Background

Navigating supermarkets can be confusing, especially if the customer is not sure what category the product they are searching for could be in. Existing brand‑specific apps provide various helpful functions for their customers, such as the ability to see prices by scanning bar codes. A function that helped users find the items they are looking for would be another helpful addition to these apps.

Technology

This app feature can be added on to existing shopping apps, and will use augmented reality to help the user navigate within the store. At the top there is a search bar, where customers can enter what item they are looking for, and then the app will use the camera to direct the user to their desired item. As they follow the directions, stores can choose to have tips pop up if they pass by items that they have bought before or items that are similar to their buying history.

Advantages

Makes customers' lives easier and finding items faster - More intuitive and interactive than a map‑based system - Tips may help customers not forget items

Application

Supermarkets or other large stores - Can be useful to find stores or rooms in large buildings like malls and movie theaters. The search bar could be modified to allow searches for stores where specific items are likely to be sold - Training new employees, or assisting them in providing directions to customers on their own

Background

Presently, state‑of‑the‑art batteries can be divided into two categories: rechargeable and primary. Rechargeable batteries can be discharged and charged multiple times, whereas primary batteries are intended for one-time use. Even though rechargeable batteries have the benefit of having numerous uses, they typically have a lower capacity than primary batteries. Therefore there is a need to combine the advantages of both types of batteries to make a long‑lasting rechargeable battery.

Technology

This technology revolves around using two different cathode active materials in a single battery. The first material is high voltage and can be charged and discharged multiple times, and the second material has a high capacity and a lower voltage than the first one. The second material doesn’t have to be rechargeable and can act purely as a primary active material. The two active materials are dispersed within the cathode structure and are patterned so that the materials are in regional domains. The domains are organized through the thickness or area of the cathode. There are also discrete layers of the cathode active materials where one material is layered on top of the other. For the first material, transition metal oxides, phosphates, silicates, and related materials can be used. These examples have high voltage and electrochemical reversibility. For the second material, transition metal sulfides, sulfur, carbon monofluoride, and related materials can be used. These examples have a high capacity.

Advantages

Provides a higher capacity than a rechargeable battery on its own. - The high voltage material that is discussed can be discharged and charged multiple times without depleting the high capacity of the lower voltage material. - More reliable. - Energy density can also be potentially higher within certain parameters.

Application

This technology can be used in areas where a battery is needed. Depending on the size and requirements of the battery, this technology can be tested and tweaked to match the necessary needs.

Background

Given the recent current events revolving around the COVID‑19 pandemic and CDC guidelines, face coverings have become a necessity in public settings. Due to the increasing evidence of the effectiveness of face masks for the stop of the COVID‑19 virus and other germs/bacteria, wearing them has become a societal norm. Currently, the most common face coverings used are the N95 masks and they have certain shortcomings that can be improved upon. N95 filters are efficient because they contain charged fibers that provide electrostatic forces to attract small nanosized particles. This meets the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s (NIOSH) filter efficiency and breathing resistance requirements. However, due to the formation of moisture‑induced salt bridges, these electrostatic forces do not last a long time which limits shelf life and results in the inability to use N95 masks again after washing them. Therefore there is a need for face coverings that can last longer and be re‑used.

Technology

This technology revolves around enhancing any face-covering material with N95 performance by using a combination of aerial spraying and nanocellulose technology. An air atomizing spray nozzle provides air pressure to uniformly apply a CNF barrier layer to the fabric. This layer provides the fabric with the capability of being an effective face mask.The mechanical strength of the CNF layer is increased by chemically cross‑linking the negative COO‑ groups in the CNF layer with a wet‑strength resin. This will allow for the face-covering to be washed without reducing efficiency. The CNF layer also has the characteristic of being able to retain electrostatic charges when re‑used which maintains its effectiveness.

Advantages

Cost‑effective - Face masks that are reusable - Face masks can be washed while having good charge retention - Longer shelf‑life

Application

This technology is an immediate, low‑cost defense when combatting airborne threats. People can apply the CNF layer to their face‑covering via a spray canister or they can insert/attach fabricated CNF membranes to existing face coverings.

Background

Currently, when performing eye, eyelid, or upper face surgery, the surgeon will tape a plastic covering to the patient’s face, sometimes along with a traditional mask. This technique is insufficient at creating a sterile field for the patient, is difficult to set up correctly, and often gets in the way of the surgeon. Thus, a device that can provide a ready-made and easy-to-use protective barrier to keep the area sterile is needed.

