Paradigm Shift Institute

Information

Paradigm Shift Institute is a nonprofit innovation laboratory dedicated to education, innovation, and entrepeneurship.

Location: Houston, Texas
Members: 176
Latest Activity: Nov 11

Executive Summary for Paradigm Shift Institute (PSI)

Paradigm Shift Institute is a proposed non-profit laboratory promoting innovation, entrepreneurship and education. The institute will be managed and lead by a staff of highly experienced and accomplished science, engineering and business professionals representing all of the major science / engineering / business areas (chemistry / biochemistry, physics, civil engineering, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, management, finance, and marketing). The institute will be dedicated toward:

- Educating and inspiring young people to pursue science and engineering careers through invention, innovation, and entrepreneurship,

- Developing the next great technologies and innovations to bolster the U.S. economy, and

- Solving critical problems occurring in our world (i.e. pollution, poverty, and renewable energy) through the formulation and application of cutting-edge technologies and products.

The institute will be:

1. An integrated, cooperative engineering laboratory dedicated to the conception, research and development (short and long term) of cutting-edge products and technologies targeting critical economic and environmental issues. The institute will bring products and technologies from initial conception through design, engineering analysis, prototyping, testing and marketing (licensing). The major areas of focus will be:

* Materials and Structures – Development of technologies to

- Produce better strength to weight ratio materials and structures,

- Improve reliability and durability of complex structures,

- Improve the performance of materials / structures in adverse environments (thermal, vibration, corrosive, etc.), and

- Improve the reliability, cost and speed of producing complex structures from a variety of materials.

* Propulsion / Energy Systems and Subsystems – Development of system and subsystem technologies to improve the performance, cost, environmental compatibility, efficiency, reliability, maintainability and durability of propulsion and energy systems for home, automotive, aviation and aerospace applications.

* Renewable and Alternative Fuels and Energy Systems – Development and promotion of technologies to improve the production and application of alternative fuels such as hydrogen, cellulosic ethanol and biodiesel. Improved technologies for geothermal, wind, tidal, and solar-based energy production and
Improved technology for energy storage devices such as batteries and flywheels.

* Environmental Remediation – Development of products and technologies for the remediation of environmental damage, including the remediation of global warming and land pollution.

* Control Systems – Development of cutting-edge control systems for the operation of complex machinery and devices that improve efficiency, maintainability and reliability and lower cost. Special emphasis will be given to control systems that can learn and adapt.

The developed technologies and products will be licensed to U. S. companies to cover the operation and growth costs of the institute.

2. An incubator for the promotion of product development and entrepreneurship skills by young high school students who are brought to the institute as paid interns / apprentices. The staff will then work with the interns to conceive product ideas, refine the product conception, produce the design, build a prototype, test the prototype, and market it for licensing. Special consideration will be given to potential interns who come from low-income communities. Income from licensing will be used for institute operations and scholarships.

3. An incubator for young entrepreneurs to propose product ideas to be developed, prototyped, tested, and marketed at the laboratory facility with licensing shared between the concept originator and the institute to cover the development costs.

Discussion Forum

ARE HYBRID/ELECTRICAL CARS THE SOLUTION? 10 Replies

Started by Tamas. Last reply by Paul Burger Mar 29.

Let's consider a real paradigm shift 8 Replies

Started by Luane Todd. Last reply by David Scott Jan 23.

Let us behave as grown up and responsible citizens instead of complainers

Started by Alankar Gupta Sep. 1, 2008.

Comment Wall

Comment

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Comment by Arno Lundin on January 22, 2009 at 10:39am: Yes to Reality

Comment by Fred Mars on January 22, 2009 at 10:28am: Reality - Anti-Gravity

More reality - Can You Handle the Truth?

Science here folks, not science fiction. Wake up and smell the ozone.

Fred

Comment by Roxanne Brewer on January 17, 2009 at 2:09pm: This is an exciting time to be in when the idea of alternative energy is taken seriously by the world and our new President! Our childrens future are in our hands. Together we can make this happen!

Comment by Jessee McBroom on January 8, 2009 at 11:35am: Hello Fred. I'm with you 100% on your comment below.

Comment by Fred Mars on January 8, 2009 at 11:17am: I have been pushing to create a new energy paradigm for years, and now it is happening. I don't want credit for it, just action and participation to produce clean and renewable energy without burning and polluting.

Comment by Kat on December 30, 2008 at 4:28am: Please go to http://change.gov/openforquestions sign-in or sign-up for an account at Change.gov and ask the administration what they plan to do with regard to energy independence and the Pickens Plan.

Comment by Jessee McBroom on December 29, 2008 at 2:05pm: Hello Dr. LaFave. I just want to thank you very much for starting this group. It is a much needed and I am sure to be appreciated group indeed. I look forward to a long and fulfilling friendship with you and your group. Let me know if there is anything I can do. Sincerely: Jessee McBroom

Comment by Sandy Graham on December 29, 2008 at 11:02am: I am looking to connect with new ventures or small business companies in search of meeting business development objectives.

Comment by James Tracy on December 29, 2008 at 10:35am: This group is very important, our children need more places to go. What wonderous innovations lay in a childs mind, we must nurture the individuals who are interested in knowing the world around them.
Thank you all.

Comment by Arno Lundin on December 15, 2008 at 12:55pm: Cool goverment has approved to fund 50% of building costs for purelignin.com Front end bio refinery. This technology is what we are licensing and implementing.
W are waiting to hear if that funding includes any liscencee's which we imagine it will.
We continue to seek private funding interested parties may contact me any time.
Process developed by purelignin.com reduces polution to near 0, deliver's higher quality product and reduces energy consumption for existing producers as well as provides side stream revenues one of which is generation of ectricity, ehtanols, and bio plastics etc. DOE reported in 2005 that this type of technology was needed for many industries if they were to remain viable. Coincidentally when this report came out the technology was in the patent office getting approved. Hard to grasp the big picture but I feel the technology will allow for many things that were not possible due to high cost of production to now be possible. This may be so large a market that I feel it will dominate the nowt new economy of Renewable's.