Background

Many medical environments and conditions require the measurement of arterial carbon dioxide (CO2) in non‑invasive ways. Opioids, for example, impair breathing by suppressing the excitability of neurons in the body, which may result in opioid-induced ventilatory impairment (OVI), causing complications and sometimes death. Human observation is the primary method of monitoring patients in these conditions. Most monitoring devices surveil oxygen diffusion and respiration, leading to inaccuracies and patient endangerment. Pulse oximetry is an inexpensive and widely available technology that is also commonly used, however, it is an extremely late indicator of inadequate ventilation. Other methods which monitor CO2 such as capnography and plethysmography are expensive, potentially invasive, and can contain inaccuracies. Most attempts at alleviating the issue associated with monitoring adequate ventilation focus on raising awareness and changing protocols rather than advancing technology. Thus, there is a need to develop a low‑cost device that can accurately measure arterial CO2 non‑invasively without such high risks of inaccuracy or complication.

Technology

Researchers at Stony Brook University (SBU) have developed an arterial CO2 monitoring device comprised of a monitoring module that will measure CO2 and pressure differences in the ear. The housing is made from a comfortable, diffusion resistant material with a hermetic seal containing a CO2 sensor which measures changes in CO2 diffusion from arterial blood vessels. All elements are positioned to minimize dead space and gas volume within the enclosed space, leading to more rapid equilibration between the contained airspace and arterial blood vessels. The sealing allows for equilibration of arterial CO2 while avoiding contamination or dilution by environmental gases, in addition to allowing for accurate changes in pressure which reflect changes in arterial CO2 levels. An adjustable alert system is included in the system to inform others of significant ventilatory changes. Additionally, the device includes an LCD screen for configuration, data display, settings, etc., as well as buttons for easy navigation.

Advantages

Efficient, accurate, and quick detection of ventilatory changes - Shorter read time compared to pulse oximetry - Non‑invasive - Low‑cost - Potential to prevent deaths

Application

Monitoring arterial carbon dioxide levels - Ventilation monitoring - Overdoses - Intubation - Ambulatory care - Nursing homes - Opioid induced ventilatory impairment (OVI)

Background

Since 1991, copolymers that form well-defined micelles in aqueous media have been studied and research has shown that these copolymers can trap water‑insoluble substances in their hydrophobic interior. Further studies revolving around polyaromatic hydrocarbons showed that the encapsulation of substances such as fluorescent biomarkers, drugs, and/or oligopeptides in the hydrophobic interior of micelles was successful. Even though major advances have been made with copolymers since 1991, there is a need for a copolymer micelle having a multi‑functional nano‑structure to provide a platform for early diagnosis and drug delivery.

Technology

This technology revolves around a supramolecular chitosan complex system with a hydrophilic shell made of a linear aliphatic poly(ether) polymer and a chitosan hydrophobic core. The core is composed of a plurality of branched poly(benzyl ether) polymers. The poly(benzyl ether) polymers can be perfectly branched in some systems. In one embodiment, the core is composed of at least one chitosan nanoparticle that is anchored by at least one linear dendritic co‑polymer. The chitosan is covalently modified, and the core is further comprised of an unattached compound which includes (but is not limited to) a drug, cell marker, or biosensor. The hydrophilic polymer shell has a targeting agent that has avidin and a streptavidin‑conjugated antibody. The streptavidin‑conjugated antibody has a specific affinity for a disease biomarker which includes, but is not limited to, a protein, peptide, polypeptide, or nucleic acid sequence. This method and technology were used on a patient with metastatic cancer and doxorubicin, ansamitocin‑P3, or paclitaxel was used as the drug being delivered. It is an intracellular delivery.

Advantages

Early diagnosis can be achieved with the use of biomarkers and this technology - More accurate drug delivery can be established - This system and method are multi‑functional due to its nanostructure.

Application

Accurate drug delivery for a variety of health complications - Biosensors and targeting agents implement a method for earlier diagnosis of various diseases/conditions

Background

Thin film photovoltaics, specifically those based on polycrystalline CuIn(1‑x)Ga(x)Se2 (CIGS), have great potential as low‑cost, high‑throughput solar energy harvesting devices. However, current state of the art CIGS devices demonstrate power conversion efficiencies of 15‑18%, whereas the theoretical maximum is 28%. This lack efficiency is mainly due to the quality of the non‑active top layers responsible for charge‑collection, electric‑field formation, and passivation. Although the materials that make up these layers have high optical transmission with longer wavelengths, they tend to have unwanted optical absorption with shorter wavelengths, which reduces the amount of light transmitted onto the CIGS active layer. In order to realize the potential of this technology, there is a need to improve the performance of these top layers to increase the overall power conversion efficiency while maintaining or decreasing the material and production cost.

