University Technology

University Technology (UT) is a pan-Scottish university initiative that was originally launched in March 2004 by Scotland’s universities as part of a collaborative effort, over and above each university’s marketing efforts, to showcase new technology opportunities from Scotland’s academic research base.

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Cinemotus is a cutting-edge fusion of game technology and the latest Hollywood digital filmmaking techniques. The result is a product designed to be used with popular 3D modelling packages which will bring the power of the latest Hollywood studios to the public at a substantially lower cost than comparable, currently available systems.  The motion controller hardware provides a 6 degree of freedom for a tracked object in 3D space that can be manipulated by the user.

The solution is a combination of games based motion detection hardware technology with the conversion of real-world space into virtual space to create a working motion capture camera system. Currently no comparable technology exists due to the recent emergence of the hardware available to the home user. 

The business model is founded on

(a)      the sale of the Cinemotus system as a software tool; and

(b)      the provision of specialist consultancy services in tailoring the Cinemotus system to the needs of specific client projects etc..

  Key Benefits:

Within the price-range and budgets of virtually all users

Delivered via an industry-standard 3D modelling package so no additional training needed

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About Opportunity:

AFM provides very high resolution images of surface topography in liquid or gaseous environments, over a range of temperatures. In addition to high-resolution imaging, AFM is capable of measuring nano-mechanical surface properties, such as adhesion, compliance, friction and roughness. AFM can be used for the investigation of wear, cleaning, corrosion, indentation, lubrication, detection of transfer of material and surface potential. Moreover, AFM is one of the few techniques that allow the examination at nanometre resolution of the mechanical properties of living material such as tissues or cells.

The University of Strathclyde uses AFM to study a variety of Biological and chemical Systems such as vesicle or fibre structures, bacterial morphology and nanomechanics, nanoparticles, nanoscale cell-surface or drug-protein interactions, crystal growth, and nanomechanically characterising the native biological tissue and biomaterials in healthy and diseased states.

Key Benefits:

Provides a three-dimensional surface profile.

Measurements under different modes and environments (air, gas, medium, temperature, humidity) is possible.

Samples do not require any special treatments (such as metal/carbon coatings) that irreversibly change or damage the sample.

AFM works well in ambient air or a liquid environment allowing imaging of material in its physiological state.

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About Opportunity:

This technology uses conducting (PEDOT and/ or PSS) polymers blended with conventional polymer materials to provide a balance of conductivity, flexibility and adhesive properties. The use of conventional polymers with solubility in common solvents enables formulation of a wide range of conductive Inks and Coatings that provide conductive, anti-static, RF shielding or other properties. 

Key Benefits:

Conductive polymer blend with excellent adhesion to Celluose/ Polyester films

Soluble in common organic solvent blends - making ink / coating formulation possible

Wide range of conductivities possible through formulation

Applications:

Conductive or Antistatic Coatings in micro-electronics/ sensing / RF Shielding

Flexible circuits on Polyester/ cellulose base films

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About Opportunity:

gamma-Hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is a notorious drug implicated in numerous cases of sexual assault. The drug is difficult to detect because it is quickly metabolised and eliminated  from the body so samples are required within eight hours of exposure or require a hair sample some time later. Both these samples require complex and time consuming laboratory based techniques to detect and quantify the GHB content.

The technology represents a method for the production and purification of a protein that reacts with GHB converting it into a compound that can be detected using standard colometric assay techniques. 

Key Benefits:

Sensitive assay technique for the detection and quantification of GHB.

Method for the detection of GHB that is non-responsive to ethanol allowing for detection of the drug in drinks.

The method offers cost savings over the currently employed laboratory based approaches.

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About Opportunity:

Innovation in text-to-speech technology

This pleasant Southern British female voice package offers high quality synthetic speech delivered on an open-source text-to-speech system.

