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About USTAR

2017 ANNUAL REPORT

VISION

MISSION

Build a robust innovation ecosystem in the State of Utah.

Accelerate the commercialization of science and technology ideas

generated from the private sector, entrepreneurs, and university researchers

in order to positively elevate tax revenue, employment, and corporate

retention in the State of Utah.

3

Message from the Chairwoman 5Year in Review 6 Impact Data 9 Governing Authority 10 USTAR Staff 11

About USTAR 12Focus Areas 13 Innovation Ecosystem 14 Valley of Death 15 Technology Development Continuum 16 Targeted Technology Sectors 18 Budget Overview 19 Our Partners 20

Focus Area 1: Competitive Grant Programs 22Overview 23 Grant Funding 24 Technology Readiness Levels 25 TAP: Technology Acceleration Program 26 UTAG: University Technology Acceleration Grant 34 IPP: Industry Partnership Program 44 ERT: Energy Research Triangle 48 STIG: Science & Technology Initiation Grant 53

Focus Area 2: Technology Entrepreneur Services 54Overview 55 Incubation Enterprise 56 SSAC: SBIR-STTR Assistance Center 60 Satellite Offices 64

Focus Area 3: Principal Researchers 66Overview 67 USTAR Principal Researchers 68 USTAR Buildings 74

Annual Report Addendum 76

Table of Contents—USTAR Annual Report FY17

5

Susan D. Opp

Sincerely,

Dear Governor, Legislators, Stakeholders, and Industry Partners:

On behalf of the Utah Science Technology and Research (USTAR) Governing Authority, it is my pleasure to present you with the USTAR annual report for fiscal year 2017.

This year, USTAR has embarked on strategic improvements to enhance its value to the citizens of Utah. Important programmatic shifts have allowed the most promising technologies being developed by Utah’s university researchers and emerging companies to advance and move along the development pipeline closer to commercialization.

With the successful passage of SB 166 during the 2016 Utah legislative session, USTAR’s statute was realigned to match the original intent of the USTAR initiative. These important modifications made it possible for USTAR to offer competitive grants to researchers and entrepreneurs statewide. These grants have expanded USTAR’s awards to universities and colleges across the state including Weber State University, Utah Valley University, Brigham Young University, as well as University of Utah and Utah State University. A researcher from Snow College was part of a research team awarded through the Energy Research Triangle grant program. With the legislative modifications, USTAR can now fund critical research from any Utah nonprofit institution of higher learning.

Likewise, Utah’s emerging private sector technology companies have funding and incubator resources through USTAR to develop their technologies. The Technology Acceleration Program (TAP) completed its first year of funding which included projects that will impact our future health, safety, and quality of life. From a point-of-care diagnostic device to 3D printing of integrated antennas to a high-capability radar system, TAP companies are developing technologies that will benefit Utah’s economy and its citizens.

USTAR has made significant progress in implementing and improving its programs and services to help needed technologies get to market and serve as the technology economic driver in Utah. It is my honor to chair USTAR’s Governing Authority. I am proud of the work we have accomplished this past year, and I look forward to continuing to expand Utah’s innovation ecosystem.

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRWOMAN

6

With the goal of increasing state-wide impact, USTAR kicked off FY17 by launching competitive grant programs

and expanded services. Open to nonprofit universities and colleges and early-stage technology companies, these competitive grants were devised to assure that the ideas with the largest potential impact on Utah’s economy are supported regardless of origin. Attesting to the success of these programs, there was a three-fold increase in follow- on investment for USTAR supported companies over the prior year. This follow-on investment, predominantly private funding, supports the growth of these early-stage Utah companies bringing new jobs, technology development, and increased private sector technology businesses to Utah. It is also an early indicator of market traction and growth potential. (Impact Data, page 9)

For the first time, USTAR funding was available to researchers at all colleges and universities,

increasing alignment with USTAR’s mission to develop technology with the highest commercial potential. This more egalitarian approach led to grants to researchers at Brigham Young University, Utah Valley University, and Weber State University.

USTAR’s SBIR/STTR Assistance Center (SSAC) received the Small Business Administration’s Tibbetts Award, recognizing excellence in the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) arena. USTAR’s SSAC provides proposal assistance to Utah small businesses for this federal $2.5B non-dilutive funding program. Companies are twice as likely as national average to be successful in obtaining funding when working with USTAR’s SSAC. In FY17, the SSAC helped Utah companies capture $2.9M in SBIR funding. (SSAC, page 60)

In addition to funding access, USTAR expanded its reach through its Incubation Enterprise. For non-university researchers and early stage companies,

Year in Review—Pivoting for Success

7

access to specialized equipment, laboratory space, and mentoring are key to taking a product to market. The USTAR Incubation Enterprise graduated three companies from its life science incubator, BioInnovations Gateway. The USTAR Innovation Center in Falcon Hill Research Park opened its temporary facility, providing specialized equipment to service the burgeoning aerospace, advanced materials, and outdoor technology sectors that thrive in Northern Utah. Partnerships with the University of Utah’s Nanofabrication Facility and Utah State University’s Synthetic Biomanufacturing Facility provide access for Utah private sector companies with critical tools for innovation. (Incubation Enterprise, page 56)

The research of the principal researchers recruited in the early years of USTAR is starting to mature. New companies have formed and the licensing of intellectual property has led to new Utah companies that create private sector jobs.

USTAR university faculty are training the next generation of workforce by employing 163 students in their labs. The state benefits as these students enter the workforce and as jobs are created through the external funding these researchers attract from the federal government, industry, and philanthropic organizations. (Table, page 73)

USTAR is on a positive trajectory to provide continued benefit to the State of Utah.

Ivy Estabrooke, PhD Executive Director Utah Science, Technology and Research

Sincerely,

UTAH’S

TECHNOLOGY

CATALYST

B U I L D I N G A R O B U S T I N N O V A T I O N E C O S Y S T E M

O N E C U T T I N G - E D G E I D E A A T A T I M E

9

$4.9M

Impact Data—Making Utah the Best Performing Economy

National StatureUtah is ranked #2 in the nation for increased university R&D funding from 2010–2015. Utah’s 30% growth over the five-year period sets it right on the heels of Massachusetts which came in first. — National Science Foundation

Job GrowthUSTAR-supported companies added 218 jobs in CY16, up from 86 in CY15, creating new opportunities in almost twice as many counties across Utah than in CY15. — TEConomy Partners, LLC

Follow-on InvestmentUSTAR-supported companies received over $60.5M in follow-on investment in CY16, more than triple CY15’s $18.3M. — TEConomy Partners, LLC

Hitting the MarketUSTAR-supported companies generated $4.9M in sales from commercialized products in CY16, an increase from CY15’s sales of $4.3M. — TEConomy Partners, LLC

Gaining TractionUSTAR’s principal researchers at U of U and USU received over $28.3M in leveraged research funding in FY17. This measure of long-term economic development includes federal grants and contracts plus industry, philanthropic, and non-USTAR state funding. — University of Utah & Utah State University

10 USTAR 2017 Annual Report

Susan D. Opp

Chairwoman

Senior Vice President,

Strategy & Technology

L3 Technologies

Richard Kendell, PhD

Co-Chair, Education First

Education Policy Advisor

Prosperity 2020

Val Hale

Vice Chairman

Executive Director

Utah Governor’s Office of

Economic Development

Rich Lunsford

Corporate Vice President

Cardiac Surgery Systems,

Edwards Lifesciences

David Damschen

Utah State Treasurer

State of Utah

Derek Miller

President & CEO

World Trade Center Utah

Jennifer Hwu, PhD

President, CEO & Co-Founder

Innosys

Heather Zynczak

Chief Marketing Officer

Pluralsight

USTAR’s Governing Authority is appointed by the Governor, Speaker of the House, President of the Senate, and the Commissioner of Higher Education to provide governance to USTAR and assure execution. The Governing Authority consists of eight members appointed to four-year terms in addition to the Executive Director of GOED and the State Treasurer who serve as members by statute.

Governing Authority—

11About USTAR

Ivy Estabrooke, PhD

Executive Director

Marytheresa Ifediba, PhD

BioInnovations Gateway

Andrew Sweeney, PhD

Technology Commercialization

Mary Cardon

SBIR-STTR Assistance Center

Jared Goodspeed

St. George Satellite Office

Linda Cabrales

Communications

Teresa McKnight

Incubation Enterprises

Kristen Jensen

Digital Business Processes

Barbara Araneo, PhD

Technology Commercialization

Brian Somers

Managing Director

Donna Milakovic

Orem Satellite Office

Lincoln Clark

Finance

Ivy Estabrooke:Brian Somers:

e [email protected] [email protected]

p 801.538.8709p 801.538.8633

USTAR Staff—

ABOUTUSTAR

The Utah Science Technology and Research (USTAR) Initiative was

founded in 2006 to meet the vision of the Governor, Legislature, and

business community to leverage science and technology innovation to

expand and diversify the state’s economy. USTAR conducts technology-

based economic development through diverse programs and services.

13

Focus Areas—

Competitive Grant Programs | Page 22USTAR’s five competitive grant programs provide funding opportunities for university researchers and early-stage technology companies to accelerate technology development, expanding the economy in Utah.

Technology Entrepreneur Services | Page 54USTAR’s Technology Entrepreneur Services include the Incubation Enterprise, comprised of the Innovation Center, BioInnovations Gateway, the Utah Nanofab, and the Synthetic Biomanufacturing facility; the SBIR-STTR Assistance Center (SSAC); and satellite offices.

Principal Researchers — Page 66Since its inception, USTAR has assisted the two state research universities, University of Utah and Utah State University, in recruiting and retaining over 40 principal researchers recognized for their research contributions and potential for developing commercially viable technology.


Like an environmental ecosystem, an innovation ecosystem requires optimal conditions to sprout and grow new ideas, businesses, and markets. Utah’s innovation ecosystem is built on a culture of entrepreneurship and risk taking, characteristic of Utah’s pioneer ancestors. Political leadership from the legislature and Governor that reflects foresight, strategic planning, and patience for the long-term investments required for science and technology research to come to fruition. Researchers and inventors across the state provide innovative ideas. Risk capital in Utah is growing with early stage funding from USTAR and the Governor’s Office of

Economic Development (GOED), and an influx of private capital as investors recognize the value of Utah startups. Utah’s diverse economy is reflected in the core sectors of aerospace, automation, and robotics, big data, cybersystems, energy and cleantech, and life sciences. The ecosystem requires infrastructure for researchers and entrepreneurs to experiment, build prototypes, and launch companies. Together these foundational components make up the innovation ecosystem and will provide optimal conditions for technology innovation and economic growth.

INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM

LEADERSHIP

RISKCAPITAL

MARKETATTRIBUTES

IDEAGENERATION

TECHNOLOGYDEVELOPMENT

INFRASTRUCTURE

INNOVATIONCULTURE

TALENT

NETWORKS

This document is organized by focus area (Competitive Grant Programs, Technology

Entrepreneur Services, and Principal Researchers) and at the beginning of each section, you

will find the following infographic with each focus area’s unique attributes highlighted.

