Latest technologies from PARTEQ Innovations

Paradigm-Shifting Logic Architecture Offering 25x More Capacity than Today’s FPGAs

hjaferi@parteqinnovations.com — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 06:12:31 GMT

When there is a requirement for a custom logic solution, the technology chosen is typically one of either Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) or Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). Today, FPGAs occupy only a small portion of the custom semiconductor market, hampered by high power consumption and relatively low logic capacity compared with ASICs. Researchers at Princeton University in Princeton NJ and Queen’s University in Kingston Ontario have achieved the ultimate goal of the FPGA industry, which is to create a programmable device that can compete wi...

Technology for Projection of Digital Images on Arbitrary Surfaces

hjaferi@parteqinnovations.com — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 11:12:31 GMT

As the use of projector-camera systems advances into different operating environments and it becomes more commonplace to incorporate digital projection into everyday systems, it is becoming increasingly important to flexibly display images on a wide range of surfaces not limited to flat screens that are placed directly in front of the projector. In order to properly display an image on a freeform surface the projector-camera system needs to be able to detect the surface variations in the desired projection surface, and provide adequate compensation such that the final projected image ...

Solid-supported Palladacycle Catalysts

hjaferi@parteqinnovations.com — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 06:21:25 GMT

Professor Stan Brown and his research group at Queen’s University have developed a novel approach to make solid-supported palladacycle catalysts. Instead of binding premade palladacycle molecules onto silica or polymer materials, a palladacycle is formed in-situ on the functionalized backbone of commercially available polymers or silicas through formation of a covalent bond (See scheme below). This method provides a simple and cost effective approach of making immobilized palladacycle catalysts. Applications: Solid-supported palladacycle catalysts have been widely used in man...

Novel Efficiency Boost Technology for Smart SR Drivers in LLC based DC-DC Converters

hjaferi@parteqinnovations.com — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 07:14:45 GMT

Power converters often use dual MOSFETs as synchronous rectifiers in LLC half bridge topologies. MOSFETs are able to provide very efficient rectification and when driven correctly may achieve nearly ideal operation. Correct MOSFET operation requires a specialized “smart” driver chip that senses when the MOSFET should be “on” and “off”, and sends the appropriate signal to the gates of the rectifiers. There are a number of SR driver chips in the market today. An example would be the IR1168 Smart Rectifier Driver IC from International Rectifier. Researchers in the...

Switchable Photochromic Materials

hjaferi@parteqinnovations.com — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 05:28:34 GMT

Researchers at Queen’s University have developed a new class of photochromic materials that respond to the stimuli of light and heat with a large colour contrast. The colours of these materials can be switched between colourless and dark blue or dark green in a liquid. This group compounds also show potential as solid state photochromic switching materials (e.g. in a polymer matrix). Features and Benefits: Sharp colour contrast Tunable colours Fast response with light and heat Fast switching between colours Mild reaction conditions Easy synthesis and modif...

A Fiber-loop Ring-down Spectroscopy Detector for HPLC

hjaferi@parteqinnovations.com — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 05:28:30 GMT

Description: Researchers at Queen’s University have developed a rugged and inexpensive absorption detector based on a patented fiber-loop ring-down spectroscopy (FLRDS) technology. The ring-down of a pulse of light (from near infrared to UV) in a loop made of fiber-optic waveguide is correlated to changes of analyte concentrations in a sample stream. Coupling with various separation instrumentation (e.g. capillary electrophoresis, micro-HPLC, or microfluidic devices), this detector allows for a fast and sensitive detection of a broad range of organic species, proteins/peptides, and...

Multi-Channel Optical Fiber as a Frit

hjaferi@parteqinnovations.com — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 10:01:42 GMT

Researchers at Queen’s University have developed a robust retaining frit for capillary LC column packing using micro-structured optical fibre (MSF). A representative frit containing 168 precisely patterned holes with 4 µm hole diameter has been used to successfully retain 3 µm microspheres. Currently, porous frits made by sintering metallic particles are widely used to retain particles for LC packing. However, this type of frit tends to have relatively higher flow resistance and its production is not as reproducible. Benefits: MSF Frits offer significantly lower backpressures...

Multiple-channel Micro-reactor Array

hjaferi@parteqinnovations.com — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 10:01:41 GMT

Protein digestion is a standard procedure for many bio-analytical operations. Current techniques include in solution digestion, packed capillary, porous polymer monoliths, and micro-fluidic channels immobilized with enzymes. Because samples of biological molecules are often available only in minute quantities and accordingly any pre- treatment of the sample must be able to be completed sparingly and with small sample sizes. Researchers at Queen’s University have developed a multi-channel micro-reactor array using micro-structured optical fibres (MSFs) with pre...

