The University of Houston Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20140230893 | BORON NITRIDE ANTI-REFLECTION COATINGS AND METHODS - High performance photovoltaic devices are provided. Certain embodiments relate to the use of Boron-Nitride (BN) thin films as anti-reflection coating (ARC) material on Si and GaAs solar cells. A low and wide reflectance window covering a large energy range of the solar spectrum is available. For a large part of the useful solar spectrum, the index of refraction of the grown BN thin films remains constant at about 2.8. In another embodiment, a BN ARC is applied directly on ordinary window glass providing the device's mechanical strength. | 08-21-2014 |
20140174001 | PERIODIC MATERIAL-BASED SEISMIC ISOLATION SYSTEM - Periodic material-based seismic isolation systems and methods are a new and innovative means to mitigate the potential damage to structures due to earthquakes or the like. The periodic materials are arranged in a periodic way in one, two and three directions, which are defined as one-dimensional (1D), two-dimensional (2D) and three dimensional (3D) periodic materials. With this periodic material, the pattern of the earthquake event energy can be completely obstructed or changed when it reaches the periodic foundation of the structural system. This may result in a total isolation of the foundation from the earthquake wave energy. | 06-26-2014 |
20120283436 | FACILE PREPARATION OF 4-SUBSTITUTED QUINAZOLINES AND RELATED HETEROCYCLES - A straightforward single step method for the preparation and/or production of substituted quinazolines is disclosed, wherein said quinazolines preferably contain one substituent at position 4, and may contain other functional groups at various positions, such as 5, 6, 7, and/or 8 of quinazolines. In addition, the extension of this new method leads to the formation of different type of heterocyclic aromatic compounds, that include but are not limited to perimidines, anthrapyrimidin-7-ones (also known as anthrapyrimidinones), anthra[1,9:5,10]dipyrimidines (also known as quinazoline[5,4-ef]perimidines) and benzo[e]-pyrimido[4,5,6-gh]pyrimidines. | 11-08-2012 |
20100147693 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A PARTICULATE FILTER WITH REGULARLY SPACED MICROPORES - Various embodiments disclose devices and methods for fabricating microporous particulate filters with regularly spaced pores wherein sheet membrane substrates are exposed to energetic particle radiation through a mask and the damaged regions removed in a suitable developer. The required depth of field is achieved by using energetic particles to minimize diffraction and an energetic particle source with suitably small diameter. | 06-17-2010 |
20100107646 | SHAPE MEMORY ALLOY ACTUATED ADAPTIVE EXHAUST NOZZLE FOR JET ENGINE - The proposed adaptive exhaust nozzle features an innovative use of the shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators for actively control of the opening area of the exhaust nozzle for jet engines. The SMA actuators remotely control the opening area of the exhaust nozzle through a set of mechanism. An important advantage of using SMA actuators is the reduction of weight of the actuator system for variable area exhaust nozzle. Another advantage is that the SMA actuator can be activated using the heat from the exhaust and eliminate the need of other energy source. A prototype has been designed and fabricated. The functionality of the proposed SMA actuated adaptive exhaust nozzle is verified in the open-loop tests. | 05-06-2010 |
20100090175 | NANOCOMPOSITES OF POLYMERS WITH DISPERSED NANOTUBES - The present invention provides polymer nanocomposites with dispersed nanotubes and methods of making same. The polymer may be a polyether. For example, the present invention provides an effective method to successfully disperse single walled nanotubes (SWNTs) into both Polyethylenoxide (PEO) and its low molecular weight analog polyethylene glycol (PEG) with hydrodynamic percolation at about 0.09 wt % and an electrical percolation at about 0.03 wt % SWNTs at room temperature, and the resulting nanocomposites. The method may include providing a surfactant. Most notably the present inventors achieved a decrease in the melting point of the polymer and a retardation of polymer crystallization due to the presence of the nanotubes. | 04-15-2010 |
20080258719 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR FERROMAGNETIC WALL INSPECTION OF TUBULARS - Apparatus and methods for magnetic wall inspecting materials such as cylindrical and tubular members are disclosed. One apparatus includes a main magnetic coil producing lines of magnetic flux able to traverse a section of a tubular member in a direction generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tubular member; and one or more magnetic focusing members positioned along the tubular and able to redirect certain flux lines so that they are more parallel to the tubular. This abstract allows a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure. It will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b). | 10-23-2008 |