| DREXEL UNIVERSITY Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20120121683 | FUNCTIONAL NANOPARTICLE FILLED NANOTUBES AND METHODS OF THEIR PRODUCTION - Carbon nanotubes with a suspension or colloidal solution of functional nanoparticles and methods for production of carbon nanotubes loaded with functional nanoparticles are provided. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120119625 | ENERGY HARVESTING DEVICE - A piezoelectric energy harvesting device (PEHD) comprising a driving element, conducting element, piezoelectric layer and non-piezoelectric layer capable of converting ambient mechanical energy into electrical energy. The piezoelectric layer may be constructed from PMN-PT or PZT having a thickness of about 1-150 μm. The PEHD may be used to generate about 1 W. The harvested energy may be stored and used to power microelectronic devices and rechargeable battery technologies. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120106613 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SELECTING RECONFIGURABLE ANTENNAS IN MIMO SYSTEMS - A method allows reconfigurable multi-element antennas to select the antenna configuration in MIMO, SIMO and MISO communication system. This selection scheme uses spatial correlation, channel reciprocal condition number, delay spread and average Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) information to select the antenna radiation pattern at the receiver. Using this approach, it is possible to achieve capacity gains in a multi-element reconfigurable antenna system without modifying the data frame of a conventional wireless communication system. The capacity gain achievable with this configuration selection approach is calculated through numerical simulations using reconfigurable circular patch antennas at the receiver of a MIMO system that employs minimum mean square error receivers for channel estimation. Channel capacity and Bit Error Rate (BER) results show the improvement offered relative to a conventional antenna selection technique for reconfigurable MIMO systems. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120102651 | TWO-PIECE LIGHTWEIGHT LITTER SYSTEM - This invention is directed to a durable, compact, two-piece, light weight, load sustaining litter system for the transport of humans, animals or objects. The litter system comprises a litter frame, a fabric disposed between the structure of the frame, at least one hinge and at least one coupling mechanism. The litter system may be quickly assembled under adverse conditions and may be particularly beneficial in transporting individuals who are injured, disabled and/or incapable of movement under combat and/or emergency conditions. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120100524 | TUBULAR FLOATING ELECTRODE DIELECTRIC BARRIER DISCHARGE FOR APPLICATIONS IN STERILIZATION AND TISSUE BONDING - Disclosed is a device and method for contacting a biological substrate. A non-thermal plasma device delivers a non-thermal plasma discharge using a dielectric conduit, an igniter electrode and a RF electrode. The dielectric conduit fluidicly communicates a gas therethrough and an igniter electrode ionizes at least a portion of the gas. The RF electrode, disposed circumferentially proximate to the exterior of the dielectric conduit, generates non-thermal plasma from the ionized gas. The non-thermal plasma is discharged from the dielectric conduit and contacts a biological substrate. The non-thermal plasma discharge may be suitable for tissue bonding and sterilization applications. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120093709 | NANOPOROUS CARBIDE DERIVED CARBON WITH TUNABLE PORE SIZE - The present invention provides a method for producing a nanoporous carbide-derived carbon composition with a tunable pore structure and a narrow pore size. Also provided are compositions prepared by the method. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120092784 | REFLECTIVE SURFACE - The invention relates to a reflective surface substantially perpendicular to a vector field described by the equation: W(x,y,z)=T (proj(x,v,z))−(x,v,z)+proj(x,v,z)−(x,v,z)∥T(proj(x,y,z))−(x,y,z)∥ ∥proj(x,y,z)−(x,y,z)∥ and a method for forming the reflective surface. The reflective surface is capable of providing a non-reversed, substantially undistorted direct reflection. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120090985 | NON-EQUILIBRIUM GLIDING ARC PLASMA SYSTEM FOR CO2 DISSOCIATION - A reactor for dissociating carbon dioxide, and associated processes and systems, are described herein. In one example, a reactor is provided that is configured to use non-equilibrium gliding arc discharge plasma. In another example, the reactor uses a vortex flow pattern. A diaphragm may be used at the output of the reactor to control the vortex flow pattern. In some examples, the reactor may be configured to have varying upper and lower chamber sizes. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120060984 | Carbon Nanotubes Containing Confined Copper Azide - The invention concerns copper azide containing carbon nanotubes. The invention also concerns methods of producing such nanotubes by placing CuO nanoparticles within carbon nanotubes to produce CuO-containing carbon nanotubes, contacting CuO-containing carbon nanotubes with hydrogen to produce reduced nanotubes; and contacting the reduced nanotubes with hydrazoic acid to produce copper azide containing carbon nanotubes. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120041124 | COMPOSITE REPAIR RESINS CONTAINING MINIMAL HAZARDOUS AIR POLLUTANTS AND VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUND - The present invention relates to a composition and method for fabricating composite resins that produce either reduced or zero volatile organic compound (VOC) and zero hazardous air pollutant (HAP) emissions. The non-volatile reactive diluents of the composite resin, fatty acid monomers, enhance the stability, shelf-life, flexibility and strength of the composite resin. The resins incorporating fatty acid monomers may be used to repair military equipment or for any commercial repair purposes. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20110305837 | POLY(ETHYLENE GLYCOL) AND POLY(ETHYLENE OXIDE) BY INITIATED CHEMICAL VAPOR DEPOSITION - A method for ionic polymerization of ethylene oxide. In the first step of the method, a gaseous monomer composition comprising ethylene oxide at a first flow rate is mixed with a gaseous ionic polymerization initiator at a second flow rate, thereby forming a mixture. The formed mixture is then heated with at least one heated filament to thereby form at least one polymer. The method may also be employed to coat a variety of different substrates in situ during the polymerization reaction. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110305118 | Fiber Optic Hydrophone Sensors And Uses Thereof - Disclosed is detecting changes in pressure in a medium, with an optical fiber having a core diameter at an immersion surface contact of the fiber of less than 10 μm; a layer of material deposited on said end of the fiber, the material being of a thickness of from about 2 nm to about 10 nm. Also disclosed is detecting pressure waves in a medium comprising: contacting the medium with a fiber optic, the fiber integrated with a light source and a detector, the fiber optic having a diameter of less than 10 μm at an immersion surface contact of the fiber; providing a thin layer of material on the immersion surface contact, wherein said thin layer of material is of a thickness in a range of from about 2 nm to about 10 nm; and detecting Fresnel back reflections from the immersion end of the fiber. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110295903 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY GENERATING SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS OF A SCIENTIFIC FIELD - A system and method are provided for automatically generating systematic reviews of received information in a field of science and technology, such as scientific literature, where the systematic review includes a systematic review of a research field in the scientific literature. The method is preferably implemented by a programmed computer and includes the steps of constructing a time series networks of words, passages, documents, and citations and/or co-citations within received information into a synthesized network, decomposing the networks into clusters of fields or topics, performing part-of-speech tagging of text within the received information to provide tagged text, constructing semantic structures of concepts and/or assertions extracted from the source text, generating citation-based and content-based summaries of the clusters of fields or topics and the semantic structures including measuring the saliency, novelty, significance, and transformative features of individual entities in the clusters of fields or topics and semantic structures, and generating structured narratives of the clusters of fields or topics and the summaries of the generated semantic structures, including labeling and summarizing features of the clusters of fields or topics and delinearizing the resulting clusters into templates that provide summarizations of the structure and trends of the information in the clusters at multiple levels of abstraction. Narratives of the citation-based and content-based summaries are merged into a systematic review having a predetermined arrangement. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110288199 | Fiber-Hydrogel Composite for Tissue Replacement - The present invention includes tailored fiber-reinforced hydrogel composites for implantation into a subject. The present invention also includes systems and methods for controlling the relative percent volume of the hydrogel and fibers, cross-linking, fiber orientation, weave and density, such that the material properties of the composite can be controlled and/or customized to match particular tissue types. The composites of the present invention are suitable for repairing or replacing musculoskeletal tissues and/or fibrocartilage, such as the meniscus, ligaments and tendons. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110277618 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR BRAIDING MICRO STRANDS - A method and apparatus for fabricating microbraided structures is provided. A microbraiding device includes first and second carrier members that are movable with respect to each other. Each carrier includes a plurality of shelters. Spool-less strands of microfiber are retained in shuttles that are movable between the first and second shelters under magnetic forces. The microbraid structure is fabricated as the shuttles move between the first shelters, and as the first carrier member moves relative to the second carrier member. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110270400 | PHASE TRANSITIONING HYDROGELS - A method of forming and the resulting hydrogel composition comprising poly(vinyl alcohol) at a final concentration of about 20% (w/w) to about 65% (w/w) and polyethylene glycol at a final concentration of about 2% (w/w) to about 20% (w/w), wherein the hydrogel composition has a total polymer content, above about 30% (w/w), higher than the total polymer content of a precursor polymer solution formulated prior to the formulation of the hydrogel composition. The hydrogel composition may further comprise poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) at a fmal concentration of about 0.10% (w/w) to about 0.75% (w/w). | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110265227 | PIEZOELECTRIC MICROCANTILEVERS AND USES IN ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPY - The invention is direct to a piezoelectric microcantilever for static contact and dynamic noncontact atomic force microscopy which may be carried out in solution. The piezoelectric microcantilever, which includes a piezoelectric layer and a non-piezoelectric layer is capable of self actuation and detection. The piezoelectric layer may be constructed from a lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate (Pb(Mg | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110264117 | TISSUE JOINING DEVICE AND INSTRUMENT FOR ENABLING USE OF A TISSUE JOINING DEVICE - A tissue joining device and a surgical instrument for employing the tissue joining device are provided. The tissue joining device may be designed such that a first member may be inserted into a second member in discrete increments so that two lumen structures can properly be combined. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110260946 | MIMO ANTENNA ARRAYS BUILT ON METAMATERIAL SUBSTRATES - A magnetic permeability enhanced metamaterial is used to enhance the antenna array of a Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) communication system. A rectangular patch antenna array is formed including a stack of a plurality of unit cells, where each unit cell includes an inductive loop of magnetic permeability enhanced metamaterials embedded in a host dielectric substrate. The use of such metamaterials permits the antenna arrays to be made smaller, and have less mutual coupling, when using a metamaterial substrate. The measured channel capacities of the antenna arrays are similar for the metamaterial and conventional substrates; however, the capacity improvement when using MIMO relative to single antenna communication systems is greater for antennas on metamaterial substrates. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110260109 | WATER SOLUBLE NANOCRYSTALLINE QUANTUM DOTS - An economic, direct synthetic method for producing water soluble QDs that are ready for bioconjugation is provided. The method can produce aqueous QDs with emission wavelengths varying from 400 nm to 700 nm. Highly luminescent metal sulfide (MS) QDs are produced via an aqueous synthesis route. MS QDs are capped with thiol-containing charged molecules in a single step. The resultant MS QDs exhibit the distinctive excitonic photoluminescence desired of QDs and can be fabricated to avoid undesirable broadband emissions at higher wavelengths. This provides a significant improvement over the present complex and expensive commercial processes for the production of QDs. The aqueous QDs are stable in biological fluids over a long period of time. In addition, nontoxic ZnS QDs have been produced with good photoluminescence properties by refluxing the ZnS QD suspensions over a period of time. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110257320 | COMPOSITE REPAIR RESINS CONTAINING MINIMAL HAZARDOUS AIR POLLUTANTS AND VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUND - The present invention relates to a composition and method for fabricating composite resins that produce either reduced or zero volatile organic compound (VOC) and zero hazardous air pollutant (HAP) emissions. The non-volatile reactive diluents of the composite resin, fatty acid monomers, enhance the stability, shelf-life, flexibility and strength of the composite resin. The resins incorporating fatty acid monomers may be used to repair military equipment or for any commercial repair purposes. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110251604 | NANO DISCHARGES IN LIQUIDS - The present invention is direct to a nano-probe corona tool and uses thereof. A nano-probe corona tool is disclosed having a tip with a diameter in the nano-scale, typically around 100 nm. The nano-probe corona tool is constructed of electrically conductive material. On the other end of the tool, a pulsed voltage source outputs a pulsed voltage to generated a pulsed electrical potential at the tip. The pulsed electrical potential at the tip causes a plasma discharge corona to occur. Uses of the corona discharge include, but are not limited to, optical emission spectroscopy, in the enhancement of deposition of coatings and nanoscale welding, e.g., nanotube or nanowires to a contact pad and welding two nanowires together, and in nanoscale surgery. For example, a nano-probe comprising CNTs may be inserted into cell membranes. The resulting corona discharge may be used to destroy tumors within the cell. | 10-13-2011 |
| 20110246636 | Efficient Distributed Algorithm for the Location Design and Routing Problem - The Location Design and Routing problem asks to find a subset of “depot” nodes and a spanning forest of a graph such that every connected component in the forest contains at least one depot. This problem arises in a number of both logistical and computer networking problems, for example, in selecting the number and location of distribution centers in vehicle routing networks. This problem is functionally equivalent to that of supernode selection in peer-to-peer networks. A distributed algorithm approximates a solution to this problem that runs in a logarithmic number of communication rounds with respect to the number of nodes (independent of the topology of the network), and, under assumptions on the embedding of the edge weights, whose solutions are within a factor of 2 of optimal. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110208063 | NON-CONTACT FREQUENCY DOMAIN NEAR INFRARED ABSORPTION (fNIR) DEVICE FOR ASSESSING TISSUE DAMAGE - A device for measuring the progress of healing of a wound over time includes at least one diode laser source that provides respective input wavelengths into at least one source fiber, a first optical switch that sequentially switches wavelengths among the respective input wavelengths into the at least one source fiber, a probe that does not touch the wound dunng use, the probe including the at least one source fiber and at least two detectors spaced thereon, an optical system that provides source light from the at least one source fiber to the wound and that detects light scattered by the wound surface and provides the scattered light to the detectors, and a processing unit responsive to outputs of the detectors for providing at least four independent measurements for calculation of an absorption coefficient/Ia and a scattering coefficient/I's of the light by the wound | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110199563 | Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal Photovoltaic Device and Method for Making - A novel photovoltaic device including a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) material that is capable of converting solar energy to electrical energy and method for making. The device may optionally include a conductive container for holding the PDLC material. In an exemplary embodiment, the invention is directed to a self assembled PDLC material, a holographically synthesized PDLC material or a block co-polymer dispersed liquid crystal material. It is envisioned that the invention may be used a power source for any device, system or application. In particular, the invention may be used for any application involving the conversion of solar energy to electrical energy. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110192789 | METAL OR METAL OXIDE DEPOSITED FIBROUS MATERIALS - A method for electrospraying nanosized metal or metal oxide particles onto a substrate. A metal oxide deposited fibrous material comprising a substrate, fibers and metal oxide particles may be made using the method. The material may be a flexible and porous fibrous matrix on which metal oxide particles may be uniformly deposited on a surface thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, the invention is directed to an electrospun nanofibrous material on which electrosprayed photocatalytic metal oxide particles are uniformly deposited without agglomeration. | 08-11-2011 |
| 20110175183 | INTEGRATED PLASMONIC LENS PHOTODETECTOR - Metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) photodetectors may see increased responsivity when a plasmonic lens is integrated with the photodetector. The increased responsivity of the photodetector may be a result of effectively ‘guiding’ photons into the active area of the device in the form of a surface plasmon polariton. In one embodiment, the plasmonic lens may not substantially decrease the speed of the MSM photodetector. In another embodiment, the Shottkey contacts of the MSM photodetector may be corrugated to provide integrated plasmonic lens. For example, one or more of the cathodes and anodes can be modified to create a plurality of corrugations. These corrugations may be configured as a plasmonic lens on the surface of a photodetector. The corrugations may be configured as parallel linear corrugations, equally spaced curved corrugations, curved parallel corrugations, approximately equally spaced concentric circular corrugations, chirped corrugations or the like. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110172565 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EVALUATING TISSUE - A sensor system for measuring an elastic modulus and a shear modulus and a method for evaluating a tissue. The invention pertains to a method for determining the presence of and/or characterizing abnormal growths, using a piezoelectric finger sensor (PEFS) system. The PEFS system may be particularly useful for screening for tumors and various forms of cancer. Additionally, the PEFS system may be useful for various dermatological applications. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110159109 | TITANIA DISPERSION AND METHOD FOR MAKING - A novel method for preparing a titania dispersion by blending two different titania dispersions synthesized by a solvothermal process and a hydrolysis process. The titania dispersion has a plurality of titania particles substantially uniformly dispersed therein and can be blended to provide a high concentration of titania with an anatase crystalline structure to provide the desired level of photocatalytic activity. The present invention also permits the preparation of transparent titania dispersions. The solution may be used for various decontamination and clean energy generation applications. | 06-30-2011 |