Multiple-Channel Open Tubular Chromatography Column Array

hjaferi@parteqinnovations.com — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 10:01:41 GMT

Open tubular chromatography in narrow-bore columns has long offered considerable promise for highly efficient analytical separations, however, a drawback of such columns (with only a single, small channel) is their low loading capacity. As a result, only very small volumes of sample at low concentrations can be accommodated, necessitating systems with specialized operating parameters and extreme detection sensitivity. Additionally, a further drawback is that columns with such small diameters are subject to frequent clogging, making them unreliable for extended analy...

Single-Step Schwartz Reduction

hjaferi@parteqinnovations.com — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 10:01:40 GMT

Schwartz reduction enables many vital transformations in synthetic organic chemistry including its large-scale application in manufacturing of paclitaxel (taxolTM), a generic anticancer drug to treat patients with lung, ovarian, and breast cancer. Although the Schwartz reagent is commercially available, it is expensive and problematic for long-time storage due to its sensitivity to air, light and moisture. Current in situ Schwartz reagent generation procedures are all based on the initial preparation of the Schwartz reagent for use in the subsequent reactions. Concerns of...

Palladium (Pd) Scavenger and Catalyst

hjaferi@parteqinnovations.com — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 10:01:39 GMT

A functionalized mesoporous silica material has been developed by Dr. Cathleen M. Crudden and co-workers at Queen's University using sol-gel technology. This material contains active metal binding sites not only on the external surface but throughout internal channels of the silica matrix as well. Therefore, this material affords more efficient metal binding and larger capacity of metal scavenging. After scavenging, materials containing catalytically active metals such as Pd can be used as a catalyst. In the case of metals such as Hg or Au, the material may be of more interest ...

CANINE FACTOR VIII

hjaferi@parteqinnovations.com — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 10:35:50 GMT

Dr. David Lillicrap of the Department of Pathology at Queen's University has developed a canine factor VIII cDNA and constructed several B domain deleted forms of this sequence. The technology provides isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding canine factor VIII and mutants, fragments and derivatives thereof. The technology also provides canine factor VIII polypeptides encoded by such isolated nucleic acid molecules, antibodies binding to such polypeptides, genetic constructs comprising such nucleic acid molecules, prokaryotic or eukaryotic host cells or whole animals comprisi...

DETECTS(TM) - Tool for Quantifying Circulatory Emboli

hjaferi@parteqinnovations.com — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 10:09:23 GMT

In open heart surgery, trapped air within the heart is permitted to escape by a variety of non-standardized techniques including venting, alternating the patient’s position and applying physical pressure on the carotid arteries to prevent cerebral embolism. In certain cases, the trapped emboli can lead to cerebral emboli which causes severe neurological dysfunction or death. A reliable tool that can accurately measure the number of emboli has been developed to improve neurological outcome post cardiac surgery. Researchers at Queen’s University have developed DETECTSTM, a softwa...

Obesity Management Kit: Waist Circumference Tape Measure and Instructional Video

hjaferi@parteqinnovations.com — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 09:26:44 GMT

The Canadian guidelines for the clinical management of obesity recommend measuring “body mass index and waist circumference in all adults and adolescents to determine the degree and distribution of body fat” (CMAJ April 10, 2007, Vol.176, Issue 8). The guidelines characterize waist circumference as “a new vital sign”. Waist circumference provides a measure of visceral (abdominal) fat, which has been shown to increase a person’s risk of heart disease and death independent of body weight or body mass index (BMI). A 2006 study by researchers at Queen's University showed that ...

H2 Fertilization: Is this the Benefit of Crops In Rotation?

hjaferi@parteqinnovations.com — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 09:02:30 GMT

The beneficial effect on crop growth from rotation and inter-cropping with legumes is recognized the world over. The more efficient utilization of growth resources leads to yield advantages and increased stability compared to sole cropping. Researchers formerly of Queen's University believe they have developed a technique that mimics the benefits of crop rotation: a "chemical-free" and effective way to improve crop growth by 10-30% without rotating crops. Dr. David Layzell (University of Calgary) and Dr. Zhongmin Dong (St. Mary’s University) enhanced the soil’s activity by pre-t...

Methods of treating a CNS disorder using N,N-dichlorinated amino acids and Derivatives

hjaferi@parteqinnovations.com — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 09:02:29 GMT

Researchers at Queen’s University have achieved high levels of BBB permeability with chlorinated taurine a critical omega amino acid for normal brain function. Chlorinated taurine reverts to taurine within the CNS. Experiments with rats provide evidence that administration of dichlorotaurine attenuates the pathological consequences of excessive glutamate release, which is known to occur under clinical conditions such as epilepsy, intractable pain disorders, Huntington’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease and abnormalities associated with CNS trauma. Dichlorination with othe...