Technology

Researchers at Stony Brook University (SBU) propose a solution which replaces the multiple top layers with a single optically transparent and highly conductive graphene layer. The graphene Fermi level can be tuned via doping, allowing optimization of the CIGS active layer composition and eliminating unwanted optical absorption in the top layers. This new discovery of n‑doping graphene that has been transferred onto CIGS has allowed control over doping strength and thus control over graphene work function.

Advantages

Reduced parasitic optical absorption of top layers - Tunable doping of graphene

Application

Semiconductor devices - Solar cells - Photovoltaic cells - Solar energy harvesting

Background

Transportation is one of the major aspects of a society and it is vital for it to function. Current technologies used for transportation, including electric vehicles, consume a significant amount of fossil fuels and produce a substantial amount of CO2 emissions. These emissions contribute to global climate change and can lead to lower air quality.Conventional transportation technologies are not efficient and have a negative impact on the environment. They are not suitable options that can be used for long‑term societal benefit. Therefore there is a need for a new technology in the transportation market that can reduce energy consumption and pollutant emissions.

Technology

This technology revolves around thermally stratified compression ignition (TSCI) which provides cycle‑to‑cycle control over advanced combustion. There are various methods that can be implemented using TSCI involving single/multiple injection systems. This specific process focuses on the split injection strategy where a portion of the fuel is directly injected during the intake stroke and a portion of the fuel is directly injected during the compression stroke. By controlling the injection timing and the amount of fuel injected, the combustion rate in TSCI can be controlled as well. In the combustion chamber walls, there are fractions of fuel that are evaporated which affect the temperature/combustion rate that needs to be accounted for. There are fractions of fuel evaporated into air and fractions of fuel that evaporate off the chamber walls. As the injected liquid evaporates, it absorbs heat in the phase change to the gaseous state and this depends on whether the evaporation occurs in the air or on the chamber walls. If the evaporation occurs in the air then it decreases the air temperature in the cylinder because it absorbs heat from the incoming air. If the evaporation occurs on the combustion chamber walls, the temperature does not significantly change because the walls have a substantially higher specific heat. By controlling the injection timing, the fraction that evaporates in the air vs the walls can be varied, and therefore the temperature in the cylinder can be controlled on a cycle‑to‑cycle basis. Then, as a result of controlling the temperature, the start of combustion can also be controlled. A water‑fuel mixture works best in this process due to the high heat of vaporization it has.

Advantages

Similar/slightly more efficient than diesel engines (used for heavy-duty application, on-highway trucking, and construction) - Significantly cleaner emissions characteristics than diesel engines - Significantly cheaper than diesel engines - Significantly better control and a larger operating range than other advanced combustion strategies - Can use current production engine hardware without requiring any change to the engine architecture - Can use a domestically mass-produced biofuel and saves energy during the production of the biofuel

Application

This technology can be applied to a multitude of transportation technologies and can be implemented to processes in exchange for diesel/bio/electric processes in transportation vehicles.

Background

Characterizing the equibiaxial strength of composites is a necessity to accurately estimate the load capacity of structures that are subjected to biaxial compression. The strength of the composite alone is not enough information to rely on because composites are generally weaker in compression than they are with no added stress. Equibiaxial strength measurements are important to safely determine and rank which composites are best suited for structures that will experience biaxial compression. Conventional processes that are implemented to measure this data have yet to accurately and efficiently produce results. Measuring this specific property of composites has proven to be a difficult task due to the tests being unstable, unreliable, complex, or costly. Therefore there is a need for a method that lets the equibiaxial strength of composites be measured in a novel, inexpensive, and reliable way.

Technology

This technology revolves around using a test set up, specimen geometry, and the application of a uniaxial load to reliably measure the equibiaxial strength of composites. The test that is used in this process is known as the ring on ring flexure test. Within this test, the biaxial strength is measured by subjecting un‑notched disks/plates to a monotonic, out of plane load at the center. By doing so, a biaxial flexure of the specimen is produced and ultimately converts the uniaxial load into a biaxial state of stress. Then, the measurement can be made and recorded. This process can be repeated numerous times to a variety of fiber‑reinforced composites in order to rank their strengths and weigh which ones are best to use in specific structures. A multitude of stress analyses and experimental measurements have been done using this process, and the results show that this method is more advantageous compared to conventional ones.