| 20110154903 | METHOD FOR STRUCTURAL HEALTH MONITORING USING A SMART SENSOR SYSTEM - The structural health monitoring method of the present invention utilizes ultrasound to determine information about deformation, stress and/or damage in structural elements. The method propagates ultrasound through at least a portion of a material having fully-reversible nonlinear elasticity, receives the ultrasound which has been propagated through at least a portion of the material and determining information about the structural element from attenuation and/or time of flight of said received ultrasound. | 06-30-2011 |
| 20110153022 | BALLOON-ASSISTED ANNULUS REPAIR - The present invention is directed to an inflatable annulus repair device ( | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110138916 | SELF-EXCITING, SELF-SENSING PIEZOELECTRIC CANTILEVER SENSOR - A piezoelectric cantilever sensor includes a piezoelectric layer and a non-piezoelectric layer, a portion of which is attached to the piezoelectric layer. In one embodiment, one end of the non-piezoelectric layer extends beyond the end of piezoelectric layer to provide an overhang. The overhang piezoelectric cantilever sensor enables increased sensitivity allowing application of the device in more viscous environments, such as liquid media, as well as application in liquid media at higher flow rates than conventional piezoelectric cantilevers. In another embodiment, the sensor includes first and second bases and at least one of the piezoelectric layer and the non-piezoelectric layer is affixed to each of the first and second bases to form the piezoelectric cantilever sensor. In this embodiment, the sensor is robust and exhibits excellent sensing characteristics in both gaseous and liquid media, even when subjected to relatively high flow rates. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110138915 | DETECTING AN ANALYTE USING A PIEZOELECTRIC CANTILEVER SENSOR - A piezoelectric cantilever sensor includes a piezoelectric layer and a non-piezoelectric layer, a portion of which is attached to the piezoelectric layer. In one embodiment, one end of the non-piezoelectric layer extends beyond the end of piezoelectric layer to provide an overhang. The overhang piezoelectric cantilever sensor enables increased sensitivity allowing application of the device in more viscous environments, such as liquid media, as well as application in liquid media at higher flow rates than conventional piezoelectric cantilevers. In another embodiment, the sensor includes first and second bases and at least one of the piezoelectric layer and the non-piezoelectric layer is affixed to each of the first and second bases to form the piezoelectric cantilever sensor. In this embodiment, the sensor is robust and exhibits excellent sensing characteristics in both gaseous and liquid media, even when subjected to relatively high flow rates. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110124124 | ENHANCED DETECTION SENSITIVITY WITH PIEZOELECTRIC MICROCANTILEVER SENSORS - A method for enhancing the detection sensitivity of a piezoelectric microcantilever sensor. The method may involve providing a piezoelectric microcantilever and inducing a change in the Young's modulus during detection of a species of interest. The change in the Young's modulus may be induced or enhanced by the application of a DC bias electric field to the piezoelectric layer that enhances non-180° polarization domain switching of the piezoelectric layer. The change in the Young's modulus may also result from binding of the species of interest to the piezoelectric microcantilever sensor or a combination of binding and application of a DC bias electric field Significantly enhanced detection sensitivity results from the changed Young's modulus of the piezoelectric layer. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110122542 | SUPERCAPACITOR COMPOSITIONS, DEVICES AND RELATED METHODS - Disclosed are supercapacitor materials comprising compositions having pores that are optimally sized to maximize capacitance. Also disclosed are related methods for fabricating such supercapacitors. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110115896 | HIGH-SPEED AND LARGE-SCALE MICROSCOPE IMAGING - An imaging system generates an image of a specimen by acquiring images of individual portions of the specimen and combining the images to form a composite image. The system moves the specimen to a set of predetermined locations such that all portions of the specimen are captured into images. At each location, images are heuristically acquired at a different distance from an acquisition lens, and the image with the sharpest focus is selected. The selected images are combined to form a composite image by computing and removing overlapping regions of the adjacent images with sub-pixel spatial accuracy. And, the system is capable of imaging thick specimens with high topological variations. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110086435 | DETERMINATION OF DISSOCIATION CONSTANTS USING PIEZOELECTRIC MICROCANTILEVERS - A method for determining the dissociation constant (K | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110086368 | METHOD FOR IMMUNE RESPONSE DETECTION - A method for detecting one or more immunological response factors that is expressed in response to a therapeutic treatment and/or disease using a piezoelectric microcantilever sensor (PEMS) to assess a patient's immunological response. The method involves measuring a frequency shift of the PEMS caused by binding the immunological response factors to one or more receptors on the PEMS. The method may be used to determine the effectiveness of a prescribed therapeutic treatment and/or monitor the progress of a disease. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110076734 | Electrowetting Microarray Printing System and Methods for Bioactive Tissue Construct Manufacturing - Apparatuses and methods for manufacturing three-dimensional, bioactive, tissue scaffold fabrications with embedded cells and bioactive materials, such as growth factors, using biomimetic structure modeling, solid freeform fabrication, biocompatible hydrogel material, and electrowetting on dielectric-based multi-microarray printing. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110066072 | INTRACRANIAL PRESSURE SENSOR - An intracranial pressure device for measuring CSF pressure in a skull includes a housing located between the scalp and the skull containing pressure device circuitry and a conduit extending downwardly from the housing to the vicinity of the CSF. A pressure sensor is coupled to the conduit and located in communication with the CSF wherein the pressure sensor directly senses the pressure of the CSF and provides a signal representative of the pressure of the CSF to the pressure device circuitry by way of the conduit. The skull has a dura and the conduit extends by way of an opening through the skull and an opening through the dura to position the sensor in direct contact with the CSF. A fluid reservoir can be in communication with the CSF by way of a tube and by way of the housing. The fluid reservoir contains CSF. | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110062014 | PLASMA REACTOR - A plasma reactor ( | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110060260 | CERVICAL SPINE PROTECTION APPARATUS AND METHODS OF USE - The invention is directed to a cervical spine protection apparatus one or more composite bands attached to provide restraint of one or more motions of the cervical spine of a wearer. The apparatus is designed to protect a wearer from incurring cervical spinal injuries, and/or to reduce the severity of cervical spine injuries without substantially compromising the normal functional range of motion of the wearer's cervical spine. | 03-10-2011 |
| 20110044884 | HYDROGEN PRODUCTION FROM HYDROGEN SULFIDE - The present subject matter is directed to plasma dissociation of fluidic hydrogen sulfide to hydrogen and sulfur. A reactor is configured to have a plasma discharge and a vortex flow pattern. The plasma discharge provides energy to the hydrogen sulfide disassociation reaction and the vortex flow pattern helps to cause the condensation of sulfur molecules. The condensation of sulfur molecules helps to reduce the amount of energy input required to disassociate a certain amount of hydrogen sulfide. Additionally, the reactor may be configured to have a vortex flow pattern that provides for a recirculation zone in which relatively warm reaction products may exchange their heat energy with relatively cool input fluids. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110033504 | ARTICLES AND METHODS FOR REPAIRING DAMAGED NERVOUS TISSUE - The invention concerns substrates comprising a biocompatible gel and at least one of a plurality of cells, said cells being capable of producing at least one therapeutic agent. Other aspects of the invention concern methods of making such substrates and methods of repairing and regenerating damaged nervous tissue with the substrates. | 02-10-2011 |
