Susan Trammell discusses NCInnovation grant on Spectrum News 1
Susan Trammell, Ph.D., professor of physics and optical science, joined Spectrum News 1 to discuss how NCInnovation is helping advance her research from the lab into real-world applications.
In May 2025, Trammell received a research and development grant from NCInnovation. The nonprofit organization helps bridge the gap between academia and industry by advancing research from North Carolina public universities from proof-of-concept to commercial viability.
“They’ve been a great partner, they’ve provided funding for us to get some preliminary results so that we can go and show it to other industries,” Trammell said. “They’ve helped us develop local partnerships, so we work with some companies in Huntersville and other regional North Carolina companies to try to develop this technology.”
The grant followed a multi-month review and evaluation process led by external subject matter experts and overseen by the Program Committee of NCInnovation’s Board of Directors.
Light-Assisted Drying
Trammell and her team developed a laser technology called Light-Assisted Drying that enables medications to be stored at room temperature, expanding access worldwide.
“Every day medications like vaccines, insulin, those have to be refrigerated or frozen in some cases. That’s expensive and it limits access,” Trammell said. “The leading cause of undervaccination in children worldwide is because the areas don’t have adequate access to refrigeration, so this could have a huge impact.”
The technology, awarded U.S. Patent 11,849,722, offers a promising alternative to freeze-drying for stabilizing proteins. By eliminating the need for refrigeration during transport and storage, the technology would reduce costs by up to 80%.
“[NCInnovation] provide[s] a lot of expertise in terms of pathways to commercializing, getting that technology out of the laboratory on a campus into the real world where it can help people,” Trammell explained. “We’re academics, we’re not business people, and learning how to do that is a learning experience for us and NCInnovation is incredibly supportive with that process.”