"After Lyco Works asked just a few incisive technical questions, it became clear that we needed to rethink where the technology could be utilized.”

—Pete Canalichio
CEO at Brand Licensing Expert

The Journey & Clotilda – The Final Journey.

September 9th, 2023

I had the privilege to play a minor supporting role to artist André Henderson, during his art opening “Journey & Clotilda -the Final Journey” shown at Atlanta Mayor Andres Dickens’ Office of Cultural Affairs.  The event was organized by the GA section of ACS Minority Affairs leadership team in collaboration with curator Kevin Sipp.  The Journey depicts aspects of the kidnapping and brutal transportation of enslaved Africans, illuminating the suffering and fatalities along the way.

Artist Andre Henderson in front of a rear-view image of the Clotilda (last slave ship) on a rough sea.  The image is painted on a stitched US flag.
The Clotilda, the last slave ship, and André Henderson.

André explained his creations, and interestingly described the feelings and emotions he experienced while creating the art.  It became clear that André’s journey as an artist was directed by his intuition, and that his artistic expression may be a way for him to venerate his ancestors.  Kevin was able to speak to the ancient theology depicted in some of André’s images.  Jason Lye was able to talk about ancient colorants that were in use in Africa up to 150,000 years ago, as well as the complex coloration methodologies used by ancient Egyptians and northern Africans.

Large painting of a blue underwater scene featuring a shark following a slave ship, with a slave in shackles sinking nearby - the soul is leaving the slave body.
Ancient blue and mauve colorants from Africa.
Curator Kevin Sipp stands in front of a painting including spirit-like figures, clouds, traditional ornamental african dress.  Kevin goes into detail of African theology and how it relates to the images.
Curator Kevin Sipp explains the theological significance of André’s images.
Jason Lye stands in front of two paintings of African deities, featuring orange and yellow shades.  Jason is explaining that clay-based orange and yellow pigments and an ancient paint factory was discovered in Africa, dated 150,000 years ago.
Earth color paints made and used in ancient African caves some 150,000 years ago.
A shot of seven people.  Andre is in the center, with three people standing next to each other on either side.  In the background, some of Andre's paintings are visible, along with a banner with ACS logo on it.
André with the ACS GA section volunteers, including Laurel Royer, Nicole Morris, and Pamela Leggett-Robinson.

Color Spinning for Kids – with Sheriff Maddox

September 9th, 2023

As service to the community, Jason participated in a collaborative morning of fun & education spinning paint colors onto vinyl records.  The children aged 7 to 15 years learned about paint: what it is, what it contains, how it works, and more importantly a little about polymers.  By the end of the morning, they could identify common polymers around them, including their own skin, clothing, as well as plastics and coatings. 

When children sit with folded arms, their forearms resemble the double bonds of monomers.  They learned that chemists can make the double bonds in monomers open up (just like unfolding arms) and now, they can now hold the hands of their neighbors to make a chain – just like in polymer chains.  They learned about how long polymer chains give liquid paint viscosity or thickness – so it doesn’t just fall off the wall.  Then, they learned about color mixing and centrifugal forces, as they drizzled paint onto spinning vinyl records to make their colored discs.  It was a fun and rewarding morning.

I’m always careful not to post pictures of other people’s children without their parents – but once the kids had all had a turn, then it was time for Sheriff Maddox and her deputies to join in on the play as well.  Jahari Soward (My eSteam Kit; TechBridge Inc.; NPursuit Careers) led and organized the event.  A big thank you to the Dekalb County Sheriff’s Department, Sheriff Maddox and her team, for hosting the summer camp.

“Prototype to Profit” ebook by Jason Lye now available on Google Play Books!