Technology

This facial shield is made of a frame that wraps around the patient’s nose and supports that extend from the frame over the patient’s mouth. This framework is covered by a sterile sleeve, blocking airflow from the patient’s breathing and preventing surgical tools from directly contacting the nose or mouth. Using the device only requires sliding on the sterile sleeve and placing the device over the patient’s head. This setup allows the easy creation of a sterile zone on the upper face for eye-related and other upper-facial surgeries.

Advantages

Easier to set up - Less likely to interfere with operation - More sterile

Application

Sterile upper facial surgery.

Background

Coronavirus uses the spike (S) protein to gain entry into host cells. The S protein binds to host cell receptors, leading to a series of conformational changes that convert the pre-fusion S structure into the post-fusion S structure, pulling the viral and host membranes together. Current COVID‑19 vaccines work by exposing the host to the viral S protein. Unmodified S proteins tend to be unstable and readily transition to the post‑fusion state. Since the antibodies need to bind to the pre‑fusion structure to improve immune response, stabilizing the spike in the pre‑fusion structure has been a large focus among COVID‑19 vaccine research. Stabilizing the S protein in the pre‑fusion conformation involves rigidification of the S protein central helix, which changes interactions between the central helix and the receptor binding domain. The change to these interactions has been reported to change the spike flexibility and motion of the receptor binding domain as compared to the true coronavirus spike. Many known antibodies bind to the receptor binding domain, and thus maintaining the original flexibility is expected to be important.

Technology

Researchers at Stony Brook University (SBU) propose stabilizing the pre‑fusion spike glycoprotein by introducing a specifically designed disulfide bond that “staples” together the S central helix and its Heptad Repeat 1 (HR1) domain. By preventing HR1 from detaching from CH, the prefusion spike structure can be stabilized without rigidification of the central helix or changes to its interaction with the receptor binding domain. This disulfide-stapled spike allows for a stable vaccine without the need for the stabilizing mutations that are currently in use.

Application

Coronavirus vaccines

Background

A large majority of the commercial fission power reactors used around the world are known as Thermal‑neutron Reactors. These reactors involve the absorption of a thermal (low energy) neutron to trigger the fission process of Uranium‑235 and Plutonium‑239. The thermal neutron starts off having very high energy as it emanates directly from the fission reaction, and then steadily downgrades in energy as it collides with other particles in the reactor. Current power reactors are light‑water reactors in which the thermal neutrons collide with the Hydrogen atom in the water molecules. The most effective moderating materials that the thermal neutron can collide with are low atomic numbered constituent atoms such as H, Be, Li, C, O, Mg, Al, Si, etc. The current need for nuclear power research is revolved around reducing the physical size of the thermal reactors and the overall power output so that small modular reactors can be developed. A new technology is needed that can allow small modular reactors to be efficient and compact while using advanced moderating materials.

Technology

This technology revolves around an advanced composite moderator, which is a two‑phase mixture of a highly moderating phase that is entrained within a matrix phase. Both phases have superior neutronic moderation when compared to graphite, have adequate neutron absorption, and also have good long‑term operating stability. There are multiple examples of advanced moderators that involve different moderating materials but are all effective. Using two‑phase moderators has the potential to produce more power in a graphite‑moderated fission reactor core of a specific size and/or enable the reactor design to design more compact systems. The advanced moderator allows for smaller, cheaper, and safer reactors to provide reliable energy.

Advantages

Allows for a more compact reactor, where the overall physical size of the reactor is lowered and allows more control over the power output. - It is cheaper than conventional processes. - It is safer than conventional processes. - It also has good long‑term operating stability.

Application

This technology will be applied to thermal neutron nuclear reactors. It will allow for reactor designs to be more compact, safer, cheaper, and reliable.

Background

A great deal of research is focused on realizing a green energy technology which can convert carbon dioxide (CO2) into useful fuels in an environmentally sound manner. One specific area of interest is utilizing sunlight as the energy input for such processes. The goal is to develop efficient photocatalysts based on earth‑abundant elements that can reduce CO2 into energy‑rich chemicals and fuels under visible light irradiation. Currently, there are no commercially available products of this sort. While metal‑ligand complexes have been used as catalysts in many reactions, they are often expensive and difficult to prepare.