'HTS-Anna' is a voice package for the Festival 2.1 text-to-speech system, using the 2010 HMM-based synthesis system (HTS) engine. The voice package comprises data files containing voice parameters for HMM-based synthesis and a suitable Southern British pronunciation lexicon. The package also contains a modified version 2.1 of the Festival text-to-speech engine and Speech Tools, required for generating synthetic speech. The distribution contains source code in several compressed tar files which must be uncompressed, unpacked and then compiled. Wrapper shell scripts and instructions are provided.

Key Benefits:

High quality synthetic voice package

Delivered on the open-source Festival Speech Synthesis System

Applications:

Stand-alone audio generation

Integration with third party text-to-speech applications

[university-technology-blog]

About Opportunity:

This series of PI3 kinase mouse models preserves signalling stoichiometry and generates accurate and informative phenotypes to enable the function of the p110 catalytic units to be investigated.

The Challenge

The Phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3 kinases) are a family of enzymes involved in a broad range of cell functions including cell growth, differentiation and proliferation. A number of them have been implicated in diseases such as cancer, inflammation and diabetes. Understanding their function through conventional targeted knock out approaches is problematic as deletion of PI3 kinase genes in mice often alters expression of non-targeted PI3 kinase family members, which can hamper attempts to examine phenotypes.

Technology

A series of PI3 kinase mouse models have been developed that enable the function of the p110 catalytic units to be investigated. These mice have been created using a strategy, which preserves signalling stoichiometry and generates accurate and informative phenotypes. The models available are of the Class 1A PI3 kinases. These consist of a regulatory subunit attached to a p110 catalytic subunit – of which there are three types: α, β or δ. These p110 mice strains enable the α, β or δ subunit to be expressed, but in inactive forms via point mutations or through truncation of the gene. Mice are also available with co-expression of lacZ for tissue distribution and with Lox P flanked p110 units to enable generation of conditional knockouts when crossed with appropriate cre-deletor mice.

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About Opportunity:

A synthetic polymer (‘8g7’) has been identified which effectively supports high quality growth of human endothelial progenitor cells and also mature endothelial cells. 8g7 can be used in cell culture applications as a thin layer / gel, or alternatively has the potential as a coating for labware products.

The Challenge

Processes for isolating and culturing high quality endothelial cells are of broad interest for both basic and applied research. Traditional approaches to cell isolation, expansion and differentiation are underpinned by animal-derived extracellular matrix (ECM) attachment products, such as collagen. However, such materials can present a potential source of contamination, as well as introducing a challenge to reproducibility of results due to poorly defined systems. This can also be challenging from a regulatory perspective, where definition of purity and quality of cells is desirable. Defined, animal-free surfaces for cell culture are, therefore, an attractive target.

Technology

University of Edinburgh researchers have identified a set of polymers which promote isolation, adhesion and differentiation of human endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and mature endothelial cells (HUVECs). This includes isolation of EPCs from source mononuclear cells. Importantly, this material is fully synthetic yet maintains, or betters, the performance level of current ‘gold standards’. The polymer can be applied either as an attachment solution or as a coating for culture-ware products.

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About Opportunity:

New biocompatible polymers have been identified that support effective human endothelial cell growth and endothelialisation, whilst minimising platelet attachment.  These fully synthetic materials can be applied as a thin coating to intra-vascular devices and have the potential to minimise problems associated with vascular intervention surgery, such as stent failure or repeat surgery.

The Challenge

Therapeutic strategies using a patient’s own stem cells to repair and regenerate damaged tissue have been explored for years. Since circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) were discovered, strategies involving direct implantation or infusion have been limited by poor homing and engraftment in target tissue. This loss of control of cell fate results in transplanted cell death. Introducing a biomaterial scaffold that attracts and supports EPC differentiation to form a mature endothelium should help resolve such issues by promoting cellular engraftment and provide a template to guide new tissue growth.

Technology

Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have identified a family of biopolymers capable of promoting adhesion and differentiation of human EPC and, when used as surface coatings for 3-D scaffolds, were shown to be significantly better than the current gold standard GFR-M, providing a potential coating for intra-vascular devices. Ultimately, the use of selected polymers to enhance the biocompatibility of intra-vascular stents and conduits by supporting EPC adhesion and differentiation could help to minimise neointima (new or thickened tissue) formation and improve post-surgical outcomes following revascularisation.

