VCU College of Engineering News

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Category results for: VCU TechTransfer

VCU again among nation’s top 100 universities for patents

For the third time in four years, Virginia Commonwealth University ranked among the top 100 U.S. universities for utility patents, securing 16 patents in 2025 to reach the No. 88 spot.

Students walking in front of a VCU sign

Rare earth elements, joint pain and addiction treatment are highlighted in VCU faculty research receiving new awards

VCU researchers recently received Commercialization Fund awards to advance five innovative projects, including a synthetic protein for cleaner rare earth element extraction and new treatments for joint pain and addiction.

Leah Spangler, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the College of Engineering, and her team are advancing a synthetic protein that is engineered to selectively bind rare earth elements while ignoring more common metals found in mining and industrial waste streams. (Photo by Christopher Kendall, Kelley & Co.)

VCU innovators create device to mimic real blood flow to surgical training simulations

VCU researchers have developed a reciprocating diaphragm pump that mimics realistic, pulsatile blood flow. This innovation enhances surgical simulations by reacting to trauma scenarios, ultimately improving training for surgeons and military medics.

eter Pidcoe, Ph.D., a physical therapist and biomedical engineer with appointments in the College of Health Professions, College of Engineering and the School of Medicine, works with Susan Haynes, surgical simulation administrator in the Department of Surgery. Haynes said, “Peter has helped us bring surgical practice closer to the reality of the operating room.”

VCU Innovators of the Year advance lifesaving aerosol therapy for newborns

The collaborative work of Michael Hindle in the School of Pharmacy and P. Worth Longest in the College of Engineering has global implications.

Michael Hindle, Ph.D., (left) and Worth Longest, Ph.D., in the aerosol research lab on VCU’s MCV Campus.

Don’t cringe: Fecal waste prompts a patient-centric innovation from VCU Health nurse

Emma Necessary is working with the College of Engineering and TechTransfer and Ventures to bring her bedside wedge to market.

Casey Grey, Ph.D. and Emma Necessary

Bubbling with brainpower, VCU researcher’s device may transform infant respiratory care

The College of Engineering’s Casey Grey is among six new recipients of Commercialization Fund awards for campus innovations.

The College of Engineering’s Casey Grey, Ph.D., demonstrates his modified bubble CPAP machine that he hopes can bring both respiratory and neurological care to preterm infants. Grey was one of six faculty inventors to receive awards from the VCU TechTransfer and Ventures Commercialization Fund.

VCU inventors take a big step toward lifesaving therapy for premature infants in respiratory distress

The simple-to-use powder inhaler from Michael Hindle and Worth Longest shows strong test results and moves closer to market.

Michael Hindle, Ph.D., left, and Worth Longest, Ph.D., right, in the aerosol research lab on VCU’s MCV Campus. The longtime collaborators are developing a hand-actuated dry powder inhaler to deliver aerosolized surfactant noninvasively to premature infants.

At the huge Consumer Electronics Show, a tiny innovation from VCU gets a spotlight

A Canadian startup is promoting the work of engineering professor Supriyo Bandyopadhyay: nano-antennas that could power new generations of medical and communications devices.

Supriyo Bandyopadhyay, Ph.D., a professor at VCU, is on the cutting edge of developing next-generation, low-power “nano-antennas.” (Karl Steinbrenner)

VCU startup wins $800k grant to propel its infection-fighting surgical gel

Led by former College of Engineering Dean Barbara Boyan, the company cites ClickGel’s potential in delicate brain and spinal procedures.

Barbara Boyan, Ph.D., former dean of the College of Engineering, is a co-founder of Pascal Medical Corp.

Alzheimer’s, antennas and AI are highlighted in VCU faculty research receiving new Commercialization Fund awards

Five projects are selected in the latest round of funding that helps bring campus innovation to the marketplace.

Shijun Zhang, Ph.D., a professor in the School of Pharmacy, is pioneering drug discovery research focused on an essential component of the immune system.