One of the Charlotte Venture Challenge finalists in the New Energy & High Tech Category this year is on the upswing to success. XOONIX LLC launched in 2015 with their patented current sensors – a high-speed electric current sensor and a method to turn on a precisely controlled electric current.
Both can be customized for different applications, including electric power grid control, circuit and component testing equipment, management of the Internet of Things, drivers for LEDs, and wherever precise current sensing would improve performance.
Elisa Hurwitz developed the XOONIX Technologies at UNC Charlotte, where she is currently pursuing a Ph.D. student in optical science.
According to Hurwitz, her ideas came together when a professor in the electrical engineering department needed help characterizing magnetic elements, but did not have the right equipment. She designed a test to solve his problem, and during the process realized if she rearranged a couple of key components she could produce an electric current sensor and current generator faster and more precise than anything else on the market. Hurwitz patented the technology, with the support of UNC Charlotte’s Office of Technology Transfer.
The XOONIX team is made up of Hurwitz, the company’s chief innovation officer, CEO Rick Hudson, chief operations officer Scott Williams, chief technology officer Dr. Paolo Batoni and chief administration officer Dr. William Hurwitz.
Recently they joined CLT Joules, which has opened the door to a number of opportunities, Hurwitz said.
The year-long program connects energy startups with potential investors, mentors and potential customers. According to the Charlotte Observer, last year participating companies attracted almost $9 million in funding and generated 66 jobs. CLT Joules launched in 2012 at Packard Place uptown; now they are located at the UNC Charlotte campus’ Portal building. Hurwitz is a native of Washington D.C. She previously worked in the defense industry and is passionate about applying theoretical understanding to solve practical problems. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering at Georgia Tech and earned her Master of Science in Photonics and Optoelectronic Devices in a joint program at the Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh and the University of St. Andrews, Scotland.
So far, in its early stages, the company has been seeing success, she said.
“We have been generating interest from potential customers of all sizes,” Hurwitz said. “The technologies are quite versatile. These have broad applications, especially in power conversion, control and sensing.”
UNC Charlotte and the business climate of the city, in general, have been helpful to XOONIX, she said. “We had the opportunity to participate in a University sponsored program, NSF I-corps, administered by Ventureprise and funded by NSF. Through this program XOONIX was able to ascertain the interest of a number of potential customers,” Hurwitz said. The Charlotte Chamber of Commerce has also reached out to us and connected us with a potential customer.
“Charlotte has built itself up to be an energy center,” Hurwitz said. “We’re very grateful for the support we have received through UNC Charlotte and the CLT Joules. We have been particularly encouraged by the warmth and interest of the people we met through CLT Joules. We’re very happy to be in Charlotte.”
