| UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20110302830 | ENGINEERED PHOTOSYNTHETIC BACTERIA, METHOD OF MANUFACTURE OF BIOFUELS - The invention provides for a novel type of biofuel; a method for cleaving anchors from photosynthetic organisms; and a method for producing biofuels using photosynthetic organisms, the method comprising identifying photosynthesis co-factors and their anchors in the organisms; modifying the organisms to increase production of the anchors; accumulating biomass of the organisms in growth media; and harvesting the anchors. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110299752 | METHOD FOR IMPLEMENTING DEPTH DECONVOLUTION ALGORITHM FOR ENHANCED THERMAL TOMOGRAPHY 3D IMAGING - A computer-implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product implement enhanced thermal tomography three-dimensional (3D) thermal effusivity imaging. Experimental thermal imaging data is acquired. A response function is derived and a convolution formulation is constructed from the experimental thermal imaging data. A deconvolution solution procedure is implemented that includes constructing a matrix solution equation with a damping parameter, and solving the matrix solution equation with a selected number of iterations to construct a plurality of effusivity images. Using the novel depth deconvolution algorithm with experimental data acquired from a one-sided pulsed thermal-imaging system provides greater sensitivity for internal sample features substantially eliminating degradation in depth resolution. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110260064 | ON AXIS SAMPLE VISUALIZATION ALONG A SYNCHRONTRON PHOTO BEAM - The present invention provides a method for on-axis visualization of a target placed in a photon beam, the method comprising: placing the target in the path of the photon beam; selecting a mirror with an external reflecting surface; placing the mirror on a mirror support so that the surface faces the target; placing a reflective microscope so as to collect photons emanating from the target that have been reflected by said surface; counting and analyzing photons collected by the microscope with a CCD camera; and storing and analyzing data collected by the camera. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110200154 | PRODUCTION OF ISOTOPES USING HIGH POWER PROTON BEAMS - The invention provides for a method for producing isotopes using a beam of particles from an accelerator, whereby the beam is maintained at between about 70 to 2000 MeV; and contacting a thorium-containing target with the particles. The medically important isotope | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110194975 | SEMICONDUCTOR-BASED DETECTION AND DECONTAMINATION SYSTEM - A system and method for identifying and making quantitative determinations of different deposits on a portion thereof, determining that the deposit is a contaminant and decontaminating at least the portion of the system is disclosed. The system comprises a controller, a sensing portion and a decontamination portion. The controller contains information about at least one noncontaminant. The sensing portion communicates with at least the controller and the portion of the system and is adapted to detect the deposit. The decontaminating portion communicates with at least the controller and is adapted to decontaminate the portion of the system. | 08-11-2011 |
| 20110194662 | ACCELERATOR-BASED METHOD OF PRODUCING ISOTOPES - The invention provides a method using accelerators to produce radio-isotopes in high quantities. The method comprises: supplying a “core” of low-enrichment fissile material arranged in a spherical array of LEU combined with water moderator. The array is surrounded by substrates which serve as multipliers and moderators as well as neutron shielding substrates. A flux of neutrons enters the low-enrichment fissile material and causes fissions therein for a time sufficient to generate desired quantities of isotopes from the fissile material. The radio-isotopes are extracted from said fissile material by chemical processing or other means. | 08-11-2011 |
| 20110130324 | METHODS FOR SYSTEMATIC CONTROL OF PROTEIN STABILITY - Methods and compositions to control the stability of proteins with special emphasis on antibodies and proteins with antibody-like structures, e.g., having an “immunoglobulin-like” fold, are described. Controlling the stability facilities different applications for a protein with the same function, but different stability. | 06-02-2011 |
