Monthly news, events & updates | Building a Rainforest in the Desert | May 2025 | | UNM Rainforest Innovations Celebrates 30 Years of Innovation | | |
This year marks the 30th anniversary of UNM Rainforest Innovations (UNMRI), founded in 1995 as a nonprofit to protect technologies developed at the University of New Mexico and facilitate the transfer of these innovations to the marketplace. Initially launched with just two staff members, it has grown into a highly successful technology-transfer and economic-development program. Today, UNMRI’s team of business, science, and legal professionals work together to commercialize technology, foster an entrepreneurial ecosystem, and protect intellectual property.
Since 2012, UNMRI has spearheaded the University of New Mexico’s economic development initiatives, adopting the Rainforest model to build a sustainable innovation economy in New Mexico. This framework led to the creation of Innovate ABQ and the Lobo Rainforest Building, both of which are now cornerstones of Albuquerque’s research and innovation district.
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| | The University of New Mexico Ranks on Top 100 U.S. Universities Granted Utility Patents in 2024 | | |
The University of New Mexico has ranked #53 on the Top 100 U.S. Universities Granted Utility Patents in 2024, a list published by the National Academy of Inventors (NAI). Released annually, the Top 100 U.S. Universities ranking highlights and celebrates U.S. academic institutions that play a large role in advancing innovation through the critical step of securing their intellectual property through patents. This enables and empowers them to translate their inventions, bringing important technologies to the marketplace, bolstering the economy and creating tangible societal solutions.
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| | TS-Nano Secures $700K Canadian Grant to Advance Eco-Friendly Cement Tech | | |
TS-Nano, a startup spun out of the University of New Mexico (UNM) and headquartered at Albuquerque’s BioScience Center, is making waves in the oil and gas sector with its eco-friendly cement additive technology. Backed by a CAD $700,000 grant from Emissions Reduction Alberta, the company is conducting field trials in Canada of its nano-modified polymer cement, which enhances cement’s sealing capability and reduces methane emissions from abandoned oil wells.
With successful operations already in the Permian Basin and Canada, TS-Nano is also setting its sights on global expansion. The company has plans to enter the California and Australian markets this year, with Europe and the Middle East also on the horizon.
CEO and Founder Dr. Mahmoud Taha, a longtime UNM professor and expert in cement, polymers, and nanotechnology, is leading TS-Nano’s efforts to raise a $10 million Series B round to fuel its next phase of growth.
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| | Local startup Pajarito Powder Secures Funding by Hyundai and Kia to Advance Hydrogen Technology | | |
Hyundai Motor Group and Kia Corporation have invested in Albuquerque-based start-up company Pajarito Powder which concluded the start-up’s B-3 funding round to further advance its hydrogen fuel cell and electrolyzer catalyst technologies. This follows a $4.5 million lead investment by Ecovyst Catalyst Technologies and prior backing from Bekaert Corporation.
Hyundai has been a repeat investor since 2021 and continues to view the company as a key player in advancing hydrogen applications, particularly in heavy-duty and passenger vehicles outside the U.S. This new funding will support global manufacturing expansion, cost reduction, and broader commercialization efforts.
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| | UNM Rainforest Innovations Celebrates Patents and Pioneers in Research at the 2025 Innovation Awards | | |
On April 29, UNM Rainforest Innovations (UNMRI) hosted its annual Innovation Awards at the Lobo Rainforest, welcoming over 100 guests. This event celebrates the innovative achievements of University of New Mexico (UNM) faculty, staff, and students who have received issued U.S. patents, trademarks, or registered copyrights over the past year.
There were 45 inventor honorees recognized at this year’s awards with a total of 42 issued U.S. patents between March 1, 2024, and February 28, 2025. There were 29 technologies from UNM main campus, 11 patents from health sciences campus, and two patents were a collaboration between UNM main campus and health sciences.
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In the Spotlight - Featured UNM Inventor | | | |
Nick J. Carroll, PhD
Associate Professor
Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering
The University of New Mexico
Dr. Carroll's research areas include:
- Intrinsically Disordered Proteins for Extraction of Nucleic Acids
- Frequency Controlled Mechanical Actuator with Microfluidic Flow for Generation of 3D Microgel for Cell Culturing
- Microfluidic Fabrication of Infused Silica Microspheres
- CO2 – Responsive Polymer for Sealing Flow Paths in CO2 Storage Wellbores and Caverns and Methods of Making
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| | 2025 Advanced Energy Awards Supports Local Startups with $3.36M in Grants | | |
UNM Rainforest Innovations was proud to host the 2025 New Mexico Advanced Energy Awards program at the Lobo Rainforest, in partnership with the New Mexico Economic Development Department’s Officer of Science and Technology. Now in its second year, the state-funded initiative awarded $3.36 million in non-dilutive grants to seven promising startups advancing energy technology.
Awardees included:
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Spiritus – $925,000 for development of direct air capture technology.
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VastVision – $925,000 for asset-tracking technology to support infrastructure management.
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Kilonewton – $550,000 to expand professional technical services for the renewables and manufacturing sectors.
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FireEscape – $500,000 for data-driven wildfire risk mitigation solutions.
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Carbogenics – $440,000 for sustainable carbon adsorbents made from hard-to-recycle organic waste.
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Dash2 Labs – $10,000 for Generative AI solutions aimed at enhancing operational decision-making.
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TrollWorks – $10,000 for biomass conversion technologies focused on biochar and energy generation.
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Indigenous Entrepreneurs Podcast | | | The Indigenous Entrepreneurs podcast aims to tell the story of the Entrepreneur’s Journey, specifically that of the indigenous entrepreneur, through candid conversations featuring successful indigenous entrepreneurs. | |
Supporting Entrepreneurs at Laguna Pueblo with Leroy "Buster" Silva, Laguna Community Foundation | |
In this episode, hear from Leroy "Buster" Silva about the work he is doing as the Executive Director of Laguna Community Foundation to bring needed and desired support to individually owned small businesses and entrepreneurs at the Pueblo of Laguna.
Listen on Spotify
| | 2025 Lobo Hackathon Fast-Tracks Ideas and Awards $19k in Cash Prizes | | |
On April 10 and 11, participants from the University of New Mexico (UNM) gathered at the Lobo Rainforest where 13 teams formed to fast-track and collaborate on developing their ideas.
During the two-day Lobo Hackathon, teams worked diligently to refine and develop their ideas that addressed a problem, utilized a technology, or created something entirely new. This year’s event also provided a 3D printing lab for prototype development along with the support of dedicated mentors that offered advice and assistance.
See the awarded teams
| | Thank you to the event Sponsors! | |
Registration is Now Open for the Advanced Economic Development Leadership 2025 Session
An intense, comprehensive curriculum now in a one-week session!
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Join the 2025 Cohort Session:
November 3-6, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri
AEDL immerses participants in a collaborative, team-centric approach that fosters learning through exploration, debate, exercises and team competition. The program attracts practitioners from across the U.S. bringing a wide range of thought, ideas and experiences to these sessions. Through this approach and the diversity of thought represented, participants often learn as much from interaction with fellow professionals as they do from faculty instruction.
Learn more about the program
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UNM Rainforest Innovations | Website
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