A searchable showcase of Penn State’s top emerging technologies available for licensing


3D Printing Geopolymer Structures Having a Lower Ecological Footprint
ID# 2017-4699
The conventional geopolymer is produced through a chemical reaction between high alkaline solution (sodium silicate solution) and aluminosilicate precursor (fly ash or metakaolin). The disclosed invention, MarsCrete, has been designed to be activated just with water without the...
The conventional geopolymer is produced through a chemical reaction between high alkaline solution (sodium silicate…
Building & Construction Techs, Chemistry & Materials, Engineering & Materials, Transportation Technologies

A Biomimetic 2D Transistor for Audiomorphic Computing
ID# 2019-4934
This technology is a biomimetic audiomorphic device that captures the neurobiological architecture and computational map inside the auditory cortex of the barn owl, which is known for its exceptional hunting ability in complete darkness using auditory cues. The device consists...
This technology is a biomimetic audiomorphic device that captures the neurobiological architecture and computational map…
Artificial Int. & Machine Learning, Energy & Environment, Energy Saving IT and Processes, Engineering & Materials, IT & EdTech, Other Engineering Technology, Semiconductor & Electronics

A genetically modified, drought tolerant plant with higher seed yield
ID# 2012-3949
The Penn State inventors have identified a gene and/or protein, which, when rendered inactive, results in rice having higher seed production and yield under drought conditions. The Penn State researchers identified this phenotype in a publicly available rice cultivar, known to...
The Penn State inventors have identified a gene and/or protein, which, when rendered inactive, results…
Crop Improvement & Management, Energy & Environment, Food & Agriculture, Food & Nutrition, Other Energy & Environment

A Method to Enhance Skin Immune Response Against Infection
ID# 2013-4037
Using a proprietary genetically modified mouse model, a group of Penn State researchers identified a critical chemokine that regulates the skin’s immune homeostasis. Using various inflammation models, the researchers demonstrated that inactivating this regulator increases...
Using a proprietary genetically modified mouse model, a group of Penn State researchers identified a…
Medical Sciences, Therapeutics

A Novel Broad-Spectrum Viral Inhibitor
ID# 2017-4657
Viral infections continue to represent major challenges to public health, and an enhanced mechanistic understanding of the processes that contribute to the viral life cycle is necessary for the development of new therapeutic strategies. Inventors at the Albert Einstein College...
Viral infections continue to represent major challenges to public health, and an enhanced mechanistic understanding…
Medical Sciences, Therapeutics

A Novel Reverse Transcriptase Enzyme
ID# 2016-4464
An RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) was developed comprising RT activity for use in producing cDNA from double stranded RNA (dsRNA). The RdRp, which originated from PCV1 virus, contains a domain that is similar to a domain found in RT enzymes. The RdRp functions as a RT...
An RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) was developed comprising RT activity for use in producing…
Engineering & Materials, Medical Diagnostics, Medical Sciences, Research Tools & Devices

A Plasma Protein Diagnostic of Alcohol Consumption and Alcohol Abuse
ID# 2008-3488
Alcohol abuse exacts a tremendous cost on society. Over $170 billion is lost each year to the effects of excess drinking. The clinical treatment community lacks a reliable test to monitor at-risk populations such as the recovering alcoholics, pregnant women, and critical members...
Alcohol abuse exacts a tremendous cost on society. Over $170 billion is lost each year…
Medical Diagnostics, Medical Sciences

Active Fog Harvesting Surface
ID# 2016-4557
The invention covers the design and fabrication of a surface that can switch rapidly from the superhydrophobic and slippery states. An array of magnetically responsive hierarchical polymeric micropillars are controlled by the direction of external magnetic fields. In the...
The invention covers the design and fabrication of a surface that can switch rapidly from…
Advanced Manufacturing (e.g. additive), Chemistry & Materials, Crop Improvement & Management, Energy & Environment, Engineering & Materials, Food & Agriculture, Other Energy & Environment

Active Noise Isolation for Tunneling Applications (ANITA)
ID# 2017-4632
The present invention, ANITA, includes a method of removing vibration driven noise from a signal in scanning probe microscopes (SPMs). ANITA allows for a SPM itself to remove vibration driven noise by using the signal from an accelerometer to measure the vibration driven noise...
The present invention, ANITA, includes a method of removing vibration driven noise from a signal…
Engineering & Materials, Medical IT, Medical Sciences, Research Tools & Devices

