Comparison of North American universities with and without medical schools and their technology transfer initiatives

Empirical research available on technology transfer initiatives is either North American or European. Literature over the last two decades shows various research objectives such as identifying the variables to be measured and statistical methods to be used in the context of studying university based technology transfer initiatives. AUTM survey data from years 1996 to 2008 provides insightful patterns about the North American technology transfer initiatives, we use this data in our paper. This paper has three sections namely, a comparison of North American Universities with (n=1129) and without Medical Schools (n=786), an analysis of the top 75th percentile of these samples and a DEA analysis of these samples. We use 20 variables. Researchers have attempted to classify university based technology transfer initiative variables into multi-stages, namely, disclosures, patents and license agreements. Using the same approach, however with minor variations, three stages are defined in this paper. The first stage is to do with inputs from R&D expenditure and outputs namely, invention disclosures. The second stage is to do with invention disclosures being the input and patents issued being the output. The third stage is to do with patents issued as an input and technology transfers as outcomes.

Magnetic and dielectric interactions in nano zinc ferrite powder: Prepared by self-sustainable propellant chemistry technique

The structural, magnetic and dielectric properties of nano zinc ferrite prepared by the propellant chemistry technique are studied. The PXRD measurement at room temperature reveal that the compound is in cubic spinel phase, belong to the space group Fd (3) over barm. The unit cell parameters have been estimated from Rietveld refinement. The calculated force constants from FTIR spectrum corresponding to octahedral and tetrahedral sites at 375 and 542 cm(-1) are 6.61 x 10(2) and 3.77 x 10(2) N m(-1) respectively; these values are slightly higher compared to the other ferrite systems. Magnetic hysteresis and EPR spectra show superparamagnetic property nearly to room temperature due to comparison values between magnetic anisotropy energy and the thermal energy. The calculated values of saturation magnetization, remenant magnetization, coercive field and magnetic moment supports for the existence of multi domain particles in the sample. The temperature dependent magnetic field shows the spin freezing state at 30 K and the blocking temperature at above room temperature. The frequency dependent dielectric interactions show the variation of dielectric constant, dielectric loss and impedance as similar to other ferrite systems. The AC conductivity in the prepared sample is due to the presence of electrons, holes and polarons. The synthesized material is suitable for nano-electronics and biomedical applications. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effect of ultrasonic treatment on surface crystallization of calcium bismuth borate glasses

Transparent glasses in CaO-Bi2O3-B2O3 system were fabricated via the conventional melt-quenching technique. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) carried out on the as-quenched samples confirmed their amorphous and glassy nature respectively. The surface crystallization behaviour of these glasses with and without ultrasonic surface treatment (UST) was monitored using XRD, optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The volume fraction, depth of crystallization and the (001) orientation factor for the heat treated samples with and without UST were compared. The ultrasonically-treated samples on subsequent heat treatment were found to crystallize at lower temperatures associated with the highest degree of orientation factor (0.95) in contrast with those of non-UST samples. These surface crystallized glasses were found to exhibit nonlinear optical behaviour emitting green light (532 nm) when they were exposed to the infrared radiation (1064 nm) using Nd:YAG laser.

Metal-metal charge transfer and interfacial charge transfer mechanism for the visible light photocatalytic activity of cerium and nitrogen co-doped TiO2

Nanosized cerium and nitrogen co-doped TiO2 (Ce-TiO2-xNx) was synthesized by sol gel method and characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), FESEM, Fourier transform infrared, N-2 adsorption and desorption methods, photoluminescence and ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) DRS techniques. PXRD analysis shows the dopant decreases the crystallite sizes and slows the crystallization of the titania matrix. XPS confirm the existence of cerium ion in +3 or +4 state, and nitrogen in -3 state in Ce-TiO2-xNx. The modified surface of TiO2 provides highly active sites for the dyes at the periphery of the Ce-O-Ti interface and also inhibits Ce particles from sintering. UV-visible DRS studies show that the metal-metal charge transfer (MMCT) of Ti/Ce assembly (Ti4+/Ce3+ -> Ti3+/Ce4+) is responsible for the visible light photocatalytic activity. Photoluminescence was used to determine the effect of cerium ion on the electron-hole pair separation between the two interfaces Ce-TiO2-xNx and Ce2O3. This separation increases with the increase of cerium and nitrogen ion concentrations of doped samples. The degradation kinetics of methylene blue and methyl violet dyes in the presence of sol gel TiO2, Ce-TiO2-xNx and commercial Degussa P25 was determined. The higher visible light activity of Ce-TiO2-xNx was due to the participation of MMCT and interfacial charge transfer mechanism.

