New Field Analyzer for Arsenic
Published on by Water Network Research, Official research team of The Water Network in Academic
University of Texas is Working to Bring Field Analyzer for Arsenic Levels in Water to Market Soon
After seeing an increase in arsenic contamination in developing countries, a researcher at the University of Texas at Arlington created a solution that he hopes will be used in the field someday soon.
Purnendu Dasgupta, who did a decade of research, has developed an environmentally friendly field analyzer for arsenic levels in water. Thanks to nearly $200,000 from the National Science Foundation, Dasgupta is a step closer to bringing his analyzer to market.
"Arsenic contamination is a problem in many parts of the world," said Dasgupta, UTA's Jenkins Garrett professor of chemistry. The World Health Organization lists arsenic as one of 10 chemicals of major public health concern, and chronic arsenic exposure can lead to serious health problems.
On college campuses across Texas and around the country, professors like Dasgupta are working to take their research from the lab and classroom to the marketplace. They're creating new products that can solve problems like arsenic contamination or help government agencies detect fraudulent documents.
The process of bringing research to market is important for research institutions such as UTA. When university researchers bring their products to market, they make a name for themselves and the school and contribute to economic growth in the region.
Universities like UTA rely heavily on federal grants to make that possible. Various government agencies, such as the Department of Justice and Department of Defense, provide university research funding.
The National Science Foundation is another large supporter. With a budget of $7.2 billion in fiscal 2014, the foundation funds about 24 percent of the federally supported basic research conducted by America's colleges and universities.
In fiscal 2013, the foundation gave $234 million to 80 Texas universities and organizations, including UTA, the University of Texas at Dallas and the University of North Texas.
Among the Dallas-area schools, UTA received the most funding from the National Science Foundation — $8.5 million. The school reported total research expenditures reached $77.7 million in fiscal 2013, which ended Aug. 31.
Along with federal funding, schools have dedicated offices to support faculty and student research and innovation that can be turned into products or services.
UTD helps researchers market their work through its Office of Technology Commercialization.
Created in 2008, the office is responsible for reviewing research, finding avenues for commercialization and helping researchers find investors, said Asha Rajagopal, UTD's director of technology commercialization.
The office maintains a database that allows future investors to look for a technology or invention to commercialize in categories such as biomedical, electronics and research tools.
"We want to be able to serve as advocates to researchers," Rajagopal said.
At UTA, researchers turn to the Office of Technology and Management to find out if their research is patentable. The office also monitors research and license agreements to ensure the product's development and commercialization, said Carolyn Cason, UTA's vice president for research.
Last year, UTA also partnered with startup incubator Tech Fort Worth to enhance its efforts. Through the partnership, faculty members and research teams have increased access to North Texas entrepreneurs.
Within the University of Texas System, inventions generated using university facilities are owned by the Board of Regents, said Teri Schulz, director of the Office of Technology and Management.
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