3D Printed Vascular Grafts Wins Life Sciences Invention of Year 2013
COLLEGE PARK, Md. – A better material for the 3D printing of vascular implants, a new technology that makes cloud storage more secure and efficient, and a low-cost, high-energy solid state lithium-ion battery are the University of Maryland 2013 Invention of the Year winners.
The winning inventions were announced at the university’s Celebration of Innovation and Partnerships event on April 29, 2014. Also announced was the recipient of the Corporate Connector of the Year Award, Michael Pecht, director and founder of the UMD Center for Advanced Life Cycle Engineering. This award recognizes a University of Maryland researcher, staff or unit that has achieved significant engagement with the private sector in corporate research, philanthropy, or student support.
Meet the winning inventors:
Professor of Bioengineering and graduate student have developed a better material for 3D printing of vascular implants. Fisher and Melchiorri’s polymer-based material resin meets one of the biggest challenges in medical uses of 3D printing: the need for biodegradable and biocompatible materials that support cell and tissue growth while degrading over time. Its mechanical properties, strength, and elasticity mimic those of actual blood vessels. Because it is also biodegradable, the patient’s own tissue replaces it over time, reducing or eliminating the need for further surgeries. Fisher and Melchiorri agree that the biggest contribution of their work is the revolution it might bring to the treatment of cardiovascular disease in children. Read more .
Celebration of Innovation and Partnerships
This event was part of the University of Maryland’s 30 Days of EnTERPreneurship, a month-long celebration and exhibition of innovation and entrepreneurship on the College Park campus. Speakers at the reception included UMD President Wallace Loh; University System of Maryland Chancellor & Chief Executive Officer William E. (Brit) Kirwan; UMD Vice President and Chief Research Officer Patrick G. O’Shea; UMD Office of Technology Commercialization Executive Director Gayatri Varma; UMD Associate Vice President for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Dean Chang and UMD Associate Vice President for Corporate and Foundation Relations Brian Darmody.
The Invention of the Year Awards reception is hosted by the Office of Technology Commercialization, a department under the Division of Research and part of UM Ventures. Finalists are selected based on their impact on science, society and market potential. Of the 154 inventions OTC received disclosures for in 2013, only eleven were chosen as finalists. A complete list of the finalists can be found .
The UMD Corporate Connect Council is a university-wide collaboration that supports information sharing, partnerships and campus efforts to engage the private sector in support of research, philanthropy and scholarships funded by the private sector.
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