Round VIII Accelerator Awards

Round VIII of the Accelerator Awards launched with five new innovators recommended for Accelerator Award funding. Award recipients started their projects this month after review by an external Selection Committee and approval from the sponsor.

The Accelerator Awards program is designed to advance the translation of technologies developed by Ohio State innovators from the university into the marketplace. The program provides grants of up to $150,000 per project to support external validation that will demonstrate the commercial viability of a technology. The goal of the program is to license the technology to an Ohio-based startup company and support economic development in the region. The funding is provided by The Ohio State University, with matching funds from the Ohio Third Frontier Technology Validation and Startup Fund. The Accelerator Award program is administered through the Keenan Center for Entrepreneurship 

The latest round of the Accelerator Award cycle showcased a remarkable collection of cutting-edge technologies. We are delighted to provide essential funding at this crucial early stage to our PIs enabling them to conduct proof-of-concept studies and develop prototypes that swiftly validate the efficacy of their technologies,” said Cheryl Turnbull, Senior Director of the Keenan Center for Entrepreneurship. “By investing in such groundwork before entering into license agreements, our aim is to enhance the value and scale of startup ventures emerging from Ohio State University."

MEGA Detector for Ultra-Sensitive Tritium Gas Detection

L. Raymond Cao, Ph.D 

MEGA Detector for Ultra-Sensitive Tritium Gas Detection
College of Engineering | Nuclear Engineering at the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Tritium, an isotope of hydrogen found in nature, is already widely used in medical and geological research as a tracer for life cycle studies. The emergence of fusion research and the anticipated clean energy from fusion power will further increase the demand for tritium usage. Industries such as medical, defense, energy, and environmental protection are facing a significant challenge in detecting tritium with ultra-high sensitivity. This project seeks to employ an innovative approach to create tritium detectors that are lighter, smaller, and more cost-effective. The Accelerator Award funds will enable us to develop a prototype for commercialization of a high-sensitivity tritium detector to cater to the unique demands of the aforementioned industries.

Solar air conditioning with metal-organic frameworks

Jordan D. Clark, Ph.D

College of Engineering | Department of Civil, Environmental and Geodetic Engineering

Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering; Core Faculty, Sustainability Institute

Air conditioning uses about 5% of primary energy in the United States and is responsible for 40% of peak demand on electrical grids and unsustainable growth in demand for energy in the developing world. Dr. Clark together with Dr. Casey Wade (College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry) will leverage recent advances in materials science to create an air conditioning cycle that is thermally-driven and eliminates both the need for a compressor and around 80% of the electricity needed for air conditioning. This is accomplished through the unique adsorption behavior of metal-organic frameworks sorbents. Accelerator funds will enable construction of a prototype that will be deployed in a real environment with commercial partners.

Formulation of the next generation of probiotics to mitigate modern diseases

Hua Wang, Ph.D

College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences | Food Science and Technology 

The power of antibiotics against bacterial infections is negated by the surge of antibiotic resistant (AR) bacteria and AR genes. Disrupted host gut microbiota further contributes to many noncommunicable modern diseases. We are developing a novel probiotic to effectively mitigate the gut AR gene pools against the most used antibiotics. This project examines its applications in mammalians to overcome technology barriers for broad applications. Accelerator Award funds will be used to develop delivery prototypes and demonstrate efficacy in animal models to facilitate generally accepted as safe classification.

A Medical Nutrition Supplement for Cystic Fibrosis

Robert DiSilvestro, Ph.D

Faculty Emeritus,

Department of Human Sciences |College of Education and Human Ecology.

For individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF), new drugs have extended life expectancy and improved quality of life. Yet, even with these improvements, people with CF still face shorter than normal life spans and constant threats of quality-of-life disruptions. Correcting nutritional deficiencies could help improve these challenges. However, people with CF have trouble transporting certain nutrients from the digestive system and current supplements are not designed to overcome CF nutrient absorption barriers. Dr. DiSilvestro is developing a nutritional supplement with the intention of meeting the unique nutritional needs of individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF). Funding will enable a clinical intervention trial to test how well specific nutrient forms work for CF.

Developing and commercializing a novel biomarker assay for small fiber peripheral neuropathy

Kristy Townsend, Ph.D

College of Medicine | Neurological Surgery

Small fiber peripheral neuropathy is a condition of peripheral nerve death that impacts up to 70% of patients with diabetes, and is also a prominent co-morbidity of obesity, aging, chemotherapy treatments, and numerous other disease states. It is challenging to accurately diagnose and there are no accurate biomarkers that can be used.  Dr. Townsend and colleagues identified a novel biomarker which may be the first identified in diagnosis of small fiber peripheral neuropathy. The Townsend lab is pursuing numerous treatment and diagnostic options for peripheral neuropathy. Accelerator Awards funding will enable validation of the biomarker and external assay development to support commercialization of a diagnostic platform for small fiber peripheral neuropathy.

Learn more at www.ktownsendlab.com or on Twitter @neuroadipo.