Innovation Ecosystem—Growing the Innovation Economy in Utah

15About USTAR

Typically, the development of deep technology, or technology that is unique and difficult to reproduce, is funded by a combination of public and private sources. The federal government spent over $147B in FY16 for research and development that was spread to universities, small businesses, and large corporations to develop technology. However, as technologies develop into the prototype stage, federal funding is no longer available for development. Risk capital in the form of angel investment, venture funding, industrial funding, and institutional investment is

only available to fund later stage manufacturing and company launch. These investors are typically risk averse and will not provide funding until the technological risk has been eliminated. This distribution of funding from public and private sources leaves a significant gap in the funding profile often referred to as the “valley of death.” USTAR works to provide funding and services that allow early stage companies and researchers to bridge the valley of death, de-risking their technology and attracting private risk capital.

RESEARCH PROTOTYPE PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

DEVELOPMENT PIPELINE

VALLEY OF DEATH

FU

ND

ING

PROOF OF CONCEPT MANUFACTURING MATURE

TECHNOLOGY

FE

DE

RA

L FUN

DIN

G

PRIVATE INVESTMENT

Science & Technology Initiation Grant

Energy Research Triangle

University Technology Acceleration Grant

Technology Acceleration Program

USTAR Competitive Grant Programs

Industry Partnership Program

ANGEL

VENTURE

TCIP

EDTIF &FUND OF FUNDS

Valley of Death—Funding Where It’s Most Needed


RESEARCH PROOF OF CONCEPT PROTOTYPE PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT MANUFACTURING MATURE TECHNOLOGY

MARKET ANALYSIS BUSINESS FORMATION SUPPLY CHAIN GROWTH MATURE COMPANY

USTAR PRINCIPAL RESEARCHERS

STIG

MEP

TECHNOLOGY COMMERCIALIZATION INNOVATION PROGRAM

SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTERS

BUSINESS RESOURCE CENTERS

INDUSTRIAL ASSISTANCE FUND

PTAC

EDTIF TAX CREDIT

ANGEL INVESTORS / VENTURE CAPITAL / COMPANIES

ENERGY RESEARCH TRIANGLE

UNIVERSITY TECHNOLOGY ACCELERATION GRANT

UNIVERSITY TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER OFFICES

SBIR-STTR ASSISTANCE CENTER

INCUBATION ENTERPRISE

TECHNOLOGY ACCELERATION PROGRAM

INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM

BU

SIN

ES

ST

EC

HN

OL

OG

Y

USTAR

GOED

Federal / State

Private Entities

Technology Development Continuum—

17About USTAR

RESEARCH PROOF OF CONCEPT PROTOTYPE PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT MANUFACTURING MATURE TECHNOLOGY

MARKET ANALYSIS BUSINESS FORMATION SUPPLY CHAIN GROWTH MATURE COMPANY


STIG

MEP

TECHNOLOGY COMMERCIALIZATION INNOVATION PROGRAM

SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTERS

BUSINESS RESOURCE CENTERS

INDUSTRIAL ASSISTANCE FUND

PTAC

EDTIF TAX CREDIT

ANGEL INVESTORS / VENTURE CAPITAL / COMPANIES

ENERGY RESEARCH TRIANGLE

UNIVERSITY TECHNOLOGY ACCELERATION GRANT

UNIVERSITY TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER OFFICES

SBIR-STTR ASSISTANCE CENTER

INCUBATION ENTERPRISE

TECHNOLOGY ACCELERATION PROGRAM

INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM

BU

SIN

ES

ST

EC

HN

OL

OG

Y

USTAR

GOED

Federal / State

Private Entities

Development timelines and required resources vary by application and industry sector. Basic research, primarily done at research universities, spans theory development to hypothesis testing. USTAR’s principal researchers contribute to the development of these early stage ideas, which are then applied to real world problems through proof of concept experimentation. As ideas move from proof of concept to prototype, the work moves from university labs to industry in the form of spin-

out companies or licensing of intellectual property developed in the universities. As the research matures, the business must mature. Resources provided by GOED support business development including market analysis, business formation, and supply chain opportunities. USTAR partners with GOED, the Manufacturing Extension Program, and others to assure the ecosystem provides support for both technology and business development.


Automation & Robotics Automation technology is the use of cutting-edge machinery in industrial applications to minimize human exertion. Robotics is the branch of automation that deals with the design, construction, operation and application of robots, along with the computer systems that maintain control and process information.

Aerospace Aerospace is concerned with aeronautics and astronautics. Areas for research include, but are not limited to, innovative approaches in aerodynamics, advanced materials, engineering of aircraft and spacecraft, and the autonomous control of aircraft. This includes both manned and unmanned systems.

Big Data Big Data describes data sets that are so large or complex that traditional data processing applications are inadequate. Analysis of data sets can find new relationships to gather information on topics such as business trends, crime patterns, genome sequences, complex physical environments, and more.

Life Sciences Life science is the study of living organisms from a cellular, molecular, or macroscopic perspective. This sector focuses on improving the quality and standard of life through applications including medical device development, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, diagnostic, agriculture, genetics, and healthcare IT.

Energy & Cleantech Energy and Clean Technology encompass a diverse range of products, services, and processes that harness renewable and nonrenewable materials and energy sources to dramatically reduce the use of natural resources, cut or eliminate emissions and waste, and provide options for efficient energy storage and usage.

Advanced Materials Advanced Materials include methods of developing, manufacturing, or applying materials to improve human-environment interaction. This includes precision manufacturing, 3D printing, and outdoor product technology such as climate control, solar technology, water purification, and recreation equipment and textiles.

Targeted Technology Sectors—

19About USTAR

Administration5% | $1,220,424

Program Management & Compliance5% | $1,031,456

Technology Entrepreneur Services15% | $3,280,300

Principal Researchers28% | $6,294,000

USTAR’s total base budget for FY17 was $22.4M. Of this amount, roughly half, or $10.6M supported the competitive grant programs with these monies going to fund research at Utah companies and universities. Approximately one-third of the budget, or $6.3M, supported principal researchers at the University of Utah and Utah State University. The remaining budget paid for support services for technology entrepreneurs (15%), administration (5%), and program management and compliance costs (5%). USTAR’s goal is to keep administration and program management costs to a minimum to allow for the funding of technology development in the university setting and emerging companies to positively impact the state.

FY17 BASE BUDGET

$22,426,180

Budget Overview—

Competitive Grant Programs47% | $10,600,000


Partnerships with public and private entities in Utah are crucial to USTAR’s mission to grow the technology ecosystem. USTAR partners with universities, government agencies, associations, entrepreneur resources, and funding sources throughout the state to ensure it provides a complete portfolio of support for innovators and entrepreneurs. This ensures the investment in USTAR is leveraged to support Utah’s growing innovation ecosystem. USTAR is priviledged to partner with these and others in Utah’s Technology Ecosystem.

Our Partners—

21About USTAR

COMPETITIVE

GRANT

PROGRAMS

F O C U S A R E A

O N E

23Focus Area 1: Competitive Grant Programs

USTAR rolled out its full repertoire of competitive grant programs in FY17. The Technology Acceleration Program (TAP) funded 30 companies in USTAR’s targeted technology sectors. USTAR’s University Technology Acceleration Grant (UTAG) funded 27 researchers representing five universities across the state. The Industry Partnership Program (IPP) funded five university researchers through collaborations between industry and universities with the industry partners committing to match

USTAR funds. The Science and Technology Initiation Grant (STIG) was developed and launched in FY17 with anticipated awardees coming in early FY18. The Energy Research Triangle awarded three professor grants and four scholar grants in FY17. Each of these programs is set to fund innovative solutions that address market needs while adding jobs and increasing the tax base in Utah.

LEADERSHIP

RISKCAPITAL

MARKETATTRIBUTES

IDEAGENERATION


INFRASTRUCTURE

INNOVATIONCULTURE

TALENT

NETWORKS

INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM:Competitive Grant Programs

Overview—Funding Ideas with the Largest Potential Impact


With the launch of the USTAR competitive grant programs in FY17, USTAR received a surprising number of quality proposals that exceeded available funding. To keep Utah developing a knowledge economy, it is critical to fund all worthy proposals.

USTAR uses a transparent, peer review process to assure technical and market success. Proposals are awarded based on technical merit, economic impact to Utah, market need/plan, technical and management team capabilities, and realism of costs.

UTAGTAP

135 Proposals Submitted277 Proposals Submitted

27 Funded

33 Funded

118 Fundable

193 Fundable

ERT

IPP

18 Proposals Submitted

6 Proposals Submitted

6 Funded

11 Fundable

7 Funded

Grant Funding—

TAP

UTAG

STIG

ERT

IPP

LOCATIONS OF FUNDED GRANT PROPOSALS TO DATE


Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) are a widely-accepted method of measuring technology maturity and are used among several federal agencies including the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Department of Defense. Their purpose is to estimate the maturity of a technology during the acquisition process and are scaled from 1 to 9 with 9 being the most mature. TRLs enable consistent, uniform discussions of technical maturity across different types of technologies.

1 Basic Principles Observed and Reported Lowest level of technology readiness. Scientific research begins including paper studies of a technologies basic properties.

2 Technology Concept and/or Application Formulated Invention begins. Once basic principles are observed, practical applications can be invented. Applications are speculative and there may be no proof to support the assumptions.

3 Analytical and Experimental Critical Function and/or Proof of Concept Active research and development is initiated. This includes analytical studies and laboratory studies to physically validate analytical predictions of separate elements of the technology.

4 Component and/or Breadboard Validation in Laboratory Environment Basic technological components are integrated to establish that they will work together. This is relatively “low fidelity” compared to the eventual system.

5 Component and/or Breadboard Validation in Relevant Environment Fidelity of breadboard technology increases significantly. The basic technological components are integrated with reasonably realistic supporting elements so it can be tested in a simulated environment.

6 System/Subsystem Model or Prototype Demonstration in a Relevant Environment Representative model or prototype system, which is well beyond that of TRL 5, is tested in a relevant environment. Represents a major step up in a technology’s demonstrated readiness.

7 System Prototype Demonstration in an Operational Environment Prototype near, or at, planned operational system. Represents a major step up from TRL 6, requiring demonstration of an actual system prototype in an operational environment such as an aircraft, vehicle or space.

8 Actual System Completed and Qualified Through Test and Demonstration Technology has been proven to work in its final form and under expected conditions. In almost all cases, this TRL represents the end of true system development.

9 Actual System Proven Through Successful Mission Operations Actual application of the technology in its final form and under mission conditions, such as those encountered in operational test and evaluation.