Adult Head Sized Coil-based Low-Field MRI
ID# 2017-4620
The present invention includes a shielding system for an ultra-low field pre-pulse magnetic resonance imaging (PMRI) system that can provide images that distinguish the brain from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The invention can be assembled by hand using routine materials and...
The present invention includes a shielding system for an ultra-low field pre-pulse magnetic resonance imaging…
Medical Devices, Medical Sciences

AI-PLAX: AI-based Placenta Assessment and Examination
ID# 2019-4905
The placenta is a complex organ with many critical roles during pregnancy. Generally, placentas are examined post-birth by the attending physician or midwife in a brief inspection that can be less than a minute. Placentas are sent for pathological exam only when it is considered...
The placenta is a complex organ with many critical roles during pregnancy. Generally, placentas are…
Medical IT, Medical Sciences

Alternative Cathodes for Microbial Fuel Cells
ID# 2008-3517
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) and microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) are used in the production of hydrogen and electricity respectively. The proposed invention consists of designs for cathodes in MFCs and MECs that provide quality performance for these systems using lower-cost...
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) and microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) are used in the production of…
Energy & Environment, Energy Devices (e.g. batteries)

Aluminum Alloys for Additive Manufacturing
ID# 2016-0918
The present invention pertains to an aluminum alloy that is applicable for additive manufacturing. While the alloy is comprised primarily of aluminum, the alloy also contains traces of copper, silver, magnesium, titanium and/or zirconium. These metals aid in providing the alloy...
The present invention pertains to an aluminum alloy that is applicable for additive manufacturing. While…
Advanced Manufacturing (e.g. additive), Chemistry & Materials, Engineering & Materials

Aluminum-Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes
ID# 2012-4010
Nanostructures have become attractive additives to aluminum due to their unique properties. The technology uses carbon nanotube hybrid as reinforcement in the aluminum. This hybrid allows for an enhanced electrical conductivity, enhanced mechanical properties, enhanced thermal...
Nanostructures have become attractive additives to aluminum due to their unique properties. The technology uses…
Chemistry & Materials, Engineering & Materials, Semiconductor & Electronics

An Organic Solvent Method for Preparing Biomimetic Membranes
ID# 2018-4768
A group of Penn State researchers developed a biomimetic channel-based membrane fabrication process using pore-forming membrane proteins packed in block copolymers. The resulting membranes are micron-sized 2D sheets, which can be assembled using layer-by-layer depositions into...
A group of Penn State researchers developed a biomimetic channel-based membrane fabrication process using pore-forming…
Engineering & Materials, Other Engineering Technology

An Ultra-Low Power Biomimetic Collision Detector
ID# 2020-5048
This technology is an ultra-low power collision detector inspired from the collision detection neuron inside a locust called the Lobula Giant Movement Detector (LGMD). The device consists of a monolayer MoS2 photodetector stacked on top of a non-volatile and programmable...
This technology is an ultra-low power collision detector inspired from the collision detection neuron inside…
Chemistry & Materials, Energy & Environment, Energy Saving IT and Processes, Engineering & Materials, Semiconductor & Electronics, Transportation Technologies

Animal Manure Treatment System
ID# 2014-4193
The invention comprises a three-step process for treating high-P fluid involving 1) providing a high P containing stream; 2) chemically treating the high P stream such that a majority of dissolved P in the stream is transformed into a solid form via sorption of P onto particles...
The invention comprises a three-step process for treating high-P fluid involving 1) providing a high…
Ag Equipment & Devices, Animal Health & Management, Crop Improvement & Management, Energy & Environment, Food & Agriculture, Other Energy & Environment

Anti-Fouling & Eco-Friendly Slippery Surface Coating for Cleaning and
ID# 2016-4510
We have developed a sprayable environmentally-friendly coating called the liquid-entrenched smooth surface (LESS). It’s demonstrated excellent anti-fouling properties function against urine, feces and bacterial biofilms, which leads to enhanced cleaning efficiency of surfaces....
We have developed a sprayable environmentally-friendly coating called the liquid-entrenched smooth surface (LESS). It’s demonstrated…
Energy & Environment, Other Energy & Environment