace element integral to numerous biological processes, acting as a vital cofactor for enzymes involved in metabolic pathways, antioxidant defenses, and immune responses. Its role extends to advanced therapeutic applications, including the development of manganese-based nanomaterials for antitumor therapies. Accurate detection and moni...

DNAzyme fluorescent sensors for bioselective imaging of Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 12:39:43 GMT

Developed DNAzyme-based fluorescent sensors that specifically detect and image Fe2⁺ and Fe3⁺ ions in living cells, enabling the study of iron dynamics in biological processes and diseases like Alzheimer’s. Background Iron ions, specifically Fe2⁺ and Fe3⁺, are essential for numerous biological processes, including oxygen transport, DNA synthesis, and cellular energy production. Dysregulation of iron homeostasis is implicated in various neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, where altered iron redox states contribute to disease progression and oxidative stress. Unde...

Quamba: Post-training quantization for selective state space models

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 23 Jan 2025 08:56:17 GMT

Background State Space Models (SSMs) are integral to numerous advanced technologies, including natural language processing, robotics, autonomous vehicles, and edge computing systems. As these applications increasingly demand real-time processing and intelligent decision-making on devices with limited computational resources, there is a pressing need for efficient deployment of SSMs on resource-constrained hardware platforms. Efficient model deployment enables broader accessibility and functionality of AI-driven applications in mobile computing, virtual and augmented reality, and other em...

DNA aptamer technology for Coenzyme A detection and cellular imaging

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 15:32:33 GMT

Researchers developed a DNA aptamer that specifically targets Coenzyme A, enabling easy and accurate detection in cells. This technology is more specific and simpler than current methods, supporting diagnostics, research, and treatments for diseases involving CoA imbalance. Background The field of biochemical research and medical diagnostics increasingly recognizes the critical role of Coenzyme A (CoA) in various cellular processes and its dysregulation in numerous diseases, such as PKAN and CoPAN. Accurate detection and imaging of CoA are essential for understanding its distribution and con...

Efficient production and delivery of bioactive peptides via Gram-negative bacterial secretion system

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 09:56:35 GMT

Engineered Gram-negative bacteria use the microcin V secretion system to produce and release various active peptides efficiently. This versatile technology works across multiple bacterial species and preserves peptide functionality for research and therapeutic uses. Background The production and secretion of bioactive peptides are critical in various biotechnological and medical applications, including drug development, therapeutic delivery, and industrial enzyme production. Gram-negative bacteria are often employed as host systems for peptide expression due to their well-characterized ...

Biosynthesized halogenated tryptophan derivatives

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 07:07:41 GMT

A new E. coli-based system uses metabolic engineering and co-cultures to produce various halogenated tryptophan molecules from glucose, providing an environmentally friendly alternative for creating diverse compounds used in pharmaceuticals and other industries. Background Halogenated molecules are critical to various industries, including pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and materials science, due to their enhanced biological activities and stability. The precise incorporation of halogen atoms into organic compounds can significantly improve their efficacy, selectivity, and metabol...

Laser apparatus for micro-volume tissue excision

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 08:49:11 GMT

This technology uses a laser to remove tiny pieces of tissue for analysis. The laser is shaped into a ring and can be combined with cooling techniques to minimize damage. Background The traditional histopathology workflow, while considered the gold standard for tissue diagnosis, suffers from several limitations. These include the invasiveness of biopsies, the analysis of only a small fraction of the harvested tissue, and the time-consuming nature of processing and analysis. These limitations impact diagnostic accuracy, patient comfort, and healthcare costs. Current approaches often involve ...

Highly sensitive pressure sensor for diverse applications

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 08:26:11 GMT

A flexible, highly sensitive pressure sensor combines resistive and capacitive elements using a porous carbon nanotube–Eco flex material. It accurately detects a wide range of pressures, is easy to fabricate, and suits diverse applications like medical monitoring and environmental sensing. Background Pressure sensing technology plays a crucial role in numerous applications, ranging from medical diagnostics and wearable devices to environmental monitoring and industrial automation. Accurate and reliable measurement of pressure variations is essential for capturing subtle physiological s...

Accurate and real-time bimanual control for surgical robots

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 07 Jan 2025 15:32:35 GMT

A technology that detects and classifies coordinated two-hand movements in robotic surgery by analyzing movement patterns and symmetries, ensuring accurate real-time control despite noise for improved interaction in surgical robots. Background In robotic-assisted surgery, precise bimanual coordination is crucial for enhancing surgical outcomes and minimizing patient recovery times. Robotic systems offer significant advantages over traditional surgical methods by providing greater dexterity, stability, and control, enabling surgeons to perform complex procedures with enhanced accuracy. The in...

Advanced multi-channel controlled pneumatic printheads for 3D printing and particle fabrication

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 07 Jan 2025 14:37:22 GMT

MAGIC printheads are customizable multi-channel pneumatic systems for 3D printing that create precise pharmaceutical and biological micro-particles. They enable controlled mixing and extrusion, accommodate various materials, and enhance drug delivery and biomedical applications. Background Producing micro- and nanoparticles for pharmaceutical and biological applications demands precise control over particle size, composition, and encapsulation efficiency to ensure effective drug delivery and therapeutic outcomes. Traditional fabrication methods, such as bulk mixing and conventional...

Enhanced fluorescence via DNA aptamer optimization

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 08:15:58 GMT

This invention improves the fluorescence of DNA-based aptamers by substituting the original fluorophore with TO1-biotin and identifying a critical mutation that further enhances fluorescence. Background Fluorogenic DNA aptamers (FAPs) are a crucial tool in molecular biology, particularly for applications like live-cell imaging and highly specific molecular detection. These aptamers, which are essentially short, single-stranded DNA sequences, exhibit a significant increase in fluorescence upon binding to specific target molecules. This unique property makes them ideal for visualizin...

Cytokine analysis for seronegative autoimmune epilepsy diagnosis

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 18 Nov 2024 16:04:22 GMT

This study found a unique profile of 14 elevated cytokines, potential biomarkers, in patients with a specific type of epilepsy (snAAE) that doesn’t respond to traditional antibody tests. Background Autoimmune-associated epilepsy (AAE) is a significant contributor to drug-resistant epilepsy cases, characterized by a positive response to immunotherapies. Traditional diagnostic methods rely on identifying known neuronal autoantibodies in patient serum or cerebrospinal fluid. This approach has proven effective in diagnosing seropositive AAE (spAAE) but fails to diagnose seronegat...

Covalent ERK inhibitors for suppressing cancer

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 06 Nov 2024 16:30:21 GMT

BI-78D3, a small molecule, covalently binds to ERK1/2’s D-recruitment site, disrupting ERK signaling crucial for cancer cell growth. This shows promise for treating ERK-dependent cancers, including those resistant to BRAF inhibitors. This disrupts ERK signaling crucial for cell proliferation and survival, particularly in certain cancers like melanoma with BRAF V600E mutations, including BRAF inhibitor-resistant ones. BI-78D3 selectively modifies ERK1/2 without affecting other kinases. Background The MAPK/ERK signaling pathway is essential for regulating cell proliferation and survival...

Solutions for endotracheal tube (ETT) management in ICU patients

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 15:14:01 GMT

Background/problem Patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) often require prolonged mechanical ventilation via an Endotracheal Tube (ETT). The ETT must be correctly positioned in the trachea and secured to prevent migration. However, factors such as patient movement, oral/nasal secretions, and adhesive deterioration often lead to ETT malpositioning. Consequently, frequent readjustments and re-taping are required, often daily. ETT adjustments are typically made with reference to physical patient landmarks, such as the gum line. Yet, these often fail to achieve the desired ETT positionin...

Wearable ultrasound device for long-term neuromodulation

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 08:07:31 GMT

This wearable ultrasound device uses a miniaturized transducer and bio-adhesive hydrogel to non-invasively stimulate the brain for long durations, potentially treating neurological disorders. Background Transcranial focused ultrasound (tFUS) has emerged as a promising non-invasive technique for neuromodulation, offering advantages over existing methods like TMS and tDCS in terms of spatial resolution and penetration depth. This technology holds potential for treating various neurological and psychiatric disorders by modulating brain activity in a targeted manner. Current tFUS systems face s...

Fluorescence lifetime imaging for retinal function assessment

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 07:57:28 GMT

This invention uses a laser-based imaging system to study the eye’s retina. By measuring light responses, it provides insights into retinal health and potential diseases like age-related macular degeneration. Background Two-photon excited fluorescence (TPEF) is a powerful technique used to study the eye. TPEF allows researchers to excite intrinsic retinal fluorophores, which are molecules that emit light when excited by a specific wavelength. These fluorophores are involved in cellular metabolism and the visual cycle, making them valuable markers for understanding retinal function. By ...

In-beam PET for FLASH proton therapy monitoring

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 16:54:34 GMT

This technology uses PET imaging to visualize and measure radiation doses from a FLASH proton beam, a new type of radiation therapy, in real-time. Background Proton therapy, a cornerstone of radiation oncology, holds immense potential for precise cancer treatment. While advances in accelerator technology and treatment planning have been significant, the real-time monitoring and assessment of radiation dose delivery during treatment remain areas for improvement. This hinders the full realization of proton therapy’s benefits, especially in the context of emerging treatment modalities lik...

Wearable tongue tracker for silent speech interfaces

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 16:16:25 GMT

MagTrack is a lightweight, wearable device that utilizes magnetic fields to track tongue movements, enabling silent speech recognition and other applications like speech therapy. Background Silent speech interfaces (SSIs) aim to restore communication for individuals who have lost their voice but retain the ability to articulate, such as those who have undergone a laryngectomy. SSIs offer a potential alternative to current alaryngeal speech methods, which often result in unnatural-sounding voices and can lead to social isolation. These interfaces rely on accurate and continuous tracking ...

Mutant TEV proteases for enhanced protein cleavage

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 15:46:50 GMT

This invention describes mutant TEV proteases with enhanced activity for cleaving specific amino acid sequences. These proteases are useful for removing purification tags from fusion proteins and antibodies in lab settings. Background Protein purification is a cornerstone of biological research and drug development. The ability to isolate and study specific proteins relies heavily on techniques that can separate the target protein from complex mixtures. Affinity tags, short amino acid sequences added to a protein of interest, have revolutionized protein purification by providing a ...

Lipid nanocarriers for promoting angiogenesis

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 15:21:40 GMT

This invention describes a new way to deliver a protein called transmembrane stem cell factor (tmSCF) using tiny carriers made of lipids (fats). This helps promote the growth of new blood vessels and could treat peripheral vascular disease. Background Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) affects a significant portion of the aging population, often leading to critical limb ischemia and amputation. Existing treatments, such as stenting or bypass surgery, are invasive and prone to complications, particularly in cases of diffuse vascular disease. Therapeutic angiogenesis, focusing on stimulati...

Suspension electrolyte for lithium metal battery regeneration

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 14:11:35 GMT

Background Lithium metal batteries (LMBs) hold immense promise for next-generation energy storage due to their potential for high energy density, surpassing current lithium-ion batteries. This advancement is crucial for meeting the growing demands of electric vehicles and portable electronics, where longer range and extended usage time are highly desirable. However, realizing the full potential of LMBs faces significant hurdles. A major challenge lies in the unstable nature of the lithium metal anode during repeated charge and discharge cycles. The formation of lithium dendrites, needle-like...

Mechanical conditioning for mesenchymal stem cell rejuvenation

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 10:38:39 GMT

This technology uses mechanical force to rejuvenate aged stem cells. It enhances cell function, reduces aging markers, and improves DNA repair, making the cells more suitable for regenerative therapies. Background Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) hold immense promise for regenerative medicine due to their availability, multipotency, and immunomodulatory properties. They offer a potential solution for treating various diseases and repairing damaged tissues. The demand for effective cell-based therapies is high, especially for patients with limited treatment options. However, the therapeutic eff...

Computing system for cognitive impairment detection

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 10:21:54 GMT

This computing system can detect cognitive impairment. It presents memory and verbal tasks, analyzes user input, and provides care recommendations. Background Digital healthcare solutions are being intensely studied for rapid identification and effective management of patients with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders (ADRD). Early detection of cognitive decline is critical to the health and well-being of patients and their family members. Primary care physicians (PCPs) are often the first to hear concerns about cognitive decline because they are the first line of medical care. ...

Kinematic data analysis for stress detection

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 09:48:05 GMT

This technology uses movement data from laparoscopic instruments to detect stress levels in surgeons in near real-time. An AI model analyzes the data, identifying movement patterns associated with stress, and can be integrated into robotic surgical platforms for feedback and guidance. Background Laparoscopic surgery is a complex and demanding field that requires surgeons to perform intricate tasks with precision and accuracy. The inherent limitations of laparoscopic procedures, such as reduced visualization, limited workspace, and the need for advanced hand-eye coordination, contribute to a ...

Cellulose nanofiber spray for enhanced filtration efficiency

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 15:39:10 GMT

This invention is a water-soluble, biodegradable, and biocompatible spray composed of cellulose nanofibers and polyvinyl alcohol that enhances the filtration efficiency of textiles by creating a protective layer that can break the membranes of pathogens. Background The need for effective filtration systems, particularly in personal protective equipment like masks, has become increasingly critical, especially in the wake of global health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. While conventional medical-grade masks offer high filtration efficiency, their single-use nature and reliance on non-biode...

Small molecule compounds for REST degradation in glioblastoma cells

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 14:59:54 GMT

Scientists developed a new drug, GR-28, that inhibits a protein called SCP1. This leads to the degradation of another protein, REST, which promotes the growth of brain tumor cells. Combining GR-28 with a lipid metabolism inhibitor shows synergistic effects in killing tumor cells. Background Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly aggressive and fatal brain tumor with limited treatment options. Current therapies, such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, often prove ineffective due to the tumor’s aggressive growth, resistance to treatment, and propensity to recur. The development of nov...

Antibody and T-cell receptor sequencing for identifying cancer-specific immune receptors

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 13:41:28 GMT

This tech identifies cancer-specific antibodies and T-cell receptors by sequencing mRNA from immune cells in a patient’s tumor-draining lymph nodes and comparing the sequences with the patient’s antibody polypeptide data. Background Cancer immunotherapy has emerged as a promising approach to treating various types of cancers. This field leverages the body’s own immune system to target and eliminate cancer cells, offering the potential for highly specific and effective treatments with fewer off-target effects compared to traditional therapies like chemotherapy and radiation....

Modified kynureninase enzymes for cancer therapy

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 12:48:15 GMT

This invention describes modified kynureninase enzymes, particularly human enzymes, for degrading kynurenine. These enzymes can be used in compositions and methods for treating cancer by depleting kynurenine levels. Background Cancer immunotherapy has emerged as a promising approach to treating a wide range of malignancies. The goal of immunotherapy is to harness the power of the patient’s own immune system to recognize and eliminate cancer cells. However, tumors often develop mechanisms to evade immune surveillance, creating an immunosuppressive microenvironment that hinders...

High-throughput RNA sequencing technology for comprehensive transcriptome profiling and biomarker identification in inflammatory breast cancer

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 12:38:57 GMT

The technology utilizes TGIRT-seq, a high-throughput RNA sequencing method, to identify potential biomarkers for inflammatory breast cancer by profiling coding and non-coding RNAs in tumor and blood samples, aiding in diagnosis and disease monitoring. Background Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is recognized as the most aggressive form of breast cancer, characterized by rapid progression and a high likelihood of metastasis. Despite its severity, IBC accounts for only a small percentage of breast cancer cases, yet it is responsible for a disproportionate number of breast cancer-related deaths...

Nanotech for enhanced diagnostic imaging and therapeutic applications

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 15:45:16 GMT

Liposomal J-aggregates of Indocyanine Green are nanoparticles designed for enhanced photoacoustic imaging and photothermal therapy. They offer improved photostability, longer circulation, and efficient heating, hence their promise for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Background Photoacoustic imaging (PAI) is a promising non-invasive clinical imaging technique that combines the high contrast of optical absorption with the low attenuation of ultrasound waves. This method leverages the photoacoustic effect, where acoustic waves are generated following the absorption of electromagnetic e...

Harnessing the Type III-Dv CRISPR-Cas system for targeted RNA modification and detection

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 15:33:50 GMT

The Type III-Dv CRISPR-Cas system is a genetic tool designed for precise RNA targeting and cleavage. It uses a complex of Cas proteins to bind and modify single-stranded nucleic acids, enabling applications in gene silencing and RNA detection. Background The field of CRISPR-Cas technology has revolutionized genetic engineering by providing precise tools for editing DNA and RNA. CRISPR-Cas systems, originally discovered as part of the adaptive immune system in bacteria, have been adapted for use in various applications, including gene editing, gene silencing, and nucleic acid detection. ...

Specialized storage technology for preserving axonal viability

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 14:06:24 GMT

A specialized calcium-free solution preserves peripheral nerve axons for up to nine days at low temperatures, enhancing nerve graft viability for effective repair of injuries using polyethylene glycol fusion, promoting rapid sensory and motor recovery. Background Peripheral nerve injuries (PNIs) often result in segmental-loss defects, leading to immediate loss of sensory and motor functions, followed by Wallerian degeneration (WD) of severed axonal segments. Current repair strategies, such as autografts, allografts, and synthetic conduits, fail to prevent WD and rely on natural regeneration,...

Modified CRISPR-Cas9 system for enhanced gene editing

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 13:58:18 GMT

This invention enhances the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing system by modifying the Cas9 protein’s Rec3 clamp region, improving its fidelity, specificity, and speed, reducing off-target effects, and increasing precision for therapeutic and research applications. Background Genome engineering is a rapidly advancing field that involves the precise modification of an organism’s genetic material. This technology holds immense potential for applications in medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology. One of the most prominent tools in genome engineering is the CRISPR-Cas9 system, which allows f...

High-throughput detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) via CRISPR-based diagnostic platform

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 13:48:34 GMT

This CRISPR-based technology enables precise detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in nucleic acids by using programmed mismatches between CRISPR RNA and target nucleic acids, facilitating high-throughput, quantitative, and point-of-care diagnostics. Background Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) play a crucial role in disease susceptibility, pathogenesis, and drug efficacy, as evidenced by their impact on the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant. Detecting these genetic variations is essential for personalized medicine, yet current methods like PCR-based technique...

Engineered antibodies for enhanced immune response

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 13:39:02 GMT

Recombinant antibodies with engineered human IgG1 Fc domains have been developed to resist viral Fc receptor capture, enhancing immune targeting of virus-infected cells. These antibodies maintain normal host receptor affinity, potentially improving therapeutic outcomes against HCMV and related viruses. Background Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection poses significant health risks, particularly to the very young, elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. Despite over five decades of vaccine development efforts, the most advanced vaccine candidates have demonstrated limited efficacy, with ...

Stabilized coronavirus spike proteins for enhanced vaccine efficacy

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 13:17:48 GMT

Engineered proteins with stabilized coronavirus spike protein ectodomains enhance immune response and are useful in diagnostics, screening, and vaccines against coronaviruses like SARS-CoV-2 by maintaining prefusion conformation, potentially producing cross-reactive antibodies. Background The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has highlighted the urgent need for effective vaccines and therapeutics to combat coronavirus infections. The spike (S) protein of coronaviruses, particularly its receptor-binding domain (RBD), is a key target for neutralizing antibodies and vaccine dev...

Tactile sensing technology for enhanced object morphology detection and classification using machine learning

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 09:09:56 GMT

A four-dimensional tactile sensing system uses a camera and tactile sensors to measure an object’s shape and stiffness. It employs machine learning for object classification, with potential applications in medical diagnostics and other fields requiring detailed tactile feedback. Background Tactile sensing technology has become increasingly significant in various fields, including medical diagnostics, industrial inspections, and robotics. The ability to perceive the physical properties of objects through touch is crucial for applications such as tumor classification, where the morp...

Blood-brain barrier penetrant therapeutic delivery with biomacromolecule-tagged constructs

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 16 Oct 2024 10:31:16 GMT

This technology uses nanoscale constructs tagged with biomacromolecules like peptides, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates to deliver therapeutic agents across the blood-brain barrier, enhancing drug delivery to the brain while minimizing off-target effects. Background The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a critical physiological structure that serves to protect the brain from harmful substances in the bloodstream while maintaining the necessary environment for neural function. This barrier is composed of tightly packed endothelial cells that restrict the passage of most molecules, making it a sign...