Technology Readiness Levels—

Source: Department of Defense (2010),

Defense Acquisition Guidebook


USTAR’s Technology Acceleration Program (TAP) provides competitive grants to early-stage companies to make them competitive for private capital. Grants can include research and development, proof of concept, product validation, and product development. TAP grants require specific, measurable milestones that must be met to receive funding. In addition to the award, TAP awardees receive non-material support, such as referral to USTAR’s partner networks, to assist in achieving technical and business milestones with the goal of commercial success.

TAP projects are limited to a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 3 to 5, with outcomes not to exceed 6. The TRL limitation allows successful TAP projects to be ready to compete for other private and public funding including the Technology Commercialization Innovation Program (TCIP) from the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) which funds projects beyond TRL 6.

“ As our work progressed under the TAP grant we were able to gain the attention of one of the largest dental manufacturers. Without the progress we made with the grant funds, we may not have been far enough in development for them to notice.”Timothy Nelson | CEO

Dentavations

Technology Acceleration Program—

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TAP REPORT SUMMARY

Total Follow-On Investment $4,309,000

Public Investment $1,159,000

Private Investment $3,150,000

Sales / Revenue $30,000

Full-Time Jobs Created (Average Wage) 18 ($56,821)

Part-Time Jobs Created (Average Wage) 21 ($46,867)

USTAR Grant Expenditures $4,170,565

Adranos Aerospace is developing advanced solid propellant that increases rocket range, enables heavier payloads, and provides a significant reduction in toxic emissions.

Sector: AerospaceLocation: Payson, UT

TAP COMPANIES

Applied Biosensors has developed a system of sensors for real-time assessment of biological manufacturing performance on production lines. This technology will reduce contamination and create significant cost savings.

Sector: Life Science DeviceLocation: Salt Lake City, UT

Base2 Genomics provides a cost-effective gene discovery analytic platform to discover the cause of rare and ultra-rare inherited conditions at a scale never before attempted.

Sector: Big DataLocation: Salt Lake City, UT

Blyncsy uses proprietary sensors, data analytics, and electronic signatures to identify and predict congestion and measure foot traffic to allow companies to better understand their customer base.


Blyncsy

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Emissions Based Maintenance has developed sensor and data analytics that allow for the remote monitoring of diesel engines to reduce pollution, increase gas mileage, and decrease maintainance on diesel trucks.

Sector: Energy & Clean TechnologyLocation: Lehi, UT

Go Quiet Pro neutralizes the noise level in industrial vehicles, such as commercial trucks and construction vehicles. The active noise cancelling preserves hearing and reduces costs for worker’s comp and medical care.

Sector: Automation & RoboticsLocation: Provo, UT

Coreform develops high-end simulation tools that make a tighter connection between design and engineering. The highest demand for this technology is in the automotive and aerospace industries.

Sector: AerospaceLocation: Mapleton, UT

Eastwind Networks develops cyber-analytic tools to detect and characterize threats to computer networks. Machine learning algorithms counter and mitigate malicious intrusions.


DPI-IPG is developing a system of sensors to use radio frequency imaging technologies to assess the physical wear and condition of industrial conveyor belts to reduce maintainance time and increase efficiency.

Sector: Automation & RoboticsLocation: Salt Lake City, UT

Dentavations has patented a revolutionary new tool that uses a high-pressure stream of water for cavity preparations rather than a drill bit. The Waterjet is quieter, faster, and more versatile.

Sector: Life Science DeviceLocation: Spanish Fork, UT

Paul Kraus, President & CEO of Eastwind Networks

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iVeena has created a device for the treatment of glaucoma. A stent is strategically placed in the eye to continuously drain fluid and control the pressure that damages vision following cataract and other optical surgery.


Granite Mountain Technology uses digital circuitry to reduce energy use without compromising performance. This could be transformative for data centers and power plants by reducing expensive energy costs.

Sector: Energy & Clean TechnologyLocation: Salt Lake City, UT

KiLife is developing a wearable device for personal mobility tracking that transmits radio signals from the wearer to a network. This technology will help give peace of mind to those caring for children and the elderly.

Sector: Automation & RoboticsLocation: Orem, UT

i-calQ has developed a mobile health tool compatible with any smartphone that will read and interpret tests wherever the user is. Their first marketed use will test for a thyroid stimulating hormone.


“ The TAP grant that we received allowed us to take a massive leap forward in the development of our technology and product. It has also made a significant impact on our ability to raise outside funding, and give key industry partners confidence in our team. Having USTAR behind us has helped us build good relationships with suppliers, manufacturers, and key contractors that have all pushed our project forward in a way that cash alone couldn’t do. When you approach a supplier and tell them you’ve been working with USTAR, their ears perk up and they become more eager to work with you. The staff at USTAR’s Orem office has also made introductions with key people and businesses that have proven to be some of the most valuable relationships that we have.”Nicolaus Moller | Co-Founder

Niivatech

i-calQ Coreform


NovaBio has innovated a biodegradable filament that dissipates tension on sutures used in the surgery of tendons, ligaments, and potentially nerves. It aims to reduce healing time and improve outcomes.

Sector: Life Science DeviceLocation: Draper, UT

nView has developed a 3D imaging system to improve the CT scanners of guided surgical procedures. Advances include higher resolution, less radiation, and improved surgical outcomes.


Niivatech is developing a radar system for the purpose of real-time detection of avalanches with accompanying software to alert customers with detailed reporting.

Sector: Automation & RoboticsLocation: Provo, UT

Navigen is nearing clinical stage with a therapeutic to reduce severe morbidity and mortality from deadly forms of sepsis. The company has developed a series of unique anti-virals to treat HIV, RSV, and Ebola.

Sector: Life Science GeneralLocation: Salt Lake City, UT

Each of USTAR’s direct economic impact measurements

increased from CY15 to CY16.

(follow-on investment, sale of commercialized products,

new jobs with higher-than-county-average salaries)

— TECONOMY PARTNERS, LLC —


Sharp Eyes is developing adaptive lenses with software that continuously adjusts the lens magnification to give clear images at very near and mid-range distances, eliminating bifocals.

Sector: Automation & RoboticsLocation: Salt Lake City, UT

StreamDX has fabricated a urine collection device for the at-home diagnosis of male urinary disorders. The device will improve measurement accuracy, reducing physician costs.


RodMax is developing a control mechanism to optimize and automate pumping action of oil well operation to improve energy efficiency of the well and maximize extraction.

Sector: Automation & RoboticsLocation: Cedar Hills, UT

Optisys has achieved fabrication of a 3D printed antenna with improved communication performance and reduced weight, critical in telecommunications satellites.

Sector: AerospaceLocation: West Jordan, UT

Photo: Dan Hixson/U of U College of Engineering

32

XEnd Medical Systems is developing nested, thin-walled needles that reduce contamination by skin microbes during eye surgery. These will reduce the potential for loss of vision.


Vivcor is developing an illuminated highway lane marking and hazard alert system for intelligent traffic management. Results will include safer roads and less heavy traffic.

Sector: Automation & RoboticsLocation: Lehi, UT

Wovyn is developing a series of advanced IoT sensors intended to provide a new level of security and programming capability compatible with any existing software.

Sector: Automation & RoboticsLocation: Heber City, UT

Verde seeks to create renewable energy by pre-treating green and woody waste to more efficiently create a sustainable source of fuel in the form of biomethane.

Sector: Energy & Clean TechnologyLocation: Springville, UT

TherapEase provides a unique system that assists with mobility exercises during post-surgical knee recovery that reduces recovery time and increases the range of motion.

Sector: Life Science DeviceLocation: Pleasant Grove, UT

Turner Innovations has developed a portable imaging device with no loss of image quality compared to traditional imaging systems. It may be used in austere conditions.

Sector: Life Science DeviceLocation: Orem, UT

T3S Technologies is advancing protein bio-manufacturing through proprietary bacterial hosts. This will significantly increase the effective yield of product and reduce cost.

Sector: Life Science GeneralLocation: Salt Lake City, UT

Turner Innovations XEnd Medical Systems

Provo-based GoQuiet Pro is applying active noise cancelling (ANC) technology to address the problem of noise fatigue or hearing

damage in operators of heavy equipment and semi-trucks. The company, working in partnership with Brigham Young University (BYU) and Caterpillar, a potential customer, is developing an ANC device that can be installed or retro-fitted into the cabs of diesel semi-trucks to cancel engine noise that has been known to cause hearing damage. The company received a Technology Acceleration Program (TAP) grant from USTAR to build beta units for testing with truck drivers in the field.

GoQuiet Pro brings active noise cancellation innovation to the trucking and heavy equipment industries through five licensed patents from BYU. Laboratory tests have demonstrated the reduction of over 90% of targeted engine drone frequency, a 10dB decrease in sound overall. Testing has now moved into actual semi-truck cabs.

Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is a process by which noise, resulting from pressure waves in the air, is eliminated by an equally strong wave of opposite polarity. Though the fundamental philosophy of active noise cancellation is rather old and the result relatively easy to achieve in a controlled environment, it is much harder to achieve in the real world. When pressure is cancelled in one area, it often doubles in another. Because no two cab environments or vehicles are exactly alike, ANC systems have to be fully customized and therefore can be very expensive.

USTAR funding enabled the company to hire consultants and designers who will develop working beta units to be sold to local semi-truck drivers and reach additional milestones in the commercialization process. With USTAR’s assistance, Go Quiet Pro anticipates going to market in 2018. GoQuiet Pro plans to pursue the heavy equipment market after successful launch of its product.

TAP: Go Quiet Pro’s Active Noise Cancelling Technology Reduces Noise Fatigue & Hearing Loss—


USTAR’s University Technology Acceleration Grant (UTAG) program supports research and development of technologies with commercial potential that need additional development before they can move out of the university environment. This funding addresses an innovation ecosystem gap between federal research dollars and risk capital investment. UTAG is available to individual researchers or ad-hoc teams employed by nonprofit Utah-based colleges or universities, to

de-risk or advance the maturity of technology that has been developed in university labs. Projects funded through UTAG must have an identified market and commercialization path. Duration of projects cannot exceed 18 months and grant money is provided in the form of reimbursement of expenses.

University Technology Acceleration Grant—

35

UTAG REPORT SUMMARY

Collaborations 112

Technology Disclosures 10

License Agreements 3

Patents* 12

Publications 38

Full-Time Research Jobs (Average Wage)** 77 ($71,266)

Part-Time Research Jobs (Average Wage)*** 65 ($32,634)

Federal Funding^ $1,672,777

State/Institutional Funding^ $150,224

Private/Nonprofit Funding^ $242,499

Industry Funding^ $97,962

Public, Non-USTAR Compensation^^ $1,941,311

USTAR Grant Expenditures $2,087,663

* Patent count is for each patent action (provisional, utility, file, award)** Average wage is an average of the average wages reported. When an hourly wage was reported the annual wage was calculated

using 2080 hours as the standard year. These numbers represent all jobs in the lab, not just jobs created by UTAG funding.*** Average wage is an average of the average wages reported. When an hourly wage was reported the annual wage was calculated

using 1040 hours as the standard year. These numbers represent all jobs in the lab, not just jobs created by UTAG funding.^ Only funding that was reported to be directly related to the UTAG project is reported.^^ Includes State and Federal funding

Steven Castle has discovered a new effect of specialized amino acids to protect peptides against degradation. These can be used to improve the therapeutic window of the medicine.

