FUND II
CMLaser Technologies, Inc. is developing a mid-IR (infrared) supercontinuum laser to be used as a ballistic missile defensive countermeasure in military and other aircraft. The company’s laser is designed to replace current multi-laser configurations such as optical parametric amplifiers, quantum cascade lasers, synchrotron, and free-electron lasers. The single laser source will provide a simple, efficient solution eliminating the reliability risks associated with a beam-combined, multi-laser system.
The company’s laser system contemplates reduced size and weight with increased power efficiency that can mitigate infrared ballistic missiles. The technology has significant advantages in terms of reliability (no moving parts or alignment). The company’s lasers include broadband and simultaneous wavelength coverage, high-power scalability for transmission through the atmosphere, pulse shaping capability, and a single-mode output profile for tight beam propagation over long distances, all while reducing drag on the aircraft. The technology is based on an all-fiber supercontinuum laser that can generate high power (~ 100W) single-mode beam (M2 < 2) with extremely wide (1um-5um) simultaneous wavelength coverage.
The U.S. military is continuously working to decrease threats to tactical aircraft and shipboard platforms from incoming infrared-guided missiles. This is a general threat facing many Department of Defense operating assets in a variety of environments requiring threat reduction and sophisticated robust countermeasures.
StimAire is developing breakthrough technology that may revolutionize the treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). StimAire replaces today’s surgically implanted neural stimulation devices with a small wearable and a tiny injectable device. The technology will eliminate major surgery and associated complications, risks, and costs. The total market opportunity for StimAire’s neural stimulation is tens of billions of dollars and includes treatments for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), bladder control, epilepsy, Parkinson’s and central and peripheral pain.
Learn More: https://stimaire.com/
DeUVe Photonics, Inc. has developed deep-ultra-violet short-wave-length technology that will address an unmet need in the 230-400 nanometer wavelength range with unmatched performance in power, reduced size and efficiency. The technology will enable the company to become a major player in existing and developing deep UV laser markets. Significant commercial opportunities for this technology exist in numerous industries such as: 1) in the defense industry to detect biological and chemical substances in a battlefield, 2) in the mining industry to detect the presence of dangerous gases and to survey underground mines, and 3) in the semiconductor industry for chip inspection on a much broader scale than exists today.
CarboShield, Inc. has developed an easy, low-cost way to strengthen thousands of aging steel, concrete and wood bridges across the globe. The company is currently responding to world-wide infrastructure repair projects by utilizing carbon fiber prefabricated forms which are ten times stronger than steel. The patented process negates the current repair processes by allowing the original structure to remain intact. Unlike carbon fiber wrapping currently in use which takes significant time and manpower, CarboShield’s product is rapidly installed, is virtually permanent, and can be simply installed underwater with no environmental impact.
MediCarbone Inc. is the patent holder for a flexible carbon fiber fabric that can be inserted inside a fractured bone. The fabric is filled with an inert polymer to inflate the fabric, which then acts as a permanent cast that cannot be rebroken. The technology could replace a traditional cast and can be used on human or animal broken bones when a traditional cast is not viable.
iCrx, Inc. has developed a hand-held device that can produce an objective and accurate eyeglass prescription in approximately 20 seconds without any subjective input from the viewer. By utilizing laser technology designed to instantly determine a required eyewear prescription, the device can replace a traditional phoropter ophthalmic testing device.
The phoropter is still commonly used by eye care professionals during a prescription eye examination and contains many different lenses used for refraction of the eye during sight testing. The iCrx device contains only 3 lenses and is designed to be used in kiosks and/or in rapid screening of large patient populations especially in developing countries that lack sufficient facilities and specialist doctors.
FUND I
FreeFall is developing revolutionary new antenna technology for ground, air, and space. Their innovative spherical antennas are drawing interest from a wide variety of commercial and government organizations, offering wide field of view, electronic steering, and low mass to dramatically simplify and improve satellite communications. The company’s unique antennas for the coming 5G wireless world are unlike anything else on the market and enable high-frequency, steerable communications for Smart Cities, connected vehicles, and the Internet of Things. FreeFall was founded in Tucson as a spin-off from the University of Arizona and maintains a close connection with UofA faculty and supporters.
Learn More: https://freefallmovingdata.com/
Qwick connects hospitality businesses to dependable, reliable and highly rated workers in real-time. Qwick has developed a technology platform which allows hotels and restaurants to locate temporary staff instantly by posting an open shift. The Arizona Commerce Authority named Qwick as one of the most innovative companies in Arizona out of hundreds of applicants. This bi-annual competition highlights promising, early-stage companies in high-growth markets, and provides the winners with up to $150,000 in non-diluted funding to help commercialize and scale their concepts.
Learn More: https://qwick.com
Formed by UofA engineering graduates and faculty, Codelucida has developed error-correction technology that can enable cheaper, high-capacity, high-performance solid state drives for consumer and data center storage. Dr. Shiva Planjery, Dr. Bane Vasic and Dr. David Declercq are the founding team behind what could be one of the most enabling technologies in the semiconductor space.
Learn More: http://www.codelucida.com
Dr. Rajesh Khanna, a UofA pharmacologist, and his team have invented a powerful non-opioid/non-addictive pain killer. The compound, invented in Tucson at a UofA lab, has performed well in animals and Dr. Khanna will now work toward human trials and FDA approval.
Learn More: https://www.regulonix.com