asset assessment study for commonwealth of virginia: i of...oct 09, 2017 · the line‐of‐sight...

Research‐Asset Assessment Study for Commonwealth of Virginia:

Phase I – Initial Line‐of‐Sight/Headwinds Analysis on Potential Growth Opportunities Leveraging Virginia’s Research and Development Assets

To: Virginia Research

Investment Committee and

State Council of Higher

Education for Virginia

RFP# SCHEVRFP‐245‐052617

October 6, 2017

Initial Line‐of‐Sight (Headwinds) Analysis of Growth Opportunities for Review by VRIC

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Table of Contents

A. Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 2

B. Conducting the Line‐of‐sight Assessment ........................................................................................ 4

C. Profiling Virginia’s Innovation‐Led Platforms .................................................................................... 8

D. Detailed Overviews of Virginia’s Innovation Platforms ................................................................... 11

Biomedical Sciences ................................................................................................................................ 13

Computing & Analytics ............................................................................................................................ 14

Advanced Materials ................................................................................................................................ 15

Systems Engineering ............................................................................................................................... 16

Environment and Energy ......................................................................................................................... 18

Appendix A: Core Competencies Found across Virginia’s Base of Innovation ...................................... 19

Publication Core Competency Strengths ................................................................................................ 20

Patent Analysis ........................................................................................................................................ 30


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A. Introduction The State Council of Higher Education for the Commonwealth of Virginia (SCHEV), on behalf of the Virginia Research Investment Committee (VRIC), has launched a comprehensive study to assess the Commonwealth’s research assets, including those at its public and private universities, federal research facilities and private sector companies. To assist with the analysis, SCHEV has retained TEConomy Partners, LLC (TEConomy), which was formed in late 2015 as an independent company, transitioning the complete staff and capabilities of the Technology Partnership Practice (TPP) from the Battelle Memorial Institute. TEConomy has a proven track record in conducting rigorous and robust assessment studies of research and development (R&D) assets and overall innovation ecosystems in states, including Arkansas, Arizona, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, New Hampshire, Ohio, and Utah, that inform the targeting of innovation‐led growth opportunities found in a state as well as strategic actions to further innovation‐based development. A key challenge facing states in today’s global economy where knowledge and innovation are the driving forces for economic competitiveness is that the opportunity set of technologies that research and development (R&D) capabilities across universities, industries and federal labs can help in advancing is enormous. In reality, each state has its own specific areas of excellence across its university, industry and federal lab R&D activities through which it is best positioned to differentiate itself and build specialized areas of expertise where it can be a world leader in technology commercialization and innovation‐led development or what we term core R&D competencies. In an interesting paradox, the more globally integrated the world economy becomes, the more a state’s research and development assets and the ability of its innovation ecosystem to translate those assets into new products and new businesses matters. These areas of localized strengths in R&D assets reflect the core competencies around which industries innovate and grow around specific states and regions. The concept of core competencies is now widely understood as a critical factor for industries to be competitive. According to Hamel and Prahalad in their widely acclaimed business strategy book, Competing for the Future, “Core competencies are the gateways to future opportunities. Leadership in a core competence represents a potentiality that is released when imaginative new ways of exploiting that core competence are envisioned.”1 Core competencies can be thought of as “bundle of skills and technologies” that enables innovation and growth. From a state and regional technology‐based economic development perspective, core R&D competencies represent where a state has the “know how” across its industries and research institutions, involving universities, federal labs and non‐profit organizations, to position the state for future growth in targeted markets. This includes focused areas where the state’s base can bring a critical mass of activity along with an identified measure of excellence and alignment across key industry, university and federal labs. With an understanding of a state’s core competencies across research institutions and industry, it is possible to then examine the extent to which there are robust, innovation‐led platforms in broad areas of capability supported by both research institutional and industry core competencies where Virginia is best positioned to differentiate itself. These technology platforms of highly‐aligned competency areas across industry and research institutions reflect the intersection, or “line‐of‐sight”, where the state has

1 G. Hamel and C.K. Prahalad. Competing for the Future. Harvard Business School Press: Boston, MA, 1994, pp. 217.


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the know‐how and capacity to grow in the future. Figure 1 presents the overall approach and the specific metrics used in this assessment to identify a “line‐of‐sight” to strategic platforms that consider the market pull of leading advanced industries found in Virginia and the technology push from the state’s university research capabilities.

Figure 1: Line‐of‐sight Approach for Identifying Strategic Growth Platforms for Virginia


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B. Conducting the Line-of-sight Assessment

The line‐of‐sight approach starts with an assessment of core R&D competencies that are found in the output of research and technology development activities undertaken by research institutions and industry (the full details of the core competency analyses are set out in Appendix A). This involves an in‐depth analysis of documented activities in peer‐reviewed research publications that largely represent the scholarly activities of research institutions, and patent/intellectual property activities that largely reflect the focus of industry research and development. This type of quantitative analysis enables the use of sophisticated machine learning algorithms to assess the tens of thousands of records found in publications and technology classification areas listed in patents to identify how these activities relate to each other.

The aim of the core competency analysis is to set the broad context or themes of where research and technology development activities in Virginia across research institutions and industry have a critical mass. These analyses found that there were 35 cluster groupings of core competency areas in scholarly activities from publications and 9 areas of leading patent innovation network groupings that together help to offer insights into innovation themes found across Virginia’s research and development base.

These publication clusters and patent innovation networks were then reviewed closely to learn how well they aligned together into potential platform areas bridging the areas of focus found in Virginia’s research institutions and industry innovation.

The line‐of‐sight analysis then assessed the depth, excellence and alignment of these potential platforms based on a broader set of measures of research excellence and innovation activities taking place in Virginia.

For the research institution innovation capacity, the key measures include:

Presence in publications cluster analysis, which offers a measure of the intensity of the specific

research innovation themes supporting key platform areas

Strength of leading publication fields (>100 overall publications in field across Virginia) aligned

with platform area, which offers an indexed measure of the combination of the volume of

publishing as well as the specialization of Virginia’s activity relative to national trends

Presence of university and lab R&D spending in discipline areas aligned with platform area,

which offers an indexed measure of the combination of the total dollars spent as well as the

intensity of Virginia university spending relative to national trends

Presence of major grant awards including those over $1 million and competitively‐funded

research centers, including those with industry

Presence of leading research centers with shared use infrastructure

For industry innovation capacity, the key measures include:

Presence in patent innovation networks which offers a measure of the intensity of the specific

applied innovation themes supporting key platform areas


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Strength of leading patent technology class areas (>20 overall patents in class) aligned with

platform area, which offers a measure of the combination of the volume of patenting activity as

well as the specialization of Virginia’s activity relative to national trends

Presence of venture capital funding aligned with platform applications areas, which offers a

measure of the combination of the total equity invested in specific, detailed technology areas

as well as the intensity of Virginia’s investment levels relative to national trends

Presence of Phase 2 SBIR awards aligned with platform applications areas, which gives a

measure of the level of emerging industry innovation associated with platforms

Presence of large bases of employment in aligned detailed 6‐digit NAICS advanced industries,

which offer insights into specific product markets served, that are available to support capacity

in innovative industry development (indexed based on relative distribution of Virginia NAICS

code employment levels)

Presence of specialized 6‐digit NAICS advanced industries aligned to a platform area that can

provide competitive advantages relative to other regions to support innovation activity (indexed

based on location quotient of Virginia NAICS industry employment relative to US)

These metrics were used to create average total “scores” for research and industry innovation factors that evaluate the line‐of‐sight to market for each innovation‐led platform across the spectrum of translational research and commercialization activity. Platform areas can then be assessed based on the strength of alignment they have across both research innovation and industry innovation drivers in order to determine priority platform areas that can drive technology‐based economic development for Virginia.

Figure 2 lays out this process of utilizing core competency analyses to identify potential platform areas

for evaluation using the line‐of‐sight perspective.

Figure 2: Using Core Competency Analysis to Identify and Evaluate Virginia’s Potential Growth Platforms Using Line‐of‐sight Analysis


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A Summary Look at Publication Clusters and Patent Innovation Networks Found in Virginia

Publication Clusters: Peer‐reviewed research publications are the most extensive means to learn

about scholarly activities taking place across research institutions, including universities, federal labs

and non‐profit research organizations. From 2014 to mid‐2017, more than 53,000 publications were

generated in Virginia. By analyzing the abstracts of these publications using a pattern recognition

software to identify distinct clusters based on the use of words and phrases, it is possible to identify

distinct research themes in Virginia’s scholarly activities.

A graphic way to present these publication groupings is through a “galaxy” map that helps show the

size and organization of the cluster groupings relative to each other, as set out below.

Graphic Depiction of the Publication Cluster Groupings

Source: TEConomy’s analysis of publications obtained through Clarivate Analytics’s Web of Science database.


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A Summary Look Patent Innovation Networks Found in Virginia

Patent Innovation Networks: Virginia has several broad areas of patent activity that represent extensive

connections between and among industry, universities and federal labs based on an analysis of forward

citations. These broad, highly connected patent clusters also generally encompass leading areas of

patent activity, suggesting where the state stands out in specific innovation areas of technology.

A graphic illustration of these patent innovation networks is presented below, where each bubble

represents different patent classifications coded based on broad technology focus areas and the lines

show the connections from common technology area relationships between all the patent areas. The

density of the connections among the core patent innovation networks is reflected in the tight links and

proximity of the patent areas.

Mapping of Patent Innovation Networks Found in Virginia through Forward Citation Analysis

Source: Clarivate Analytics’ Derwent Innovation; Calculations by TEConomy Partners, LLC.


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C. Profiling Virginia’s Innovation-Led Platforms A combined examination of the patent innovation networks and research publications clusters analyses

revealed 14 platforms based on innovation strength themes in Virginia across five broad applications

verticals: biomedical sciences (including animal sciences), computing and analytics, advanced materials,

systems engineering, and environment and energy. The line‐of‐sight metrics further demonstrate the

areas of relative strength in each platform within Virginia and highlight those platform areas which are

aligned across the research‐industry innovation pipeline to best provide growth opportunities.

