Local universities use research to spark the economy
BYLINE: Nick Todaro
RUSTON — Last month, Louisiana Tech University start-up company Better Paper Technologies took second place at an international product competition for its "reFib" technology.
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ReFib, aimed at developing stronger and cheaper recycled paper, uses layer-by-layer nanoassembly. That technology is one of 286 active projects at Tech, northeastern Louisiana's most intensive research center.
The research capabilities of Tech, the University of Louisiana at Monroe and Grambling State University were cited as keys to economic development in a study released last month. That study said the universities could spark the economy by providing an "innovation corridor" across northern Louisiana.
"You never know which project is going to hit, for sure," said Tech Vice President for Research and Development Les Guice.
However, Guice sees possibilities for economic gain. Tech was issued four patents in 2006 and has applied for 11 already in 2007.
One possibility is the layer-by-layer nanoassembly process generated by Yuri Lvov in the Institute for Micromanufacturing.
"It's such an important tool," Guice said. "You'll see it being able to spin out multiple kinds of companies beyond what's already out there."
ReFib uses the layer-by-layer nanoassembly technology. Applying a thin coating to recycled fibers makes paper stronger, said Malcolm Prouty, Tech doctoral student and company co-founder. That coating allows the industry to use more recycled content in paper, saving cash.
"These coated, recycled fibers, when mixed with virgin fibers, form stronger interactions (between the fibers), allowing more recycled content to be added without reducing the strength of the final product," Prouty said.
The technique can be applied to pharmaceuticals and biotechnology applications like artificial blood cells, Guice said.
Also gaining attention is the use of nanoparticles in concrete, Guice said.
Tech professor Henry Cardenas developed a method of making concrete impermeable to water, as well as strengthening hardened concrete, Guice said.
Cardenas is being considered for a $1 billion partnership with the Department of Defense for ammunition-shelter hardening and bridge development for his work with concrete.
"It is one of the most common building materials around," Guice said. "And there's a great need for rehabilitation and restoration in structures made from concrete. Opportunities are just enormous there. Everybody who's looked at this has said, 'Wow, it's so simple and has such huge potential.'"
Other work with imminent economic potential is being done in detection microsystems, Guice said.
Tech IfM professor Chester Wilson's work in chemical and nuclear sensors and Frank Ji's project in developing sensors to test moisture levels in natural gas made headlines nationally, Guice said.
Guice said Tech start-up Network Foundation Technologies, a company working out of the Enterprise Center that employs 20, is doing well.
"Over the near term, NFT probably has the best shot to rise to being a successful company with an impact in north Louisiana," Guice said.
NFT technology involves rebroadcasting live video content over the Internet.
Like a pyramid, the technology expands video from one computer to more for rebroadcasting. That cuts the load for the original broadcaster, said company founder Mike O'Neal.
The company soon will have 30 employees. "They're clearly catching a lot of attention," Guice said.
{}Research centers
The bulk of Tech's technology and science research is conducted in four campus centers: the Center for Applied Physics Studies, the Center for Biomedical Engineering and Rehabilitation Science, the Trenchless Technology Center and the Institute for Micromanufacturing.
Work at CAPS focuses on collaborations with nation- and world-wide high-energy physics projects and the foundation of matter.
CAPS researchers are working on projects hosted at Jefferson Lab in Virginia and the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory near Chicago, said center director Neven Simicevic.
CyBERS does basic biomedical engineering research — understanding oxygen, glucose and other biochemicals and their roles in the brain — and physical rehabilitation research.
Stan Napper, dean of Tech's College of Engineering and Science, said the 22-year-old center traces its history back the biomedical engineering department's founding in 1972 by current Tech President Dan Reneau.
The TTC, directed by Ray Sterling, is tied to existing industry perhaps more than others at the university, Napper said.
The TTC's focus is technology for pipe maintenance without digging, an area of interest in the industrial sector, Sterling said.
Sterling said the average age of pipes in the U.S. is at least 50 years.
"We're living on borrowed time with a lot of that infrastructure," Sterling said. "Every city is facing the need to do work without having to tear up roads and congest traffic.
"People are looking to us as the technology leaders," Sterling said.
{}IfM growing fastest
With about 50 faculty members, the Institute for Micromanagement is the largest center on campus. Work is aided by 150 graduate and undergraduate student workers, Varahramyan said.
The center has tripled in faculty and student size since 2000 and funding has increased 20-fold in the same period, Varahramyan said. The IfM sees about $10 million in funding.
Current studies include exploration of hydrogen storage and production for alternative energy, making devices that harness the energy of vibrations for military and commercial applications and biology-oriented research involving tissue regeneration, Varahramyan said.
{}Plan for the future
Tech has designs on locating a research park somewhere in the Ruston area.
The university has contracted with a local firm to scout locations for the site, which will require about 50 acres. A Virginia firm has been hired to do space and feasibility studies.
The estimated $20-million park will include space for business incubation, and Guice said his goal is to have the park completed by 2009 and six companies working out of it within the first year.
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CENTER FOR BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING AND REHABILITATION SCIENCE
CENTER FOR BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING AND REHABILITATION SCIENCE
CENTER FOR BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING AND REHABILITATION SCIENCE
* Founded: 1985
* Director: Stan Napper
* Purpose: Focuses on basic biomedical engineering and rehabilitation research for the Louisiana Division of and Rehabilitation Services
* Staff: Eight faculty researchers
* Funding: Supported by about $700,000 annually in state funds.
INSTITUTE FOR MICROMANUFACTURING
TRENCHLESS TECHNOLOGY CENTER
CAPS FACTS
* Founded: 1991
* Director: Kody Varahramyan
* Purpose: Focus on interactive, interdisciplinary research in nano and microtechnology, including biotechnology, environmental technology and information technology.
* Staff: About 50 faculty and 150 students
* Funding: Supported by about $10 million annually in state and federal funds.
* Founded: 1989
* Director: Ray Sterling
* Purpose: Focuses on "see-ahead" technology for underground excavation and pipe utility work.
* Staff: Four core faculty researchers, and 12 who run projects through the center. About 20 graduate and five undergraduate students.
* Funding: Supported by about $160,000 in base funds from 40-member advisory board.
* Founded: 1997
* Director: Neven Simicevic
* Purpose: Focuses on high-energy physics research.
* Staff: Seven faculty and five graduate and undergraduate students.
* Funding: Supported by about $1.3 million annually from the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, U.S. Air Force and private funders.