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By the Numbers

The University of Utah ranks among the top-10 public universities for issued patents and revenue generation.

Numbers from fiscal year 2024 (July 1, 2023-June 30, 2024).

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U.S. Patents
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Success Stories

March 18th 2025

February’s Tech Tuesday event, hosted by the University of Utah's Technology Licensing Office (TLO),...

February 11th 2025

University of Utah’s LUKE Arm, a groundbreaking robotic prosthetic that restores touch and movement...

January 30th 2025

The Technology Licensing Office is excited to host the third annual University of Utah Innovation Aw...

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February’s Tech Tuesday event, hosted by the University of Utah's Technology Licensing Office (TLO), brought together innovators, researchers, and industry leaders to explore the intersection of academia, industry, and critical mineral research.  Mike Free, Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at the U, and Saskia Duyvesteyn, Chief Advisor for Research and Development at Rio Tinto Copper Product Group, shared insights on collaboration and innovation in this essential field.

0ead851e6d70023e5cdb260289eb1dffThe evening kicked off with a lively networking session, where attendees exchanged ideas over food and refreshments. Jake Jensen, Associate Vice President for Research at the U, welcomed everyone and highlighted the importance of collaboration between academia and industry. He emphasized that these partnerships drive technological innovation and help address global challenges.

Highlighting the crucial role of critical minerals - such as lithium, cobalt and rare earth elements - in modern infrastructure, Jensen stressed the need for continued research and partnership in this field. This is because Utah plays a key role in producing many of these minerals that are essential components in renewable energy technologies, electronics and national security applications. Learn more about ongoing critical minerals research to the U.

Jensen moderated a discussion that sparked insightful dialogue. Duyvesteyn highlighted how Rio Tinto collaborates with universities, including the U, to leverage specialized expertise and facilitate innovation. She noted that many industries lack the capability to conduct basic research internally and therefore rely on universities for fundamental discoveries that drive technological advancements. By fostering these partnerships, researchers can better align their work with industry needs, opening doors to funding and long-term collaboration.

Industries like Rio Tinto, Duyvesteyn explained, have moved away from a “one-size-fits-all” approach because modern challenges require adaptable solutions. This shift allows for tailored research efforts, better resource management and more effective sustainability practices, ultimately fostering innovation and long-term success.

Building on Duyvesteyn’s discussion of industry-academic collaboration, Free echoed this sentiment, sharing examples of industry-sponsored projects at the U that provide students with hands-on experience. He explained that industry sponsored research projects like producing over 600 pounds of copper in his lab achieved multiple purposes.

  • Solving complex metallurgical challenges
  • Deepening scientific understanding of metal processing
  • Providing students with practical, hands-on experience that aligns with industry needs.

Drawing from his extensive research expertise, he highlighted the parallels between basic and applied research, noting that basic research generates new knowledge, while use-inspired research turns these discoveries into practical solutions. By integrating both approaches, researchers can create a continuous cycle of innovation that benefits both academia and industry.

Tech Tuesday demonstrated how collaboration between researchers, industry leaders and innovators turns ideas into tangible solutions. The event fostered engaging discussions among innovators, researchers, and industry leaders, showcasing how teamwork across sectors drives progress.

Still curious about critical minerals and mining? Check out Rio Tinto’s Virtual Tour here. This is an interactive resource showcasing how critical minerals power modern technologies while emphasizing sustainable practices.

Looking ahead, the next Tech Tuesday event is scheduled for April 22, and will focus on Medical Devices—another dynamic field where cutting-edge innovation is shaping the future of healthcare.

Want to stay in the loop? Sign up for our invite list to receive event updates and invites to future Tech Tuesday discussions and networking events.

We hope to see you there!

University of Utah’s LUKE Arm, a groundbreaking robotic prosthetic that restores touch and movement for amputees, was showcased during FOX’s pregame broadcast.

Perry Pezzarossi, center, is a former participant in one of the NeuroRobotics Lab’s clinical trials. His non-profit, the 1st Responder Family Fund, has the mission of “to protect the families of those who protect and serve.”

Shortly before kickoff at Sunday’s Big Game, fans got a peak at a project that University of Utah researchers have been working on for the better part of two decades: the LUKE Arm

In the run-up to the national anthem, FOX Sports presented a video “Essay on America,” narrated by actor Brad Pitt, that highlighted how the nation “huddles up,” coming together to accomplish great things. One of those huddles featured researchers at the U fitting a patient with the advanced prosthetic arm.  