Engineered chimeric fusion proteins

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 16 Oct 2024 10:22:13 GMT

Enhancing stability and expression for improved vaccines and diagnostics in hMPV and RSV The invention describes engineered chimeric F proteins combining sequences from human metapneumovirus (hMPV) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) to enhance stability and expression. These proteins are useful in vaccines, diagnostics, and antibody screening. Background Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human metapneumovirus (hMPV) are significant causes of respiratory tract infections, particularly in vulnerable populations such as infants, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. Despite th...

Monoclonal antibodies for the conserved feature of the coronavirus spike protein

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 16 Oct 2024 08:21:23 GMT

The invention describes monoclonal antibodies targeting conserved epitopes on the S2 domain of coronavirus spike proteins, potentially useful for preventing or treating infections by inhibiting viral entry. These antibodies could aid in therapeutic formulations against coronaviruses like SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and MERS-CoV. Background The emergence of highly pathogenic coronaviruses, such as SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and MERS-CoV, has highlighted the urgent need for effective therapeutic and preventive measures. These viruses utilize the spike protein to mediate entry into host cells, with the S1...

Personalized soft exosuits for enhanced mobility

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 16 Oct 2024 08:13:22 GMT

Tailored support for lower-limb biomechanics A soft exosuit enhances lower-limb biomechanics using flexible elements to create joint moments. It adapts to user-specific factors like BMI, sex, and gait, optimizing power efficiency and reducing muscle activity asymmetry, particularly aiding individuals with mobility impairments. Background Exosuits, designed to enhance human mobility, face significant challenges due to their reliance on the user’s body shape and movement patterns. These soft, flexible devices aim to assist lower-limb biomechanics by creating joint moments through actuat...

Optimized inhalation formulation of clofazimine and amikacin for targeted treatment of respiratory infections

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 15 Oct 2024 09:00:04 GMT

The invention describes a pharmaceutical composition combining clofazimine and amikacin for inhalation to treat respiratory diseases like tuberculosis. This formulation enhances drug delivery to the lungs, improving efficacy and reducing systemic side effects. Background Bacterial infections, particularly those caused by mycobacteria such as Mycobacterium abscessus, Mycobacterium avium, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, present significant treatment challenges due to the emergence of drug-resistant strains. Current treatment regimens for infections like pulmonary Mycobacterium abscessus involv...

Machine learning system for safer childbirth outcomes

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 15 Oct 2024 08:46:10 GMT

A computer system uses machine learning to predict the likelihood of a Cesarean delivery by analyzing up to 22 pregnancy-related characteristics. This technology aids in clinical decision-making, potentially reducing risks and costs associated with unplanned Cesarean sections. Background Unplanned Cesarean sections (C-sections) present significant health risks, including increased maternal morbidity and mortality rates, as well as higher neonatal intensive care admissions. Despite the preference for vaginal births due to lower associated risks, about 25% of C-sections occur unexpectedly afte...

Advanced nanoparticle delivery system for targeted pulmonary administration of therapeutic nucleic acids

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 15 Oct 2024 08:36:55 GMT

Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are designed for delivering RNA to lung tissues via inhalation. Composed of ionizable lipids, phospholipids, PEG-lipids, and cholesterol, they encapsulate RNA for therapeutic or immunological purposes, maintaining stability during nebulization. Background Gene therapy and editing hold significant promise for treating genetic diseases, particularly those affecting the lungs, such as cystic fibrosis. However, delivering gene therapies at therapeutic concentrations systemically remains a challenge. Direct pulmonary delivery of therapeutics is a more effective approach...

Catalytic systems for controlled ring-opening polymerization reactions

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 14 Oct 2024 15:25:05 GMT

The invention describes catalyst systems for ring-opening polymerization of cyclic compounds like epoxides and lactones. These catalysts, using Group 13 and 15 metals, enable controlled polymerization, producing polymers with precise molecular weights and functionalities, and can extend existing polymers to form block copolymers. Background Ring-opening polymerization (ROP) is a critical process in the field of polymer chemistry, offering the ability to create polymers with specific structural properties by opening cyclic monomers. This method is particularly valuable for producing polymers ...

Multifunctional iron chelators to combat antibiotic resistance and enable bacterial imaging

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 14 Oct 2024 10:09:17 GMT

Deferasirox derivatives, such as ExPh and ExBT, are designed to chelate iron and inhibit antibiotic-resistant bacteria like MRSA and VRE. They exhibit unique fluorescent properties for bacterial imaging, offering both therapeutic and diagnostic capabilities. Background Antibiotic resistance is a growing public health concern, driven by the rapid evolution of bacteria and the widespread misuse of antibiotics. This has led to the emergence of “superbugs,” bacteria that are resistant to multiple antibiotics, posing a significant threat to global health. Traditional antibiotics ...

Adaptable robotic gait trainer for rehabilitation

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 09:45:14 GMT

The adaptable robotic gait trainer is a cost-effective rehabilitation device that uses a single motor and adjustable linkages to assist individuals with gait impairments. It customizes gait patterns, monitors user movement, and supports body weight, enhancing accessibility in healthcare settings. Background Gait impairments, often resulting from neurological injuries such as strokes or spinal cord injuries, present significant challenges in rehabilitation. The field of gait rehabilitation has seen advancements with the introduction of robotic gait trainers, which are designed to assist indiv...

Nanoparticle technology for sustained release of therapeutic agents

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 09:27:29 GMT

This invention describes lipid-based nanoparticles designed for encapsulating and slowly releasing therapeutic agents, such as siRNA, to treat diseases. These nanoparticles enhance drug delivery efficiency and minimize rapid release, improving treatment outcomes and reducing side effects. Background Chronic inflammation-related diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, present significant treatment challenges due to the complexity of the immune response and the need for targeted delivery of therapeutic agents. Traditional therapies, like anti-TNF-α drugs, have shown efficacy but often co...

Nanodelivery systems for long-term controlled release of pharmaceuticals

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 09:14:50 GMT

This invention describes a nanodelivery system for controlled drug release using biocompatible materials. It features implantable or injectable devices with precise aperture control for zero-order kinetics, ensuring consistent therapeutic delivery over extended periods of time. Background Implantable drug delivery systems offer significant advantages over traditional administration routes, such as oral or sublingual, due to their ability to provide localized drug delivery with predictable and uniform bioavailability, bypassing the digestive tract. This approach enhances efficacy and complian...

Nitrogen-doped graphene-rich carbon materials for technological applications

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 07:57:52 GMT

This invention describes a low-temperature pyrolysis method to produce graphene-rich carbon materials using hexagonal metal oxides as templates. The process prevents graphene stacking into graphite and allows nitrogen doping, enhancing properties for applications like electrodes and catalysts. Background Graphene, a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a two-dimensional honeycomb lattice, has exceptional electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties. These characteristics make graphene a highly sought-after material for a wide range of applications, including electronics, energy storage...

Individualized intranasal delivery system for direct pharmaceutical administration to the brain

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 07:44:51 GMT

The technology involves a customizable nasal delivery device for precise administration of medications directly to the brain, bypassing traditional barriers. It uses imaging techniques for optimal placement, enhancing drug delivery efficiency and minimizing systemic side effects. Background Oral administration remains the predominant method for drug delivery, primarily targeting systemic circulation. However, treating central nervous system (CNS) disorders presents unique challenges due to barriers such as the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier, which impede ...

Biocompatible proteoliposome technology for enhanced wound healing and reduced inflammation in diabetic patients

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 04 Oct 2024 12:04:50 GMT

Syndesomes—lipid vesicles with embedded syndecan-4 and PDGF-BB—enhance wound healing by promoting cellular activities, reducing inflammation, and improving tissue regeneration. They are particularly effective in diabetic and obese models, supporting re-epithelialization and angiogenesis. Background Chronic non-healing wounds, particularly prevalent among individuals with type-2 diabetes and peripheral arterial disease (PAD), present a significant medical challenge. The rising incidence of these conditions has led to an increased occurrence of diabetic ulcers, which are compl...

Blood pressure regulation via thermal control during sleep

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 04 Oct 2024 11:51:04 GMT

This technology uses a stimulating device and blood pressure monitor to regulate blood flow and lower blood pressure during sleep through targeted thermal stimulation, promoting cardiovascular health by integrating into a climate-controlled bed. Background High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a significant health concern linked to various cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks, strokes, and kidney failure. During sleep, a natural dip in blood pressure is expected, which is beneficial for cardiovascular health. However, some individuals, including those who have normal bloo...

Biomimetic microfluidic device in cell culture studies

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 04 Oct 2024 11:36:57 GMT

This technology is a microfluidic cell culture device that replicates human organ functions by using multiple microchannels and membranes to simulate different tissue environments in cell culture studies. It enables advanced research in drug testing, disease modeling, and personalized medicine. Background Cell culture technology faces significant challenges in replicating the complex microenvironments of human organs. Traditional methods often struggle to mimic the intricate three-dimensional architecture and physiological functions at the cellular and molecular levels. Existing...

Flexible heat exchange pad for enhanced thermal therapy and skin temperature control

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 04 Oct 2024 09:49:19 GMT

The heat exchange pad is a flexible, 3D-printed device designed to control skin temperature by circulating fluid through microchannels that mimic the vascular network of glabrous skin, enhancing heat transfer efficiency and conforming to patient anatomy. Background Managing body temperature effectively is crucial in various medical scenarios, such as during surgeries or in treating conditions like hypothermia or hyperthermia. Traditional methods often involve the use of water perfusion pads that are applied to the skin to regulate temperature. These pads typically consist of flexible polymer...

Mechanical device for monitoring joint motion and providing audio-haptic feedback

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 04 Oct 2024 09:34:06 GMT

This device detects joint motion between the neck and shoulder using a deflectable metal beam attached with adhesive pads. It provides audio and haptic feedback upon deflection, promoting user independence and eliminating the need for constant supervision. Background Monitoring joint movement, particularly in therapeutic settings, presents several challenges with existing methods. Traditional approaches often involve patients performing exercises under the supervision of a clinician or in front of a mirror to correct improper movements, such as “shoulder hiking.” This process is ...

High-speed laser scanning and microfluidic device system for automated 3D imaging and specimen manipulation

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 04 Oct 2024 09:26:08 GMT

The high-speed laser scanning microscopy platform enables rapid, automated 3D imaging of biological specimens, offering flexible control over imaging parameters, large field-of-view, and high-resolution imaging, ideal for studying dynamic processes in living organisms. Background Laser scanning systems, particularly in the field of microscopy, have become essential tools for capturing detailed images of biological specimens. These systems use a laser beam to illuminate and scan across a specimen, creating high-resolution images that are crucial for scientific research and medical diagnostics...

High-speed, high-precision, deep-tissue three-dimensional single-particle tracking

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 03 Oct 2024 13:39:46 GMT

The invention enhances particle tracking in biological research using spatiotemporal offset light beams with two-photon microscopy. It achieves high-speed, precise, deep tissue tracking, offering improved penetration depth and temporal resolution for studying molecular processes. Background Single-particle tracking (SPT) is a powerful tool for observing the dynamic behaviors of particles within complex biological systems, offering insights into processes such as motor protein kinetics, cellular membrane dynamics, and virus internalization. However, existing SPT techniques face significa...

pH-sensitive hydrogel technology for enhanced oral delivery of high molecular weight therapeutic proteins

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 03 Oct 2024 13:33:22 GMT

This invention describes a pH-sensitive hydrogel for oral delivery of therapeutic proteins like factor VIII or IX, used in hemophilia treatment. It protects proteins in the stomach and releases them in the intestine, enhancing bioavailability. Background Delivering therapeutic proteins orally presents significant challenges due to the body's natural mechanisms for breaking down proteins in the digestive tract. Proteins must maintain their structure and functionality through the acidic environment of the stomach and the neutral pH of the small intestine, all while avoiding degradation by ...

pH-responsive hydrogel technology for enhanced oral delivery of therapeutic proteins

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 03 Oct 2024 13:21:30 GMT

Improved hydrogel copolymers, made from itaconic acid and N-vinylpyrrolidone, enable oral delivery of therapeutic proteins by protecting them in the stomach and releasing them in the intestine. This enhances protein bioavailability and pharmacokinetics. Background Oral delivery of therapeutic proteins presents significant challenges due to the body’s natural mechanisms for breaking down proteins in the gastrointestinal tract. Proteins must survive the acidic and proteolytic environment of the stomach and remain stable in the neutral pH of the small intestine to be effectively abso...

Microfluidic devices for rapid and automated sample processing

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 09:31:19 GMT

Microfluidic devices enable rapid, automated processing and manipulation of multiple sample populations without cross-contamination, enhancing experimental throughput and quality for model organisms like C. elegans. Background Microfluidic technology has emerged as a critical field within biomedical and biochemical research, offering precise control and manipulation of small fluid volumes on a microscale. This technology is particularly valuable for applications requiring high-throughput screening, diagnostics, and the study of model organisms like C. elegans. The need for such technol...

Molecularly imprinted polymers for high-specificity template molecule recognition

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 16:17:22 GMT

Molecularly imprinted polymers are created using calcium alginate microcapsules that can specifically recognize and bind template molecules like proteins. These biocompatible microcapsules are useful in medical diagnostics and food industry detection and can be reused after washing. Background Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) have garnered significant interest due to their ability to mimic the molecular recognition properties of biological systems such as antibodies and enzymes. These polymers are synthesized in the presence of a template molecule, which is later removed to leave behind...

Hydrogel matrix technology for accelerating tissue-engineered dermal and vascular formation

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 16:10:32 GMT

A tissue-engineered dermal equivalent uses a hydrogel matrix with two distinct layers and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). One layer promotes blood vessel cell formation, while the other encourages dermal fibroblast development, facilitating vascular and dermal tissue creation from a single stem cell source. Background Severe skin injuries, such as full-thickness burns and non-healing ulcers, necessitate effective skin grafts to close wounds and protect underlying tissues. Traditional grafts, including autografts and allografts, often involve significant limitations such as donor site morbidit...

Highly porous recognitive polymer systems for controlled release of active agents

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 15:53:32 GMT

The invention is a porous, recognitive polymeric hydrogel system that releases active agents, like insulin, in response to specific triggers such as glucose. It uses methacrylic acid and sodium chloride to create a matrix that swells, cracks, or dissolves under low water or humidity conditions. Background The challenge of delivering active agents in a controlled and responsive manner is a significant issue in various fields, including pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and consumer products. Traditional delivery systems often fail to provide precise control over the release of active agents, espe...

Polymeric tablet technology for controlled release of active agents

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 15:40:12 GMT

The invention describes a multi-layered polymer tablet designed for controlled release of active agents like pharmaceuticals. Each layer contains specific polymers that respond to environmental triggers such as osmosis, solubility changes, or temperature variations to release the active agents in a controlled manner. Background The challenge of controlled delivery of active agents, such as pharmaceuticals, lies in achieving precise release profiles while maintaining the structural integrity of the delivery system. Traditional methods, including simple tablets and capsules, often fail to...

A pharmaceutical compound for targeted cancer therapy using nucleobase analog derivatives with omega-3 fatty acids

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 14:24:14 GMT

The invention describes compounds combining nucleobase analogs with omega-3 fatty acids, enhancing cancer treatment efficacy, particularly for pancreatic cancer. These compounds improve stability and solubility and demonstrate significant anti-cancer activity, offering potential for targeted therapy. Background Pancreatic cancer presents a significant challenge in oncology due to its high mortality rate and poor prognosis, with survival rates remaining dismally low despite advancements in medical science. The disease is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, limiting the effectiveness of surg...

Expression system for labeling and targeting cells with elevated calcium levels

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 16:08:13 GMT

The technology describes a system for labeling and targeting cells with elevated calcium levels, such as cancer cells or activated neurons, using a CREB reporter system. This system includes a synthetic CRE enhancer linked to promoters that control the expression of genes encoding functional proteins like reporters, ion channels, or therapeutic agents, enabling detection and treatment of disorders involving these cells. Background Elevated calcium levels in cells are a hallmark of various pathological conditions, including cancer and brain disorders. The ability to identify and manipulate ce...

Methodology for high-throughput sequencing of paired antibody transcripts from B cells

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 15:31:30 GMT

The technology enables rapid and accurate sequencing of paired VH and VL antibody transcripts from single antigen-specific B cells. It involves isolating B cells, capturing their mRNA and antibodies, forming complexes with affinity agents, purifying these complexes, and performing RT-PCR to generate and sequence cDNA, facilitating various immunological and biotechnological applications. Background The ability to monitor the antigen-specific immune response, particularly the depth and breadth of B cell repertoires, has been a long-standing challenge in immunology. Traditional methods for...

Pegylated aminoglycoside compounds for enhanced treatment of biofilm infections

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 15:21:47 GMT

Pegylated aminoglycoside compounds, like m-PEG-tobramycin, combine antibiotics with polyethylene glycol to enhance solubility, stability, and bioavailability, effectively penetrating and disrupting biofilm infections resistant to standard treatments. Background Biofilm-associated infections present a significant challenge in medical and industrial settings due to their resistance to conventional antibiotic treatments. Biofilms, which are communities of microorganisms encased in a protective extracellular matrix, can form on various surfaces, including medical devices, tissues, and industrial...

Producing modified lipid A bacterial vaccine components

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 13 Sep 2024 16:05:12 GMT

Engineered bacteria are designed to produce modified lipid A with reduced toxicity and either polypeptide or polysaccharide antigens, which can be used in vaccines to elicit targeted immune responses. Background The challenge of developing effective vaccines against bacterial infections lies in the dual necessity of eliciting a robust immune response while minimizing toxicity. Lipopolysaccharides (LPS), particularly the lipid A component, are potent immunostimulants found on the surface of Gram-negative bacteria. Lipid A’s interaction with the Toll-like receptor 4 (...

Biotechnological platform for engineering enzymes to degrade L‑Cyst(e)ine for cancer therapy

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 13 Sep 2024 15:35:40 GMT

The invention involves engineering a modified enzyme, cystathionine-gamma-lyase, to degrade L-cyst(e)ine, targeting cancer cells reliant on this amino acid. The enzyme exhibits improved stability and reduced immunogenicity, making it suitable for therapeutic applications in cancer treatment. Background Cancer cells often exhibit altered metabolic requirements compared to normal cells, relying heavily on specific amino acids for growth and survival. L-cysteine and its oxidized form, L-cystine, are crucial for various cellular functions, including protein synthesis and maintaining redox balanc...

Biotechnological approach for cancer treatment through kynurenine depletion using engineered enzymes

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 13 Sep 2024 14:30:38 GMT

This invention describes engineered kynureninase enzymes that degrade kynurenine, a metabolite linked to cancer progression. These enzymes, optimized for human therapy, can be modified with polyethylene glycol to enhance stability and circulation, offering potential in cancer treatment when combined with other therapies like immunotherapy. Background Cancer cells often evade the immune system by exploiting the kynurenine pathway, which involves the metabolism of tryptophan into kynurenine by enzymes such as indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) and tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO). This metaboli...

Enhanced cancer treatment through methionine depletion

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 13 Sep 2024 12:59:14 GMT

The invention involves engineering a modified human cystathionine-γ-lyase enzyme to degrade methionine, an amino acid essential for cancer cell growth. This modified enzyme, with specific amino acid substitutions, offers enhanced catalytic activity, stability, and reduced immunogenicity, making it suitable for cancer treatment by depleting methionine in the body. Background Cancer cells have a heightened demand for the amino acid L-methionine, which is essential for their growth and survival. This dependency creates a therapeutic opportunity to target cancer cells by depleting methioni...

Affinity measurement and sequencing of T cell receptor

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 13 Sep 2024 12:34:04 GMT

The technology enables the measurement of T cell receptor (TCR) affinity and sequencing of antigen-specific T cells using a micropipette adhesion assay and single-cell paired TCRα/TCRβ sequencing. The method isolates antigen-specific T cells, measures TCR affinity, and determines TCR sequences for applications in immunotherapy and monitoring immune responses. Background The accurate determination of T cell receptor (TCR) affinity and sequence is crucial for understanding immune responses and developing effective immunotherapies for viral infections and cancers ...

