Date: Sep 03, 2014 Source: State Website (
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Fifteen Applied Research applications chosen from a field of 39 were awarded $3,546,670 August 19 by the governing board of the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST).
Rankings were determined by independent peer review and 28 of the 39 proposals were approved for funding consideration representing a total request from applicants for $9.5 million. Due to funding limitations, only the first 15 were accepted for contract by OCAST.
Oklahoma research teams will use the funds to conduct research and development for a period up to three years. A typical award is $300,000 for three years; however, awards can vary in both time and funding amounts.
Proximity to commercialization and good science are the primary standards used to choose the top applicants which represent a long-term effort by the state of Oklahoma to encourage technology-based economic development. OCAST administers funds through the Oklahoma Applied Research Support (OARS) program.
Funded projects include, but are not limited to, supporting diagnostic and therapeutic biotechnology, electronic instrumentation/sensors and control systems, construction materials, energy resources, intelligent controls and sedimentary geology and mineralogy.
Successful applicants include the following:
Oklahoma City
Diagnostic and Therapeutic Biotechnology
Robert Broyles, principal investigator, EpimedX, "A Novel Treatment for Sickle-Cell Disease: Dosing Strategy for Maximum Efficacy" -- The Centers for Disease Control and World Health Organization have declared Sickle Cell Disease a public health priority. The goal of this proposal is to test for activation of the gamma-globin gene which can be used as a continual low-dose application for treatment of Sickle Cell Disease. Match Source: Private Angel investment, a Phase I SBIR proposal to the National Institutes of Health - $80,935
Norman
Electronic Instrumentation/Sensors and Control Systems
Yan Zhang, principal investigator, University of Oklahoma, "Multifunctional Airborne Sense and Avoid Radar Development" -- A redesigned mission processor is proposed to interface with commercial X-band airborne radar to improve the function of existing radar technology. The technology will have both military and civilian applications. Match Source: Garmin International - $90,000
Stillwater
Building/Construction Materials
Saravan Kumar Shanmugavelayudam, principal investigator, MaxQ Research LLC, "Development of Novel, Compartmentalized Vacuum Insulation Composites for Structural Applications" -- MaxQ plans to develop highly insulating, high strength structural materials to be used in both residential and commercial buildings. Match Source: MaxQ, a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research award from the National Science Foundation, SBIR awards from NCIIA and seed investment from a business accelerator - $200,000
Norman
Energy Resources/Petroleum
Zhisheng Shi, principal investigator, University of Oklahoma, "Quantum Dot Solar Cells Fabricated by Industrially Viable Process" -- The proposal will attempt to develop a low-cost semiconductor quantum dots solar cell with a newly developed wet-chemical method. Match Source: Nanolight Inc. - $90,000
Stillwater
Intelligent Controls
Aravind Seshadri, principal investigator, Roll-2-Roll Technologies LLC, "Design and Development of Next Generation Lateral Guide for Roll-to-Roll Manufacturing" -- The research will attempt development of an electro-mechanical device called a lateral guide that will improve yield in roll-to-roll manufacturing. The product will reduce downtime, setup time and material waste. Match Source: Roll-to-Roll Technologies LLC from raised investment capital - $299,966
Norman
Diagnostic and Therapeutic Biotechnology
Sean Bauman, principal investigator, Immuno-Mycologics Inc., "Phage Display Approach to Develop an Antigen Immunoassay for Diagnosis of Tuberculosis" -- According to the World Health Association, 1.4 million people died of tuberculosis in 2011 alone. The goal is to develop a rapid and sensitive diagnostic test that is an improvement from current diagnostics. Match Source: National Institutes of Health technology transfer grant - $298,760
Oklahoma City
Richard Kopke, principal investigator, Hough Ear Institute, "Novel Therapeutic Treatment for Tinnitus, Hyperacusis and Brain Injury" -- This project seeks to prove the hypothesis that systemic treatment with a specific pharmaceutical soon after a blast-induced injury can substantially reduce hearing loss and other factors. Match Source: Hough Ear Institute and Otologic Pharmaceuticals - $300,000
Oklahoma City
Energy Resources, Petroleum
Christopher Sutton, principal investigator, SnapLab Technologies, "Autonomous Handling and Analysis of Heterogeneous-Phase Media" -- The researcher through SnapLab Technologies will collect, prepare, analyze and record lithology and hydrocarbon content for the oil and gas industries. The effort will support real-time reporting of critical information during the drilling process. Match Source: SnapLab Technologies LLC - $300,000
Ardmore
Sedimentary Geology and Mineralogy
Khalid Hossain, principal investigator, "R&D of a Unique Analytical Facility in Support of Shale Exploration" -- The use of ion beam analysis will provide an environmentally friendly and economical way to extract oil and natural gas from shale plays. Match Source: Amethyst's pending U.S. Army contract and Cerium Laboratories - $299,996
Ardmore
Semiconductors
Lucas Phinney, principal investigator, "Heterostructure Silicon Solar Cells Based on Group IV Colloidal Quantum Dots" -- This project is designed to improve the capacity of solar collectors to harness more energy from the sun. Match Source: Amethyst will use funds from a Phase II SBIR project to match the project - $299,417
Stillwater
Other Advanced Materials
Nirmal Govindaraju, principal investigator, Oklahoma State University, "Nanodiamond for Biological Imaging Applications" -- Development of an inert, thermally and optically stable material is critical for optical biological imaging. It is estimated the U.S. market for fluorescent microscopy reagents is $1 billion. Benefits would be to applications for human and animal cells. Match Source: Helmerich Research Center - $90,000
Oklahoma City
Biotechnology
Jay Martin, principal investigator, Martin Bionics Innovations, "Compliant Force Distribution Modular Socket Interface for Prosthetics and Orthotics" -- Martin Bionics Innovations LLC in concert with NASA will integrate a specially designed three-dimensional mesh to develop a line of fabric-based orthotics and prosthetics. Benefits go to more comfortable and functional devices for amputees or orthotics users. Match Source: Martin Bionics Innovations LLC - $300,000
Oklahoma City
Diagnostic and Therapeutic Biotechnology
Scott Rollins, principal investigator, Selexys Pharmaceuticals Corporation, "A Novel Antibody Therapeutic Approach to Treat Multiple Myeloma" -- The objective is to advance the preclinical development of a humanized anti-PSGL-1 antibody called SelK2, for treatment of multiple myeloma, a cancer that affects 83,000 individuals in the U.S. Match Source: Selexys Pharmaceuticals Corporation from a $25 million Series A financing that closed in 2012 - $297,599
Norman
Analytical Instrumentation
Shaorong Liu, principal investigator, MicroChem Solutions, "Polymer Monolith-Based High-Pressure Electro Osmotic Micro Pump" -- The project will support miniaturization of biomedical testing machines on hand-held devices. In concert with the University of Oklahoma, the team has developed a pump with a flow rate adequate for most nanoflow HPLC systems. Match Source: MicroChem Solutions - $300,000
Stillwater
Energy Conversion
Daryoosh Vashaee, principal investigator, Oklahoma State University, "Development of High Efficiency Nanostructured Thermoelectric Generators for Industrial Waste Heat Recovery" -- The goal is to develop electrical generation through improved thermoelectric materials. Match Source: ARI and Marlow Industrials - $299,997