The relative positioning of each platform area based on the research and industry innovation factor

scoring outlined above is shown in Figure 3:

Figure 3: Assessment of Virginia’s Innovative Platform Areas Across University Factors and Industry

Factors

The combination of factors shows that with the exception of cyber and cyber‐physical security, there are

no platform areas that display overwhelming strength across both research and applied/industry

innovation factors. However, many platforms have either strong research alignment or industry

alignment with moderate or below average alignment across the other dimension. Thus, prioritizing

platform areas requires further examination of how each platform’s strengths provide opportunities to

leverage the platform to drive growth.

Based on the line‐of‐sight metrics evaluated, each platform was also given a ranking of niche, moderate,

or strong based on the average intensity of innovation strengths present. These rankings can be

interpreted as follows:


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Strong Innovation Capacity: a wider portfolio of assets is present to support the innovation

platform across multiple dimensions of innovation activity and the platform is recognized

nationally as a center of excellence. Signature research labs or centers and large, specialized

industry sectors are present across the translational research spectrum

Moderate Innovation Capacity: capabilities enabling the innovation platform are supported by

key assets, but may be emerging or unspecialized relative to national trends. Some high‐profile

research assets and industry sectors may be present, but are not yet signature capabilities with

nationally recognized excellence

Niche Innovation Capacity: the capabilities enabling the innovation platform may be present,

but are located in relatively isolated research assets or industry sectors without a significant

base of activity to leverage towards economic growth

Note that these rankings are not representative of any single dimension or metric of innovation, but

rather are intended to reflect strength across broader continuums of activity in either research or

translational industry innovation that are required to sustain growth long term. Table 2 below shows

each of the 15 line‐of‐sight areas and an assessment of their strengths in translational and research

innovation based on the line‐of‐sight analysis.

Table 1: Line‐of‐sight Assessment of Virginia’s Innovation‐Led Platforms

Broad

Applications

Vertical

Innovation‐Led Platform Area

Line‐of‐sight

Assessment

of VA

Research

Innovation

Line‐of‐sight

Assessment of VA

Translational/Industry

Innovation

Biomedical

Sciences

Animal Science & Veterinary Medicine Niche Niche

Biopharmaceuticals, Biochemistry, &

Biological Analysis Strong Niche

Diagnostic Sensing & Imaging Medical

Devices Moderate Moderate

Regenerative Medicine Devices Moderate Niche

Computing &

Analytics

IT, Networking, & Data Management Niche Strong

Cyber & Cyber‐Physical Security Strong Strong

Applied Data Analytics, Image Analysis &

Decision Support Tools Moderate Strong


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Broad

Applications

Vertical

Innovation‐Led Platform Area

Line‐of‐sight

Assessment

of VA

Research

Innovation

Line‐of‐sight

Assessment of VA

Translational/Industry

Innovation

Advanced

Materials

Engineered Materials for Aerospace, Naval,

& Defense Applications Moderate Moderate

Electronics & Optics Materials/Components Strong Moderate

Systems

Engineering

Applied Sensing & Geospatial Systems Strong Moderate

Transportation Systems & Technologies Strong Niche

Wireless Communications Technologies &

Equipment Moderate Strong

Environment

& Energy

Environmental Sciences and Technology Strong Niche

Energy, Power Systems, & Fuels Moderate Moderate


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D. Detailed Overviews of Virginia’s Innovation Platforms

Figure 4 sets out the overall performance across each of the line‐of‐sight measures to provide a more

detailed picture of strength and gap areas in translational innovation alignment. Each dimension of the

line‐of‐sight analysis is rated as strong, moderate, or niche similarly to above, with the assessments

represented by green, yellow, and red markers respectively.

Figure 4: Summary of Virginia Innovation Platforms across Line‐of‐sight Measures

Based on the pattern of the results across the line‐of‐sight assessments and the broad assessments laid

out in Table 2, Virginia’s innovation platforms can be grouped into four segments based on their

performance:

Signature Innovation Platforms with differentiated research assets in place and a broad base of

supporting industry

o Cyber & Cyber‐Physical Security

Priority Innovation Platforms with either strong research assets or strong industry innovation

that have moderate accompanying strength across the other dimension to enable ongoing

development


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o Applied Data Analytics, Image Analysis, & Decision Support Tools

o Electronics & Optics Materials/Components

o Applied Sensing & Geospatial Systems

o Wireless Communications Technologies & Equipment

High Potential Innovation Platforms with either strong research or industry innovation that

have niche accompanying strength across the other dimension indicating gaps in fully realizing

the platform’s role in the innovation ecosystem

o Biopharmaceuticals, Biochemistry, & Biological Analysis

o IT, Networking, & Data Management Transportation Systems & Technologies

o Environmental Sciences and Technology

Middling Innovation Platforms with moderate research strength and moderate or niche

translational industry innovation strengths that have significant bases of activity but do not

stand out as differentiated offerings across the base of core R&D competencies and related

measures of activity.

o Diagnostic Sensing & Imaging Medical Devices

o Regenerative Medicine Devices

o Engineered Materials for Aerospace, Naval, & Defense Applications

o Energy, Power Systems, & Fuels

Niche Innovation Platforms with more isolated research and industry strength focused around

single institutions and industry sectors that, while displaying high levels of excellence, do not

have critical mass to support wider innovation‐led growth

o Animal Science & Veterinary Medicine

The tables below give brief overviews of each of the specific innovation platforms identified by the line‐

of‐sight assessment across the research innovation and translational industry innovation dimensions

along with its ranking segment. While signature and priority platforms represent clear targets for

development of strategies for leveraging platform assets to drive growth, the remaining platforms may

require more detailed examination of specific university centers, companies, and other supporting

institutions such as federal labs in order to make a final determination of their potential to be growth

opportunity areas for the state.


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Biomedical Sciences Platform Area What does the platform

support? Line‐of‐sight Assessment

Key VA Research Innovation Highlights

Key VA Translational Industry Innovation Highlights

Biopharmaceuticals,

Biochemistry, &

Biological Analysis

Technologies used to support the process of biological substance characterization, drug discovery, and creation of finished therapeutic products for patient use across areas ranging from oncology to infectious disease. Involves integrated capacities in biochemical labs, genetic and biomarker analysis, drug development, and clinical testing

High Potential Innovation Platform

Leading cancer centers at VCU and UVA with numerous other supporting centers in biochemical and drug discovery areas funded by major grant activity

High supporting research publications activity in biological and applied medical sciences fields

Lack of large supporting industry base in pharmaceutical production and low venture capital investment in therapeutics

Regenerative

Medicine Devices

Medical device technologies used to repair and rehabilitate injuries, including implantable/biocompatible devices, prosthetics, and tissue/organ system regeneration

ModerateInnovation Platform

Presence of numerous centers in biomechanics and regenerative medicine across several universities

Lack of significant supporting medical device industry employment

Diagnostic Sensing &

Imaging Medical

Devices

Medical device technologies used to diagnose and treat illnesses in clinical practice, ranging from medical imaging systems to advances in diagnostic sensor device accuracy and usability

ModerateInnovation Platform

Variety of applied imaging university centers in specific disease areas

Presence of aligned R&D spending and academic medical centers to support research

Significant patenting activity in medical imaging and diagnostic surgical tools

Animal Science &

Veterinary Medicine

Technologies used to ensure animal health and high quality production of livestock products

Niche Innovation Platform

Highly ranked school of veterinary medicine at Virginia Tech

Specialized and sizeable veterinary services industry sector, but lack of wider ag production employment base


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Computing & Analytics Platform Area What does the

platform support? Line‐of‐sight Assessment



Cyber & Cyber‐

Physical Security

Analysis and detection technologies that can recognize and alert users and respond to unauthorized intrusions and compromised systems, both on virtual networks as well as in connected devices and physical systems that use networked communications

Signature Innovation Platform

Presence of high profile cyber security centers and institutes across several universities

High supporting research publications activity in computer sciences

Presence in patenting of encryption and security protocols

High level of SBIR Phase 2 companies creating cyber security technologies for defense and biometrics applications

Large and specialized supporting industry base in computer engineering

Applied Data

Analytics, Image

Analysis &

Decision Support

Tools

Software and other services that use the combination of large databases and advanced modeling to enable predictive analytics that help industries support decisions. Applications areas can range from financial services to national security to medical informatics

Priority Innovation Platform

Major centers across many aligned applications areas including modeling, visualization, image/video analysis, business analytics, and complex systems modeling

Several major grants to develop software applications using analytics capabilities

High levels of venture capital investment in software applications leveraging data analytics

Large clusters of patenting activity in analytics solutions for finance and business

Numerous SBIR Phase 2 awards in defense‐related decision support tools

IT, Networking, &

Data Management

Technologies used to operate data transmission networks such as local Internet and which enable efficient storage and access of data by researchers and industry


Presence of numerous adjacent research strength areas in high performance computing and cyber, but lower level of focus on pureplay networking & IT research

Presence of numerous patents in network operations applications

Presence of large and specialized supporting computer services industry base with several data center operations in state, and adjacent industry markets in financial services


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Advanced Materials Platform Area

What does the platform support?

Line‐of‐sight Assessment



Electronics & Optics Materials/ Components

Design and manufacture of advanced microelectronics components including semiconductors, circuits, photonic devices, detectors, and other micro‐scale electronic parts. This platform involves the creation of novel micro‐ and nano‐materials with desirable electrical properties, use of high performance testing and optimization to configure electronics for power or durability requirements, and advanced manufacturing processes to assemble electronic components into finished systems.

