Emerging Innovations Insider: December 2018

Prof. William Medlen’s group has developed zeolite materials that are functionalized with a novel self-assembled monolayer (SAM). The synthesis of the functionalized zeolites is straightforward and uses low-cost, commercially available reagents. The gas diffusivity rate and adsorption properties of the functionalized zeolite can be tuned by varying the tail length of the SAM.

ASTRALite developed the first ever 2-in-1 scanning topo-bathy LIDAR on a UAV that can seamlessly survey and map with a single survey. This system provides previously unavailable and highly desired 3D data from a platform capable of reaching inaccessible and hard to map areas. In addition, the output can be viewed in real-time giving the customer immediate visibility of cracking, misalignment, settlement, erosion and undermining of slabs and foundation elements to a revolutionary 1 cm accuracy or better.

Using a unique assay, Dr. Min Han's team has discovered an unexpected and striking role of Enterobactin (Ent) in supporting growth and the labile iron pool in C. elegans. Ent, a compound with high affinity for iron (Fe3+), is produced and used by certain bacteria (including gut microbes) to acquire iron from the environment. This new work has demonstrated that ferric-Ent is taken up by the host and is bioavailable.