Startups & Affiliates

Since its creation in 2001, the University of Akron Research Foundation has assisted in the creation of 26 companies and offered support to countless others. Those listed below are examples of companies based on UA technology or expertise that will develop new applications to move technology from the University's lab to the wider marketplace.

Advanced Coatings International pioneers environmentally friendly laser direct imageable liquid photoresist technology.

Akron Device Technology developing environmentally friendly delivery systems for applying performance materials and coatings.

Akron Material Concepts, led by UA professor Erol Sanjaktar, specializes in advanced materials research and development.

Akron Medical Innovations LLC specializes in medical device development.

Akron Medvision pioneers a new diabetes test for insulin.

Akron Polymer Systems commercializes coatings to improve high performance displays developed by UA professors Frank Harris and Stephen Cheng.

Akron Research Commercialization Corp. was founded by UA professor Wiley Youngs in 2002 to research and develop proprietary chemicals.

Akron Scientific, Inc. develops high definition x-ray and ultrasonic technology for homeland security use through the research of UA professor George Giakos.

ChemNano Materials, Ltd., founded by former UA graduate student Pingshan Wang, develops and commercializes nanotechnology developed in UA's polymer labs.

Cleveland Energy, Inc.

Coal Fuel Cell, Inc. commercializes UA professor Steven Chuang’s patented technology for fuel cells that run on solid coal, a process that is cleaner and up to twice as efficient as the current coal-burning processes.

Delta-Gamma Technologies utilizes professor Yu Qiao’s research on nanotechnology, including a “liquid armor” system to protect soldiers and absorb car collision impact.

Diacure, Inc., a joint venture between Pediment and UARF, commercializes medical devices by UA professor Joseph Kennedy.

Integrated Smart Structures, Inc. develops smart structure technology pioneered by UA professor Pizhong Qiao.

KenCak LLC leads early-stage development and commercialization of an artificial pancreas and other biomedical applications developed by UA's Drs. Joseph Kennedy and Miko Cakmak.

Novacek develops UA professor Mark Soucek’s new materials to be used in alkyd-based coatings.

Polysmart, Inc. develops movable explosion barriers.

Research Products Corp. was formed by UARF and members of the Department of Mechanical Engineering.

SeeSmall, LLC develops an advanced optical imaging system created by UA professor Alexi Sokolov.

SiCoat, Inc. founded by UARF and Goodyear Chemical to commercialize reversible silane technology.

SNS Nanofiber Technology LLC researches and produces hygienic products developed by UA's Drs. Darrell Reneker and Dr. Daniel Smith.

University Innovation Ventures, Inc. commercializes non-essential intellectual property under the leadership of UARF Senior Fellows Gordon Schorr and Barry Rosenbaum.

United Polymer Technology LLC manufactures and distributes specialty polymer gel candles developed by former UA professor Santosh Kanakkanatt.