Hardware & Instrumentation

Two ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� scientists win prestigious honor

Daniel Corbin Leonard — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 20:36:26 +0000

Two ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� scientists win prestigious honor Daniel Corbin … Thu, 03/27/2025 - 14:36

��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� College of Arts & Sciences—Ivan Smalyukh, professor of physics, and Thomas Blumenthal, professor emeritus of molecular, cellular and developmental biology (MCDB), are among the 471 scientists, engineers and innovators who have been recognized for scientifically and socially distinguished achievements by the world’s largest general scientific society and publisher of the Science family of journals, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

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Xiao earns prestigious membership in the National Academy of Inventors

Daniel Corbin Leonard — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 17:53:04 +0000

Xiao earns prestigious membership in the National Academy of Inventors Daniel Corbin … Wed, 03/12/2025 - 11:53

��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� College of Engineering and Applied Science—Jianliang Xiao is a “mechanics of materials” expert launching innovations in soft materials and flexible electronics. His work recently earned him an exclusive spot amongst some of the most successful academic inventors in the world.

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Local tech startup ExoPower aims to power commercial robots

Daniel Corbin Leonard — Sat, 11 Jan 2025 22:02:59 +0000

Local tech startup ExoPower aims to power commercial robots Daniel Corbin … Sat, 01/11/2025 - 15:02

The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel—Brandon Regensburger, founder and CEO of ExoPower, a ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� startup, is developing a technology that can wirelessly charge robots as they move and work. He has set up shop in the Grand Junction Business Incubator Center, where he continues developing technology he has worked on for years as a graduate student at ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� and Cornell University.

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Venture Partners annual report highlights a record year for innovation

Daniel Corbin Leonard — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 13:06:32 +0000

Venture Partners annual report highlights a record year for innovation Daniel Corbin … Thu, 01/09/2025 - 06:06

FY 2023-24 was another tremendous year for innovation and entrepreneurship at the CU. University researchers, inventors and creators began working with Venture Partners at ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� to advance 144 breakthrough innovations, and 36 CU startups were launched through Venture Partners based on campus discoveries.

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Mallinda launches Vitrimax VHM resin for complete composites recyclability

Daniel Corbin Leonard — Fri, 03 Jan 2025 19:03:03 +0000

Mallinda launches Vitrimax VHM resin for complete composites recyclability Daniel Corbin … Fri, 01/03/2025 - 12:03

Composites World—Mallinda Inc., a ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� spinout and global developer of vitrimer resin systems, announces the commercial launch of Vitrimax versatile hot melt (VHM) resin, a vitrimer-based composite resin system. According to the company, this technology combines the optimal mechanical properties of thermosets with the processing flexibility of thermoplastics, while enabling economic recyclability and reuse for high-performance composites.

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Building a safer and more affordable nuclear clock

Daniel Corbin Leonard — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 19:43:12 +0000

Building a safer and more affordable nuclear clock Daniel Corbin … Wed, 12/18/2024 - 12:43

EurekAlert!—Reported recently in a new study published in Nature, a team of researchers, led by JILA and NIST Fellow and University of Colorado Boulder Physics professor Jun Ye, in collaboration with Professor Eric Hudson’s team at UCLA’s Department of Physics and Astronomy, have found a way to make nuclear clocks a thousand times less radioactive and more cost-effective, thanks to a method creating thin films of thorium tetrafluoride.

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Semiconductor startup Ayar Labs raises $155M at $1B valuation

Daniel Corbin Leonard — Thu, 12 Dec 2024 20:23:02 +0000

Semiconductor startup Ayar Labs raises $155M at $1B valuation Daniel Corbin … Thu, 12/12/2024 - 13:23

Yahoo Finance—Ayar Labs, a semiconductor startup based in San Jose and spun out of ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ��, has raised $155 million in new funding to accelerate the development of its optical I/O technology.

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Sionic Energy uses advanced material to fully displace graphite for a fully silicon battery with increased energy density

Daniel Corbin Leonard — Tue, 10 Dec 2024 19:59:44 +0000

Sionic Energy uses advanced material to fully displace graphite for a fully silicon battery with increased energy density Daniel Corbin … Tue, 12/10/2024 - 12:59

PR Newswire—Sionic Energy, a ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� spinout and a recognized leader in electrolyte and silicon battery technology for next-generation lithium-ion batteries, announced that the world's lithium-ion battery producers no longer have to rely on graphite. Designed for seamless integration into existing lithium-ion battery manufacturing processes, Sionic's Silicon Battery Platform maximizes silicon material performance with regard to energy density, extended cycle life, and rapid charge rates.

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AI ambition is pushing copper to its breaking point

Daniel Corbin Leonard — Thu, 28 Nov 2024 17:43:20 +0000

AI ambition is pushing copper to its breaking point Daniel Corbin … Thu, 11/28/2024 - 10:43

The Register—Ayar Labs, a ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� spinout, contends silicon photonics will be key to scaling beyond the rack and taming the heat of increasing AI model demands. Many photonics startups are looking to overcome the limitations of copper interconnects and improve the efficiency of optical I/O, but Ayar is among the first.