Multifunction newborn gavage tube

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 13 Sep 2024 10:31:01 GMT

Background Globally, ~15M infants are born prematurely each year, including 360,000 in the United States. These infants require specialized care in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) due to their inability to coordinate sucking, swallowing, and breathing. Gastric tube insertion is a common procedure for gavage feeding, as it allows for the necessary delivery of nutrition. NICU babies also often need respiratory support, such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC). Monitoring vital signs like heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, temper...

Nasal-based rapid testosterone delivery system

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 13 Sep 2024 09:51:29 GMT

A nasal spray formulation delivers testosterone or its derivatives quickly into the bloodstream via the nasal route, using water, medium-chain triglycerides, and a PEGylated surfactant. This method efficiently treats hypogonadism, low libido, and anxiety disorders . Background Testosterone is a crucial hormone in the human body, playing a significant role in various physiological processes, including the development of male reproductive tissues, muscle and bone mass maintenance, and the regulation of mood and libido. Despite its importance, testosterone administration poses challenges due to...

Engineered enzymes for enhanced kynurenine degradation in cancer therapy

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 13 Sep 2024 09:43:46 GMT

The technology describes a modified human kynureninase enzyme with enhanced catalytic efficiency for degrading kynurenine, achieved through specific amino acid substitutions. This enzyme, used in therapeutic applications, reduces kynurenine levels to mitigate tumor-mediated immune suppression and promote anti-tumor immune responses. Background Cancer cells often employ mechanisms to evade the immune system, one of which involves the overexpression of enzymes like indolamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO1 and IDO2) and tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO). These enzymes catalyze the conversion of tryptoph...

Engineered polypeptides for enhanced integrin binding and antigen delivery

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 13 Sep 2024 09:32:40 GMT

Engineered recombinant Invasin polypeptides have been modified to enhance integrin binding and resist intestinal proteolysis, facilitating effective oral delivery of therapeutics, such as vaccines, by targeting M cells in the gut for improved immune responses. Background The challenge of delivering therapeutics such as vaccines effectively across biological barriers, such as the intestinal epithelium, has been a significant challenge. Using traditional methods, large molecules cannot traverse the gut lining efficiently, leading to reduced bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy. Approaches ...

Sustainable high molecular weight copolymers using the Vandenberg catalyst

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 13 Sep 2024 09:19:35 GMT

This technology creates high molecular weight copolymers from lactones and epoxides using the Vandenberg catalyst. The process produces versatile, biodegradable materials with unique thermal properties and potential applications in environmental and biomedical fields. Background Copolymerization of lactones and epoxides is a crucial area of research in polymer chemistry due to its potential to create materials with tailored properties for applications such as biocompatible scaffolds and environmentally friendly plastics. But the copolymerization of structurally distinct monomers such as lact...

Improving the microbiome health of bees

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 14:19:09 GMT

Genetically engineered bacteria from the microbiome of bees are used to produce RNA interference (RNAi) molecules and other genetic tools to target and downregulate specific genes in bees or their pathogens. By reducing pathogen loads and altering gene expression of bees, this technology can combat threats to bee population, like colony collapse disorder, and improve bee health. Background The decline in bee populations, particularly honeybees, poses a significant threat to global agriculture due to their critical role in pollination. This decline is attributed to various factors, including ...

Targeting MELK with indolinone derivatives

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 13:56:50 GMT

A promising strategy for treating triple-negative breast cancer and glioblastoma Indolinone derivatives inhibit MELK, an enzyme linked to cancer cell cycle regulation, proliferation, and apoptosis. These inhibitors show promise in treating cancers like triple-negative breast cancer and glioblastoma by selectively targeting MELK, reducing cancer cell viability and proliferation. Background Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK) has been identified as a significant player in various cellular processes such as cell cycle regulation, proliferation, apoptosis, and RNA processing. Despit...

Wearable haptic interface for providing ungrounded six degrees of freedom guidance in complex tasks

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 13:36:23 GMT

Summary The ItS-RHAD is a wearable haptic device that provides six degrees of freedom feedback to guide arm movements using kinesthetic and skin stretch methods. It's designed for precise proprioceptive guidance in tasks like surgical training and augmented reality. Background The field of haptic technology focuses on creating devices that simulate the sense of touch by applying forces, vibrations, or motions to the user. This technology is particularly relevant in areas like virtual reality, teleoperation, and robotic surgery, where tactile feedback can enhance user interaction and pre...

SmartScreen: enhancing receptor interactions with RCPR technology

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 10 Sep 2024 07:07:14 GMT

The technology uses Receptor Compartmentalized Partnered Replication (RCPR) to identify optimal interactions between receptors or pathways and their effector molecules by selectively amplifying genes that produce a thermostable polymerase during thermal cycling in emulsified libraries. Background The technology involves the identification and evolution of receptor and signal transduction pathway interactions with effector molecules. This is crucial for advancing our understanding of cellular communication and for the development of targeted therapies. Traditional methods of studying these i...

Advanced hot melt extrusion (HME) technology with reduced decomposition

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 10 Sep 2024 06:56:40 GMT

The technology involves using hot melt extrusion (HME) to prepare amorphous drug formulations with reduced decomposition. This method incorporates a pharmaceutically acceptable thermoplastic polymer and an organic solvent to lower processing temperatures and stress, ensuring drug stability. Background HME is a widely used technique in the pharmaceutical industry for producing amorphous drug formulations, which are crucial for enhancing the solubility and bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs. However, a significant challenge with HME is the thermal and mechanical degradation of the a...

Predicting breast cancer response to therapy with MRI and modeling

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 09 Sep 2024 14:13:11 GMT

Background/problem Neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) for cancer treatment is currently based on generalized population-based data such as receptor status, tumor grade, body surface area, and genetic markers. This approach is inherently limited, as it does not account for the unique spatial and physiological characteristics of individual tumors. Consequently, approach to treatment plans and predicting tumor response to therapy are also suboptimal. Current clinical trial systems can’t test all possible combinations, timings, and doses for specific cancer subtypes or individual patien...

Enzyme delivery for lung injuries and infections using nebulized solutions and perfluorocarbons

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 09 Sep 2024 14:01:20 GMT

The technology describes methods and compositions for treating lung injuries and infections by delivering enzymes, such as plasminogen activators, to the airway using nebulized solutions and perfluorocarbon carriers. This approach dissolves airway obstructions and supports respiratory function. Background Acute lung injury (ALI) and its severe form, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), are significant medical challenges, particularly in patients exposed to inhalational smoke (IS), leading to a condition known as inhalational smoke-induced acute lung injury (ISALI). ISALI is characteri...

Recognitive biodegradable nanoparticles for targeted in vivo diagnostics and therapeutics

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 09 Sep 2024 13:50:23 GMT

Recognitive biodegradable nanoparticles combine molecularly imprinted polymers with biodegradable cores to detect specific target molecules like proteins for in vivo diagnostics. They offer high affinity, selectivity, lower production costs, and reduced immunologic response. Background The field of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) involves creating synthetic polymers capable of recognizing specific target molecules. These polymers are used in various medical applications, including diagnostics, drug delivery, and biosensors. There is a growing need for advanced diagnostic technologies t...

Therapeutic applications of engineered L-Cyst(e)ine-degrading enzymes

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 16:16:56 GMT

The technology describes engineered primate cystathionine-γ-lyase enzymes with specific amino acid modifications that enhance their ability to degrade L-cyst(e)ine. These enzymes, intended for therapeutic use in cancer and cystinuria, improve stability and reduce immunogenicity. Background Cancer and cystinuria present significant therapeutic challenges due to their reliance on specific metabolic pathways. Many cancers, such as prostate, small cell lung carcinomas, glioblastomas, and hepatocellular carcinomas, depend heavily on extracellular cysteine and cystine for proliferation and s...

Pharmacologically optimized human kynureninase variants for cancer treatment

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 14:09:49 GMT

The invention describes a modified kynureninase enzyme with enhanced catalytic efficiency and stability for therapeutic applications, particularly in cancer treatment. It depletes kynurenine, aiding cancer therapy alone or with other treatments, and can be PEGylated for increased in vivo half-life. Background Cancer cells often manipulate metabolic pathways to create a local environment that suppresses immune responses, aiding in their survival and proliferation. One such pathway involves the metabolism of the amino acid tryptophan into kynurenine by the enzymes indoleamine 2,3-dio...

Ammonium compounds for gut microbiome modulation

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 13:59:24 GMT

The technology involves the development of quaternary ammonium compounds with antimicrobial properties, effective against various bacteria and fungi, including multidrug-resistant strains. These compounds concentrate activity in the gastrointestinal tract, minimizing systemic exposure and potential side effects, making them suitable for conditions like irritable bowel syndrome. Background The treatment of bacterial infections, particularly those caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains, poses a significant challenge due to the increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistance. This resistanc...

Dual-target defense: bispecific antibodies revolutionize pertussis toxin neutralization

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 13:34:23 GMT

Bispecific antibodies target two epitopes on the pertussis toxin protein, enhancing toxin neutralization. Engineered using “knobs-into-holes” technology, they form stable heterodimers, offering similar efficacy to antibody mixtures but with streamlined manufacturing and regulatory benefits. Background Pertussis, or whooping cough, caused by Bordetella pertussis, remains a significant health threat, particularly for infants and young children. Despite widespread vaccination efforts, pertussis incidence has resurged in many regions, attributed to limitations in the curren...

Nanoscale, pH-responsive polycationic networks for targeted delivery of anionic biologic therapeutics

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 13:21:32 GMT

This technology involves nanoscale, pH-responsive polycationic hydrogels for delivering anionic biologic therapeutics like siRNA. These hydrogels, made from crosslinked copolymers, trap therapeutics at physiological pH and release them in lower pH environments, enhancing biocompatibility and targeted delivery. Background The delivery of small interfering RNA (siRNA) and microRNA (miRNA) has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy, due to their ability to silence specific genes implicated in various diseases. However, the clinical application of RNA interference (RNAi) is hampered by...

Inflatable sensor for topographic mapping of internal cavities

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 12:56:33 GMT

The technology involves a flexible, inflatable tactile sensor that attaches to medical or industrial tools, providing high-resolution texture and stiffness mapping. It enhances diagnostics by offering detailed surface analysis, useful in medical procedures like colonoscopies and industrial inspections like oil and gas pipelines. Background The field of tactile sensing technology has seen significant advancements due to its critical applications in both medical and industrial domains. In medical settings, tactile sensors are essential for procedures such as colonoscopies, where they aid in de...

Engineered enzymes for cystinuria treatment

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 09:33:04 GMT

The invention describes engineered primate cystathionine-gamma-lyase (CGL) enzymes with specific amino acid modifications to efficiently degrade L‑cystine and L-cysteine. These enzymes are designed to treat cystinuria by reducing cystine levels in the body, preventing cystine stone formation. Background Cystinuria is a genetic disorder caused by mutations in the SLC3A1 and SLC7A9 genes, leading to the defective reabsorption of cystine in the kidneys. Due to the low solubility of cystine, it forms crystals and stones in the urinary tract. Existing treatments, such as hyper diuresis and the us...

Human enzyme-mediated depletion of serine in cancer

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 29 Aug 2024 09:58:05 GMT

Engineered human serine dehydratase enzymes are designed to efficiently degrade serine, an amino acid crucial to cancer cell metabolism, and inhibit cancer growth. These enzymes, with improved stability, activity, and bioavailability, offer a targeted cancer treatment option with fewer adverse effects. Background Traditional chemotherapeutic agents often lack specificity, leading to severe side effects due to their impact on healthy cells. The field of cancer metabolism has gained significant attention due to its potential for developing targeted therapies. Cancer cells often exhibit al...

3D printing technology for customized pharmaceutical dosage forms

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 23 Aug 2024 14:17:47 GMT

The invention utilizes 3D printing with selective laser sintering to create pharmaceutical tablets from amorphous solid dispersions, enhancing drug solubility and bioavailability without additional excipients, allowing customizable drug release rates and unique dosage forms. Background In the pharmaceutical industry, the development of drugs with poor aqueous solubility presents a significant challenge, as it often leads to low bioavailability. Many drugs fall into this category, particularly those classified under the biopharmaceutical classification system (BCS) classes II and IV. To...

Precision bioprinting robot for bio-ink deposition and analysis

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 22 Aug 2024 16:02:43 GMT

A bioprinting robotic system uses a robotic arm with a bioprinting tool to deposit bio-ink for tissue repair. It includes sensors, a 3D camera, and a head-mounted display for precise control and real-time feedback, ensuring accurate and safe bioprinting. Background The field of bioprinting technology is a subset of tissue engineering that utilizes 3D printing techniques to create complex, functional tissues and organs. This technology addresses the need for effective treatment of severe musculoskeletal injuries, such as volumetric muscle loss (VML), which can result from traumatic event...

Rhamnan sulfate therapy for NAFLD/NASH and circadian rhythm disorders

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 22 Aug 2024 15:40:33 GMT

This invention describes compositions and methods for treatment of metabolic diseases and disorders, such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD, NASH) and circadian rhythm-related disorders. Background/problem Rhamnan sulfate (RS) is a sulfated polysaccharide primarily composed of rhamnose, found in the green seaweed Monostroma nitidum. This complex sugar has been shown to enhance the integrity of blood vessels throughout the body, thereby improving their function. Furthermore, it has shown potential in ameliorating vascular dysfunction caused by metabolic disorders. This extends rham...

Integrated laser system for precision imaging and surgical manipulation of biological tissue

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 11:36:18 GMT

The system uses an ultra-fast pulsed laser, optical fibers, and lenses for precise surgical manipulation and imaging of biological tissues. It combines laser surgery with imaging techniques like multiphoton microscopy, confocal reflectance, fluorescence, and optical coherence tomography for enhanced medical diagnostics and treatment. Background Precision imaging and surgical manipulation of biological tissue are critical for improving medical treatment outcomes, yet existing technologies face significant challenges. Traditional imaging methods often lack the resolution and real-time capabili...

Biomimetic polymer networks for selective binding and controlled delivery of therapeutic agents

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 11:23:36 GMT

Biomimetic polymer networks are specialized materials with molecular imprints that selectively bind specific molecules, enabling controlled loading and delivery of therapeutic agents, such as glucose, through tailored noncovalent interactions within a crosslinked polymer matrix. Background Achieving selective molecular recognition in synthetic materials has been a long-standing challenge in fields such as drug delivery, biosensing, and diagnostics. Natural biological systems, such as enzymes and antibodies, exhibit highly specific interactions with their target molecules through sophisticate...

Polymeric network technology for controlled delivery of active agents

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 07:49:52 GMT

The technology involves a polymeric network designed for controlled delivery of active agents, triggered by the binding of specific molecules. This interaction reduces the structural integrity of the polymer at designated micro- or nanovacuoles, causing it to rupture and release the agents. Background Controlled delivery of active agents within polymeric networks is a significant challenge in various fields, including pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and consumer products. Traditional methods often rely on passive diffusion or external triggers like pH or temperature changes, which can lead to ...

Advanced laser ablation techniques for precision material removal

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 07:23:25 GMT

Plasmonic Laser Nano-Ablation (PLN) uses nanoparticles to focus ultrashort laser pulses, enabling precise vaporization of sub-cellular structures without heating, useful for material removal in biological applications like cancer cell removal and gene knockout. Background Precision femtosecond laser microsurgery (FLMS) is a technique that utilizes tightly focused near-infrared femtosecond laser pulses to manipulate subcellular structures with submicron resolution. This method requires expensive high numerical aperture lenses to achieve the necessary focus, and the diffraction limit rest...

Rapid characterization of analytes in saliva

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 07:13:24 GMT

A system rapidly detects analytes in saliva using a light source, sensor array, and detector, with chemically sensitive particles in cavities that signal interactions with analytes, characterized through pattern recognition techniques. Background Saliva has garnered significant interest as a diagnostic medium due to its non-invasive collection and the presence of biomarkers indicative of various diseases. However, the low concentration of relevant markers in saliva compared to blood presents a notable challenge, necessitating highly sensitive detection methods. Traditional approaches of...

Rapid optical metrology of critical dimensions of large-area nanostructure arrays with complex patterns

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 16 Aug 2024 13:55:27 GMT

Background Scatterometry-based metrology has the capability to perform high-throughput inspection of geometric characteristics of large-area nanopatterned surfaces. It utilizes physics-based dependencies between reflectance of light scattered from nanopatterned surfaces for pre-defined set of wavelengths and Critical Dimensions (CDs) of such nanopatterns. Current practice necessitates existence of an a priori generated reference library of “reflectance spectra” to be simulated for an exhaustive set of possible underlying CDs characterizing the measured nanopatterns. Generating th...

Thermotargetron for modifying thermophilic microorganisms

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 15:04:34 GMT

The Thermotargetron is a genetic tool for modifying thermophilic microorganisms using a type-II intron element, TeI3c‑4c. It allows efficient gene inactivation across a broad host range without needing selection markers and can target short gene sequences. Background Renewable fuels like bioethanol are increasingly vital due to rising global energy demands, limited fossil fuel reserves, and climate change concerns. Thermophilic microorganisms, especially Clostridium thermocellum, are promising candidates for bioethanol production due to their ability to degrade plant biomass and ferment...

Treating respiratory diseases and whooping cough

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 13:31:30 GMT

This technology involves compositions and methods for treating respiratory diseases like whooping cough and includes immunization techniques. Background The field of respiratory disease treatment and immunization is important due to the significant health burden posed by conditions such as whooping cough. Whooping cough, or pertussis, is a highly contagious bacterial infection that can lead to severe respiratory issues, particularly in infants and young children. Despite the availability of vaccines, outbreaks still occur, highlighting the need for more effective prevention and treatment met...

Targeting protein palmitoylation to suppress tumor growth and metastasis in triple negative breast cancer

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 12:59:13 GMT

Flotillin-1 palmitoylation is essential for its stability and tumor-promoting functions in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Disrupting this process, either genetically or with targeted inhibitors, reduces tumor growth and metastasis, making it a potential therapeutic target. Background Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a particularly aggressive form of breast cancer that lacks targeted therapies, leaving patients primarily reliant on highly toxic chemotherapeutic treatments. The high rate of metastasis associated with TNBC significantly contributes to its mortality rate, necessita...

Bioinformatics-powered CRISPR-transposon systems for enhanced gene editing and horizontal gene transfer

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 08:11:14 GMT

CRISPR-associated transposons (CASTs) use nuclease-deficient CRISPR-Cas systems for RNA-guided gene insertion, enhancing the gene-editing toolkit by enabling precise DNA integration. Background CRISPR-associated transposons (CASTs) represent a significant advancement in gene-editing technology, originating from the fusion of CRISPR-Cas systems with transposons. These systems have evolved to enable precise, RNA-guided DNA transposition, allowing specific insertion of genetic material without the need for double-strand breaks. The traditional gene-editing methods often use DNA double-strand br...

Adaptive soft elastomeric material system with programmable functions inspired by venous valves

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 07:27:07 GMT

Programmable soft elastomeric materials, inspired by mammalian venous valves, alter their properties to perform life-like functions including motion, energy storage, logic operations, and signal filtering. Background Materials science and bioengineering aim to replicate the fundamental processes of living organisms through artificial material systems. These systems are designed to perform life-like complex tasks such as responsiveness, motion, and metabolism. They are needed as advanced materials that can operate autonomously in diverse environments, particularly in applications where human ...

High-throughput sequencing technology for T-cell receptor specificity

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 10:44:07 GMT

TetTCR-seq is a method for high-throughput pairing of T cell receptor (TCR) sequences with their specific antigens using DNA-barcoded pMHC tetramers, enabling rapid, cost-effective immune profiling, disease diagnosis, and therapeutic development. Background The identification of antigen-specific T-cell receptors (TCRs) is crucial for understanding and treating immune-related diseases, such as viral infections, autoimmune disorders, and cancers. Traditional methods, such as using fluorescently labeled peptide-major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) tetramers, are limited by spectral ove...

