Office of the Vice President for Research
Northern Arizona University PO Box 4087 Flagstaff, AZ 86011-4087
928-523-4340 928-523-1075 fax www.research.nau.edu
Great minds don't think alike. If they did, the Patent Office would only have about fifty inventions. —Scott Adams Dear Colleagues, Welcome to Northern Arizona University’s Intellectual Property Portfolio. Within these “covers” you will find an evolving and dynamic collection of innovations that represent the desire and willingness of NAU faculty and staff to contribute to the global body of knowledge while discovering solutions to real-world problems. These inventions are all available for licensing by both established and start-up companies, and we also welcome the opportunity to enter into research partnerships with companies interested in sponsoring further R&D on these inventions or with the specific researchers. NAU Innovations is a catalytic organization created to develop and promote NAU’s intellectual property holdings, with a mission to create value for the public by offering high quality opportunities to the private sector. The technologies featured here are anticipated to grow into viable commercial products and services for the benefit of all. Please contact us at NAUInnovations@nau.edu or 928-523-8288 to learn more about our offerings and to discuss how you can become one of Northern Arizona University’s partners in innovation. Sincerely,
Lesley K. Cephas Director, NAU Innovations
William Grabe Ph.D.
Vice President for Research
Lesley Cephas
Director of Research Development and Technology Transfer
Timothy Vail Ph.D.
Technology Development and Commercialization, NAU Innovations
NAU Innovations
PO Box 4087 Flagstaff, AZ 86011 928-523-5311 NAUInnovations@nau.edu
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Available for Licensing
Please select the side arrow to browse our IP available for licenesing, or select a link below:
System and Software for optimizing Energy Efficiency in Programmable Devices Germinating Chlamydomonas Zygospores as a Source of Abundant Extractable Lipid Vaccine against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Biofilms Rapid Diagnostic Assay for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Functionalized Paramagnetic Particles for In vivo diagnosis of MRSA Biofilms MOMECCA: Moist Membranes for the Cultivation and Collection of Algae Lateral Flow Diagnostic Reader with Multiassay Cassette - iTester™ Structural Supercapacitors
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Inventor Dr. Paul Flikkema
Professor Electrical Engineering
System and Software for optimizing Energy Efficiency in Programmable Devices Invention Description This invention describes a programmed machine that, during the course of its operations, optimizes its energy efficiency. The invention provides an electronic circuit for sensing of power use and a means of controlling a sequence of register values, establishing the machine’s power-use configuration, along with a means to minimize energy use. In practice, this technology describes a hardware/software extension for embedded systems that are found in a variety of electronically controlled devices including appliances and consumer electronics. This extension monitors energy use and continuously adjusts system parameters in an attempt to improve energy efficiency. The process is undertaken autonomously, freeing the designer from the task of handoptimizing system performance. The system is implemented as a software library under a portable application programming interface (API), which allows it to be used with a variety of heterogeneous devices, presenting an abstracted hardware interface to the application code. This system may find applications in low-power embedded computing systems, such as those required to support the emerging Internet of Things.
Intellectual Property Status: Patent Pending
Contact
Dr. Tim Vail NAU Innovations PO Box 4087 Flagstaff, AZ 86011 928-523-5311 NAUInnovations@nau.edu
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Potential Applications
Benefits and Advantages
Insturments for industrial process control manufacturing
Frees the programmer from hand-optimizing energy usage and maintains energy optimization throughout unforeseen usage conditions.
Wireless sensor networks Implementation in consumer electronics
Handles the details of energyoptimization and presents a clean interface to the application programmer. Provides rich information regarding energy usage of particular peripherals.
Germinating Chlamydomonas Zygospores as a Source of Abundant Extractable Lipid Invention Description
Inventor
Markets as diverse as cosmetics, nutritional supplements, and biofuels are increasingly seeking commercial sources of renewable lipids. However, one of the biggest challenges in utilizing algal sources of lipids is the expensive and time-consuming process of extraction and separation of the lipids from the non-lipid waste materials.