| 20110026019 | METHOD FOR THE FORMATION OF SERS SUBSTRATES - A method for the formation of surface enhanced Raman scattering substrates. The method produces thin substrates that have a nanoparticle ink deposited thereon. The nanoparticle ink may be any suitable nanoparticle ink such as silver, gold or copper nanoparticle ink which includes stabilized nanoparticles. The substrates and nanoparticle ink undergo a first step of heating in order to remove liquid vehicle from the ink. The substrates and nanoparticles then undergo a second step of heating for an amount of time sufficient to remove a substantial portion of the stabilizer and provide a fractal aggregate nanoparticle layer on the substrate having a certain resistivity or conductivity suitable for Raman scattering. This creates SERS substrates with enhanced amplification properties. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110016841 | ALTERNATE TWIST PLY YARN WITH LOW RESIDUAL TWIST - ATP yarns having high twist efficiency (low residual twist) as well as methods for increasing the self plying action that occurs in ATP yarn processing. The self plying action and the ATP yarn structure may be improved by increasing the convergence angle of the singles twist yarns to above 50 degrees (compared to current values of 0 to 35 degrees). The increased convergence angle permits an increase in the ply twist above the level possible by self plying alone. This results in a yarn with reduced residual singles twist. An array of singles torque jets and an optional ply torque jet has been developed to achieve a high convergence angle. The angle between the singles torque jet axes can be varied from 0 to 180 degrees. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110011801 | DESALINATION SYSTEM AND PROCESS - The present invention pertains to an effective system and method for reducing or eliminating the formation of scale in desalination systems. The system utilizes at least one pair of electrodes in direct contact with a liquid to induce an oscillating electric field directly in a portion of the liquid or a liquid stream of the desalination system. The electric field is capable of inducing bulk precipitation of ions, minerals, salts, particulates, contaminants or a combination thereof from the liquid stream. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20110006218 | NANODIAMOND COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING THEREOF - Provided are functionalized nanodiamonds. Also provided are methods for fabricating such functionalized nanodiamonds. Also provided are composites including nanodiamonds and polymers. Also provided are methods for fabricating such composites including nanodiamonds and polymers. Also provided are electrospun fibers including nanodiamonds and polymers. Also provided are methods for fabricating such electrospun fibers including nanodiamonds and polymers. | 01-13-2011 |
| 20110001092 | WATER SOLUBLE NANOCRYSTALLINE QUANTUM DOTS - An economic, direct synthetic method for producing water soluble QDs that are ready for bioconjugation is provided. The method can produce aqueous QDs with emission wavelengths varying from 400 nm to 700 nm. Highly luminescent metal sulfide (MS) QDs are produced via an aqueous synthesis route. MS QDs are capped with thiol-containing charged molecules in a single step. The resultant MS QDs exhibit the distinctive excitonic photoluminescence desired of QDs and can be fabricated to avoid undesirable broadband emissions at higher wavelengths. This provides a significant improvement over the present complex and expensive commercial processes for the production of QDs. The aqueous QDs are stable in biological fluids over a long period of time. In addition, nontoxic ZnS QDs have been produced with good photoluminescence properties by refluxing the ZnS QD suspensions over a period of time. | 01-06-2011 |
| 20100300872 | Methods for Low Temperature Hydrogen Sulfide Dissociation - A method of H | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100297687 | DETECTION AND MEASUREMENT OF MASS CHANGE USING AN ELECTROMECHANICAL RESONATOR - A change in impedance of a electromechanical resonating sensor is utilized to detect and/or measure a change in mass accumulated on the sensor. The impedance is monitored at a fixed frequency. The fixed frequency may be at or near the resonance frequency of the sensor. In various configurations, the sensor comprises a quartz crystal microbalance sensor or a piezoelectric cantilever sensor. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100297686 | DEVICES FOR INTRACELLULAR SURFACE-ENHANCED RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY - Provided are surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) devices suitable for intra-subject (e.g., intracellular) observation, which devices may be of nanoscale size. Also provided are related SERS analysis methods. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100285392 | ELECTROCATALYSTS FOR FUEL CELLS - Disclosed are metallized carbonaceous materials, processes for forming such materials, and electrodes and fuel cells comprising the disclosed materials. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20100281962 | ALL ELECTRIC PIEZOELECTRIC FINGER SENSOR (PEFS) FOR SOFT MATERIAL STIFFNESS MEASUREMENT - A PEFS (Piezoelectric Finger Sensor) acts as an “electronic finger” capable of accurately and non-destructively measuring both the Young's compression modulus and shear modulus of tissues with gentle touches to the surface. The PEFS measures both the Young's compression modulus and shear modulus variations in tissue generating a less than one-millimeter spatial resolution up to a depth of several centimeters. This offers great potential for in-vivo early detection of diseases. A portable hand-held device is also disclosed. The PEF offers superior sensitivity. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20100262047 | PHYSICAL THERAPY SYSTEMS AND METHODS - The invention is directed to a physical therapy system including a glove with a set of acoustic sensors and a positive feedback system and method for teaching finger extension. The system may also include a pair of gloves with a set of acoustic sensors and a positive feedback system to teach clapping. In another aspect, the system may include a glove with an acoustic sensor, an object with a corresponding sensor and a positive feedback system for teaching arm extension. The invention may be particularly useful for providing a rehabilitation method for individuals affected with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20100262044 | ORTHOSIS AND METHOD OF USE FOR TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION OF DROPFOOT - A functional electrical stimulation brace responsive to various positions of an intended wearer's foot. The device includes a plurality of sensors positioned at different locations under the intended wearer's foot to detect the current position of the foot. Outputs from the sensors are fed to a controller that uses logic to activate an electrical stimulation unit that stimulates the peroneal muscles of a patient at the appropriate times during the patient's gait. The device may also employ mechanical stabilization of the ankle in addition to the functional electrical stimulation by means of an ankle foot orthosis with a variable resistance hinge. The electrodes are embedded in fixed locations in the brace upper portion so that optimal location of the electrodes relative to the peroneal muscles is maintained every time the device is applied. Also provided is a method for assistance and rehabilitation for a patient by electrical stimulation of the peroneal muscles. In the method, the position of the foot is detected and the peroneal muscles are stimulated responsive to particular positions of the patient's foot in order to activate the muscles at the appropriate times during the patient's gait. The device also provides lateral and torsional stability by means of the ankle-foot orthosis. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20100260869 | Biocidal materials - Provided are materials that effectively kill pathogenic bacteria and other organisms. Also disclosed are methods that concern the use of materials having biocidal activity, and biocidal systems that incorporate such materials. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20100239463 | LEAD-FREE PIEZOELECTRIC CERAMIC FILMS AND A METHOD FOR MAKING THEREOF - This invention relates to lead-free piezoelectric ceramic films and a method of making thereof. Specifically, the invention is directed to a method for fabricating lead-free piezoelectric free standing films having enhanced piezoelectric properties. The films may be used for a number of applications including incorporation in microelectronic devices such as energy harvesting devices and sensor technologies. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100231997 | DYNAMIC TIME MULTIPLEXING FABRICATION OF HOLOGRAPHIC POLYMER DISPERSED LIQUID CRYSTALS FOR INCREASED WAVELENGTH SENSITIVITY - Described herein is a new holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystal (HPDLC) medium with broadband reflective properties, and a new technique for fabrication of broadband HPDLC mediums. The new technique involves dynamic variation of the holography setup during HPDLC formation, enabling the broadening of the HPDLC medium's wavelength response. Dynamic variation of the holography setup may include the rotation and/or translation of one or more motorized stages, allowing for time and spatial, or angular, multiplexing through variation of the incident angles of one or more laser beams on a pre-polymer mixture during manufacture. An HPDLC medium manufactured using these techniques exhibits improved optical response by reflecting a broadband spectrum of wavelengths. A new broadband holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystal thin film polymeric mirror stack with electrically-switchable beam steering capability is disclosed. | 09-16-2010 |