Revolutionizing surgical interventions: the steerable flexible curved-drilling robot (SFCR)

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 02 Aug 2024 12:26:42 GMT

The Steerable Flexible Curved-Drilling Robot (SFCR) is an innovative medical device designed to enhance precision in surgical drilling through complex bone structures. This cutting-edge technology features a dual-tube system with a flexible drive shaft, enabling controlled, curved drilling paths that navigate around obstacles like nerves and low-density bone regions. Background The use of screw implants for stabilizing bone fractures, reconstructing bone post-tumor resection, and treating degenerative diseases is fraught with challenges. Traditional screw fixation methods often result i...

Unbiased material identification and characterization using proximity ligation assay technology

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 02 Aug 2024 08:36:45 GMT

The technology describes a method for characterizing known or unknown materials using libraries of probes that bind to them. These probes, which can be oligonucleotides or peptides linked to polynucleotide barcodes, are analyzed via sequencing to identify material-specific patterns, enabling the detection and identification of known and unknown materials. Background Characterizing unknown materials remains a significant challenge, due to the reliance on reagents that are specific to known targets. This becomes problematic in scenarios such as exploring unknown regions in remote environments ...

Advanced PAI contrast agents for early cancer detection

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 02 Aug 2024 08:26:26 GMT

This technology involves creating biodegradable nanoparticles (nanocapsules) that selectively target diseased cells, such as cancer cells, for imaging and treatment. These nanocapsules contain indocyanine green (ICG) dye aggregates, which are stable and offer high contrast when using near-infrared photoacoustic imaging, enabling the detection of few cancer cells. Background Early detection via medical imaging remains a critical factor in surviving various diseases like cancer. Photoacoustic imaging (PAI) is a promising technique for molecular and functional tissue imaging. It uses ...

Toughened solid-state electrolytes

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 09:21:00 GMT

Background Solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) are a critical component in the development of next-generation batteries, offering potential advantages in terms of safety and energy density. However, challenges such as low ionic conductivity, fracture susceptibility, and dendrite formation have hindered their widespread adoption. Technology description This invention introduces the use of second-phase mechanical toughening agents to enhance the properties of SSEs. By incorporating various materials like carbides, nitrides, oxides, borides, and intermetallics into the SSE matrix, the technology a...

Tellurene-based interlayers to stabilize all-solid-state-batteries

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 09:19:49 GMT

Background As the demand for sustainable energy storage solutions grows during the advancement of portable electronics and electric vehicles, there is a pressing need for enhanced energy storage systems. All-solid-state-batteries (ASSB) using solid-state electrolytes (SSE) are a promising solution for energy storage due to their high energy-density capabilities. However, the widescale adoption of SSE’s has been limited by their challenges with dendrite formation, low Li-ion conductivity, and poor interfacial compatibility with lithium metal. A practical approach to increasing ionic cond...

3D-printed biosensors for high-sensitivity molecular detection

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 09:10:48 GMT

This invention describes the creation of highly sensitive biosensors through 3D printing using stereolithography (SLA). These biosensors, made from a biopolymer blend with specific monomers and a photoinitiator, are functionalized with recognition molecules to detect small and large analytes, including disease markers, in commercial well plates. Background Additive manufacturing, commonly known as 3D printing, is revolutionizing various industries by enabling the creation of complex and customized objects through the layer-by-layer deposition of materials. In the biomedical field, this techn...

ARPLA: a revolutionary glycoRNA imaging tool with precision and power

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 08:53:10 GMT

Background/problem Glycosylated RNAs (GlycoRNAs) are a newly discovered class of molecules involved in glycosylation. They have been found on the surfaces of various cell types, organisms, and species, further advancing the role of RNA in biological processes. Despite this, our knowledge of glycoRNAs and their functions remains limited, primarily due to the lack of effective methods to visualize and study these molecules in living organisms. Existing methods (such as RNA blotting, NGS, HPLC, and MS) have limitations in specificity, spatial resolution, or direct visualization on cell sur...

“Bio-Flex”: advanced formulation for sustainable stereolithography (SLA)

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 08:28:41 GMT

Background/problem Stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing has transformed the biomedical field with creation of highly accurate, patient-specific medical devices such as tissue scaffolds, implants, and surgical tools. This technology leverages computer-aided design and medical imaging data to produce structures with precise geometries at submicron scales. Despite its potential, current SLA approaches face challenges. Traditional SLA resins, designed for industrial applications, often overlook critical biomedical properties like biodegradability and biocompatibility. Additionally, conv...

2-photon endoscopic fluorescence probe for advanced medical imaging

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 08:20:39 GMT

Background/problem Existing approaches to tissue imaging, particularly for early cancer detection, face several significant challenges. Techniques such as MRI and PET provide functional information but lack the cellular-level resolution needed for early diagnosis and involve contrast agents and radiation exposure. Two-photon (2P) fluorescence imaging has gained significant traction in medical applications due to its ability to provide high-resolution images of living tissues at greater depths compared to traditional imaging techniques. It leverages the absorption of two photons to excite a fl...

Fusion protein technology for site‑specific integration of RNA into DNA genomes

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 25 Jul 2024 14:20:53 GMT

The technology integrates target RNA into DNA genomes by adding short DNA tails to RNA. Direct RNA integration into CRISPR arrays eliminates the use of harsh transfection methods that fragment DNA sequences. Background The development of CRISPR-Cas systems, which are widely used for precise genetic modifications, has advanced the field of genome engineering. These systems, evolved by bacterial and archaeal organisms, capture and integrate snippets of nucleic acids (spacers) from invaders (viruses, parasites) into CRISPR arrays, which are then used to guide nucleases (Cas) to destroy th...

RECAST as an enhanced gene delivery system

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 25 Jul 2024 13:42:29 GMT

Background/problem Gene therapy, a promising tool to explore pathogenesis and a powerful weapon to treat diseases at the genomic level, has been making strides in recent years. It has found use in various applications, from cell therapeutics to treating inherited, and neurodegenerative diseases. However, the current methods of gene (“therapy”, “DNA”) delivery have significant drawbacks. Viral-based approaches are efficient but have several issues. They can trigger immune responses, unstable over the long term, with minimal genetic payloads, and expensive to produce. Al...

Directionally tuned stiffness pneumatic elastomer robot and related methods

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 16 Jul 2024 16:16:32 GMT

Problem Dr. Farshid Alambeigi and his team have developed a directionally-tuned stiffness pneumatic elastomer robot (DSPER) with a novel 3D-printed quad-helical internal structure capable of achieving a wide range of bending and extension shapes without radial expansion. Dr. Alambeigi is an Assistant Professor who directs the Advanced Robotic Technologies for Surgery (ARTS) Lab at The University of Texas at Austin, with primary research interests in the development of high dexterity and situationally aware continuum manipulators, soft robots, and instruments designed for less/minimally i...

Advanced techniques for generating antigen-specific antibodies

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 16 Jul 2024 16:09:37 GMT

Background Biotechnology has advanced in the development and application of antibodies for therapeutic, diagnostic, and research purposes. Antibodies are crucial for their ability to specifically bind to antigens, making them valuable tools in the treatment of diseases, including cancer, autoimmune disorders, and infectious diseases. However, the identification and generation of antigen-specific antibodies or antigen-binding fragments with high specificity and affinity remain complex and resource-intensive. The need for efficient methods to identify candidate antigen-specific variable regions...

Processes and compositions to expand drug processing

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 09:39:48 GMT

Background Dr. Robert O. Williams III and his team have developed a method to expand the ability of the hot-melt extrusion process to increase drug loading in amorphous solid dispersions (ASD). Dr. Williams is the Division Head and Professor of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery and the Johnson & Johnson Centennial Chair in Pharmacy at UT Austin with primary interests in the formulation, development, optimization, and delivery of small organic compounds, peptides, and proteins using a range of technologies, including depot drug, oral, and pulmonary/nasal/ophthalmic drug delivery sy...

Controlled-release drug formulation

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 09:32:17 GMT

Background The field of pharmaceutical technology has made significant strides in developing drug delivery systems that optimize the therapeutic effects of medications while minimizing side effects. One such advancement is the creation of modified-release formulations, which are designed to release a drug at a predetermined rate, thereby maintaining a consistent drug concentration in the bloodstream over an extended period. This approach is particularly beneficial for chronic conditions requiring long-term medication, as it can improve patient compliance, reduce dosing frequency, and en...

Metabolic engineering of Yarrowia lipolytica for high‑level polyketide production

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 08:16:55 GMT

Background The field of biotechnology has seen significant advancements in the use of genetically modified organisms to produce valuable compounds. Polyketides, a diverse class of secondary metabolites, are of particular interest due to their wide-ranging applications in pharmaceuticals, bioactive compounds, and renewable chemicals. Traditional methods of producing polyketides involve extraction from plants and microorganisms, which often results in low yields and high costs. The use of genetically modified oleaginous yeast, such as Yarrowia lipolytica, offers a promising alternative due to t...

An RNA identification beacon based on Cas12a2

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 01 Jul 2024 09:53:43 GMT

Background The CRISPR-Cas systems are adaptive immune mechanisms found in prokaryotes, primarily bacteria and archaea, which protect against invading genetic elements such as phages and plasmids. These systems have been harnessed for various biotechnological applications, including genome editing and molecular diagnostics. Cas12a2, a particular variant within the CRISPR-Cas family, has garnered interest due to its ability to cleave single-stranded nucleic acids upon activation by a specific RNA target. This unique property makes it a promising candidate for developing sensitive and specific d...

Ultrasound-programmable nanoparticles for targeted drug release

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 25 Jun 2024 13:57:29 GMT

Background/problem Ideally, a drug meant to accurately target specific tissues or cells involved in a disease will do so and achieve an optimal dose and treatment duration. These will yield the intended cellular and physiological response without undue off-target and side effects. And yet, we live with the reality and risks of side effects. Novel drug delivery systems (DDS) to improve delivery and overcome off-target effects are available, but with limitations that include low tissue penetration, poor spatiotemporal resolution, and even complex engineering. Focused ultrasound (FUS) offe...

Quad-view image splitter for multicolor fluorescence microscopy

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 25 Jun 2024 09:29:52 GMT

Background/problem Multicolor fluorescence microscopy is an important tool in biological research, enabling scientists to observe various components of living cells using fluorescent dyes that emit light at different wavelengths. This technique offers valuable insights into cellular structures and functions, advancing our knowledge of complex biological processes. However, state-of-the-art multicolor fluorescence microscopy suffers from several technical limitations. The sequential use of optical filters to isolate specific wavelengths can result in different fluorescent channels being...

RealCooL: rapid thermal control of liquids

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 25 Jun 2024 09:15:46 GMT

Problem statement Current technologies to heat or cool liquids, such as water baths to rewarm or pasteurize human milk, suffer from slow heating times and inability to control temperature accurately. There is a need for a device that is faster, more accurate, and safer for babies and caregivers to use. Solution RealCooL was developed by engineers at The University of Texas at Austin and uses a parallel plate heat exchanger to heat milk quickly and accurately to a desired user-specified temperature. Prototype results demonstrate that 240 mL of milk can be heated from refrigerator to ...

Engineered RNA polymerases and capping enzymes for the expression of 7‑methylguanylate capped RNA

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 20 Jun 2024 10:01:09 GMT

Background Dr. Andrew Ellington and his team have identified and engineered a novel group II intron reverse transcriptase, RT-12. Dr. Ellington is a Professor in Molecular Biosciences, the Nancy Lee and Perry R. Bass Regents Chair in Molecular Biology, and holds the Wilson M. and Kathryn Fraser Research Professorship in Biochemistry at UT Austin. His primary research interests are analytical chemistry, chemical biology, chemical theory/computation, computational biology, drug development, and material characterization. He has published numerous articles/technical publications in these ar...

Infinite-dimensional integrated digital image correlation (IDIC)

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 20 Jun 2024 09:51:07 GMT

Background Digital image correlation (DIC) methods are common in laboratory experiments. Often termed two-dimensional digital image correlation (2D-DIC), the method uses a camera to acquire images of a planar object that is deforming nominally within the specimen surface plane that is being imaged. DIC algorithms typically perform the image registration by measuring changes in the two images using cross-correlation. Since the 1980s, this technology has been extensively used in laboratory setting to learn about heterogeneous displacement fields. More recently, the displacement solution f...

Metabolic control over organometallic catalysts using electroactive bacteria

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 10 Jun 2024 16:01:03 GMT

Background Dr. Benjamin Keith Keitz and his team have developed a new controlled polymerization methodology using an electroactive bacterium to synthesize responsive materials. Dr. Keitz is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at UT Austin. His primary research area focuses on using chemical and biological synthesis techniques in combination with chemical engineering processes to design innovative functional materials. Dr. Keitz is the recipient of the NSF CAREER Award, the Air Force Office of Scientific Research Young Investigator Award, and the NIH Maxi...

Rare earth metal extraction from ash

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 07 Jun 2024 07:04:10 GMT

Background Rare earth elements (REEs), such as lanthanides, yttrium, and scandium, are critical components in numerous advanced technologies, including electronics, energy storage systems, and medicine. Currently, the majority of REEs are sourced from a limited number of mining operations, which poses substantial risks to geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, and environmental concerns. Moreover, REE mining operations require high energy consumption, produce significant greenhouse gas emissions, and negatively impact local ecosystems. For the sustainable development of advanced tec...

Future drug-delivery system to treat brain tumors

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 06 Jun 2024 15:04:50 GMT

Background/problem Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common malignant, primary brain tumor observed in adults, occurring at an incidence rate of 3.19 per 100,000 persons in the United States in 2017. Even with complete surgical resection of the tumor and adjuvant chemotherapy, these tumors often reoccur, resulting in a median survival of ~15 months. Part of the poor prognosis is that many therapeutics cannot cross the blood-brain barrier, and those that do result in poor efficacy due to inefficient accumulation in glioblastoma cells. Oncolytics is an advanced biological therapy that uses microor...

Efficient MR fingerprinting using B-splines to improve (quantitative) MRI

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 23 May 2024 12:19:47 GMT

Background/problem Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging modality which beneficially features excellent soft tissue contrast and lacks use of ionizing radiation. In clinical practice, MRI generates contrast-weighted images based on the intrinsic tissue parameters of the subject, which are then interpreted by a radiologist. However, current qualitative MRI images can have limited sensitivity to subtle changes in tissue parameters that can provide useful information for various biomedical applications, such as early detection of tumor growth and neurode...

Low-cost rapid diagnosis of viral diseases

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 13 May 2024 13:59:17 GMT

Background/problem Detection of infectious diseases relies on amplification techniques of genetic material such as RNA or DNA. State-of-the-art amplification techniques include RT-PCR and RT-LAMP, both of which use a reverse transcriptase (RT) to amplify RNA. Usually, an RNA strand is reverse transcribed into complementary DNA (cDNA), which is then amplified using DNA polymerase. In the first step of this process, cDNA is made from an RNA template using deoxyribonucleotide phosphates, RT, and DNA primers. Synthesis of cDNA from the RNA template can be hindered by RNA secondary and t...

Inhaled formulations of the NSAID indomethacin

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 08 May 2024 07:06:24 GMT

Background Patients suffering from headache and migraine have a limited list of therapeutic options that often is shortened by issues stemming from tolerability or efficacy. For this reason, there is a big push in the industry to develop inhaled treatments for these disorders. The invention described here repurposes a compound with known efficacy for headache and migraine disorders to an inhaled form with a simple and scalable formulation. Currently, the compound is commonly delivered either orally or via suppository, which often results in bothersome or even fatal side effects. Improvin...

Advancements in pulmonary antibiotic delivery: innovations for multidrug-resistant infections

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 08 May 2024 07:01:30 GMT

Background Antibiotics like Tigecycline are vital for combating bacterial infections, but their intravenous delivery restricts usage to healthcare facilities, limiting options for patients outside such settings. The rise of multidrug-resistant respiratory infections, like those caused by S. maltophilia, necessitates innovative delivery approaches. Current intravenous methods face degradation issues, hampering outpatient treatment. Therefore, alternative delivery methods are sought to ensure stability and versatility in treatment environments. Technology description A study explores an inhal...

A rapidly applicable multifunctional pulse oximeter for infants

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 03 May 2024 12:45:04 GMT

Problem statement It has been estimated that 10% of infants born in the United States require assistance establishing effective ventilation after birth and ~1% require more extensive resuscitation. The U.S. preterm birth rate has been estimated at ~10%, the global preterm birthrate at ~11%, with disproportionate burdens of prematurity and infant morbidity and mortality falling on historically underprivileged populations. Accurate monitoring of oxygen saturation during neonatal care is vital to prevent complications from both excessive and insufficient oxygen levels, such as retinopathy o...

Innovative pH-selective antibody engineering for cancer therapy

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 03 May 2024 07:06:53 GMT

Background Antibody-based cancer therapies have demonstrated impressive specificity but can lead to adverse effects by targeting antigens present on healthy cells. The acidic tumor microenvironment presents an opportunity for the development of antibodies with heightened tumor specificity through pH-dependent binding interactions. Technology and key findings Dr. Maynard’s lab engineered the human IgG1 Fc domain to enhance pH-selective binding to CD16, crucial for antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). Through modifications in Fc residues to interact with positively char...

Magnetic suture retrieval device

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 02 May 2024 11:42:04 GMT

Background Wrist arthroscopies present challenges due to the limited space, especially in passing sutures through ligaments. Current solutions like mechanical grabbers and magnetic manipulators are inadequate for wrist spaces, resulting in increased surgical time and frustration. This innovation addresses these challenges effectively. Technology overview The Magnetic Suture Retrieval Device integrates a hybrid magnet and mechanical locking mechanism into a dual rod/trocar system. The magnetic component attracts the suture initially, and the locking mechanism secures it during retrieval, ena...

Innovative solutions for peripheral artery disease

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 02 May 2024 09:00:42 GMT

Advancing treatment with magnetically steerable robotic catheters Background Peripheral artery disease (PAD) presents a significant healthcare challenge globally, impacting millions with obstructed leg blood vessels and compromised blood flow. Among treatment modalities, percutaneous endovascular intervention (PEI) stands as a primary approach, involving catheter-based procedures to alleviate arterial blockages. However, conventional manual PEI methods are plagued by limitations, including poor catheter maneuverability, prolonged procedure duration, and heightened radiation exposur...

Stretchable hybrid response pressure sensor

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 30 Apr 2024 08:08:38 GMT

Background Electronic skins, e-skins for short, is innovative soft electronics technology that gives robots and devices tactile sensing capabilities like human touch and feel. Robots equipped with human touch sensitivity could be deployed in many different applications ranging from manufacturing and food handling/preparation to medical care and surgery, where the ability to assist in surgical procedures or providing nursing care such as checking a patient’s pulse or performing a CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) is beneficial and even life-saving. Assisted or in-home care is ideally s...

Convection-enhanced thermo-chemotherapy catheter system (CETCS)

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 09:26:06 GMT

Background Dr. Christopher Rylander, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at UT Austin, and his team have pioneered the development of the Convection-Enhanced Thermo-Chemotherapy Catheter System (CETCS) to address the challenges in glioblastoma treatment. Dr. Rylander's expertise in biomechanical engineering, manufacturing, and design has led to the creation of this remotely operated, MRI-compatible drug delivery system. With over 30 peer-reviewed publications and leadership of the Medical Device Laboratory, Dr. Rylander's work focuses on leveraging mechanical engin...

Genetically encoded protein-based fluorescent biosensor for adenosine diphosphate ribose

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 14:34:32 GMT

Background Adenosine diphosphate ribose (ADPR) is a biologically important molecule that is known to regulate oxidative stress, calcium homeostasis, and mitochondrial function. Very little is known about ADPR signaling because it is a fast and transient process. Our innovation addresses this challenge by streamlining the development of fluorescent biosensors, including for the critical NAD+ derived metabolite ADPR. By leveraging our platform, multiple sensor development efforts can be consolidated into one, expediting the process. Invention description Grounded in evolutionary principles, o...