Sector: Life Science General Brigham Young University

Danny Chou has identified a lead molecule for an ultra-fast acting human insulin. Such insulins are important for meal-time use by persons with Type l diabetes.

Sector: Life Science General University of Utah

UTAG RESEARCHERS

Steven Castle’s discoveries show promise for

enabling the use of peptides in medicine.

Danny Chou explores the insulin of fish-hunting

cone snails. Photo: Baldomero Olivera


Z. Zak Fang is developing a novel and cost-effective method for producing titanium powder for 3D printing. Titanium’s unique qualities make it desirable to both military and business.

Sector: Advanced Materials University of Utah

Young-Min Lee has applied molecular cloning techniques in developing a potential Zika vaccine. This process is safer and more efficient than traditional methods.

Sector: Life Science General Utah State University

Dah-Jye Lee is focusing on robotic vision computation with applications in manufacturing automation, obstacle detection, and autonomous navigation.

Sector: Automation & Robotics Brigham Young University

John Hedengren has invented and prototyped an efficient hydraulic lift mechanism for oil well rigs. Next in the commecialization process will be developing an automation system.


Timothy Doyle is developing a high frequency ultrasound emitter to help detect cancer. The technology may be used to pinpoint the margins of tumors more precisely than any other method currently in use.

Sector: Life Science General Utah Valley University

Kai Kuck has developed a device to monitor and record renal and urinary oxygenation during surgery. Early detection of changes in oxygen levels may predict acute renal injury often associated with cardiac surgeries.

Sector: Life Science Device University of Utah

Z. Zak Fang’s research aims to significantly reduce the cost of titanium use in the aerospace,

energy, and industrial sectors compared with conventional titanium production methods.

Timothy Doyle, PhD, associate professor and researcher at Utah Valley University (UVU), is developing a new method to identify cancer

within the body. Detection of cancerous tissue during surgical removal operations is especially difficult, and can lead to patient complications. With years of experience in ultrasound technology, Doyle and his team are developing innovative technology to detect cancerous body tissue in the patient at the time of surgery.

Doyle was awarded funding through USTAR’s competitive University Technology Acceleration Grant (UTAG) program, enabling him to begin developing the in vivo ultrasonic microprobe. The device was used to test tissue simulants and will test surgical specimens at the Huntsman Cancer Institute.

With current methods of detection, it can be difficult to find and differentiate cancerous and healthy tissue. Because of this challenge, surgeons often do not remove all cancerous tissue during an operation, or may unnecessarily remove benign tissue due to its proximity to a tumor. These complications often lead to high rates of repeat surgeries (20-60% for breast cancer

lumpectomies) or various adverse effects caused by the removal of non-cancerous lymph nodes.

Doyle’s research began in 2005 at Utah State University before he moved to UVU in 2011. Multiple studies have been conducted in partnership with the Huntsman Cancer Institute. The innovative technology shows great promise to benefit Utah’s economy and bring important solutions to the cancer-related medical field.

“ We at UVU are delighted that Dr. Doyle has received both recognition and support for his great work on cancer identification. This is indicative of the exciting new opportunity for all researchers at UVU who can now compete for USTAR grants. We do some very worthwhile research here at UVU and look forward to qualifying for more grants in future USTAR programs.” Kent Millington

Director of Technology Commercialization

Utah Valley University

UTAG: Utah Valley University Researcher Developing In Vivo Ultrasonic Microprobe to Detect Cancerous Tissue—

Photo: August Miller/Utah Valley University


Marc Maguire has pioneered a reinforced plastic composite to sandwich between concrete panels in buildings to increase thermal efficiency and reduce cost.

Sector: Energy & Clean Technology Utah State University

Brian Mazzeo is developing a system to map hidden concrete cracks using acoustic technology to “hear” subsurface defects. This will reduce catastrophic infrastructure failures.


Tianbiao Liu intends to build and test the feasibility of a magnesium-sulphur battery as a rechargeable, economical, and electrochemical energy source.

Sector: Energy & Clean Technology Utah State University

Randy Lewis can synthetically produce several spider silk proteins to exploit their unique properties in periodontal chips, medical sutures, and coated catheters.

Sector: Advanced Materials Utah State University

Photo: Mitch Henline/Cache Valley Daily

Photo: Mark A. Philbrick/BYU Photo

Irina Polejaeva is using advanced gene transfer technology to understand heart arrhythmia that puts humans at risk for heart attacks and strokes.


Raj Rajamani has created a method of sorting metals of high economic value from scrap metal waste. This innovation increases the recycling capture and reduces waste.

Sector: Energy & Clean Technology University of Utah

Shawn Owen has invented a customizable, quick, single-step diagnostic assay to detect proteins through their properties as antigens or antibodies.


Teru Okano’s research team is creating new cell sheets that will allow for creating “patches” for damaged organs such as heart, artiledge and other human organs.


Jan Miller is creating a new material to compete with Lithium-ion battery solvents. Use of a solid polymer electrolyte will be tested to determine if it improves safety.

Sector: Energy & Clean Technology University of Utah

Matthew Memmott is developing methods for purifying and producing three essential medical nuclear isotopes from the fuel salt in a molten salt reactor.

Sector: Energy & Clean Technology Brigham Young University

Raj Rajamani’s research group has invented a new technology to sort aluminum and copper from

recycled automobile scrap. Photo: Dave Titensor/University of Utah


Poor air quality in Utah, most evident during winter inversions, impacts daily life. John Sohl, PhD, professor and researcher in the

Department of Physics at Weber State University (WSU), is working to find solutions to this problem.

Sohl was awarded a USTAR University Technology Acceleration Grant (UTAG) to support the development of the AtmoSniffer, a multi-sensor array (MSA) device that accurately gathers flight data and meteorological values including air temperature, pressure, and relative humidity. The funding will allow Sohl and his team to move the device along the development pipeline from prototype to product phase, and allow the hiring of a full-time engineer and six part-time student-researchers.

Sohl directs the HARBOR (High-Altitude Reconnaissance Balloon for Outreach and Research) program which is focused on gathering

atmospheric data that is critical for studying air quality. Due to instrumentation limitations, it is often difficult and expensive to measure the vertical distribution and movement of air pollution. Sohl and his team are working to find innovative solutions to be able to collect this kind of data, which is critical for understanding inversions and air pollution.

Undergraduate students within the HARBOR program began working to solve this problem, and, in 2008, the first MSA device was developed and deployed as part of a physics student’s senior project, funded by WSU Office of Undergraduate Research grants.

The AtmoSniffer has moved beyond the original suite of atmostpheric measurements and the current prototype can now also report particulate matter (PM) with a diameter less than 2.5 micrometers, ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen

UTAG: Weber State University Professor Addresses Air Quality Issues with a Multi-Sensor Array that Gathers Atmospheric Data—

41

dioxide, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and ammonia. The AtmoSniffer also measures air motion and turbulence. A full prototype was flown under an aerostat in February 2015 and was later sent to the stratosphere for the first time in August 2016. Data collected on these flights can be logged onboard the device or shared wirelessly.

Though the AtmoSniffer device shows great potential to benefit air quality research and has attracted international attention from NASA and other agencies, the project was slow to evolve due

to lack of funding. The January 2017 USTAR UTAG award is allowing Sohl to accelerate completion and optimization of prototypes for production to continue this important project.

Sohl has received support from the Utah Division of Air Quality (UDAQ) through allowed access to calibration facilities and the Val A. Browning Family Foundation which provided funds to hire students and buy hardware needed to develop the early AtmoSniffer prototypes.

“ I am grateful that USTAR offers competitive grants that support our faculty members’ desire to explore, discover, innovate and better our community. Dedicated faculty members such as John Sohl take that support and pay it forward by providing excellent research opportunities for our undergraduate students.” Charles A. Wight | President

Weber State University

Photos: Briana Scroggins/

Standard-Examiner


Craig Selzman is exploring a treatment for severe heart failure through a combination of electrical stimulation of nerves and a mix of tissue repair proteins and stem cells to improve heart function.

Sector: Life Science Device University of Utah

Jon Takemoto is developing a chemical that will reduce the overuse of chemical fungicides to control crop and turf diseases. Compound mixtures are being assessed for their economic and environmental impact.


John Sohl has created a lightweight air sampling system with sensors that can be affixed to drones, research balloons, or aerostats to collect air quality data. Operation is surpassing current air sampling devices.

Sector: Automation & Robotics Weber State University

Christopher Trampel is doing research to develop wireless sensors that can be implanted for the purpose of long-range transmission of physiological health data.

Sector: Automation & Robotics Weber State University

Sales from commercialized products out of Utah State

University increased to $3.3 million in 2016, up from

$3.1 million in 2015.

— TECONOMY PARTNERS, LLC —

43

Stephen Whitmore is addessing one of the largest challenges for the small satellite industry by developing a new, low-weight propellent. Small satellite applications include telecommunications and research.

Sector: Aerospace Utah State University

Jixun Zhan has developed a synthetic biomanufacturing process to produce a blue dye with natural antioxidant and anti-microbial effects. Applications include textiles, food, beverages, and cosmetics.


Chris Winstead is developing new methods to reduce energy consumption at data storage centers. This addresses energy concerns in the Big Data Era.

Sector: Big Data Utah State University

Clayton Williams has prototyped an instrument that provides high precision 3D positioning for micro scale machining.

Sector: Automation & Robotics University of Utah

Alistair Ward is developing health IT approaches for examining large volumes of genomic data to aid diagnosis through a collaboration with ARUP.

Sector: Big Data University of Utah

Utah State University Associate Professor Jixun Zhan has secured a patent for the production of a

natural blue dye known as indigoidine. Photo: USU Engineering


The Industry Partnership Program (IPP) matches Utah-based private sector technology companies with university capacity to address specific technology gaps identified by the company partner. Open to companies with a substantial presence in Utah, the program addresses specific technical challenges that will result in positive economic impact for the state. USTAR assists in identifying an academic partner and facilitating the contracting process with the unvieristy. A joint

scope of work is developed between the company and unviersity researcher and USTAR and the company jointly fund the research at the university.

The program address an innovation ecosystem gap by building networks between industry and academia that will give industry a market advantage, provide researchers insight into real world applications of their technology, and develop the next generation technical workforce.