July 15th, 2021

Prototype to Profit now available for download on Google Play Books

Bought to life with video footage, case studies, a pop-up glossary and original illustrations, “Prototype to Profit” journeys the path of inventors wishing to commercialize their own product, including budgeting, funding, marketing, deal making with collaborators, creativity-on-demand, intellectual property basics, and IP strategy.  The multimedia book boils down years of experience including new product development, problem solving, intellectual property (IP) strategy, and entrepreneur ship.     Prototype to Profit was completed during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, and includes examples of company pivots and adaptations that helped enterprises survive the rough years of Covid-19 lockdown. Published by ACS, the book is included in the inaugural “InFocus” series, brought to life through videos, animations, and “Day in the Life” case studies, delivered in an e-reader that enables learning when it suits you. 

Purchase your copy here.

book cover graphics

Protecting your Investment in New Product Development

May 20th, 2019

For military training purposes, this robust Slingshot device includes novel chemical and electronic technologies to create an explosion, flash, and bang to simulate the effects of real grenades.  This grenade, however, is non-lethal despite the impact of the explosive force it creates.

Lyco Works has been working with Slingshot Product Development Group in Lawrenceville GA recently. Here’s how we’ve been helping their clients develop an IP strategy to help patent protect the new products that Slingshot creates for them…

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The Dutch Tulip Mania of 1637… Learnings for Pre-Investment Technical Diligence

February 14th, 2019

A tulip bulb could cost a king’s ransom in 17th century Holland – but what lessons can today’s technology investors learn from the 1637 bubble?
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Modern Design of Experiment & Response Surface Studies for Formulation Development.

November 4th, 2018

You’ve got to eat, so why not log in and learn as you munch? Our speakers Kemal Oflus and Brian Washington (JMP) will walk us through modern Design of Experiment techniques that can explore multiple variables with a minimal number of tests.  Brian will be demonstrating the JMP platform to show how DOE techniques can make work formulation faster, and more efficient.

11:30am – 12:30am Eastern, Friday November 5th via Zoom.

Please register for tomorrow’s Lunch ‘n Learn on statistical experimental design, presented by: JMP a SAS Company. This Zoom meeting is part of the Georgia Local Section of the American Chemical Society event programming.

Broadening Patent Protection – with Human Experience Factors

June 9th, 2018

Please join me on June 20th for a live webinar on Broadening Patent Claims:  Lessons from Automotive and Consumer Goods.

11:00am EDT / 4:00pm BST, Wednesday June 20th

The webinar is free, however, registration is required.  You can register by clicking here.   Looking forward to it!

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Expanded Chemical Searching Capabilities

April 2nd, 2018

  • How similar are your chemical structures to those mentioned in your competitor’s patents?
  • Who’s running clinical trials on compounds similar to you own?  What stage are they at?
  • Which visually similar chemical compounds are discussed in the patent literature?  Which are not?

With an expanded license to powerful software, we are able to answer these questions for you.  We synthesize these data into a customized dashboard, and add business impact for your specific concerns and needs. Read the rest of this entry »

New Patent Monitoring Service

January 4th, 2018

How well are you keeping up with new IP publications pertinent to your business?

Thousands of patent applications and issued patents publish around the world on a weekly basis.  Of the almost 120,000 patents and applications published weekly in 2017:

    • Which ones may have had financial impact to your business? 
    • Which ones threaten your short and long term competitiveness? 
    • Which ones offer opportunities for future expansion and growth?

Lyco Works now provides a monthly digest, highlighting publications of interest and impact to your business.

A new service offering for 2018.   Read the rest of this entry »

Eye Treatment for Dark Circles and Bags

October 2nd, 2017

Technology for License or Sale

Dr. Cynthia Boxrud formulated a pharmaceutical active into a cream and used it in her plastic surgery practice. She found that it significantly reduced the dark discoloration and swelling under the eyes.

Case #1: Before

After

Case #2: Before

After

Four products were developed, and sold on the QVC Shopping Channel. The product was successful in the marketplace, however, Dr. Boxrud made the decision to return to her surgical practice full time, and eventually decided to sell the technology.

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