Non-invasive selective thermal stimulation (STS) for thermoregulation enhancement

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 12 Apr 2024 08:10:51 GMT

Background Maintaining optimal core temperature is vital for overall health, from everyday comfort to medical interventions like therapeutic hypothermia. However, existing methods often involve invasive procedures or have limitations. Dr. Kenneth R. Diller and his team have developed a 2D resistance temperature detector (RTD) for measuring the average surface temperature of any solid object through direct contact. Dr. Diller, a renowned authority in heat and temperature-related processes in living tissues, offers expertise in computational biomedical engineering and molecular b...

Biomimetic high-strength bone implant polymer material

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 12 Apr 2024 08:00:14 GMT

Problem Bone defects are a global issue affecting millions, caused by factors such as trauma, aging, disease, surgical resections, and congenital abnormalities. There are natural and synthetic options for bone grafts or replacement. A natural bone graft may come from the patient or a donor and is surgically inserted and provides a surface for the remaining bone tissue to adhere to and offers mechanical support. Natural bone from a donor requires surgery on the donor and carries a risk of infection. Synthetic grafts may be made from titanium metal or polymers that mimic the structure and mater...

Revolutionizing drug delivery: smart hydrogels for precise nanoparticle and siRNA intestinal release

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 29 Mar 2024 15:52:01 GMT

Background Intelligent hydrogels, specifically environmentally responsive hydrogels, are emerging as promising biomaterials capable of responding to biological environments and processes. These materials offer tunability and biocompatibility, making them valuable for various biomedical applications, including tissue regeneration and controlled drug delivery. Technology overview Multiresponsive poly (methacrylic acid-co-N-vinylpyrrolidone) hydrogels were synthesized, incorporating biodegradable oligopeptide crosslinks. These hydrogels exhibit pH-responsive swelling and enzyme-catalyzed ...

Advancing prostate cancer chemoprevention

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 26 Mar 2024 13:30:47 GMT

Evaluating the bioavailability and microbiome modulation of a curcumin and ursolic acid combination therapy Background Prostate cancer (PCa) remains a significant health concern, necessitating effective chemoprevention strategies. However, no approved chemopreventive agents exist, highlighting the need for innovative approaches. This study aimed to evaluate the safety, bioavailability, and microbiome alterations of a combination therapy involving curcumin (CURC) and ursolic acid (UA) in PCa models. Technology overview The study employed a Phase I clinical trial with 18 subjects, administer...

Thermostable reverse transcriptase based on a thermostable DNA polymerase (RTX)

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 13:02:41 GMT

Background Reverse transcriptase enzymes are pivotal in molecular biology for transcribing RNA into DNA, facilitating studies from gene expression analysis to viral detection. The reliability and efficiency of reverse transcription are crucial for accurate cDNA formation, a foundational step necessary for subsequent applications such as cloning and quantitative PCR. Traditional reverse transcriptases, such as those derived from retroviruses, are often heat-labile and lack proofreading capability, leading to an increased likelihood of errors during transcription. The limitations of current re...

Conductivity controlled bipolar power devices

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 12:32:29 GMT

Background Dr. Alex Q. Huang has developed a new power semiconductor technology, a Conductivity Controlled Bipolar Transistor (CCBT), with primary application in power electronic converters. Dr. Huang is the Dula D. Cockrell Centennial Chair in Engineering at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and a professor at The University of Texas at Austin, with primary research interests in power semiconductor technologies, advanced power electronics, smart grid and renewable energy integration, and power management integrated circuits. He has published over 550 journal and conf...

Method for detecting antibodies to folic acid

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 13:52:36 GMT

Background Folate, an essential B-vitamin, is crucial for a variety of health-related functions. The recognition that too few women obtained sufficient folate levels from their diet and knowing that a folate deficiency put embryos at risk for serious birth defects led to mandatory fortification of certain foods to prevent deficiencies. Such preventive measures aim to reduce birth defects and other health issues that arise from folate deficiency. As the body processes synthetic folic acid differently than natural folate, monitoring its metabolism and identifying associated autoantibodies is in...

High-throughput trans-well device incorporating shear stress for drug screening of blood-brain barrier function

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 15:20:53 GMT

Background Traditional trans-well assays have long been a fundamental component in cell biology, allowing researchers to study cell migration, permeability, and transport processes across a semi-permeable membrane. However, there is a growing recognition of the need to replicate more closely the dynamic environment of human tissues, including the blood-brain barrier, to improve the relevance and applicability of findings. Current assays often fail to accurately mimic the biological conditions of tissues and organs, particularly the blood-brain barrier, which is critical for CNS drug delivery...

SuperFi high-fidelity Cas9 enzyme eliminates off‑target CRISPR cleavage

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 07:22:08 GMT

Background The widespread use of CRISPR/Cas9 as a programmable genome editing tool has encountered hurdles, due to concerns about potential off‑target DNA cleavage by Cas9. While the analysis of off-target editing events has led to the development of Cas9 variants with greater sensitivity to mismatches, the underlying molecular mechanisms by which Cas9 detects—or fails to detect—mismatches remain poorly understood. Researchers at The University of Texas at Austin have utilized kinetic analysis to guide structure determination of Cas9 at different stages of mismatch surveillan...

Rapid, multi-targeted, modular virus sensing platform based on graphene field-effect sensing

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 12:41:13 GMT

Background The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic underscored the necessity for rapid and precise detection of viruses that share similar symptoms, leading to a strain on healthcare systems. Identifying specific pathogens such as influenza alongside COVID‑19 is crucial for tailored treatment plans. Technology overview A novel technology based on liquid-gated graphene field-effect transistors (GFETs) has been developed for the rapid and accurate detection of surface proteins from both influenza and SARS-CoV-2 viruses. This technology employs a quadruple architecture with four onboard GFETs, each funct...

Revolutionizing plastic recycling: FAST-PETase enzyme variant

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 23 Feb 2024 11:50:06 GMT

Background Plastic waste is a pressing ecological challenge, with a staggering 8.3 billion metric tons produced, of which 6 billion tons become waste. Traditional methods of plastic degradation, such as chemical processes, are costly and generate harmful byproducts. Enzymatic degradation presents a sustainable alternative, with poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET) comprising 12% of global solid waste. However, existing enzymes like PETase lack robustness and efficiency. Technology overview FAST-PETase, an enzyme variant developed at The University of Texas at Austin, addresses thes...

First-in-class blood-based diagnostic panel for depression and suicide risk

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 15 Feb 2024 13:38:16 GMT

Background The instinct to stay alive and maintain well-being is fundamental to all of us, yet nearly a million lives are lost to suicide each year around the world, presenting a significant public health challenge. Despite ongoing efforts, effectively identifying the risk and preventing suicide remains a complex issue. Biologically, suicide often involves disruptions in brain structure, function, and chemistry, particularly linked with mood disorders like depression, which contribute to over 70% of suicides globally. Alarmingly, despite our efforts, rates of depression and suicide have been ...

Method for decoding language from non-invasive brain recordings

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 15 Feb 2024 13:29:19 GMT

Problem The loss of speech, whether resulting from accidents or diseases, profoundly impacts individuals and their communities. The emotional and social ramifications of losing the ability to speak cannot be understated. Language decoding technology has applications to dramatically improve the lives of those suffering from loss of speech and has future applications in consumer brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) to help people directly interact with technology using thought. Existing methods for decoding continuous language use electrodes implanted via invasive brain surgeries, limiting applica...

Knitted strain sensor for pharyngeal rehabilitation

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 15 Feb 2024 08:02:21 GMT

Problem Dysphagia, or swallowing dysfunction, affects 9.5 million people in the United States. Dysphagia poses significant risks including malnutrition, dehydration, aspiration pneumonia, and death. Dysphagia is associated with diseases including stroke, muscular dystrophy, and throat cancer. The impact of dysphagia extends beyond physical discomfort, often leading to social isolation and diminished quality of life. Early detection and tailored interventions are crucial in mitigating its consequences and improving outcomes for those affected. The most effective way to help patients suff...

Unlocking the brain: boosting CNS accumulation of glioblastoma drugs

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 08:14:35 GMT

Problem In the pursuit of optimizing the delivery of brain-penetrating drugs, researchers have explored innovative technologies to enhance their accumulation within the central nervous system (CNS). Traditional strategies such as altering drug chemistry or formulation have shown limited success in extending patient survival, particularly in the context of glioblastoma (GBM) treatment with temozolomide (TMZ). Traditional therapies such as chemotherapy and radiation often fail to adequately target and eradicate GBM cells, leading to poor patient outcomes. Existing delivery systems for therapeut...

Patient-specific prostate cancer progression prediction model to inform personalized treatment

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 08:57:16 GMT

Problem Prostate cancer is a significant health problem worldwide, and there is a vital need for accurate predictive models of disease progression to aid in effective treatment planning. Current models are largely statistical, based on a population of patients, and neglect the patient’s unique attributes. There is a significant need for more personalized solutions. Solution This technology provides a simulation of the growth of a tumor in a prostate gland. It is based on the combination of a coupled system of partial-differential equations with patient-specific model parameters and a ...

Wireless e-tattoo for ambulatory monitoring of cardiovascular health

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 08:37:49 GMT

Background Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death in the United States and the world, with hundreds of billions of dollars spent on treating CVD. Heart diseases kill 700,000 people in the United States and nearly four million in the world every year. Early-stage discovery of CVD is critical to treatment preventing fatalities and reducing expense. Wearable, ambulatory cardiovascular monitoring is crucial for the early detection of CVD. There are multiple ambulatory devices for cardiac monitoring in the market today but they have major disadvantages, such as providing onl...

Sono-optogenetics: A non-invasive optogenetic platform

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 07:44:39 GMT

Problem Optogenetics is the light-dependent control of genetically modified neurons. Neuronal cells that express microbial opsins can transport ions in a light-gated process. Optogenetics has been used to treat disorders including vision loss in humans. Animal studies indicate that optogenetic therapies have applications in neurological disorders including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease and depression. Current technologies depend on the expression of bacterial opsins in targeted neuronal cells and invasive craniotomy to implant an optical fiber light source in the brain. This...

Adapted IsoTachoPhoresis enables single cell ribosome profiling

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 13:20:22 GMT

Problem Ribosome profiling enables the study of translation and translational control across the transcriptome. Despite intensive efforts since initial publication of the methodology in 2009, this experimental technique remains restricted in terms of applicability, typically requiring ~1 million cells as input. No current commercially available technology is capable of measuring translation in single cells. Solution Dr. Can Cenik at The University of Texas at Austin has adapted a microfluidics chip method that leverages the advantages of IsoTachoPhoresis (ITP) to enable ribosomal profi...

Plastic-degrading enzymes

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 09 Jan 2024 15:49:09 GMT

Able to break down PET plastics in as little as 24 hours Overview Plastic waste poses an ecological challenge. There have been 8.3 billion metric tons of plastics produced—6 billion tons are waste. What do we do with this waste? The long-term, sustainable solution is to find effective ways to break down the plastic into smaller parts and then rebuild new plastic products from those smaller parts. Chemical recycling creates environmentally harmful byproducts, and the applications of recycled plastic are limited because chemically recycled plastics do not match the material properties a...

Degradons: target proteins for degradation without ubiquitination

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 09 Jan 2024 15:26:19 GMT

Problem Targeting specific proteins for degradation is an area of intense research for the treatment of disease. The majority of currently available technologies, such as PROTACs, induce degradation through ubiquitination of target proteins by binding to both the target protein and ubiquitin ligases. However, this requires a ubiquitin ligase to efficiently ubiquitinate non-native substrates. The difficulty in ubiquitin ligase interacting with non-native substrates limits the number of proteins that can be effectively targeted using this approach. Ubiquitin-independent targeting strategies are...

Real-time breath adaptive nebulizer for optimal pulmonary drug delivery

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 09 Jan 2024 10:06:31 GMT

Problem Nebulizers produce an inhalable mist for localized drug delivery and are used to treat lung diseases including COPD and cystic fibrosis. The mist produced by the nebulizer is composed of droplets of a defined size, and droplet size and velocity dictate the efficiency of nebulized drug delivery. Currently available commercial nebulizers utilize a single mesh design with a fixed hole size/porosity in the mesh, producing a mist composed of similarly sized droplets. This may result in the droplets not targeting the required area of the lung to effect treatment Dr. Hugh D.C. Smyth and...

Full-length excised intron RNA sequencing and analysis for disease diagnosis

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 09 Jan 2024 09:57:29 GMT

Problem RNA molecules that are newly transcribed from the corresponding DNA sequence contain intron and exon sequences. Introns are removed by a process called RNA splicing, where the introns are removed and the exons are ligated to form the mature messenger RNA (mRNA) and full-length excised intron RNAs (FLEXIRs). The majority of FLEXIRs and the genes encoding them are either cell- or tissue-type specific, reflecting differences in gene expression, alternative splicing, and differential stability of the FLEXIR RNAs. In addition to FLEXIRs, laboratory experiments have identified fragments of ...

Method for dry powder inhaled delivery of clofazimine

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 09 Jan 2024 09:49:18 GMT

Problem Clofazimine is highly active against a multitude of bacteria that affect the lungs; however, oral delivery of this drug is hindered by the unpredictable bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of clofazimine. Orally administered clofazimine can cause systemic toxicity, with undesirable side effects including GI complications and hyperpigmentation of the skin. Oral administration of clofazimine requires at least 30 days of continued dosing to reach steady-state concentrations; to overcome this, large loading doses may be given, which increases the chance for side effects. Solution Dr. S...

Fast-acting testosterone nasal spray

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 09 Jan 2024 09:42:41 GMT

Background Testosterone replacement therapy is a standard treatment for low testosterone levels in men. The estimated prevalence of testosterone deficiency in the United States ranges from 5.6% to 6.5%. Current therapies are applied either transdermally, via intra-muscular injection (IM), or intra-nasally using an oil-based gel. According to Harvard Medical School, transdermal administration of testosterone can take up to two to three weeks for the majority of men to show measurable increases in testosterone levels. IM administration offers faster uptake but requires painful injections that c...

Engineered methyltransferase for microbial production of the Alzheimer’s drug galantamine

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 03 Jan 2024 13:02:47 GMT

Problem Galantamine is a cholinesterase-inhibiting compound used for the treatment of cognitive decline in mild to moderate cases of Alzheimer’s disease and other memory impairment disorders. Galantamine is a plant alkaloid found in the bulbs and flowers of several species including daffodils, snowdrops, and red spider lilies. Galantamine is currently prepared at industrial scale from plant material using classical organic solvent extraction methods. This extraction method is not environmentally responsible and does not fully extract all galantamine present in the plant material. D...

Wearable long-lasting EEG electrodes

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 03 Jan 2024 12:52:36 GMT

Problem Electroencephalogram (EEG) is a widely used method to monitor brain activity. EEG uses electrodes that detect electrical activity within the brain that provides crucial information about neurological function. Conventional EEG systems with wired electrodes are used in clinical and laboratory settings, limiting utility and long-term monitoring. Wireless, wearable EEG systems would be useful for applications beyond the clinic, enabling monitoring at home or in situations where monitoring is performed during high motion or for long-term application. For example, patients suffering a...

Boosting bee health

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 15:48:00 GMT

A cocktail of native gut bacteria promotes health and pathogen resistance in bees Problem Honeybees and bumblebees play a crucial role in agricultural pollination, which is essential for human food production. Unfortunately, honeybee populations have experienced significant declines in the United States and around the world over the past decade. These declines are likely due to a combination of factors, including parasites, pathogens, and nutritional shortages. Honeybees have a unique microbiome in their gut that plays a vital role in bee health, aiding digestion, improving resistance to di...

Chameleon NanoCluster Beacons for single N6-adenosine methylation detection

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 08 Dec 2023 09:41:06 GMT

Problem N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most prevalent modification found on eukaryotic mRNA. This modification is implicated in the development of cancer, stem cell differentiation, control of circadian rhythm, and more. m6A bases cannot be detected directly by sequencing, because the m6A modification does not change the base pairing properties and cannot be detected by reverse transcription. MeRIP is a commonly used method to detect m6A modifications in mRNA. This method involves immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing of the enriched sample; methylated regions are detected as peaks in t...

An engineered methyltransferase enzyme for improved production of benzylisoquinoline alkaloids

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 13:37:07 GMT

Background Tetrahydropapaverine (THP) and papaverine are naturally occurring plant alkaloids that are commercially important. THP is a precursor of the drugs atracurium and cisatracurium, used as muscle relaxants. Papaverine is used as an antispasmodic. These clinically useful molecules may be synthesized using traditional organic synthesis methods or using microorganisms. Invention The Ellington research team has developed an engineered methyltransferase enzyme capable of producing the pharmaceutically relevant compound tetrahydropapaverine (THP). The engineered enzyme uses the intermediat...

Engineered Group II Intron reverse transcriptase for high-resolution RNA analysis

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 31 Oct 2023 19:10:11 GMT

Background The patent portfolio covering group II intron and related reverse transcriptase developed by Dr. Alan Lambowitz at UT Austin, including the highly efficient Thermostable Group II Intron Reverse Transcriptase (TGIRT) enzyme, is available for licensing and commercialization. As many high-profile publications have demonstrated, TGIRT has higher thermostability, processivity, and fidelity than traditional retroviral reverse transcriptases, allowing full-length, end-to-end cDNA synthesis from highly structured or modified RNAs. Group II intron and related reverse transcriptases also hav...

Blood-brain barrier penetrating peptides

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 07:33:47 GMT

Problem Effective delivery of therapeutics into the brain is challenging, due to biological barriers including the blood-brain barrier (BBB), the perivascular space, cerebrospinal fluid, and the extracellular matrix. Drugs that can cross the BBB may be delivered intravenously; for drugs that cannot penetrate the BBB, intrathecal or local administration provide alternative delivery methods, but these are invasive. Other techniques exist to create temporary openings in the BBB for drug delivery or encapsulating drugs within inert polymer-based coatings to achieve effective transport. Despite ex...

Stably aerosolized mRNA for lung delivery

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 23 Oct 2023 09:19:13 GMT

Problem Nucleic acid therapy has the potential to treat genetic diseases that affect the lungs. Localized delivery of nucleic acid cargos allows for higher doses than are achievable with systemic delivery and avoids both toxicity and off-target effects. One reason nucleic acid therapeutics have not yet achieved clinical approval for delivery to the lungs is that the forces of inhalation degrade the carriers. Solution Dr. Ghosh’s team has developed a lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulation containing ionizable lipids that allow for greater stability after aerosolization. The formulation d...

Haptic simulator for trocar insertion

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 18 Oct 2023 13:09:58 GMT

Problem Laparoscopic surgery is safer, less invasive, and more cost-effective than open-surgery techniques. Laparoscopic surgeons access the area they are operating on by inserting ports called trocars into the patient’s abdomen, providing a hole that surgical instruments can pass though. Trocar insertion procedures are one of the leading causes of patient injury and result in a high surgical error rate. Improper trocar insertion can cause significant health issues such as bowel perforation and other bodily injuries. Errors in trocar insertion can be greatly reduced by adequately ...

Targeted and tunable ophthalmic drug delivery

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 27 Sep 2023 11:23:20 GMT

Problem Drug delivery to the eye is currently achieved by drops or less commonly, using an aerosol plume to administer the desired therapeutic. These delivery methods suffer from inaccuracies and insufficient dosage to the targeted area. Solution Dr. Smyth and his team have developed a method to deliver drugs to the eye using a tunable pulsed aerosol method. Dr. Smyth’s device delivers therapeutic agents in a small volume, and allows fine tuning of the aerosol plume, aerosol characteristics and formulation. The device thus allows optimization of delivery based on the molecul...

Lung mucus-penetrating peptides

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 07:39:28 GMT

Problem Nucleic acid therapy has the potential to treat genetic diseases that affect the lungs. In order to effectively deliver genetic material to lung cells, gene delivery systems must be able to overcome the mucus barrier and directly target cells harboring the genetic mutation causing the disease state. Past efforts have focused to penetrate the mucus barrier with the use of hydrophilic polymers, which may trigger an immune response and do not necessarily target cell types. Solution Dr. Ghosh’s team has identified novel peptide sequences that are able to overcome the mucus barrier...

