Since its inception in February 2024, Lehigh University’s Research Translation AcceLUrator (RTA) program has officially supported five Strategic Research Translation Projects (STRPs) and has assisted countless others through mentorship, educational modules, and strategic resources. This program, a part of the National Science Foundation's ART initiative, is dedicated to bridging the gap between academic research and societal impact by offering participants comprehensive translational education, hands-on support, and pathways to bring their innovations to life.

24-25 RTA STRP awardees

Lee Kern, Javad Khazaei, John Fox, Doug Spengel, George DuPaul, Rosa Zheng, Vinod Namboodiri.

23-24 Selected STRPs:

STRP Project 1: Low Energy, No Chemical, Sustainable Wastewater Recovery and Reuse in  Cities/Metropolis Using CO2 Captured from Atmosphere  

Researchers Arup SenGupta and John Fox are piloting a groundbreaking approach to water scarcity. Their invention, the HIX-Desal process, transforms wastewater into fresh, usable water with minimal energy and no added chemicals. Instead of relying on high-energy methods, HIX-Desal uses carbon dioxide, pulled from the air, to purify water, addressing both water and climate concerns in one innovative step. This unique technology offers a way to reuse water without the typical environmental costs, making it a promising solution for cities under pressure from population growth and climate variability.

The team is building a prototype at the Allentown wastewater treatment plant, where they’ll test the system over 18 months. As they install pumps, pipes, and a final reverse osmosis unit, their goal is to reclaim up to 85% of the wastewater. If successful, this process could serve as a model for sustainable water recovery in other cities facing drought and water shortages. With a U.S. patent in hand, the team is ready to commercialize the technology, potentially through partnerships with established companies or a new startup, to make sustainable water reuse a reality on a larger scale.

STRP Project 2: PEAK: Promoting Engagement with ADHD pre-Kindergarten children

To help families of young children with ADHD, researchers Lee Kern and George DuPaul designed an innovative behavioral parent training program called PEAK (Promoting Engagement with ADHD pre-Kindergartners). Developed with input from parents, educators, and other stakeholders, PEAK condenses a previously successful 20-session program into a more accessible 10-session format. The team created both face-to-face and online versions of PEAK to provide a low-cost, flexible alternative for families in areas where behavioral therapy services are scarce. Currently, the researchers are conducting a large-scale trial to evaluate PEAK’s long-term impact and to understand how factors like parent ADHD symptoms and self-efficacy may influence outcomes.

Looking to broaden access, the team plans to introduce PEAK in at least five diverse communities and refine the online platform for wider use. They’ll also conduct a market analysis and seek partnerships with mental health, educational, and government agencies to distribute the program, aiming to reach 20 underserved regions in the first year and expand to 50 more. By licensing the software to companies specializing in educational and clinical psychology tools, they hope to make PEAK a nationally available resource, ultimately empowering families to support their children’s development and behavior more effectively.

24-25 Selected STRPs:

STRP Project 3: Real-time Operational Resilience Assessment Platform for Electricity Infrastructure

The proposal, led by Javad Khazaei and Doug Spengel aims to develop a real-time operational resilience assessment platform for electricity infrastructure. This project addresses the urgent need for energy systems to quickly recover from extreme events like hurricanes and cyber-attacks.
 
By integrating real-time resilience metrics into existing SCADA platforms, the project seeks to enhance the monitoring and control of electricity grids. Over two years, the team will validate the technology in a lab, test it on Lehigh's electricity grid, and expand it to multiple campuses, aiming for a Technology Readiness Level of 7. The goal is to create a SCADA platform that visualizes grid parameters and provides real-time resilience insights, enabling operators to optimize energy production and prevent outages, thereby improving the overall resilience and reliability of the energy infrastructure.

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STRP Project 4: Acoustic Modems for Real-Time Underwater Wireless Communications 

For nearly two decades, Dr. Yahong Zheng at Lehigh University has been driven by one goal: breaking the barriers of underwater communication. Her latest project, "Acoustic Modems for Real-Time Underwater Wireless Communications," is poised to transform how we connect and operate below the surface, with huge implications for the blue economy. Unlike existing modems, which transmit data slowly across medium distances, Dr. Zheng’s solution is designed for short-range, high-data transmissions, enabling real-time sharing of videos and images underwater. After over 100 rigorous field tests, her team has developed a cutting-edge prototype that combines MIMO technology with Turbo equalization algorithms, showcasing promising results.

Dr. Zheng’s innovation could fundamentally change industries reliant on underwater operations, from monitoring offshore infrastructure to deep-sea exploration and aquaculture, by eliminating the need for cumbersome, costly cables. Through her startup, Sea-Gal Technologies, she’s gearing up to bring this technology to market, fueled by federal and private funding. Beyond technology, Dr. Zheng is equally committed to building an inclusive research environment, offering hands-on opportunities to graduate students and postdocs, especially women and minorities in STEM. For Dr. Zheng, this project isn’t just about pioneering technology—it’s about inspiring the next generation to push the boundaries of what's possible in science.

STRP Project 5: Mapping for Accessible Built Environments

Vinod Namboodiri’s proposal for MABLE (Mapping for Accessibility in Built Environments) seeks to improve indoor navigation for people with disabilities (PWDs) by creating digital maps tailored to users’ accessibility needs. MABLE will leverage AI, building modeling, robotics, and low-power electronics to extract detailed information from floor plans, enabling PWDs to assess and navigate indoor spaces with greater independence. By providing accessible interfaces for planning and navigation, MABLE aims to reduce the anxiety associated with navigating large buildings and foster greater confidence in daily mobility.

The project takes a community-centered approach, involving users in the map creation process and encouraging ongoing feedback to ensure the maps meet diverse needs. Components like a web app, mobile app, and localization solutions are planned, with a minimum viable product expected by December 2024. MABLE emphasizes inclusivity and is designed to enhance quality of life and employment opportunities for PWDs by making indoor spaces more accessible. Integrated into the ART (Accelerating Research Translation) ecosystem on campus, the project requires no additional funding, as it is already supported by NSF grants.