Blogs

FirstIgnite is supporting the commercialization of the University of Nevada’s new nanographene technology. The optical and electronic properties of this technology are tunable, the material is highly soluble, and the devices can be easily manufactured. The device’s size, shape, and functionalization can be controlled more effectively, and bulk quantities can be produced of soluble, narrow GNRs less than 10 nanometers wide due to a narrow band gap and flexible optics.

This technology is applicable to battery cathode/anode materials, organic photovoltaic (OPV), organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), organic field-effect transistors (OFET), and molecular electronics. The global battery materials market was valued at $50.28 billion in 2021 and is forecast to reach $82.3 billion by 2030.

The University of Nevada’s nanographene technology is ready for collaboration (licensing, partnerships, industry feedback, etc.). Is your company the right fit? If you’d be available for a conversation with the University of Nevada team, you can schedule a time directly on their team’s calendar here.

FirstIgnite is supporting the commercialization of the Idaho National Laboratory’s Awareness Estimator technology. This technology is a specialized device that has built-in software that can monitor the current state of a power system in real time and protect it from cyberattacks. In addition to producing a cyber-physical integrated analysis, this technology also provides independent system evaluations and responds quickly in the event of an attack.

This technology can be used in cybersecurity for identifying anomalous communication, and it has the ability to perform automated data analysis and provide information to operators for determining the root cause. As of 2020, the anomaly detection market size was $3.43 billion and is projected to reach $9.58 Billion by 2028.

Idaho National Laboratory’s Awareness Estimator technology is ready for collaboration (licensing, partnerships, industry feedback, etc.). Is your company the right fit? If you’d be available for a conversation with the Idaho National Laboratory team, you can schedule a time directly on their team’s calendar here.

Did you know that researchers at Carnegie Mellon University created one of the first self-driving cars? A team of researchers led by Dr. William “Red” Whittaker developed the groundbreaking technology that is revolutionizing the way we travel.

Prior to the development of autonomous cars, vehicles were only able to be operated manually. This typical method of driving a car has resulted in countless accidents due to human error. At Carnegie Mellon University, a team of researchers set out to create the technology necessary for a vehicle to navigate autonomously. In 1986, they developed Navlab 1, a self-driving vehicle that used radar and lidar sensors, along with computer vision algorithms to process sensor data. After this, the team at Carnegie Mellon went on to create more driverless vehicles, including the Navlab 5, which successfully completed a 3,100-mile cross-country trip. This technology paved the way for current self-driving cars by providing the foundation of the research and development that is needed to create a fully autonomous vehicle.

Today, the autonomous vehicle market is a rapidly growing industry. In 2021, the market size of self-driving vehicles was worth $4.43 billion and is expected to reach $1808.44 billion by 2030. This growth is due to the many advantages driverless vehicles offer, such as fewer accidents, reduced travel time, and decreases in harmful emissions. Furthermore, the expected number of driverless cars is also expected to rise due to growing demand. In 2019, there were 31.4 million autonomous cars, and is expected to increase to 54.2 million in 2024.

Innovation at universities is capable of changing the world. Keeping up with university innovation is crucial to your organization's competitiveness as it allows you to identify new technologies that can help to give you a competitive edge in the market. FirstIgnite can help your organization identify and partner with the specific universities, laboratories, and experts you need in order to discover the next groundbreaking innovation, like self-driving cars.

Logistics in the automotive industry refers to the process of acquiring, storing, and transporting automotive resources. Due to the emergence of logistics services and technological advancement, this field is growing rapidly. In 2021, the global automotive logistics market was worth $160.69 billion and is expected to increase to $264.68 billion by 2030.

Logistics plays a vital role in the manufacturing, transit, and purchase of automobiles while improving efficiency and lowering costs. Currently, the top automotive logistics companies include Ryder System ($9.7 billion dollar revenue as of 2021), Hellmann Worldwide Logistics ($2.7 billion dollar revenue as of 2021), and BLG Logistics ($1.2 billion dollar revenue as of 2021).

Additionally, increasing venture capital investments in startups are promoting growth in this sector. In 2022, Carpool Logistics, an automotive logistics startup, received $2 million from Atlanta Ventures.

Furthermore, technology advances such as IoT, big data analytics, and automation are expected to have a positive impact on the market in the near future. For example, using automotive IoT, devices are connected to the cloud and provide real-time data, enabling better optimization of the manufacturing process and better transportation management. 

Currently, there are over 2,500 automotive logistics companies receiving increased revenue each year. Connecting with them and forming innovation partnerships is crucial for your campus. FirstIgnite can help your university identify and partner with the automotive logistics companies you need to further your research and development.

Did you know that two Cornell University engineers invented the three-point seatbelt? Roger Griswold and Hugh DeHaven developed the life-saving device that is used in vehicles today.

