Projects for Michaelmas term 2009
1. Developing insect-proof surfacese
Contact: Jan-Henning Dirks (jhd32@cam.ac.uk), Dr. Walter Federle (wf222@cam.ac.uk) & Cristofer Clemente (cc498@cam.ac.uk), Department of Zoology
A team of researchers in Zoology has used advanced optical techniques to identify the adhesion process by which insects are able to stick to surfaces, a mechanism which uses a secreted emulsion of water in oily fluid. They have then used this understanding to identify surfaces which are highly slippery to insects, and which could act as a cheap, environmentally safe insect repellant surface.
Existing insect repellant surfaces work by particles that detach when the insect tries to climb them, so that the surface compound needs to be re-applied regularly and also can easily contaminate clothes, hands and other surfaces. The newly identified repellant compounds provide a much more permanent solution, which have the additional advantage of being non-toxic.
The researchers now need to decide how best to use this patented method commercially. This will include investigating where the compound might be used, and also how it might best be delivered. As an example, it might be possible to develop an insect-repellant paint for outdoor furniture and buildings, an insect-repellant spray coating for use in kitchens or medical environments, or other products for other uses. Each of these uses and delivery mechanisms will put restrictions and requirements onto the slippery compound, which are important to identify at an early stage. The i-Team will also need to look at the commercial route to market for each application. For example, would this be marketed as a chemical additive for existing paints and varnishes to companies such as paint manufacturers, or should the researchers work directly with paint manufacturers to develop new products incorporating the compound. The i-Team's challenge is to investigate the different applications and commercialisation options and recommend the best way forward.
2. Improving athletes' physical performance
Contact: Dr. Salman Taherian (Salman.Taherian@cl.cam.ac.uk) & Dr. Marcelo Pias (marcelo.pias@cl.cam.ac.uk), Computer Lab
Mentor: John Hunter
A team of researchers from the Computer Lab and Engineering in Cambridge has worked for the past 2 years on a detailed sensing project for athletes. The SESAME project (SEnsing in Sport and Managed Exercise) has looked at a variety of methods for measuring and analysing the detailed performance of athletes in real time, with the aim of developing a system and methodology that can help them to improve their performance. Sprinting has been used as a test case for the research activities, working closely with the National Indoor Sports Stadium in Cardiff and also with a team of athletes, coaches and sports scientists.
The researchers have developed a modular system allowing each type of measurement to be used separately or in conjunction with other measurements. Key requirements have been to develop highly accurate forms of measurement that are easy to use and set up. The data collected is now being analysed to identify a range of performance characteristics that can help coaches and athletes to identify weaknesses and develop appropriate training programmes.
The research team are now interested in investigating other areas where such a system can bring real-world benefits. Should they focus on the professional sports arena, perhaps moving to a number of other sports, each with different detailed requirements, or perhaps expand to amateur sports, clinical rehabilitation and other areas. The role of the i-Team will be to identify and investigate other areas where such a system could be used and recommend the best approach to the researchers.
3. Commercialising a pain-relieving Peruvian plant extract
Contacts: Dr. Francoise Barbira-Freedman (fb205@cam.ac.uk), Department of Social Anthropology Dr. Mark Treherne (treherne@ukonline.co.uk)
Dr. Barbira-Freedman has spent many years studying the medical traditions of indigenous Peruvian peoples, and compiling a database of over 400 Peruvian plants with medicinal properties. All the plants have been carefully selected to be under no threat of extinction, and to be easy to cultivate at a commercial scale without needing large quantities of water or nutrients. She set up her company Ampika to commercialise this knowledge and return a share of the profits back to Peru to help revitalise and preserve the traditional knowledge which is at risk of being lost.
Ampika has worked with NeuroSolutions Ltd. to develop a patented extraction and purification process for their first plant extract, which has demonstrable pain relieving properties. Animal trials suggested good efficacy, and the first clinical trial in periodontal procedures has shown that this effects at least as good, if not better, than the usual lignacaine gel.
There are now two questions to be addressed by the i-Team. The first question is how could external pain-relieving herbal products like this be used, and which of these uses has the greatest market potential. The second is how best to deliver these plant extracts, whether as a component of an existing product (for example, a toothpaste like Sensodyne) or as a stand-alone product (for example, as a numbing spray or gel). The team will also need to provide recommendations on which companies might become development and commercial partners for Ampika and enable these products to be brought to market.