PriorityInnovation Platform

Significant R&D spending in electrical engineering applications aligned towards this platform

Large number of research publications in electrical/electron‐ic engineering

Major research centers across several universities focused on embedded electronic systems, photonics, electrochemical science, nanoelectronics, and bioelectric materials

Some venture capital investment in electronics and semiconductors

Presence of SBIR Phase 2 companies focused in high performance/low power electronics

Engineered Materials for Aerospace, Naval, & Defense Applications

Custom materials created with specific thermal, electrical, or other structural properties for use in aerospace or naval vehicles as well as defense applications such as armor and weapons. Can include composites, polymers, ceramics, metals, and other shaped products

Moderate Innovation Platform

Several key university centers for manufacturing and testing of aerospace and naval materials

Significant research publications activity in materials science, applied physics, and nanoscience

Large and highly specialized ship building industry which drives industry innovation

Variety of SBIR Phase 2 awards in advanced materials for defense and space environment applications


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Systems Engineering Platform Area What does the platform

support? Line‐of‐sight Assessment



Applied Sensing & Geospatial Systems

Variety of systems specially adapted to specific functions including measuring atmospheric or ocean properties, navigation and object detection, precision location finding, and geographic analysis. Applications in this area often rely on remote sensing and satellite‐based technologies and are also incorporated as integrated systems onboard both manned and unmanned vehicle systems for navigation, defense, and intelligence or data gathering applications.


Highly specialized research publications activity in meteorology/atmospheric science combined with significant and specialized presence of imaging, instrumentation, and remote sensing areas

Research centers at the majority of state universities specializing in climatology, naval systems, atmospheric science, oceanography, and geospatial intelligence and information technology

Multiple major grants in space weather tracking, radar systems for atmospheric and modeling, and a UAS research and testing site

Significant SBIR Phase 2 awards activity around

underwater sensing and

detection systems for

defense applications,

real‐time geospatial

intelligence gathering,

and unmanned systems

terrain sensing

Major cluster of engineering and other research services industries that helps support sensing, naval, and geographic information systems manufacturing companies

Wireless Communications Technologies & Equipment

Systems which enable wireless communication at the broadcast, reception, or signal processing stage. These technologies can be involved in the physical infrastructure required to support wireless communications (such as specialized antennas or aerials), systems to maintain communications signal quality or detect transmission errors in real time, technologies to secure or encrypt wireless activity, and novel ways to efficiently transmit information between reception points (for example, wideband applications)


Large and specialized group of research publications in electrical engineering and telecommunications disciplines which support wireless innovation applications

Major centers focused around innovation in core wireless technologies of applied signal processing, IoT communications, and wireless security as well as applications areas in wireless health devices and command and control systems

Presence of venture capital investment in emerging wireless and satellite communications companies

Major patenting cluster around wireless network operations and infrastructure

Major Phase 2 SBIR company activity in antenna systems, real‐time communications, transmitter/receiver components, and efficient spectrum usage

Large state employment base in wireless telecommunications carriers


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Platform Area What does the platform support?

Line‐of‐sight Assessment



Transportation Systems & Technologies

Sensing and control technologies that enable intelligent transportation systems or novel materials for use in transportation applications, primarily involving road and cargo transportation applications in autonomous/intelligent vehicles, advanced materials for vehicle systems, integration of modern logistics and operations technologies, and advancements in infrastructure (such as roadways or ports)

High PotentialInnovation Platform

Highly specialized research publications activity in transportation science and technology supported by sizeable mechanical engineering research activity which supports basic science in transportation systems

Major R&D spending in engineering disciplines aligned with transportation science

Several major centers specializing in transportation technologies including autonomous vehicles, vehicle system testing and validation analytics, tire research, and transportation sustainability and logistics

Limited supporting industry innovation presence in vehicle systems manufacturing and limited presence of logistics/cargo industries


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Environment and Energy Platform Area What does the

platform support? Line‐of‐sight Assessment



Environmental Sciences and Technology

Applications in conservation, biology, or natural resource management that involve monitoring the conditions of various ecosystems in order to forecast future changes or mitigate consequences. This platform relies on biological testing and monitoring, remote sensing, and advanced modeling technologies to provide an integrated picture of changing environments and impacts on availability and quality of natural resources


Large cluster of specialized research publications activity in environmental science, ecology, geosciences, water resources, and other natural resource‐related areas

Significant levels of university R&D spending in supporting discipline areas such as biological sciences and oceanography

Numerous university centers in various focus areas including environmental hydraulics, environmental remote sensing systems, water resources, and marine science and oceanography

Major research and experiment stations and field laboratories

Specialized but very small industry innovation presence in patenting and environmental consulting industry sector employment

Energy, Power Systems & Fuels

Advancements in next generation fuel products and energy sources in a wide variety of applications. These can include biochemical and geoscience technologies used to advance traditional fossil fuel products, energy generation systems (primarily based on renewable sources), and efficient power grid management through smart and micro‐grid technologies

MiddlingInnovation Platform

Some significant research publications activity areas in geosciences/geochemistry, physical chemistry, energy/fuels, and nuclear energy

Presence of major university centers in renewable energy, grid and energy management research, and coastal/wind energy research

Small but highly specialized patenting areas in fossil fuels and wind turbines

Modest presence of energy‐related sectors in fossil fuel and nuclear power generation, electrical distribution, power equipment manufacturing, and engineering services support for power grid applications


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Appendix A: Core Competencies Found across Virginia’s Base of Innovation A key dimension of core competency analysis involves understanding the focus and extent of activities

through documented activities in academic research publications and patent/intellectual property

activity across universities, industry and federal labs. By its nature, this type of analysis is largely

quantitative and enables the use of sophisticated machine learning algorithms to assess the tens of

thousands of records found in publications and patents to identify how these activities relate to each

other. The ultimate aim of the core competency analysis is to identify where there are areas of critical

mass in R&D activities across university, industry and federal labs, along with evidence of excellence.

Follow‐up analyses will investigate notable areas in terms of their potential to generate new or

enhanced innovation‐led industry development in Virginia.

Given the strong focus of VRIC in understanding Virginia’s translational research position in bridging

university and federal lab research activity to more applied technology development across specific

growth opportunities, the identification of core competencies starts with an examination of publications

activities and then considers patent/intellectual property activity across universities, industry and

federal labs.

Too often, there is a dichotomy in the way research is considered between basic research and applied

research leading to technology development and innovations. Through much of the 20th century, a

typical university research approach, encouraged by federal funding, focused on supporting either basic

or applied research activities, which had very distinct goals in mind. The objective of basic research was

intended to advance fundamental knowledge and the scientific theories in areas such as matter,

physical processes, biological function, and human nature without regard to its practical applications. In

contrast, applied research sought to apply well‐understood basic research insights in making something

work or in solving a practical problem – something that was more likely to be done in industry labs.

This dichotomy between basic and applied research led to the notion of the “ivory‐tower” where

universities pursue a linear, sequential flow of discovery‐based research followed by more applied

development activities, often divorced from those involved in basic science and undertaken in concert

with key industry, healthcare and government stakeholders. Often this “ivory tower” focused on

advancing research within specific academic disciplines and created a world of university research

dominated by clear delineations of departments. As James L. Applegate explains, “It is sometimes said

that society has problems, while universities have departments.”2

This dichotomy between basic and applied research is today very much in question with the recognition

of “use‐inspired” research. A powerful insight advanced by the late Donald Stokes, a faculty member at

Princeton University, is that the linear continuum between basic and applied research is too simplistic

and misses the more complex rise of “use‐inspired” research in how basic science and technology

advances interact. Stokes cited the model case of fundamental, basic research undertaken by Louis

Pasteur as an example of “use‐inspired” research with the intention of addressing a significant societal

need that laid the foundation of microbiology nearly a century ago.

2 James L. Applegate, “Engaged Graduate Education Seeing with New Eyes,” Association of American Colleges and Universities, 2004, page 6.


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What “use‐inspired” research recognizes is that the relationship

between basic science and technological change has been

fundamentally altered in today’s advanced knowledge‐based age.

Technology today is increasingly science‐based, while science has

been increasingly technology‐based – with the choice of problems

and the conduct of research often inspired by societal needs. An

example is the work of the quantum‐effects physicists who are

probing the phenomena revealed by the miniaturization of

semiconductors from the time of the transistor's discovery after

World War II. 3 Instead of a split between basic and applied

research, university research activities now function in a more

complex interweaving of basic and use‐inspired research leading to

technology development and applications.4

Publication Core Competency Strengths

The quantitative assessment of Virginia’s more academic‐related strengths in R&D starts with an in‐

depth examination of peer‐reviewed publications activities. These peer‐reviewed publications are the most

extensive means to learn about scholarly activities taking place across universities and federal labs.

Publications are both a common means by which researchers report findings from their grant‐funded

activities, as well as the way researchers advance more theoretical work or pilot studies critical in

demonstrating a body of work to win research grants. From 2014 to mid‐2017, there were 53,557

publications generated by researchers in Virginia, with 70% of publications generated by researchers at

Virginia’s universities and 6% by researchers across federal laboratories located in Virginia.

By examining the abstracts of these peer‐reviewed publications, rich insights into the more detailed

R&D activities found across scholarly activities are possible. To gain these insights, TEConomy

conducted a cluster analysis with the use of a pattern recognition software tool, OmniViz,™ to group the

thousands of records of peer‐reviewed publications into specific groupings that reflected distinct

“research themes.” OmniViz™ uses a machine learning algorithm that groups publications based on the

free association in the use of words and phrases, rather than forcing clustering based on preselected key

words—thus, there is no “a priori” bias to the clusters identified. The use of this analytical approach to

publications cluster analysis provides a truly objective view of where there is critical mass of related

publications that reflect more in‐depth research core competencies.

The performance of the clustering analysis involves the following steps:

Step 1 – Content Development: A data set with the content of publications abstracts and titles from

peer‐reviewed publications was developed.

3 See http://www.brookings.edu/research/books/1997/pasteur to learn more about Donald Stokes’ assessment set out in its widely acclaimed book, Pasteur’s Quadrant. 4 James Applegate, op. cit., page 5.

Where does that technology come from?