Industry Partnership Program—

“ USTAR’s IPP grant was a critical component in the recruitment process. It was satisfying to witness the collaboration between USTAR, GOED, EDCUtah, USU, the Logan-Cache Airport Authority, and Logan City to help facilitate a relocation that brings tremendous benefits to the Logan area. The jobs, particularly the number of engineering jobs, provide great opportunities for our USU graduates, as well as the number of people looking to make their way back to Logan. EP Systems has innovative technologies that will make it a key player in the aerospace industry for years to come.”Kirk Jensen | Director

Logan Economic Development

45

IPP COMPANY REPORT SUMMARY

Public Investment $8,000,000

Private Investment $4,000,000

Sales / Revenue $0

Full-Time Jobs Created (Average Wage) 4 ($62,500)

Part-Time Jobs Created (Average Wage) 2 ($98,500)

USTAR Grant Expenditures $35,000

IPP RESEARCHER REPORT SUMMARY

Collaborations 16



Patents* 1

Publications 0



Federal Funding^ $0

State/Institutional Funding^ $0

Private/Nonprofit Funding^ $0

Industry Funding^ $0

Public, Non-USTAR Compensation^^ $437,811

USTAR Grant Expenditures $35,000


using 2080 hours as the standard year. These numbers represent all jobs in the lab, not just jobs created by IPP funding.*** Average wage is an average of the average wages reported. When an hourly wage was reported the annual wage was calculated

using 1040 hours as the standard year. These numbers represent all jobs in the lab, not just jobs created by IPP funding.^ Only funding that was reported to be directly related to the IPP project is reported.^^ Includes State and Federal funding


Ceramatec & Taylor SparksCreating adjustable-tint window films with the application of retrofitting commercial and residential buildings to increase energy efficiency. Unlike photochromic films, which change tint in response to sunlight, these electrochromic films could change tint in response to voltage, allowing the windows to be adjusted by the user and sets up the ability to integrate into “smart home” designs.

L3 & Reyhan BakturThe goal of this project is to improve UAV and drone performance. The antenna for UAVs like Predator and Global Hawk is located in the front in a bulky cavity and smaller drones don’t have room for an onboard antenna. The ability to print antennas on the wings or body of the UAV improves aerodynamic performance by reducing weight and drag while improving communications quality and increasing energy efficiency.

SAB Capra & Irina PolejaevaCurrent state of the art practice is to use a cow model to produce targeted human immunoglobulin to treat infectious diseases. This project examines the potential for using a goat model as an additional platform. Goats have a shorter reproductive cycle, are smaller, and require less husbandry. If successful, this proof of concept experiment would lead to less expensive antibody production and potential to increase consistency in batches of therapeutics.

EP Systems & Regan ZaneCalifornia energy storage company EP Systems relocated to Cache Valley to partner with Dr. Regan Zane and Utah State University through an IPP grant. EP Systems needed a partner to assist with test and evaluation of their batteries to meet flight safety standards required by customers. IPP was able to accelerate the commercialization of EP Systems technology while attracting 120–160 jobs to the Cache Valley in the next seven years.

IPP PARTNERSHIPS

California tech company Electric Power Systems (EP Systems) is moving its headquarters to northern Utah to partner

with Utah State University researchers to develop better battery technology. The move was facilitated, in part, when they received an Industry Partnership Program (IPP) grant from USTAR. The company announced plans to expand their business to Logan bringing an estimated 120-160 jobs over seven years as a result of the grant.

EP Systems manufactures lithium-ion energy storage systems with software controls and packaging elements designed for aircraft, spacecraft and ground combat vehicles.

“The USTAR IPP is a very unique incentive that will allow EP Systems to partner with Utah State to create a world class battery test lab,” said Nathan Millecam, CEO and co-founder of the company. “Cache Valley was of particular interest to us because of the university. When we look at engineering talent, we generally look in software or embedded systems, mechanical aerospace engineering, and power electronics. If we can

find a school that hits on one or two of those, it’s usually a good match for us. Utah State hit on all three of those.”

The partnership between EP Systems and USU aligns with USTAR’s mission to accelerate the commercialization of technologies in order to benefit the State of Utah.

“This is a great example of the type of industry-university collaboration we hoped to see when the IPP launched,” said Ivy Estabrooke, PhD, USTAR executive director. “We were delighted for the opportunity to work with our partners at the Economic Development Corporation of Utah (EDCUtah) and Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED), as well as Utah State and Logan City, to bring this project to fruition.”

In addition to the USTAR program, a post-performance tax incentive agreement with GOED, and assistance from EDCUtah and local economic development partners, helped successfully recruit EP Systems to Logan, Utah.

IPP: EP Systems Partnership with Utah State University Brings Jobs to Cache Valley—

Photo: NASA Graphic / NASA Langley/Advanced Concepts Lab, AMA, Inc.

Logan-Cache Airport Authority

Board


The Energy Research Triangle (ERT) grant program was established in support of Governor Herbert’s 10-year Strategic Energy Plan which calls for the development and deployment of energy technologies specific to Utah. ERT is aimed at fostering energy innovation within professor and student research programs at Utah’s universities and colleges. The program offers two categories of grants: one that encourages collaboration among research professors across the state, and another

for university students designed to elevate the next generation of energy researchers. The program is funded by USTAR and the Governor’s Office of Energy Development (OED).

USTAR began awarding ERT grants in February 2017. Awards to date total $5,953 and USTAR plans to open additional application windows soon to distribute more funds. Complete reporting will be available in the FY18 USTAR annual report.

Energy Research Triangle—

49

“ We are proud to accelerate innovative energy solutions through the Energy Research Triangle. The educational and research excellence brought forward through ERT provides new and important pathways for realizing Governor Herbert’s vision for energy and minerals development in Utah, powering our future at home and delivering new opportunities globally.” Laura Nelson, PhD

Governor’s Energy Advisor

Executive Director, Governor’s Office of Energy Development

ERT Professor Grants The ERT-Professor Grant promotes collaboration among university researchers by requiring at least three universities to collaborate on a project. All grants are focused on addressing a Utah specific energy and natural resource challenge. The collaboration brings forward innovative approaches. Winning proposals must demonstrate commercialization potential and strong prospects to positively impact Utah’s economy.

ERT Scholars Grants The ERT-Scholars Grant gives university student researchers across the state opportunities to engage in energy research. The students work under the direction of a faculty mentor. Along with demonstrating commercial viability and potential to positively impact Utah’s economy, applicants must also describe how winning the grant will help them achieve their professional goals.

50

Pollutant Source DetectorRegional haze is a particularly difficult air quality problem because of the large number of phenomena that can contribute to it. This group is developing a cheap and portable air-quality measurement device that can be dispatched in real time to determine exactly which pollutants are contributing to haze. This enables stakeholders to focus limited resources with the most impact.

Marc Mansfield, USU; Jaron Hansen, BYU; Ryan Thalman, Snow College

Lower-Cost Solar PanelsIn an effort to make electricity from solar panels less expensive than even the cheapest fossil-based electricity substantial cuts to manufacturing costs must be realized. This group is developing a new solution-based maufacturing technique for making solar panels that will replace the costly vacuum-based techniques while maintaining panel efficiency.

Michael Scarpulla, U of U; John Colton, BYU; Kristin Rabosky, WSU

Smart EV ChargingThe steady increase of plug-in electric vehicles will reduce mobile-source emissions in Utah, but it also poses major challenges for our current electrical grid system. This group is developing a SmartEV technology for automated monitoring and control of EV charging stations to ensure that the power is cheap and available when needed for the user.

Masood Parvania, U of U; Regan Zane, USU; John L. Salmon, BYU

ERT PROFESSOR GRANTS

Researchers from Utah State University (USU), Brigham Young University (BYU), and Snow College (Snow) have joined minds to

develop a tool for understanding and mitigating air quality issues. Haze is a major worldwide air pollution problem but has especially large impacts in the State of Utah. These issues are particularly notable in Box Elder, Cache, Davis, Salt Lake, Utah, and Weber counties, which have been designated “non-attainment” areas by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Once designated as such, impacted counties are required to submit mitigation efforts to the federal government that have direct economic costs. Indirect economic costs are also incurred due to losses in business and tourism as a result of the negative perception associated with the designation.

Mitigating regional haze is not easy. Haze is made up of a number of different sources that range from automobiles and agricultural emissions to wildfires and dust storms. Led by USU researcher, Dr. Marc Mansfield, this ERT team is developing an inexpensive, deployable pollution source detector that will allow for rapid air quality sampling across the state. The results from these analyses will give key decision makers an understanding of what is contributing to haze and when it occurs. With this knowledge, communities can target pollution sources that have the largest contribution to haze rather than diluting their resources in a shotgun-like approach to air quality improvement. Improved air quality will lead to direct economic impact and assure Utah citizens have healthier lives.

ERT: Researchers from Utah State University, Brigham Young University & Snow College Collaborate on Tool to Mitigate Air Quality Issues—


Water-Energy EfficiencyPower is needed to pump water throughout our community and water is essential to provide cooling for the thermal power plants that supply most of Utah’s power. This researcher is developing new tools to optimize this energy/water nexus in a way that conserves both valuable resources.

Konstantinos Oikonomou, University of Utah

Produced Water TreatmentFor every single barrel of oil pumped from the ground seven barrels of water are produced. This water is typically high in salt, dissolved solids, and residual oil. Most of this water is reinjected back into the ground. This researcher is developing a process that will purify this water for reuse in other applications. The process also has the potential to repurpose some of the captured nutrients to create other forms of bioenergy.

Jennifer Calderon, University of Utah

Lithium Ion BatteriesLithium ion batteries are used for over 70% of energy storage in the United States. The amount of energy each of these batteries can store is dictated by a component called the cathode. This researcher is developing a new cathode that is light, cheap, and has a very large theoretical capacity for energy storage.

Casey Hawkins, University of Utah

Smarter FrackingThe recent shale boom has revolutionized the oil industry, contributed to economic recovery, and positioned the US as a leader in oil and gas development. The method for identifying and accessing the oil in this “tight” shale relies on a number of geological parameters. This researcher is developing a “shale heterogeneity index” that promises to be an inexpensive way to predict these parameters and lower the development cost of oil and gas resources.

Aubry DeReuil, University of Utah

ERT SCHOLARS GRANTS


The Science and Technology Initiation Grant (STIG) is intended to assist university researchers in developing preliminary data or proof of principle experimentation in order to compete for large federal grants or private funding (i.e. foundation or nonprofit). Of particular interest are interdisciplinary or collaborative multi-investigator grants. Target grants must be for a minimum of $1,000,000 over the lifetime of the grant.

Competitiveness for federal funding is increasing as funding rates at most agencies dip below 10%. By increasing the competitiveness of Utah research teams through preliminary data, establishing teams with a history of productivity and evidence of success in interdisciplinary teams will allow Utah to capture federal research funding that has a significant impact on the Utah economy. Collaboration among researchers at different universities and among researchers in different disciplines is encouraged. Applicants must obtain a

cost-sharing commitment from the Utah university sponsor in the form of direct funds or in-kind support.

