Ascent is a bio-tech start-up incorporated in 2012. It is a spin-off from The Pennsylvania State University and Duke University. Ascent focuses on development and commercialization of acoustofluidic (i.e., the fusion of acoustics and microfluidics) chips and instruments for research, diagnostic, and therapeutic applications. It has a strong IP portfolio on acoustofluidic technologies (exclusive license for 4 issued US patents and >10 issued/pending patents in China, Japan, Europe, and North America).