Discoveries & Innovations

Latest Inventions

Detection of Cancer in Epithelial Tissues

This invention detects and diagnoses cancers in epithelial tissues by examining both the optical and the mechanical changes of the tissue in response to applied forces. The invention combines optical coherence tomography (OCT) and acoustic radiation force to simultaneously image and mechanically displace tissue (on a single probe) in a patient. Acoustic radiation force from a piezoelectric transducer can be used to mechanically palpate tissues by pushing on them without physical contact. OCT imaging can then be used to image the displacements of the tissues to infer mechanical properties which may be indicative of cancerous and precancerous conditions. By combining OCT imaging and acoustic radiation force into a single probe, surgeons will have the capability of interrogating both mechanical and optical changes in tissue which may lead to earlier and more efficient detection of cancerous and precancerous conditions in epithelial tissue. Additional potential applications include the investigation of the mechanical properties of intra-arterial plaques. The inventor is Dr. Jason Zara of the Electrical & Computer Engineering Department in the School of Engineering and Applied Science.

For more information, contact Dr. Jason Zara at jzara@gwu.edu.

Maximizing Thermal Heat Usage through Solar Cell/Panel Concentrator Options

Traditional solar cells/panels convert only up to 40 percent of the sun’s thermal heat to solar energy. The remaining 60 percent of the sunlight is untapped as it relates to the production of solar energy. Dr. Stuart Licht, professor of chemistry in the Department of Chemistry in the Columbian College of Arts & Sciences, has invented a process that maximizes the use of the sun’s energy to form staple chemicals needed by society such as iron, bleach and aluminum, as well as to remove, convert and use greenhouse gas carbon dioxide to form energetic carbon-rich materials and hydrogen.

The novelty of the invention is that the unused solar energy is directed to a reaction chamber. By increasing the temperature of the reaction chamber (utilizing the unused solar energy), thus reducing the energy needed for the chemical conversion process, staple chemicals can be produced more efficiently and at lower cost than traditional processes (which use fossil fuels to produce staple chemicals). Because it eliminates fossil fuels in the chemical process, Dr. Licht’s invention is also environmentally friendly.

This process also reduces the need to cool solar cells/panels, as the deleterious heat generated from the solar cells is directed to the reaction chamber as well and is used as a secondary source of energy in the chemical conversion process.

For more information, contact Dr. Stuart Licht at slicht@gwu.edu.

CMOS SAW Chip (Biochemical Sensor with Temperature Control)

Dr. Onur Tigli and Dr. Mona Zaghloul, both of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, have developed a novel fabrication sequence which is completely compatible with CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) technology that enables the design and integration of SAW (Surface Acoustic Wave) devices (filters, sensors, etc.) with other electronic components (amplifiers, readout circuitry, etc.) as a single chip solution for communication devices. In addition to the promise of embedding SAW filters on CMOS communication chipsets, the inventors have also been able to embed on-chip heaters for temperature control with additional functionality. Last, the inventors have developed a unique circular SAW device by utilizing the novel fabrication sequence that provides better SAW performance and higher sensitivity levels than the traditional rectangular SAW interdigitated transducer (IDT) structures.

For more information, contact Dr. Mona Zaghloul: zaghloul@gwu.edu

Personalized Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders

Although autism spectrum disorders (ASD) appear to be the most genetically determined of all psychiatric disorders, there are no genes or other biomarkers that are diagnostic for ASD. In addition, little is known about ASD biology, thus impeding rational and effective therapy. Early diagnosis is critical to early behavioral and educational intervention, which in the absence of biology-based treatment strategies is the best treatment outcome for affected individuals.

Dr. Valerie Hu, professor of biochemistry and molecular biology, has developed a biomarker screen and biology-based therapeutics based on gene expression. This novel approach has been used to identify genes that differentiate cells derived from autistic and non-autistic individuals with an accuracy of about 90 percent or better. In addition, different gene signatures are associated with different subgroups of autistic individuals, such as those with severe language impairment, with milder forms of ASD such as Asperger’s Syndrome and with savant skills. This association of biological profiles with behavioral profiles is needed for development of therapies targeted to specific symptoms or subgroups of ASD.

For more information, contact Valerie Hu at bcmvwh@gwumc.edu.

Self Re-Calibration Devices for Chemical and Bio Analyte Trace Detectors

Research Professor of Engineering and Applied Science Dr. David Nagel’s invention describes a means of introducing a known number of molecules into a known amount of pneumatic fluid (air) for in situ qualitative and quantitative calibration of chemical, explosive and biochemical trace detectors. Three elements of the invention include:

1) A storage structure to store known amounts of specific chemicals for long periods of time. (For instance, if each storage location is smaller than a one millimeter and there are 400 locations, then the total storage array will be approximately one square inch or less).

2) A mechanism to release the stored chemicals quantitatively at desired times (the ability to produce a known concentration, molecules per volume of air for example, would depend on knowing how many molecules are released and the rate of airflow for the stream into which they are introduced; both of these quantities can be measured independently in tests of the components).

3) A volume measuring structure to determine the volume of air into which the known number of molecules is released.

The self-calibration device would allow detection sensors to be quantitatively calibrated at periodic intervals in an automated or manual fashion. Using micro-machining and related technologies, it is possible to make enough individual storage locations within the detection system that the sensor instrument need never be returned to the manufacturer or other site for recalibration.

The benefits of the self-calibration device are: 1) the amount of measureand needed for the calibration would be very small, and 2) the measureand would be contained inside the detection instrument in microwells and would not come in direct contact with personnel using the detector, thus increasing the safety of a self-calibrating sensor.

For more information, contact Dr. David Nagel at nagel@gwu.edu.