Pure basic

research

Use-inspired

basic research

Purely applied

R&D

Improved understanding

Improved technology

Existing understanding

Existing technology

Source: Stokes, Pasteur’s Quadrant


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Step 2 – Pattern Recognition: The analysis generated by OmniViz™ creates clusters in which

publications are grouped together around apparent relationships and produces a series of words to

describe and link these cluster areas.

Step 3 – Interpretation and Grouping by Expert Review: The identification of key themes and groupings

that result from an OmniViz™ cluster analysis requires an experienced research analyst to cull through

the cluster items and help interpret and explain the types of technologies and specific activities that are

represented.

Figure A‐1: Method for Using OmniViz™ Cluster Analysis

The OmniViz™ cluster analysis performed by TEConomy produced 72 distinct clusters across 53,557

publications from 2014 to mid‐2017.5 A number of these 72 clusters were closely related upon review

and so were combined into larger cluster groupings of multiple individual clusters. Altogether 35 cluster

groupings were identified from the publications cluster analysis, with 23 in the life sciences and 12 in the

non‐life sciences. Details of these cluster groupings, including key terms generated by the cluster

analysis and leading research themes are set out in Table A‐6 at the end of this section. A summary

version is presented in Table A‐1 below.

Of the 35 cluster groupings identified, 11 stand as large cluster groupings with over 1,000 publication

records, and typically multiple clusters, within them. These include 6 in the life sciences and 5 in non‐

life sciences fields. Below is a listing of these large, multi‐cluster groupings set out in order of their size

in the number of publications:

Ecological Sciences and Technology (4,577)

Oncology (2,639)

Material Sciences (2,453)

Particle & High Energy Physics (1,456)

Neurological Sciences (1,320)

Obesity & Diabetes Research and Treatment (1,276)

Atmospheric Sciences (1,251)

Hepatology, Liver Disease and Transplantation (1,147)

Astronomy (1,122)

Orthopedic & Musculoskeletal Disorders (1,103)

Another 14 cluster groupings fall into the mid‐size of more than 200 publication records and less than

1,000. These are typically distinct individual clusters with significant size. It suggests specific strengths

found in Virginia in areas such as transportation sciences, communications and data, cybersecurity and

genomic/molecular‐based biological research as well as specific disease areas.

5 Three additional clusters were considered artifacts, clustering on general meaning terms and not clearly identifying thematic areas.


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There are also 10 smaller clusters, each with less than 200 publication records, which represent more

narrow niche areas of focus across Virginia’s research base.

Table A‐1: Summary Results of Publication Cluster Analysis

Cluster Groupings # of Records

# of Clusters

Life Sciences

Oncology 2,639 2

Immunology, Infectious Diseases and Virology 2,262 3

Neurological Sciences 1,320 5

Obesity & Diabetes Research and Treatment 1,276 2

Hepatology, Liver Disease and Transplantation 1,147 2

Orthopedic & Musculoskeletal Disorders 1,103 5

Substance Abuse & Mental Illness 648 2

Health Care Research 552 2

Genomic Analysis 470 1

Respiratory Disorders & Conditions 378 2

Brain Injuries 346 1

Endocrinology 320

Veteran Treatment and Military Preparedness 308 1

Molecular and Cellular Biology 267 2

Animal Dairy Science 165 1

Reproductive Biology 127 1

Pain Management 124 1

Craniofacial Abnormalities & Surgery 119 2

Ulcer‐Related & Other Surgical Wound Treatments 107 1

Dental Health 87 1

Obstetrics & Gynecology 75 1

Veterinary Medicine 66 1

Nutritional Health 36 1

Non‐Life Sciences

Ecological Sciences and Technology 4,577 12

Material Sciences 2,453 6

Particle & High Energy Physics 1456 2

Atmospheric Sciences 1251 3

Astronomy 1122 1

Transportation Safety and Intelligent Transportation Systems 834 1

Wireless Communications & Data Networks 617 1

Cybersecurity 552 1

Roadway Construction 287 1

Geological Sciences 238 1

Systems Engineering, Modeling and Testing 224 1

Space Research 114 1

Large publication research cluster grouping

Mid‐sized publication research cluster grouping

Niche publication research cluster grouping


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A graphic way to present these publication groupings is through a “galaxy” map that helps show the size

and organization of the cluster groupings relative to each other, as set out in Figure A‐2 below.

Figure A‐2: Graphic Depiction of the Publication Cluster Groupings

Source: TEConomy’s analysis of publications obtained through Clarivate Analytics’s Web of Science database.

But size alone does not reflect Virginia’s excellence in its research areas of focus reflected by the

publications cluster analysis. It is also important to consider how Virginia is positioned relative to the

nation. In order to make these comparisons to the nation, TEConomy mapped specific publication fields

identified by the Web of Science database to each of the publication cluster areas. A key advantage of

peer‐reviewed publications is that it reflects more detailed fields of research than is possible with the

reporting by research expenditures. The Web of Science database tracks publications in peer‐reviewed

journals for universities in over 250 fields involving basic, applied, and clinical research. To show the

breadth of Virginia’s research institutional activities in peer‐reviewed publications, 163 publication fields

had more than 100 peer‐reviewed publications from 2014 to mid‐2017. The top 20 fields are shown in

Table A‐2 below.

To identify excellence in Virginia, it is important not to focus solely on the volume of peer‐reviewed

publications across fields since the number of journals can vary substantially by publication field and

some fields tend to have more multiple authors on publications, such as physics. While the number of

publications is an indication of the number of faculty involved, it does not provide insights into the areas

of scholarly activity where Virginia stands out compared to the nation.


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A way to consider Virginia’s distinct fields of national leadership in scholarly activity is to measure where

Virginia has a higher concentration of publication activity compared to the nation, or what economists

would term a publication location quotient. Table A‐2 presents the top 20 publication fields by number

of peer‐reviewed publications and by publication location quotient.

It is interesting to note that among the top 20 publication fields in Virginia, there is little overlap. There

are few fields that lead in both number of publications and publication location quotient. This suggests

that size does not always translate into national standing.

Table A‐2: Top 20 Publication Fields in Virginia by Number of Publications and Publication Location Quotient, 2014‐mid 2017

Publication Field Number of Publications Publication Field

Publication Location Quotient

Electrical Engineering 4,304 Engineering Aerospace 3.02

Astronomy 2,389 Physics Particles Fields 2.77

Multidisciplinary Sciences 2,033 Transportation 2.76

Environmental Sciences 1,886 Medicine Legal 2.52

Applied Physics 1,657 Physics Nuclear 2.33

Surgery 1,638 Transportation Science Technology 2.07

Material Sciences 1,633 Astronomy Astrophysics 2.04

Computer Science Theory Methods 1,494 International Relations 2.04

Biochemistry Molecular Biology 1,479 Engineering Industrial 1.82

Neurosciences 1,460 Meteorology Atmospheric Sciences 1.81

Optics 1,449 Materials Science Composites 1.75

Computer Science Information Systems 1,398 Remote Sensing 1.74

Physics Particles Fields 1,311 Fisheries 1.73

Oncology 1,263 Oceanography 1.71

Clinical Neurology 1,250 Psychology Applied 1.67

Ecology 1,189 Psychology Multidisciplinary 1.63

Public Environmental Occupational Health 1,178 Limnology 1.63

Telecommunications 1,159 Biodiversity Conservation 1.60

Engineering Mechanical 1,144 Information Science Library Science 1.56

Meteorology Atmospheric Sciences 1,120 Engineering Civil 1.55

Source: Clarivate Analytics’ Web of Science and TEConomy analysis


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Across the publication cluster groupings, the excellence of Virginia’s research activities in non‐life

sciences fields is revealed. Nearly every cluster grouping in the non‐life sciences has publication fields

that stand out nationally in their level of concentration. In the life sciences, there are only a handful of

publication cluster groupings that stand out nationally.

Other measures of excellence in academic research that are mapped to the publication cluster grouping,

however, reflect not only the strength of Virginia in non‐life sciences publication cluster groupings but in

life sciences as well. These other measures include:

Presence of competitively won large federal research grants and research center grants

National rankings from U.S. News and World report on specific fields of research


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Table A‐3: Integration of Publication Strength, Major Grants and National Rankings


Presence of Leading Publication Fields with Higher Concentration in Virginia than Nation

Active Major Grants (Greater than $1 m and/or major federally funded research center)

National Ranking (having a university or academic medical center in top 50 of U.S. News & World Report or among high performing hospitals)

Statewide Specific Institution (at least 10% higher than nation w/ 50+ pubs)

Life Sciences

Oncology 2,639 ‐‐ Oncology – VCU 46% higher; UVA 12% higher

NIH supported Cancer Centers at UVA and VCU

Cancer – UVA Medical Center 30th in the nation

Immunology, Infectious Diseases and Virology

2,262 ‐‐ Immunology – UVA 52% higher; Infectious Disease – UVA 38% higher; VCU 11% higher Allergy – UVA 166% higher; VCU 10% higher

USAID grant on HIV to EVMS

n/a

Neurological Sciences 1,320 ‐‐ Clinical Neurology – UVA 156% higher; VCU 91% higher Neuroimaging – UVA 73% higher Neurosciences – VCU 73% higher

NIH Program Project Grant in Regulation of Neurotransmitters

None

Obesity & Diabetes Research and Treatment

1,276 ‐‐ Endocrinology & Metabolism – UVA 68% higher; EVMS 378% higher

Diabetes & Endocrinology – Sentara/EVMS 43rd and UVA Medical Center 44th

Hepatology, Liver Disease and Transplantation

1,147 GI/Hepatology (6% higher) Transplantation (15% higher)

n/a

Orthopedic & Musculoskeletal Disorders 1,103 Rehabilitation (35% higher) Sports Sciences (28% higher)

Orthopedics – UVA 133% higher; VCU 31% higher Tissue Engineering – VCU 17% higher

1 NSF grant of over $1 million on biomechatronic interface

UVA Medical Center 33rd and VCU Medical Center 42nd in orthopedics


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Active Major Grants (Greater than $1 m

