UB to Celebrate Faculty Inventors, Entrepreneurs at Annual Reception

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The University at Buffalo will celebrate faculty inventors and innovative companies that reside in the UB Technology Incubator during the university's annual Inventors and Entrepreneurs Reception on March 1.

The invitation-only event begins at 4 p.m. March 1 at the Center for Tomorrow on UB's North Campus. Media interested in attending should make arrangements with Charlotte Hsu in the Office of University Communications at 716-645-4655 or chsu22@buffalo.edu.

During the reception, Vice President for Research and Economic Development Alexander N. Cartwright, whose office was recently restructured to emphasize economic development in addition to research, will discuss the university's continuing role in growing the regional economy.

Robert Genco, the vice provost who heads UB's Office of Science, Technology Transfer and Economic Outreach (STOR), will open the celebration. UB President Satish K. Tripathi will deliver closing remarks.

The reception will recognize UB faculty and local entrepreneurs for their work in 2011.

Jeff Dunbar, director of STOR, and Woody Maggard, associate vice provost of STOR, will introduce honorees in the following categories:

Inventors Named on U.S. Patents

The University at Buffalo was awarded 14 U.S. patents in 2011 for technologies ranging from an augmentative communications device for the speech-impaired to a dye for purging blood pathogens and for photodynamic therapy. A list of the patents and their UB inventors is available at http://www.buffalo.edu/news/13224.

Visionary Innovators (UB faculty who developed technologies licensed to industrial partners)

-- Thenkurussi Kesavadas, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, for a method and system for minimally invasive surgery training. Industrial Partner: Simulated Surgical Systems Management Company, LLC.

-- Steven Gallo, lead software engineer and database administrator at UB's Center for Computational Research, for developing a computer program to enable the rational design of small molecules targeting ribonucleic acid (RNA). Industrial Partner: SMaRT Therapeutics.

-- Harsh Deep Chopra and Zonglu Susan Hua, professors of mechanical and aerospace engineering, and Jason Armstrong, postdoctoral researcher in the same department, for a multifunctional metrology system for physical property measurements on individual samples of nano- and sub-nanometer dimensions. Industrial Partner: Precision Scientific Instruments Inc.

-- Huw M.L. Davies and Ravisekhara Reddy, former researchers in UB's Department of Chemistry, for catalysts for use in enantioselective synthesis. Industrial Partner: Strem Chemicals, Inc.

UB Technology Incubator Graduates

-- CloudBack, LLC (www.cloudback.com)

Founded by two UB School of Management MBA graduates, the firm will provide an online avenue for small businesses to leverage the power of the crowd to solve problems. Cloudback, LLC was a member of the UB Technology Incubator from 2010-2011.

UB Technology Incubator Company Entrants

-- TPF Enterprises, LLC (http://www.tpfenterprises.us)

TPF Enterprises aids commercialization of new technology solutions in the areas of alternative energy, electronics and clean tech through consulting and product development for startup companies, established companies and Government agencies. Cooperating with universities, industry organizations, consultants, government agencies and partner companies, TPF works in a transparent and open manner to develop cost-effective and sustainable solutions to new opportunities.

-- Programmable Equipment Company (www.hiatronics.com)

Programmable Equipment Company (PEC) provides a new type of software product used to control automated test equipment (ATE) for military and industrial applications. PEC's software product uses a powerful content management system (CMS) development environment, allowing a developer to rapidly create and manage applications by simply filling out forms.

-- BridgeComposites LLC

BridgeComposites, LLC works in the field of civil engineering to deliver innovative technology to bridge owners. The company develops and supplies bridge superstructures and decks for highway and pedestrian applications that are made primarily of corrosion-resistant fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composite material.