Science & Technology Initiation Grant—


TECHNOLOGY

ENTREPRENEUR

SERVICES

F O C U S A R E A

T W O

55Focus Area 2: Technology Entrepreneur Services

Overview—Specialized Support for Utah’s Entrepreneurs

A key focus of USTAR is to support startups and emerging companies with services to successfully launch and grow their companies. USTAR entrepreneur services include incubators in both life science and advanced materials, an office dedicated to providing eligible small businesses with the tools to successfully compete for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grants and contracts, and satellite offices in central locations across the state to provide access to USTAR services.

This past year has seen USTAR successfully roll out its Innovation Center, a high-tech advanced materials incubator, its SBIR-STTR Assistance Center (SSAC) receive recognition from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and a realignment of its satellite offices to meet the needs of Utah entrepreneurs.

“ In Utah, the spirit of innovation is alive and well.” Lieutenant General Levy

AFSC Commander

U.S. Air Force

LEADERSHIP

RISKCAPITAL

MARKETATTRIBUTES

IDEAGENERATION


INFRASTRUCTURE

INNOVATIONCULTURE

TALENT

NETWORKS

INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM:Technology Entrepreneur Services


The USTAR Incubation Enterprise supports two high-tech incubators: the BioInnovations Gateway, a partnership between USTAR and Granite School District, and the USTAR Innovation Center, a state-of-the-art incubator and prototyping lab. These incubators allow entrepreneurs to mature their technology by providing lab and office space, tailored programs, and access to specialized tools and equipment. The BioInnovations Gateway serves the life science sector, and the Innovation Center serves the aerospace/defense, advanced materials, composites, and outdoor product technology sectors. In addition, the USTAR Innovation Center collaborates with federal and private partners on R&D efforts.

The Incubation Enterprise also supports access to the Utah NanoFab and USU Synthetic Biomanufacturing Facility. The Utah NanoFab provides resources including a cleanroom and analytical and imaging instruments. The Synthetic Biomanufacturing Facility provides the capabilities to enable scale-up

optimization of fermentation bioproducts that can be grown and analyzed under a variety of growth conditions for maximum product yield and quality. USTAR’s support makes these resources available to researchers and companies state-wide.

“ Granite School District embraces its charge and responsibility to guarantee that all students leave us prepared for college, career, and life. Our collaboration with USTAR is unique in allowing secondary students the opportunity to participate in R&D, product development, manufacturing, and business efforts of startup life science companies. We see this collaborative effort as a prototype for K-12 education of the future.” Linda Mariotti

Assistant Superintendent, Teaching &

Learning Services, Granite School District

Incubation Enterprise—

A project started in a garage as a research and development collaboration between friends has grown, evolved, and shifted its

primary focus from physical therapy applications to the realms of virtual reality. Utah startup company Bend Labs adapted its innovative joint-sensing technology to enable the most advanced representation of the human body in a virtual environment.

From its conception in 2013, Bend Labs set out with the mission to accurately measure human motion. With vast market potential, research and development was initiated around a life science device for measuring 3D motion and included the creation of hardware, software, and specific algorithms.

The company became associated with USTAR and moved into the BioInnovations Gateway (BiG), an incubator administered by USTAR in partnership with Granite School District. At the time, Shawn Reese, cofounder and CEO of Bend Labs, and his team were working to develop their flexible, joint-sensing sleeve to be used in the rehabilitation process for knees and elbows. The facility enabled

them to have a designated office space and provided access to high-tech equipment necessary to further develop their technology.

“Our sensors are designed from the ground up to give us an accurate metric of our body position no matter how we put the sensor on and no matter if it gets wet, jerked around, bent, or twisted,” said Reese.

Bend Labs developed a bending sensor that measures the complicated ways joints move. The sensors are thin rubber strips, much like a rubber band, that attach to clothing and braces along the seams and can measure complex bending in three planes. This technology will enable a new generation of wearable devices and clothing that will accurately measure, track, and respond to the complex biomechanics that underlie the way we move. These sensors may also play a significant role in a new generation of virtual reality and video game controllers, which can elevate the immersive experience.

Bend Labs graduated from the incubator this year as it outgrew the space and became economically viable to build its own labs.

Bend Labs Developing Innovative Joint-Sensing Technology—

57

BioInnovations Gateway BioInnovations Gateway (BiG) serves Utah’s growing life science industry including emerging biotechnology, medical device, and pharmaceutical companies. BiG has a dual mission: 1) give startup companies a competitive edge at a critical stage in their development by providing access to equipment, laboratory facilities, and technical resources, and 2) provide biotechnology and biomanufacturing students at Granite Technical Institute with advanced workforce training and networking opportunities via BiG’s internship programs.bioinnovationsgateway.org

Utah Nanofab The Utah Nanofab can be used to perform advanced materials imaging from the centimeter scale to the atomic scale, as well as micro/nano-scale device prototype development. It houses customized infrastructure, tools, instruments, processes, and expertise necessary to design, build and package micro and nanoscale devices. Facilities include device modeling, design layout, mask fabrication, thin film deposition, patterning, test, and microfluidic laser patterning. Off-campus entities may apply to USTAR to receive subsidized rates to use the facility.nanofab.utah.edu

Synthetic Biomanufacturing Facility The Synthetic Biomanufacturing Facility at Utah State University (USU) provides scale bio-production capabilities with the primary emphasis to provide proof of concept, optimization, and pilot scale studies for bioproduct production. The facility houses New Brunswick BioFlo Pro 500 liter and BioFlo 610 125 liter fermentation systems, which facilitate process optimization for large scale fermentation, a critical component of the commercialization process. The facility also houses a number of small scale fermentation units for proof of concept and fermentation optimization studies.rgs.usu.edu/synthetic-biomanufacturing-facility

INCUBATORS & FACILITIES

59Focus Area 2: Technology Entrepreneur Services

USTAR Innovation Center The USTAR Innovation Center is a high-tech incubator and prototype lab serving the aerospace/defense, advanced materials, composites, and outdoor product sectors. It is a state-of-the-art facility that offers office and lab space, equipment, tailored programs and services to launch and elevate a business, move ideas to market, find resources, network, and collaborate with others to solve real-world problems. The Innovation Center supports entrepreneurs, startup companies, and federal and private partners requiring workspace and access to specialized tools and equipment to develop an idea, conduct R&D activities, or work on rapid prototyping and reverse engineering functions (designing, building, testing, evaluating, refining, and validating tools or parts).ustarinnovationcenter.org.

Hill Air Force Base

Falcon Hill Aerospace Research Park

USTAR Innovation Center


USTAR’s SBIR-STTR Assistance Center (SSAC) is a resource to small businesses throughout the state working on technology development who have an interest in applying for non-dilutive funding. Through competitive programs, the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs enable small businesses to explore technological potential and provide incentive to move towards commercialization. These federal grant programs provide $2.5 billion in funding each year to small businesses in support of innovative research and development.

USTAR’s SSAC offers workshops and seminars to assist Utah entrepreneurs and small businesses navigate the process to apply for and win these non-equity position federal funds. From finding a topic match with one of the 11 federal agencies who participate in the program to receiving help on writing a winning proposal, the SSAC provides valuable assistance to Utah small businesses, and all with a better than 25% win rate, almost twice that of the national average. The SSAC has successfully worked with companies from Box Elder to Washington counties and is available for consultations at any time.

“ The support provided by USTAR’s SSAC to small businesses in Utah is remarkable. The framework set up by the state is forward thinking and the staff is simply amazing — truly going the extra mile every SBIR deadline. They are changing people’s lives by helping create jobs and bringing needed technologies to market. As a taxpayer, voter, and technologist, I love what they are doing.” Greg Nielson, PhD | Chief Scientist

Vivint Solar

SBIR-STTR Assistance Center—

61

Working with USTAR’s SBIR-STTR Assistance Center, StreamDx was awarded an SBIR Direct to Phase II grant

for $1.5M from the National Institutes of Health. StreamDx is developing a point-of-care uroflow meter that makes it easier and more effective for physicians to monitor urine flow data and create treatment plans for patients who suffer from Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS). The company was formed out of a collaborative project at the University of Utah made up of urologists, engineers, and business students through the Bench-to-Bedside (B2B) program.

LUTS affects one-third of men in some form by the time they turn 50. As men age, it becomes even more common with 75% of men affected by age 80. As a progressive disease that does not improve over time if untreated, early detection and intervention is important. LUTS has been known to cause depression, lower quality of life, and has been linked to cardiovascular disease.

Current uroflow measurement and testing equipment is expensive and requires the patient to visit a facility to be tested. StreamDx has developed a self-contained, portable device that can be used by the patient at home. The measured

flow and volume data is then transferred wirelessly to a device where it can be uploaded to a cloud server to be accessed by the urologist or personal care physician. This innovation in uroflowmetry increases the efficiency of doctor visits and convenience for the patient.

The company also received support from USTAR’s Technology Acceleration Program which enabled the company to complete the development phase of the technology, and was awarded a TCIP grant through the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED).

“ There is no question that without the assistance of Mary Cardon and her staff at USTAR’s SBIR-STTR Assistance Center we would not have been awarded the NIH Direct to Phase II SBIR grant. She and her staff provided great guidance and feedback throughout the lengthy application process.”Brian Holt | CEO

StreamDX

StreamDx Finding Solutions to Address Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS)—


OF NON-EQUITY FEDERAL FUNDING TO UTAH IN FY17

$2,892,973

SSAC WINNING COMPANY SUMMARY

COMPANY PARTICIPATING AGENCY AMOUNT

Axon MedicalMedical Device Development Department of Health & Human Services $224,950

Knudra TransgenicsGenome Engineering Department of Health & Human Services $225,000

NewPath ResearchResearch & Technology Development National Science Foundation $224,543

RefloDxMedical Device Development National Science Foundation $225,000

Sequent LogicLaser Performance Optimization National Aeronautics & Space Administration $125,000

Silicon TechnologiesSemiconductor Design Solutions Department of Defense $149,999

StreamDXMedical Device Development National Institutes of Health $1,493,493

Teaching It RightAutism Therapy Program National Science Foundation $224,988

PARTICIPATING AGENCIES

Each year, federal agencies with extramural R&D budgets

that exceed $100 million allocate 3.2 percent to the SBIR

program, while agencies exceeding $1 billion contribute 0.45

percent to the STTR program. Each agency administers its own

individual program within guidelines established by Congress.

These agencies designate R&D topics in their solicitations and

accept proposals from small businesses. Awards are made on a

competitive basis after proposal evaluation.

SSAC WINNING COMPANIES

63

USTAR’S SBIR-STTR Assistance Center (SSAC) was awarded one of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) highest honors, the

Tibbetts Award, in a ceremony at the White House. The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs fund small businesses in research and development activities to the tune of $2.5 billion each year. USTAR’s SSAC helps companies bring more of these federal dollars to Utah.

“USTAR’s SSAC is dedicated to providing full service to Utah’s technology community. The SBA’s recognition is confirmation of the commitment the SSAC has in the work they do every day,” said Ivy Estabrooke PhD, USTAR executive director. “We are humbled and honored to have been recognized for embodying the mission and goals of the SBIR and STTR programs and the work of the SSAC team.”

