UF: New Technologies Looking for a Home December 2014

UF Technology Needs A Home Dec. 2014

More Powerful Wireless Charging System Using “Hotspots”

This wireless power transmission system provides power to multiple devices within a volume of space, potentially as large as a room. The age of battery-powered electronics has created a huge demand for convenient recharging technologies. For many applications, traditional recharging via wire connections or physical contact can be inconvenient, costly or difficult. The demand for wireless power transfer technology is so great that the market is predicted to reach $11.8 billion by 2020. This wireless power transmission affords more flexibility than available systems, charging devices more conveniently. Other technologies require the receiver to rest directly on top of the transmitter; this device allows for wireless charging of multiple devices within a large area and without specific restrictions on their position or orientation. Transmitters can be mounted and placed in one or more locations in a room and the devices automatically charge, whether the receiver is in a clear line of sight, in a person’s pocket, or implanted in a person’s body. This wireless power transfer system provides more power over a larger distance than other technologies on the market and can transfer through metal and other conductive media. Read more about the device at the Office of Technology Licensing’s web page.

Online Social Network for College Students That Protects Users’ Reputations

This online social network for college students includes software that maximizes user safety and security by allowing customized control over downstream information sharing (giving users the power to decide who sees and shares their posted content), considering the information propagation on social networks. Online Social Networks (OSNs) constitute a $4.8 billion industry, which is expected to reach $16 billion by 2017. One of the most important characteristics of OSNs is “word-of-mouth” exchanges, where information is quickly broadcast from friends to friends-of-friends and eventually to acquaintances,potential employers and complete strangers. Millions of OSN users share sensitive information on a daily basis and security settings provide them with little control over what happens to their content after they’ve posted it online. Researchers at the University of Florida have developed an online social network for college students with software that gives users more precise control over the sharing of content that can damage their reputations. Read more about the software at the Office of Technology Licensing’s web page.

Software for Real-time 3D Reconstruction of the Human Anatomy and Automated Avatar Synthesis

This multi-step framework software integrates with a widely available, inexpensive camera to construct 3D models of the human body. Providing a framework for reconstruction, the software extracts accurate information about body shape and size, range of motion, and physical condition as the human subject moves in front of the camera. Real-time 3D reconstruction of the human body is increasingly useful in the fields of anthropology, telecommunications, gaming, fashion and medicine. Available technologies require a costly, whole-body 3D scanner. UF researchers have developed software that uses a combination infrared (IR) depth camera and red-green-blue (RGB) video camera – widely available, inexpensive equipment —to provide depth and color for constructing 3D avatars of human subjects. The computer model can be captured while the human subject moves freely, generating a natural and realistic reconstruction. Read more about the software at the Office of Technology Licensing’s web page.

Injectable Fluid Bait to Treat Active Termite Infestations

This fluid bait matrix is injected into active termite infestations to eliminate the termite colonies. Termite infestations—which cost Americans more than $20 billion every year—can be especially troublesome because by the time damage becomes noticeable, the termites already have caused considerable destruction. Typically, pest-control companies install in-ground (IG) stations that have to be intercepted by termites before baits are consumed. However, it may take weeks and sometimes months before termites intercept the IG stations. Another bait system, above-ground (AG) stations containing baits, are designed to be placed directly on active termite feeding sites for immediate bait consumption. But it is often challenging to install AG stations in tight spots or on an uneven surface. Some homeowners dislike the AG systems because they are unsightly and because pest control professionals must have access inside the home for routine service. Hence, despite the potential of an immediate bait delivery and faster colony elimination, AG systems are not frequently used. University of Florida researchers have developed a fluid bait matrix that exterminators can inject into areas where termite activity is found, effectively eliminating problems encountered by other systems. A large quantity of fluid baits can be applied for immediate bait consumption by termites, resulting in faster colony elimination. Read more about the treatment at the Office of Technology Licensing’s web page.

 

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