National Ranking (having a university or

Substance Abuse & Mental Illness 648 Substance Abuse (46% higher) Clinical Psychology (45% higher)

NIH funded Center on Drug Abuse Research at VCU

n/a

Health Care Research 552 Health Policy Services (33% higher) Health Care Sciences (25% higher) Nursing (7% higher) Medical Legal (152% higher)

1 grant on primary care outcomes from AHRQ to VCU

n/a

Genomic Analysis 470 Computational Biology (3% higher)

Genetics – VCU 39% higher; UVA 18% higher

2 NSF grants of over $1 m

n/a

Respiratory Disorders & Conditions 378 Respiratory System (7% higher)

NIH funded Center for Study of Tobacco Products at VCU

Pulmonary – none ranked in best hospitals COPD – VCU Medical Center, Sentara/EVMS and Carilion among high performing hospitals

Brain Injuries 346 ‐‐ 1 NSF grant of over $1 m (equipment)

n/a

Endocrinology 320 ‐‐ Endocrinology & Metabolism – UVA 68% higher; EVMS 378% higher

Diabetes & Endocrinology – Sentara/EVMS 43rd and UVA 44th

Veteran Treatment and Military Preparedness

308 ‐‐ n/a

Molecular and Cellular Biology 267 ‐‐ Cell Biology – VCU 45% higher; UVA 12% higher Developmental Biology – UVA 29% higher Molecular Biology – VCU 36% higher

NIH Program Project Grant on role glycosaminoglycans at VCU NIH Program Project Grant on regulation of vascular physiology and inflammation in tissues at UVA

Biology – UVA 50th

Animal Diary Science 165 Agriculture Dairy Animal Health (27% higher)

n/a


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Reproductive Biology 127 Reproductive Biology (5% higher)

NIH Center of Excellence and Program Project Grant on preterm birth at VCU

n/a

Pain Management 124 ‐‐ Anesthesiology – VCU 28% higher

n/a

Craniofacial Abnormalities & Surgery 119 n/a Ear, Nose & Throat – UVA Medical Center 32nd

Ulcer‐Related & Other Surgical Wound Treatments

107 n/a n/a

Dental Health 87 ‐‐ Dentistry & Oral Surgery – VCU 130% higher

n/a

Obstetrics & Gynecology 75 Obstetrics & Gynecology (6% higher)

NIH Program Project Grant in studies of polycystic ovarian syndrome at UVA

Gynecology – none ranked in top 50 or high performing

Veterinary Medicine 66 ‐‐ Veterinary Sciences – VT 96% higher

Veterinary Medicine – VT 19th

Nutritional Health 36 ‐‐ n/a

Non‐Life Sciences

Ecological Sciences and Technology 4,577 Ecology (35% higher); Environmental Sciences (33% higher); Water Resources (50% higher); Environmental Eng (39% higher); Oceanography (71% higher); Biodiversity Conservation (60% higher); Fisheries (73% higher)

16 NSF grants of over $1 million

Earth Sciences – VT 30th Environmental Engineering – VT 6th

Material Sciences 2,453 Composite Materials (75% higher); Coatings & Films (10% higher)

8 NSF grants of over $1 m &/or industry partnerships

Materials Engineering – VT 22nd; UVA 31st

Particle & High Energy Physics 1456 Particle Physics (176% higher) 2 NSF grants of over $1 m

Physics – UVA 44th

Atmospheric Sciences 1251 Atmospheric Sciences (81% higher)

4 NSF grants of over $1 m

Earth Sciences – VT 30th


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Astronomy 1122 Astronomy & Astrophysics (104% higher)

Physics – UVA 44th

Transportation Safety and Intelligent Transportation Systems

834 Transportation Science and Technology (107% higher)

US Department of Transportation‐funded University Transportation Center at VT

n/a

Wireless Communications & Data Networks

617 Telecommunications (39% higher) Remote Sensing (74% higher)

3 NSF research grants over $1 m

Electrical Engineering – VT 18th; UVA 33rd

Cybersecurity 552 Computer Information Systems (52% higher) C/S Hardware Architecture (26% higher) C/S Software Engineering (38% higher)

9 NSF research grants in cybersecurity and related Big Data computing

Computer Science – UVA 29th; VT 40th

Roadway Construction 287 Construction Building Technology (28% higher) Civil Engineering (55% higher)

1 NSF industry‐university collaboration center on tire research

Civil Engineering – VT 7th; UVA 45th

Geological Sciences 238 Geological Engineering (37% higher) Geosciences (34% higher) Geochemical/Geophysics (11% higher)

1 DoE grant of over $1 million on rare earth elements to UVA

Earth Sciences – VT 30th

Systems Engineering, Modeling and Testing

224 Industrial Engineering (82% higher) Operations (35% higher) Aerospace Engineering (202% higher) Instruments (28% higher)

3 NSF grants of over $1 m &/or industry partnerships

Industrial & Systems Engineering – VT 6th; UVA 32nd

Space Research 114 Astronomy & Astrophysics (104% higher)

Aerospace/Astronomical Engineering – VT 12th; UVA 26th

Large publication research cluster grouping

Mid‐sized publication research cluster grouping

Niche publication research cluster grouping


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Patent Analysis One important indicator of core technology competencies is patent innovation activity being generated

in Virginia. Patents are a primary means for inventors to protect their product innovations from being

replicated, and as such can be a good proxy for understanding the types of innovation where unique and

specialized competencies are being demonstrated in a region. Although there are other forms of

intellectual property protection through copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets, patents are among

the most widely used form of protection of novel technological inventions.

The analysis of patent innovation activity focuses only on patents invented by Virginia residents in order

to more precisely measure the innovation generated within the state rather than innovations that

Virginia companies import from inventors in other regions as assignees of intellectual property. The

analysis also considers patent applications along with patent awards to provide a more current

assessment of recent innovation activities since it can take several years for a patent award to be issued

from the time of initial application.

20,663 patent awards and applications were filed by inventors residing in Virginia from 2014 to mid‐

2017, offering a significant database to consider innovation activity in the state. Of these patent awards

and applications by Virginia inventors, 336 were assigned to universities and 723 to federal labs.

Industry dominates in the assignment of patent awards and applications.

Leading Patent Areas

To identify where Virginia stands out in patent innovation activity, the analysis first considered those

specific patent classifications where Virginia is a national leader based on a strong standing in

specialization and quality within specific technology areas:

1) Patent specialization is measured by whether a patent classification area has a higher level of

concentration in Virginia than the nation relative to overall patenting volume.

2) Patent quality is measured by whether a patent classification area has a higher level of citations

per patent in that classification area than the national average, which can be viewed as a measure of

patent impact in terms of contributing to follow‐on innovation activity. Patents routinely cite prior

patents as references in documenting their new intellectual property, demonstrating the influence

and importance of these earlier patents on future innovation.

An examination by detailed patent fields finds:

20 patent fields that are both specialized and high quality, led by largely communications and

data/computer science fields, as well as focused areas such as tobacco‐related technologies.

17 patent fields that are specialized, reflecting many IT applications and a number of medical

technologies and energy/fuels technologies

25 patent fields that are high impact which reflect areas of communications and IT, but also

more drug development

Figure A‐3 below depicts how these patent areas stand across the measures of specialization and quality

based on groupings into nine categories of:


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Networking and communications

Computing and data analytics

Applied chemistry

Biochemistry

Drugs and therapeutics

Electronics and optics

Fuels and energy

Medical devices

Tobacco

It shows the excellence in patent activities is found in networking and communications, computing and

data analytics, electronics and optics and tobacco.

Figure A‐3: Mapping of Virginia Patent Innovation based on Specialization and Forward Citation Rating, 2014‐mid‐2017



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Table A‐4: Detailed listing of Virginia Leading Patent Areas by Specialization and Relative Citation Levels

CPC8 Class Description VA

Invented

VA Indices (Granted Patents Only)

VA Subset Counts

Specialization LQ

Forward Cites Impact Index

Assessment

SCHEV Institution Assignee Count

Govt Assignee Count

Industry Assignee Count

A24B0015 Chemical features or treatment of tobacco; Tobacco substitutes (A24B0003000000 takes precedence)

77 22.16 1.67 1‐Leading 0 0 38

A24F0047 Smokers' requisites not provided for elsewhere 96 3.81 1.23 1‐Leading 0 0 20

G02C0007 Optical parts (characterized by the material G02B0001000000)

65 3.50 1.58 1‐Leading 0 0 35

H04L0051 Arrangements for user‐to‐user messaging in packet‐switching networks, e.g. e‐mail or instant messages

175 2.63 1.30 1‐Leading 0 4 102

H04M0015 Arrangements for metering, time‐control or time‐indication

43 2.47 2.61 1‐Leading 0 0 27

H04L0061 Network arrangements or network protocols for addressing or naming

71 2.46 1.41 1‐Leading 0 1 36

H04L0063 Network architectures or network communication protocols for network security

801 2.44 1.19 1‐Leading 10 1 468

G06Q0050 Systems or methods specially adapted for a specific business sector, e.g. utilities or tourism

138 2.03 1.29 1‐Leading 0 9 31

H04L0041 Arrangements for maintenance or administration or management of packet switching networks

226 1.93 2.10 1‐Leading 2 0 139

H04W0074 Wireless channel access, e.g. scheduled or random access

48 1.79 5.90 1‐Leading 0 0 35

G06Q0010 Administration; Management 348 1.65 1.10 1‐Leading 1 13 126

H02J0003 Circuit arrangements for ac mains or ac distribution networks

55 1.61 1.43 1‐Leading 2 0 27

H04W0016 Network planning, e.g. coverage or traffic planning tools; Network deployment, e.g. resource partitioning or cell structures

51 1.59 1.31 1‐Leading 0 0 30


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Invented


VA Subset Counts

Specialization LQ


Assessment


Govt Assignee Count


H04L0009 Arrangements for secret or secure communication 131 1.47 1.56 1‐Leading 1 4 85