Reducing amount of helper data in silicon physical unclonable functions (PUFs) via lossy compression

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 29 Aug 2023 13:42:26 GMT

Background Silicon physical unclonable functions (PUFs) are widely used in emerging hardware security applications, such as device identification, authentication, and cryptographic key generation. PUFs generate unique randomness by exploiting inherent random process variation during fabrication. Among them, static random-access memory (SRAM) PUFs that produce unique signatures with power-up states are appealing because SRAMs are widely available standard components in a multitude of existing integrated circuits (ICs). As the semiconductor industry starts to reach the limits of Moore’s ...

Low-cost fluorescent reporters for nuclease activity detection

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 12:27:28 GMT

Problem DNA cleavage or nuclease activity detection is important in many forms of nucleic acid amplification tests. The current detection technologies rely on the use of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) reporters that light up upon digestion, such as the Taqman® probe and the DNaseAlert®. Although these FRET reporters well serve the purpose, the need for dual labeling and purification during manufacturing causes FRET reagents to be very expensive. Solution Professor Tim Yeh and his team have developed novel fluorescent reporters based on a special class of nanomaterials...

Portable, mobile pediatric exercise unit

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 02 Aug 2023 08:06:00 GMT

Problem Pediatric neurotherapy needs to be a continuously motivating, immersive experience. Current exercise paradigms restrict movement to a small area, or if mobile, restricts body movement significantly. Both situations limit the ability of the child to interact with the environment to introduce an enriching experience necessary for recovery. The critical need is for a portable platform capable of adaptively supporting the child for increasing challenges, enable independent mobility and exploration, yet allow enough movement to interact with the environment. Solution The Sulzer lab at Th...

Production of Lu-177 and other radionuclides

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 02 Aug 2023 07:56:10 GMT

Problem Lu-177 is a radioactive isotope in high demand as a therapeutic for treatment of several types of cancer and may have other nuclear medicine applications. Current estimates are that the demand for Lu-177 will exceed 190,000 doses per year by 2023. No carrier added Lu-177 is produced by irradiation of enriched Yb in a nuclear reactor followed by a difficult chemical separation of the Lu-177 from the remaining Yb. The enriched Yb is then recycled back into the reactor for further production. Current methods for production require large Yb targets, costly chemical resins, pot...

Direct electrodeposition of Li from Li ions enhanced by electromagnetism

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 01 Aug 2023 07:39:43 GMT

Background Dr. Thomas C. Underwood and his team have developed a technology by which brine phase Li+ ions are converted directly to Li metals through electromagnetic-enhanced electroreduction, which is available for licensing. Dr. Underwood is an assistant professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics at UT Austin with primary interests in space propulsion, non-equilibrium reacting flows, reactive transport, plasma wave interactions, plasma chemistry, and optical diagnostics. The focus of his work has broad applicability to emerging technologies within ae...

Self-limiting optoelectronic thinning for transition metal dichalcogenides monolayers fabrication

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 01 Aug 2023 07:29:16 GMT

Background Dr. Yuebing Zheng and his team have developed a self-limiting optoelectronic thinning (SOET) technique to prepare atomic monolayers of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDC) in a commercially scalable manner. Dr. Zheng is the Temple Foundation Endowed Teaching Fellowship in Engineering #2 and an associate professor at UT Austin, with primary interests in advanced material science/engineering, biomechanical/biomedicine engineering, clean energy technologies, nano/micro-scale engineering, robotics/AI, and thermal fluid systems/transport. Dr. Zheng has published numerous...

Methods for synthesizing and stabilizing amorphous lithium fluoride for use as interfacial protective layers in lithium rechargeable batteries

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 16:06:57 GMT

Problem Electrolytes are susceptible to reductive decomposition on the surface of negative electrodes, leading to the formation and growth of a solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer which significantly affects battery performance. In particular, Li dendrite growth during cycling can result in short-circuiting of the battery if the dendrite reaches the positive electrode. All-solid-state lithium-metal batteries (ASSLMBs) have garnered considerable attention, especially for next-generation electric vehicles, due to their advantages in energy storage capacity and safety. However, the large in...

Template for achieving anode-free and anodeless batteries

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 14:49:56 GMT

Problem Anodeless or anode-free liquid, solid, and hybrid liquid-solid batteries hold tremendous promise, offering lower cost in parallel to over 50% higher energy by weight and by volume. However because of the poor Coulombic efficiency (CE), which leads to poor cathode utilization, rapid capacity fade during cycling, an unstable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) and ultimately dendrites, such cells have not been commercially viable. Solution This invention discloses a template material that may be employed on the anode side of a battery that will allow “anodeless”/“anod...

Sustainable sequins and paillettes

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 14:44:28 GMT

“In one year, British women purchase 33 million sequined garments and accessories at a cost of £415 million.”* Problem The current products available in the marketplace are derived from non-compostable plastics. Some of the sustainable versions are created from upcycling plastics, but the source of the material is still harmful to the environment. There is a need for circular materials to be implemented into the textiles and apparel industry. Sustainable designers have asked for sequins that have a circular product life cycle. This product offers a sustainable option, deriv...

Autorotative precision payload delivery device

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 14:23:58 GMT

Problem Dr. Jayant Sirohi and his team have developed an autorotative payload decelerator device that can be dropped from any type of aircraft at high speeds. Dr. Sirohi is the M.J. Thompson Regents Professorship in Aerospace Engineering & Engineering Mechanics and the Principal Investigator of the Vertical Lift Research Center of Excellence funded by the U.S. Army and Navy at UT Austin with primary interests in active materials/sensors/actuators, smart/multifunctional structures, energy harvesting, micro/UAV, vertical lift aircraft, fixed wing/rotary wing aeroelasticity, and expe...

Coated separator for improved battery performance

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 13:51:20 GMT

Background Dr. David Mitlin and his team have developed a multifunctional separator that allows for the stable cycling of anodes and secondary batteries, including metal anodes and metal batteries (MB). Dr. Mitlin is a David Allen Cockrell Endowed Professor at the Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering at UT Austin, with studies focused on energy storage materials/applications, metallurgy, and corrosion. He has published over 175 journal articles, holds 15 U.S. patents, and has eighteen pending patent applications. The majority of his patent work has already been licensed. His quali...

Negative enthalpy collector coatings to enhance stability of metal anodes

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 13:37:00 GMT

Problem Anodeless or anode-free liquid, solid and hybrid liquid-solid batteries hold tremendous promise, offering lower cost in parallel to over 50% higher energy by weight and by volume. However, because of the poor Coulombic efficiency (CE)—which leads to poor cathode utilization, rapid capacity fade during cycling, an unstable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) and ultimately dendrites—such cells have not been commercially viable. Solution This invention discloses a modified current collector that improves metal plating/stripping and prevents dendrites. It may be used with an...

Functionalized kapok fiber filter for oil and bacteria removal

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 11:34:46 GMT

Problem statement Contaminated water from the produced water industry must be treated prior to discharge, reuse, or recycling. Advanced treatment is often necessary to meet increasingly strict regulations, leading to membrane filtration use in produced water treatment. These membranes are susceptible to different forms of fouling, especially when organics and bacteria are present in the water. Pretreatment using a functionalized kapok fiber filter can provide >99.96% oil removal and 6-log bacteria removal to prevent biofouling of membranes in water treatment trains. These filters are effec...

Carboxylates and their derivatives for improved hydrocarbon recovery and geological storage of hydrogen and carbon dioxide

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 09:35:28 GMT

Problem Water injection, also called “water flooding,” is the most widely used method to increase production from oil reservoirs. It usually follows the primary production stage, in which the oil production relies on the reservoir’s natural energy. One of the main factors that affect the efficiency of water flooding is the wettability of the reservoir rocks. In general, the reservoir oil is more easily displaced by water if the surface of the reservoir rocks is in a more water-wetting state. However, a substantial amount oil can remain unrecovered by conventional water ...

Closed loop well designs and control for extraction of subsurface geothermal power

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 09:20:05 GMT

Background Dr. Eric van Oort and his team have developed a deep, closed-loop geothermal well design to improve upon traditional enhanced geothermal systems (EGS). Dr. van Oort is the Joe J. King Chair of Engineering No. 2 and B. J. Lancaster Professorship in Petroleum Engineering and a professor at UT Austin, with primary interests in drilling/completion fluids, hydraulic fracturing/reservoir geomechanics, and unconventional resource development. Dr. van Oort has received numerous SPE publication awards as well as distinguished SPE lecturer awards and has published numerous technical art...

Subsurface velocity estimation by a full waveform inversion method

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 16:48:59 GMT

Problem An important application of the geophysical inverse theory is seismic full waveform inversion (FWI), where seismic data recorded at the surface, sea floors or in boreholes is used to estimate subsurface parameters. In FWI problem, one tries to minimize an objective function that measures the misfit between observed data and estimated data with respect to model parameters. The commonly used L2 norm objective function have multiple local minima due to the highly non-linear relationship between model parameters and data. The traditional local optimization based methods only go along the ...

Synchronous ripple filter for switch-mode systems

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 09:22:07 GMT

Problem statement Switch-mode systems such as power converters usually generate significant electromagnetic interference (EMI) in the form of high-frequency current at their input (e.g., the grid) and/or output (e.g., processor supply voltages), which must be filtered to meet product specifications and/or regulations. This is typically accomplished through the use of passive inductors, capacitors, and resistors, adding substantially to the weight and size of the system. Active EMI filters are sometimes designed that attempt to cancel the interference current through broadband feedback; this a...

Software for signal segmentation and extraction of informative time-domain features

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 20 Jun 2023 12:56:17 GMT

Background Industrial manufacturing equipment equipped with large numbers of sensors is commonplace in today’s modern manufacturing systems. From Smart Factories using AI and digital twins, along with the proliferation of the Internet of Things (IoT) to improve efficiency and productivity, one common challenge is what to do with the vast amounts of equipment sensor data being generated. Semiconductor manufacturing processes greatly contribute to this data deluge, as the industry continues to drive towards ever smaller dimensions of produced features, moving the entire industry into the...

Plasma-free anisotropic wet etching method for III-N micro LEDs

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 20 Jun 2023 12:15:24 GMT

Background MicroLED technology are the next big display technology delivering stunning picture quality with spectacularly high resolution and brightness. MicroLED brings all the great aspects of OLED technology—self-emissive, perfect blacks, outstanding color, perfect off-angle viewing—while ditching the organic compounds to produce exceedingly thin panels. The major TV display OEMs have been actively showcasing huge displays, greater than 100-inch, at the yearly consumer electronics shows over the past few years to give us a taste of what’s to come for the home and consumer...

Optical control of nanoparticles on solid substrates

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 30 Jan 2023 17:24:31 GMT

Background Colloidal particles are becoming an increasingly prevalent feature in many emerging technologies. The ability to control these particles and construct them into desired nanostructures for functional devices is necessary to realize their benefits in real-world applications. Many existing technologies to control colloidal particles function by manipulating the particle in a liquid medium. Then, once the particles have been assembled into the desired formation, the nanostructure is transferred from the liquid medium to a solid substrate for use. A major shortcoming of this strategy is...

Wafer alignment with AFM metrology

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 09 Nov 2022 09:18:50 GMT

Background One of the major challenges in nanoscale manufacturing is defect control. Optical inspection is not an option at the nanoscale level due to the diffraction limit of light, and without inspection high scrap rates can occur. One solution to this problem is inline metrology using atomic force microscopes (AFM). Single chip MEMS based AFMs have recently been developed that could be easily and rapidly incorporated into fabrication lines. However, metrology with these AFM chips requires accurate placement of specimens relative to the AFM tip. Technology description Researchers at The U...

A low-cost and effective additive for polymer electrolytes in rechargeable all-solid-state batteries

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 13:54:55 GMT

All-solid-state batteries are the next logical step to improve upon the Li+-ion battery for energy storage in portable electronic device. With the desire to advance the per charge driving range of electric vehicles, improvements to the volumetric and gravimetric energy density of the battery packs must be made. The most-direct method of improving the energy density over the current Li+-ion battery is to use a lithium metal anode in place of the usual graphite anode. However, lithium metal is unstable upon charge/discharge cycling in the typical commercial organic liquid electrolyte with a prop...

Improved drug delivery for solid tumors

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 13:53:54 GMT

A novel formulation paving the way for pancreatic cancer therapeutics Problem Pancreatic cancer therapeutics have a success rate of less than 8%. The solid nature of the tumor in pancreatic cancer renders the current standard of care, chemotherapy drugs, less effective. Unfortunately, the problem lies not with the drugs themselves, but with the drug delivery methods used to carry the drug to the tumor site. Available drug delivery systems are not able to deliver enough drug into the tumor mass. Attaching albumin to drugs is an emerging solution and has been demonstrated to increase paylo...

New MRI acquisition and post-processing technique for improved breast cancer diagnosis

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 13:52:05 GMT

New computational imaging platform can improve patient-specific characterization of breast cancerProblemClinicians rely on imaging to direct the path of treatment for breast cancer. The current standards for vascular imaging, MRI and CT, can miss valuable information. Fortunately, there has been a wave of technical progress with digital health technologies. Digital health technologies can help doctors to make safer and more cost-efficient clinical care decisions. Recently, the FDA has defined a clearance pathway for this type of technology.1 Predictive modeling software can glean additional la...

Bidirectional DC/AC topologies

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 13:47:49 GMT

BackgroundRecently, more and more power conversion applications, such as PV micro-inverters, battery storage systems, on-board EV chargers, etc., require isolated DC/AC power converters. The markets for these applications are rapidly growing. The conventional two-stage topology solutions have simple control, higher efficiency, and lower cost. However, they have low efficiency, high cost, low density, and complicated control. This invention is proposed to combine both the benefits of the two-stage solutions and the single-stage solutions to significantly improve the performance and reduce the c...

Atmospheric water irrigation enabled by super moisture absorbent gels

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 13:43:21 GMT

Overview The global population is projected to reach 9.6 billion people by 2025, requiring food production to increase by 70% to meet the demand of the huge population. Water is most limiting natural resource for agricultural production due to the freshwater shortage and enormous need for irrigation. Dry cropland accounts for 84% of the cultivated area in the arable land, which, without irrigation, can lead to great loss of crop production. Global climate change and anthropogenic contamination further aggravate this threat. Current freshwater production can barely meet the urgent demand for ...

Tunable ionization platform

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 13:42:27 GMT

Background Different molecules have different ionization energies. Commercially available photo-ionization detectors (PIDs) emit light to ionize the molecules of interest. However, these PIDs require distinct lamps dependent upon the ionization energy required. In fact there are four types of lamps available, each with a different, fixed ionization energy. Due to limitation of available ionization energies, those detectors are only able to provide total volatile organic compounds (VOCs) concentration, and have no ability to provide any information on the types of VOCs.TechnologyResearchers at ...

Fabrication of metal-insulator-semiconductor photoelectrodes

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 13:41:55 GMT

Background Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting is a promising technology for converting solar energy into clean and storable chemical energy. In PEC cells, semiconductors play a key role in absorbing photons from the light source to create mobile charge carriers. Various semiconductor materials have been studied for the high-performance PEC cells, including metal oxides, nitrides, Si, III-V compound semiconductor materials, and others. Among these, Si-based photoelectrodes have attracted substantial interest due to silicon’s moderate bandgap (1.12 eV), high charge mobility and dif...

Oxygen-tolerant photopolymer resins

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 13:40:48 GMT

BackgroundLight-driven polymerization methods for 3D printing are particularly attractive due to unparalleled speed and resolution, yet the reliance on high energy UV/violet light in contemporary processes limits the number of compatible materials due to pervasive absorption, scattering, and degradation at these short wavelengths. Such issues can be addressed with visible light photopolymerizations. However, these lower-energy methods often suffer from slow reaction times and sensitivity to oxygen, precluding their utility in 3D printing processes that require rapid hardening (curing) to...

Hydrogen-stable membranes for olefin-paraffin separation

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 13:38:53 GMT

Background Light olefins are produced in greater quantity than any other organic chemical, with over 200 million metric tons of ethylene and propylene generated in 2016—roughly 30 kilograms for every person worldwide. Currently, olefin-paraffin separation, essential to the process, is performed by cryogenic distillation at elevated pressures. This separation is particularly difficult because the thermophysical properties of olefin-paraffin pairs are very similar, and no alternative technologies have been commercialized. Olefin-paraffin separation alone is estimated to account for 0.3% o...

Lithium selective organogels

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 13:37:08 GMT

Background Lithium (Li) is a highly reactive alkali metal with excellent heat and electrical conductivity properties, making it useful for a variety of industrial applications. Because of Li’s high reactivity, pure elemental Li is not found in nature but is present as a constituent of salts or other compounds found in brines, mineral ores, clays, and seawater. Brines/seawater contain a variety of dissolved minerals, primarily sodium (Na), present in greater quantities than Li, making the selective capture of Li over other dissolved minerals challenging. Numerous techniques (e.g., membra...

Novel test system for replicating cylindrical battery thermal runaway

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 12:56:58 GMT

Background Simulating real-world battery internal failures in a battery system is crucial to test and examine the performance of the designed protective mechanisms that enhance battery safety. The invention is created to be incorporated into a battery system to simulate battery internal failures. Other similar existing tools such as nail penetration cannot be practically incorporated into a battery system—phase-change-material (PCM) and shape-memory-alloy (SMA) approaches have complex experimental preparation, and dendrite-growth (DG) approach has poor controllability. Technology descr...

Colloidal building technique for higher order materials

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 01 Apr 2022 10:37:31 GMT

Background Radiation pressure, or radiation force, is produced by the electromagnetic interaction between light and a small particle, which is polarized by light. This interaction is the driving force behind the optical trapping of small particles. Tools based on optical trapping and manipulation are called “optical tweezers.” Since the first successful experimental demonstration of optical trapping, the related science and technology have undergone enormous growth. Currently, optical tweezers are a versatile tool and have reached practical usefulness; several optical tweeze...

Monolithic, unetched BTO strip waveguides

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 01 Apr 2022 10:31:57 GMT

Background Electro-optic technology relies on the operation of systems/devices through the propagation and interaction of light with various tailored/optically active materials. Typical electro-optical devices are designed to modulate the properties of a light wave (e.g., phase, polarization, amplitude, frequency, direction of propagation) and include photodetectors, laser diodes, flat-screen displays, and photonic IC. A waveguide is an electro-optical device component designed to guide electromagnetic waves in the optical spectrum, with a variety of waveguides available for use including pla...

Analog-to-digital converter (ADC) technologies

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 05 Nov 2021 10:53:55 GMT

Background Dr. Nan Sun and his research group have developed a portfolio of analog to digital converter (ADC) technologies that are available for licensing. Overall, Dr. Sun’s lab develops high-performance analog/mixed-signal circuits and architectures, with research efforts focusing primarily on designing low-power, high-speed, and high-resolution ADCs and digital-to-analog converters (DACs). They investigate a wide range of ADC and DAC architectures, including pipelined, delta-sigma, and successive approximation registrar (SAR). Their expertise lies in digital background calibrat...

At-home diagnostic system for managing heart failure

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Sun, 29 Aug 2021 17:17:50 GMT

Background In the past year, we have seen widespread adoption of at-home and drive-through diagnosis. Dispersion of the first line of healthcare is creating a massive opportunity to lower healthcare costs and improve disease management for millions of patients. With more than 5 million patients in the United States and 11 million physician visits each year (more than all forms of cancer combined), heart failure is one of the leading causes of death and accounts for a massive portion of healthcare costs.1 In fact, congestive heart failure is the first-listed diagnosis in 875,000 hosp...

Radio detection and ranging in communication networks

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 17 Aug 2021 11:59:48 GMT

Order-of-magnitude accuracy improvements for self-driving cars and other applicationsBackground Vehicular RADARs have high device cost, since they exploit large spectrum resources at millimeter-wave frequencies (24 GHz and 77 GHz) with tightly-coupled analog circuits and advanced antenna configurations on expensive process technology to overcome link budget shortfalls. Current RADARs are also spectrally inefficient. In the standard RADAR processing architecture, for example with frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) RADAR, the resolution is limited by the distance between received digital...