| 20110117445 | ELECTROLYTES FOR LITHIUM AND LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES - The present invention provides an electrolyte for lithium and lithium-ion batteries comprising a lithium salt such as LiF | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110104576 | LITHIUM-OXYGEN ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS AND BATTERIES - A lithium-oxygen electrochemical cell of the invention comprises a lithium-containing anode, an oxygen-permeable cathode, a non-aqueous electrolyte comprising a lithium salt in a non-aqueous liquid between the anode and the cathode, and a source of gaseous oxygen in fluid communication with the cathode; the cathode comprising an oxygen-permeable support bearing carbon nanotubes having at least one open end. In some embodiments, the cell is rechargeable and the cathode includes a nanoparticulate catalyst in contact with the carbon nanotubes; wherein the catalyst is adapted to facilitate the reversible interconversion between oxygen gas and an oxygen anion e.g., oxide ion, peroxide ion, or a combination thereof, during charge and discharge of the cell. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110104553 | AUTOGENIC PRESSURE REACTIONS FOR BATTERY MATERIALS MANUFACTURE - A lithium- or lithium-ion electrochemical cell of the present invention comprises a lithium-containing cathode, an anode, and a non-aqueous lithium-containing electrolyte therebetween; wherein one or more of the anode and the cathode comprises at least one particulate carbon-containing material selected from the group consisting of one or more carbon-coated metal oxide or metal phosphate particles, carbon-containing metals that alloy with Li, carbon-containing metalloids that alloy with Li, or rounded carbon particles such as carbon spheres, prolate-shaped spheroids, oblate-shaped spheroids, and carbon nanotubes. In a preferred embodiment, the particulate carbon material is prepared by reacting one or more solid, solvent-free chemical precursor materials comprising the elements making up the material in an enclosed autogenic pressure reactor in which the precursor materials are dissociated and reacted at elevated temperature, thereby creating self-generated pressure within the reactor. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110104551 | NANOTUBE COMPOSITE ANODE MATERIALS SUITABLE FOR LITHIUM ION BATTERY APPLICATIONS - The present invention provides a composite material suitable for use in an anode for a lithium ion battery, the composite material comprising a layer of a lithium-alloying material on the walls of an aligned nanotubular base material. Preferably, the lithium-alloying material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of Si, Sn, Pb, Al, Au, Pt, Zn, Cd, Ag, Mg, and a combination of two or more of the foregoing. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110064964 | MECHANICAL DESIGN OF LAMINAR WEAK-LINK ROTARY MECHANISMS WITH TEN-DEGREE-LEVEL TRAVEL RANGE AND TEN-NANORADIAN-LEVEL POSITIONING RESOLUTION - Enhanced mechanical designs are provided for weak-link rotary mechanisms for implementing angular rotations with a defined angular travel range and positioning resolution, for example, with ten-degree-level travel range and ten-nanoradian-level positioning resolution. A weak-link rotary structure has a predetermined pattern for implementing angular rotations with repeatable and reliable angular travel range and positioning resolution including a plurality of connecting links radially extending from a central portion with a predefined angular separation between the connecting links; each said connecting link having at least one pair of weak-link connections; alternate connecting links being coupled to a respective terminal, each said respective terminal being mounted to a connecting carriage; remaining other connecting links being coupled to a respective mounting portion of a mating part of the weak-link rotary structure. | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110045969 | SUBNANOMETER AND NANOMETER CATALYSTS, METHOD FOR PREPARING SIZE-SELECTED CATALYSTS - Highly uniform cluster based nanocatalysts supported on technologically relevant supports were synthesized for reactions of top industrial relevance. The Pt-cluster based catalysts outperformed the very best reported ODHP catalyst in both activity (by up to two orders of magnitude higher turn-over frequencies) and in selectivity. The results clearly demonstrate that highly dispersed ultra-small Pt clusters precisely localized on high-surface area supports can lead to affordable new catalysts for highly efficient and economic propene production, including considerably simplified separation of the final product. The combined GISAXS-mass spectrometry provides an excellent tool to monitor the evolution of size and shape of nanocatalyst at action under realistic conditions. Also provided are sub-nanometer gold and sub-nanometer to few nm size-selected silver catalysts which possess size dependent tunable catalytic properties in the epoxidation of alkenes. Invented size-selected cluster deposition provides a unique tool to tune material properties by atom-by-atom fashion, which can be stabilized by protective overcoats. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110005302 | DEVICE AND METHOD TO SAMPLE AND ENRICH IMPURITIES IN HYDROGEN - Provided herein are methods and devices to enrich trace quantities of impurities in gaseous mixtures, such as hydrogen fuel. The methods and devices rely on concentration of impurities so as to allow the detection of the impurities using commonly-available detection methods. | 01-13-2011 |
