Technology Offerings

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer and the third most common cause of cancer related death worldwide. Cure of HCC is only possible by complete resection in early stages, but only 10–20% of tumors can be curatively resected and the risk of HCC recurrence is high. In addition, HCC is resistant to conventional radio- or chemotherapy. As a result, the prognosis of HCC remains poor and new therapies are urgently needed. The discovery of so far unknown immunodominant epitopes of the tumor-associated antigen Glypican-3 and the according HLA-A2 restricted T-cell-receptor enable the development of an adoptive T cell therapy for HCC patients. Adoptive T cell therapies showed very promising results in cancer therapy over the last years. The Science Magazine even awarded this technology as “Breakthrough of the year 2013”. Therefore, the current invention provides the tools for a promising new approach for the therapy of HCC.

The novel pH value sensor works according to an optical electrochemical principle and comprises a photoluminescent or fluorescent layer, a light source and a detector. The layer comprises an electric potential and acts as a working electrode which is implemented as a nanostructure (nanowires with quantum dots). Furthermore, spatial resolution can be achieved by using numerous nanowires contacted individually on a carrier and a visual array detector (analogous to CCD sensors in digital cameras).
Other reactions or concentrations of substances can also be detected.

This novel sensor works according to an optical electrochemical principle and comprises a photoluminescent or fluorescent layer, a light source and a detector. The layer comprises an electric potential and acts as a working electrode which is implemented as a nanostructure (nanowires with quantum dots). Furthermore, spatial resolution can be achieved by using numerous nanowires contacted individually on a carrier and a visual array detector (analogous to CCD sensors in digital cameras).

Currently, continuous fibers in the form of woven or braided structures are used as reinforcement of oxide fiber composites. For the first time, short-fiber reinforced oxide fiber composites with a bending strength of more than 100 MPa can be fabricated. A short-fiber preform made of stapled fiber bundles fulfills the demand of a high fiber volume content, which is required to adjust good mechanical characteristics.

The invention describes a process which enables the separation of permanent magnets out of a crap mixture. In order to achieve this thermal treatment is realized which leads to a partly demagnetization. This enables the following separation in an alternating magnetic field. This process leads to a separate fraction of corresponding permanent magnets. A German as well as an international patent application are pending.

An experimental plant is build up. A proof-of-concept is realized. On behalf of the Westphalian University of Applied Sciences PROvendis offers licenses to interested companies.

This invention concerns a device for internal high-pressure forming of micro-components from tubular moulding blanks. In this novel design, a carriage is sliding along guides, moved by a drive mounted separately from the guides. Hereby, the drive is coupled to the carriage free of any transverse forces. This minimises elastic deformations. Bending stresses in the plungers are avoided. The relative position between guide and forming tool is maintained.

The functional capability of the invention has been proven in many tests. Patents are granted in USA, Germany, France, Great Britain and Suisse. PROvendis is offering licences of the invention to interested parties on behalf of Cologne University of Applied Sciences.