Before the invention of the three-point seat belt, most cars did not have any type of safety device to protect drivers and passengers. However, some cars did have lap belts, or two-point belts, that did not have much protection and were not used often. In 1955, Griswold and DeHaven, two Cornell University engineers, sought a solution to keep people safe in their vehicles. At Cornell’s Aviation Safety and Research Facility, they developed the three-point seat belt, patented as the CIR-Griswold restraint, that went over a person’s lap and shoulder. This invention was then further developed by a Volvo engineer named Nils Bohlin in 1959. It was then that seat belts were put in more and more cars, a major step toward preventing fatalities. Today, it is required by law in the U.S. and many other countries to wear a seat belt.

By preventing drivers and passengers from being ejected during a crash, seatbelts have saved many lives since their implementation. It is estimated that seat belts saved 14,955 lives in 2017 alone. Currently, the automotive seat belt market continues to grow due to increasing vehicle production and demand for safety features. In 2020, the automotive airbags and seatbelts market size was worth $59.32 billion and is expected to grow to $142.24 billion by 2028.

Innovation at universities is capable of saving lives. Keeping up with university innovation is crucial to your organization’s competitiveness. FirstIgnite can help your organization identify and partner with the specific universities, laboratories, and experts you need in order to discover the next groundbreaking safety development, like the three-point seat belt.

Cloud computing is the use of the internet to deliver services such as data storage, servers, databases, networking, and software. The cloud computing market is rising as technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning are developed along with the growing use of digital technology. In 2021, the global cloud computing market was worth $380.25 billion and is expected to grow to $1,614.10 billion by 2030.

Cloud technology companies are crucial because cloud computing is utilized in various fields, including business, data storage, entertainment, management, and education. Currently, the top cloud computing companies include Amazon Web Services ($62.2 billion dollar revenue as of 2021), Microsoft Azure ($60 billion dollar revenue as of 2021), and Google Cloud Platform ($19 billion dollar revenue as of 2021).

Additionally, increasing venture capital investments will enable these companies to expand further. Venture capital funding into the cloud sector reached $50.3 billion in 2021, which is up from $15.3 billion in 2020.

Furthermore, cloud computing spending is expected to increase due to its many advantages, including cost savings, flexibility, and advanced security. In 2022, worldwide spending on cloud services was $490.3 billion. That number is expected to reach $591.8 billion in 2023. 

Cloud computing companies are receiving more revenue and funding today than ever before. Reaching out and connecting with them in order to form innovation partnerships is crucial for your campus. FirstIgnite can help your university identify and partner with the cloud computing companies you need to further your research and development.

Baylor University has partnered with FirstIgnite to find industry collaboration for their Molecular Biosciences Center. The center offers researchers access to real-time PCR, flow cytometry, confocal and fluorescence microscopy, BSL-1 and BSL-2 cell culture facilities, as well as a range of other equipment and instrumentation for various techniques. The MBC has a number of instruments available for use, including the QuantStudio 6, FACSVerse Flow Cytometer, and the FACSMelody Cell Sorter.The MBC’s mission is to enhance, expand, and encourage molecular bioscience research. Due to the research and development of technologies in the field of molecular biology, the market size is expected to increase. In 2021, the biotechnology market was worth $793.87 billion and is expected to grow to $1,683.52 billion by 2030.The MBC gives Baylor University a competitive advantage. Would your company like to be an affiliate? If you are interested in a conversation with the Baylor University team, you can schedule a time directly on their team’s calendar here:

FirstIgnite is supporting the commercialization of Florida International University’s new technology for aortic valve remodeling. With this technology, the FIU inventors are able to analyze heart sound recordings obtained for a digital stethoscope and compare them with stages of the aortic valve remodeling process. Furthermore, this tool detects microstructural and functional differences among the aortic valves of patients with bicuspid aortic valves or suffering from early CAVD.This technology detects and quantifies microstructural and functional differences in valve and cardiac disease. In 2021, the global cardiovascular devices market was worth $52.90 billion and is expected to increase to $92.51 billion by 2030.Florida International University’s new technology for aortic valve remodeling is ready for collaboration (licensing, partnerships, industry feedback, etc.). Is your company the right fit? If you’d be available for a conversation with the Florida International University team, you can schedule a time directly on their team’s calendar here.

Did you know that a University of Florida researcher invented Trusopt? Dr. Thomas H. Maren created the medication that changed the lives of those with glaucoma.The condition of glaucoma is caused by increased pressure in the eye, which can damage the optic nerve, resulting in vision loss if left untreated. Before the invention of Trusopt, there were no eye drops for glaucoma, only medications that were taken orally. These medications had harmful side effects and could lead to more invasive treatments like surgery. While working as a graduate research professor at the University of Florida, Dr. Maren developed a more effective and convenient way to treat this condition using eye drops. This was the first topical treatment for glaucoma and was called Dorzolamide. This medication was licensed to the pharmaceutical company Merck & Co. by the University of Florida in 1995 under the brand name Trusopt.

