Particle4X, Powered by UMN Mechanical Engineering Expertise, Wins $1 Million KidneyX Prize
Driven by Particle4X—a startup founded by Dr. Jiarong Hong and Dr. Lei Feng, with strong leadership from the University of Minnesota’s Mechanical Engineering department, the team has been awarded the prestigious $1 million KidneyX Sustainability Prize from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for its groundbreaking work on SMART-PD: Sustainable Home Dialysis Revolution. This innovative project addresses critical challenges in dialysis care by improving sustainability and enhancing patient outcomes.
The SMART-PD team includes several contributors from UMN’s Mechanical Engineering department:
- Professor Jiarong Hong, Mechanical Engineering
- Professor David Pui, Regents Professor, LM Fingerson/TSI Chair, Mechanical Engineering
- Dr. Qisheng Ou, Research Associate, Mechanical Engineering
They worked alongside a diverse team of experts:
- Dr. Lei Feng
- Dr. Wing T. Lai
- Mr. Nick Bravo-Frank
- Mr. Nikhil Krishnakumar
- Barry Perlmutter, Industry Leader in Process Optimization
- Prof. Wendy St. Peter
- Prof. Anna Kouri
- Mr. James H. Gallie
SMART-PD, developed by Particle4X, is an advanced home dialysis system that integrates AI-powered monitoring, on-demand sterile PD fluid production from tap water, and effluent reclamation for reuse. This innovative approach significantly reduces water consumption and environmental impact while ensuring patient safety.
The award recognizes the vital role of Particle4X and its strong connections to the University of Minnesota’s Mechanical Engineering department, showcasing how cutting-edge research and entrepreneurial collaboration can drive transformative healthcare solutions.