UCF in the News

Local innovator and entrepreneur Jason Eichenholz is back at it. The co-founder of Luminar Technologies and founder of the Jonathan’s Landing nonprofit teamed with University of Central Florida Professor Rodrigo Amezcua Correa to secure $4.6 million in pre-seed funding for their Relativity Networks stealth startup, the company announced Feb. 11. Relativity Networks, a next-generation fiber-optics company, uses patent-pending hollow core fiber (HCF) cables to “change the speed of light” and transform how and where data centers can grow in an emerging world of cloud computing and artificial intelligence. “We're solving for an existential threat in the AI and data center space, which is a lack of power,” Eichenholz told Orlando Business Journal. Relativity Networks was formed in late 2023 through funding from Eichenholz, who is a product of UCF’s College of Optics and Photonics. The technology is licensed exclusively through the UCF Research Foundation. Eichenholz was coaching and mentoring other startups at UCF when Amezcua Correa approached him about his hollow core fiber creation. Eichenholz realized it was similar to what he’d written about 20 years earlier, and once he truly understood the opportunity, he decided, “I can't sit this one out. This is too great.” Winston Schoenfeld, vice president for research and innovation at UCF, said in a prepared statement that the technology “represents the next revolution in optical networking” and the breakthrough “demonstrates a decade of dedicated research by our team.”

This research report examines the current prosthetics industry and explores how emerging business models — especially those leveraging 3D printing and open-source designs — can reduce costs and increase accessibility. It outlines sourcing methods, cost-effective materials, and scalable production strategies, with a particular emphasis on serving lower-income and developing regions. By integrating lessons from existing nonprofits and social enterprises, the report proposes a framework for designing and distributing affordable prosthetics that restore daily functionality to underserved communities. Limbitless Solutions: A U.S. nonprofit based at University of Central Florida, Limbitless produces custom 3D-printed myoelectric arms for children and donates them. They gained fame with a case of a 6-year-old getting a colorful 3D-printed arm for ~$350 in materials (Limbitless Solutions Begin Clinical Trials For 3D Printed Arms). Today their arms cost under $1,000 to make and include multi-grip functionality. Limbitless stands out for focusing on art and personalization — each arm is painted with unique designs (like superhero motifs) and they involve the child in the creative process. For lower-income families in the U.S. who may not afford a $20k prosthesis that a child will outgrow, Limbitless offers a lifeline. They have also begun clinical trials with hospitals to validate the outcomes (OHSU, UCF launch first U.S. clinical trial of 3D-printed prosthetics for …). The existence of Limbitless indicates that even in a high-income country, there is a population (children, uninsured individuals) that needs affordable solutions, and philanthropy/academia can play a role. A venture could collaborate with such nonprofits or adopt similar donation-based revenue models for certain user groups.

Orlando Shakes has hired Cheryl Collins as its new executive director, the nonprofit announced late Friday. Since December, Collins had been serving as an executive consultant to the organization, a role that included functions similar to that of an executive director. She was brought on board after the departure of Larry Mabrey in mid-November. Neither Orlando Shakes nor Mabrey has publicly commented on the reason for his exit. “As a premier performing-arts organization, raising awareness of the artistic quality of the Shakes both locally and nationally will be first on the priority list,” said Collins, who earned a bachelor of arts degree in communications from the University of Central Florida. “I am deeply honored to partner with Jim Helsinger and the Orlando Shakes board of directors to provide for the forward growth of the cultural standard bearer for theater in Central Florida.”