Energy-efficient MIMO systems

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 17 Aug 2021 11:23:18 GMT

Background It is generally accepted that Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) achieves better energy efficiency than Single-Input Multiple-Output (SIMO) thanks to spatial multiplexing gain. However, when circuit power is considered, MIMO may consume more power than SIMO at low spectral efficiency. This is because MIMO has multiple antennas and transmission chains so it consumes more fixed processing power (called “circuit power” hereafter). Thus circuit power hinders the use of MIMO on the uplink. This is one of the reasons why several emerging standards do not use MIMO for the up...

Mercury isotope composition for improved fluorescent lighting efficiency

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 16 Aug 2021 15:41:57 GMT

BackgroundEvery fluorescent light bulb on earth uses a small amount (several milligrams) of mercury. This element has seven naturally occurring isotopes. The opacity of the mercury vapor causes the resonance UV photons emitted by the atoms in a glow discharge plasma to be reabsorbed by adjacent atoms, leading to a much longer effective lifetime or lower escape rate of photons before they can reach the phosphor coating on the inner wall of the lamp envelope. Aong the way, collisions quench radiating states, which amounts to a loss of efficiency. It was long recognized that adding more of the ra...

Bimetallic thermally actuated valves

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 08 Jul 2021 16:16:49 GMT

Background Similar to how microelectronics transformed computers, microchannel technology has the potential to transform the energy and chemical processing industries by greatly reducing the size of chemical reactor hardware. However, size reduction faces several control challenges. The combination of unit operations (heat exchange, reaction, fluid flow) in a single device results in a loss of degrees of freedom. The reduced dimensions also make it difficult to incorporate distributed sensors and actuators, thus limiting the control of such reactors based on sensing and adjusting channel outp...

Variable gain amplifier utilizing positive feedback and time-domain calibration

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 09:49:27 GMT

BackgroundIn discrete-time systems, including ADCs, a voltage amplifier is necessary to increase the signal swing for further processing. Traditional precision amplification techniques, including closed-loop amplifiers, become less viable in nanometer-scale processes due to reduced transistor intrinsic gain. Additionally, these devices generally consume static power, which becomes a larger percentage of overall power consumption as dynamic power decreases with further device scaling. Recently, interest has grown in the usage of dynamic amplifiers in discrete-time systems. These amplifiers cons...

Electrochemical production of solar-grade silicon films from SiO₂

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 25 May 2021 13:12:13 GMT

Background Silicon thin films are an important limitation for solar photovoltaic cells. Currently, manufacturing of these films are from single crystal silicon and a large amount of raw material is wasted. Single crystal silicon is not a cheap commodity. Thus, the sawing process used on single crystal silicon is costly not only from a manufacturing standpoint, but also through the inefficient use of raw materials. Technology descriptionResearchers at The University of Texas have developed new technique method for producing photoactive silicon from silicon dioxide nanoparticles through electrod...

Generating water from air

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 18 May 2021 20:34:54 GMT

Background Air water generation (AWG) is a technology that extracts water molecules from the relative humidity in the atmosphere, passes the condensed water vapor through a filter to produce a drinkable source of water. This type of technology is most beneficial in environments that do not produce large amounts of drinkable water such as arid climates or those regions experiencing drought conditions. This technology eliminates the need to process water from the ground and instead taps the humidity in the air as a viable source of drinking water. There is significant energy cost in the current ...

Through silicon vias (TSV)

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 18 May 2021 19:58:07 GMT

Through silicon vias (TSV) is a key enabling element the provides short vertical interconnects in die stacks to improve electrical performance, power consumption, and form factor for 3D integrated devices. The mismatch of thermal expansion coefficients between the copper via and the silicon wafer can induce significant thermal stresses to degrade the device performance and induce structural failure, raising serious reliability concerns. Of particular concern is the extrusion induced by thermal stresses at the top of the copper via, which can damage the TSV and the adjacent interconnected struc...

A new rechargeable lithium battery cathode architecture

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 18 May 2021 17:42:02 GMT

Current Li+-ion batteries require electronically conductive additives within the cathode to maintain electrical contact between the small dispersed active cathode particles responsible for the energy storage reactions in the cell. Additionally, they require a polymer binder to hold the conductive additive and active material together. These two additional components—the conductive additive and polymer binder—are electrochemically inert and do not contribute to the energy storage capabilities of the cell. Thus, they add weight to the battery without adding additional functionality.R...

Repurposing Tamoxifen to treat lethal E. coli infections

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 17 May 2021 09:03:17 GMT

ProblemOver 100,000 people suffer from Shiga toxin-producing E. coli infections every year which cause gastrointestinal illness. In 5% to 15% of cases, these toxins enter the bloodstream, which can result in fatal renal disease. These infections are currently untreatable, as traditional antibiotics induce higher toxin concentrations and worsen illness. Currently, no therapies exist beyond attempts to mitigate symptoms. Blocking the way these toxins invade cells is an attractive therapeutic strategy for fighting these infections. Unfortunately, attempts to exploit this approach have fallen shor...

In vivo sensors using cerium nanoparticles

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 17 May 2021 08:29:38 GMT

New electrode reduces material cost and extends operational life of glucose monitoring sensors Background The global market for electrode-based blood glucose test strips is $5 billion a year and steadily growing.1 Competition in this market is fierce, especially with the introduction of generic test strips and commodity pricing. Most commercially available test strips use silver chloride electrodes.2 Cockrell School of Engineering Professor Emeritus Adam Heller has designed an electrode using cerium, which is 900 times more abundant than silver.3,4 Test strips with cerium oxide elect...

A dissolvable biomaterial scaffold for generating aligned cell sheets

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 17 May 2021 07:42:08 GMT

Background Generating cell sheets for tissues including cardiac, vascular, muscle, neural, and cartilage that require anisotropic aligned cell orientation relies on the use of biomaterial scaffolds. Currently available biomaterial matrices that are used as scaffolds for tissue growth remain tightly associated with the cells which can impede downstream applications such as imaging and implantation for in vivo studies. The 3D cell culture market currently lacks a simple and inexpensive scaffold that can effectively direct aligned cell sheet growth and be removed from intact cell sheets for downs...

Moiré chiral metamaterials and their application on label-free enantiodiscrimination of drug molecules

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Tue, 13 Apr 2021 10:04:58 GMT

Real-time analytical device enables continuous manufacturing of pharmaceutical ingredients Description Pharmaceutical drugs are typically made in large batches with multi-step processes. A typical batch manufacturing facility contains multiple pieces of complicated equipment and can require an investment of billions of dollars. Batch manufacturing processes are not amenable to automation and cannot be easily scaled to meet changing production needs. On the other hand, continuous manufacturing processes are compatible with automation and production can be modified to meet demand. For most...

Use of drug solvates in thermal processes to make solid dispersions at lower processing temperature

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 09 Apr 2021 21:28:33 GMT

An improved manufacturing approach expands possibilities for poorly soluble drugs Description Increasing the solubility and bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drug candidates is critical to successful drug development and translation. While 90% of drug candidates in development and 40% of all marketed drugs exhibit poor solubility, this remains a major obstacle for the pharmaceutical industry.1,2 Hot melt extrusion (HME) is a well-known process in plastic industry that has recently been adopted by the pharmaceutical industry to produce amorphous solid dispersion (ASD) to enhance bioavaila...

An efficient codec for improved quality streaming video at low bitrates

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 09 Apr 2021 13:20:07 GMT

Background The ultimate goal of a successful video compression system is to reduce data volume while retaining the perceptual quality of the decompressed data. Standard video compression techniques, such as H.264, HEVC, VP9 and others, have well-known limits and tradeoffs between rate and distortion, especially at low bitrates. Better video compression techniques are essential for more efficient video storage and transmission—the heart of all video streaming applications. Technology description This technology is an efficient and improved video compression technique using a machine le...

DosePlus: A pharmaceutical 3D-printing platform for flexible and precise dosages

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 07 Apr 2021 21:07:51 GMT

Problem Innovations in 3D printing have caused a paradigm shift in the design and manufacture of pharmaceuticals. By allowing for on-demand production of custom dosages, 3D printing has the potential to transform the field of personalized medicine and the economics of pharmaceutical manufacturing.1 However, existing 3D printing techniques for drug manufacturing are compatible only with a narrow segment of active pharmaceutical ingredients. These techniques also require a mixture of ingredients and substantial downstream processing, both of which slow production. As such, there is a critical ne...

High-throughput screening platform for skin penetration and permeability for dermal drugs and skin care products

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 07 Apr 2021 21:02:52 GMT

Description The skin is one of the most readily accessible tissues for delivery of drugs and therapeutics. Improving skin permeation and retention is a major focus for new drugs and skin care products. In the development stage of transdermal drugs, it’s important to probe permeability and test delivery methods in a high-throughput, cost-effective, and simple manner. The gold standard for testing such properties is the Franz method which positions a sample, usually human skin, in a tube. The Franz method suffers from low throughput and expensive tissue requirements. To overcome these limi...

Bacterial reagents: stable, low-cost, readily available reagents with no purification requirements

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 07 Apr 2021 20:57:00 GMT

Problem Most molecular biology techniques commonly used in research, biotechnology, healthcare, and education rely heavily on purified functional protein reagents. However, purification of these protein reagents requires substantial investment of time, expertise, equipment, and infrastructure. As a result, this significantly limits the availability of these reagents to resources primarily with means of both accessibility and affordability. In addition to the investments in equipment, the costly prices of these purified reagents are often a roadblock for research conducted in laboratories in po...

Highly noise-absorbent and odor-adsorbent seat and floor cover fabric systems for aircraft cabin interiors

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 17 Mar 2021 09:53:30 GMT

Background/unmet needActivated carbon fiber (ACF) is a material with high surface area and a nano-porous structure, giving it many unique properties. It has been used for making novel yarn, woven, knit, and non-woven textiles. Although these products exhibit excellent performance in many consumer end-uses such as water/air purification, chemical solvent adsorption and recovery, biochemical protective garments, and energy storage, their market growth is limited. This setback is mainly due to two major barriers: high cost and lack of manufacturing infrastructure. A scalable, low-cost method of A...

Diagnosis of lung cancer subtypes using rapid molecular test

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 15 Mar 2021 09:54:25 GMT

New cancer subtyping system can improve treatment options without disrupting clinical workflow.Problem Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death, with over 100,000 people dying per year.1 As most tumors are inoperable by the time the cancer is detected, patients are increasingly being placed on tailored treatment regimens. Prescribing targeted therapy hinges on the correct diagnosis of the subtype of lung cancer to ensure the most effective treatment plan and patient safety. Subtyping is commonly accomplished by diagnosis of a fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy, where a needle is inser...

Low-cost high-temperature humidification membrane

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 15 Mar 2021 09:04:10 GMT

Background Membrane humidifiers are widely used for gas humidification, where a dry gas channel and a water or humid gas channel are separated by a water-permeable membrane. During the operation, water vapor permeates through the membrane from the water or humid gas channel to the dry gas channel, driven by the relative humidity gradient across the membrane. An important application of the membrane humidifier is to maintain proper reactant humidity for polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells. Both dehydration and flooding will cause poor fuel cell performance, as well as degraded fuel ce...

Postpartum intrauterine contraceptive device

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 10 Mar 2021 10:22:35 GMT

Accessible, safe, and reversible IUD for better women’s health careProblem statementAbout 50% of U.S. pregnancies are unintended (UP) and can cost the U.S. government up to $21B yearly. UP within two years of a previous childbirth can lead to enhanced risk of adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. They can also indirectly impact education and career opportunities for women. Intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUDs) are safe, reversible and highly effective. Placing IUDs immediately post-partum can have several benefits, including easy placement and direct access, masked discomfor...

Next-gen smart windows

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 19:45:20 GMT

Electrochromic transition metal oxide nanocrystals for inexpensive, efficient, and responsive windows Technology description Researchers in the group of Professor Milliron have developed low-cost glass coatings made from nanocrystal inks that control daylight and solar heat gain in buildings on demand. These smart windows can be integrated with building control systems and are responsive to preferences of building occupants. Advantages of a nanocrystal approach to smart windows: Low-cost solution processing, also compatible with flexible plastic substrates Ready tuning of tinted color b...

Floating inverter pre-amplifier based dynamic comparator

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 05 Mar 2021 19:26:31 GMT

Background Two technologies are touched upon. First is an energy-efficient comparator, followed by a time domain two-step capacitance-to-digital converter. Comparators bridge the analog and digital world. A low-power, low-noise comparator is critical for analog-to-digital converters. A comparator consists of a pre-amp followed by a latch. Dynamic comparators, such as Strong-Arm (SA) latch-based comparators, use dynamic integrators instead of static pre-amps to remove static current and reduce power consumption. A conventional dynamic integrator based pre-amp has several limitations: no current...

Continuous-time SAR ADC

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 05 Mar 2021 19:17:36 GMT

Background The kT/C noise poses a fundamental signal to noise ratio (SNR) limit for discrete-time (DT) analog to digital converters (ADCs) with the front-end sampling operation. To achieve a high resolution, the sampling capacitor needs to be sufficiently large (e.g., 3pF for 80-dB SNR assuming 2Vpp swing) and it has to be quadrupled for every 1-bit increase in the resolution. A large sampling capacitor poses critical challenges for both the ADC input buffer and the reference buffer (Fig. 1). To meet the stringent linearity requirement of high-resolution ADCs, these buffers consume a significa...

Independently actuated AFM probes for nanoscale measurement

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 05 Mar 2021 18:42:45 GMT

Background The development of accurate surface imaging is key to implementing an effective metrology strategy to manage defect detection in high volume electronic device fabrication. Measurement of manufacturing processes can be performed either in-line, as part of the manufacturing process, or off-line in a separate process. Unfortunately, no methods currently exist to interrogate nanoscale features in-line with high-rate nanomanufacturing processes.Technology descriptionResearchers at The University of Texas at Austin have demonstrated a metrology device, which uses AFM probes to be integrat...

Inverter stacking amplifier

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 04 Mar 2021 16:20:23 GMT

BackgroundThe front-end amplifier typically dominates the overall noise and power performance of a sensor system. There exists a fundamental tradeoff between noise and power for an amplifier, which is well captured by the noise efficiency factor (NEF). Minimizing this tradeoff (or NEF) is crucial for a wide range of power and energy constrained applications, especially in biomedical implants due to stringent requirements on battery life and heat dissipation. Many excellent research works aim to improve the power efficiency. The central idea is to boost the overall amplifier transconductance (g...

Noise and spur reduction technique in fractional-N PLL

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 04 Mar 2021 10:20:59 GMT

Background Delta-Sigma fractional-N PLL plays an important role in modern electronic systems. Unlike integer-N PLLs, fractional-N PLLs allow synthesis of frequencies that are a fraction of the reference frequency. Thus, a fractional-N PLL can use a higher reference frequency than an integer-N PLL for the same frequency resolution. It allows a wider PLL bandwidth, leading to faster settling time and stronger suppression of VCO noise. However, Delta-Sigma fractional-N PLLs have an additional noise source: quantization noise from the Delta-Sigma modulator used to generate the fractional division ...

Efficient 3D printing manufacturing platform for poorly soluble drugs

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 01 Mar 2021 13:30:32 GMT

Novel 3D printing approach enables single-step manufacturing of poorly soluble drugsBackgroundA large number of pharmaceuticals are eliminated by the body due to their poor water solubility. This limits effectiveness because the drugs cannot be efficiently absorbed. To overcome this, drugs can be administered in an amorphous state rather than a crystalline state. Amorphous drugs show higher reactivity and better solubility than their crystal counterparts. However, they are extremely unstable due to their increased reactivity. Amorphous drug formulations are susceptible to recrystallizing, caus...

Hard matrix multiplier blocks in field-programmable gate arrays

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Wed, 24 Feb 2021 14:57:00 GMT

Rapidly changing algorithms and network architectures in the field of machine learning make Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) based designs an attractive solution for accelerating neural networks. However, the generic building blocks available in current FPGAs limit the acceleration that can be achieved. This technology, developed by researchers at The University of Texas at Austin, adds hard multiplier blocks into a field programmable gate array and provides for direct interconnect between them to create efficient larger matrix multipliers. This solution enables the design of faster and mo...

Lateral power semiconductor switch

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 12 Feb 2021 13:26:44 GMT

Background A majority of power devices are Si MOSFET or IGBT. Wide band gap (WBG) material based devices are posed to replace Si MOSFET and IGBT in the future. Silicon Carbide (SiC) and Gallium Nitride (GaN) are the two most matured materials, with SiC considered the more promising of the two. Today, SiC power MOSFET is made vertically; GaN is made laterally. SiC devices are very suitable for high voltage application, while GaN devices are very suitable for high frequency application with a breakdown voltage less than 600V. Because of this and several other factors, GaN FET is faster than SiC ...

Novel AC-AC converter

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Fri, 12 Feb 2021 10:52:22 GMT

BackgroundThe 60Hz transformer has been around for more than 100 years. It does one job, convert one AC voltage to another. Using power electronic AC/AC converter to replace this has the potential advantage of lower size and more functionalities. However, today there is a short coming in the AC/AC converter topology/circuit. This invention intends to address this issue.Technology descriptionResearchers at The University of Texas at Austin have developed a circuit design that can be used to converter AC voltage to another AC voltage with high efficiency >98%, using small number of semiconduc...

Reactive bubble printing method

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 17:54:54 GMT

Background The realization of optically active structures with direct-write printing has been challenging, particularly in spatially constrained microfluidic devices which are essential for point-of-care (POC) sensing and diagnostics. The existing techniques are limited by resolution, accessibility, and multi-step fabrication constraints.Invention descriptionResearchers at The University of Texas at Austin have developed a reactive bubble printing (RBP) technique, which utilizes a plasmonic-microbubble based approach to simultaneously reduce and print silver (or other metal based) nanoparticle...

Damage detection of railway tracks based on vibration measurements by moving laser sensors

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 16:56:00 GMT

BackgroundRailway transportation plays a key role in mass transportation of products and passengers. One of the biggest problems that endanger safety and operation of railways is the fractural cracks of the railway tracks. Even though ultrasonic measurement techniques have been extensively used for detection of such defects, these methods may show inefficiencies. Therefore, vibration measurements can be used as alternative method or can be combined with ultrasonic measurement for better accuracy of detection of such defects.Invention descriptionResearchers at The University of Texas at Austin ...

CSALT: Context switch aware large translation look-aside buffer (TLB)

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 16:40:29 GMT

BackgroundContext Switch Aware Large TLB (CSALT) addresses the problem of increased TLB miss rates and their adverse impact on data caches. The invention proposes to partition the on-chip caches to house translation entries (TLB entries/page table entries) alongside data. The partitioning is achieved by means of a low overhead cache partitioning algorithm which allocates capacity for translation entries depending on the demand. CSALT architecture can effectively cope with the demands of increased context switches by its capacity to store a very large number of TLB entries. FeaturesAn arch...

Very large DRAM-based TLB

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 16:16:01 GMT

Background Cloud services use virtualization platforms to provide their services. These platforms use hypervisors to enable easier scalability of applications and higher system utilization by abstracting the underlying host resources. Unfortunately, these systems have an increased level of memory virtualization pressure, as hypervisors and guests keep separate page tables. The amount of address translation increases as the hypervisor-based systems involve two-dimensional page table walks. With the increased number of cores and big data sets, the conventional SRAM Translation Look-aside Buffers...

Real-time automated control and characterization of drilling fluid rheology

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 14:39:50 GMT

Problem statementDrilling is one of the most expensive activities in any oil and gas operation. Monitoring drilling and completion fluid and maintaining these at desired levels of viscosity and density is essential for optimum drilling fluid performance, efficient hole cleaning, and Equivalent Circulating Density (ECD) management, as well as preventing failures of surface and downhole equipment during drilling. Automated RT determination of rheological parameters of drilling and production fluids has so far proved challenging, due partly to the instrumentation used. There is an unmet need in t...

A new efficient and cost-effective method for coffee roasting

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 14:15:57 GMT

An invention that allows for more precision and automation with less operator intervention, limiting the variability from batch to batch in the large-scale coffee bean roasting process BackgroundCoffee is an essential commodity that has a $30 billion-dollar annual market. The energy required to roast the necessary coffee beans to supply this demand costs about $1 billion dollars. Optimizing the roasting process can realize substantial cost reduction in the energy required for roasting coffee beans. Coffee beans must be roasted before they are used in any form of coffee beverage. The amoun...

