Proof of Concept Awards

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.

Hsin-Chih (Tim) Yeh Low-cost, Color-changing Nano Probes for Nucleic Acid Sensing

Synopsis:

This project advances low‑cost, color‑changing nanomaterial probes (“Subak” probes) for nucleic acid sensing that overcome the high cost and single‑color limitations of conventional FRET‑based reporters used in PCR and CRISPR diagnostics. The probes use fluorescent silver nanoclusters to generate a distinct ratiometric color change upon nuclease activity, enabling more reliable detection at dramatically reduced cost while maintaining high sensitivity. Proof‑of‑concept funding supports validation and optimization of these probes across PCR and CRISPR assay conditions and benchmarking against commercial products to position the technology for licensing and commercialization in molecular diagnostics.

Hugh Smyth Inhaled Antibiotics for Lung Infections

Synopsis:

Non-Tuberculosis Mycobacterium (NTM) infections are the 4th most common infection in Cystic Fibrosis patients and new therapies are needed to improve clinical outcomes, especially with antibiotic resistance on the rise. UT pharmacists have invented an optimized, patient-friendly, inhaled treatment that they are further developing as a potential treatment.

Hugh Smyth Inhaled FDC of Vancomycin and DNase for MRSA Lung Infections

Synopsis:

An inhaled fixed‑dose combination of vancomycin and DNase (BioVance) is being advanced to treat persistent MRSA lung infections by directly targeting bacterial biofilms in the lung. By repurposing two approved agents for localized pulmonary delivery, the approach aims to dramatically improve bacterial eradication while reducing systemic toxicity and treatment burden for cystic fibrosis patients. Proof‑of‑concept funding supports in vivo pharmacokinetic and efficacy studies needed to position the therapy for IND‑enabling development and startup formation.

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.

Huiliang (Evan) Wang Wearable Neurostimulation System for Drug-Resistant Epilepsy

Synopsis:

A wearable, non‑invasive neurostimulation system called NEUSTIM is being developed to address the unmet needs of patients with drug‑resistant epilepsy, particularly those with temporal lobe epilepsy who are not candidates for surgery. The device uniquely integrates focused ultrasound neuromodulation with long‑term EEG monitoring to provide a lower‑cost, safer alternative to invasive treatments such as deep brain stimulation. Proof‑of‑concept funding supports device prototyping and early human validation to de‑risk the technology and position it for clinical trials, regulatory pathways, and commercialization.

Huiliang (Evan) Wang Wearable Ultrasound Neuromodulation System for Gastric Motility Disorders

Synopsis:

A wearable ultrasound neuromodulation system is being developed to provide a non‑invasive, patient‑friendly treatment option for gastroparesis and functional dyspepsia, conditions that affect millions of patients and have limited effective therapies. The GASTRUS device integrates focused ultrasound stimulation with long‑term gastric electrical monitoring to modulate gastric motility safely at home, offering an alternative to invasive surgical stimulators and low‑efficacy medications. Proof of concept funding supports prototype optimization and first‑in‑patient feasibility studies to generate clinical, regulatory, and commercialization data needed to advance toward FDA clearance and startup formation.

Ilias Georgakopoulos-Soares Privacy Preserving Framework For Genomic Analyses

Synopsis:

This project advances a software‑based, privacy‑preserving framework that enables secure genomic analysis directly on encrypted data, eliminating the need to share raw genomes or rely on specialized hardware. By leveraging homomorphic encryption, the platform delivers scalable, end‑to‑end confidential computation with accuracy equivalent to standard unencrypted workflows, addressing growing regulatory, security, and trust barriers in genomics and biomedicine. Proof of concept funding supports prototype development, performance benchmarking, and security validation to position the technology for pilot deployments, licensing, and commercialization.

Ilias Georgakopoulos-Soares Structure-Aware Lossless Compression

Synopsis:

This project advances a structure‑aware, lossless data compression platform that automatically learns and exploits dataset structure to significantly reduce storage and data‑transfer costs without requiring expert tuning. The team has developed a working prototype that generates reusable, dataset‑specific compressors and deployable tools compatible with enterprise and cloud environments, addressing limitations of generic and narrow format‑specific compressors. Proof of concept funding supports automation, packaging, and pilot deployments with industry partners to validate real‑world cost savings and readiness for commercialization.

James Tunnell A Novel Cervical Cancer Diagnostic Tool

Synopsis:

This award advances a minimally invasive, speculum‑free endoscopic device that uses laser‑ejection microbiopsy to collect multiple high‑quality cervical tissue samples in a single procedure, improving diagnostic sensitivity while reducing pain and procedural risks. By enabling targeted, point‑of‑care lesion assessment and increasing the number of biopsies without added harm, the technology addresses key limitations of Pap smears and colposcopy that contribute to missed high‑grade lesions and delayed treatment. Proof‑of‑concept funding supports endoscopic prototyping and preclinical validation to position the technology for commercialization as a more accurate, patient‑friendly cervical cancer diagnostic tool.

Janet Zoldan Sustainable Beef Brisket

Synopsis:

Current meat production will not be able to meet the increasing demand across the globe and it’s negative environmental impact is only growing. UT biomedical engineers are using a patented scaffolding technology to develop cultured beef brisket with similar look, texture, and taste.

Jayant Sirohi Precision Aerial Firefighting System

Synopsis:

A low‑cost precision aerial firefighting approach is being advanced that uses a guided, autorotative delivery system to place fire suppressant accurately on small, early‑stage wildfires, even in uncertain wind conditions. The technology leverages an unpowered rotor released from a fixed‑wing drone, combining passive deployment with active guidance to improve targeting accuracy while dramatically reducing cost and operational complexity compared to traditional aircraft. Proof of Concept funding supports development of a guided prototype, numerical modeling, and flight testing to validate precision delivery and position the technology for potential commercialization through industry licensing.