| 20100322382 | PIN BASE SENSOR FOR HIGH-THROUGHPUT MACROMOLECULAR CRYSTALLOGRAPHY - Sensing methods and a compact, sample holding pin base sensor are provided for detecting if a sample pin is, for example, properly mounted on a goniometer used for automated, high throughput macromolecular crystallography. A first magnet is used for holding a magnetic base; a second magnet is disposed spaced apart from the first magnet. The first magnet and the second magnet have opposite orientation. A Hall-effect switch is located generally centrally between the first magnet and the second magnet. A state of the Hall-effect switch indicates if a sample pin is properly mounted on a mounting member, such as a goniometer. | 12-23-2010 |
| 20100320388 | MICROSCOPIC INFRARED ANALYSIS BY X-RAY OR ELECTRON RADIATION - An infrared (IR) emission spectroscopy and microscopy apparatus with X-ray excitation or electron excitation and an improved process for extending spatial relation of infrared (IR) microscopy and performing microscopic infrared (IR) analysis by X-ray or electron radiation are provided. By utilizing nanometer sized X-ray beams or electron beams to produce IR emission, the spatial resolution of IR microscopy is extended. Simultaneously performing X-ray or electron-based spectroscopy as well as structural studies are enabled. | 12-23-2010 |
| 20100302706 | METHOD FOR FABRICATION OF CERAMIC DIELECTRIC FILMS ON COPPER FOILS - The present invention provides a method for fabricating a ceramic film on a copper foil. The method comprises applying a layer of a sol-gel composition onto a copper foil. The sol-gel composition comprises a precursor of a ceramic material suspended in 2-methoxyethanol. The layer of sol-gel is then dried at a temperature up to about 250° C. The dried layer is then pyrolyzed at a temperature in the range of about 300 to about 450° C. to form a ceramic film from the ceramic precursor. The ceramic film is then crystallized at a temperature in the range of about 600 to about 750° C. The drying, pyrolyzing and crystallizing are performed under a flowing stream of an inert gas. In some embodiments an additional layer of the sol-gel composition is applied onto the ceramic film and the drying, pyrolyzing and crystallizing steps are repeated for the additional layer to build up a thicker ceramic layer on the copper foil. The process can be repeated one or more times if desired. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100300894 | CARBON DIOXIDE CAPTURE USING RESIN-WAFER ELECTRODEIONIZATION - The present invention provides a resin-wafer electrodeionization (RW-EDI) apparatus including cathode and anode electrodes separated by a plurality of porous solid ion exchange resin wafers, which when in use are filled with an aqueous fluid. The apparatus includes one or more wafers comprising a basic ion exchange medium, and preferably includes one or more wafers comprising an acidic ion exchange medium. The wafers are separated from one another by ion exchange membranes. The fluid within the acidic and/or basic ion exchange wafers preferably includes, or is in contact with, a carbonic anhydrase (CA) enzyme to facilitate conversion of bicarbonate ion to carbon dioxide within the acidic medium. A pH suitable for exchange of CO | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100290961 | Hydrogen transport membranes for dehydrogenation reactions - A method of converting C | 11-18-2010 |
| 20100285390 | CATALYTIC MEMBRANES FOR CO OXIDATION USED IN FUEL CELLS - A fuel cell of the present invention comprises a cathode and an anode, one or both of the anode and the cathode including a catalyst comprising a bundle of longitudinally aligned graphitic carbon nanotubes including a catalytically active transition metal incorporated longitudinally and atomically distributed throughout the graphitic carbon walls of said nanotubes. The nanotubes also include nitrogen atoms and/or ions chemically bonded to the graphitic carbon and to the transition metal. Preferably, the transition metal comprises at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Fe, Co, Ni, Mn, and Cr. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20100233573 | METHOD OF FABRICATING ELECTRODE CATALYST LAYERS WITH DIRECTIONALLY ORIENTED CARBON SUPPORT FOR PROTON EXCHANGE MEMBRANE FUEL CELL - A membrane electrode assembly (MEA) of the invention comprises an anode and a cathode and a proton conductive membrane therebetween, the anode and the cathode each comprising a patterned sheet of longitudinally aligned transition metal-containing carbon nanotubes, wherein the carbon nanotubes are in contact with and are aligned generally perpendicular to the membrane, wherein a catalytically active transition metal is incorporated throughout the nanotubes. | 09-16-2010 |
