{"id":183145,"date":"2023-09-10T08:00:22","date_gmt":"2023-09-10T18:00:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=183145"},"modified":"2023-09-25T15:15:46","modified_gmt":"2023-09-26T01:15:46","slug":"inaugural-patents-2-products-program","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2023\/09\/10\/inaugural-patents-2-products-program\/","title":{"rendered":"Date-rape drug detector ring, other cutting-edge projects at new innovation program"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 3<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
\"ring
UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa postdoctoral researcher Kaylee Clark is developing a ring that can detect the presence of date rape drugs.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A wearable ring that detects date rape drugs and desalination technology that uses solar thermal conversion to convert seawater into fresh water are just two of the innovative projects that are being developed through an inaugural University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> fellowship program.<\/p>\n

\"person
Kaylee Clark<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Launched and managed by the UH<\/abbr> Office of Innovation and Commercialization<\/a> (OIC<\/abbr>), Patents2Products<\/a> is a new and unique program to develop the next generation of technology innovators from within UH<\/abbr>\u2019s ranks of PhD<\/abbr> candidates and postdoctoral researchers. The systemwide program is part of a $2.4-million grant from the Office of Naval Research<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Through the one-year program, Patents2Products Fellows will receive intellectual property training, technology transfer guidance and industry mentorship to translate innovative ideas into meaningful commercialization opportunities. This program takes what students have learned and researched during their time at UH<\/abbr> to make meaningful impacts on the lives of people in many everyday situations.<\/p>\n

Utilizing the National Science Foundation I-Corps™ Desert and Pacific Region Hub<\/a> regional training program, fellows will assess the commercial landscape and leverage the Lean Startup methodology as a development tool for technology maturation, participate in professional development workshops, and engage in networking opportunities to seek future funding and cross-functional collaborations for continued venture development. Each fellow will receive salary compensation, a stipend for research supplies, and have access to state-of-the art facilities and specialized equipment.<\/p>\n

“The Patents2Products program is the first-of-its-kind in the State of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> and is designed to mature the readiness level of UH<\/abbr>-developed, impact-driven technologies in the blue economy and healthcare sectors,” said Steven Auerbach, interim director of OIC<\/abbr>. “The program provides in-depth innovation and entrepreneurship training and experience to help develop the next generation of scientists and technologists to translate their world-class research into impactful, commercial products or services that can improve our everyday lives.”<\/p>\n

The inaugural cohort of Patents2Products Fellows and their projects include:<\/p>\n

\"person
Example of the body composition assessment technology<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n