| 20100224818 | FREESTANDING FILMS WITH ELECTRIC FIELD-ENHANCED PIEZOELECTRIC COEFFICIENTS - A method to produce low-temperature sinterable powders which are then subsequently used to fabricate freestanding piezoelectric films with very large electric-field-enhanced piezoelectric response is provided. The −d | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100219136 | FLUID TREATMENT USING PLASMA TECHNOLOGY - A method for the treatment of fluid including the step of exposing the fluid to a pulsed plasma discharge. The pulsed plasma discharge will be generated using a suitable electrode configuration to generate the plasma discharge in the fluid. Apparatus useful in the method may include a vessel, at least two electrodes for generating a plasma discharge in water, and a flow inlet and a flow outlet to allow water to be passed through the vessel. Also described is an in-line water treatment, where a pulsed plasma discharge is used in a pipe carrying moving water. Plasma based fluid treatment system may have many advantages in comparison to other treatment methods, such as very minimal maintenance, low operating power, and minimal pressure loss through the device. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100216627 | METHOD OF MAKING MIXED METAL OXIDE CERAMICS - A method of making dielectric ceramics containing mixed metal oxides is provided. The method comprises the steps of at least partially coating a metal oxide powder with a metal hydroxide or metal oxide, compacting the coated powder with one or more additional metal compounds or metal compound precursors, and directly sintering the compact in a single step. The method of the invention may be used to avoid occurrence of significant quantities of one or more undesired but thermodynamically or kinetically favored side products. The method of the invention may also be used to synthesize perovskites, in particular lead-magnesium-niobium (PMN), lead-magnesium-niobium-lead-titanium (PMN-PT) perovskites, or lead zirconate titanate (PZT). | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100216211 | FIBROUS MATS CONTAINING CHITOSAN NANOFIBERS - The invention relate to fibrous mats comprising chitosan nanofibers and, optionally, at least one filler material, at least one additive, or both. The invention also relates to methods of making same, and devices that include a fibrous mat comprising chitosan nanofibers. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100216172 | FLOW-BASED ENHANCEMENT OF SPECIFICITY FOR LABEL-FREE BIOCHEMICAL ASSAYS - A label-free biochemical assay, in which label-free interrogation of a target-receptor layer is performed while the target-receptor layer is subjected to a relatively strong flow of an analyte-containing fluid. The volumetric flow rate for the assay is selected based on calibration data corresponding to the target substance, which advantageously results in fewer and/or smaller false-positive signals corresponding to non-target substances compared to those produced with the fluid being stationary. In various embodiments, the label-free interrogation method can be electro-mechanical and/or optical. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100210032 | SPECIFICITY AND SENSITIVITY ENHANCEMENT IN CANTILEVER SENSING - The invention is directed to a sensor system including at least one sensor and target specific receptors bound substrates for purposes of enhancing detection sensitivity. Optionally, the sensor system may include quantum dots for independently verifying the presence of a target molecule or compound. The sensor system may be particularly beneficial in the field of medical diagnostics, bio-defense, food safety, water safety and general chemical detection. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20100204674 | Magnetically-Controllable Delivery System for Therapeutic Agents - A magnetic delivery system for delivering a magnetizable particle to a location in a body, the device includes a magnetizable object implanted in the body, wherein the magnetizable object includes a plurality of segments distributed throughout the magnetizable object and wherein the segments are configured to provide a magnetic gradient for attracting the magnetizable particle and an external source of a magnetic field capable of (i) magnetizing the magnetizable particle and (ii) increasing a degree of magnetization of the magnetizable object and thereby creating the magnetic gradient. A drug delivery system including the magnetic delivery system and a magnetizable particle associated with a therapeutic agent and/or a cell. A cell delivery system based on the magnetic delivery system and a magnetizable particle associated with a cell. A method of using the magnetic delivery system for delivery of a therapeutic agent and/or a cell to a targeted location in a body. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100197823 | Polymeric Resorbable Composites Containing an Amorphous Calcium Phosphate Polymer Ceramic for Bone Repair and Replacement - A method for making bioresorbable composites of a non-crystalline calcium phosphate ceramic synthesized within encapsulating microspheres of bioresorbable polymeric material for use in bone repair and replacement is provided. The composites include microspheres and scaffolds produced therefrom. | 08-05-2010 |
| 20100168499 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR AIR DISINFECTION AND STERILIZATION - A method for decontaminating bioaerosol with high concentrations of bacterial, viral, spore and other airborne microorganisms or biologic contaminants, in flight at high flow rates. A plasma screen created across the flow of air contaminated with airborne biologic agents renders contaminants non-culturable within millisecond. The technology may cooperate with heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. It may be particularly beneficial in preventing bioterrorism and the spread of toxic or infectious agents, containing airborne pandemic threats such as avian flu, sterilizing spaces such as hospitals, pharmaceutical plants and manufacturing facilities, treating exhaust ventilation streams, minimizing biological environmental pollutants in industrial settings, improving general air quality, and preventing sick building syndrome. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100160466 | FILLED NANOPOROUS POLYMER MEMBRANE COMPOSITES FOR PROTECTIVE CLOTHING AND METHODS FOR MAKING THEM - A new class of membranes for use in protective clothing. More specifically, the present invention relates to a polymer-polymer membrane with an ionic polymer located within the nanopores of a porous polymer host membrane. A method for making the polymer-polymer membranes involves filling porous polymers with ionic polymers. The porous polymers may be fabricated by a template synthesis which involves sorption. The ionic polymers may be filled in the nanopores of the porous polymer by plasma-induced graft copolymerization of the ionic polymer with the porous polymeric host membrane. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100148519 | ENERGY HARVESTING DEVICE - A piezoelectric energy harvesting device (PEHD) comprising a driving element, conducting element, piezoelectric layer and non-piezoelectric layer capable of converting ambient mechanical energy into electrical energy. The piezoelectric layer may be constructed from PMN-PT or PZT having a thickness of about 1-150 ?m. The PEHD may be used to generate about 1 W. The harvested energy may be stored and used to power microelectronic devices and rechargeable battery technologies. | 06-17-2010 |
| 20100145253 | METHODS FOR NON-THERMAL APPLICATION OF GAS PLASMA TO LIVING TISSUE - Method for the non-thermal treatment of human or animal tissue with high-voltage electrical discharge plasma is disclosed. The disclosed method employs current through plasma and through tissue not for the purpose of heating the tissue, but instead to maintain the plasma proximate to the tissue being treated. Also disclosed is a method of limiting the current through plasma and through tissue to minimize tissue heating by placement of an insulator or semiconductor between an electrode and tissue resulting in generation of a high-voltage discharge similar to a dielectric barrier discharge. The disclosed non-thermal plasma treatment can be employed to promote coagulation of blood, sterilization, disinfection, re-connection of tissue, and treatment of tissue disorders without causing significant thermal tissue damage. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100130367 | Methods of Quantitatively Assessing Inflammation with Biosensing Nanoparticles - The present invention includes a method of using one or more biomarkers to identify individuals with inflammatory disease using Quantum Dots conjugated to targeting moieties that will specifically bind to biomarker proteins or nucleic acids encoding the biomarker, where detection of the biomarker is associated with the inflammatory disease. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100081903 | FUNCTIONAL NEAR-INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY AS A MONITOR FOR DEPTH OF ANESTHESIA - Disclosed are methods and devices for measuring a state of anesthesia in a noninvasive manner. Optical techniques may be used to measure changes in a functional near-infrared (fNIR) signal, where the fNIR signal is received in response to directing wavelengths of light in a near-infrared range on a patient. The optical density change may be used to obtain a change in deoxyhemoglobin (deoxy-Hb) concentration and/or a change in an oxyhemoglobin concentration (oxy-Hb). The changes in the deoxy-Hb and/or the oxy-Hb may then be compared to determine a state of anesthesia. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100075993 | SMALL MOLECULE INHIBITORS AGAINST WEST NILE VIRUS REPLICATION - The invention provides flavivirus replication inhibitors of WNV and other flaviviruses, such as, for example, JEV, SLEV, AV, KV, JV, CV, YV, TBEV, DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, DENV-4, YFV and MVEV. The invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions including one or more such flavivirus replication inhibitors. The invention further provides methods of treatment, prevention, inhibition or amelioration of one or more diseases associated with flavivirus replication including administering one or more such inhibitors or pharmaceutical compositions. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100068697 | PIEZOELECTRIC MICROCANTILEVER SENSORS FOR BIOSENSING - A piezoelectric microcantilever for sensing compounds or molecules. The piezoelectric microcantilever, may include at least one electrode, an insulation layer, a receptor, an immobilization layer, a non-piezoelectric layer and a piezoelectric layer The sensor is capable of self actuation and detection. The piezoelectric layer may be constructed from a highly piezoelectric thin lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate film, a highly piezoelectric thin zirconate titanate film, a highly piezoelectric lead-free film. Methods of using the sensors and flow cells and arrays including the sensors are also described. | 03-18-2010 |
| 20100068490 | ELECTRICAL INSULATION OF DEVICES WITH THIN LAYERS - A novel, economical electrical insulation method for the production of ultra-thin insulation layers using a solution coating method. Thin hydrophobic self-assembled bi-functional layers of less than 10 nm thick were deposited by a simple solution method and demonstrated to electrically insulate micro-/nano-devices for in-water detection applications. The insulation layer includes a hydrophobic group which repels water and permits superb insulation properties of the ultra-thin layers. The insulation layer has the additional advantages that it binds to a metal or metal oxide surface and to sensing receptors by covalent bonding using standard silane chemistry. | 03-18-2010 |