Last week, BuzzFeed CEO Jonah Peretti called out social media platforms TikTok and Facebook parent Meta in an open letter to their respective CEOs, Zhang Yiming and Mark Zuckerberg, writing that they no longer "care very much about content" and instead have become "much more interested in technology and AI." Though Peretti may have tried to blame the social media companies' increased focus on AI as being the problem, the real issue may simply be how on how the technology is being used. AI has the potential to improve social media, but that would require some key changes to be made. The social media platforms would have to fundamentally rethink how they're using AI, said Dr. Mel Stanfill, associate professor in the Texts and Technology Program and the Department of English at the University of Central Florida. "The recommendation algorithm would have to not just optimize for attention but also things like posts that result in productive, respectful conversation," noted Stanfill. "That's a thing that could be figured out and implemented, but it's contrary to the platforms' interests in attention above all else," added Stanfill. "Similarly, for moderation, it's a bit of a game of whack-a-mole whereas the tactics of platforms change to try to decrease harmful use, so do the tactics of people trying to be terrible to each other, but it's totally possible to use human judgment to understand those issues and change how content moderation algorithms respond based upon that understanding."

Two local colleges are ramping up hiring, including one with the help of a pair of large health care systems. The University of Central Florida and Seminole State College of Florida both are adding jobs to train students in high-demand fields. For UCF, that comes for its College of Engineering and Computer Science, while Seminole State will hire for its nursing school. The Orlando-based university will hire 36 engineering and computer science faculty members this year, including for areas like aerospace, energy, AI and more. The move comes as its College of Engineering and Computer Science has grown to 15,000 students, with a goal to reach 20,000. UCF already hired 28 more faculty last academic year. “The rapid growth of technological expertise needed by industry and government means engineers and computer scientists are more essential than ever,” College of Engineering and Computer Science Dean Michael Georgiopoulos said in a prepared statement. UCF plans to seek up to $75 million from the Florida Legislature in recurring funds to expand its efforts to grow its college of Engineering and Computer Science.

In 2021, the TSA launched their new touchless identity solution in one Detroit airport. Now it’s available in nine airports across the U.S. Instead of waiting in long lines for a person to manually verify you match your ID, you get your photo taken and facial recognition software sends you on your way. That’s just one example of using biometric data for security, but is it safe? And where else will be seeing it used? Biometric data is using your face, fingerprint, handprint, or your voice to log in or go through security. But how does it work? “If you’re using touch id or face id on your phone, this is creating a biometric imprint of yourself on your phone that stays on your phone,” said Kevin Moran, PhD, Assistant Professor of Computer Science, Cyber Security and Privacy Cluster, University of Central Florida.

After the financial crisis of 2008, the value of the Icelandic krona tanked, along with the Iceland Stock Exchange. Thousands lost their homes and unemployment skyrocketed. Two years later, the eruption of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano disrupted air travel to Europe and caused more problems for the already struggling country — but it also drew international awareness to Iceland. "Tourism's a quick win for many of these places," said Alan Fyall, the Visit Orlando endowed chair of tourism marketing at the University of Central Florida's Rosen College of Hospitality Management who studies sustainable tourism, said of countries with struggling economies. "Tourism can be a very, very powerful economic and social force for good. There's no question. However, it's like everything — it's how you do it," he said.

Last week, BuzzFeed CEO Jonah Peretti called out social media platforms TikTok and Facebook parent Meta in an open letter to their respective CEOs, Zhang Yiming and Mark Zuckerberg, writing that they no longer "care very much about content" and instead have become "much more interested in technology and AI." Though Peretti may have tried to blame the social media companies' increased focus on AI as being the problem, the real issue may simply be how on how the technology is being used. AI has the potential to improve social media, but that would require some key changes to be made. The social media platforms would have to fundamentally rethink how they're using AI, said Dr. Mel Stanfill, associate professor in the Texts and Technology Program and the Department of English at the University of Central Florida. "The recommendation algorithm would have to not just optimize for attention but also things like posts that result in productive, respectful conversation," noted Stanfill. "That's a thing that could be figured out and implemented, but it's contrary to the platforms' interests in attention above all else," added Stanfill. "Similarly, for moderation, it's a bit of a game of whack-a-mole whereas the tactics of platforms change to try to decrease harmful use, so do the tactics of people trying to be terrible to each other, but it's totally possible to use human judgment to understand those issues and change how content moderation algorithms respond based upon that understanding."