Ling Zang received a phone call one day in the early 2000’s that changed the trajectory of his career.

“Hello. This is the U.S. Department of Homeland Security,” the caller said.

Looking back, Zang said at first, he was kind of scared, because he wasn’t sure why the newly formed department would call a scientist like him.

It turned out the man on the phone was a scientific adviser for the Under Secretary of Homeland Security and had an interesting proposal for Zang after seeing some of his publications. The department wanted to work with him to develop a new sensor for explosives in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, attacks in New York. Zang actually was working in the Chemistry Department of Columbia University that morning when the attach happens. He would never forget that moment.

“Before that call, I was what I call a ‘pure chemist.’ I liked fundamental science, publication, and developing new materials or molecules to prove or discover novel concepts. I really never thought too much about a real application, not to mention tech-transfer or commercialization,” Zang said.

The call not only changed how Zang approached research, but it also resulted in a yearslong partnership with the Department of Homeland Security and over $3 million in funding from the department. During that time Zang also expanded his research to include sensors for toxic airborne chemicals, air pollutants, drugs, and even fentanyl.

“If that guy didn't call me, I would probably still remain as the so-called ‘pure, simple scientist,’” Zang said.

In 2008, Zang moved to the University of Utah, where he now works as a professor of materials science and engineering. “My research at the U in general focuses on nanomaterials, which can be used for chemical sensors to detect toxic chemicals, which are of great concern to the environment, health or even public safety,” Zang said. “The outcome or the impact is to make people’s lives better and safer. Especially nowadays, we have all kinds of pollution either in the air or in the water.”

His recent research has focused on forever chemicals, or PFAS. These chemicals give common, household items like nonstick pans, water-repellent jackets, food wrappings and more their heat, oil, stain or water-resistant properties; however, research shows that these chemicals can have negative health effects.

“There are not too many ways you can really detect these chemicals. So, that's also a part of our current effort, in collaboration with some of my colleagues, to develop a new type of sensors to help us detect or monitor those chemicals in real time.”

Zang maintained his interest in real world applications once he moved to the U, and in fact, the university’s capacity to assist him with commercialization and tech transfer was a large part of why he was drawn to the U.

While Zang was working on the nanomaterial sensors at his previous university, he developed a lot of intellectual property, but the university did not have sufficient resources to help him apply for patents to protect the IP. He said he was writing patent applications himself, while also continuing to develop and research new sensors.

When he was introduced to the University of Utah, he realized immediately that this was the ecosystem he wanted to be a part of.

“It really, really matches and fits my needs, interest, expertise, and also my strategy of combining both fundamental science and tech transfer,” Zang said. “I joked to my friends that it’s like an army. There’s a big team with all kinds of expertise, ready to help us.”

Zang has continued to produce new intellectual property in his lab, and he even started a company, Vaporsens, Inc., in 2011 based on his research into sensor devices. Vaporsens was later acquired by another company, and Zang now serves on its Board of Directors.

“Looking back on these 12 years since starting Vaporsens, I consider this a very enjoyable and encouraging journey, you know, with some struggling,” Zang said. “I think it has been very, very good for me to not just grow, but develop a full scope of expertise and experience. Now, I can consider myself not just a scientist, but also somehow an engineer and entrepreneur.”

With this experience under his belt, Zang said his younger colleagues often ask him for advice on starting a company or developing new IP. He said he normally offers the following advice:

• “The very first advice I would give is: Don't try to be too optimistic for your technology, because it's a lesson I learned from my own experience.” Zang said there’s a difference between a technology having potential in the scientific realm and the business realm. For an idea to become a real product, it needs to be high quality, reproducible, scalable, and have minimum environmental impact. Oftentimes a discovery in an academic lab is in early stage, which means there’s a lot more work to be done to fill in the big gaps between science, engineering and manufacturing.
• “Be prepared for some unexpected challenges when you decide to start your business.”
• “I normally recommend they contact PIVOT.” Zang said PIVOT can offer advice on IP strategy, connect you with consultants and entrepreneurs, and more. Even after almost 15 years, Zang said he still reaches out to PIVOT for advice.