Technology

Researchers at Stony Brook University (SBU) propose a composition of a photocatalyst, a method of manufacturing the photocatalyst, and a method of chemically reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) to carbon monoxide (CO) using the photocatalyst under visible‑light irradiation. The photocatalyst comprises single cobalt sites deposited on graphitic carbon nitride. The cobalt (Con+), in absence of additional ligands, forms coordinate bonds with nitrogen atoms in the graphitic carbon nitride where the nitrogen atoms maintain a flat plane framework. In one embodiment, the COn+ is CO2+. The method for manufacturing this photocatalyst includes preparing a mixture of graphitic carbon nitride and a cobalt salt in a polar solvent, forming a cobalt‑carbon nitride complex. The method provided for chemically reducing CO2 includes dispersing a photocatalyst in a polar solvent, introducing CO2 into the dispersion, and irradiating the CO2-containing dispersion with visible light (provided by solar radiation or a halogen lamp), thus reducing the CO2 to yield CO. The method also includes recycling the photocatalyst. This composition demonstrates excellent activity in cleanly converting CO2 into carbon‑based fuel CO under visible light using earth‑abundant materials.

Advantages

Earth‑abundant materials - Inexpensive to produce - Selective - Excellent activity under visible‑light irradiation - Low cobalt loading (shows more activity under visible light than high loading) - More material is not needed - Scalable - Recyclable catalyst

Application

Production of carbon monoxide - Reduction of carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide

Background

Given the increased mobility of patients and increased specialization of healthcare services, there is a greater need for efficient and secure transportation of electronic health records (EHR) across a multitude of hospitals and clinics. This is especially important for patients who have chronic diseases such as cancer because physicians will be able to provide smarter, safer, and more efficient care to them given their prior medical history. Currently, due to the privacy and high sensitivity of EHR, fax/mails are the main method of data sharing between hospitals/clinics. This results in major delays in patient care. Given this tedious data-sharing method, healthcare resources are also wasted in re‑examinations for information that was already known about the patient in a prior hospital/clinic. Therefore, there is a need for a method that allows good data privacy, security, efficiency, and access control of EHR data transfer.

Technology

This technology, known as Blockchain, uses a distributed ledger to provide a shared, immutable, and transparent history of the actions performed by all the participants of the network (patients, hospitals, clinics, etc). This allows for trust, accountability, and transparency to be established. Without a central point of control, Blockchain allows a user to have complete control of data and privacy which provides an opportunity to develop a secure EHR data management and sharing network. This blockchain‑based system will start by having hospitals provide a blockchain node integrated with its own EHR system and then form a whole network with all the data. Then, a web application will be used for patients and physicians to start sharing EHR; a hybrid data management approach is implemented where metadata on data sharing will be stored on the chain and the shared EHR data will be encrypted and stored off‑chain in a HIPAA-compliant online cloud. This allows the chain to have the protocol on how the data will be shared between patients and doctors, but once the data is shared, it is encrypted and stored somewhere else. The patients have 100% control of EHR sharing and it is securely encrypted for privacy.

Advantages

Permissioned blockchain technology allows for increased efficiency and security. - Highly scalable EHR data management due to the hybrid data management method. - Privacy protection via 2‑level encryption. - Patient-centric full access control.

Application

This technology is mainly going to be applied to EHR data management and HIPAA-sensitive patient data.

Background

The nanoscale confinement of noble gases at noncryogenic temperatures is crucial for many applications including noble gas separations, nuclear waste remediation, and the removal of radon. However, this process is extremely difficult primarily due to the weak trapping forces of the host matrices upon noble gas physisorption. Thus, the trapping and separation of noble gases, the most unreactive elements in the periodic table, at noncryogenic conditions is an industrially relevant challenge for energy, environment, and health applications.

Technology

Researchers at Stony Brook University demonstrate an activated physisorption mechanism that traps noble gas atoms with 2D (alumino)silicate nanocages. The ultrathin hexagonal prism nanoporous frameworks allow noble gas atoms to enter the nanocages in the form of cations with a significantly reduced trapping energy barrier and exit as neutral atoms with an ultra high desorption energy barrier. The mechanism demonstrates that a mixture of noble gases (Ar, Kr and Xe) can be trapped at room temperature and then separated by exploiting the notable differences in their thermal stabilities and releasing them at higher temperatures. These 2D materials are promising candidates for a variety of applications in noble gas storage and separation, with important implications in health and the environment.