Evaluating methane storage targets: from powder samples to onboard storage systems

The development of a viable adsorbed natural gas onboard fuel system involves synthesizing materials that meet specific storage target requirements. We assess the impact on natural gas storage due to intermediate processes involved in taking a laboratory powder sample to an onboard packed or adsorbent bed module. We illustrate that reporting the V/V (volume of gas/volume of container) capacities based on powder adsorption data without accounting for losses due to pelletization and bed porosity, grossly overestimates the working storage capacity for a given material. Using data typically found for adsorbent materials that are carbon and MOF based materials, we show that in order to meet the Department of Energy targets of 180 V/V (equivalent STP) loading at 3.5 MPa and 298 K at the onboard packed bed level, the volumetric capacity of the pelletized sample should be at least 245 V/V and the corresponding gravimetric loading varies from 0.175 to 0.38 kg/kg for pellet densities ranging from 461.5 to 1,000 . With recent revision of the DOE target to 263 V/V at the onboard packed bed level, the volumetric loadings for the pelletized sample should be about 373 V/V.

Unraveling the nature of electric field- and stress- induced structural transformations in soft PZT by a new powder poling technique

A `powder-poling' technique was developed to study electric field induced structural transformations in ferroelectrics exhibiting a morphotropic phase boundary (MPB). The technique was employed on soft PZT exhibiting a large longitudinal piezoelectric response (d(33) similar to 650 pCN(-1)). It was found that electric poling brings about a considerable degree of irreversible tetragonal to monoclinic transformation. The same transformation was achieved after subjecting the specimen to mechanical stress, which suggests an equivalence of stress and electric field with regard to the structural mechanism in MPB compositions. The electric field induced structural transformation was also found to be accompanied by a decrease in the spatial coherence of polarization.

Standardizing Patent Data Cleaning in a University Technology Transfer Office

There are multiple goals of a technology transfer office (TTO) based in a university system. Whilst commercialization is a critical goal, maintenance and cleaning of the TTO's database needs detailing. Literature in the area is scarce and only some researchers make reference to TTO data cleaning. During an attempt to understand the commercial strategy of a university TTO in Bangalore the challenge of data cleaning was encountered. This paper describes a case study of data cleaning at an Indian university based TTO. 382 patent records were analyzed in the study. The case study first describes the back ground of the university system. Second, the method to clean the data and the experiences encountered are highlighted. Insights drawn indicate that patent data cleaning in a TTO is a specialized area which needs attention. Overlooking this activity can have legal implications and may result in an inability to commercialize the patent. Two levels of patent data cleaning are discussed in this case study. Best practices of data cleaning in academic TTOs are discussed.

Exploring Technology Evolution Using Patent Classification: A Case of Cochlear Implant Technology Patents

Understanding technology evolution through periodic landscaping is an important stage of strategic planning in R&D Management. In fields like that of healthcare, where the initial R&D investment is huge and good medical product serve patients better, these activities become crucial. Approximately five percentage of the world population has hearing disabilities. Current hearing aid products meet less than ten percent of the global needs. Patent data and classifications on cochlear implants from 1977-2010, show the landscapes and evolution in the area of such implant. We attempt to highlight emergence and disappearance of patent classes over period of time showing variations in cochlear implant technologies. A network analysis technique is used to explore and capture technology evolution in patent classes showing what emerged or disappeared over time. Dominant classes are identified. The sporadic influence of university research in cochlear implants is also discussed.

Neutron powder diffraction study of Ba3ZnRu2-xIrxO9 (x=0, 1, 2) with 6H-type perovskite structure

The triple perovskites Ba3ZnRu2-xIrxO9 with x = 0, 1, and 2 are insulating compounds in which Ru(Ir) cations form a dimer state. Polycrystalline samples of these materials were studied using neutron powder diffraction (NPD) at 10 and 295 K. No structural transition nor evidence of long range magnetic order was observed within the investigated temperature range. The results from structural refinements of the NPD data and its polyhedral analysis are presented, and discussed as a function of Ru/Ir content. (C) 2015 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Conceptual design of three-dimensional scaffolds of powder-based materials for bone tissue engineering applications

