Licensing Opportunities

Root Exudate-Activated Systems for Agrochemical Delivery

Sustainable delivery of agrochemicals (fertilizers, nutrients) to crops adheres to the 4R’s of Nutrient Stewardship (Right Source @ Right Rate, Right Time, Right Place). Strategies that can detect signals, such as various root exudates, released from plants during periods of increased nutrient uptake enable such sustainable agricultural practices. Moreover, by combining such a biosensor response with automated deliver of crop nutrients enables synchronizing nutrient supply and demand more precisely. The Inventors have developed novel DNA aptamers (single stranded DNA molecules) that bind to a signal molecule in the root exudates of wheat and canola, under typical soil conditions. When incorporated into a coating mixture and applied to an agrochemical, the DNA aptamers bind to the specific signal molecule and trigger the release of the agrochemical.

Inventor(s): Carlos Monreal, Maria DeRosa, Phillip Choi, Emily Mastronardi, Phepafatso Tsae, and Francisco Matus

• On-demand delivery: agrochemical release from coated particles is synchronized with uptake of nutrients during active growth.
• Performance: more efficient uptake and utilization of release nutrient or agrochemical, improved crop productivity
• Agronomics: minimize losses of applied agrochemical and environmental impacts.

J. Agric. Food Chem. 69(14): 4294-4306. DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.0c06796

• Right-place, right-time delivery of agrochemicals
• Detect and treat nutrient deficiencies or pest infestations sooner to minimize losses.

US patent 12,065,392 (issued Aug 20, 2024)

CA patent  3,112,597 (issued Jun 25, 2024)

AU patent 2019337776 (issued Feb 8, 2024)

Wireless Network Personalization: Optimizing User Satisfaction with Predictive Analytics

Current wireless networks are designed with a focus on worst-case scenarios across user applications, leading to over-engineering and inefficient resource use. This novel  Wireless Network Personalization technology optimizes wireless networks in real-time, at the application and end-user layer. Using predictive analytics, big-data techniques and machine learning it effectively tailors performance to optimize individual user satisfaction and resource utilization.

Inventor(s): Rawan Alkurd, Halim Yanikomeroglu, and Ibrahim Abualhaol

• Resource Efficiency: Optimizes resources for critical applications like public safety and autonomous vehicles.
• Enhanced User Satisfaction: Delivers personalized service, improving user experience, retention, and acquisition.
• Operational Flexibility: Empowers operators to customize services and pricing, enhancing retention & attracting a diverse user base.
• Crisis Management: Prioritizes resource allocation for critical applications during emergencies.

• Telecom Operators
• Vendors and Manufacturers
• New Market Entrants to Wireless and Networking
• Big Data and Analytics Companies

CA 3,126,091 (filed Jul 27, 2021)

Faster-Than-Nyquist Signaling Detector: Enabling data transmission beyond the classical limit

While the demand for high data transmission and bandwidth optimization is exponentially increasing, existing technology to enable data transmission beyond the classical limit are prohibitively complex. This Faster-than-Nyquist (FTN) signaling detector for ultra-high-order quadrature-amplitude modulation is capable of removing inter-symbol interference and reconstructing transmitted data symbols, within the same bandwidth and using the same transmission power as conventional Nyquist signaling.

Inventor(s): Ahmed Ibrahim, Ebrahim Bedeer, and Halim Yanikomeroglu

• Improved Spectral Efficiency: Increase of 7.5% – 58% in spectral efficiency compared to conventional techniques
• No Additional Bandwidth or Power: Ultra-high QAM data transmission without extra bandwidth or increased power.
• High Transmission Quality: Significantly lowers ISI and bit errors, maintaining high transmission quality.

• Cellular Mobile Networks: ex. in high speed microwave point-to-point connections (ex. RAy3)
• Internet Service Providers: compatible with the DOCSIS 3.1 standard
• Digital Video Broadcasting: such as satellite digital video broadcasting (ex DVB-S2) or cable-based standards (ex. DVB-C2)

US application 18/246,637 (international filing date Sept. 24, 2021)

CA application 3,196,718 (international filing date Sept. 24, 2021)

Available for licensing and/or development partnerships

DNA Aptamers to Detect and Prevent Neurodegenerative Diseases

Carleton researchers have developed novel DNA aptamer sequences that bind to alpha-synuclein monomers and inhibit formation of the larger oligomers and fibrils associated with the onset and progression of neurodegenerative disease such as Parkinson’s Disease. Data from studies in a mouse model of Parkinson’s Disease show that the DNA aptamers, when packaged in liposomes, can cross the blood-brain barrier and bind to alpha synuclein.  Further, the DNA aptamers have been incorporated into a diagnostic device where they have been shown to detect low levels of alpha-synuclein in biological samples.

Inventor(s): Maria DeRosa, Matthew Holahan, Erin McConnell, Katelyn Ventura, Joshua Callahan, and Vernon Hunt

• Response: Compared with conventional antibodies, aptamers are not typically recognized by the immune system and are not immunogenic or toxic
• Strong Selectivity: Aptamers can discriminate between different conformations of the same target protein
• Synthesis & scalability: Can be easily generated by chemical synthesis

Aptamer delivery to the brain and binding to α synuclein in treated mice. Fluorescence microscopy images of the distribution of α-syn-1 aptamer and co-localization with α-synuclein in brain tissue of treated mice.  Left: anti- α -synuclein antibody (green) Middle: labelled aptamer, delivered by targeting liposome (red). Right: Image overlay showing extensive co-localization

• Diagnostic: point-of-care and laboratory methods to detect onset and monitor progression of neurodegenerative diseases
• Therapeutic: to reduce protein fibrillation and mitigate onset and progression of neurodegenerative diseases

CA application 3,079,909 (filed Sept. 24, 2021)

Smart Metasurface Reflectors

Smart Metasurface Reflectors are able to alter the property of reflected electromagnetic waves to achieve functionalities beyond those found in naturally occurring materials.   These novel metasurface reflectors  consist of an array of unit cells wherein each unit cell can be controlled to independently alter the magnitude and/or phase of a reflected electromagnetic wave.

