Business Commons^™

The "Dark Side" Of Digital Product Upgrades, Liang Chen, Smu Office Of Research

Research@SMU Infographics

Companies can constantly release improved products to capture value from digital innovations, but there is a ‘dark side’ to doing so. A study by SMU Associate Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship Chen Liang and his co-researchers argues that while product upgrades are intended to capture value, they can also impose learning costs on customers, potentially destroying the value.

Oligram: A Cleaner And Safer World, Joshua Mu '25

IMSA / Fermi STEM Pitch

OliGram, the rapid and affordable biofilm test kit, exploits the presence of cellulose in the extracellular matrix of a biofilm. Only produced by plants and bacteria, cellulose is a suitable biomarker for detecting biofilms as plants can likely be ruled out in most contexts. To indicate the presence of cellulose, OliGram utilizes oligothiophene h-FTAA, a chemical marker which binds to cellulose molecules to create fluorescent complexes. Under a particular wavelength of light, this complex emits light of a corresponding wavelength; on the other hand, if none of the complex was formed, then no light is emitted. Thus, with this rapid …

Ftc Titans #17576 Engineering Portfolio, Gautham Anne '23, Michael Meng '25, Ebba Kaulas '24, Jayant Kumar '23, Neev Patel '25, Ankit Walishetti '25, Shawn Crimmins '24

Distinguished Student Work

IMSA's FTC Robotics Team, the FTC TITANS, was recently recognized at an educational STEM conference presenting to the student body of Orrington Elementary and invited to present at professional meetings for Molex and Caterpillar/Trimble Connectivity to spread robotics to almost 100 engineers and STEM professionals, both at the student and professional levels.

We have used STEM education and robotics to inspire over 6300 people across the globe. The team was recently awarded the 1st Place Connect Award for professional outreach and 2nd Place Inspire (Championship) Award and is excited to be competing at the State Competition.

Swine Research Industry, Alyssa Abendroth '24

Distinguished Student Work

My business research revolved around biosecurity and disease. My inquiry was led by the question How common are diseases in commercial swine units and how can they be prevented from a staff personnel standpoint?. I completed my research by gaining knowledge through experience in my internship, as well as a literature review. I could not find an explicit response to how common diseases are, but I did learn about biosecurity and disease prevention.

Openmind, Shashi Salavath '25

Distinguished Student Work

OpenMind is a mental health organization I founded that offers comprehensive resources and services to support individuals in their mental wellness journey. The organization offers a range of traditional mental health resources, such as therapy and support groups, as well as cutting-edge technology-based solutions. The flagship offering is an AI-powered mental health therapist, designed to provide accessible, on-demand support for individuals experiencing mental health challenges. OpenMind's holistic approach to mental health, combined with its innovative technology offerings, sets it apart in the field and positions it as a leader in promoting mental wellness for all.