Winner Archive
Past Winners
Ahmedullah Aziz
Ahmedullah Aziz is an assistant professor of electrical engineering and computer science in the Tickle College of Engineering. His project aims to transform superconducting processors, which are crucial for quantum computing, high-performance computing systems, and space electronics. Part of his award will be used to develop superconducting circuits at the Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems in Dresden, Germany.
Dustin Crouch
Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering Dustin Crouch developed the EndoThumb, an implantable prosthesis designed to restore both natural appearance and touch by being enclosed in living skin. Crouch and research associate Katrina Easton will use the award to refine the EndoThumb for FDA preclinical testing, aiming for clinical trials and potential approval by 2031. Their work also involves evaluating the prosthesis’s commercial viability to ensure accessibility through insurance coverage and hospital adoption.
Jian Huang
Jian Huang is a professor of Electrical engineering and computer science in the Tickle College of Engineering. Huang’s project focuses on developing intelligent Visualization as a Service to help organizations leverage big data without needing in-house data scientists. With his award, he aims to advance VaaS from university research to a functional prototype for business-critical applications.
Vince Pantalone
Vince Pantalone, the Charles E. Wharton Institute Professor of Plant Sciences in the Herbert College of Agriculture, is leading efforts to develop a soybean variety resistant to SCN Race 2, a newly emerging threat to soybean crops. Working alongside Professor of Plant Molecular Biology Tarek Hewezi, Pantalone recently discovered a gene for SCN Race 2 resistance and is using his funding to advance DNA sequencing for superior soybean development. Field testing in the summer of 2025 will help identify the most promising lines for future commercialization.
Todd Reynolds
Todd Reynolds is a professor of microbiology in the College of Arts and Sciences. His project, carried out with the help of doctoral student Jordan Cannon, develops bacterial proteins that can degrade bioplastic materials for recycling. Funding from the award will provide supplies for the project.
Sai Swaminathan
Sai Swaminathan, an assistant professor in the Tickle College of Engineering, is leading the development of AI-driven peel-and-stick sensors that harvest energy from light, eliminating the need for traditional batteries. The On-Site IoT devices offer a low-cost, low-maintenance solution for real-time factory data processing while enhancing security through LiFi, a light-based communication protocol. With a working prototype in place, Swaminathan and his team, which includes Advanced Composites Technical Specialist Danny Norman and graduate researcher Dan Scott, are using the funding to launch pilot testing with manufacturing partners.
John Sorochan
John Sorochan is a Distinguished Professor of Turfgrass Science and Management in the UT Institute of Agriculture. Sorochan and Research Associate Kyley Dickson developed a testing device called fLEX, which measures the performance and playability of sports surfaces. Their funding will be used to continue developing software and prototypes of the invention.
Jindong Tan
Professor Jindong Tan of the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Biomedical Engineering developed Skillfold Robotics to equip robots with humanlike skills to help automate real-world tasks such as stocking shelves in grocery stores. His work, carried out with the help of Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering Shuai Li and Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Weizi Li, aims to address both rising labor costs and inflation by deploying agile dexterous robots that can navigate tight spaces and perform essential retail tasks. With a patent granted in 2024, the team is preparing to showcase their prototype at upcoming technology exhibitions.
Uday Vaidya
UT–Oak Ridge National Laboratory Governor’s Chair for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Uday Vaidya, with the help of Research Specialist Pritesh Yeole and graduate assistant Vinit Chaudhary, created a carding technology to comb through carbon, glass, and natural fibers. The process will allow the fibers to be recycled, resulting in a reduction of landfill waste. Vaidya and his team will use the funding to continue developing prototypes of the technology.
Thomas Zawodinski
Thomas Zawodzinski, UT-Oak Ridge National Laboratory Governor’s Chair for Electrical Energy Conversion and Storage, and Entrepreneurial Fellow Brian Washington are developing high-power aluminum-air batteries for applications ranging from drones to heavy-duty vehicles. These fully recyclable nonflammable batteries offer an environmentally friendly option by eliminating carbon dioxide emissions during operation. With power output exceeding previous benchmarks, the team aims to create a functional prototype in 2025.