H04M0003 Automatic or semi‐automatic exchanges 135 1.43 2.02 1‐Leading 0 0 89

G06F0021 Security arrangements for protecting computers, components thereof, programs or data against unauthorized activity

381 1.43 1.25 1‐Leading 7 1 233

H04W0036 Handoff or reselecting arrangements 115 1.35 1.12 1‐Leading 0 0 89

H04B0007 Radio transmission systems, i.e. using radiation field (H04B0010000000, H04B0015000000 take precedence)

129 1.21 1.42 1‐Leading 0 1 88

H04W0072 Local resource management, e.g. selection or allocation of wireless resources or traffic scheduling

219 1.11 2.23 1‐Leading 0 0 139

H04L0065 Network arrangements or protocols for real‐time communications

109 1.02 1.67 1‐Leading 1 0 59

H04W0012 Security arrangements, e.g. access security or fraud detection; Authentication, e.g. verifying user identity or authorization; Protecting privacy or anonymity

70 1.02 0.98 2‐Specialized 0 0 39

H04L0047 Traffic regulation in packet switching networks 82 1.01 0.79 2‐Specialized 0 0 56

A24D0003

Tobacco smoke filters, e.g. filter‐tips, filtering inserts (filters in general B01D); Mouthpieces for cigars or cigarettes (for pipes, for cigar or cigarette holders A24F0007000000)

56 14.84 0.75 2‐Specialized 0 0 32

C10L0001 Liquid carbonaceous fuels 41 4.50 0.95 2‐Specialized 0 0 32

G06Q0040 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes

203 1.99 0.85 2‐Specialized 0 5 51

H04L0029 Arrangements, apparatus, circuits or systems, not covered by a single one of groups ; H04L0001000000‐H04L0027000000

40 1.77 0.77 2‐Specialized 0 1 32


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Invented


VA Subset Counts

Specialization LQ


Assessment


Govt Assignee Count


G06Q0020

Payment architectures, schemes or protocols (apparatus for performing or posting payment transactions G07F0007080000, G07F0019000000; electronic cash registers G07G0001120000)

251 1.67 0.99 2‐Specialized 0 4 70

A61N0005

Radiation therapy (devices or apparatus applicable to both therapy and diagnosis A61B0006000000; applying radioactive material to the body A61M0036000000)

42 1.53 0.81 2‐Specialized 8 0 17

G06N0005 Computer systems utilizing knowledge based models 60 1.42 0.42 2‐Specialized 2 0 24

G01S0007 Details of systems according to groups; G01S0013000000, G01S0015000000, G01S0017000000

43 1.41 0.80 2‐Specialized 2 3 13

G06Q0030 Commerce, e.g. shopping or e‐commerce 482 1.40 0.85 2‐Specialized 0 3 142

H04W0028 Network traffic or resource management 62 1.28 0.60 2‐Specialized 0 0 46

C02F0001 Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage (C02F0003000000‐C02F0009000000; take precedence)

47 1.14 0.92 2‐Specialized 1 1 14

G05B0019 Program‐control systems 46 1.13 0.79 2‐Specialized 0 0 27

H04W0004 Services or facilities specially adapted for wireless communication networks

201 1.09 1.09 2‐Specialized 0 2 131

H04L0043 Arrangements for monitoring or testing packet switching networks

75 1.09 1.32 2‐Specialized 0 0 49


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Invented


VA Subset Counts

Specialization LQ


Assessment


Govt Assignee Count


H04L0067 Network‐specific arrangements or communication protocols supporting networked applications

286 1.04 0.83 2‐Specialized 0 0 144

H04W0024 Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements 74 0.99 2.18 3‐High Impact

0 0 47

H04L0012

Data switching networks (interconnection of, or transfer of information or other signals between, memories, input/output devices or central processing units G06F0013000000)

80 0.95 1.19 3‐High Impact

0 0 68

H05B0037 Circuit arrangements for electric light sources in general

41 0.94 1.74 3‐High Impact

0 0 25

H04N0021

Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD] (real‐time bi‐directional transmission of motion video data H04N0007140000)

224 0.93 1.47 3‐High Impact

0 0 133

G06F0017 Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific functions

883 0.91 1.05 3‐High Impact

0 13 449

H04L0045 Routing or path finding of packets in data switching networks

76 0.85 1.93 3‐High Impact

2 0 45

C07K0014 Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof

84 0.82 1.23 3‐High Impact

4 3 23

A61B0017 Surgery 263 0.77 1.04 3‐High Impact

8 0 118


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Invented


VA Subset Counts

Specialization LQ


Assessment


Govt Assignee Count


G06K0009

Methods or arrangements for reading or recognizing printed or written characters or for recognizing patterns, e.g. fingerprints (methods or arrangements for graph‐reading or for converting the pattern of mechanical parameters, e.g. force or presence, into electrical signals G06K0011000000; speech recognition G10L0015000000)

166 0.75 1.55 3‐High Impact

3 2 87

H04W0076 Connection management, e.g. connection set‐up, manipulation or release

53 0.72 1.05 3‐High Impact

0 0 30

A61M0005 Devices for bringing media into the body in a subcutaneous, intra‐vascular or intramuscular way

68 0.69 2.74 3‐High Impact

1 0 36

H05K0007 Constructional details common to different types of electric apparatus (casings, cabinets, drawers H05K0005000000)

48 0.67 1.04 3‐High Impact

0 0 31

G06F0009 Arrangements for program control, e.g. control unit (program control for peripheral devices G06F0013100000)

192 0.65 1.74 3‐High Impact

2 1 134

G06F0008 Arrangements for software engineering 102 0.63 2.46 3‐High Impact

0 0 55

H04N0007

Television systems (methods or arrangements, for coding, decoding, compressing or decompressing digital video signals H04N0019000000; selective content distribution H04N0021000000)

57 0.60 1.14 3‐High Impact

0 1 37


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Invented


VA Subset Counts

Specialization LQ


Assessment


Govt Assignee Count


A61K0009 Medicinal preparations characterized by special physical form

63 0.58 2.53 3‐High Impact

1 1 17

H04W0052 Power management, e.g. TPC [Transmission Power Control], power saving or power classes

64 0.57 3.01 3‐High Impact

0 0 39

C12N0015 Mutation or genetic engineering; DNA or RNA concerning genetic engineering, vectors

83 0.51 1.93 3‐High Impact

5 2 28

A61B0018

Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non‐mechanical forms of energy to or from the body (eye surgery A61F0009007000; ear surgery A61F0011000000)

48 0.50 2.11 3‐High Impact

8 0 13

A61K0008 Cosmetics or similar toilet preparations 45 0.49 1.44 3‐High Impact

0 0 12

G06T0007 Image analysis, e.g. from bit‐mapped to non bit‐mapped

61 0.44 1.40 3‐High Impact

3 1 22

G06F0011

Error correction; Monitoring in information storage based on relative movement between record carrier and transducer G11B, e.g. G11B0020180000; in static stores G11C0029000000)

109 0.38 1.06 3‐High Impact

0 4 64

G06F0003

Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements

326 0.34 1.83 3‐High Impact

0 0 153


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Invented


VA Subset Counts

Specialization LQ


Assessment


Govt Assignee Count


A61N0001

Electrotherapy; Circuits therefor (A61N0002000000 takes precedence; electrically conductive preparations for use in therapy or testing in vivoA61K0050000000)

46 0.32 1.47 3‐High Impact

8 0 15

H01L0031

Semiconductor devices sensitive to infra‐red radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength, or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation

51 0.30 1.52 3‐High Impact

1 7 10


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Patent Network Analysis

The idea of bridging technologies is a powerful concept not just for connecting industry and university

strengths but for considering where there are networks of patent innovation formed by the patterns of

forward innovation that occur as patents age. From economic literature describing healthy innovation

ecosystems, the formation of such networks is one of the critical underpinnings of a robust innovation

economy.

It is possible to identify networks across patent innovation within a region by analyzing the linkages of

forward citations from a patent population of interest. Forward citations occur when a new patent filed

cites a prior patent as a reference in documenting the new intellectual property created. This routinely

occurs since the prior referenced patents usually contain fundamental ideas and concepts used in

developing the new intellectual property of more recent patents. The original patent is thus said to

generate forward citations in all patents that reference it in documenting their own innovative

advancements.

Using network analysis algorithms, it is possible to construct networks of active linkages in patent

activities across different Virginia companies as well as research institutions based on the citation

patterns of patents. The relationships reflected in the forward citations of patents serves to highlight

where there are close innovation relationships and clusters of innovation activity taking place in Virginia.

Virginia’s patenting innovation landscape as described by the network of forward citation activity can be

described as having both a set of core patent innovation clusters that are highly interconnected, along

with more focused niche patent clusters that are more stand‐alone. There were nine core patent

innovation networks identified by the analysis of forward linkages, including:

Networking, IT and Data Analytics

Wireless Networks & Transmission routing and network optimization

Telecom and Wireless physical network infrastructure

Control, automation and detection systems (with applications for aircraft/transportation

systems, industry controls and power management/regulation

Electronics and optics (component level, semiconductors, etc.)

Materials engineering (armor, ceramics, shaped materials, coatings)

Fuel, energy and applied chemistry processes (including wastewater treatment, gas

separation/filtering)

Biopharmaceutical, biochemistry and biological materials

Multidisciplinary sensing and imaging analysis applications across medical, defense, IoT, content

delivery, etc.

A graphic illustration of these patent innovation networks is presented below in Figure A‐4, where each

bubble represents different patent classifications coded based on broad technology focus areas and the

lines show the connections from forward citation relationships between all the patent areas. The density

of the connections among the core patent innovation networks is reflected in the tight links and

proximity of the patent areas.

Most interesting cluster in the network is the multidisciplinary mix of image generation (tv systems,

image projectors, etc.), selective content distribution, sensors, analytics, diagnostic medical devices,


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surgical devices, and other various med devices. This network seems to play a key role as a connector

or bridge as observed in Figure A‐4 by how the blue bubbles associated with multidisciplinary sensing

and imaging analysis is found across the core patent innovation network areas.