Advantages

Low‑cost - Noncryogenic conditions - Non‑destructive, allowing the trapping and release processes to be reversible - Noble gas selectivity through thermal stability exploitation - Ultrahigh desorption energy

Application

Noble gas separation - Toxic gas absorption - Nuclear waste remediation - Removal of radon

Background

Resistive random‑access memory (ReRAM) is a type of memory device which relies on electrochemical processes to control the movement of nanoscale quantities of metal/metal ions across a dielectric/solid electrolyte medium. Key attributes of these devices include low voltage and current, rapid write and erase, good retention and endurance, and the ability for the storage cells to be physically scaled to a few tens of nm with suitable patterning processes. Recent advances have given more attention to organic and organic‑inorganic hybrid materials as the switching medium because they provide tunable mixed material properties which offer various advantages such as flexibility, simple fabrication process, disposability, biocompatibility, and tunable memory properties. However, despite these advantages, major problems with ReRAM devices include stochasticity in the operating voltages and resistance states, poor reliability, and poor reproducibility. Research seeks to adopt suitable strategies to improve control over the structural, physical, and chemical properties of hybrid switching media to enable high‑performance ReRAM devices with reliable and predictable memory characteristics.

Technology

Researchers at Stony Brook University (SBU) propose a novel organic‑inorganic hybrid resistive switching medium for ReRAM devices featuring composite thin films consisting of organic thin film layer infiltrated with inorganic metal oxide molecules. The nanocomposite thin film can be used as an active layer for resistive ReRAM devices that portray reduced variance in device switching characteristics, controllable switching parameters through adjusting the amount of infiltrated inorganic materials, multi‑level analog switching characteristics for neuromorphic device operation, and lithographic patternability

Advantages

Predictability of device operating voltages - High‑ and low‑resistance operating states - Reduced variance in device switching characteristics - Controllable switching parameters - Improved device reliability (endurance and data retention) - Enhanced reproducibility - Improved size distribution - Multi‑level analog switching characteristics for neuromorphic device operation - Lithographic patternability - Reduced operational power

Application

Low‑power neuromorphic computing applications.

Background

The photo‑detecting device industry is searching for a solid‑state alternative to the vacuum photomultiplier. Research has shown that amorphous selenium based solid‑state avalanche detectors are promising candidates that can provide gains comparable to photomultiplier tubes (106) at low cost. However, a significant limitation to their development is inefficient hole blocking layers, which lead to irreversible dielectric breakdown at high electric fields. Thus, the industry seeks a practical alternative which has large‑area detection, high dynamic range, linear‑mode operation, and low noise avalanche gain to compete with conventional vacuum photomultipliers as well as traditionally used silicon avalanche photodiodes.

Technology

Researchers at Stony Brook University (SBU) propose a low‑noise amorphous selenium based solid‑state avalanche detector that uses strontium titanate (SrTiO3) as the high‑k dielectric hole‑blocking n‑layer. The high‑k non‑insulating strontium titanate layer substantially decreases the electric field at the HBL/high‑voltage‑metal‑electrode interface. This limits Schottky injection from the high voltage electrode, thus preventing Joule heating from crystallizing the amorphous selenium layer, which further avoids irreversible dielectric breakdown of the device. This structure, at a substantially lower cost compared to crystalline silicon, provides reliable and repeatable impact ionization gain with low excess noise, high dynamic range, linear‑mode operation, and ultra‑low dark current at room temperature.

Advantages

Low‑cost - Low excess noise - High dynamic range - Linear‑mode operation - Ultra‑low leakage current at high fields - Stable at room temperature / Does not require cooling

Application

Medical imaging - Astronomy and spectroscopy - Quantum optics - Quantum information science

Background

Advanced nuclear systems including fusion power and fission power systems require shielding of harmful irradiation for both personnel safety and protection of capital equipment. The goal for next‑generation systems is to operate in compact, high temperature configurations. In typical practice, dense, high‑atomic numbered metals such as steel, tungsten, and lead can be used for the shielding of electromagnetic radiation (x‑ray and gamma‑ray). On the contrary, the shielding of neutrons requires low‑atomic numbered liquids and solids such as water, concrete, paraffin wax, and metal hydrides. These materials, used concurrently, are generally effective. However, they are not compact or effective at high temperatures. Thus, there is a desire to realize a single shield material which can operate at high temperatures and is effective in shielding both electromagnetic irradiation as well as neutrons.

Technology

Researchers at Stony Brook University propose a two‑phase composite material with a fully‑dense ceramic matrix and an entrained metal hydride phase for electromagnetic irradiation and neutron shielding. The ceramic matrix is made up of Magnesium Oxide, which is an extremely high‑temperature irradiation stable refractory material. It is made with the addition of 1% Lithium Fluoride as a sintering aid for the suppression of the processing temperature window, as well as a secondary sintering aid such as boron for enhanced neutron absorption. This ceramic material serves as an impermeable matrix for an entrained metal hydride. The combination provides a groundbreaking approach to nuclear irradiation shielding and protection in fusion and fission power systems.

