Proof of Concept Awards

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.

Farshid Alambeigi Clinician-AI Interactive Framework for Early Diagnosis of Colorectal Cancer Polyps

Synopsis:

Early and accurate diagnosis of colorectal cancer polyps is important but difficult due to the high degree or variation in stiffness, shape, and size of polyps across patients. Dr. Farshid Alambeigi’s team at UT Austin in collaboration with MD Anderson Cancer Center are developing an interactive artificial intelligence system that couples with their vision-based tactile sensor to non-invasively and accurately help clinicians detect and classify colon polyps.

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.

Andrew Dunn New Method for Quantitative Blood Flow Imaging During Surgery

Synopsis:

Continuous and quantitative blood flow visualization during surgery could reduce complications and shorten time of surgery, but is not currently available to surgeons. The Dunn laboratory is developing laser imaging technology that could enable surgeons to visualize and measure real-time blood flow within the surgical field.

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.

Jessica Ciarla Sustainable Trimmings for the Fashion Industry

Synopsis:

Roughly 20% of the nearly 400 million tons of plastic produced globally using fossil fuels is for textile fibers and only about 15% of it is recycled. UT inventors are developing non-plastic sustainable trimmings and embellishments, such as sequins, for the fashion industry using compostable polylactic acid.

Emily Porter High-resolution Microwave Stroke Detection and Imaging

Synopsis:

The current standard for assessment of nearly one million strokes in the United States per year occurs when the patient gets to the hospital, using expensive and time-consuming CT and MRI technologies. UT engineers have developed a low-cost, three-dimensional microwave imaging technology that is supported by machine learning for mobile, rapid, stoke triage and assessment. This can save critical time and lives.

Alex Demkov Manufacturing Electro-optic Wafers for Silicon Photonics

Synopsis:

The rapid growth of global internet traffic is driving rapid growth in demand for computing power and data transmission but current silicon photonic technology cannot fully meet the demand. UT physicists have invented a new process that can easily integrate electro-optic material on silicon which can potentially provide a universal platform for next-generation silicon photonics with a 100X increase in modulation efficiency.

Mitchell Pryor Inspection Robot for Floating Roof Storage Tanks

Synopsis:

In the oil and gas industry, manual inspection of seals in floating roof storage tanks is inaccurate, costly, and dangerous. Inspections are increasingly necessary given our aging infrastructure and desire to minimize the release of fugitive emissions harmful to inspectors and the environment. UT innovators have developed an autonomous robotic solution that performs tank inspections safer, cheaper, faster, and more accurately than traditional, manual methods.

Debadyuti (Rana) Ghosh Pulmonary Delivery of Gene Editing to Cure Cystic Fibrosis

Synopsis:

There are over 100 thousand people with cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease with no cure, where the median age of death is 37. UT scientists are developing safer and local delivery of gene therapy using non-virus-based technology to effectively and functionally treat the genetic disease of cystic fibrosis.

Huiliang (Evan) Wang Wearable Brain Computer Interface System for In-home Stroke Rehab

Synopsis:

With stroke being the leading cause of severe disability in the United States, there is a huge economic burden and challenge for patients regarding rehabilitation strategies, including the need to physically visit a rehab center. To help solve these challenges, UT engineers and scientists are developing an electroencephalogram (EEG)-based wearable brain-machine interface system for in-home continuous stroke recovery.

Alan Groves Trinity Tube Feeding Tube

Synopsis:

Premature birth affects around 10% of infants and is the most significant cause of newborn death in the USA. Premature infants need to have their vital signs (heart rate, breathing rate, temperature) monitored continuously. At present this monitoring is carried out by skin mounted sensors which can damage the delicate skin. Realizing that all premature infants need a tube placed through their nose/mouth into the stomach to deliver milk feeds, UT physicians and engineers are developing an ‘intelligent’ feeding tube which can continuously and wirelessly monitor an infant’s vital signs while avoiding damage to the skin. Placement of sensors inside the chest will also allow the team to develop novel markers of airway pressure and work of breathing to guide clinical care for these vulnerable infants.