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$1.25M awarded to University of Colorado innovators to advance their discoveries

Daniel Corbin Leonard — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 21:10:46 +0000

$1.25M awarded to University of Colorado innovators to advance their discoveries Daniel Corbin … Mon, 10/28/2024 - 15:10

Daniel Leonard

Fourteen teams of University of Colorado faculty, researchers and graduate student innovators competed for a combined $1.25 million in startup funding grants in this year’s Lab Venture Challenge (LVC). Judges from ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� entrepreneurial network heard Shark-Tank-style pitches across two nights, one for innovations in biosciences and another for physical sciences and engineering.

Interested in the 2025 LVC?

LVC supports CU projects that address a commercial need, have a clear path to a compelling market and have strong scientific support.

Learn More

Through LVC, top innovators from ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ��, Denver and Colorado Springs compete for grants of up to $125,000. LVC supports projects that address a commercial need, have a clear path to a compelling market and have strong scientific support. The LVC grants are funded by the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) Advanced Industries Program, as well as Venture Partners at ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� and the Chancellor’s Innovation Fund. Ten awards were granted this year for a total of $1,250,000.

This culminating event for these groundbreaking teams showcased the university’s initiative to support innovators from discovery to economic success. LVC is run by Venture Partners at ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ��, the university’s commercialization arm and central resource for researchers who wish to translate their work into impactful business and social ventures. As part of the LVC program, all the competitors worked with Venture Partners to protect their innovations and practice their funding pitches for business audiences. LVC awardees will continue to work and collaborate with Venture Partners on their path to commercialization.

“At this early stage, funding is essential, but can be a challenge to obtain,“ said Joshua Bennett, director of LVC and senior licensing manager at Venture Partners. “All of these teams have promising innovations ready to launch new businesses. LVC is a unique opportunity for those innovators to receive that vital funding, and we’re proud to work with the State of Colorado to make it happen..”

To date, LVC has funded over 117 projects through 64 new deep-tech startup companies; collectively, these companies have raised over $349 million in follow-on financing.

Applications for the next LVC will open in July 2025.

This year’s LVC was additionally made possible by Berg Hill Greenleaf Ruscitti LLP, Wilson Sonsini, Cooley and Cozen O'Connor.

2024 Physical Sciences $125,000 Winners

Winners of the physical sciences competition from left to right: Gerry Conroy, Gregor P. Henze and Galen Williams of WHISPER Energy; Joshua Bennett, director of the Lab Venture Challenge (LVC); Roberta Leão of EcoValeric Innovations; Anthony Straub, Kian Lopez of OsmoPure Technologies; Gregory Whiting, Taylor Sharpe of Tierra Metrics; Thomas R. Schibli of Mode-Locked Laser Technology. Photo: Keanan Wilson.

EcoValeric Innovations

EcoValeric's invention is an electrochemical process that converts biomass-based levulinic acid into 4-hydroxyvaleric acid (HVA), a versatile intermediate for producing biodegradable plastics, biofuels and green solvents. This scalable, renewable process reduces reliance on fossil fuels while enhancing sustainability. Visit EcoValeric's website

Roberta Leão (��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Embark EIR): CEO, LVC Pitch Presenter
Adam Holewinski (��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Chemical and Biological Engineering): PI
Will Lucas: CTO

Mode-Locked Laser Technology

This groundbreaking mode-locked laser technology overcomes the limitations of existing systems and is suitable for harsh environments. These systems excel in applications that require the best phase noise performance in a small and efficient device. Applications include PNT and RF instrumentation.

Thomas R. Schibli (��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Physics): PI, LVC Pitch Presenter
Chris Singer (Alum: ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Business): Business Development
Christopher B. Oei: Product Design, Advanced Manufacturing

OsmoPure Technologies

OsmoPure is introducing a membrane for ultrapure water production tailored to the stringent demands of electronics, aerospace and green hydrogen sectors. The technology uses distillation driven by pressure, rather than heat, to produce high-purity product water with ten times higher energy efficiency. Visit the OsmoPure website

Kian Lopez (PhD student, ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Chemical and Biological Engineering): CEO, LVC Pitch Presenter
Anthony Straub (��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering): Principal Investigator (PI)
Nadia Jorgenson (PhD candidate, ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering): Director of R&D

WHISPER Energy

WHISPER Energy is a wireless, battery-free sensor platform for smart buildings. It uses machine learning to cut energy consumption by 30%+, providing real-time data to optimize energy use and reduce emissions. Developed with a $2 million ARPA-E grant, it advances zero emissions economically and efficiently. Visit the WHISPER website

Galen Williams (��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� 2023 Embark EIR): Co-Founder and CEO
Gregor P. Henze (��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, RASEI): PI and Co-Founder
Gerry Conroy: Technical Lead and Advisor

