Ideas Generating Technology

Universal Gains from Universities

University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman said in a recent speech that the key to the country’s economic future is the ability to "innovate, innovate, innovate." And Michigan universities are certainly doing that. Michigan universities continue to make breakthrough discoveries leading to products that will change industries and possibly lives. Those discoveries and innovations are often handled by the technology transfer offices as the schools attempt to commercialize the ideas and turn them into patents and then into marketable products or services.

The University of Michigan’s (U-M) Technology Transfer office is the state’s largest. In the past six years it has processed 743 patent applications, 403 license agreements and helped 60 start-ups get off the ground. Perhaps the most significant recent technology breakthrough at U-M comes from the physics department.

A Quantum Leap for Computers

Professor Christopher Monroe and his team of scientists have developed the first quantum computer chip, the initial step in producing a new generation of super fast quantum computers. These computers have the potential of processing multiple inputs of information simultaneously, making them much faster than a conventional computer. Using the same semiconductor fabrication technology used in today’s computers, U-M researchers were able to trap a single atom within an integrated chip and control it using electrical signals. "We directly view this single atom with specially-tuned lasers and a sensitive camera," said Dr. Monroe. "This type of ion trap has never been demonstrated at such a small level and in an integrated chip structure." While Monroe and his team were successful in trapping a single ion on a chip the size of a postage stamp, the next step will be to trap multiple ions. "There is a worldwide race to build these chips right now," said Dr. Monroe. "Such an integrated chip structure shows a way to scale the quantum computer to bigger systems, just like the microfabrication of conventional chips have given us impressive gains in conventional computing speed and power."

Don’t expect to buy a Quantum computer at your local Best Buy store anytime soon. The application of the technology is decades away and quantum systems will most likely be applied to massive databases, rather than the latest home computer or laptop. For more information on the Quantum chip and other research breakthroughs at the University of Michigan go to www.techtransfer.umich.edu.

The Sight of Sound

At Wayne State University (WSU), inventions have resulted in 38 patents, 28 license agreements and more than a dozen start-ups in the last couple of years. One company that is generating a lot of noise lately is SenSound. Dr. Sean Wu, a WSU professor of mechanical engineering, has patented and licensed a technology that allows people to actually see where sound originates.

The new technology creates a 3-D color image of a noise with a high degree of accuracy and resolution. "This software tool makes it possible to pinpoint the exact source of noise in a wide range of products, from automobile brakes and door panels to washing machines, vacuums and other consumer appliances," said Dr. Wu. "It allows the user to see the origin of unwanted sound and watch it travel through time and space."

Dr. Wu unveiled the new technology two years ago at the Society of Automotive Engineers World Congress in Detroit. From squeaky brakes to mysterious engine rattles, automobile designers have spent millions of dollars to muffle sounds and plug loud noises. SenSound has developed a computerized process using math and mini-microphones to isolate the source of unwanted noise. "The technology uses algorithms that turn the digital signals from the microphones into images," said Dr. Wu. A blue image indicates the blockage of noise, yellow is the noise and red indicates the most intense noise. Automobile engineers would be able to see the source of the noise within minutes of testing a product, and as a result put more accurate soundproofing into their cars and trucks.

Besides the automobile industry, SenSound is targeting other sectors including airlines, boats and home appliances. Dr. Wu was recently honored with the 2006 Wayne State Invention of the Year award. You can see some images resulting from SenSound and learn more about the technology by logging on to www.sensound.com.