Dr. Karen VanWinkle-Swift
Regents’ Professor Biological Sciences
NAU researchers have developed methodologies and procedures that promote the accumulation and release of intracellular lipid bodies from zygospores of the singlecelled green alga, Chlamydomonas monoica, through synchronization of zygospore germination and harvesting the lipid from the zygospores when in their most fragile state (just prior to the release of progeny). This approach is relevant to the commercial production of biodiesel and food supplements derived from fatty acids.
Potential Applications
Benefits and Advantages
Production of lipids or carotenoids for nutritional supplements
The process can be automated and scaled up for commercial use
Production of lipids for alternative energy/biofuels
The process minimizes extraction costs
Dormant zygospores can be induced to divide and germinate by manipulation of nutrient and light availability
Sustainable source for biofuels
Production of lipids for organic or all-natural cosmetics
Environmentally benign High purity products with minimal clean-up costs
Intellectual Property Status: Patent Pending
Contact
Dr. Tim Vail NAU Innovations PO Box 4087 Flagstaff, AZ 86011 928-523-5311 NAUInnovations@nau.edu
Eliminates “pond-culture” maintenance issues
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Vaccine against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Biofilms Inventors Dr. Jeff Leid
Associate Professor Biological Sciences Dr. Mark Shirtliff Associate Professor University of Maryland, Balitmore School of Dentistry
Intellectual Property Status:
Invention Description According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 62,000 cases of MRSA infection were reported in 2011, with the vast majority affecting individuals over the age of 65. A joint research project between investigators at NAU and the University of Maryland - Baltimore has produced a vaccine for MRSA biofilms. This quad-valent vaccine, when supplemented with vancomycin treatment, clears a significantly greater amount of the infection than with the standard treatment using vancomycin alone. This is due to the selection of antigens expressed at high levels in the various stages of biofilm development. In contrast, current vaccines in development have selected antigens expressed during the prebiofilm stage, and do not cover the morphological and antigenic changes that occur during biofilm development. In combination with the lateral flow diagnostic assay (see portfolio page 11, and the ability to detect MRSA infections in vivo (see portfolio page 12, this trio of inventions provides the ability to detect, localize, and prevent MRSA –related biofilm infections. MRSA from NAU News-Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Patent Pending
Contact
Dr. Tim Vail NAU Innovations PO Box 4087 Flagstaff, AZ 86011 928-523-5311 NAUInnovations@nau.edu
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Potential Applications
Benefits and Advantages
Prevention of hospital-acquired infections
Clears more of the infection than with standard treatment
Medical implant surgery patient monitoring
Covers the morphological and antigenic changes that occur during biofilm development
MRSA infection prevention and treatment
Rapid Diagnostic Assay for MethicillinResistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Invention Description The Numbers: More than 126,000 patients hospitalized in the U.S. are infected with MRSA (methecillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) annually, leading to over 5,000 deaths, increased length of hospital stays, and significantly higher healthcare costs. The Problem: A major hurdle to the success of diagnosing and treating a MRSA biofilm infection is the successful localization and targeting of biofilm infections in vivo. Moreover, MRSA infections are notoriously difficult to treat, as they are often associated with implanted medical devices such as artificial heart valves, catheters, and stents. Rapid diagnosis is critical to effective treatment. This patent- issued assay provides that diagnosis in ten minutes or less. The Solution: Researchers at NAU and the University of Maryland have developed a new diagnostic assay to provide clinicians with a rapid, inexpensive and sensitive tool for early diagnosis of MRSA infections. As a stand-alone device, it can be “inventoried� to an existing commercial diagnostics portfolio, or provide rapid revenue for a start-up company to build its diagnostics base. This is likely to be a CLIA-waived device, making regulatory hurdles minimal.