Tierra Metrics

Tierra Metrics' novel high-spatial density sensor innovation will enable real-time characterization of the soil nitrogen cycle which will help growers, land managers and others to improve efficiency and profitability, as well as improve soil health and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. Visit the Tierra Metrics website

Gregory Whiting (��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Paul M. Rady Mechanical Engineering): PI, LVC Pitch Presenter
Taylor Sharpe (��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Paul M. Rady Mechanical Engineering) Chief Engineer
Whendee Silver: Co-Founder
Ana Claudia Arias: Co-Founder

2024 Biosciences $125,000 Winners

Winners of the biosciences competition from left to right: Emmalee Biesiada of Sterio3; Eva Yao of Flari Tech; Tanya Warnecke of Codebreaker; Jesse M. Sheppard of IntraLumenus; Makenna Morck, Alec Santiago, Michael Stowell of Kitsune Bio. Photo: Keanan Wilson.

Codebreaker

Codebreaker is building a platform for generating variant genomes at scale in an AI framework that drives variant genome design and machine learning to generate significance maps broadly across human disease and drug response.

Ryan Layer (BioFrontiers Institute: PI, LVC Pitch Presenter
Ryan T. GIll: CEO
Tanya Warnecke: CTO
Jordan Abbott: KOL-Collaborator

Flari Tech

Flari Tech is building a laser-based breathalyzer to detect lung cancer noninvasively and rapidly with high sensitivity. Powered by CU's Nobel Prize-winning optical frequency comb, it would empower healthcare providers, patients and researchers in lung cancer prevention, treatment and monitoring. Read more about Flari

Eva Yao (��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� 2023 Embark EIR): CEO, LVC Pitch Presenter
Jun Ye (��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Physics, JILA): PI
Qizhong Liang (PhD candidate, ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Physics, JILA): Technical Lead
Apoorva Bisht (PhD student, ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Physics, JILA): Research Assistant

Kitsune Bio

Kitsune Bio enhances the structural adaptability of cyclic peptides, improving their ability to bind, inhibit and access challenging intracellular targets. This unique platform unlocks new opportunities for treating complex diseases and improving patient outcomes.

Makenna Morck (��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Embark EIR): CEO, LVC Pitch Presenter
Alec Santiago (��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Embark EIR): COO, LVC Pitch Presenter
Michael Stowell (��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology): PI

IntraLumenus

Let’s never cut open a patient again. IntraLumenus is a treaded robotic capsule endoscope that travels through the colon under its own power, provides localization and mapping, and dual channel tool access, enabling colorectal procedures to be performed intraluminally, or from within the colon.

Jesse M. Sheppard (��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Embark EIR): CEO, LVC Pitch Presenter
Mark Rentschler (��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Paul M. Rady Mechanical Engineering): PI

SteriO3

Peroxide Enhanced Germicidal Irradiation (PEGI) provides rapid, low-resource sterilization of microbial contaminants. With adaptable configuration capabilities, PEGI will be engineered into compact, portable units for low-temperature sterilization of surgical equipment, including 3D-printed implants. Visit the SteriO3 website

Emmalee Biesiada (��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering): Principal Investigator (PI), LVC Pitch Presenter
Steve Hughes: CEO
Mark Hernandez (��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering): Chief Scientific and Project Advisor

Vesicle Therapeutics

The Vesicle team is developing a proprietary STAT3 isoform-selective antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) using novel thiomorpholino chemistry (TMO) for the treatment of head and neck cancer is the sixth most common cancer type, with a low survival rate due to poor responsiveness to treatments.

Xuedong Liu (��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Biochemistry): PI, LVC Pitch Presenter
Donna Peak: CEO
Curtis Woodard: COO
Gan Zhang: CTO
Marvin H. Caruthers (��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Biochemistry): Collaborator

Fourteen teams of University of Colorado faculty, researchers and graduate student innovators competed for a combined $1.25 million in startup funding grants in this year’s Lab Venture Challenge (LVC).

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Hardware & Instrumentation

Two ���Ҵ�ý�ƽ������ scientists win prestigious honor

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Xiao earns prestigious membership in the National Academy of Inventors

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Local tech startup ExoPower aims to power commercial robots

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Venture Partners annual report highlights a record year for innovation

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Mallinda launches Vitrimax VHM resin for complete composites recyclability

Off

Building a safer and more affordable nuclear clock

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Semiconductor startup Ayar Labs raises $155M at $1B valuation

Off

Sionic Energy uses advanced material to fully displace graphite for a fully silicon battery with increased energy density

Off

AI ambition is pushing copper to its breaking point

Off

$1.25M awarded to University of Colorado innovators to advance their discoveries

2024 Physical Sciences $125,000 Winners

EcoValeric Innovations

Mode-Locked Laser Technology

OsmoPure Technologies

WHISPER Energy

Tierra Metrics

2024 Biosciences $125,000 Winners

Codebreaker

Flari Tech

Kitsune Bio

IntraLumenus

SteriO3

Vesicle Therapeutics

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Two ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� scientists win prestigious honor