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to investigate the possibility to construct tissue-engineered bone repair scaffolds with pore size distributions using rapid prototyping techniques. Design/methodology/approach - The fabrication of porous scaffolds with complex porous architectures represents a major challenge in tissue engineering and the design aspects to mimic complex pore shape as well as spatial distribution of pore sizes of natural hard tissue remain unexplored. In this context, this work aims to evaluate the three-dimensional printing process to study its potential for scaffold fabrication as well as some innovative design of homogeneously porous or gradient porous scaffolds is described and such design has wider implication in the field of bone tissue engineering. Findings - The present work discusses biomedically relevant various design strategies with spatial/radial gradient in pore sizes as well as with different pore sizes and with different pore geometries. Originality/value - One of the important implications of the proposed novel design scheme would be the development of porous bioactive/biodegradable composites with gradient pore size, porosity, composition and with spatially distributed biochemical stimuli so that stem cells loaded into scaffolds would develop into complex tissues such as those at the bone-cartilage interface.

Magnetic structures and magnetic phase transitions in the Mn-doped orthoferrite TbFeO3 studied by neutron powder diffraction

The magnetic structures and the magnetic phase transitions in the Mn-doped orthoferrite TbFeO3 studied using neutron powder diffraction are reported. Magnetic phase transitions are identified at T-N(Fe/Mn) approximate to 295K where a paramagnetic-to-antiferromagnetic transition occurs in the Fe/Mn sublattice, T-SR(Fe/Mn) approximate to 26K where a spin-reorientation transition occurs in the Fe/Mn sublattice and T-N(R) approximate to 2K where Tb-ordering starts to manifest. At 295 K, the magnetic structure of the Fe/Mn sublattice in TbFe0.5Mn0.5O3 belongs to the irreducible representation Gamma(4) (G(x)A(y)F(z) or Pb'n'm). A mixed-domain structure of (Gamma(1) + Gamma(4)) is found at 250K which remains stable down to the spin re-orientation transition at T-SR(Fe/Mn) approximate to 26K. Below 26K and above 250 K, the majority phase (>80%) is that of Gamma(4). Below 10K the high-temperature phase Gamma(4) remains stable till 2K. At 2 K, Tb develops a magnetic moment value of 0.6(2) mu(B)/f.u. and orders long-range in F-z compatible with the Gamma(4) representation. Our study confirms the magnetic phase transitions reported already in a single crystal of TbFe0.5Mn0.5O3 and, in addition, reveals the presence of mixed magnetic domains. The ratio of these magnetic domains as a function of temperature is estimated from Rietveld refinement of neutron diffraction data. Indications of short-range magnetic correlations are present in the low-Q region of the neutron diffraction patterns at T < T-SR(Fe/Mn). These results should motivate further experimental work devoted to measure electric polarization and magnetocapacitance of TbFe0.5Mn0.5O3. (C) 2016 AIP Publishing LLC.

Magnetic structures and magnetic phase transitions in the Mn-doped orthoferrite TbFeO3 studied by neutron powder diffraction

The magnetic structures and the magnetic phase transitions in the Mn-doped orthoferrite TbFeO3 studied using neutron powder diffraction are reported. Magnetic phase transitions are identified at T-N(Fe/Mn) approximate to 295K where a paramagnetic-to-antiferromagnetic transition occurs in the Fe/Mn sublattice, T-SR(Fe/Mn) approximate to 26K where a spin-reorientation transition occurs in the Fe/Mn sublattice and T-N(R) approximate to 2K where Tb-ordering starts to manifest. At 295 K, the magnetic structure of the Fe/Mn sublattice in TbFe0.5Mn0.5O3 belongs to the irreducible representation Gamma(4) (G(x)A(y)F(z) or Pb'n'm). A mixed-domain structure of (Gamma(1) + Gamma(4)) is found at 250K which remains stable down to the spin re-orientation transition at T-SR(Fe/Mn) approximate to 26K. Below 26K and above 250 K, the majority phase (>80%) is that of Gamma(4). Below 10K the high-temperature phase Gamma(4) remains stable till 2K. At 2 K, Tb develops a magnetic moment value of 0.6(2) mu(B)/f.u. and orders long-range in F-z compatible with the Gamma(4) representation. Our study confirms the magnetic phase transitions reported already in a single crystal of TbFe0.5Mn0.5O3 and, in addition, reveals the presence of mixed magnetic domains. The ratio of these magnetic domains as a function of temperature is estimated from Rietveld refinement of neutron diffraction data. Indications of short-range magnetic correlations are present in the low-Q region of the neutron diffraction patterns at T < T-SR(Fe/Mn). These results should motivate further experimental work devoted to measure electric polarization and magnetocapacitance of TbFe0.5Mn0.5O3. (C) 2016 AIP Publishing LLC.