| 20100230960 | GENDERLESS FLANGE FOR HIGH VACUUM WAVEGUIDES - A system of genderless flanges suitable for high vacuum waveguides is provided, comprising a metallic gasket between a pair of identical flanges where the configuration of the gasket conforms to within 100 microns to the cross-section of the inner surface of the waveguides. The invention also provides a method for manufacturing a mechanical junction for identical electromagnetic radiation waveguides, the method comprising: supplying a pair of identical flanges, each of said flanges defining an axially extending an inwardly facing axial surface defining a first aperture opening adapted to receive a waveguide, each of the flanges having an outwardly facing axial surface defining a second aperture opening with a perimeter equal to within 100 microns to the inner perimeter of the waveguides; inserting a first end of a first wave guide into the first aperture opening of a first of said flanges and inserting a first end of a second wave guide into the first aperture opening of a second of said flanges and permanently bonding the wave guides to their respective flanges; positioning each of said flanges such that the outwardly facing axial surfaces of the flanges oppose each other; positioning a gasket between the opposing surfaces, wherein the inner perimeter of the gasket is within 100 microns of the inner perimeter of the wave guide; and applying axial pressure to the outwardly facing axial surfaces of the flanges to provide a hermetic seal between the flanges. | 09-16-2010 |
| 20100227220 | LITHIUM-OXYGEN (AIR) ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS AND BATTERIES - This invention provides a lithium-oxygen or lithium-air electrochemical cell comprising a negative electrode, an electrolyte, and a porous activated positive electrode comprising lithium-rich electrocatalytic materials suitable for use in lithium-oxygen (air) cells and batteries. The activated positive electrode is produced by activating a precursor electrode formed from a material comprising one or more metal oxide compounds of general formula xLi | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100190058 | SURFACE PROTECTED LITHIUM-METAL-OXIDE ELECTRODES - A lithium-metal-oxide positive electrode having a layered or spinel structure for a non-aqueous lithium electrochemical cell and battery is disclosed comprising electrode particles that are protected at the surface from undesirable effects, such as electrolyte oxidation, oxygen loss or dissolution by one or more lithium-metal-polyanionic compounds, such as a lithium-metal-phosphate or a lithium-metal-silicate material that can act as a solid electrolyte at or above the operating potential of the lithium-metal-oxide electrode. The surface protection significantly enhances the surface stability, rate capability and cycling stability of the lithium-metal-oxide electrodes, particularly when charged to high potentials. | 07-29-2010 |
| 20100178232 | PROCESS FOR REMEDIATION OF PLASTIC WASTE - A single step process for degrading plastic waste by converting the plastic waste into carbonaceous products via thermal decomposition of the plastic waste by placing the plastic waste into a reactor, heating the plastic waste under an inert or air atmosphere until the temperature of 700° C. is achieved, allowing the reactor to cool down, and recovering the resulting decomposition products therefrom. The decomposition products that this process yields are carbonaceous materials, and more specifically egg-shaped and spherical-shaped solid carbons. Additionally, in the presence of a transition metal compound, this thermal decomposition process produces multi-walled carbon nanotubes. | 07-15-2010 |
| 20100175458 | Photoacoustic Spectroscopy System and Technique for Remote Sensing of Explosives and Toxic Chemicals - A user-friendly photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS) system and process (technique) provides an open-field PAS instrument, unit and device to remotely sense explosives, chemicals and biological agents. The PAS system and process can include: a pulsed tunable laser, such as a CO | 07-15-2010 |
| 20100143784 | Manganese oxide composite electrodes for lithium batteries - An activated electrode for a non-aqueous electrochemical cell is disclosed with a precursor thereof a lithium metal oxide with the formula x{zLi | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100095590 | AUTOTHERMAL AND PARTIAL OXIDATION REFORMER-BASED FUEL PROCESSOR, METHOD FOR IMPROVING CATALYST FUNCTION IN AUTOTHERMAL AND PARTIAL OXIDATION REFORMER-BASED PROCESSORS - The invention provides a fuel processor comprising a linear flow structure having an upstream portion and a downstream portion; a first catalyst supported at the upstream portion; and a second catalyst supported at the downstream portion, wherein the first catalyst is in fluid communication with the second catalyst. Also provided is a method for reforming fuel, the method comprising contacting the fuel to an oxidation catalyst so as to partially oxidize the fuel and generate heat; warming incoming fuel with the heat while simultaneously warming a reforming catalyst with the heat; and reacting the partially oxidized fuel with steam using the reforming catalyst. