Technology Offerings

Technology Offerings

Innovative Endoscope-Probe Enhances Dental Furcation Exams

The invention concerns a device with which it is possible to examine the furcation area of the tooth root. For that, a spirally wounded tube is provided with glass fiber and a flush pipe. This makes the visual information out of the furcation area transferable. Moreover, the examined area can also be cleaned with the flush pipe.

Technology Offerings

WiMDaD Wire Mesh Damage Detection – Comprehensive damage detection in composite materials

Composite materials are nowadys used in many technical fields. Blades of wind power plants or aircraft parts, for example, are made out of these materials. In order to detect possible cracks or fractures, however, an immense effort is necessary. Conventional methods of material testing such as ultrasound, X-ray or thermography are very time-consuming, if they are possible to employ whatsoever. Other methods such as the use of strain gauges or glass fiber based systems can take measurements permanently, but they can only indirectly detect a fracture in the material. The invention is a novel, continuous measuring method, which is also suitable in particular for large-area applications such as, for example, wind turbine blades. The sensor consists of a braid of wires whose breaking behavior corresponds to that of the fibers in the composite material. The crossing points are connected via diodes. An electronic evaluation unit can switch between electrical paths through specific diodes so that the defective part can be identified in the breaking event.

Technology Offerings

Innovative method of protein production – increasing production yield by more than 50 %

The production of recombinant proteins is a multi-billion dollar industry. In order to lower production costs, companies are very active in developing methods for increasing protein yield. However, current techniques are cumbersome, time consuming and consequently relatively expensive.
An innovative method, invented by a scientist at RWTH Aachen, is now about to close this gap in biotechnology. Briefly, the retention time of any target RNA can be significantly increased, leading to a substantially enhanced protein production. The astonishingly straightforward method can be applied in a wide variety of industry branches in white, red and green biotechnology.

Technology Offerings

Tracy HyNi – Sensitive trace gas detection for hydrogen and nitrogen

Scientists of the Heinrich-Heine-University developed a rugged low-cost gas detector. The concept of detection based on the specific light emission of compounds excited electronically by an electric arc. The detection enables a wide range of measurments starting from pure gases down to gas traces (<1 ppm). Signals are achieved in tenths of seconds. At present, the invention is primarily concerned with monitoring operational states of fuel cells and appearing degradation processes in MEAs by detecting either nitrogen in the hydrogen flow or hydrogen within the cathode flow field. Granted US Patent und EP patent application, DE application for hydrogen detection. On behalf of the Heinrich-Heine-University of Düsseldorf, PROvendis offers interested companies the opportunity to obtain a licence for using the presented technology or for continuing the development of the method.

Technology Offerings

Biotechnological production of itaconic acid – Production of itaconic acid in a controllable fungi expression system

Itaconic acid is one of the top bio-based chemical building blocks and thus a promising platform compound for the production of polymers, coatings, chemical compounds and biofuels. It is an important monomer for the synthesis of, e.g. poly-acrylates, rubber, colours, additives, adhesives, emulsifying agents, lipids, pharmaceuticals, herbicides and biodegradable polymers for the packaging industry. The offered innovative production process of itaconic acid uses genes encoding for the biosynthesis pathway of unicellular fungi from the family of Ustilaginaceae, in particular Ustilago maydis. By modification of these genes the efficiency of itaconic acid production can be markedly improved and enables a more reliable process with less risk of batch failure.
As another advantage over A. terreus, which is also classified as a toxin-producing animal pathogenic fungus in certain countries which is limiting its applicability at industrial scale, the species Ustilago maydis has a history of safe use.

Technology Offerings

Two-Dimensional Ionic Species Separation Method Unveiled

The technology relates to a method which realizes a two-dimensional separation of ionic species on the basis of the online coupling of ion chromatography and capillary electrophoresis. Through the orthogonality of the single methods the peak capacity can be increased significantly. The separation of ionic species is improved in a cost-effective way, e.g. for complex mixtures of nucleotides or cyclic nucleotides.

Technology Offerings

Underwater Hydro Power Plant: Silent and Flood-Proof Innovation

The invention describe a hydroelectric power station, which is arranged under water within a shaft. No buildings or constructional interventions are necessary. The power plant is not visible, has no noise emissions and is not endangered by flooding.

Technology Offerings

Innovative Ski Binding System Enhances Safety and Comfort

The invention proposes a solution for a novel ski binding system, which sets for ski touring as well as telemarking new benchmarks in terms of comfort and safety. Thereby it fulfills the requirements of two different forms of skiing in an entirely original form and opens up completely novel applications. Due to its modular design new ways of marketing the system can be introduced while an efficient production can be realized.

