Graphene Cosmetics

Northwestern University

Northwestern researchers have devised a new formula for black hair dye using graphene. Leveraging graphene’s high surface area, flexibility, electrical and thermal conductivity, the inventors have developed a multi-functional hair dye that can be used to control the lightness/darkness of hair. The graphene dye is both robust (able to stay on even after 30 washes) and non-toxic (minimal to no hair damage was observed after wash-out). This technology has received considerable attention in the popular press, including the NY Times, BBC, NPR, Fast Company, Refinery29, and other news outlets.

Cycladex

Northwestern University

Gold mining has been a historically low innovation industry. The industry standard is to use a cyanide process to isolate gold, which is expensive and potentially dangerous. Cycladex has created a method to isolate gold in an inexpensive, environmentally-friendly way.

Surgical Innovation Associates

Northwestern University

In cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries, surgical mesh is often implanted in order to support the tissue. However, skin-based mesh comes with complications that could result in more than one surgery. DuraSorb is a mesh which pairs the integration potential of skin-based mesh with a decreased risk of complications.

Synaural

Northwestern University

The Synaural platform uses engineered acoustic probes to elicit specific neural activity within the brain. A robust, easy to use, non-invasive headset records the neural activity and patented algorithms extract unique metrics that provide objective insight to the subject’s neural health and can be used to guide treatment in a meaningful, measured way. To date, the metrics have demonstrated enough specificity to be correlated with various conditions e.g. concussion, learning disabilities (e.g. Autism, reading, dyslexia), and hearing.