Technology Available for Licensing

The University of North Florida is seeking companies interested in commercializing a new soil stabilization technology that shows significant strengthening of a wide variety of soil types. Named by the inventors as “Surfactant-Induced Soil Strengthening” (SISS), it provides an inexpensive, easily applied, and comparatively environmentally safe alternative for a wide variety of potential applications ranging from construction to dune stabilization.

This invention is a unique system for protecting 3D-printed plastic molds from the thermal and physical stresses to which they are exposed when used in injection molding. The UNF technology extends the life of these molds to 1000 or more parts, allowing 3D-printed polymeric molds to be viable solutions for gap-stop for rapid need production, small-batch high-profit parts, and rapid prototyping runs.

These new “curcuminoid-inspired” compounds show great promise as anti-cancer drugs. Through patent-pending synthetic methods, the resulting compounds exhibit substantially increased bioavailability and stability compared with unmodified curcuminoids. In-vitro bioassays of several of the compounds demonstrate remarkable antiproliferative and apoptotic effects against cancer cell lines at the nano-molar dosage.

The University of North Florida is seeking companies interested in commercializing new synthetic methods for the preparation of pentauorosulfanyl (SF5) aromatic diazonium salts and the application of such salts as building blocks for a wide variety of compounds useful in biomedical, pharmaceutical, agricultural, and materials applications. The new methods facilitate access to a wide variety of SF5-aromatic compounds whose synthesis by other means is challenging and not economical due to their reliance on exotic/hazardous reagents and harsh conditions.

The University of North Florida is seeking companies interested in commercializing direct methanol fuel cells for greater energy storage capacity in portable electronics, including laptops. The direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) are two to three times smaller than available rechargeable batteries for 24-hour operation. Methanol is an inexpensive, widely available fuel that can be extracted from both natural gas and renewable plant materials, such as wood. Though long-lasting, existing DMFCs are the size of a briefcase and require bulky fans, exit condensers and other water management components to function properly.

The University of North Florida's Nanocrystalline Enhanced Quartz Microbalance Sensors, also known as NCQCM sensors, can be trained to "electronically sniff" and detect in near real-time almost any combination of mixtures. UNF NCQCM Sensors are cutting-edge technology and their applications are numerous. Potentially, government agencies can have a more advanced way to ensure national security, the medical field can rapidly diagnose illnesses, and the quality and consistency of manufacturing and agriculture goods can be carefully monitored and maintained.

In recent years, focus has increased in developing advanced ways to ensure national security and to ensure consistency and quality in consumer products. Although there have been notable advancements in the field, current sensors lack sensitivity, have high labor costs, and are limited in their applications. UNF Nanocrystalline Oxide Semi-Conducive Gas Sensor solutions represent a breakthrough technology in this field.

An increased need now exists for advanced technologies to ensure national security, to monitor for public safety and environmental issues, and to aid in maintaining manufacturing safety and quality control. Although there have been notable advancements in the field, current sensor technology lacks sensitivity, has high associated labor costs, and is limited in its applications. UNF photoelectric chemical sensor solutions represent a breakthrough technology in this field.

The use of sensors has increasingly become accepted as an innovative solution for a diverse range of functions and needs. The University of North Florida's Photoelectric Microbe Sensors, also known as PEMS, can accurately detect and identify microbes (both viruses and bacteria) in near real-time. UNF PEMS are cutting edge technology and their applications are numerous. Government agencies can have a more advanced way to ensure national security, the medical field can rapidly diagnose illnesses and microbial outbreaks, and the quality and consistency of manufacturing and agriculture goods can be carefully maintained.