By Joyce Kryszak
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-824820.mp3
Buffalo, NY – UB is increasing its odds of spawning the next big thing. The the number of patents at UB doubled last year. UB officials say that could be a good discovery for the local economy.
Imagine a "quantum dot" that could harvest the power of the sun. Or, how about a "bio-blower" that can zap anthrax out of the air. Those are just a couple of the 21 new discoveries at UB last year alone. That brings the total to more than 500 over the past five years.
UB officials say research is yielding new inventions in everything from medicine and information technology to architecture and solar energy. Robert Genco heads STOR, the UB office that fosters new discoveries. He said an influx of talented faculty and research money is spurring creativity.
And he said these are not "me-too" inventions. Genco said each one is unique and many go on to become much more than just another invention registered with the United States patent office. He said one fifth of the UB inventions have been backed by investors who believe they could become viable businesses.
Some past discoveries have already done that. One big local success story is the company that makes the smart pill, a device sold to physicians all over the country. Genco said every invention has the potential to make a difference - maybe even a life-changing difference.
Genco said UB is working to develop more of an entrepreneurial culture that will encourage inventors to strive for more than a patent registration.
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