From high-speed blood tests to virtual hugs, innovation infrastructures to insights
More than 30 Case Western Reserve University students, staff and alumni will showcase their inventions, startup ventures and entrepreneurial and innovation resources on a global stage: CES, produced by the Consumer Technology Association, in Las Vegas Jan. 6-9.
It marks Case Western Reserve’s third consecutive year exhibiting at the event—and largest representation yet. CES, which annually attracts more than 170,000 visitors from all over the world, introduces next-generation innovations to the marketplace.
During the international trade show, Case School of Engineering Dean Jeffrey Duerk will also present, “Beyond Academic Maker Spaces: Can Innovation Ecosystems Convert Makers to Producers?” His message: With university “maker” spaces designed to encourage experiential learning and entrepreneurial thinking gaining in popularity, their full impact will arise when connections to the broader innovation ecosystem, including production, are included.
As a key institution in Cleveland’s emergence as a rising startup city nationally, Case Western Reserve’s exhibit of 10 booths at CES (booth numbers 80623 to 80627 and 80723 to 80727; Tech West, Eureka Park, University Innovations) will display and demonstrate the following and more:
Apollo Medical Devices
Apollo Medical Devices is developing a rapid blood-testing technology than can return results in five minutes with just a single drop of blood. The portable analyzer can be used bedside or in the emergency room to speed diagnoses, decision-making and treatment. Punkaj Ahuja, Apollo’s founder and chief technology officer, is a PhD student in biomedical engineering. Learn more at apollomedicaldevices.com.
Parihug
Xyla Foxlin, a mechanical and aerospace engineering undergraduate, is building pairable teddy bears that can transmit a hug from parent to child or brother to sister, across town or across continents. When one bear is hugged, she said, a suite of squeezable analog sensors begins the process of sending a Wi-Fi message to the other bear—and that bear will vibrate, making a physical connection. Learn more at parihug.com.
EveryKey
EveryKey, a Bluetooth-enabled wristband or key ring accessory unlocks phone, laptop, tablet, home door, car door and other controlled-access devices when nearby. When the user walks away, the device locks down. If lost, the owner can remotely freeze the device. Christopher Wentz, founder and CEO, is a 2013 CWRU graduate. Several current students are among the company’s employees. Learn more at everykey.com/.
PrintSpace 3D
PrintSpace 3D manufactures and develops high-performance 3-D printers and custom 3-D printing applications using advanced materials. Known for sleek design, large print volume and more than 25 materials from which to select, PrintSpace 3D printers are used by laboratories and universities across the country. Founder Mark Jaster, a CWRU alumnus, has worked with NASA on 3-D printing in orbit. Learn more at printspace3d.com.
Intwine Connect
Intwine Connect, a “spin-in” based in the Cleveland suburb of Chagrin Falls, develops hardware, software and services that allow consumers and businesses to monitor and manage electronics, energy use and indoor air quality through their Internet-connected devices. President and CEO Dave Martin earned an MBA from the university’s Weatherhead School of Management. Learn more at intwineconnect.com.
Digital Doppler Display
Radhika Vazirani, an undergraduate student majoring in biomedical engineering, is developing the Digital Doppler Display, a display that attaches to implantable Doppler sensors used in hospitals to measure blood flow. The display would improve care by continuously, silently and objectively monitoring flow and sounding alarms when flow is disrupted. Ultimately, Vazirani plans to build a complete portable device doctors can use for remote monitoring.
Cleveland Health-Tech Corridor
Representatives of the City of Cleveland and the university will highlight partnerships, including the creation of the Cleveland Health-Tech Corridor and commercial 100 gigabit fiber network. The corridor includes more than 135 health technology and high-tech businesses, receiving hundreds of millions of dollars in research funding. Four startups were acquired by publicly traded companies in the last six months. Learn more at 100gigcle.org.
The Larry Sears and Sally Zlotnick Sears think[ box ]
The Larry Sears and Sally Zlotnick Sears think[ box ] has helped generate more than a dozen patented devices in three years. Faculty and staff leaders will discuss one of the largest university-based makerspaces in the world. Open free to the campus and public, the workshop for innovation and collaboration will expand to seven stories and 50,000 square feet of space for generating ideas to starting a business. Learn more about Sears think[ box ] at engineering.case.edu/thinkbox.
Many of the innovations were made possible through support of the Burton D. Morgan Foundation, CWRU LaunchNet and Case Western Reserve’s Technology Transfer Office.