Inventor(s): Shulabh Gupta, Ahmed Ashoor, Leandro Rufail

• Dynamic, real-time configurable and independent control, row-by-row or pixel-by-pixel, of magnitude and phase at desired frequency.
• Scalable architecture ideal for sub-6 GHz microwave bands, X-Band, mm-Wave.
• Integrated controller for wireless communication with a central control unit located elsewhere; capability to add AI/ML based software controls to respond to changes in the radio environment.
• Superior coverage and ultra-high speed can be gained in communications applications.

• Radio environment engineering for short-range communication in indoor or dense urban areas.
• Phased-array solutions for point-to-point links, satellite communication, tracking, and wireless backhaul.

Defense:

• Electromagnetic camouflaging
• Radar spoofing

CA application 3,196,718 (international filing date Sept. 24, 2021)

Available for licensing and/or development partnerships

Prototype validation

Next Generation Point-of-Care Bio-Analyzer

Carleton University researchers have developed a novel bioanalysis platform that is a reliable, non-invasive technology that can be configured to quantitatively measure multiple useful biomarkers (hormones, proteins, small molecules) in liquid analytes. Moreover, with multiplexing capabilities it can detect and quantify multiple analytes side-by-side.

Developed as a Point-of-Care (PoC) device to target biomarkers in difficult to analyze saliva samples, the versatility of this platform is poised to enable impact for varied applications.  As a PoC device, it has been shown to provide excellent sensitivity and specificity to target analytes (such as dopamine, cortisol and α-Synuclein). Room temperature device fabrication and storage also facilitate manufacturing and handling of the sensor.

Inventor(s):  Roslyn Massey and Ravi Prakash

• Multiplexing capabilities to detect and quantify multiple analytes side-by-side.
• Low sample volumes required: 10µL for each analysis test.
• Excellent sensitivity and specificity to target analyte
• Broad range of detection (over seven orders of magnitude variation in analyte concentration, from 27.3 mM to 2.73 pM).
• Fast response – on the order of minutes with the potential for continuous sampling
• Room temperature storage and device fabrication.

• Healthcare: Point-of-Care devices with saliva, blood or other samples for diagnostics or patient health monitoring
• Environment and Agriculture: testing and monitoring for regulatory compliance, quality control and/or efficiency enhancement
• Food and Beverage: food safety quality control and analysis

 Precision Robotic Deburring

Carleton researchers have developed a novel framework that addresses critical challenges that have been barriers to the adoption of robotic or automated deburring in manufacturing processes. Through the introduction of simultaneous and real-time registration and machining, the system rapidly and accurately corrects and enhances stability – efficiently producing high quality results.

Inventor(s): Mojtaba Ahmadi, Rishad Irani, Steffan Lloyd, Mohammadreza Dehghanitafti, Ryan McKenzie, Wade MacMillan, Greal Miller

• Faster cycle times and reduced costs compared to other robotic systems
• Improved machining quality and feedrates
• Reduced tool wear
• Improved process awareness and tool wear tracking
• Improve worker health and safety over manual processes

• Automotive: engine components, transmission parts, body panels etc.
• Medical: devices, implants etc.
• Electronics: circuit boards, connectors, housings etc.
• Industry 4.0 processes: reduce bottlenecks in process flow

US application 18/674,449 (filed 24-May-2024)

MX application MX/a/2024/006465 (filed 27-May-2024)

Available for development partnerships and/or non-exclusive licensing outside of the aerospace and aircraft industry

Early Math Assessment tool

The Early Math Assessment @ School (EMA@School) is a numeracy screener designed to identify students in kindergarten to grade 3 who are underachieving relative to their peers. It includes four foundational skills: number comparison, writing numbers from dictation, placement of numbers on a 0-1000 number line, ordering numbers. It also includes one mathematical outcome: arithmetic fluency.

Creator(s): Jo-Anne Lefevre, Heather Douglas

• Grade Specific Numeracy Screening: between kindergarten to grade 4
• Enables intervention early before the skills gap widens through cumulative learning
• Increases efficiency of education systems by supporting targeted intervention

• Early Childhood Education: Kindergarten to Grade 4 Numeracy Assessment

Wearable Shear-Wave Ultrasound Elastometry (wSWUE) Device

Ultrasound shear wave elastography (US SWE) is a non-invasive method for characterizing the elastic properties of biological soft tissues (e.g., skeletal muscles)  in response to force production, fatigue level, injury, and rehabilitation.  Carleton researchers have developed a novel, wearable shear-wave ultrasound elastometry  (wSWUE) device for direct assessment of muscle tissue.   The device consists of wearable ultrasonic sensors and vibrator elements.

Inventor(s): Yuu Ono, Shane Steinberg, Sreeraman Rajan

• Direct measurement of muscle displacement: the SWs from the wSWUE device propagate inside the tissues so that internal muscle displacement can be measured directly. In contrast, surface electromyograph (sEMG) “indirectly” monitors motion via muscle electrical signals
• Improved Spatial Resolution: The wSWUE device can monitor tissue displacement on an individual elected muscle. sEMG lacks spatial resolution due to signal interferences from different muscle

• The ability to measure changes in elasticity of muscle tissues during movements is a valuable parameter for
  • sports medicine applications;
  • training of high-performance athletes;
  • musculoskeletal rehabilitation;
  • progression and treatment of neuromuscular disease.