November 2007 Archives

I'm pretty happy. Last week, my proposal for the GROCS project at Michigan for next semester was one of four out of seventeen or so that was accepted. Here's the abstract:

We propose to design and implement a computer application that enables users to create sound experiences and musical compositions in a completely new way. In particular, our software will enable users to design dynamic temporal networks in which the nodes correspond to sound clips, and directed edges represent time and other relationships between nodes. Furthermore, we will embed functionality in the application so as to enable different instances of our software to interact with other musicians’ networks so as to create a truly interactive, collaborative music experience. We will also release our software to any interested parties so they can extend it as they see fit (and set up their own musical networks at home).

Here's the proposal. I invite people to comment on it. I wonder if there's any commercial viability to this kind of application?

I'm in this class at Michigan where we're taking existing research and trying to find good commercialization path(s) for it. The project to which I've been assigned is the commercialization of a new kind of synthetic dental enamel that is both molecularly indistinguishable from real enamel and very inexpensive. We have determined three viable commercialization paths so far for our product:

• As a new filling material for cavities (competing against silver-mercury-tin amalgams and resin composites, for example)
• As a cosmetic veneer (competing against expensive porcelain, for example)
• As a kind of over-the-counter medicine that relieves dental pain and actually increases the strength of dental enamel over time

Part of our market research entails the canvassing of potential end-users of this product. To that end, I'd like to invite readers to please share with me their experiences at dental practices, and how it could be improved - particularly in the filling or veneer space, but also in general, as we can identify what kind of complementary assets might strengthen our position. Of course, as always, all responses will be kept confidential.

What is it about your dental experiences that you disliked (or liked)? What was the most unpleasant part of getting a filling (e.g. time to fill, loss of self esteem due to the fact that it's not your natural enamel, discoloration, etc.)? Have you gotten porcelain or rosin composite veneers? What about that experience left you wishing for more? What in general about dental visits is pleasant/unpleasant?

I'm allowing comments for this entry, if you wish to catalog your responses here. Or, you could just email me. Thanks very much in advance!

-John

I've temporarily disabled comments again. Too much comment spam. Hopefully I can find a longer-term solution soon. Sorry for the inconvenience.