Researchers & UT Community
PROOF OF CONCEPT AWARDS
Technology Development
The Texas Proof of Concept Awards provide competitive funding for faculty membersor permanent researchers with principal investigator (PI) status to demonstrate the feasibility of their innovations to accelerate the process towards commercialization. We invite you to learn more about the past awardees and consider applying.
Award recipients
Zhengrong (Rong) Cui
Novel Red Blood Cell Dry Powders and Method of Preparation
Synopsis:
Blood transfusions are the single most used lifesaving procedure in hospitals worldwide but packed blood cells used for transfusion can only be stored in refrigeration for 42 days before needing to be discarded. College of Pharmacy researchers have invented a technology that can successfully preserve human cells as a powder that can then be reconstituted. The inventors are seeking to prove out this technology for red blood cells to provide a better solution for life-saving blood transfusions in the hospital and battlefield.
UT Austin Startup:
Details
Website
Nanshu Lu
Wireless Chest E-Tattoo as a Wearable Cardiac Output Monitor
Synopsis:
A significant number of adults and children develop low cardiac output syndrome after surgery or disease and it can often lead to death if not detected and treated for. Engineer Dr. Nanshu Lu and her team are developing a wireless chest e-tattoo that can provide seamless, non-invasive long-term cardiac output monitoring.
UT Austin Startup:
StretchMed
Details
Website
Guihua Yu
Super Moisture-Absorbent Gel for Sustainable Agriculture
Synopsis:
Water scarcity is a global issue, especially when striving for more sustainable agriculture. Engineer Guihua Yu and his team are further developing a super moisture-absorbent gel that can extract water from the air to create a self-watering soil.
UT Austin Startup:
Tribal Tech Innovations, Inc.
Details
Website
Aaron Baker
A Polysaccharide-Based Therapy for Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Synopsis:
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a progressive type of fatty liver disease. It is currently the most common form of chronic liver disease worldwide, with a prevalence of approximately 25% in the general population. Despite its profound prevalence, there are currently no approved treatments for treating NAFLD. UT researchers have found a promising natural compound that can reduce the incidence of NAFLD in mice and they are working on modifying the compound for increased effectiveness.
UT Austin Startup:
Details
Website
Aaron Baker
Stem Cell Conditioning for Enhanced Vascular Regeneration
Synopsis:
Currently, there is no treatment available that addresses the lack of microvasculature caused by long-term peripheral arterial disease, a chronic, progressive disease that affects 20% of the US population over 65 years old. UT engineers and physicians have invented a device that can enhance stem cell therapies for treating peripheral arterial disease in a brand new way. Using novel technology, we have found ways to increased stem cell expansion and efficacy in treating peripheral arterial disease and ischemia.
UT Austin Startup:
Details
Website