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About Opportunity:

A number of compounds have been developed that promote the regeneration of motor neurons in a Zebrafish spinal cord lesion assay, which provides a therapeutic for a range of motor neuron diseases, such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

The Challenge

In the UK, the incidence of motor neuron disease (MND) is 2 in 100,000.  Most cases of MND are due to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and patients have a life expectancy of 2-3 years.  Riluzole is currently the only drug available for ALS patients but, as it only slows down disease progression, there is a need for the development of new therapeutic agents that are capable of treating MND.

Technology

The current treatment regimen only slows down disease progression.  Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have identified a number of compounds that promote the regeneration of motor neurons in Zebrafish, and which may show promise as therapeutics for treating MNDs.

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About Opportunity:

Smart biotin-streptavidin labels have been developed that enable the pre-targeted imaging and therapy of disease sites. These biotinidase resistant labels could enhance the sensitivity, specificity and quality of diagnostic information obtained from CT, MRI, PET and SPECT imaging.

The Challenge

Molecular imaging has been applied using several different contrast agents, targeting techniques, and imaging modalities. Pre-targeting is a development of this approach which uses avidin-labelled antibodies against appropriate molecular targets which are then imaged using a biotinylated contrast agent. The advantage of pre-targeting is that it exploits the greatly improved specificity achieved with antibodies, while avoiding adverse pharmacokinetics associated with direct labelling. However, the sensitivity of biotinylated contrast agents to cleavage by serum biotinidase is a key limitation of this approach.

Technology

A new class of biotinidase resistant labels has been developed by chemists in Edinburgh that addresses this shortcoming. The Edinburgh technology replaces the component of existing biotin-streptavidin systems susceptible to enzymatic degradation, with a stable bioisostere which renders the new systems biotinidase-resistant. Critically, this is achieved without any impact on the characteristic high binding affinity for streptavidin, making the structures amenable to in vivo labelling of imaging agents. The structures are designed such that they can be flexibly introduced using a wide range to different chemistries, to best suit conjugation to the particular imaging or therapeutic agent.

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Schmallenberg virus (SV) is a new emerging livestock disease that has been detected in Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and the UK.

It is similar to some other animal disease pathogens, such as Akabane and Shamonda viruses, which are transmitted by vectors, such as midges, mosquitoes and ticks (Orthobunyavirus family).

The virus has been associated with brief mild/moderate dieseas (milk drop, pyrexia, diarrhoea) in adult cattle and late abortion or birth defects in newborn cattle, sheep and goats.

St Andrews is working on a genetically-modified SV distinct from wild-type SV for raising the immune response animals and providing the opportunity to protect at-risk animals from SV.

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Many medical tests are performed by taking a fluid sample from the patient, such as blood or urine, having it react with appropriate chemicals and measuring the colour or the fluorescence of the reaction products.  The sampling process is unpleasant for the patient, presents risks for the doctor, and the measurement equipment is expensive. Our technology provides the solution to integrate the full sampling unit, reaction chamber and spectrometer on a small, simple device.  The amount of liquid used by the unit is tiny, such as in modern pocket glucometers, and the cost of the device is so low as to be able to dispose of it at the end of the test.

Key Benefits:

Operator safety in testing biological fluids

Low manufacturing cost

Disposability of all components with potential risk of infection

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Identifying the components in a fluid analyte is key to the vast majority of chemical assays.  Raman spectroscopy is a powerful tool which is widely used for this purpose, as it enables simultaneous detection of multiple components in the sample without the use of any tag, reagent or marker.

Our technology enables the realisation of microfuluidic devices for biochemical analysis in which Raman Spectroscopy detection can be achieved in a completely alignment-free configuaration.  These devices do not require any expertise in optics for recording Raman Spectra, as the detection system is intrinsically embedded in the analysis chip.  The devices can be easily combined with existing table-top Raman systems and uses a very small sample volume to enable microfluidics, in-field and microreactor applications.

