Discovery to Impact Innovation Power Hour: Celebrating the Proof of Concept Program
See what happens when great research gets the right early support. The Discovery to Impact Innovation Power Hour puts the Proof of Concept (POC) Program front and center, bringing together past POC awardees from The University of Texas at Austin to share how their awards helped propel their projects forward in different ways.
In rapid, high-impact five-minute presentations, each faculty innovator will share their breakthrough discoveries, commercial potential, and real-world market applications. The session will close with the official announcement of the Fall 2026 Proof of Concept awardees.
Hear from past POC awardees & their technologies
Brain-Inspired Computing for Efficient AI
Presenter: Jean Anne Incorvia, Ph.D.
Technology: Integrate and Fire Magnetic Neurons for Efficient AI Data Processing
Overview: AI computing demands enormous amounts of energy. Dr. Incorvia is developing a single, high-endurance nanodevice inspired by the way that neurons "fire," enabling far more energy-efficient AI computation.
Cleaner, More Efficient Petrochemical Production
Presenters: Benny Freeman, Ph.D. & Matthew Davenport, Ph.D.
Technology: Scaling Up Silver Ion Membrane Modules for Olefin Purification
Overview: Separating olefins from paraffins is essential for making plastics but highly energy intensive. Dr. Freeman and Dr. Davenport are developing durable silver-ion membranes that work alongside existing distillation systems to cut energy use, costs, and emissions.
Smarter Data for Motion Analysis
Presenter: Michael Baker, Ph.D.
Technology: Minimal Motion, Maximum Impact
Overview: High-quality motion data is costly and difficult to collect. Dr. Baker's technology expands a small sample of human or robotic movement into large, realistic, labeled datasets, offering a cost-efficient alternative to traditional motion capture for rehabilitation, sports analytics, and robotics.
Tougher Optics for Extreme Environments
Presenter: Chih-Hao Chang, Ph.D.
Technology: Nanostructured Sapphire Window for Extreme Environment
Overview: Sapphire windows are strong but prone to glare, dust, and fogging. Dr. Chang is nanostructuring sapphire to reduce reflection, repel dust, and resist fogging and scratches, creating a durable optical window for aerospace, defense, space, and medical use.
Proof of Concept Award ceremony
Following the presentations, we will announce the newest Proof of Concept awardees. Learn more about the Proof of Concept awards here: https://discoverytoimpact.utexas.edu/programs/proof-of-concept-awards/