Technology Offerings

Enantiomerically pure chiral N-acyl-a-aminonitriles – Method for chemical production avoiding the need of toxic reagents

Enantiomerically pure N-acyl-a-aminonitriles gained these days interest in the pharmaceutical industry since a range of recently developed pharmaceuticals are based on this product class. Prominent examples are Vildagliptin®, Saxagliptin® or NVP-DPP-728, which are active pharmaceutical ingredients against diabetes type II and at least two of them are successful already on the market. The described technology enables a safe, fast and competitive chemical production of specific N-acyl-a-aminonitriles or N-sulfonyl-a-aminonitriles, serving as intermediates for the synthesis of, e.g., Vildagliptin®.

On behalf of the Bielefeld University, PROvendis offers access to rights for commercial use as well as the opportunity for further co-development.

Technology Offerings

Innovative X-Ray Lenses Enhance Focus and Transmissivity

The newly-invented X-ray lens allows the focusing of X-rays on a point focus of less than 10 µm diameter and also distinguishes itself through high transmissivity and low absorption losses. It is especially interesting for X-ray analysis processes for which a high radiation intensity is required since tenfold radiation intensities are achieved in the focus.
The lenses are easy to manufacture and thus cost-effective.

Technology Offerings

New Method Joins Solid and Hollow-Core Fibers with Low Losses

Optical fibers are particularly well suited for long-distance data transmission, as the attenuation losses are significantly lower than e.g. when using copper conductors. Scientists at the University of Stuttgart have now developed a simple and flexible method of joining solid- and hollow-core fibers that is characterized by low coupling losses and easy and flexible handling. In particular, it is suitable for liquid-filled hollow-core fibers. The method enables a durable, low-loss connection of fibers of different diameters without the application of heat required.

Technology Offerings

Waste safeguard for forming processes using „vibrations”

The invention describes a waste safeguard for forming processes, which is using locally applied vibrations to avoid a slug pulling. Implementing this technology increases the operating speed and improves the quality of the machined part. The technology is flexible in use and can be integrated in different forming processes and tools.

Technology Offerings

Liquid biopsy based early breast cancer detection – SPAG6, NKX2-6, PER1 promoter methylation biomarker panel

Researchers of the University Medical Center of Aachen have developed a blood-based diagnostic test for breast cancer and its pre-cancerous stages, based on the grade and intensity of CpG promoter methylation of early breast cancer biomarkers, i.e. the genes SPAG6, NKX2-6 and PER1 (the “SNP panel”). Combined, these three genes provide an opportunity to easily test for breast cancer, starting from a patient’s blood sample (Liquid biopsy). It is very likely that a blood-based test would increase compliance of women to participate in medical prevention of breast cancer. In addition, this concept may allow to broaden prevention to elderly women (>70 years) who currently are not invited to mammography screening.
In April 2016, a blood-based early detection system for colon cancer (the Epi ProColon test by Epigenomics AG) has been approved by the FDA. The RWTH Aachen blood test could be applied in an analogous way for breast cancer detection. Both tests have similar sensitivity and specificity, which may qualify the herein presented test for approval as well. A key argument for the approval of the Epi proColon test by the FDA has been the likelhood of increased acceptance by the relevant population thus reinforcing screening participation.
On behalf of the University of Aachen (RWTH Aachen), PROvendis offers a patent license as well as a research collaboration with licensing option.

Technology Offerings

Sili-Kill – Antimicrobial SiO2 Nanoparticles

A special process to coat SiO2 nanoparticles around with biocidal quaternary ammonium silanes has been achieved, so that the biocidal moiety points always outwards. Subsequently, the nanoparticles can be deposited on one surface from a dispersion of a simple solvent (for example alcohol). The forming surface coating acts purely contact active antimicrobial. That means, when touching, no toxic substances go over the contacting body. The new SiO2 nanoparticles are suitable for the antimicrobial coating especially in sanitary and wet areas, for example, of silicone joints. However, all surfaces in principle can be coated with them.

Technology Offerings

Non-Volatile Magnetic Flip Flop and Shift Register

The invention relates to a spin torque magnetic flip flop and a shift register incorporating such, enabling high operation speed, non­ volatility and reducing die space consumption .

Technology Offerings

lntrinsic Non-Volatile Logic-in-Memory with STT-MRAM

The invention relates to an electronic circuit comprising a plurality of 1T/1MTJ cells arranged in array and being selectable by word lines (Wls) and bit lines (Bls), wherein each 1T/1MTJ cell comprises an
STT-operated magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) and an access transistor.

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