MRI Acoustic Absorber with Tunable Resonance Frequencies

hjaferi@parteqinnovations.com — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 08:25:47 GMT

MRI acoustic noise has long been a concern in terms of patient comfort and, on occasion, patient safety. In order to attenuate the acoustic noise in MRI scanners, various measures involving both active and passive control have been investigated. However, these methods are generally not cost effective and typically attenuate the acoustic noise only at a fixed frequency or frequency range. A sound absorber for MRI scanners that overcomes these limitations has been developed by researchers at Queen’s University. Technology: The sound absorber reduces the acoustic noise inside the ...

Decellularized Adipose Tissue for Soft Tissue Augmentation

hjaferi@parteqinnovations.com — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 07:48:48 GMT

Background: Current clinical strategies for soft tissue augmentation and reconstruction employ a variety of natural and synthetic biomaterials as substitutes for adipose tissue. These include collagen processed from allogenic or xenogenic dermal tissue, hydrogels based on hyaluronic acid or alginate, and alloplastic materials such as silicone, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), etc. However, these substitutes focus on bulking the overlying dermis, rather than permanently restoring the defects with functional adipose tissue. Moreover, each has a number of limitations, including graft resor...

Patient-Specific Surgical Guide with Intraoperative Adjustability

hjaferi@parteqinnovations.com — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 07:48:34 GMT

Overview: Pre-operatively designed patient-specific guides are intended to register to the patient’s anatomy in a unique orientation; however, in practice variability exists due to the presence of soft tissues, immature osteophytes, etc. This variability in positioning can result in a significantly altered surgical approach and may compromise clinical outcomes. Technology: To address this issue, researchers at Kingston General Hospital and Queen’s University have developed a patient-specific guide that employs a verification tool and adjustable instrument sleeves to alter...

Extended Release Absorbable Polymer Drug Delivery Systems

hjaferi@parteqinnovations.com — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 07:48:15 GMT

Overview: A researcher at Queen’s University has developed a suite of proprietary extended release drug delivery systems based on absorbable elastomers and injectable polymers. Formulated from clinically accepted monomers such as D,L-lactide, e-caprolactone, polyethylene glycol, and trimethylene carbonate, these novel drug delivery systems can be tailored to possess a specific drug release profile, surface chemistry, and/or resorption rate and have been tested with a variety of therapeutic agents including proteins and peptides. Technology Description: Elastomer Drug Delivery S...

SW-01: Novel Anti-Cancer Compound

hjaferi@parteqinnovations.com — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 07:18:25 GMT

Researchers at Queen’s University have identified a genericized drug compound, SW-01, specific for inhibiting the RET receptor tyrosine kinase. SW-01 has powerful anti-cancer properties and is effective in reducing pancreatic cancer tumours in a number of in vivo preclinical models. This compound has the potential for treating a number of cancer types involving RET. RET is well established as an important cancer-causing molecule in human thyroid cancer. Recent findings have demonstrated that RET has broader roles in other human tumours. RET is highly express...

Follicular Lymphoma Predictive Assay

hjaferi@parteqinnovations.com — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 07:18:25 GMT

Follicular lymphoma (FL) constitutes 24% to 40% of all lymphoma cases. It is often a slow progressing disease (indolent stage) with prolonged survival and minimal intervention. Some patients will experience conversion to an aggressive phenotype resulting in short survival. The cause for conversion from indolent to aggressive stage is unknown and treatment modalities at this later stage are often ineffective. The Follicular Lymphoma Assay uses gene pairs identified from expression arrays of tissues from FL patients and can predict 5 year mortality with...

ANKtide: Chemotherapeutic Peptide for Metastatic Cancer

hjaferi@parteqinnovations.com — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 07:18:24 GMT

Researchers at Queen’s University have developed a novel peptide (ANKtide) that is effective in reducing breast cancer tumours in vivo preclinical models. The peptide holds promise as a novel chemotherapeutic for metastatic cancers. ANKtide was originally identified to overcome resistance to anti-microtubule drugs by interacting with and inhibiting the oncoprotein synuclein-gamma (SNCG). SNCG, also referred to as Breast Cancer Specific Gene 1 (BCSG1), is not found in normal tissues but is abnormally expressed at high levels in advanced and metastatic cancers. It sign...

Multi-Drug Resistance Proteins (MRPs)

hjaferi@parteqinnovations.com — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 07:18:24 GMT

In 1992, Queen’s University researchers Drs. Susan Cole and Roger Deeley cloned a highly overexpressed novel mRNA from doxorubicin-selected multidrug resistant lung cancer cells. They subsequently established that the Multidrug Resistance Protein (MRP1) encoded by this mRNA was a 190 kDa ATP-binding phosphoglycoprotein capable of conferring resistance on previously sensitive cells. MRP1 is the founding member of subfamily "C" of the ATP-Binding Cassette ("ABC") superfamily of transport proteins, which now includes six MRP1 homologs as well as the gene responsible ...