Figure A‐4: Mapping of Patent Innovation Networks Found in Virginia through Forward Citation Analysis


Table A‐5 provides a detailed breakout across the patent innovation networks of its leading patent areas

and key organizations assigned patents by Virginia inventors.


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Table A‐5: Results of Patent Innovation Network Analysis

Patent Innovation Network # of Patent Awards and Applications

Associated Leading Patent Areas Based on Higher than US Level of Specialization and/or Relative Citation Impact

Top Assignees of Virginia Invented Patents (based on residency)

Networking, IT and Data Analytics

6,082 Network architecture or communication protocols for network security (leading)

Security arrangements for protecting computers (leading)

Management of computerized administrative systems (leading)

Administration or management of packet switching networks (leading)

User‐to‐user messaging in packet‐switching networks

Systems or methods specially adapted for a specific business sector (leading)

Arrangements for secure communications (leading)

Network arrangements or protocols for real‐time communications (leading)

Network arrangements or network protocols for addressing or naming (leading)

E‐commerce (specialized)

Network‐specific protocols supporting networked applications (specialized)

Payment architectures for payment transactions (specialized)

Processing of corporate or income taxes (specialized)

Traffic regulation in packet‐switching networks (specialized)

Monitoring or testing packet switching networks (specialized)

Security arrangements, authentication, protecting privacy (specialized)

Computer systems utilizing knowledge based models (specialized)

Arrangements of circuits or systems (specialized)

Digital computing or data processing adapted for specific functions (high impact)

Transferring data to be processed by computer (high impact)

Error detection and correction in information storage systems (high impact)

Software engineering (high impact)

Data switching networks (high impact)

IBM Amazon Capital One Financial Corp. Facebook VeriSign AOL Bank of America Verizon Google Time Warner Cable MicroStrategy Accenture Global Services

Wireless Networks & Transmission routing and network optimization

1,328

Wireless channel access (leading)

Network traffic or resource management (specialized)

Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements (high impact)

Power management for transmission power control, power saving (high impact)

Connection management (high impact)

Ofinno TechnologiesSprint Spectrum BlackBerry CommScope Tech Time Warner Comcast Cable Clearwire IP Holdings Fujitsu Hughes Network Systems Intel

Telecom and Wireless physical network infrastructure

751

Automatic or semi‐automatic exchanges (leading)

Metering, time‐control or time‐indication (leading)

Services or facilities for wireless communications (specialized)

Sprint SpectrumIBM Facebook Verizon Kajeet Genesys Telecom Labs Google AT&T Boeing Time Warner Angel.com Inc. Somos, Inc.


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Patent Innovation Network # of Patent Awards and Applications

Associated Leading Patent Areas Based on Higher than US Level of Specialization and/or Relative Citation Impact

Top Assignees of Virginia Invented Patents (based on residency)

Control, automation and detection systems (with applications for aircraft/transportation systems, industry controls and power management/regulation

783

Circuit arrangements for electricity distribution networks

Program control systems

General Electric Virginia Tech NASA IBM US Navy Gridpoint Dominion Resources DEKA Products InScope Energy

Electronics and optics (component level, semiconductors, etc.)

1,484

Semiconductor devices sensitive to infra‐red radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation or control of electrical energy by radiation (high impact)

Different types of electric apparatus (high impact)

Circuit arrangements for electric light sources (high impact

US NavyAcuity Brands Lighting Baker Hughes NASA BAE Systems IBM Mitsui Chemicals UVA BWX Technologies Areva General Electric

Materials engineering (armor, ceramics, shaped materials, coatings)

1,011

None

DuPontUS Navy Honeywell International NASA Gala Industries Invista North UVA Westrock MWV

Fuel, energy and applied chemistry processes (including wastewater treatment, gas separation/filtering)

657

Treatment of water, waste water or sewage

Liquid carbonaceous fuels (i.e. gasification of natural gas)

ExxonMobil Hamilton Beach Afron Chemical Continental Automotive Systems US Navy Global Plasma Solutions Hollingsworth & Vose Jefferson Science Associates

Biopharmaceutical, biochemistry and biological materials

2,357 Chemical features or treatment of tobacco (leading)

Tobacco smoke filters (specialized)

Peptides having more than 20 amino acids (high impact)

Mutation or genetic engineering involving DNA or RNA; use of medicinal preps with genetic material; plant reproduction by tissue culture (high impact)

Medicinal preparations (high impact)

Cosmetic preparations (high impact)

Philip Morris USAAltria Client Services UVA US Navy VCU WestRock MWV Celanese International Virginia Tech Intrexon Corporation

Multidisciplinary sensing and imaging analysis applications across medical, defense, IoT, content delivery, etc.

2,918 Details of systems according to groups (specialized)

Radiation therapy (specialized)

Surgery (high impact)

Interactive tv or video on demand (high impact)

Devices for bringing media into the body (high impact)

Impact analysis (high impact)

Coding, decoding, compressing or decompressing digital video signals (high impact)

Surgical instruments, devices or methods to transfer forms of energy to and from the body (high impact)

Electrotherapy, including circuits used for (high impact)

K2M UVA Time Warner Cable Altria Client Services US Navy IBM Alarm.com Elwha LLC Kaleo, Inc. Avigilon Fortress Corporation Verizon


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Integration across Translational Research Paradigms

From the perspective of translational research across basic research to use‐inspired research to

technology development, there is significant alignment between the publications clusters and the

patent innovation networks found in Virginia R&D base as depicted in Figure A‐5 below.

This significant overlap suggests that the patent innovation networks are a good starting point for

thinking about how the core competencies represented by the publication clusters and patent

innovation networks form “technology platforms” for driving innovation‐led growth in Virginia.

Technology platforms represent robust areas of academic and industry R&D strengths that are

applications‐oriented and align with significant near‐ to mid‐term market opportunities.

Figure A‐5: Alignment of Publications Cluster Analysis and Patent Innovation Networks across Translational Research Paradigm

Still, two areas that are not well covered through the patent innovation networks are:

Agriculture, Dairy Science, and Veterinary Medicine

Space Research

To further confirm the strength of the patent innovation networks together with adding an agricultural

and space research technology platform as having a line‐of‐sight to market opportunities, the next

phase of the analysis will consider how the market pull of advanced industry development and new

venture formation is reflected in these technology platforms.


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Table A-6: Detailed Results of Publication Cluster Analysis

Meta‐Cluster Category # of Records

# of Clusters

Key Terms Associated Cluster Themes Identified

Life Sciences

Oncology 2,639 2 breast cancer, survival, cancer, chemotherapy, her2, non‐small‐cell‐lung‐cancer; cancer, survival, apoptosis, prostate cancer, skin cancer, ovarian cancer

Wide range of cancers: breast cancer, non‐small‐cell‐lung‐cancer, glioblastomas, prostate, skin and ovarian; Studies on ways to monitor cancer progression using imaging, risks from chemotherapy, genetic factors, cancer therapies; Broad analyses such as gene expression, epigenetics, diagnostic biomarkers, targeted therapies, prevention monitoring and palliative care, connections to HPV

Immunology, Infectious Diseases and Virology

2,262 3 bacteria, microbial, biofilm; infection, HIV, virion, antibiotic, mortality, bacteria, diarrhea, vaccine, anti‐microbial, inflammation, t‐cell; virion, influenza, infection, vaccine, HIV

Broader bacteriology and microbiology; Antibiotic resistance; Antimicrobial agents; Environmental microbiology and diseases; Microbial related immunology; Identification of genetic risk factors and immunological pathways of wide range of infectious diseases, including HIV, Lyme's, pneumonia, diarrhea, staph, malaria, brain abscesses, sepsis; Studies of influenza and other viral pathogens involving innate and adaptive immune‐responses, genetic analysis, structural biology of viruses (using Cryo‐EM), antibodies, and vaccine development

Neurological Sciences 1,320 5 cognitive, fatigue, social; brain, imaging, neural, neuron; central nervous system, axon, neuron, brain, myelin; sensory, neuron, taste, neural, information, response; seizure, epilepsy, status epilepticus, brain, hippocampus

Cognitive science and related research; effect of fatigue on cognitive ability; cognitive issues in education and testing; Functional brain imaging; Human brain and neural systems on‐a‐chip; Techniques for brain biopsy; Neurosurgery of glioblastomas; Post‐stroke brain stimulation; Neurogenetics; MR guided ultrasound for epilepsy; Cellular studies (signaling, modulation) into neurons, myelin; Neurodegenerative diseases, CNS disorders; Taste nerves sensory assessment and regeneration; Neurotechnology for monitoring and restoring sensory, motor, and autonomic functions; sensory discrimination tests and measurements; sensory function and networks; Research into the genetics, physiology and biochemistry behind seizures and epilepsy; behavioral effects related to epilepsy; other conditions causing seizures

Obesity & Diabetes Research and Treatment

1,276 2 diabetes, glucose, insulin, inflammation, obesity, islet, beta cell; obesity, body mass index, fat, diabetes, exercise

Insulin resistance; Insulin delivery systems; glucose control and monitoring; Genetics of Type I diabetes; Gene association studies of lipids and diabetic disease progression; beta cell survival and proliferation; artificial pancreas systems; diabetes and cardiovascular diseases; exercise and type 2 diabetes; risk factors for diabetic‐related complications; nutrition and dietary studies related to obesity outcomes; obesity as a public health concern; other diseases/health outcomes related to patient obesity

Hepatology, Liver Disease and Transplantation

1,147 2 hepatitis C virus, infection, hepatitis, ribavirin, hepatocellular carcinoma, liver, cirrhosis; liver, transplant, survival, recipient, mortality, cirrhosis, donor, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)

Hepatitis C and other liver‐related disorders, related genetic analysis and treatment approaches; Liver diseases, injuries, cirrhosis and liver and other transplantation studies


