Case Studies

A key client sought to conduct a radiovalidation study that required the extraction of radiolabelled pesticides from soil. The client requested to incorporate a specific piece of equipment into the pesticide extraction methodology that Battelle Crop Protection did not own. In addition, scientific research available on the use of this equipment was limited. What steps did Battelle Crop Protection take to address the challenge, overcome the limitations of existing techniques, and meet the clients’ requirements?

We're improving the quality of life for the 5.3 million Americans who suffer from an ABI with our innovative biofeedback device.

A medical device manufacturer released a medical instrument that combined glass and plastic components. The plastic component was made of polyether ether ketone (PEEK), which was joined to the glass component using a cured epoxy. Through Battelle’s Surface Science program we identified an atmospheric plasma treatment as an approach to solve the adhesion problem and avoid changes to the product design or manufacturing process

A pharmaceutical company was evaluating potential options for a combination drug and injection device for a highly viscous drug. The viscosity of the drug made it difficult to inject by hand. To improve safety and reduce hand fatigue, they needed to modify the flanges or thumb pad on the syringe. There were custom-made and commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) options available. Our client came to Battelle for help in deciding which one modification option would be most likely to be accepted by their end users.

Learn how Battelle enabled the safe capture of 2+ million metric tons of CO2.

In recent years, the U.S. federal government has identified a need for lower-cost non-standard commercial vehicles (NSCV). NSCVs – such as pick-up trucks, sport-utility vehicles, sedans, and vans – allow military forces to operate in areas without military logistical support. For more than eight years, Battelle has produced lightweight armored and upgraded vehicles for clients who sought better operational performance and protection.

The University of Alaska and Battelle received an NSF award to bring together research and local people’s needs and determine what information/observations are needed to secure sustainable food supplies in near-coastal Arctic ecosystems.

Mycoremediation is a form of bioremediation that uses fungi to break down and extract contaminants from the environment. However, using live fungal cultures is problematic. Battelle developed an encapsulation technology to protect the enzymes from physical and chemical degradation.

Corrosion costs industry billions of dollars every year—more than $7 billion annually for oil and gas pipelines alone. We developed a smart microbead that breaks open when corrosion is detected. The smart beads look like a fine white powder and can be mixed into paints and coatings.

A sponsor organization developed a novel oncolytic viral therapeutic of genetically engineered herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) targeted to treat glioblastoma. Battelle was contracted to complete a GLP, IND-enabling study, evaluating the toxicity, biodistribution and efficacy of the therapeutic in a human orthotopic xenograft model.

Battelle worked with the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Army and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to develop a stand-alone tool called SiteWise™ to evaluate and quantify the environmental, health, safety and economic impact of a variety of restoration alternatives. SiteWise™ expands on existing Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) concepts to conduct GSR assessments specifically tailored to site restoration and remediation.

Battelle's combined metagenomic and metaproteomic analytical approaches demonstrated how microorganisms respond to changes in the environment such as exposure to crude oil. The microbial response to crude oil was investigated using genetic sequence profiling (metagenomics) and functional protein profiling (metaproteomic) to observe perturbations in microbial biodiversity and functional protein content.

While many who travel in airports are rushing to catch a flight, we take for granted the technology that keeps us safe -- the baggage scanner. An airport security screener’s ability to find weapons or explosives hidden in luggage can be affected by the visual complexity of the X-ray image. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) asked Battelle to create an objective, quantitative measure of visual complexity so that its effects on screening performance could be studied more rigorously.

A medical device manufacturer was experiencing an intermittent problem with an injection-molded plastic component. During startup, parts would come off the line with a small blister in the plastic. They came to Battelle for help in solving the mystery.

Directed-energy unmanned aircraft system (UAS) countermeasure developed by Battelle.

Environmental chemicals that may disrupt the hormonal or endocrine systems of humans as well as wildlife and other animals have been a concern since at least the 1960s. Many of the endocrine screening assays and other tests in use today are based on or supported by research that was led by Battelle.

Prestige Brands, the parent company behind the Efferdent™ brand of dental appliance cleaners, wanted to extend their market opportunities by offering consumers a new on-the-go option for cleaning dentures, retainers, clear braces, and mouth guards. Prestige Brands asked Battelle to develop and test a cleaning formulation that could be impregnated into a disposable, textured wipe.

Although lead exposure among U.S. children is declining, significant exposure and subsequent effects remain and harm children disproportionately in certain communities. To address this challenge, Battelle developed a blood-lead prediction model that is applicable at the census tract level across the U.S. The model relies upon predictors available nationwide and can be applied to provide useful, population-level estimates of BLL in areas without available surveillance data.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) has contracted with Battelle to perform formative research for this next iteration of Tips from Former Smokers anti-smoking campaign. Battelle researchers are conducting a literature review and environmental scan to evaluate emerging issues in tobacco user behavior (e.g. e-cigarette use, other alternative delivery mechanisms, and changing consumer attitudes and behaviors).

Each year, MD+DI invites innovators, entrepreneurs, students and the broader healthcare community to submit ideas for the medical device of their dreams. The “Dare to Dream” contest asks entrants to envision a new medical device uninhibited by financial or regulatory concerns. The goal is to spur bold, innovative ideas that will push the industry to rethink what is possible in the medical device realm. Entries are judged on creativity and design, market viability and their potential impact on healthcare.