Advantages

Reliable - Stable - Repeatable to multiple or the same composites - It is an inexpensive process as no expensive specimen grips are required and the test setup is also not costly - It is a novel process as the specimen geometry is simple

Application

This technological process is applied to fiber composites to measure their equibiaxial compressive strength.

Background

High strength, high conductivity copper (Cu) alloys are a potentially attractive option for a variety of demanding high heat flux structural applications ranging from aerospace to fusion energy. Fusion energy applications are particularly demanding in terms of performance requirements, for high thermal heat flux and resistance to neutron irradiation‑induced property degradation are simultaneously required. Damage that occurs in metals and alloys after prolonged exposure to stress at elevated temperatures is referred to as creep. Although impressive room temperature yield strengths and conductivities have been achieved in several Cu alloys, all current commercially available high strength, high conductivity Cu alloys suffer significant creep deformation at temperatures above 300–400 °C. Therefore, new Cu alloys specifically tailored for thermal creep resistance without causing detrimental effects on electrical and thermal conductivity need to be designed.

Technology

Researchers at Stony Brook University (SBU) have developed a new Cu based CuCeNbZr alloy with a combination of thermal conductivity, tensile strength, ductility, and thermal creep resistance. The new alloy is designed to produce a multi‑modal distribution of chromium (Cr) precipitates in microstructure to provide enhanced resistance to dislocation (power law) creep and grain boundary sliding (Coble creep). The high density of the fine‑scale Cr precipitates, forming coherent interfaces with the Cu matrix, are the predominant contributor to the tensile strength. Its superior creep property allows the alloy to be used at elevated temperatures as high as 500 º C.

Advantages

High strength - High thermal conductivity - High creep resistance - Withstands elevated temperatures

Application

Nuclear reactors - Industrial engine components - Heated metal filaments - Jet engine components - Pressurized high‑temperature piping - Applications where creep property and thermal conductivity are both needed

Background

Microgrid is a solution which supports the integration of distributed energy resources and energy storage at grid edges. However, it is often difficult to build and operate microgrids due to the hardware dependence and the costs associated with updating the hardware when the microgrid configuration changes. Software‑defined networking (SDN) offers a programmable, flexible, and reliable solution to operate the microgrid, as it supports diverse quality-of-service (QoS) requirements and makes it easier to develop new applications and enable fast innovation in a microgrid. However, there exists a need to further explore the topic of developing software‑defined microgrid controls.

Technology

Researchers at Stony Brook University have developed a software‑defined control (SDC) architecture for the microgrid, which virtualized traditionally hardware‑dependent microgrid control functions. The technology decouples the hardware infrastructure with microgrid control functions fully resolving hardware dependence issues and enabling easier modifications, management, and updates at low costs. Virtualization allows multiple independent users to efficiently use computational and network resources (e.g., processing power and communication bandwidth) by abstracting them into logical units. A generic SDC prototype is designed to generate microgrid controllers autonomously in edge computing facilities such as distributed virtual machines. Extensive experiments verify that SDC outperforms traditional hardware-based microgrid control in that it empowers a decoupled cyber-physical microgrid.

Advantages

Easier modification, management and updates - Convenient - Low costs - Multiple independent users - Robust - Plug‑and‑play capability - Supports secondary and tertiary controls - Redundancy

Application

Software‑defined control (SDC) microgrid control software

Background

Positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracer is a diagnostic tool to detect bacterial infection in humans. A deficiency exists in clinical diagnostic tools capable of identifying bacterial infections in their early stages and differentiating infection from inflammation. Creating a precise and sensitive diagnostic tool for bacterial infections addresses an unfulfilled medical requirement. The PET tracer can be employed for non‑invasive PET imaging and is designed to identify and pinpoint pathogens within the human body. It can differentiate between various pathogen populations while providing insights into bacterial load. Bacterial infections that can be detected include those caused by Enterococcus faecium, methicillin‑sensitive Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin‑resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter spp. Consequently, it aids in the identification and enhancement of treatment for patients with infectious diseases caused by infective endocarditis, prosthetic device‑related infections and osteomyelitis