A novel method for continuous production of dry water

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 13:47:13 GMT

BackgroundOriginally patented in 1968, a water-air emulsion encapsulated in refined silica known as "dry water" has been used in the cosmetics industry for years. Dry water is the name given to a water droplet encapsulated in silica. It is generally produced in a simple batch process in which powder and water are mixed at high shear rates. The scale-up of this batch process to meet high usage demands is difficult at best.Invention descriptionResearchers at UT Austin have designed a new method of producing silica-encapsulated water with the same quality as that of the batch process dr...

Artificial SEI for a stable lithium metal anode in rechargeable batteries

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 13:25:20 GMT

Background Alkali metal anodes for rechargeable batteries suffer from dendrite formation, which subsequently causes electrical shorting and thermal runaway for the battery. A technology developed by researchers at The University of Texas at Austin stabilizes the anode-electrolyte interface such that stable alkali-metal plating/stripping is achieved upon charge and discharge of the cell without the formation of dendrites. This technology has been shown to drastically improve cycle life in pouch cells. In addition, this battery technology can be used in conjunction with current Li+-ion battery i...

FaultSeg3D: Fast and accurate 3D fault delineation

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 19:54:01 GMT

Problem statementAccurate 3D mapping of faults from seismic images is essential for seismic structural interpretation, reservoir characterization and well placement. Current methods for fault delineation depend on calculating attributes that estimate seismic reflection continuities and discontinuities. These methods are slow and can take days to process. The map obtained using these conventional methods does not provide desirable levels of detail.Technology descriptionResearchers at The University of Texas at Austin have come up with an end-to-end Convolution Neural Network (CNN) approach to s...

RAPIDClean: fast, accurate real-time simulations for hole cleaning operations

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 19:03:22 GMT

Problem statementImproper hole cleaning is a major cause of non-productive time (NPT) in drilling. Current hole cleaning practices are mostly based on experience, rules of thumb and simplistic calculations, and do not necessarily work as expected in all scenarios. Available models do not include parameters such as fluid compressibility, pipe rotation and eccentricity, and transient effects. They often do not work with state-of-the-art technologies. These modeling software are also extremely expensive. There is a need for a robust, fast, cost-effective and accurate tool to simulate cuttings tra...

Br512: an improved DNA polymerase for isothermal amplification assays

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 19:02:08 GMT

Unmet need Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is a technique that allows for nucleic acid amplification without the need for a thermocycler. This technology enables testing for infections practically anywhere. Testing shortages have exacerbated the COVID-19 pandemic, and there is a high demand for tests that can provide rapid results outside of a hospital or clinical laboratory setting. Despite the advantages, isothermal amplification techniques have not been used in a diagnostic setting because of the low limit-of-detection (false negatives), errant amplification (false positives),...

Potent broad-spectrum antiviral for COVID-19 treatment

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 18:58:18 GMT

Unmet need Broad-spectrum antiviral drugs like remdisivir and niclosamide are promising treatments for COVID-19. Multiple clinical studies of remdisivir have shown benefits such as reduced recovery time. However, in November of 2020 the WHO recommended against the use of remdisivir for COVID-19 treatment based on questions of effectiveness. There remains a critical unmet need for COVID-19 antiviral treatments that can improve outcomes and speed recovery. SolutionNiclosamide has shown promise in animal models for treating COVID-19. However, a major limitation of niclosamide is poor absorption, ...

Sensitivity enhancement for diagnostic assays

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 18:57:04 GMT

Problem The COVID-19 pandemic has ushered in a new era of diagnostic testing. Patients now demand rapid results, and they want testing to happen in a safe and convenient setting. Regulatory agencies and the biotech industry are working together to meet this need. Fierce competition is emerging among the hundreds of tests that have now received Emergency Use Authorization during the COVID-19 pandemic. The biggest differentiating factor among tests is the limit of detection (LoD), which for SARS-CoV2 means the lowest amount of viral material that can be detected in a given sample. Limit of detec...

Visible to near-infrared light activated photopolymer resins

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 18:54:10 GMT

BackgroundResin 3D printing has many advantages, such as high precision, smooth surface finish, and rapid printing speed. Conventional LCD or DLP devices use ultraviolet (UV) light to activate photo-initiators in the resin. A cheaper, less power hungry, and more biocompatible alternative would be to use visible light to activate photo-sensitizers in a different resin formulation. However, the use of photo-sensitizers follows a two-step process which limits its speed compared to the use of photo-initiators.Technology descriptionResearchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a c...

Early detection of cancer from blood draw

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 18:51:24 GMT

Problem Eight million people die from cancer each year, and 90% of these deaths happen in cases where the cancer has spread throughout the body from the initial tumor site.1 In the early stages of cancer, tumor cells can shed from the primary mass and enter the bloodstream. Clinicians can glean important information about the tumor from these circulating tumor cells (CTCs). CTC analysis requires only a blood draw, and most forms of analysis can be done rapidly on automated machines. The wait for diagnosis from biopsy, which can take weeks to months, is harrowing for a patient and delays treatm...

Rapid screening tool to detect early-stage diabetes

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 18:41:19 GMT

New device with potential to improve diabetes care and management for millions of patients Problem The CDC estimates that approximately 7 million people in US have diabetes and don't know it.1 Delayed diagnosis increases the risk of serious complications such as premature heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure.2 Accurate screening tools that fit into clinical workflows are needed to help more patients detect diabetes at an early stage and start treatment. The standard tool for screening for diabetes is the hemoglobin A1c test. This widely used test is preferred by patients and clinicia...

Time-domain capacitance-to-digital converter with zoom-in SAR

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 18:38:59 GMT

BackgroundTwo technologies are touched upon below—an energy-efficient comparator followed by a time domain two-step capacitance-to-digital converter. Comparators bridge the analog and digital world. A low-power, low-noise comparator is critical for analog-to-digital converters. A comparator consists of a pre-amp followed by a latch. Dynamic comparators, such as Strong-Arm (SA) latch-based comparators, use dynamic integrators instead of static pre-amps to remove static current and reduce power consumption. A conventional dynamic integrator based pre-amp has several limitations: no current...

Enhanced room-temperature mid-IR LEDs with integrated semiconductor ‘metals’

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 18:37:42 GMT

BackgroundThe mid-infrared (mid-IR) wavelength range (~2-20 μm) is of vital importance for a range of sensing, security and defense, and fundamental science applications. Mid-infrared optical sources have historically fallen into two primary categories: simple thermal sources and coherent, laser sources of light. The former consist solely of a hot object, heated to a temperature where the object gives off significant thermal radiation across the mid-IR. Such sources are broadband, covering the entire mid-IR range, but are also slow and extremely power inefficient. Laser sources, on the othe...

Automated real-time optimization of formation fluid sampling using artificial intelligence

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 18:35:10 GMT

BackgroundFor capital-intensive exploration and production projects, understanding the chemical and physical properties, phase behavior, compatibility, spatial distribution, and hydraulic connectivity of reservoir fluids is critical for long-term planning and operation. Often, reservoir fluid samples acquired via formation testing represent the only source of fluid properties reliable enough for economic evaluation. Therefore, the ability to consistently collect representative high-quality samples is essential for successful exploration and appraisal projects. Current methods for obtaining res...

Low-cost photothermal composites for solar-assisted desalinization and oil-spill cleanup

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 18:33:22 GMT

Problem Current methods for water decontamination and desalination of ocean water to provide clean drinking water are time consuming and expensive. The materials that have previously been reported for these functions are difficult and expensive to synthesize. Additionally, these materials usually have drastic limitations such as being mechanically fragile, preventing their commercial viability. Technology Researchers at the University of Texas have developed a low-cost, easily manufacturable photothermal composite that is assisted by solar energy gained from sunlight to efficiently decontam...

Scandium nitride magnetic tunnel junction

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 18:32:01 GMT

BackgroundSpin transfer torque-magnetic random-access memory (STT-MRAM) has relied on MgO tunnel barrier based magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) since the discovered improvements over Al2O3 a decade ago. However, MgO presents growth challenges hindering wide use and acceptance. Small pinholes in the barrier provide a path for electrical conduction, suppressing the tunnel current. Due to the large MgO bandgap, increasing the MgO thickness past 1.5 nm to reduce pinholes severely increases the tunnel barrier resistance. This results in large device variations and the need for highly precise growth...

Step-down DC/DC converter

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 18:23:36 GMT

Background The 48V power architecture is one of the more recently introduced architecture to improve computer power supply efficiency. However, conversion from 48V to 12V or down to ~1V needed by the CPU is a grand challenge. Efficiency and footprint are the key drivers as the converter is placed on the motherboard. Previous methods include Buck, Switch Tank, Multi-stage Switch-capacitor Resonant, and Fibonacci Converters. An international race is underway to find the best solution. Technology description Researchers at The University of Texas at Austin have developed a family of new DC/DC ...

A robust tool for full in-situ rock characterization

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 18:22:15 GMT

Problem statement Pore-throat-size distribution is one of the most basic properties of porous media, which controls fluid flow and many physical properties of reservoir rocks (Fig. 1). Accurate, real-time, safe, and in-situ assessment of this property, however, has always been a challenge for the petroleum industry. Reliable assessment of this property enables dependable evaluation of dynamic petrophysical properties of rocks such as permeability, capillary pressure, and relative permeability, which are critical for reservoir modeling and for making production decisions. The current technologi...

A new way to extract lithium chloride from liquid and solid solutions

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 18:21:18 GMT

Lithium chloride (LiCl) is a critical lithium containing material involved in producing battery-grade lithium hydroxide (LiOH). LiOH is required as a precursor material for many of the high-performance Li+-ion battery cathode chemistries in use today for portable electronic applications from laptops to electric vehicles. However, current battery production is already beginning to push the limit of readily available lithium reserves from traditional mining techniques. Some estimates predict readily available lithium resources will not be able to meet global demand as early as 2023. Although the...

Advanced sensors for RT determination of mud density and flow rate in high-pressure conditions

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 18:19:50 GMT

Problem statementLost circulation can have disastrous consequences including blowout (uncontrolled kicks) and loss of life, so close monitoring to quickly assess and control such events is essential. Market estimates indicate that over $2 billion USD is spent annually to combat and mitigate these events. Real-time measurement of mass flow is critical to obtaining improved estimations of delta flow rate, a primary indicator of kicks or mud-loss. This information is particularly desirable at the well inlet, where pressures can approach 7500psi. Most available technologies can determine either fl...

A cost-effective downhole strain sensor tool for retrofit or new installation

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 18:18:54 GMT

Problem statement Hydraulic fracturing involves fracturing of bedrock formations by pressurized liquids and is one of the key technologies used for unconventional oil production. Usually strains on the order of 10–5 to 10–6 propagate ahead of the fractures. Monitoring and characterizing the strain on wellbores can be a formidable challenge, especially in pre-existing wells that cannot be retrofitted with sensors. Currently used sensors for horizontal wells are basically long fiber-optic cables that stretch when the casing pipe elongates under strain load from the surrounding matrix...

Polymer blends for gas separation membranes

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 18:17:52 GMT

Background Polybenzimidazoles (PBIs) have been studied for use as gas separation membranes for aggressive, high-temperature applications such as hydrogen separations due to their high chemical and thermal stability. Increasing the permeability of PBIs while maintaining good selectivity for gas pairs such as H2/CO2 would make such technology competitive for pre-combustion carbon capture applications and for emerging applications such as H2/CH4 and H2/hydrocarbon separations. Polymer membranes typically exhibit a so-called “upper bound” tradeoff, where increases in permeability are a...

Silver carriers stabilized by ionic liquids under presence of hydrogen gas

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 18:12:38 GMT

Problem statement Silver ions in facilitated transport membranes are often unstable under desirable operating conditions for facilitated transport of olefins. Upon exposure to hydrogen gas, the silver ions irreversibly reduce to elemental silver and become immobilized within the membrane, limiting the ability of these membranes to be effective for long-term use. Current technologies aimed at suppressing this problem involve adding small amounts of a hydrogen peroxide and nitric acid solution to the facilitated solvent to stabilize the silver ions against precipitation. However, this approach c...

Ultra-thin IR detector

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 18:02:35 GMT

BackgroundStrained layer superlattices (SLSs) have attracted significant attention as potential light absorbers for infrared (IR) photodetector applications. Such semiconductor-based structures provide effective band gaps across mid-wave to long-wave IR that are tunable by control of layer thicknesses and material composition. Of particular interest is the predicted improved performance of SLS-based detectors in the key metrics of both dark current and fabrication costs when compared to the current state-of-the-art HgCdTe photodetectors.Technology descriptionResearchers at The University of Te...

Simple drill system process for accurate determination of formation properties

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 17:59:43 GMT

Problem statementKnowledge of rock mechanical properties at subsurface conditions is essential to hydrocarbon exploration and production industry. Current methods to obtain this data include seismic amplitude measurements prior to drilling, while-drilling methodologies (LWD and MWD) using drill acoustics and post-drilling methods that use wireline logging operations. These techniques suffer from low spatial resolution and low accuracy because of either remote detection of rock mechanical properties as in seismic methods or because estimated rock properties no longer reflect in-situ conditions ...

Targeting specific neurons for personalized next-gen therapeutics

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 17:58:37 GMT

Technology summary Neurological and cognitive disorders such as epilepsy, pain, fear and anxiety, depression, addiction, apnea and tremors can result from aberrant activity of defined subsets of neurons, including an imbalance of excitatory versus inhibitory signaling. However, it is difficult to alter neuron function selectively in the brain for research or clinical applications.To address this critical need, Dr. Zemelman and his group have developed a suite of genetic reagents to identify and access key neuron subclasses in mammals, including primates, for clinical and research applications....

Truck-mounted pavement deflection monitoring system using high-precision laser scanners and inertial sensors

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 17:53:15 GMT

A new easy to use universal pavement deflection monitoring system to monitor road health The deflection of pavement when a moving vehicle passes over it is an important measure of its condition. Since pavement damage is initially not visible on a road’s surface, pavement deflection should be measured as often as possible for the efficient maintenance of drivable roads. When damage is severe enough to become visible, the pavement must be completely replaced, which is much more expensive than repairing it when the damage initially occurs. Current pavement deflection sensors are limite...

Flash-sintered additive manufacturing

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 17:47:49 GMT

Background Ceramics have been found useful in increasingly diverse applications in modern industry because of their high mechanical strength, low thermal conductivity, and high wear and corrosion resistance. In addition, the bio-compatibility of some ceramics allows them to be used for body prostheses, dental, and tissue engineering scaffolds. These types of medical applications are good candidates for additive manufacturing techniques, but current methods either use organic binders and require extremely high temperatures or yield parts with impractically low density and strength.Technology de...

A way to emulate quantum computing with traditional analog signals

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 17:22:42 GMT

BackgroundThere are some numerical problems that are believed to be too difficult to solve with current computers or would take too long to solve. Quantum takes advantage of quantum mechanical phenomenon to manipulate and store information to yield computational power that far exceeds even the most advanced classical computers by using quantum bits. Quantum bits (qubits) have a third state beyond the traditional 1 and 0 states of a normal computer. These new bits have a third state known as superposition which can allow the quantum bit to represent a 1 and 0 simultaneously. This phenomenon can...

Conversion of recycled cotton into high performance barrier film

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 17:13:28 GMT

A sustainable material with properties suitable for food packaging Background Typical polymer food packaging materials are good barriers to air, but not moisture. In contrast, metallic food packaging materials block air and moisture, but are opaque and do not allow for vision of the packaged food. Cellulose nanofiber films typically fall into the category of polymer films that are not good at blocking moisture. Cellulose nanofibers have many industrial uses; however, current methods for producing them are net negative in their environmental impact, and that negative impact is set to drast...

Functionalized silicon nanocrystals

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 17:06:47 GMT

BackgroundSilicon (Si) is an extraordinarily useful semiconductor, employed in integrated circuits, solar cells, and photodetectors; however, it exhibits no significant luminescence at room temperature because of its indirect band gap. Silicon nanocrystals (SiNCs), or quantum dots, on the other hand can be efficient light emitters, with emission wavelength that can be tuned by size from the near-infrared (NIR) into the visible range. Because Si is nontoxic, SiNCs are also well-suited for medical imaging applications.Technology descriptionResearchers at The University of Texas at Austin have de...

Novel electrowetting-based microfluidic system for heat pipe applications

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 17:05:17 GMT

Problem statement Currently, heat pipes use a passive wick to pump liquid back from the condenser to the evaporator. The heat transport capacity of these heat pipes is limited by the capillary pressure generated in the internal wick which pumps condensate to the evaporator. Transporting heat over long distances is challenging, since the fluid transport capacity of the wick is inversely proportional to length. Heat pipe technology, which is not limited by wick performance, will be attractive for a diverse range of thermal management application areas, such as solar thermal, defense, data center...

A novel polymer for the quantitative cryopreservation of cells and tissue

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 16:49:54 GMT

Technology summary Cryopreservation science has seen only limited progress in recent decades. The discovery and development of a non-toxic, universal approach to complex cell and tissue cryopreservation could transform medicine through preservation of cell therapy products, organ banking, and lead to advancements that would decrease mortality and improve quality of life. The freezing of water causes both mechanical and osmotic toxicity1. State-of-the-art cryoprotectants (e.g., DMSO, glycerol, formamide, butandiol) alleviate freezing damage to an extent, but are toxic themselves to cells post-f...

Vascular regeneration using mechano-biologically conditioned mesenchymal stem cells

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 16:23:34 GMT

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are an appealing cell type for use in therapies for ischemia, but clinical trials have not yielded consistent benefits for patients. In their current form, MSC therapies are ineffective and unreliable, particularly for patients who have suffered a myocardial infarction. Work done by Dr. Baker and his team overcomes many of current limitations to MSC therapeutic approaches, including reduction of therapeutic activity by aging and disease, patient-to-patient variability in response, and MSC heterogeneity. Through patient-specific enhancement of biomechanical pharmac...

A method for efficient heat storage devices

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 16:03:16 GMT

Commercial and residential buildings account for more than 40% of primary energy consumption in the United States, including 70% of all electricity. Much of this energy, particularly during peak weather events, is used by residential or small commercial building environmental loads (Figure 1). The ability to shift these peak environmental heating and cooling loads to off-peak periods, or to periods where “free” or low-cost energy is available, can reduce building energy costs and environmental impacts. Time shifting of peak energy loads can also improve returns on capital investmen...

Fibrosis-free microfluidic meshwork implant for treating glaucoma

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 15:50:54 GMT

BackgroundGlaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in the world and affects almost three million people in the United States alone. The primary treatment option is to reduce the intraocular pressure (IOP) caused by fluid buildup in the affected eye, which is frequently accomplished by surgery to create an outflow of the accumulated fluid. Conventional surgical treatments, including glaucoma drainage implants (GDI) and minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries (MIGS), rely on creating and maintaining an additional opening in the eye to allow excess fluid to drain. However, up to fift...

STO/LAO quantum well structures

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 11:37:55 GMT

Background Electro-optic modulators play a key role in global communications and data transfer infrastructure. Most notably, they form the basis for optical transceiver technologies which connect high-throughput data centers to long-haul fiber optic communications lines. Due to rapidly expanding global data demands, the performance of such devices, as characterized by device speed and power consumption, is becoming increasingly critical for the efficient operation of global networks. Current optical transceiver technologies suffer from several drawbacks, including large power consumption, slow...

Large Pockels coefficient in BaTiO₃ (BTO) devices

intranet@discoveries.utexas.edu — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 11:37:48 GMT

BackgroundThe explosion of global data rates has led to an increased reliance on optical transceiver technologies for high-throughput data centers and high-performance computing. Photonic integrated circuits improve the performance of optical technologies and reduce their cost. Many key elements in photonic integrated circuits, such as modulators and switches, require the presence of some sort of electro-optic effect to map electrical and optical signals onto one another, thereby converting electronic data into optical data. Many physical mechanisms can be exploited to produce an electro-optic...