| 20100062232 | MULTILAYER FILMS - The present invention concerns multilayer films comprising a plurality of layers, at least some of the layers comprise (i) cross-linked chitosan, alginate, chondroitin sulfate, or hyaluronic acid and (ii) particles or void spaces; wherein the layers are 20-260 nm in thickness. Also disclosed are multilayer films comprising at least two of: a layer comprising a first polymer; a layer comprising a second polymer; a layer comprising particles, wherein said particles comprise ceramic material, metallic species, or both; and, a layer comprising a combination of said first polymer and said particles; wherein said multilayer film is capable of displaying structural color. Also provided are methods for making and using the inventive multilayer films and compositions comprising the multilayer films. | 03-11-2010 |
| 20100055492 | MAX-BASED METAL MATRIX COMPOSITES - Disclosed are compositions comprising a MAX phase material having the formula M | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100051447 | SOL-GEL PRECURSORS AND METHODS FOR MAKING LEAD-BASED PEROVSKITE FILMS - A simple, economical sol-gel method was invented to produce thick and dense lead zirconate titanate (PZT) thin films that exhibit the stoichiometric chemical composition and unprecedented electrical and dielectric properties. The PZT films are the foundation of many microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS) for micro/nano sensors and actuators applications. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100033854 | REFLECTIVE SURFACE - The invention relates to a reflective surface substantially perpendicular to a vector field described by the equation: and a computer program for forming the reflective surface. The reflective surface is capable of providing a substantially undistorted wide-angle field of view. It is particularly useful as a diver's side mirror of a vehicle to provide an enlarged, substantially undistorted field of view which may be used to reduce or eliminate blind spots. | 02-11-2010 |
| 20100018310 | MOLECULAR CONTROL OF SURFACE COVERAGE - The concentration of a material covering a surface is controlled via an equilibrium process. Equilibrium parameters such as a concentration of the provided material, the exposure time of the material to the surface, and the surface area of an attractor applied to the surface are determined utilizing a millimeter sized piezoelectric cantilever sensor. In an example embodiment, the material is provided at a low concentration to the surface until equilibrium is attained. The amount of material accumulated on the surface is determined utilizing the cantilever sensor. The surface area of the attractor and the measured amount of material are utilized to determine the amount of the attractor surface area having the material bound thereto. Knowledge of the equilibrium parameters allows controlled surface coverage of the material on the attractor for any application. The concentration of the material adsorbed on the surface is precisely determinable and repeatable. | 01-28-2010 |
| 20100008861 | WATER SOLUBLE QUANTUM DOTS - An economic, direct synthetic method for producing water soluble QDs that are ready for bioconjugation is provided. The method can produce aqueous QDs with emission wavelengths varying from 400 nm to 700 nm Highly luminescent metal sulfide (MS) QDs are produced via an aqueous synthesis route. MS QDs are capped with thiol-containing charged molecules in a single step. The resultant MS QDs exhibit the distinctive excitonic photoluminescence desired of QDs and can be fabricated to avoid undesirable broadband emissions at higher wavelengths. This provides a significant improvement over the present complex and expensive commercial processes for the production of QDs. The aqueous QDs are stable in biological fluids over a long period of time. In addition, nontoxic ZnS QDs have been produced with good photoluminescence properties by refluxing the ZnS QD suspensions over a period of time. | 01-14-2010 |
| 20100007330 | HAND-HELD PHASE-SHIFT DETECTOR FOR SENSOR APPLICATIONS - The invention is directed to a novel phase-shift detector capable of interfacing with an array of sensors. The detector is light-weight, portable and capable of fitting within the palm of a hand. The detector may be used in conjunction with a variety of diagnostic, biosensor and chemical sensor applications. | 01-14-2010 |
| 20100006419 | DEVICE FOR GENERATION OF PULSED CORONA DISCHARGE - The invention is a method and system for the generation of high voltage, pulsed, periodic corona discharges capable of being used in the presence of conductive liquid droplets. The method and system can be used, for example, in different devices for cleaning of gaseous or liquid media using pulsed corona discharge. Specially designed electrodes and an inductor increase the efficiency of the system, permit the plasma chemical oxidation of detrimental impurities, and increase the range of stable discharge operations in the presence of droplets of water or other conductive liquids in the discharge chamber. | 01-14-2010 |
| 20090319454 | AUTOMATED LEARNING OF MODEL CLASSIFICATIONS - A method of providing an automated classifier for 3D CAD models wherein the method provides an algorithm for learning new classifications. The method enables existing model comparison algorithms to adapt to different classifications that are relevant in many engineering applications. This ability to adapt to different classifications allows greater flexibility in data searching and data mining of engineering data. | 12-24-2009 |
| 20090305091 | Production And Uses Of Carbon Suboxides - Methods for the reduction of gaseous carbon dioxide emissions from combustion or oxidation reactions are provided. The various methods involve the formation of carbon suboxides and/or polymerized carbon suboxides (PCS), preferentially over gaseous carbon oxides to thereby reduce gaseous carbon dioxide emissions. The various methods can be employed for efficient generation of energy and/or hydrogen. In addition, various methods for the use of polymerized carbon suboxide are disclosed. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20090305031 | NANODIAMOND MANUFACTURE AND PROCESS FOR MAKING THEREOF - Disclosed are novel coatings and other components of articles of manufacture featuring the inclusion of nanodiamonds therein. Also disclosed are methods of achieving such inclusion and methods of utilizing the resultant, improved articles. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20090304771 | Local Delivery System for the Chemotherapeutic Drug Paclitaxel - The present invention provides methods for producing a semi-degradable polymeric composite drug delivery device for localized delivery of chemotherapeutic agents to be used in conjunction with total vertebral body replacement surgery that requires placement of a vertebral replacement cage for the treatment of a spinal neoplasm. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20090304551 | Ultra Sensitive Tapered Fiber Optic Biosensor For Pathogens, Proteins, and DNA - A biconically tapered optical fiber serves as a biosensor at all optical wavelengths of interest ranging from UV to far IR at subfemtogram per mL sensitivity. The biconically tapered sensor detects biomaterials such as pathogenic species, proteins and DNA and others biological analytes. Although it uses the principles of evanescent fields, absorption, adsorption, fluorescence capture and retransmission through the fiber, the detection at the sub-nanogram per mL level is achieved primarily by adsorption or a surface activity due to a refractive index change. The geometry of the biconically tapered optical sensor affects its performance. The sensing modality is achieved in situ with a source connected at one end of a tapered fiber and a suitable detector at the other end. The tapered region is optionally immobilized with a recognition molecule such as an antibody to the target antigen or a complementary DNA strand. The sample is brought in contact with the tapered region either in batch mode or in a flow mode. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20090297791 | PATTERNING NANOTUBES WITH VAPOR DEPOSITION - A process for the modification of carbon-containing substrates, including 1-dimensional nanowire and nanofiber structures. In the process, polymeric material is deposited on a surface of the carbon containing-substrates using physical vapor deposition. The deposition process may be carried out under controlled conditions to produce a variety of useful modifications, including modifications at discrete intervals, as well as functional modifications. Also disclosed are carbon fibers, carbon nanowires, carbon nanotubes and nano-hybrid structures made by the modification processes of the present invention. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20090292520 | SOLVER FOR HARDWARE BASED COMPUTING - Full-AC load flow constitutes a core computation in power system analysis. The present invention provides a performance gain with a hardware implementation of a sparse-linear solver using a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). The invention also relates to the design, simulation, and hardware verification of a static transmission line model for analog power flow computation. Operational transconductance amplifiers are employed in the model based on a previously proposed DC emulation technique of power flow computation, and provide reconfigurability of transmission line parameters via transconductance gain. The invention also uses Analog Behavioral Models (ABMs) in an efficient strategy for designing analog emulation engines for large-scale power system computation. Results of PSpice simulations of these emulation circuits are compared with industrial grade numerical simulations for validation. The application is also concerned with the development of a generator model using analog circuits for load flow emulation for power system analysis to reduce computation time. The generator model includes reconfigurable parameters using operational transconductance amplifiers (OTAs). The circuit module is used with other reconfigurable circuits, i.e., transmission lines and loads. | 11-26-2009 |
