About CES
Company Overview
Cutting Edge Superconductors, Inc. (CES) was established on November 22, 2011, by Dr. Yong-Jihn Kim, who is also a Physics Professor at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus. Dr. Kim, originally from South Korea, completed his Ph.D. at Seoul National University and pursued postdoctoral research at Harvard University and Purdue University. With over two decades of experience in superconductivity, Dr. Kim has made significant contributions to the field.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) relies on superconducting magnets to produce detailed images, with image quality improving as the magnetic field strength increases. Traditional MRI systems use NbTi superconductors, which require liquid helium to maintain the extremely low temperatures necessary for operation, resulting in high maintenance costs.
In 2001, MgB2 was discovered as a high transition temperature superconductor, offering the potential for developing cryogen-free MRI systems. These next-generation MRI systems promise near-zero maintenance and could reduce MRI scan costs by up to 40%. Dr. Kim was quick to identify the superconducting mechanism of MgB2 and developed a novel method to enhance its performance, addressing the crucial challenge of improving the current-carrying capacity of MgB2 wires. His innovations are protected by patents in the United States (No. 7,791,343 and No. 8,390,293), South Korea (No. 10-1092345), and the European Union (No. 2,173,247), with registration in Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, the UK, and France. Additionally, the Chinese Patent Office granted a patent (No. 101765399) on May 6, 2013, and a patent is pending in Japan.
CES, Inc. holds the exclusive rights to these patents and is positioned to transform the global MRI equipment market, which was valued at approximately $5 billion in 2013. The introduction of cryogen-free MRI systems is expected to substantially lower healthcare costs and enhance public health services.
Achievements and Collaborations
Since its foundation, CES has garnered significant recognition and funding to support its innovative efforts. In December 2011, CES secured 1st Prize in the EnterPrize Business Plan Competition organized by the Guayacán Group, winning $25,000 to initiate the production of prototype MgB2 wires for next-generation MRI systems. In June 2012, CES achieved 2nd Prize in the InnoVenture 2012 Technology-Based Business Plan Competition, organized by the Puerto Rico Small Business and Technology Development Center (PRSBTDC), earning a $15,000 prize. Additionally, CES received Phase 0 funding of $5,000 from PRSBTDC to prepare for NSF SBIR Phase I funding.
In January 2013, CES was awarded $50,000 by the Puerto Rico Science, Technology, and Research Trust (PR Science Trust). On June 3, 2013, CES also won NSF SBIR Phase I funding of $150,000, complemented by a $100,000 matching fund from PR Science Trust. NSF SBIR Program Director Dr. Ben Schrag ranked CES’s project in the top 30% of awarded projects, reflecting high expectations for CES’s innovative work. These funds are designated for producing prototype MgB2 wires for next-generation MRI systems. The project is carried out in collaboration with Luvata, a leading superconducting wire manufacturer, and is strongly supported by GE, a major MRI equipment manufacturer.
Strategic Vision
CES, Inc. is in the process of establishing a manufacturing facility for MgB2 wires in Puerto Rico, which will create several hundred high-tech jobs. Currently, CES operates within Vitec2, a small business incubator in Mayagüez. Dr. Yong-Jihn Kim serves as President and CEO, with Ms. Teresa Breda as Marketing Director and Dr. Lysa Chizmadia as R&D Director. The company is actively seeking a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and additional R&D staff.
CES is dedicated to advancing the Puerto Rican economy by bringing its patented, next-generation cryogen-free 1.5T and 3.0T MRI systems to market. Through strategic collaborations with industry leaders such as Luvata and GE, CES aims to revolutionize the MRI industry, making advanced medical imaging more accessible and cost-effective.
Cutting Edge Superconductors, Inc. (CES) was established on November 22, 2011, by Dr. Yong-Jihn Kim, who is also a Physics Professor at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus. Dr. Kim, originally from South Korea, completed his Ph.D. at Seoul National University and pursued postdoctoral research at Harvard University and Purdue University. With over two decades of experience in superconductivity, Dr. Kim has made significant contributions to the field.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) relies on superconducting magnets to produce detailed images, with image quality improving as the magnetic field strength increases. Traditional MRI systems use NbTi superconductors, which require liquid helium to maintain the extremely low temperatures necessary for operation, resulting in high maintenance costs.
In 2001, MgB2 was discovered as a high transition temperature superconductor, offering the potential for developing cryogen-free MRI systems. These next-generation MRI systems promise near-zero maintenance and could reduce MRI scan costs by up to 40%. Dr. Kim was quick to identify the superconducting mechanism of MgB2 and developed a novel method to enhance its performance, addressing the crucial challenge of improving the current-carrying capacity of MgB2 wires. His innovations are protected by patents in the United States (No. 7,791,343 and No. 8,390,293), South Korea (No. 10-1092345), and the European Union (No. 2,173,247), with registration in Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, the UK, and France. Additionally, the Chinese Patent Office granted a patent (No. 101765399) on May 6, 2013, and a patent is pending in Japan.
CES, Inc. holds the exclusive rights to these patents and is positioned to transform the global MRI equipment market, which was valued at approximately $5 billion in 2013. The introduction of cryogen-free MRI systems is expected to substantially lower healthcare costs and enhance public health services.
Achievements and Collaborations
Since its foundation, CES has garnered significant recognition and funding to support its innovative efforts. In December 2011, CES secured 1st Prize in the EnterPrize Business Plan Competition organized by the Guayacán Group, winning $25,000 to initiate the production of prototype MgB2 wires for next-generation MRI systems. In June 2012, CES achieved 2nd Prize in the InnoVenture 2012 Technology-Based Business Plan Competition, organized by the Puerto Rico Small Business and Technology Development Center (PRSBTDC), earning a $15,000 prize. Additionally, CES received Phase 0 funding of $5,000 from PRSBTDC to prepare for NSF SBIR Phase I funding.
In January 2013, CES was awarded $50,000 by the Puerto Rico Science, Technology, and Research Trust (PR Science Trust). On June 3, 2013, CES also won NSF SBIR Phase I funding of $150,000, complemented by a $100,000 matching fund from PR Science Trust. NSF SBIR Program Director Dr. Ben Schrag ranked CES’s project in the top 30% of awarded projects, reflecting high expectations for CES’s innovative work. These funds are designated for producing prototype MgB2 wires for next-generation MRI systems. The project is carried out in collaboration with Luvata, a leading superconducting wire manufacturer, and is strongly supported by GE, a major MRI equipment manufacturer.
Strategic Vision
CES, Inc. is in the process of establishing a manufacturing facility for MgB2 wires in Puerto Rico, which will create several hundred high-tech jobs. Currently, CES operates within Vitec2, a small business incubator in Mayagüez. Dr. Yong-Jihn Kim serves as President and CEO, with Ms. Teresa Breda as Marketing Director and Dr. Lysa Chizmadia as R&D Director. The company is actively seeking a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and additional R&D staff.
CES is dedicated to advancing the Puerto Rican economy by bringing its patented, next-generation cryogen-free 1.5T and 3.0T MRI systems to market. Through strategic collaborations with industry leaders such as Luvata and GE, CES aims to revolutionize the MRI industry, making advanced medical imaging more accessible and cost-effective.