Technology

Researchers at Stony Brook University have developed a bacterial infection detection diagnostic tool known as the PET radiotracer utilizing the compound ethyl [18F]2‑fluoro‑4‑nitrobenzoate and at least one acceptable carrier. The mechanism of action of this radiotracer is based on a differential catalysis mechanism between mammalian nitro‑reductases and bacterial nitro‑reductases. The researchers synthesized a fluorine-18 labeled derivate of p-aminobenzoic acid, 2 -fluoro-4- nitrobenzoic acid (CC-001), a novel radiotracer that is selectively taken up by bacteria including clinically-relevant strains of S. aureus including MRSA. They have shown that CC-001 accumulates at the site of S. aureus infection in a soft tissue infection model of disease. Significantly, CC-001 can distinguish bacterial infection from inflammation. This invention provides a method of detecting the presence of or location of bacteria cells in a subject which comprises determining if an amount of the compound having the specific structure is present in the subject at a period of time after administration of the compound.

Advantages

Clinical diagnostic for bacterial infection - Differentiate infection from sterile inflammation - High signal‑to‑background ratio in animal infection models - Production with high yield using a rapid radiosynthesis method - Metabolically stable in the host body

Application

Detect and localize pathogenic bacteria - Monitor antibiotic treatment efficacy

Background

Superconducting qubits have made impressive progress in the world of quantum computing. However, existing realizations need to be operated at extremely low temperatures, requiring sophisticated refrigeration systems. This causes current quantum computers to be very large and expensive, creating the need to realize a technology that can be downsized for practical applications such as electricity generation.

Technology

Researchers at Stony Brook University (SBU) and Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) have developed a device, the Chiral Qubit, consisting of a micrometer‑sized loop made of a Dirac or Weyl semimetal. The technology is based on a macroscopic quantum phenomenon called the Chiral Magnetic Effect (CME), which involves the generation of electrical current induced by chirality imbalance in the presence of a magnetic field. The approximate conservation of chirality in Weyl and Dirac semimetals at sub‑micron scales allows the Chiral Qubit to hold at high temperatures, possibly approaching room temperature. A quantum qubit that is able to be operated at room temperature would revolutionize quantum computing by dramatically reducing the size and cost of the quantum processor, making it possible to create consumer quantum computing devices.

Advantages

Room temperature operation - High frequency - Large coherence to gate time ratio - Low dissipation

Application

Quantum computing - Quantum electricity generators

Background

Previous studies on the membranes for wastewater treatment have predominantly involved the use of synthetic polymers such as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyethersulfone (PES), polysulfone (PS), and polyacrylonitrile (PAN). All‑cellulose membranes, developed entirely from natural biomass resources, have untapped potentials for a wide range of water purification applications, including wastewater treatment. Using cellulose/nanocellulose in membrane preparation demonstrates many beneficial properties such as enhancement of membrane sustainability, change of membrane hydrophilicity, greater permeability/selectivity, and notable resistance to biofouling. However, several bottlenecks remain for the fabrication of all‑cellulose membranes regarding the preparation methods, dependence of supporting substrates, and the usage of organic solvent.

Technology

Researchers at Stony Brook University (SBU) have developed a cellulose membrane and method of preparing the membrane for wastewater treatment with low fouling. Using 100% sustainable cellulose, the membrane is manufactured by a simple and energy‑saving preparation. The method provides a low‑cost, sustainable, and water‑resistant all‑cellulose membrane in one‑step without pressurization or any usage of organic solvent. The membrane is hydrophilic but demonstrates water‑resistance and high porosity (~80%). Additionally, the system shows good mechanical strength, pH resistance, stability in hot water, high permeation flux (8.8 ± 1.5 L/m2 h psi), excellent separation efficiency (>99.9%), good flux recovery ratio (>95%), and self‑healing property for wastewater filtration. These characteristics provide superior filtration performance compared to commercially available membranes. Thus, this technology illustrates the promising potential of using all‑cellulose membranes for high‑efficient wastewater treatment and its superior antifouling abilities.

Advantages

Cost‑effective - Sustainable - High porosity (~80%) - High permeation flux (8.8 ± 1.5 L/m2 h psi) - Good flux recovery ratio (>95%) - Excellent separation efficiency (>99.9%) - Can be prepared in one step without pressurization or any usage of organic solvent - Stability - Self‑healing property - Flexibility and ductility

Application

Ultrafiltration membrane - Wastewater treatment - Pollutant absorbance

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.