Advantages

Compact - High temperature - More effective shielding - Shields electromagnetic irradiation and neutrons

Application

Inboard shield for fusion power reactor - Outboard shield for fusion power reactor - Shield for pressure vessels of advanced nuclear power reactor

Background

Prostate cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death, with 1 in 10 men diagnosed in their lifetime and 1 in 41 dying from the disease. Globally, there are 1.3 million new cases of prostate cancer every year and 360,000 associated deaths. Up to 50% of patients will eventually become refractory to androgen deprivation therapy and progress to castrate-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and its metastatic form (mCRPC), eventually succumbing to the disease or dying from complications. While recent advances in treating CRPC and mCRPC have provided improvements in patient outcomes, none provide long-term remission of the disease. Contemporary immuno-oncology is shifting towards leveraging immunostimulants to reap the benefits of innate and adaptive immune responses.

Technology

Researchers at Stony Brook University have developed a therapeutic platform that combines a cytotoxin, an immunostimulant, a prostate-specific membrane antigen targeting motif, and a cleavable linker illicit a long-term adaptive immune response. Once at the tumor site, the link is cleaved, separating the components. Activation and localization of immune cells combines with apoptotic cancer cell debris from the cytotoxic payload to form tumor antigen loaded antigen-presenting cells. These cells generate tumor-specific cytotoxic T-cells that will kill cancer cells expressing the tumor-associated antigens. The cytotoxic payload will also kill some local PSMA(-) tumor cells, which will generate new T-cells that target PSMA(-) cells, along with the PSMA(+) targeting T-cells, preventing a major resistance pathway for prostate cancer. Overall, this will rescue non-responders and provide enhanced clinical outcomes.

Advantages

Potential for providing long term remission and immunity Allows for synergy between cytotoxin and immunostimulant treatments Utilizes innate and adaptive immune responses

Application

Castrate-resistant prostate cancer Metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer PSA-staining extraprostatic tumors

Background

Over 28 million surgeries are performed each year in America, and about 10 million operations of those are on the digestive system. To end off gastrointestinal surgeries, stapled anastomosis (SA) or hand‑sewn anastomosis (HA) are used. Ever since SA has been introduced, it has been found that SA is associated with reduced tissue manipulation, better blood supply, less edema, earlier restoration of function, and shorter operation times when compared to HA. SA has also shown more applicability in areas of the body where HA is generally difficult to do. These discoveries lead to the conclusion that SA is a superior process to HA. The most common metal implemented in SA is titanium, but there are many disadvantages to using Ti staples. They are not biodegradable and there are often adverse reactions reported after the anastomosis is done. They can cause chronic inflammation, bleeding, and infection in the body and may even require a second revision or removal surgery. Additionally, the Ti staples cause distortions in computed tomography and othering diagnostic imaging which increases the risk of misdiagnosis. An alternative to Ti staples is biodegradable polymers, which degrade in the human environment. However, the issue with these polymers is that they have poor mechanical properties resulting in low closure strength of the wound after anastomosis. Magnesium staples have also been researched as a potential application in SA, however, they degrade too quickly and can cause dihydrogen evolution in the body, which can cause tissue swelling and dehiscence. Therefore there is a need for a composition that biodegrades at the right time and also has strong mechanical properties. Zinc staples could fulfill this need.

Technology

This technology revolves around the implementation of Zinc alloys/composites in surgical staples for wound closure. These staples are biodegradable, implantable, and have good closure strength. The degradation rates of the staples can be tuned as needed by putting different types and percentages of biodegradable metallic materials in the alloys/composites. Depending on the procedure and clinical requirements, the staples can provide mechanical and functional support for weeks/months and then biodegrade after a further few weeks/months. The Zn alloy that the staples are made of can be comprised of aluminum, iron, magnesium, calcium, strontium, silver, copper, titanium, manganese, selenium, molybdenum, chromium, cobalt, silicon, vanadium, nickel, lithium, sodium, potassium, germanium, rubidium, tungsten, cesium, scandium, yttrium, or zirconium. Combinations of these elements could also be implemented into the alloy proportionally. Furthermore, these staples are thinner, have a smaller footprint, and are stronger due to the high mechanical strength of Zn. They won't impede growth, cause chronic inflammation, bleeding or infection, and they are cost‑effective.

