TLA Asset Demo Program Readies Inventions
Technologies ineligible for traditional research support are eligible for asset demonstration funding. Projects begin with a clear scope of work that is divided into milestones, with incremental funding awarded when milestones are met.

By Paul Tumarkin, Tech Launch Arizona
Nov. 24, 2015

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Assistant professor John Jewett experienced a serendipitous outcome from his research and has been working with Tech Launch Arizona on a commercial application.
Assistant professor John Jewett experienced a serendipitous outcome from his research and has been working with Tech Launch Arizona on a commercial application. (Photo: Paul Tumarkin/Tech Launch Arizona)


In his lab at the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Arizona’s College of Science, assistant professor John Jewett made a surprising discovery in his quest to understand and neutralize the dengue fever virus.

Jewett and his team happened upon a unique class of molecules called triazabutadienes, which demonstrate remarkable bonding behavior in water. This inspired Jewett to branch into the material chemistry world and solve a problem associated with underwater adhesives.

Simply put, it’s hard to make materials stick together under water — unless you have a reaction engineered for that specific purpose.

"We discovered a novel method of synthesis for bonds in aqueous solutions," Jewett explains. "These material applications are not really a focus in our group, but it’s always cool, as a chemist, to find a new way to make something on the macro scale based on a deeper understanding of molecular interactions."

This sort of serendipitous outcome from research is exactly what Paul Eynott, Tech Launch Arizona's licensing manager for the College of Science, keeps an eye out for. After Jewett brought the discovery to his attention, Eynott worked closely with him to identify a commercial use and, in partnership with TLA business intelligence unit manager John Jackson Sr., connected him with Jim Butler, a UA alumnus and graduate of the Eller College of Management now serving as CEO of HJ3 Composite Technologies.

"Our experience with TLA has been very professional," Butler says. "Their team is focused on supporting Dr. Jewett’s proof-of-concept, which helps greatly improve our commercialization efforts." 

With funding from TLA's Asset Demonstration Program (previously known as the Proof of Concept Program), Jewett and Butler are putting the underwater adhesive tech to the test, analyzing its potential for use in underwater construction and repair. The potential value of the adhesive in repairing critical and fragile submerged structures, such as the nation’s dam systems, is enormous.

This facilitation of both technological development and economic growth is a direct realization of the strategies outlined in the UA's Never Settle strategic plan and President Ann Weaver Hart’s drive for the University to adopt innovative practices based on transparency and to reward productivity, effectiveness and entrepreneurship.

The Asset Demonstration Program is the keystone in this process. It has resulted in the availability of $1.1 million to be deployed in fiscal year 2016 toward the development of technology such as Jewett’s adhesives, and in fields as diverse as non-opioid pain relief drugs, high-performance capacitors, mine safety technology, augmented microscopes, alternative battery formulations, emotional intelligence software and cardiovascular therapy.

The program has been shepherded by Sherry Hoskinson, TLA's director of business resources. When TLA began, it was one of the organization’s first major programs, offering competitive awards of about $40,000 each.

While program awards are now non-competitive, only those technologies ineligible for traditional research support are eligible for asset demonstration funding. Such technologies are generally in their infancy in terms of market readiness. To ensure success and consistent movement toward the goal, funded projects begin with a clear scope of work that is divided into milestones, with incremental funding awarded when those are met.

"In our first year, we thought we’d get about 20 applications. We got 46, which was exceptional," Hoskinson says. "Since then, we’ve broadened the program from just proof of concept to full asset demonstration, bringing technologies much closer to commercialization. The response from the UA inventor community has been fantastic.

"The current program isn’t formulaic. It represents a commitment to take a promising science that our inventors and advisers tell us could align with market drivers — and, through the technology development work, demonstrate the veracity and strength of that alignment." 

Asset demonstration strategically supports the work of UA inventors. To bring their technology closer to market readiness, additional resources such as in-depth market analyses from TLA’s business intelligence team and the expertise of executives- and entrepreneurs-in-residence are brought in to help guide the inventor’s next steps.

Jewett’s underwater adhesive is an example of the processes TLA facilitates, highlighting the strength of the office’s approach. In general, the progression of an innovation from lab bench to licensed technology; its development from an idea to a novel and promising market-ready product; and the potential for future economic impact are all carefully guided by TLA and the network of local and national alumni and business advisers it brings into the tech ecosystem.

"It has been an interesting three-year ride to see the creation and evolution of the advisory network and the asset demonstration program come together as resources in our technology commercialization toolbox," says David Allen, vice president of TLA. "We will continue to hone these resources as we deploy them across a wide array of inventions and technology concepts being generated by the UA’s highly creative faculty."

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Paul Tumarkin

Tech Launch Arizona

520-626-8770

pault@tla.arizona.edu