Commercialization at ECU

Our faculty at ECU are well versed in the intersection of learning, discovery and service across disciplines. Some are exploring the pathway that takes new ideas from concepts developed through research to commercialization. ECU groups, like the university’s Economic Development and Engagement Council, share the innovation, entrepreneurship and engagement (IEE) process with faculty to introduce them to the benefits of commercialization. Understanding these three key elements of research is an important first step of that journey.

• Innovation: Process of implementing creative ideas to address a need in order to have meaningful impact.
• Entrepreneurship: Process of using resources to discover and pursue opportunities.
• Engagement: Collaboration between ECU and the community for the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources via partnerships and reciprocity.

IEE activities include research projects that directly affect communities, including assisting in the development of state legislation, writing policy briefs, helping with regional economic development efforts to attract and retain industry, receiving a patent, or assisting in new curriculum development.

ECU Success Stories

ECU faculty members have had their fair share of IEE success stories. Here’s a look at how faculty have taken their research and turned it into successful market products that benefit the public

• Sharon Rogers Moore: Moore, who spent more than a decade at ECU, is the inventor of Sportscale. The company offers a computerized weight monitoring system based on a patent from Moore’s early professional athletic training research with Pitt County students. The device monitors athletes’ levels of dehydration during sports practices, allowing teams and coaches to better monitor athletes at risk for dehydration, while saving time during weigh-ins at practices.
• Teal Darkenwald: Darkenwald, an associate professor in the School of Theatre and Dance, focuses her research in dance science, particularly the 3D kinematic analysis of movement and functional supplement training. Through her research and training, Darkenwald developed and founded UltraBarre. The exercise class combines “ballet, dance conditioning and Pilates-based movements” aimed at increasing flexibility and strength. UltraBarre instructors undergo training and certification before hosting their own classes.

How ECU Can Help

ECU has a variety of resources available to help faculty, students and staff commercialize their research and take products to market. The Office of Innovation and New Venture’s Licensing and Commercializing office helps researchers navigate the steps of commercialization, from ideation to market launch. The office provides support including:

• Invention disclosure;
• Funding sources;
• Intellectual property protection strategies (i.e. patents, copyrights, and trademarks); and
• Training programs including I-Corps@ECU and the Idea 2 Impact network.

Even if your innovation resides outside of STEM disciplines, the office can help you evaluate strategies for improved dissemination and licensing. One example is the College of Education with packaging and licensing of professional development training curricula for use at other universities and within industry. Another example is in the Department of Occupational Therapy, where Licensing and Commercialization is working hand in hand with researchers to ultimately license an Autism Spectrum Disorder program geared toward real-life training and assistance with mobility using public transportation or driving cars. If interested in learning more, contact Mark Wdowik.

ECU’s Office of Community Engagement and Research and Office of National Security and Industry Initiatives can connect you with community and industry partners in need of research, analytical services, and/or business optimization assistance. Many of these partners have specific challenges in mind that faculty researchers may be able to mitigate. Whether you’re a first time novice or a serial inventor, the university has the talent, assets and facilities available to help your product reach the masses and better the lives of those living in eastern North Carolina and beyond.

Around the University

• Future of Big Data: Big data – large sets of data that are analyzed to reveal patterns, trends and associations ­– is becoming big business at East Carolina University. The topic was discussed at the 2019 Big Data at Eastern North Carolina Symposium, as data researchers from across the state visited ECU to talk about the future of the field.
• New Research Cluster Launches: Researchers are putting a focus on biomaterials with the launch of ECU’s newest research cluster. On April 5, the university launched its biomaterials research cluster as part of its annual Research and Creative Achievement Week, bringing together faculty and students across disciplines to discuss their work in the field.
• RCAW Puts Spotlight on Students, Faculty: ECU researchers shared their work with the community as part of the university’s 13th annual Research and Creative Achievement Week. Nearly 400 oral and poster presentations – including a record 229 undergraduate presenters – were held over the weeklong event from April 1-5.
• Professor Highlighted by Today Show in Arctic: Snow sensors developed by students and faculty at ECU to aid in climate change research made their way to the Arctic with science education professor and STEM CoRE coordinator Dan Dickerson.
• Finding Funding: REDE has launched a monthly newsletter summarizing funding programs, agency news and information sessions relevant to university researchers. The newsletter also includes a link to REDE’s new funding page that features curated searches by research interest developed by Joyner Library and the Office of Research Administration. Sign up for the newsletter here.