Advantages

Strong mechanical properties, Negligible toxicity effects, Good biocompatibility and biodegradation, Anti‑microbial properties, Tunable degradation rates, Cost‑effective

Application

Subcuticular anastomosis, Muscular anastomosis, Vascular anastomosis, Other tissue/organ anastomosis, Applications in other surgeries depending on the patient/condition, Potential applications in the veterinary field

Background

Membrane distillation (MD) is a water distillation method that involves the use of hydrophobic membranes and their properties. MD allows for water vapor to permeate through a membrane but prevents liquid water from passing through. Due to this process, MD has great potential in practical applications from desalination to extracting water from chemical solvent‑water mixtures. There are many types of MD operation modes, such as direct contact mode, air gap mode, sweeping gas mode, and vacuum‑condensation mode. This technology focuses on the air gap process where the permeated vapor does not directly make contact with the cooling fluid. It condenses upon hitting a good heat conducting surface, and the cooling fluid on the other side of the surface takes away the condensation heat. An advantage to this method is that since the cooling fluid never makes contact with the vapor, there are no restrictions on what coolant can be used. Conventional air gap methods that use membranes in flat sheets have the disadvantage of having a very low effective surface/volume ratio. Therefore there is a need for a more advantageous air gap membrane distillation process.

Technology

This technology revolves around designing an air gap membrane distillation method that is based on hydrophobic hollow fibers. A flat layer of hollow fibers is placed between two condensation sheets (like a "sandwich") where one of the sheets has pre‑punched holes to let condensed water flow out. This structure with the hollow fibers and condensation sheets is spirally wound on a specifically designed core tube. Then, a pre‑made sealing pattern allows different pathways for the cooling fluid and the condensation fluid flows. The flows all go through the core tube and the high-temperature fluid will be in/out from the very end of the spirally wound module. However, two obstacles this design faces currently are the difficulty of forming the "sandwich" structure and the cooling fluid not reaching the entirety of the cooling pathways.

Advantages

Compact design, More efficient than conventional processes, Economic, High performance/price ratio, Very large effective area/volume ratio

Application

This technology will be used in processes such as desalination, brackish water treatment, extracting water from chemical solvent‑water mixtures, etc.

Background

Curcumin, a principal biological compound in the popular Indian curry spice turmeric, has been used throughout history to treat a wide variety of skin, pulmonary, gastrointestinal system and liver diseases and conditions, as well as wounds. Today,numerous studies are starting to reveal why: curcumin acts as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal and anticancer agent. Unfortunately, curcumin is notoriously insoluble and tends to have a cytotoxic effect on human cells at low concentrations, disadvantages that greatly limit the clinical use of curcumin and its analogues.

Technology

Dr. Francis Johnson, professor in the Department of Chemistry and Pharmacological Sciences, and president of Chem-Masters International Inc., has synthesized a novel class of compound that displays biological activity that may be better than naturally-occurring curcumin. Dr. Lorne Golub, distinguished professor in the Department of Oral Biology and Pathology has used them as zinc binding agents to modulate human MMP expression, production and activity, as well as aberrantpro-inflammatory cytokine expression and harmful growth factor activity. Their research shows promise as a new treatment for connective tissue- and bone-destructive ailments, and inflammatory related diseases, including ARDS and rheumatoid arthritis.

Advantages

Superior biological properties and activity vs. curcumin in experimental models. Vastly improved solubility and bio availability. May improve pharmacokinetics.

Application

Novel therapeutic compounds Zinc binding MMP activity Cytokine inhibitor

Background

Personalized medicine, or individually tailored patient treatment, is an emerging clinical management paradigm. In nuclear medicine, this entails exploiting diagnostic techniques, such as non-invasive imaging by means of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT), to modify radiotherapeutic treatment regimes. If the same drug is labeled with a diagnostic and a therapeutic radionuclide for sequential imaging and treatment, the approach is considered “theranostic.” Theranostic isotope pairs enable diagnostic imaging that is directly, accurately and reliably predictive of therapy and imaging can be carried out for prolonged periods of time. However, in order to utilize metallic theranostic isotope pairs, customized chelation approaches are required that enable targeted delivery of isotope payload to the site of interest.