Named after Roland Tibbetts, who was instrumental in developing the SBIR program, the Tibbetts Awards are presented annually to those who are beacons of promise and models of excellence in high technology. Winners are selected based on the economic impact of their technological innovation, and the extent to which that innovation served federal R&D needs, encouraged diverse participation, and increased the commercialization of federal research.

USTAR opened the SSAC in 2008 to support and maximize the opportunity for Utah companies to participate in and win non-dilutive federal SBIR-STTR funding. Since opening its doors, the SSAC has helped Utah companies win over $24 million to advance their technologies, and has assisted hundreds of companies across the state in every stage of the process. Companies that work with the SSAC increase their chances of winning these funds to over 25%, almost twice the national average.

The SSAC provides a variety of services including 1-1 consultations, training and seminars, proposal review and editing, hands-on assistance, access to program managers, and much more. For more information, please visit ustarssac.org.

“ I am pleased USTAR has been recognized with the 2016 Tibbetts Award. The successes of their programs have helped make Utah tech companies significantly more competitive. USTAR has once again reaffirmed the value it provides the State of Utah.”Gary R. Herbert | Governor

State of Utah

USTAR’s SSAC Receives Tibbetts Award—


USTAR’s two satellite offices, located in Orem and St. George, support and foster regional economic development activities in the science and technology sectors. These activities include collaboration with local and regional universities, business and government entities, technology commercialization support, and providing resources for local entrepreneurs. The offices assist and connect entrepreneurs with training, mentoring, research and industry expertise, funding, and other resources. Building awareness across the state of local, state and federal resources helps emerging companies accelerate technology development and grow into sustainable businesses.

The Orem Satellite office engages entrepreneurs, universities, industry leaders, and experts in exploring opportunities for developing

technologies in the state. USTAR has assisted researchers and innovators who are tackling complex technology challenges.

The St. George office serves as a key connection point to Utah’s broad ecosystem and supports the diverse and growing southern Utah innovation landscape. The office connects innovators and entrepreneurs across 11 southern Utah counties with mentoring and training, and access to other local, state, and federal resources to help with technology development and economic growth.

The offices are uniquely positioned to engage with local community and business leaders to create and implement sustainable economic development strategies and initiatives to drive science and technology-based economic growth.

Satellite Offices—

Training at our St. George Satellite Office

65

While counties along the Wasatch Front are experiencing high job growth and low unemployment, some counties

in traditionally energy-producing areas of the state have double-digit unemployment. Governor Gary R. Herbert has often stated, Utah will not be economically healthy until all 29 counties are healthy. As a result, during his State of the State address in January of 2017, the Governor issued a challenge to Utah businesses to create 25,000 jobs throughout the 25 rural counties outside the Wasatch Front over the next four years.

As a starting point, the Office of Lt. Governor and World Trade Center Utah launched the 25K Jobs Tour. The purpose of the tour is to connect entrepreneurs and business owners with public, nonprofit, and private-sector resources that exist to help their businesses grow while overcoming obstacles including changing markets as a result of improved technology and a need for improved infrastructure.

“We as the government are not here to tell you what to do in your counties… we don’t create jobs, the private sector does,” said Lt. Governor Spencer Cox.

Cox, who commutes 100 miles to the capitol

every day so he can continue to reside in Sanpete County, took a leading role in the initiative due to his firsthand experience with the rural community.

USTAR joined other service providers on the tour with hopes of expanding the knowledge of programs such as the Technology Acceleration Program and the Industry Partnership Program.

“The 25K Jobs Tour offers us an opportunity to connect with innovators and entrepreneurs we may not normally reach,” said USTAR Executive Director, Ivy Estabrooke, PhD “Great ideas are not limited to the Wasatch Front, and we are excited to see what ideas are incubating in other parts of the state.”

The Lt. Gov greets visitors and service providers at a stop on the 25k Jobs Tour. Photo: FDM Media

USTAR Supports Governor’s 25k Jobs Tour in Rural Utah—

USTAR traveled with the

25k Jobs Tour to visit Utah’s

25 rural counties.


USTAR

PRINCIPAL

RESEARCHERS

F O C U S A R E A

T H R E E

67Focus Area 3: USTAR Principal Researchers

LEADERSHIP

RISKCAPITAL

MARKETATTRIBUTES

IDEAGENERATION


INFRASTRUCTURE

INNOVATIONCULTURE

TALENT

NETWORKS

INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM:Principal Researchers

Overview—Supporting World-Class Research in Utah

At its inception, USTAR recruited principal researchers to the two state research universities, the University of Utah and Utah State University. These researchers and their teams developed ideas and technologies, primarily with federal funding, to increase the economic impact of the universities and to act as a source of new inputs critical for the innovation ecosystem. As the technologies develop, they are licensed or spun out into companies, creating jobs. The USTAR principal researchers are aligned with important industry clusters in the state that include: energy,

life sciences, micro/nano systems, and big data. USTAR attracted these researchers from top research institutions including MIT, Harvard, UCLA, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Part of the initial USTAR investment also included the construction of two interdisciplinary centers for research and development at the University of Utah and Utah State University. These facilities were developed with the goal of collaborative research focused on commercialization.


USTAR PRINCIPAL RESEARCHER REPORT SUMMARY

Collaborations 491



Patents* 78

Publications 267



Federal Funding $20,289,133

State/Institutional Funding $1,052,828

Private/Nonprofit Funding $605,576

Industry Funding $2,885,961

Public, Non-USTAR Compensation^ $3,689,484

USTAR Expenditures to Support Principal Researchers $9,573,296


using 2080 hours as the standard year. *** Average wage is an average of the average wages reported. When an hourly wage was reported the annual wage was calculated

using 1040 hours as the standard year. ^ Includes State and Federal funding

USTAR Principal Researchers—

6969

Data Visualization by Miriah Meyer Prototype Detector by Ling Zang. Photo: Dan

Hixon/U of U College of Engineering

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Big Data Big data is a burgeoning field that crosses many domains. The USTAR program has numerous scientists addressing this emerging field focused on computational tools that allow physicians, researchers in diverse areas from petroleum engineering to neural networks, and policy makers to gather meaning from tetrabytes of data. In addition to finding the signal in the noise, researchers are developing tools to visualize results and examine the data.

EnergyUSTAR professors in the energy sector are researching technologies to enable the state and the nation to conserve natural resources and provide alternatives to traditional petroleum. Research includes optimizing biological processes for energy recovery, biological materials for fuel, and geothermal energy recovery. The diversity of ideas with novel approaches add to a diversified economy and address both energy and environmental needs.

Life SciencesUtah’s life science sector is notable for its breadth of work and historic successes. The U’s health science system includes an extensive research network that has produced ARUP, Myriad Genetics, and BioFire. USU is a leader in agriculture and veterinary sciences. The life science industry is capital intensive, highly regulated, and requires a long development timeline. To be competitive, Utah needs to support researchers in the life science community and address the challenge of risk capital to develop companies in Utah.

Micro/Nano SystemsWhether a miniature gas chromatograph for personal air pollution monitoring, the development of an artificial retina to restore partial vision to the blind, an implantable middle-ear microphone that could restore hearing to deaf patients without the external hardware necessary for cochlear implants, or the invention of a brain stethoscope that uses magnetomer arrays to detect neurons firing in the brain — the micro and nano communities in Utah are diverse and inventive.



Foster Agblevor, PhD

Utah State University

Energy

Tom Fletcher, PhD

University of Utah

Big Data

Julie Korenberg, MD, PhD

University of Utah

Life Sciences

Gabor Marth, PhD

University of Utah

Life Sciences

Orly Alter, PhD

University of Utah

Big Data

Rafael Franzini, PhD

University of Utah

Life Sciences

Gianluca Lazzi, PhD

University of Utah

Micro/Nano Systems

Carlos Mastrangelo, PhD

University of Utah

Micro/Nano Systems

Danny Chou, PhD

University of Utah

Life Sciences

Hamid Ghandehari, PhD

University of Utah

Life Sciences

Young-Min Lee, PhD


Life Sciences

John McLennan, PhD

University of Utah

Energy

Alan Dorval, PhD

University of Utah

Life Sciences

Hanseup Kim, PhD

University of Utah

Micro/Nano Systems

Randy Lewis, PhD


Life Sciences

Brian McPherson, PhD

University of Utah

Energy

Rajesh Menon, PhD

University of Utah

Micro/Nano Systems

University of Utah Researcher Finding Innovative Energy Solutions—

USTAR principal researcher Shelley Minteer, PhD and her research group are studying enzyme cascades and hybrid cascades

for bioelectrocatalysis for sensing and energy conversion applications. This research is providing innovation with biofuel cells as well as enzyme discovery and enzyme engineering for non-natural complete oxidation pathways for biofuels with the anticipated result of producing renewable and biodegradable batteries that are more energy dense and more energy efficient. In essence, making batteries more sustainable.

The Minteer Research Group has made advances in enzymatic fuel cell lifetimes over the last decade due to the development of a novel enzyme immobilization membrane that three-dimensionally constrains the enzyme while providing a buffered pH in a hydrophobic environment that mimics the cellular environment. However, in order to effectively utilize biofuel cells as energy conversion devices, enzyme cascades or hybrid cascades

need to be used to allow for complete oxidation of complex biofuels and, thereby, high energy densities, as well as coupling to an air breathing biocathode to ensure high current densities. In a living cell, complex fuels/substrates are completely oxidized to carbon dioxide utilizing the enzymatic cascades of metabolic pathways, such as: the Kreb’s cycle, glycolysis, etc. These metabolic pathways can be used to oxidize fuels in a biofuel cell, but require the immobilization of over 20 enzymes at a bioanode, whereas only 6 of these enzymes are dehydrogenases (i.e. electron producing enzymes).

The research team has employed metabolic engineering to design and study these systems and is also developing enzymatic cascades for complete oxidation of a variety of biofuels by employing non-specific PQQ-dependent dehydrogenases. The application of this research will result in more efficient, lower weight, lower density, more environmentally friendly battery power.


