UChicagoTech

Professor Laurens Mets has demonstrated scientific proof of concept for a new technology that uses a biological catalyst to produce methane from water, CO2 emissions and electric power. Several promising applications include energy storage to improve wind farm efficiency and load-leveling for existing fossil fuel energy plants. UChicagoTech is modeling the economics of several applications to determine the threshold efficiency at which the process will be financially viable, and in parallel, external engineering resources are being sought to advise on the designs for scale-up. For more information please contact Sean Sheridan.

Barrett’s esophagus is a condition commonly found in people with gastroesophageal reflux disease in which the cells lining the esophagus are replaced with intestinal-type cells. Barrett's esophagus is estimated to affect about 1% of adults in the U.S. and the presence of Barrett’s esophagus substantially increases the risk of developing a deadly type of cancer of the esophagus. Esophageal cancer accounts for 10,000 to 11,000 deaths per year in the U.S. alone. Treatment outcomes could be substantially improved by early detection of esophageal cancer although at present no such diagnostic test is commercially available. However, Dr. Ralph Weichselbaum, Chairman of the Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, has identified a genetic test for assessing the risk of progression of Barrett’s esophagus to esophageal cancer. UChicagoTech is facilitating discussions with potential commercial partners and helping to define a follow-up study to monitor a cohort of Barrett’s esophagus patients over time. This will be required to extend validation of the genetic test, in order to further commercial partnership discussions. For more information, please contact Ben Dibling.