Technology

44Scandium and 64copper have recently emerged as an attractive, short-lived, PET isotopes with a matched radiotherapeutic isotope for radio therapy (47Sc, 67Cu, 177Lu). In this invention, novel, modular chemical entities with high affinity to copper, scandium and lutetium radioisotopes and a freely functionalizable moiety have been synthesized. These constructs are suitable to kit-type formulations for single-step radiochemical synthesis of diagnostic and therapeutic entities radiolabeled with scandium, copper and lutetium isotopes, and are readily suitable for applications using other any desirable targeting vectors of peptidic/small molecule, protein or antibody nature.

Advantages

This technology allows for rapid and inert radiolabeling  with an array of radioactive isotopes suitable for imaging and therapy approaches. This renders the technology superior to currently commercially available 18F-, 68G-, and 177Lu-based tracers.

Application

Cancer diagnostics and therapeutics.

Background

Due to the growing problems with the conventional processes for treating wastewater, there has recently been a spur in the development and design of a low‑cost nitrogen sensor package that can measure and monitor nitrate and ammonium in septic systems. Conventional processes for wastewater treatments are either too expensive, too ineffective, or simply too time-consuming. Therefore, there is a need for a method and apparatus that is cost‑effective and can improve the treatment of wastewater streams.    

Technology

This method involves using very small quantities of inexpensive and innocuous chemical reagents to selectively separate and detect nitrate/nitrite and ammonium from wastewater in a compact sensor unit. The sensor shows a good liner response for both nitrate/nitrite and ammonium/ammonia in the range of 0 to 70 N-mg/L nitrogen (a range deemed indicative of market requirements) with a detection limit of 1 N-mg/L. It can be remotely operated to measure hourly, daily, or any scheduled time with high accuracy (bias < ±20%) and precision (RSD < 10%). The sensor is designed for in-situ, long-term deployment in wastewater systems with low maintenance (i.e. no more than quarterly) and remote data transmission. It has passed the performance criteria set by the USEPA and won Phase II of the “Advanced Septic System Nitrogen Sensor Challenge” sponsored by the US EPA in partnership with The Nature Conservancy (TNC), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and others, and the technical performance has been thoroughly vetted by the EPA, Battelle and Massachusetts Alternatives Septic System Testing Center (MASSTC). The sensor is now undergoing the six-month verification of the technology’s performance by the globally-recognized International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Environmental Technology Verification 14034 standard (ISO 14034).

Advantages

Low-cost. High accuracy and precision. High selectivity for nitrate/nitrite and ammonium. There is no interference from color, turbidity, and hydrate cations and anions. Wide response range. Fast and real-time measurement. Continuous and automatic measurement. Long-term continuous deployment and long lifetime. High stability and low maintenance. Simultaneous measurement of nitrate/nitrite and ammonium in a single sensor package.

Application

Can be used to measure nitrate/nitrite and ammonium/ammonia in wastewater, water treatment plants, advanced septic systems, and in surface water and ground water with minor modification.

Background

Sentiment analysis of natural language texts is a large and growing field. Some methods for generating sentiment lexicons assume positive and negative sentiment using synonyms and antonyms. Such methods may not accurately capture the sentiment of a word. Other methods use semantics, such as "and" and "but", or tone/orientation to determine a sentiment of a word, but such methods may have low accuracy. Current methods for analyzing sentiment treat only single complete documents, for example, to determine if a movie review is good or bad or quantify opinion from a product review. Therefore, there is a need for a method of generating a more accurate sentiment lexicon and for determining a sentiment over a plurality of texts.

Technology

This technology uses statistical analysis of text streams to simultaneously monitor changes in reputation to thousands of distinct news entries. Commercial applications of this technology include 1) market research - the technology can analyze the reputation of people, products, and companies without the need for expensive surveys or polling, 2) financial analysis - the conversion of news data to time-series facilitates automated investment analysis, e.g. strengthening pair trading investment strategies by identifying companies without the need for expensive surveys/polling, 2) internet search engines - augmenting results by providing sentiment data on articles.

Advantages

Gives the ability to monitor entity sentiment as a time-series in any text stream, such as news or blogs, even if written in different languages and from different news sources.

Application

Commercial applications include: - Market Research- This technology can analyze the reputation of people, products, and companies without the need for expensive surveys or polling - Financial Analysis- The conversion of news data to time-series facilitates automated investment analysis - Internet Search Engines- augmenting results by providing sentiment data on articles

Background

Standard chemotherapies have little impact on pancreatic cancer (PDAC) patient survival, and new T-cell therapies have yet to be successful in treating solid tumors. Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), a critical downstream effector of Kras is strongly implicated in PDACs. Genetic ablation of PI3K in the pancreas completely protects mice against oncogenic Kras induced tumor formation. Yet, inhibitors that target PI3K do not induce dramatic regression of solid tumors when used as single agents in clinical trials. Stony Brook University researchers have identified one reason for this dichotomy that sheds light on new therapeutic strategies for treating solid tumors.