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# of Clusters


Orthopedic & Musculoskeletal Disorders

1,103 5 knee, arthroplasty, osteoarthritis, hip; fracture, bone, revision, femoral, implant; spine, lumbar, imaging, cervical, fusion, deformity; muscle, rehabilitation, ankle, foot, motion, sprain, skeletal muscle, compression‐after‐impact {cai}; deformity, spine, sagittal, scoliosis, lumber, pelvic, lordosis, fusion, surgery

Knee related assessment and treatments for chronic knee pain, ACL reconstruction, knee sprains, etc.; Research on effectiveness and complications from total joint replacements of shoulder, hip, knee and ankle; Hip fracture research and care; Spinal deformity, scoliosis, degenerative disks, spinal surgery, back pain; Neuromuscular function and disorders, effectiveness of wide range of rehabilitation approaches, chronic ankle instability causes and treatments, MR imaging of muscular injuries, some spinal cord injuries; Spinal deformity, scoliosis, degenerative disks, spinal surgery, back pain

Substance Abuse & Mental Illness

648 2 alcohol, drink, substance, substance abuse, marijuana, social; twin, substance abuse, heritability, criminal, alcohol use disorder, alcohol

Broad biochemical and behavioral research related to substance abuse; Genetic risks of addiction, alcohol and substance abuse treatment, Disparities in addiction, Behavioral disorders and addiction, genetic influences and treatment

Health Care Research 552 2 mortality, discharge, readmission, admission, health‐related quality of life (hrqol), social, caregiver, mental health

Patient care; causes of patient mortality and readmission; Wide range of health outcomes studies

Genomic Analysis 470 1 trait, locus, chromosome, SNP, variant, quantitative trait locus, genome‐wide association studies

Both human, animal and plant genomic analysis involving genetic networks, associations and mapping; genome‐wide analysis; SNP analysis; Genotype‐to‐phenotype analysis

Respiratory Disorders & Conditions

378 2 asthma, allergy, pediatric, airway, inflammation, medication; antibody, IgE, allergen, allergy, serum, asthma

Asthma and other allergen‐related respiratory conditions, including allergen chemistry, antibody structure and response, allergen‐induced asthma

Brain Injuries 346 1 traumatic brain injury, brain, blast, head, trauma, rehabilitation, concussion

Traumatic brain injury and assessment, concussion genetic risk factors, cellular mechanisms, rehabilitation, condition management, family interventions, head‐impact measurement, clinical recovery

Endocrinology 320 hormone, testosterone, thyroid, reproductive, cortisol, serum, estrogen

Hormone treatments, thyroid‐hormone conditions, receptors, modulation, and pathways, menopause, growth factors and hormones, infertility

Veteran Treatment and Military Preparedness

308 1 military, veteran, post‐traumatic stress disorder, mental health, trauma

PTSD, TBI and overall preparedness of soldiers ‐‐ involving assessment, predictive modeling, design of military medical operations and treatment approaches

Molecular and Cellular Biology

267 2 RNA, miRNA, mRNA, DNA; messenger RNA, chick, hypothalamus, RNA

Gene expression, regulation, cell signaling; Broad genetics context, endocrinology‐oriented chick test subjects (also brings in some chicken/poultry science)

Animal Dairy Science 165 1 bovine, dairy, milk, cattle, lactate, nutrient, calf, fat, protein

Infectious diseases impacting cattle; healthy feed additives; growth factors and embryo development for cattle; dairy production and quality

Reproductive Biology 127 1 reproductive, sperm, breed, motility, sexual Mostly non‐human, but some human studies; environmental effects on reproduction

Pain Management 124 1 opioid, morphine, substance abuse, prescription Anesthesia, opioid use for pain, persistent pain management

Craniofacial Abnormalities & Surgery

119 2 nasal, cavity, airway, cleft, lip, palate, face, deformity, defect, surgery

Improving Nasal Form and Function after Rhinoplasty; olfactory dysfunction; Prevention and Treatment of Nasal Valve Collapse After Micrographic Surgery; treatment of recurrent sino‐nasal polyposis Cleft palate and cleft lip genetics and surgical techniques


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# of Clusters


Ulcer‐Related & Other Surgical Wound Treatments

107 1 wound, ulcer, heal, skin, dressing Pressure ulcers, leg ulcers, deep tissue injuries, surgical wounds, injuries from urinary catheters

Dental Health 87 1 dental, tooth, implant Dental implant technologies, materials, etc.; dental education, practice and oral health prevention; molecular basis for hereditary enamel defects

Obstetrics & Gynecology

75 1 vaginal, atrophy, post‐menopausal, pelvic, sexual, HIV Hysterectomy; vaginal mesh; vaginal wall prolapse; menopause

Veterinary Medicine 66 1 equine, serum, breed, veterinary Equine medicine and breeding

Nutritional Health 36 1 probiotic, gut, microbiota, bacteria Food microbiome; gut biology; diets; probiotic supplements; functional foods

Non‐Life Sciences

Ecological Sciences and Technology

4,577 12 nitrogen, ammonium, nutrient, nitrate, microbial, denitrify, soil wastewater, sludge, effluent, recovery, treatment; carbon dioxide, methane, fuel sea, ice, ocean, climate, cloud, marine ecosystem, habitat, coastal, conservation, marine; salt, coastal, sea level, ocean, tidal, marsh; sediment, river, coastal, basin, marine, erosion, soil; river, basin, dissolved organic carbon, freshwater, watershed, discharge; lake, ecosystem, freshwater, river, nutrient, sediment; fish, marine, fishery, coral, reef, conservation; oyster, reef, bay, marine, restoration; forest, tree, ecosystem, pine, conservation

Studies of nitrogen‐cycle within environment, nutrient transport; Wastewater treatment; water treatment research; microbial fuel cells; carbon dioxide and methane emission/capture modeling and technologies; surface water/ atmospheric interactions and relationship with climate; wildlife research, conservation, biodiversity, habitat models, coastal bay ecology; Saltwater ecosystems, ocean and environment, wetland management, biodiversity and conservation, coastal research and engineering, sea level/climate change; Sediment structure, porosity, transport, and chemistry; Sediment contamination; erosion studies; sediment studies related to climate change and bio/geosciences; Hydrology, water flow and watershed modeling; watershed and groundwater chemistry; river‐related studies; Aquatic sciences, freshwater lake ecosystems and sustainability, watershed analysis; Marine based biodiversity and conservation; Studies of oyster ecosystems and sustainability; forestry science, ecology, and management; forest soils and carbon capture

Material Sciences 2,453 6 thermal, temperature, conductivity, polymers; electronic, imaging, sinter, conductivity; thin film, film, nanotubes, zine oxide; composites, polymers, carbon nanotubes, fiber; cellulose, polymer, nanocrystals, fiber; alloy, corrosion, steel, metal

Research and testing of applications and structure of thermal protective, conductive, or harsh environment materials; Research into "thermal" materials/coatings used in a variety of applications including electronics, structures, imaging, semiconductors; Wide range of thin films; Electrodeposition and nanofabrication; nanomaterials and nanowires; additive mfg. technologies; Carbon nanotubes, nanocomposites; Biomaterials; Polymer sciences, membranes, thermoplastic elastomers; Cellulose chemistry and other carbohydrate polymers; Shape memory alloys, corrosion effects and testing, material surface and structure, electrochemical materials, materials engineering and testing

Particle & High Energy Physics

1,456 2 collision, decay, detector, large hadron collider, quark, boson, jet, atlas, bar, higgs; collision, decay, energy, neutrino, flux, astronomy

Particle detector systems and modeling, proton measurement of higgs boson and quarks, studies of dark matter; Collision and decay modeling; neutrino/other particle detector systems, measurement, and modeling

Atmospheric Sciences 1,251 3 flux, solar, cloud, calibration, imaging; nitrogen oxides,0‐3, ozone, air; ozone, stratospheric, solar, climate, aircraft, aerosol ozone, stratospheric, solar, climate, aircraft, aerosol

Radiation effects on environment, space weather, remote sensing and earth observing sensors, weather forecasting, solar flares, geoimagery; Emissions, pollution transport, greenhouse gases, airborne measurements, atmospheric composition, space impacts on atmosphere. Measurement of atmospheric chemistry using technologies, such as spectroscopy.


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# of Clusters


Astronomy 1,122 1 astronomy, star, galaxy, radio, stellar, imaging, interstellar medium

Research methods for studying galaxies; star formation; gravitational fields and black holes; antenna design and material research

Transportation Safety and Intelligent Transportation Systems

834 1 vehicle, driver, transportation, traffic, crash Driver behavior detection, modeling and assessment; Roadway and environmental factors affecting crash severity; Driver crash risk assessment; Motorcycle safety; Connected vehicle traffic management; Automated incident detection on roadways

Wireless Communications & Data Networks

617 1 wireless, network, communication, attack, mobile, sensor, security, node, jamming, antenna

wireless network modeling and performance, wireless sensors, cybersecurity research, military communication studies,

Cybersecurity 552 1 security, attack, privacy, cyber, malware, network Authentication protocols, verification methodologies, intrusion protection, software vulnerabilities, IoT security, wireless and mobile security, security of microelectronics, antennas; some other security‐related (non‐cyber)

Roadway Construction 287 1 concrete, pavement, asphalt, transportation, bridge Road materials and pavement design; intelligent transportation system roadway construction; effects of temperature on asphalt; advanced concrete for bridge construction; lifecycle assessment of pavement; risk factors for pavement

Geological Sciences 238 1 rock, basin, reservoir, shale Gas shale formation and extraction, modeling of geoscience processes, studies of geological formations

Systems Engineering, Modeling and Testing

224 1 fault, adaptive, reliability, voltage Wide range of systems engineering analyses of faults, with focus on power systems, aerospace and software

Mars Space Research 114 1 Mars, Martian, land, solar, vehicle, atmosphere Mars exploration and spacecraft development, mars environment analysis, surface analysis, radiation environment

asset assessment study for commonwealth of virginia: i of...oct 09, 2017 · the line‐of‐sight...

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