| 20090291557 | MICROREACTOR FOR SOLUTION DEPOSITION AND METHOD OF USE - A novel microreactor producing customized deposition products and a method for optimizing the deposition process. The microreactor has a unique design with high surface-to-volume ratio that produces high deposition yield with a minimal amount of waste. The invention may be particularly applicable to the field of optoelectronics and photovoltaics. | 11-26-2009 |
| 20090286257 | WATER SOLUBLE NANOCRYSTALLINE QUANTUM DOTS CAPABLE OF NEAR INFRARED EMISSIONS - A novel quantum dot capable of near infrared emissions at wavelengths of 750-1100 is made by forming solid solutions of metal sulfide, metal selenide or metal sulfide selenide by incorporating a suitable amount of an additional metallic element or elements to provide an emission wavelength in the range of 750 nm to 1100 nm. The quantum dots may be enabled for bioconjugation and may be used in a method for tissue imaging and analyte detection. | 11-19-2009 |
| 20090276073 | INTELLIGENT MODELING AND CONTROL OF AUTOMATION - A system and method for advanced device specific knowledge based modeling as well as intelligent control to yield high performance, low cost automation for optoelectronic design, packaging and assembly. The control loop design is based on knowledge based model predictive control. A knowledge model, specific to the assembled package's characteristics, is used to set the initial “feed-forward” conditions of an automation system. In addition to this feed-forward model for setting the initial set point, the controller is designed with feedback components, along with the inclusion of a built in sensor. This system and method increases the efficiency of the automation process and the number of assembly steps can be greatly reduced. A method for the design, assembly and packaging of optoelectronic devices is also described. | 11-05-2009 |
| 20090269384 | BIOACTIVE THERMOGELLING POLYMER SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF THEIR USE - Hydrogels comprising poly(N-alkylacrylamide), poly(alkyleneglyco)di-acrylate or methacrylate, cross-linking agent, a source of calcium ions, and water are described, as well as methods of their preparation and use. | 10-29-2009 |
| 20090263849 | Bioprinting Three-Dimensional Structure Onto Microscale Tissue Analog Devices for Pharmacokinetic Study and Other Uses - A microfluidic system for monitoring or detecting a change in a parameter of an input substance, which includes a microfluidic device having a tissue chamber and a tissue analog placed in the tissue chamber, wherein the tissue analog has a vessel structure mimicking naturally occurring vessel network incorporated in the tissue analog. | 10-22-2009 |
| 20090258782 | MESOPOROUS CARBONS - Provided are products, systems, and methods relating to the removal of particles from fluid samples using mesoporous carbon materials. | 10-15-2009 |
| 20090255435 | PIEZOELECTRIC STUN PROJECTILE - The present invention provides a non-lethal projectile for delivering an electric pulse to a target. In one aspect of the invention, the projectile utilizes a piezoelectric device and an electrical oscillating circuit in order to generate a pulse. In another aspect of the invention, the projectile utilizes a piezoelectric device and a mechanical oscillating circuit in order to generate an electric pulse. Since the projectile of the present invention contains the structure to generate the required electric pulse, it can be employed effectively at distances of up to 150 meters. | 10-15-2009 |
| 20090235746 | Detecting And Measuring Live Pathogens Utilizing A Mass Detection Device - Extremely minute amounts of live pathogens are rapidly detected using a piezoelectric cantilever sensor. A single pathogen is detectable in about 30 minutes. Pathogen-specific antibodies are immobilized on the sensor surface. The sensor is exposed to a medium that potentially contains the target pathogen. When target pathogens are contained in the medium, both dead and live pathogen cells bind to the immobilized antibody on the sensor surface. The attached target pathogen cells are exposed to a pathogen discriminator capable of discriminating between live cells and dead cells by increasing the mass of live cells. Example pathogens include | 09-24-2009 |
| 20090221922 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR IN SITU TISSUE NAVIGATION - The “Smart Tool” includes a “Smart Tool Probe” and two processing modules. The Smart Tool Probe is a hand held, wired or wireless, device that a surgeon utilizes for interrogating and identifying a tissue site, such as the entrance to a pedicle. The processing units, an Electro-Optical Control (EOC) Module and a CDS Module, provide control and display capabilities enabling real-time tissue site (such as vertebra bone) interrogation. The Smart Tool Probe utilizes a system of optical fibers that carry the interrogating optical signal sent by the light source(s) and the reflected optical signal back to the optical receivers. The light source(s) and light receivers are located in the EOC Module. The data received from the EOC Module are processed and converted into an image which is displayed on the screen in real-time. The software installed on the machine allows the surgeon to adjust/enhance the image properties to suit the selected requirements. This mode of operation provides interactive image sharpening (to adjust image sharpness), threshold control (to adjust image contrast), segmentation (to delineate the density map in the image), and image calculus (to pin-point the center of a particular region in the image). | 09-03-2009 |
| 20090220425 | Method to Quantitatively Measure Effect of Psychotropic Drugs on Sensory Discrimination - A method for evaluating an effect of a psychotropic compound or a treatment on a neuronal activity of an animal including determining a change in the amount of information generated by neurons in response to at least one repeatedly applied stimulus, wherein the change is caused by administering the psychotropic compound or a treatment. Also provided is a method of screening psychotropic compounds for effectiveness on an animal which involves using a change in sensory discrimination in a population of neurons of the animal, wherein the sensory discrimination is obtained in response to one or more stimuli repeatedly applied to the animal and wherein a change in the sensory discrimination occurs due to administering said psychotropic compounds to the animal. | 09-03-2009 |
| 20090216320 | Magnetic Gradient Targeting And Sequestering Of Therapeutic Formulations And Therapeutic Systems Thereof - A therapeutic system and a method that uses stents, and/or other implantable devices ( | 08-27-2009 |
| 20090216149 | SELF-CONTAINED, IMPLANTABLE, INTRACRANIAL PRESSURE SENSING DEVICE AND METHODS FOR ITS USE IN MONITORING INTRACRANIAL PRESSURE - A reliable and mass-producible microelectromechanical (MEMS)-based microwave intracranial pressure sensing device for use with a portable microwave monitor and methods for non-invasively monitoring intracranial pressure with this device are provided. | 08-27-2009 |
| 20090213529 | Nanocellular high surface area material and methods for use and production thereof - Nanocellular high surface area materials of a carbon material with high surface area that is controllable and which exhibits high conductivity, controllable structure and a precisely controllable pore size and methods for production and use of these materials are provided. | 08-27-2009 |
| 20090203000 | DETECTION OF NUCLEIC ACIDS USING A CANTILEVER SENSOR - Detection of miniscule amounts of nucleic acid is accomplished via binding of target nucleic acid to probe material, composed of nucleic acid, which is bound to a sensor configured to sense mass. The sensor is prepared by immobilizing a probe material to a surface of the sensor, wherein the probe material is known to bind to the target nucleic acid. The prepared sensor is exposed to the target nucleic acid. The target nucleic acid binds to the probe material. The mass accumulated on the sensor reflects the amount of target nucleic acid bound to the probe material. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090202644 | FUNCTIONAL NANOPARTICLE FILLED CARBON NANOTUBES AND METHODS OF THEIR PRODUCTION - Carbon nanotubes filled with a suspension or colloidal solution of functional nanoparticles and methods for production of carbon nanotubes loaded with functional nanoparticles are provided. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090196827 | Drug Loaded Contrast Agents: Combining Diagnosis and Therapy - This invention provides an improvement to methods of drug loading of ultrasound contrast agents. Echogenic drug-loaded polymer microcapsules, nanocapsules, or mixtures thereof produced by the method of the invention wherein the echogenic drug-loaded polymer microcapsules, nanocapsules, or mixtures thereof contain at least 10% more of a drug as compared to (1) echogenic drug-loaded polymer microcapsules, nanocapsules, or mixtures thereof prepared by adding drug prior to emulsifying or (2) echogenic drug-loaded polymer microcapsules, nanocapsules, or mixtures thereof prepared by adding drug to lyophilized polymer microcapsules, nanocapsules, or mixtures thereof. | 08-06-2009 |
| 20090165559 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INTERFACIAL SENSING - A sensor is disclosed for analyzing information, such as interfacial interactions, found in various systems. A sensor is located proximate to an interface that is to be studied. The sensor is actuated in order to produce acoustical signals. The frequency of oscillation of the sensor is varied in order to enable the sensor to produce acoustical signals at different harmonics. The different acoustical signals are used to analyze the system at various distances from the surface of the sensor. | 07-02-2009 |
| 20090145246 | ALL-ELECTRIC PIEZOELECTRIC FINGER SENSOR (PEFS) FOR SOFT MATERIAL STIFFNESS MEASUREMENT - A PEFS (Piezoelectric Finger Sensor) acts as an “electronic finger” capable of accurately and non-destructively measuring both the Young's compression modulus and shear modulus of tissues with gentle touches to the surface. The PEFS measures both the Young's compression modulus and shear modulus variations in tissue generating a less than one-millimeter spatial resolution up to a depth of several centimeters. This offers great potential for in-vivo early detection of diseases. A portable hand-held device is also disclosed. The PEF offers superior sensitivity. | 06-11-2009 |
| 20090099441 | BRAIDED ELECTRODES - Electrodes for intracorporeal and other uses are provided. The invention features sterilizable, braided electrodes which are formed of or include conductive elements in electronic communication with a plurality of sites for electrical stimulation or sensing. Other active elements may be included in the braided electrodes. | 04-16-2009 |