Technology

PI3K signaling mediates pancreatic tumor evasion from the immune system. The researchers at Stony Brook University have applied this finding to develop an immune therapy for pancreatic cancer. The therapy combines the use of small molecule PI3K inhibitors with genetically modified T-cells resistant to PI3K inhibitors to enable them to function properly in the presence of PI3K inhibitors. Pancreatic cancer patients will be treated with a PI3K inhibitor to induce the cancer cells to reveal their antigens to the immune system. These inhibitors in combination with the patients? own T cells, which are genetically modified to express inhibitor-resistant PI3K mutants, will enable these T cells to kill the pancreatic cancer cells.

Advantages

Potential for other solid tumors - Can be combined with CAR-T Therapy

Application

Pancreatic cancer or other solid tumors

Background

X-ray imaging experienced a ?digital revolution? in the early 2000s, with digital radiography systems being implemented with active matric flat panel images. Due to the compact size, rapid image readout and excellent image quality, AMFPI is being used not only for traditional x-ray imaging modalities such as general radiography and fluoroscopy, but also in tomographic imaging applications.

Technology

The detectors proposed here provide an improved dynamic range and sensitivity which is required in digital radiography. Improving optical photon conversion efficiency provides practical advantages for both avalanche and non-avalanche embodiments of the scintillator.

Advantages

This technology improves the quantum efficiency of indirect and hybrid x-ray imagers where optical photons need to be converted to electronic charge. The improvement in quantum efficiency can be orders of magnitude for green and red wavelengths.

Application

Radiology - Nanotechnology - Sensors

Technology

This technology tracks information about communities that is not available otherwise. It has shown it can predict prices better than those variables alone.

Advantages

Inpart-Benefits

Background

Virtual endoscopy has been observed and claimed in many previous patents for several different organs. Among these organs is the colon, and the radiological imaging of virtual pancreatoscopy.

Technology

Pancreatoscopy is the endoscopic examination of the pancreatic ducts. In previous approaches, many patent methods showcase the general direction and colon fly through. The proposed technology is the ability to analyze fine-scale structures. The super-resolution technique extends imaging resolution. Rendering enables the interior surfaces within the pancreatic duct, allowing for viewing of geometrical structures of the duct.

Advantages

Proposed is a super-resolution technique which is the enabling factor for imaging resolution far beyond that of the clinical scanner. Enabled is the ability to extract fine-scale pancreatic duct geometry and inspect internal structures.

Application

Biomedical Informatics

Background

Running out of battery power often results in life-threatening situations, whereas backup batteries are large, heavy and hazardous. In efforts to treat this unreliable aspect, proposed is an energy harvester. This is a clean alternative solution to such problems, with the ability to power electronics on the go.

Technology

This invention entails a high power density heel charger, providing a USB port or datable rechargeable battery. The high-power density charger consists of a mechanical part and an electrical part. Current implementations consist of a heel charger that turns the shoe into a charging station. This uses a levered piezoelectric-triboelectric multimodal mechanism, a mechanical synchronized switch and a harvesting inductor conditioning circuit. The shoe has barely noticeable weight, expecting to provide electrical energy equivalent to 6 minutes of continuous phone call with just 1 hour of walking.

Advantages

Amplifying the displacement of footsteps by the lever mechanism to achieve higher efficiency.

Application

The ability to target large markets such as mobile energy harvesting, remote sensing, hikers and marine corps, etc.

Background

The inadequate sensitivity of available organism-based TB diagnostic tools in children, the wide spectrum of disease observed in children, and the non-specific signs and symptoms especially in young and HIV-children, contribute to diagnostic delay and missed opportunities to detect childhood TB.

Technology

Researchers at Stony Brook have identified changes in a serum lipoprotein that result from a combination of host and TB pathogen activity. The MTB-modified lipoprotein (TLP) is thereby a more specific diagnostic marker for TB disease than the conventional host markers. Development of antibodies against the TLP marker enables the production of a simple in-vitro diagnostic (IVD) assay for pediatric tuberculosis using as finger-prick blood or serum.

Advantages

Non-sputum based diagnostic ELISA test - Novel marker - Novel antibodies to TLP

Application

Diagnostic test for pediatric and adult TB.