University of South Carolina among top 20 for number of start-ups created

The University of South Carolina ranked 19th among 155 comprehensive universities nationally and 14th among public universities for the number of start-up companies created in 2006, according to the latest national technology-transfer survey from the Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM).

The survey gauges academic intellectual-property licensing activities in the U.S. and Canada.

South Carolina was tied with the University of South Florida and with private universities Johns Hopkins, Northwestern and Cornell for the number of start-up companies created. The five universities each created six start-up companies in 2006.

“We surpassed many ‘academic giants,’ and we are very proud to be in such elite company,” said Dr. Harris Pastides, vice president for research and health sciences.

John Parks, executive director of the university’s Innovista research district, credits the university’s significant investment in research, technology development and commercialization. Many of the start-ups are related to alternative energy, fuel cells and health sciences, areas of core research strength for the university and with the development of Innovista.

Both Parks and Pastides gave credit to a “hard-working team” of faculty across campus and staff in the Intellectual Property Office who work together to increase the university’s technology disclosures.

“The recent rankings reflect a consistent effort over several years of our talented tech-transfer team and economic development leadership and especially to our deans and faculty,” Pastides said.

Parks said the university’s advances have had a positive impact on the economy at a statewide level.

“Combined with the University of South Carolina-City of Columbia Technology Incubator program and new laboratory infrastructure in Innovista, these efforts provide a solid foundation for attracting new knowledge economy jobs in South Carolina,” Parks said.

The rankings bolster the university’s position as one of the nation’s top research institutions. The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Technology has designated the university a “very high research activity” university, the highest level of classification.

In addition to the number of company startups, the 11 categories ranked in the survey include the number of licensing staff members; the amount of funds put toward research; the number of licenses, invention disclosures and patents established by the university; and the university’s income received from these inventions and privileges. Overall, the University of South Carolina was ranked in the top half in nine of the 11 categories for public universities in the survey.

Complete survey results for the AUTM Licensing Activity Survey can be accessed on the Web site: http://autm.net/events/file/AUTM_06_US%20LSS_FNL.pdf

Department of Chemical Engineering

DEnergy, LLC—Formed in 2005 by entrepreneurs Ruth and Walker Rast in partnership with Dr. Thomas Davis and Dr. Michael Matthews in the department of chemical engineering, DEnergy, LLC is focused on improved hydrogen-storage systems and methods of hydrogen production for fuel-cell applications. Davis and Matthews have developed a storage system that uses safe, dry chemicals and water to release pure hydrogen gas. DEnergy, LLC envisions near-term applications for portable power uses.

Palmetto Fuel Cell Analysis and Design, LLC—Formed in 2005 by Dr. John Van Zee and Dr. Sirivatch Shimpalee in the department of chemical engineering, Palmetto Fuel Cell Analysis and Design, LLC provides advanced software for fuel-cell simulations and consulting services to the fuel-cell industry.

CarbonNix, LLC—Formed in 2006 by local entrepreneur Al Quick and Dr. Michael Matthews in the department of chemical engineering, CarboNix, LLC uses a novel method of low-temperature sterilization to eliminate microbial spores and allergens from various materials.

Department of Biological Sciences

Geogenetics, LLC—Formed in 2006 by Dr. Vicki Vance in the department of biological sciences and local attorney Calhoun “Reb” Thomas, Geogenetics, LLC was formed to promote plant biotechnologies developed by Vance and colleagues, with focus on technologies related to virus resistance in plants.

College of Pharmacy

InflammaTech, LLC—Formed in 2006 by Dr. Lorne Hofseth in the College of Pharmacy, InflammaTech, LLC uses a technology developed by Dr. Hofseth to measure inflammatory load and inflammatory signatures in humans to provide a palpable estimation of health.

Department of Psychology

Getting to Outcomes, LLC—Formed in 2006 by Dr. Abe Wandersman in the department of psychology, Getting to Outcomes, LLC promotes the Getting to Outcomesª program, a 10-step framework for planning, implementing and evaluating a service to ensure success in meeting the services objectives. Getting to Outcomes, LLC in partnership with other companies is developing software, workbooks and other educational materials related to the Getting to Outcomesª program.

Department Chemical Engineering

AlphaPore, LLC --- Formed in 2006 by entrepreneurs Ruth and Walker Rast in partnership with Dr. Thomas Davis in the department of chemical engineering, AlphaPore, LLC is testing a technique to improve the properties of hydrogen membranes, resulting in clean energy and increased power output at the same time in an effort to find clean-burning fuel.

Hydrogen Hybrid Mobility, LLC—Formed in 2006 by Dr. John Weidner and Chuck Holland in the department of chemical engineering, Hydrogen Hybrid Mobility, LLC has modified the standard battery-powered Segway personal transporter to run on a fuel cell that uses hydrogen stored in a canister. The company is looking to use the fuel-cell technology with other small mobile devices, like wheel chairs and scooters.

Department of Electrical Engineering

FAMO, LLC—Formed in 2007 by Dr. Antonello Monti and Dr. Ferdinanda Ponci in the department of electrical engineering, FAMO, LLC is exploring novel procedures to test power electronic converters.

Nitek, Inc.—Formed in 2007 by Dr. Asif Khan in the department of electrical engineering, Nitek, Inc. is producing novel semiconductors and electronic devices.

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

DPX Labs, LLC—Formed in 2005 by Dr. William Brewer in the department of chemistry and biochemistry, DPX Labs, LLC licensed technology from USC in 2007 related to disposable pipette extraction tips and sample clean-up and collection tips.