The LUKE Arm’s fingertips send signals to the user’s brain through the system’s direct nerve interface, providing a sense of touch.

The LUKE Arm’s fingertips send signals to the user’s brain through the system’s direct nerve interface, providing a sense of touch.Named after the prosthesis Luke Skywalker acquires at the end of The Empire Strikes Back, the LUKE Arm may look like movie magic but the benefits it promises are very real. Thanks to a  direct nerve interface, the LUKE Arm can translate the user’s thoughts into motion. Even better, this system can send signals back to the brain, giving the user a new sense of life-like touch. 

And while this long-running research project still has hurdles ahead of it, it has also recently taken important steps toward becoming a viable commercial product. 

A new contract with startup Biologic Input Output Systems (BIOS) will support the University of Utah’s ongoing Investigational Device Exception Early Feasibility Study, allowing for the recruitment of the clinical trial’s next participant. 

The overwhelmingly positive results from eight previous participants earned the BIOS direct nerve interface a “Breakthrough Device Designation” from the FDA in March 2024, as well as admission into its Total Product Lifecycle Advisory Program. The FDA uses these programs to fast-track promising experimental medical devices toward everyday use. 

Previous trials mostly saw participants use the LUKE Arm in controlled laboratory settings, independently testing different capabilities of the arm and painstakingly integrating them. Now, the researchers are ready to test how well the arm holds up in more realistic scenarios.      

“This patient will be the first to take the LUKE Arm home and use it independently for their daily activities,” says Utah NeuroRobotics Lab Director Jacob George.

George, an assistant professor in the John and Marcia Price College of Engineering’s Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering and the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine’s Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, also serves as Chief Scientist for BIOS. In 2022, BIOS executed a licensing agreement with the University of Utah for the technology behind the neuroprosthesis, and continues to evolve the technology towards commercialization.   

This next phase of the project marks an exciting step towards the commercialization and real-world implementation of an advanced neuroprosthesis. This project stems from the pioneering work of emeritus faculty member Richard Normann, who invented the Utah Array used in the arm’s direct nerve interface, as well as faculty member Florian Solzbacher, who commercialized the technology through Blackrock Neurotech. Blackrock Neurotech is another University of Utah-associated startup company that recently received a $200 million investment to expand their brain-computer interface technology.

For more information about participating in the NeuroRobotics’ next clinical trial, click here.  

Graphic for Innovation Awards

The Technology Licensing Office is excited to host the third annual University of Utah Innovation Awards this fall. Last year's awards highlighted incredible U researchers working to translate their research into technologies that benefit the public, and this year’s event will continue to build on last year’s success.

Nominations are now open for the following Innovation Awards:

  • Startup of the Year: This award recognizes a startup that has achieved remarkable growth (in revenue, market share, or user base) or outstanding technological advancements or applications.Founder of the Year: Awarding an individual founder who has shown exceptional leadership, vision, and impact on their startup.
  • Global Impact Award: The Global Impact award recognizes an established university researcher whose technology transfer efforts have made a tangible and lasting impact on the populace or marketplace ranging from a local to global scale.
  • Innovator of the Year: The Innovator of the Year is an established university researcher who has made a notable achievement in innovation that benefits society and creates economic impact in the past year.
  • Investigator on the Rise: This award recognizes an early-career faculty member who has made an outstanding achievement that impacts the innovation world through a new patent, license, or startup.
  • Lifetime Achievement Award: The Lifetime Achievement Award honors an individual that has created a deep and widespread impact through innovation. Throughout their career, this individual has lent their knowledge, skill, and time to fill unmet needs in society with transformative solutions.
  • Excellence in Innovation Graduate Student Award: The Excellence in Innovation Graduate Student Award recognizes a graduate student who has shown excellence in academics and efforts to improve society through translational research and/or invention development.
  • Breakthrough of the Year: The Breakthrough of the Year award recognizes an invention or discovery that has created a meaningful difference in society.
  • Excellence in Innovation Undergraduate Student Award: The Excellence in Innovation Graduate Student Award recognizes an undergraduate student who has shown excellence in academics and efforts to improve society through translational research and/or invention development.

Nominations are due Thursday, July 17, 2025.

Connect With Us

Questions?

We support you and your innovation.

Wherever you are on your innovation journey, the Technology Licensing Office is your go-to source to connect you with the U’s innovation ecosystem.

Call 801.581.7792 or send us a message