Ling Zang, PhD

University of Utah

Micro/Nano Systems

Cem Yuksel, PhD

University of Utah

Big Data

Deborah Yurgelun-Todd, PhD

University of Utah

Life Sciences

Regan Zane, PhD


Energy

Irina Polejaeva, PhD


Life Sciences

Saveez Saffarian, PhD

University of Utah

Micro/Nano Systems

Tolga Tasdizen, PhD

University of Utah

Big Data

Miriah Meyer, PhD

University of Utah

Big Data

Marc Porter, PhD

University of Utah

Micro/Nano Systems

Caroline Saouma, PhD

University of Utah

Energy

Matt Wachowiak, PhD

University of Utah

Life Sciences

Shelley Minteer, PhD

University of Utah

Energy

Aaron Quinlan, PhD

University of Utah

Life Sciences

Paul Sigala, PhD

University of Utah

Life Sciences

Zhongde Wang, PhD


Life Sciences

Manoranjan Misra, PhD

University of Utah

Energy

Perry Renshaw, MD, PhD

University of Utah

Life Sciences

Massood Tabib-Azar, PhD

University of Utah

Micro/Nano Systems

Mark Yandell, PhD

University of Utah

Life Sciences

Darrin Young, PhD

University of Utah

Micro/Nano Systems

REPORTED IMPACTS OF COMPANIES THAT LICENSED TECHNOLOGIES FROM USTAR-SUPPORTED FACULTY — PROGRAM INCEPTION TO DATE, CY15 & CY16

HOST INSTITUTION OF USTAR FACULTY(YEAR LICENSES EXECUTED)

UNIVERSITY OF UTAH LICENSEES(FY11–FY17)

UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY LICENSEES(FY10–FY17)

REPORTED VALUES BASE YEAR CY15 CY16 CY15 CY16

Survey Population (Number of Licensees) 10 13 4 7

Survey Respondents 10 5 4 4

FOLLOW-ON INVESTMENT

Total $3,485,000 $10,509,000 $0 $224,000

Institutionally-Managed Venture Capital $0 $4,500,000 $0 $0

Private Investors $750,000 $4,500,000 $0 $0

Strategic Partners $300,000 $1,200,000 $0 $0

Federal SBIR-STTR Awards $1,250,000 $309,000 $0 $224,000

Other Federal Grants or Contracts $1,000,000 $0 $0 $0

Other Utah Programs $185,000 $0 $0 $0

Other Sources $0 $0 $0 $0

Commercial Lending $0 N/A $0 N/A

Sales of Commercialized Products $0 $0 $3,100,000 $3,370,000

NEW HIRES

Full Time (Average Salary) 7 ($130,000) 9 ($112,264) 0 ($0) 3 ($63,173)

Part Time (Average Salary) 6 ($33,333) 12 ($52,360) 0 ($0) 1 ($93,600)

High Quality Jobs (Above County Average Salary) 2 FT, 0 PT 8 FT, 3 PT 0 FT, 0 PT 2 FT, 1 PT

Source: TEConomy Partners (2017) CY16 USTAR Impact Survey and SRI International (2016) CY15 Impact Survey

Mark Yandell’s research group at the University of Utah


As part of the USTAR investment, two world-class interdisciplinary research and development buildings were constructed and are maintained at Utah State University (USU) and the University of Utah (U). These facilities, the USTAR BioInnovations Center at USU and the James L. Sorenson Molecular Biotechnology Building at the U, provide research space, core facilities, and specialized equipment for researchers and research teams to conduct their work. The buildings can also be used on a fee-for-service basis by commercial partners and others who may benefit

from access, expanding the economic development impact of the USTAR investment on the innovation ecosystem. While the core purpose is to provide state of the art facilities for researchers and their critical work, an added benefit is the opportunity to foster collaboration between researchers, industry experts, and the entrepreneurial community. The USTAR BioInnovations Center includes the Synthetic Biomanufacturing Facility, while the Utah Nanofab is housed in the Sorenson Molecular Biotechnology Building at the U.

USTAR BUILDING REPORT SUMMARY

Federal, Industry & Other Funding to Researchers $14,156,303

Disclosures 39


Patents* 11

Charge for Use of Building $5,840

* Patent count is for each patent action (provisional, utility, file, award)

USTAR Buildings—

75

University of Utah Team Researching Adolescent Brain Development, Mood Disorders & Effects of Altitude on Mental Health—

The University of Utah has been chosen by the National Institutes of Health to participate in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development

(ABCD) study. USTAR professors in psychiatry, Deborah Yurgelun-Todd, PhD and Perry Renshaw, MD, PhD, are leading the local research site. The ABCD study is the largest long-term study of brain development and child health ever conducted in the United States. It will enroll 10,000+ youth ages 9 to 10 from across the country and follow their progress into young adulthood.

Using non-invasive neuroimaging and cognitive, social, and biological assessments, scientists will determine how childhood experiences interact with each other and with children’s changing biology to affect brain development and other outcomes. Understanding theses relationships will inform policies and programs to help our children lead healthy, more fulfilling lives. In addition to providing important data for health and education policy, this project has seeded new research methods, provided valuable training, and established national collaborations that will increase scientific opportunities in Utah.

Investigators from this USTAR cluster have also provided ground breaking research on the impact of altitude on mood disorders. Based on animal models and human studies they have identified an altitude-related reduction in activity of the enzyme that the brain uses to convert tryptophan to 5 hydroxy tryptophan (5HTP), the immediate precursor of the mood regulating neurotransmitter serotonin. This work is important in understanding the increased rates of mood disorders in Utah and other high-altitude environments.

Furthermore, these research findings have been critical to the development of new treatment approaches. This work has been supported by over $50 million dollars in research funding since 2008 from the National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Drug Abuse, Veterans Health Administration, Military Suicide Research Consortium, Department of Defense, and the PAC-12 Student-Athlete Health and Well Being Grant program.

ANNUAL

REPORT

ADDENDUM

77

As a long-term investment in the Utah innovation ecosystem, measuring the impact of USTAR requires a long-term view. However, it is important to track metrics to ensure the USTAR investment is on target to achieve the intended results. The early indicators that USTAR is required to report include external funding and/or follow-on funding for specific technologies; measures of intellectual property (IP) generation that include the early indicators of disclosures, filed patents and received patents; and the later stage measure of licensing agreements and the revenue generated for the universities from these licenses. Later stage indicators that will be tracked annually for a minimum of five years include sales, revenue, jobs created, and wages for those jobs. In addition, the external funding data from the universities and the later-stage indicators are used as input variables to determine the contributions to the state tax base through the IMPLAN model. This is a commonly used economic model (see implan.com) that provides government programs an estimate of the impact of their programs.

USTAR is designed to be early in the development cycle through both its funding of university researchers who will generate new ideas and intellectual property that has the potential for commercialization and through early-stage grants for startup companies, incubation tenants, and companies assisted through our outreach program.

The University of Utah and Utah State University are statutorily required to provide data on the productivity of the USTAR principal researchers, those recruited since 2006, and on the use of the USTAR buildings on their campuses. The reporting

requirements are more extensive for the Principal Researchers, but all data is summarized on page 68. More detailed data is available in the online appendix.

USTAR is statutorily mandated to provide impact data, collected by a third party, on the impact on the Utah tax base of the companies that USTAR works with and the companies to which USTAR principal researchers IP has been licensed. TEConomy Partners, LLC, conducted an online survey of the companies that USTAR, the University of Utah Technology & Venture Commercialization Office (TVC), and the Utah State University Technology Commercialization Office provided. If not completed online, TEConomy attempted to follow up to collect information on the companies follow on investment, revenue, sales, jobs created and the average wages for those jobs. Summary data is presented on pages 27 and 45 and the detailed data is provided in the online appendix.

To meet the reporting requirements for private entities (§63M-2-703) USTAR hired through a competitive RFP process, TEConomy Partners LLC, to serve as the independent entity to conduct the data collection from private entities. Specific methodology for the survey and the survey

Data Collection & Survey Methodology—

To download complete data reports for the FY17 USTAR Annual Report, please visit ustar.org/ustar-reports/2017.

78

instrument can be found on the USTAR website (ustar.org) as part of the annual impact study. The private entity survey is conducted for calendar year 2016. The use of the calendar year, rather than fiscal year, for private entities is to align questions to the tax year for ease and accuracy of reporting by the private entities.

Data collection from universities receiving funding to meet the requirements of the USTAR statute (§63M-2-702 and §63M-2-704) through two mechanisms. The data for Principal Researchers and USTAR building (§63M-2-705) was requested from the designated individuals at the University of Utah and Utah State University. They were provided with an Excel template for completing the data collection for both the Principal Researchers and the USTAR Buildings. A copy of the line item data is available in the appendix on the USTAR website.

For the competitive grant funding to university researchers, UTAG, IPP, and ERT, an online survey was constructed and provided to the technical

contact person on the contract. The requirement to complete the survey was included in the contracts with each institution. A copy of each survey and the individual line item data can be found on the USTAR website.

Details on methodological counts in this report:

1. Collaborations were counted without eliminating duplications where USTAR researchers are collaborating with other USTAR researchers.

2. Patent counts were for each individual patent action, not by technology. Therefore the counts include filing for utility or provisional patents filed or awarded, a count for each country or region filed in, and expansions or amendments to patents were counted individually.

3. University researcher data may contain double counting for USTAR Principal Researchers who also reside in USTAR buildings and/or have a UTAG grant.

4. All data is self-reported by researchers and university institutions.

Utah State University Contact Information | President Noelle Cockett, PhD | [email protected] | 435.757.1000 | Old Main, Logan, UT 84322

University of Utah Contact Information | Andrew Weyrich, PhD | [email protected] | 801.581.7236 | 201 S President’s Circle, Room 210, Salt Lake City, UT 84112

79

USTAR’s Governing Authority adopted written the economic development objectives per statute by adopting the Economic Impact projections provided by USTAR’s independent assess or in 2015. These projections provided an estimate of the economic impact of USTAR programs both within the university and private sector. The methodology for development of these five year projections can be found in the USTAR Prospectus available at www.ustar.org/ustar-strategydocs/2015-ustar-prospectus in Table 6, page 13. USTAR has made significant progress in meeting the prospectus projections for 2020.

Economic Development Objectives—

PROSPECTUS NUMBERS

UNIVERSITIES STARTUP COMPANIES

YEAR USTAR INVESTMENT

UNIVERSITY EXTERNAL RESEARCH

FOLLOW-ON INVESTMENT SALES JOB CREATION

2015(baseline) $20,000,000 $29,415,000 $26,449,075 $5,755,000 51

5 YEAR TOTALS

2020 $109,368,198 $159,042,155 $123,862,036 $27,628,640 200

2025 $126,787,716 $181,445,768 $409,754,545 $81,885,169 434

2030 $146,981,712 $207,707,837 $702,506,556 $173,295,480 739

ACTUAL NUMBERS

UNIVERSITIES STARTUP COMPANIES

YEAR USTAR INVESTMENT

UNIVERSITY EXTERNAL RESEARCH

FOLLOW-ON INVESTMENT SALES JOB CREATION

2015(baseline) $20,000,000 $29,415,000 $26,449,075 $5,755,000 51

2016(actual) $17,770,674 $21,477,973.83 $18,319,000 $4,339,000 52

2017(actual) $20,338,116 $28,325,406.73 $60,589,000 $4,938,000 128

As the catalyst for science- and

technology-based economic development

in the state of Utah, USTAR is pleased

to share this annual report. USTAR thanks

the citizens of Utah, the Governor, and

the Utah Legislature for their commitment

to the science and technology researchers,

entrepreneurs, and inventors in the state.

USTAR will continue to monitor the

progress and outcomes of the state’s

investment and report the results to

the people of Utah.

For more information on USTAR programs and resources, please visit ustar.org.

Documents

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