By reducing eye pressure and protecting the optic nerve, Trusopt preserved vision while preventing further damage. Currently, it is estimated that 3 million Americans have glaucoma, which makes medications like Trusopt especially important. In 2020, the glaucoma treatment market was worth $7.9 billion and is expected to reach $13.54 billion by 2028. Furthermore, as a result of Trusopt, the University of Florida received more than $250 million in royalties to be reinvested in new research.Innovation at universities is capable of changing the world for the better. Keeping up with university innovation is crucial to your organization’s competitiveness. FirstIgnite can help your organization identify and partner with the specific universities, laboratories, and experts you need in order to discover the breakthrough medication, like Trusopt.

The term "renewable energy" refers to energy that is produced from renewable natural resources, such as sun, wind, and water. In contrast to non-renewable sources of energy like fossil fuels, which will eventually run out, these sources are not depleted when they are used. The market for renewable energy is growing as more people become aware of the negative environmental impacts of fossil fuels and governments implement policies to promote the adoption of renewable energy sources. In 2021, the renewable energy market was worth $1030.95 billion and is expected to reach $1998.03 billion by 2030.

As we move towards a more sustainable energy system, companies are playing an essential role. Currently, the top renewable energy companies include ABB ($29 billion dollar revenue as of 2021), Xcel Energy ($13 billion dollar revenue as of 2021), and Acconia ($9 billion dollar revenue as of 2021).In addition, these companies are positioned for further expansion due to increasing venture capital investments. In the first half of 2021, $174 billion was invested in renewable energy projects and companies through public market financing, venture capital, and private equity commitments. In the first half of any year, this is the highest total ever recorded.Furthermore, governments have taken action in recent years to encourage the use of renewable energy. For example, the renewable fuel standard (RFS) program was established in the U.S. to decrease greenhouse gas emissions, expand the country's renewable fuels industry, and reduce dependence on imported oil.Today, there are over 15,000 renewable energy companies that are continuing to receive increased revenue and funding. It is important for your campus to establish innovation partnerships by reaching out and connecting with these companies. FirstIgnite can help your university identify and partner with the renewable energy companies you need to further your research and development.

Did you know that two Drexel University graduate students invented the barcode? The machine-readable code developed by Norman Woodland and Bernard Silver changed the way information is stored and accessed.

Prior to the invention of the barcode, the systems stores used to identify products were not as simple. Stores used a manual count for inventory and utilized punch cards to manage the stock. These methods were very time-consuming and could result in an error. It was in 1948 that the head of a local grocery store chain approached Drexel University in hopes of using the institution's engineering talent to develop a way to read product data during checkout. It was then that two engineering graduate students, Woodland and Silver, developed a system that used lines and spaces to encode information. This system was the barcode, and it made the process of keeping inventory and purchasing items much easier.

The patent for the barcode was issued to Woodland and Silver in 1949. However, due to limitations in scanning technology at the time, barcodes weren't used in stores until 1966. Today, barcodes are used in countless industries, such as retail, healthcare, grocery, and security applications.

Using barcodes reduces downtime, prevents incorrect deliveries and recalls, and provides control of tracking assets and quality information. The invention established a new category. As of 2021, the 2D barcode reader market was worth $7.03 billion and is expected to reach $11.06 billion by 2028.

University innovation has the ability to change the world. It is essential for your organization to stay on top of innovation being born out of universities. FirstIgnite can help your organization identify and partner with the specific universities, laboratories, and experts you need in order to discover the next revolutionizing innovation, like the barcode.

FirstIgnite is supporting the commercialization of Texas A&M University’s Agrilife Extension’s new technology for genetic transgene control. This technology is capable of using genetic strategies to control vector-borne diseases, invasive species, and unwanted species in plants. With this technology, genetic modifications in plant disease vectors can be made temporary for testing purposes, especially in controlling vector-borne diseases. Plus, genetically engineered plants could be programmed to eliminate the transgene from subsequent generations in effort to control downstream use of proprietary technology.As of 2021, the global gene editing market was worth $5.4 billion and is expected to reach $19.9 billion by 2028. The development of new genetic technologies like Texas A&M’s is contributing to major advances in this market.Texas A&M University’s technology for genetic transgene control is ready for collaboration (licensing, partnerships, industry feedback, etc.). Is your company the right fit? If you’d be available for a conversation with the Texas A&M University team, you can schedule a time directly on their team’s calendar here.