| 20090078023 | Detection And Quantification Of Biomarkers Via A Piezoelectric Cantilever Sensor - Quantification of a target analyte is performed using a single sample to which amounts of the target analyte are added. Calibration is performed as part of quantification on the same sample. The target analyte is detectable and quantifiable using label free reagents and requiring no sample preparation. Target analytes include biomarkers such as cancer biomarkers, pathogenic | 03-26-2009 |
| 20090076743 | NOVEL METHOD FOR ZERO POINT DETECTION - The present invention relates to a method for the simple, objective and accurate determination the zero point or effective zero point of a material, the point of first contact between an indenter tip and the surface of a material. The zero point is determined by using a sensor having a tip and capable of continuous stiffness measurement. By applying a data shift, which insures that the stiffness versus contact parameter curve is linear and goes through the origin of the graph, it is possible to determine the zero point based on combined data from indentation and from superimposed continuous stiffness measurement oscillations. | 03-19-2009 |
| 20090065742 | SYNTHESIS OF WATER SOLUBLE NON-TOXIC NANOCRYSTALLINE QUANTUM DOTS AND USES THEREOF - An economic, direct synthetic method for producing water soluble ZnS QDs that are ready for bioconjugation is provided. The method can produce aqueous ZnS QDs with emission wavelengths varying from 400 nm to 700 nm. Highly luminescent metal sulfide (MS) QDs are produced via an aqueous synthesis route. MS QDs are capped with thiol-containing charged molecules in a single step. The resultant MS QDs exhibit the distinctive excitonic photoluminescence desired of QDs and can be fabricated to avoid undesirable broadband emissions at higher wavelengths. The aqueous ZnS QDs are stable in biological fluids over a long period of time. In addition, non-toxic ZnS QDs have been produced with good photoluminescence properties. | 03-12-2009 |
| 20090055106 | METHOD FOR STRUCTURAL HEALTH MONITORING USING A SMART SENSOR SYSTEM - The structural health monitoring method of the present invention utilizes a sensor system to determine information about deformation, stress and/or damage in structural elements. The sensor system and the method employ at least one sensor which comprises a material having fully-reversible nonlinear elasticity. The method comprises associating at least one sensor including a material having fully-reversible nonlinear elasticity with a structural element in a manner whereby stress is transferred from said structural element to said sensor, propagating ultrasound through a portion of the sensor, receiving the ultrasound which has been propagated through at least a portion of the sensor and determining information about the structural element from attenuation and/or time of flight of said received ultrasound. | 02-26-2009 |
| 20090053709 | ENHANCED SENSITIVITY OF A CANTILEVER SENSOR VIA SPECIFIC BINDINGS - Detection of miniscule amounts of an analyte is accomplished via multiple bindings of specific materials on a sensor configured to sense mass. The sensor is prepared by immobilizing an antibody to a surface of the sensor, wherein the antibody is known to bind to the analyte. The prepared sensor is exposed to the analyte. The analyte binds to the antibody. The sensor then is exposed to additional antibody, which binds to the analyte. The sensor then can be sequentially exposed to additional antibodies that are known to bind to previously bound antibodies. Each additional binding further increases the effective mass of accumulated material on the sensor. The total effective mass is greater than the mass of the accumulated analyte, thus providing means for detecting extremely minute amounts of analyte. Applications include detection of pathogens and DNA. | 02-26-2009 |
| 20090045698 | PIEZOELECTRIC POWERED VEHICLES AND MOTORS - One or more piezoelectric elements are employed to generate electrical energy from one or both of the mechanical energy of a moving part of a conventional engine or vehicle or the combustion energy of an internal combustion engine. The generated electrical energy can be stored and used to power an electric motor in order to supplement the power generated by the conventional engine. | 02-19-2009 |
| 20090042029 | POLYAMIDE NANOFIBERS AND METHODS THEREOF - Provided are methods for dissolving polyamides under ambient conditions and for forming polyamide nanofibers by electrospinning. Also provided are methods for incorporating nanoparticles, including nanotubes, into such nanofibers. | 02-12-2009 |
| 20090018287 | Fatty Acid Monomers To Reduce Emissions and Toughen Polymers - Novel fatty acid monomers and methods for their synthesis are provided for use in polymerization reactions. Fatty acid monomers are employed as reactive diluents in the polymerization of vinyl esters and polyesters for one or more purposes selected from improving the fracture resistance, lowering the processing viscosity and reducing the volatile organic compounds present in the polymerization mixture. | 01-15-2009 |
| 20090007645 | PIEZOELECTRIC MICROCANTILEVERS AND USES IN ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPY - The invention is direct to a piezoelectric microcantilever for static contact and dynamic noncontact atomic force microscopy which may be carried out in solution. The piezoelectric microcantilever, which includes a piezoelectric layer and a non-piezoelectric layer is capable of self actuation and detection. The piezoelectric layer may be constructed from a lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate (Pb(Mg | 01-08-2009 |
| 20090000035 | TWO-PIECE LIGHTWEIGHT LITTER SYSTEM - This invention is directed to a durable, compact, two-piece, light weight, load sustaining litter system for the transport of humans, animals or objects. The litter system comprises a litter frame, a fabric disposed between the structure of the frame, at least one hinge and at least one coupling mechanism. The litter system may be quickly assembled under adverse conditions and may be particularly beneficial in transporting individuals who are injured, disabled and/or incapable of movement under combat and/or emergency conditions. | 01-01-2009 |
| 20080318247 | Biomarker for cardiac transplant rejection - The invention provides a method of diagnosing a disease or disorder featuring an abnormal level of a ring-containing molecule in a tissue. In one embodiment, a method of diagnosing organ transplant rejection is provided. | 12-25-2008 |
| 20080289531 | Piezoelectric Stun Projectile - The present invention provides a non-lethal projectile for delivering an electric pulse to a target. In one aspect of the invention, the projectile utilizes a piezoelectric device and an electrical oscillating circuit in order to generate a pulse. In another aspect of the invention, the projectile utilizes a piezoelectric device and a mechanical oscillating circuit in order to generate an electric pulse. Since the projectile of the present invention contains the structure to generate the required electric pulse, it can be employed effectively at distances of up to 150 meters. | 11-27-2008 |
| 20080279783 | ISOLATED NANOCAPSULE POPULATIONS AND SURFACTANT-STABILIZED MICROCAPSULES AND NANOCAPSULES FOR DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING AND DRUG DELIVERY AND METHODS FOR THEIR PRODUCTION - A method for producing surfactant-stabilized microcapsules or nanocapsules including the steps of (a) preparing a suspension comprising a non-ionic sorbitan detergent and a salt in phosphate buffered saline; (b) adding to the suspension a nonionic polyoxyethylenesorbitan detergent to produce a solution; (c) heating while stirring the solution of step (b) to 55±5° C. and maintaining the temperature of the solution at 55±5° C. for several minutes; (d) allowing the solution to cool to room temperature; (e) autoclaving the solution; (f) creating surfactant-stabilized microbubbles and nanobubbles in the solution; and (g) collecting surfactant-stabilized nanocapsules and microcapsules formed from the microbubbles and nanobubbles. | 11-13-2008 |
| 20080254995 | NANOPORE ARRAYS AND SEQUENCING DEVICES AND METHODS THEREOF - Provided are devices comprising one or more nanoscale pores for use in, inter alia, analyzing various biological molecules. Also provided are methods for the fabrication of nanoscale pores in solid-state substrates, methods for functionalizing nanopores in solid-state substrates, and methods for sequencing polymers using devices containing nanoscale pores. | 10-16-2008 |
| 20080219913 | Methods for Bulk Synthesis of Carbon Nanotubes - Methods for synthesizing single-wall carbon nanotubes by extracting metals from a carbide by halogen treatment at a temperature ranging between 700 to 1700° C. at ambient or low pressure are provided. | 09-11-2008 |
| 20080215510 | MULTI-SCALE SEGMENTATION AND PARTIAL MATCHING 3D MODELS - A scale-Space feature extraction technique is based on recursive decomposition of polyhedral surfaces into surface patches. The experimental results show that this technique can be used to perform matching based on local model structure. Scale-space techniques can be parameterized to generate decompositions that correspond to manufacturing, assembly or surface features relevant to mechanical design. One application of these techniques is to support matching and content-based retrieval of solid models. Scale-space technique can extract features that are invariant with respect to the global structure of the model as well as small perturbations that | 09-04-2008 |
| 20080213389 | Three-Dimensional Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering Made by Processing Complex Extracts of Natural Extracellular Matrices - Methods of making a biologically active three-dimensional scaffold capable of supporting growth and differentiation of a cell are described. Biologically active three-dimensional scaffold made by the methods of the invention and an engineered tissue made from the scaffolds are described. Fibers of desired porosity can be obtained from non-structural ECM by lyophilization and/or electrospinning which can be useful for numerous tissue engineering applications requiring complex scaffolds, such as wound healing, artificial skin (burns), soft tissue replacement/repair and spinal cord injury. | 09-04-2008 |
