Technology Maturation Fund
In an effort to capitalize on Tennessee’s renowned public and private research network, TTDC established the state’s first Technology Maturation Fund to help resident scientists, inventors and entrepreneurs realize the commercial potential of innovative technologies. Technology Maturation Fund awards, while modest in size, help move promising technologies from the lab to the proof-of-concept or prototype stage in order to attract additional investor support or secure third-party licensing deals. The fund is an integral component in TTDC’s efforts in technology commercialization and state-wide economic development. For more information about the fund, contact James Stover(james.stover [at] tntechnology [dot] org), Director of Capital Formation.
Winners of April 2009 Technology Maturation Grants are:
University of Memphis - Infusensor
Collaboration between Professor Erno Lindner (UT-Memphis, TN)
and Dr. Edward Chaum (UTHSC-Memphis, TN)
Electrochemical biosensor (device that recognizes and measures an analyte in a sample) that directly measures the concentration of the drug propofol in the blood and controls its delivery.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital - Development and commercialization of an ALK mutational genetic testing assay using TEERTM technology
Collaboration between Dr. Stephan Morris (St. Jude-Memphis, TN)
and Insight Genetics (Nashville, TN)
Assay for the detection of mutations in the Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) gene. This diagnostic will enable clinicians to identify ALK derived tumors early and prescribe inhibitors to the right patient at the right time.
Tennessee Board of Regents (MTSU) - Plug-in hybrid retrofit design
Collaboration between Dr. Charles Perry (MTSU – Murfreesboro, TN) and Dr. Ali Alouani (Tennessee Technological University - Cookeville, TN)
A hybrid electric motor that is an economical retrofit kit, easily adaptable to existing fleet on the road. It is a novel bolt-on clam shell electric motor design requiring no alterations to the vehicle drive train.
University of Tennessee - Hydrocarbon Based Membranes as Alternatives to Nafion
Professor Jimmy Mays (UT - Knoxville)
A lower-priced, higher-performance, alternative membrane for the fuel cell market.
University of Tennessee - Novel Method for Synthesis and Manufacturing of Cellular
Polymeric Foam
Dr. Dayakar Penumadu (UT - Knoxville)
A new method for producing low and high density polymeric foam using a manufacturing technique (microwave instead of steam) that greatly reduces the manufacturing time, energy, space and equipment.
Y12 National Security Complex – Pro-Ox Nano
Dr. Roland Seals (Y12 – Oak Ridge, TN)
Carbon-nanotube-reinforced polymer composites that will be widely utilized within the automotive, aeronautic and defense arenas, for such diverse applications as automobile body panels and lightweight, bullet-resistant body armor. Carbon Nanotubes are a new, advanced material which has been endorsed as one of the strongest material in existence.