Inventors Dr. Jeff Leid
Associate Professor Biological Sciences
Dr. Timothy L. Vail
Adjunct Professor Chemistry & Biochemistry
Dr. Mark Shirtliff Associate Professor University of Maryland, Balitmore School of Dentistry
Intellectual Property Status: Patent Pending
Potential Applications
Benefits and Advantages
Diagnosis of hospital-acquired infections
Distinguishes attached biofilm infections (e.g. endocarditis) from systemic infections
Medical implant surgery patient monitoring MRSA infection prevention and diagnosis
Allows rapid patient monitoring of medical device implant surgery pre- and post-operative Can be read visually with no need for expensive diagnostic equipment
Contact
Dr. Tim Vail NAU Innovations PO Box 4087 Flagstaff, AZ 86011 928-523-5311 NAUInnovations@nau.edu
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Functionalized Paramagnetic Particles for In vivo diagnosis of MRSA Biofilms Inventors Dr. Jeff Leid
Associate Professor Biological Sciences
Dr. Timothy L. Vail Adjunct Professor Chemistry & Biochemistry
Dr. Mark Shirtliff Associate Professor University of Maryland, Balitmore School of Dentistry
Intellectual Property Status: Patent Pending
Contact
Dr. Tim Vail NAU Innovations PO Box 4087 Flagstaff, AZ 86011 928-523-5311 NAUInnovations@nau.edu
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Invention Description Biofilms are attached communities of microorganisms that are inherently resistant to antibiotics and killing from the human immune system. These communities are often associated with indwelling medical devices such as catheters, endotracheal tubes, surgical sutures, hip and knee joint prostheses and dental implants. However, biofilms also colonize heart valves (endocarditis), bone (osteomyelitis), tooth surfaces (dental caries), gums (periodontal disease), burn patients and the lungs of cystic fibrosis patients. In all cases, these infections dramatically increase morbidity and mortality costing an estimated $20 billion dollars annually. The CDC estimates that of all nosocomial infections, >70% are caused by biofilms. In conjunction with the diagnosis of, and vaccination against MRSA biofilm infections, a joint research project between investigators at NAU and the University of Maryland - Baltimore has produced an in vivo detection method for MRSA biofilm infections. These infections are often associated with endocarditis or osteomyelitis, and can be localized at or near medical device implants, such as catheters, heart valves, or stents. The inventors have successfully detected S. aureus biofilms on infected tibial pins whereas implanted sterile pins showed no sign of biofilm development. Specific visualization of the site of biofilm infection will give surgeons the exact site of infection leading to removal of less healthy tissue and more biofilm infection. Specific targeting of the biofilm would also allow for specific delivery of a well-defined quantity of chemotherapeutic agents that may then be effective against the biofilm-mode of growth.
Potential Applications
Benefits and Advantages
Prevention of hospital-acquired infections
Early diagnosis
Medical implant surgery patient monitoring MRSA infection prevention and treatment
Minimizes removal of healthy tissue surrounding an infection
MOMECCA: Moist Membranes for the Cultivation and Collection of Algae Invention Description
Inventor
Mass cultivation of algae has focused on the use of open ponds or closed bioreactors. Both approaches depend upon routine liquid culturing of the algae and require the removal of large quantities of water at the time of cell harvesting and subsequent extraction of desired products. NAU researchers have developed a technology that drastically reduces the water content at the time of cell harvesting and enables automated mass production of algal cells.
Dr. Karen VanWinkle-Swift
Regents’ Professor Biological Sciences
The invention uses porous inert membranes to support the growth and subsequent harvesting of algae. Moisture and nutrients required for growth are provided by misting of the porous inert membrane from above, or percolation of an aqueous nutrient medium through a semisolid basement layer in contact with the membrane. Algal cells are then harvested from the membrane surface by scraping or lifting the cells using an industrial sized “squeegee”. The invention also induces environmental stresses, which often trigger oil accumulation in algae, by moving the membrane with adherent cells to a new basement layer, or by changing the misting or percolating solution. After cell harvesting, the membrane with residual cells can be moistened with complete medium (via misting or percolation) to induce a new round of growth and subsequent stress induction.
