The newest prototype of the pain
management device of SPOC Inc. (pictured above) is undergoing new clinical trials at
Kaiser-Permanente, one of the leading health care insurance companies, and has received a
major additional influx of $300,000 in investor funding for a total of $800,000.
A boost also came to both Attila Technologies, LLC, and Predator Vision, LLC, which have
received a total of $164,000 in funding from the New Jersey Commission on Science and
Technology (NJST) with a focus on homeland security applications. Dr. Lex McCusker, dean
of the Howe School of Technology Management, and I are heading up this exciting grant
project with Dr. Rainer Martini of Predator Vision, and Frank Ianna ’71, CEO of
Attila.
Here’s an update on the progress of Stevens’ Technogenesis® companies and other
research and enterprise developments at Castle Point:
• Predator Vision, LLC: A
mid-infrared spectrum surveillance camera from Predator Vision is orders of magnitude more
sensitive and inexpensive than is currently available. It converts thermal imaging over
the entire IR spectrum to digital images of optical resolution at room temperature—a
combined capability not currently available in any device today! It is the ultimate
security surveillance camera at low cost. Its first product prototype can see through fog
and smoke, actually see a clear picture of a face, and detect how long it has been since
someone touched an object such as a package, and it can take high-resolution photographic
images.
This technology will trounce any of its competitors. Its targeted price is $600, for the
lower end—much less than the cost of thermal imaging cameras, some of which are in
the tens of thousands to hundred thousand dollar range and require cooling systems to
operate and cannot provide the high-resolution, photo quality images that Predator can.
In the future, we plan to use “quantum dot” technology to implement chemical
detection in the camera device and provide additional capabilities and increased
sensitivity. Predator will use the NJST funding to complete prototype development.
Attila Technologies, LLC, has developed an intelligent multi-network radio/router that
dynamically connects to all accessible networks for high-throughput, non-interrupted
connectivity, continuous broadband communication and interoperability. The funding from
the NJST will be used for field testing and improving the product.
• SPOC Inc.: The
diagnostic device, a revolution in pain management, has a new prototype since last summer
and has received a total of $800,000 in investment funds from Connecticut Innovations thus
far, with more funding promised.
Kaiser-Permanente Insurance has begun initial clinical trials of the digital device, at
their expense, on patients slated for back surgery. Preliminary results—very
favorable—showed that about half of the patients were suffering from muscle-related
problems that did not, in fact, require surgery.
Based on a senior project design, the technology has received much positive media
coverage, including stories on CBS, ABC and CNN.
• InStream Media, LLC:
This start-up offers unobtrusive digital interactive advertising that is consumer
activated. The advertising pertains to products they are viewing in the particular
streaming video, movie or broadcast. The technology provides advertisers immediate
feedback on products of interest, which advertisers currently do not receive. It is based
on stegonography techniques for embedding advertising. InStream’s first customer is
with BIG Interactive, in Singapore, which has a distributor’s agreement and is lining
up customers. Major broadcast studios in the U.S. continue to show interest.
• CBM AquaSol, LLC: This
Technogenesis® firm provides products and services for the treatment of brackish water
generated from oil well and coal bed methane well operations, without the use of hazardous
chemicals. Using membrane technology developed at Stevens’ Center for Environmental
Systems, CBM AquaSol has a way of removing, in particular, salt content from the water for
safe discharge and beneficial reuse in agricultural, animal feeding and other purposes.
The firm is seeking funding, and a prototype is nearing completion, with interest from
corporations in Wyoming to test the prototype when completed.
Grants
The following Stevens research programs have received funding in recent months:
• “Nanohydrogels”:
The National Science Foundation in November awarded Stevens a $1 million grant for a
four-year research program to develop “smart,” self-assembling nanotechnology
materials that can control whether bacteria will adhere to synthetic surfaces. One
significant application for this “nanohydrogel” technology is in making medical
implant devices more resistant to infection by “superbugs” like staphylococcal,
and other bacteria.
Stryker Orthopaedics, the medical device manufacturer, will be involved in testing the
technology on its implant devices.
• “Biofilms”:
Research into a related technology, to prevent and help treat implant infections, has
received a grant from the National Institutes of Health. “Biofilms” of microbial
cells can form around implant devices; the solutions to these infections, which account
for some 80 percent of hospital infections, is usually expensive and requires removal of
the implant.
But a polymer surface being developed at Stevens shows potential for preventing such
bacterial adhesions on implants and sensitizing already formed biofilms for antibiotic
treatment.
During the 2006-2007 academic year, Stevens faculty and researchers were awarded a total
of $32.6 million for 119 contracts, out of a total of 247 grant proposals submitted to a
variety of funding agencies. This amounts to nearly 1.9 proposals made per faculty member,
and $245,000 awarded per faculty.
Grants proposals are being made in several focus areas for Stevens research, including
nanotechnology and multi-scale systems; secure systems; and systems engineering and
enterprise systems.
IP portfolio and patents
Stevens’ portfolio of intellectual property is burgeoning. A record 41 invention
disclosures based on Stevens technologies were made in 2006-2007—more than double
each of the three previous years. The Institute has about 120 patents in its portfolio
now, with over 30 percent of them licensed.
Honor and duty
Lastly, I am honored to have been selected by the Secretary of the Navy, with concurrence
from the Office of the Secretary of Defense, to serve on the Naval Research Advisory
Committee (NRAC) for the next six years. NRAC is the principal scientific advisory board
to the Secretary of the Navy and Commandant of the Marine Corps. Its 15 members are asked
to identify and evaluate new technologies that will help the Navy and Marine Corps address
problems and potential risks to maintain technological superiority. I am honored to be
able to play a role in helping to contribute to the security of our nation. Participation
in NRAC will also give me a firsthand look at the technology needs of the Navy and how
Stevens research might be brought to bear to further support the nation’s defense.
For more information about Stevens research, please e-mail Helena.Wisniewski@stevens.edu
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