Key Benefits:

self aligning

works on very small fluid volumes

no optical or microfluidic skills required

[university-technology-blog]

The Institute has substantial experience and a history of projects dealing with the processing of large data sets. Over time it has acquired the necessary hardware to not only design the appropriate software, but also run it on a large scale. In 2010 the Institute received a grant to install a high performance computing cluster which is now complementing the aging Beowulf setup. It is comprised of: • 18 HP HPC computer with 16 cpu cores each • a storage server with the capacity of several terrabytes • high speed interconnects between the nodes The HPC is running Condor, a specialised workload-management system for computational intensive jobs. It provides a job queuing mechanism, scheduling policy, priority scheme, resource monitoring, and resource management, thus allowing to maximise the use of the resource.

Key Benefits:

Vast experience in data cleaning, data transformation, data exploration, data mining and data visualisation

In-house data storage and processing on large datasets

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Psoriasis is a skin disease characterised by inflammation and scaly lesions of the skin affecting 2-3% of the population in Europe and North America. Several different therapies are currently being used to treat psoriasis, but they all have the possibility of serious side effects. Additionally, they are expensive to produce and lack efficacy in some patients.

Researchers at the University of Strathclyde have isolated a novel compound for the treatment of psoriasis from a plant extract of Calendula officinalis (marigold). The compound has anti-proliferative effects against normal skin cells growing in tissue culture and has cleared initial regulatory toxicology testing. The compound can be applied locally to affected areas of the skin, thereby minimising the chances of systemic side effects.

Key Benefits:

Topical application

Regulatory toxicology data available

Derived from clinically proven natural product

Active compound can be synthesised chemically

Novel mechanism of action

Economical manufacture

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Researchers at the Institute of Photonics and Department of Physics at the University of Strathclyde have developed a patented technology of benefit to the semiconductor industry. This technology relates to gallium nitride (GaN) semiconductor devices which are most familiar as high brightness blue and green LEDs. The Strathclyde team has established a strong track-record in nitride semiconductor growth research at an international level, and has proprietary know-how and the basis of a sound portfolio of related IP.

The new technology is an aluminium indium nitride or quaternary layer which provides a means to optically monitor, in situ, the growth of GaN devices on newly developed GaN substrates. This layer provides a contrast in refractive index which allows optical monitoring of the growth. This non-pertubative monitoring allows the layer thickness to be controlled with great accuracy. For all devices this avoids wasted materials and minimizes costly processing time. For many devices this will allow optimum performance and increases production yield.

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To reduce costs and simplify the deployment of CM systems, industry is turning to the state-of-the-art in industrial wireless sensor network (IWSN) technology to build secure and robust monitoring networks designed for hostile industrial environments. As part of a research project funded by National Grid, an open and extensible IWSN platform has been developed to support research into novel ways of monitoring electrical plant health. A wireless CM network based upon this platform is deployed into the University of Strathclyde Microgrid Laboratory and plans are in place for the platform to be rolled out and extended into the Power Network Demonstration Centre.

The platform, while being initially used for smart grid monitoring applications, is application-independent and can be used as the basis of any industrial wireless sensing project. With the hardware schematics released under a Creative Commons licence and the software components released under the MIT licence, this enables universities and industry to leverage the platform royalty free in their research and development.

The platform incorporates an integrated hardware and software platform for researching and developing industrial wireless sensing applications based upon the International Society of Automation (ISA) wireless standard ISA100.11a. The platform contains designs for all interfacing hardware and software required to use ISA100.11a radio hardware from Nivis LLC (www.nivis.com), providing a fast track to developing custom standards-based wireless sensors while cutting the cost of developing such systems.

The hardware and software are primarily designed to be used with the open-source Arduino platform which has become a preferred platform for collaborative and university research projects. The platform was designed for extensibility, so both hardware and software components can be easily extended for use with other embedded microprocessor architectures.