Prognostic Tool for Chronic Heart Failure (CHF)

hjaferi@parteqinnovations.com — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 06:53:10 GMT

We have developed a novel ECG technology that predicts mortality with great accuracy, within 5 years, in chronic heart failure patients. Currently there are no reliable or accurate tests to predict CHF mortality. In a proof-of-concept study, our technology was successful in predicting, with almost 100% sensitivity and 80% specificity, death of ambulatory CHF patients within 5 years. In contrast, in this same patient population, multivariate analyses using existing clinical prognostic variables was substantially less effective at predicting death within 5 years...

NH-7211 - A Broad Acting Anti-Alzheimer’s Compound

hjaferi@parteqinnovations.com — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 07:21:03 GMT

Our researchers have created novel small chemical compounds capable of disrupting the three key misfolded proteins responsible for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other CNS disorders. Our lead compound, NH-7211 has been extensively tested in both in vitro and in vivo models and has shown a unique ability to inhibit Ab40/Ab42, tau and a-synuclein aggregation. This data suggests that our researchers have created a class of compounds capable of modulating key regulatory domain(s) within these misfolding proteins. In APP/PS1 transgenic AD mice, NH-7211 rescued long-term p...

Current Source Gate Drive Technology for DC-DC Buck Converters

hjaferi@parteqinnovations.com — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 07:48:01 GMT

DC-DC buck converters are commonly used in electronic systems to produce low DC voltages from a common 12V feed. As system voltage rails get increasingly lower and lower, and as switching frequencies increase, the efficiency and performance of the buck converter begins to decrease.Existing switching power supply designs are not capable of meeting all the requirements of next generation computing and telecom technologies. To partially address this situation, switching frequencies have increased to the megahertz region. However, conventional gate drive schemes suffer at high frequ...

Method to Measure Phase Change of an Optical Signal

hjaferi@parteqinnovations.com — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 07:48:01 GMT

Many optoelectronic devices used in optical fiber communications change the phase of an optical signal as a function of an external electrical or optical stimulus. The phase change can be the basis for the device functionality or a residual effect secondary to the device functionality. It is important to be able to simply and effectively characterize and measure the change in phase as a function of the external stimulus in order to test device design and to evaluate system performance. Phase change information can currently be obtained only indirectly from two separate measureme...

Low Cost Single Stage Dimmable Electronic Ballast for Compact Fluorescent Lamps

hjaferi@parteqinnovations.com — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 07:04:05 GMT

There is a global trend to eliminate incandescent bulbs in favor of CFLs due to their higher efficiency and longer lifetime. Most CFLs today for the consumer market are not compatible with standard dimmers, causing major dissatisfaction with consumers. Additionally consumer electronic ballasts have poor power factors, resulting in a net efficiency that is significantly less than the rated efficiency of the lamp. For example, a CFL with a rated power of 13W and a power factor of 0.5 actually consumes 26VA from the grid. This well documented power factor problem...

A Novel Post-Amplification Linearization Circuit

hjaferi@parteqinnovations.com — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:24:15 GMT

As the demand for high-speed high-capacity wireless data transmission grows, it is important for microwave device manufacturers to realize products with increased linearity performance. Wireless communications systems, in general, require several amplifiers at various points in the transmitter and receiver in order to increase the signal power level. Unfortunately, no amplifier is ideal and they all generate distortion along with amplifying the desired signal. This problem, which becomes highly undesirable when there is an information-carrying signal at the input of an amplifier, ...

MSF Emitter

hjaferi@parteqinnovations.com — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 07:30:31 GMT

Since its introduction, electrospray ionization (ESI) has become the preferred method for coupling liquid separation techniques to mass spectrometry for the analysis of biomolecules. Over the last fifteen years, the thrust in proteomics (with its needs for increased sensitivity, enhanced resolution and high throughput) has generated a tremendous amount of interest in ESI-MS. The development of low flow ESI (flow rates < 100 nL/min), also known as nano-ESI further increased the utility of ESI by significantly improving sensitivity. The continuous drive to reduce flo...

A Low-cost, Sterile Surgical Pointing Device

hjaferi@parteqinnovations.com — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 11:56:18 GMT

During computer assisted surgery, a surgeon or any of the surgical staff who are scrubbed in cannot directly interact with the computer system using a mouse because the mouse cannot be sterilized. Therefore, an assistant computer operator must always be present to take verbally dictated commands from the surgeon for every step the surgeon would like to perform in the user interface. This is cumbersome, error prone and time consuming. In addition, barriers to technology integration in the operating room include the learning curve and the time added to a surgical procedure from s...