Projects in Development

UConn R & D is pursuing the development of several projects based on technologies invented by UConn professors and faculty. These include:

Active Toy Technologies

Utilizing shape memory polymers (SMP) developed at the Institute of Materials Science, UConn R&D is partnering with a toy development company to develop action figures based on these new polymers. The project received $45,177 in prototype development funds.

Lambdagen

Dr. Robert Birge, Harold S. Schwenk Distinguished Professor of Biophysical Chemistry, is researching genetically engineered bacteriorhodopsin. Bacteriorhodopsin proteins generate an electrical pulse when photo-activated. The Birge Lab develops variants of the proteins and screens them to optimize their photochemical properties. The proteins are being used as the basis for an artificial retina. Dr. Birge has received $63,000 in funding from the Prototype Fund to develop prototype retinal implants for evaluation.

Contact UConn R & D for further information on these projects, or to inquire about other projects in development.