Intellectual Property Status: Patent Pending
Potential Applications
Benefits and Advantages
Mass cultivation of algae for biofuel production
Decreased water consumption and contamination, and increased control of nutrient feed
Quick and efficient growth of food additives and cosmetics (e.g. carotenoids; beta carotene and astaxanthin)
Easier to induce stress on algae The membrane can be re-seeded
Contact
Dr. Tim Vail NAU Innovations PO Box 4087 Flagstaff, AZ 86011 928-523-5311 NAUInnovations@nau.edu
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Lateral Flow Diagnostic Reader with Multiassay Cassette - iTester™ Inventors Dr. Catherine R. Propper
Professor Biological Sciences
Dr. Timothy L. Vail
Invention Description The iTester™ is a diagnostic assay system in a hand-held electronic platform capable of running up to seven individual assays simultaneously, with results in approximately eight minutes. Diagnostic panels can be designed for environmental and public health needs such as water and wastewater testing, or for clinical diagnosis such as blood-borne disease, cardiac markers, lipid profiles, and drugs of abuse.
Adjunct Professor Chemistry & Biochemistry
The sample volume for the iTester™ diagnostic panel is less than one milliliter, and can include fluids such as water, whole blood, serum, and saliva.
Dr. John Tester
The iTester™ has wireless Internet capability, a USB port, a touchscreen interface, and a fully functional desktop PC environment.
Associate Professor Mechanical Engineering
The iTester™ is battery–powered and intended for complete operation in remote locations.
Dr. Niranjan Venkatraman
Associate Professor Electrical Engineering
Intellectual Property Status: Patent Pending
Contact
Dr. Tim Vail NAU Innovations PO Box 4087 Flagstaff, AZ 86011 928-523-5311 NAUInnovations@nau.edu
Potential Applications
Benefits and Advantages
The system provides nearly instantaneous test results for multiple market uses, including water testing, healthcare, drug testing, veterinary care
Near real-time analysis of samples in the field
This system can be readily adapted to uses such as triage and field medicine, disaster relief, or as part of a portable clinical diagnostics laboratory for developing countries
Complete analysis of entire diagnostic panel from a single small sample volume
Seamless upload, management, and sharing of data
Flexibility of use for different purposes Negates the need for sample transport for testing in laboratories
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Structural Supercapacitors Invention Description NAU researchers have developed a solid polymer electrolyte resin that interfaces with carbon fiber stacks to create a structural supercapacitor—a carbon fiber based composite material suitable for high-performance applications (such as aerospace components, medical devices, wind turbines, etc.), adding power storage capability without compromising the strength and durability of the material. The structural supercapacitor has morphology similar to that of an electric double layer capacitor (EDLC), and in addition to storing electrical charge will be able to withstand mechanical loading, making it suitable for building structures with added power storage capability.
Inventors Dr. Constantin Ciocanel
Assistant Professor Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Cindy Browder
Associate Professor Chemistry & Biochemistry
Using our specific formulation of the solid polymer electrolyte, specific capacitance of 1.4kF/m3 and leakage resistance of 380kΊ has been achieved.
Potential Applications
Benefits and Advantages
Structurally integrated actuators for medical devices such as prosthetic limbs
Added power storage capability by using structural material.
Battery-free electrical windpowered generators or electric vehicles Multifunctional lightweight aviation and aerospace components Lightweight handheld devices such as calculators, cell phones, and GPS units
Moldable polymer matrix provides support for device manufacture. No compromise to strength and durability of structure Reduced power consumption, device size, the number of required components, and can be made into virtually any required shape
Intellectual Property Status: Patent Pending
Contact
Dr. Tim Vail NAU Innovations PO Box 4087 Flagstaff, AZ 86011 928-523-5311 NAUInnovations@nau.edu
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