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100093049 | Biological methane production from coal, manure, sludge, wastes, or other carbonaceous feedstocks with simultaneous sequestration of co2 - The present invention provides a method for generating methane from a carbonaceous fuel source with simultaneous sequestration of carbon dioxide, the method comprising anaerobically incubating a particulate alkaline earth metal salt in contact with a particulate and/or dissolved carbonaceous feedstock in a neutral or alkaline aqueous culture medium containing a culture of methanogenic bacteria consortia and collecting methane generated therefrom. At least a portion of carbon dioxide produced during the incubation reacts with the alkaline earth metal salt to form an alkaline earth metal carbonate, thereby sequestering the carbon dioxide. | 04-15-2010 |
| 20100078363 | PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING SOLID MIXTURES - An elutriation column is installed in a separation tank. The elutriation column includes a vertical separation column having a first side feed arm and a second side overflow arm spaced above the first side feed arm. Water is forced upwardly through the vertical separation column at a controllable velocity. A solid feed mixture is fed through the first side feed arm to the vertical separation column. Water from the tank rising in the vertical separation column at the controlled velocity causes targeted floater materials to move upwardly in the vertical separation column and heavier sinker materials to continue to sink. The floater materials flow from an outlet in the side of the separation tank into the recovery tank. At a discharge, lower end of the vertical separation column, the heavier sinker materials are removed from the separation tank. A mechanism is provided for purging undesirable materials that can cause plugging from the feed arm. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100074413 | DEVICE FOR OPTIMIZATION OF EXPERIMENTAL PARAMETERS ON SYNCHROTRON BEAM LINES - Enhanced methods and a device enabling a plurality of tools for implementing a plurality of procedures for the accurate alignment and calibration of multiple components of the experimental set up at a synchrotron beam line are provided. The device includes an alignment pin or needle for centering a sample rotation axis. The device includes a YAG crystal for visualization of the beam and beam alignment and a metal foil for transmission or fluorescence measurements used for the monochromator calibration. The same, or different foils, or powders, or polymers, can be used for obtaining powder rings for finding the direct beam coordinates, for centering the beamstop on the direct beam and for calibration of the sample-to-detector distance. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100066036 | COMPRESSIVE COMPOSITE SEALS FOR SOFC APPLICATIONS - Compressive composite seals for solid oxide fuel cell applications are provided. A compressive composite seal structure includes a glass phase to provide a gas tight seal, a reinforcing secondary phase to provide mechanical stability, and a compressive core. The compressive core is filled with an inert gas or air, providing a degree of compressibility, or alternatively is filled with a selected material to provide a more specific degree of compressibility and strength, such as a lower melting point glass. The compressive composite seal structure maintains an effective seal during the operating conditions of the SOFC. The self healing glass phase with the reinforcing secondary phase providing mechanical stability provides an elastic response at high temperature, effectively reduces crack propagation and if the temperature or pressure goes too high, the seal remains reliable and effective. | 03-18-2010 |
| 20100064508 | METHOD OF SEALING A BIPOLAR PLATE SUPPORTED SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL WITH A SEALED ANODE COMPARTMENT - Methods of sealing a bipolar plate supported solid oxide fuel cell with a sealed anode compartment are provided. The solid oxide fuel cell includes a cathode, an electrolyte, and an anode, which are supported on a metallic bipolar plate assembly including gas flow fields and the gas impermeable bipolar plate. The electrolyte and anode are sealed into an anode compartment with a metal perimeter seal. An improved method of sealing is provided by extending the metal seal around the entire perimeter of the cell between an electrolyte and the bipolar plate to form the anode compartment. During a single-step high temperature sintering process the metal seal bonds to the edges of the electrolyte and anode layers, the metal foam flow field and the bipolar plate to form a gastight containment. | 03-18-2010 |
| 20100041570 | APPARATUS FOR IMPLEMENTING NON-DESTRUCTIVE QUALITY CONTROL OF SUBSTRATES AND PRINTED BIOLOGICAL MICROARRAYS - A method and apparatus are provided for implementing non-destructive quality control of substrates and printed biological microarrays. A method and apparatus are provided for implementing quality control of gel-based microarrays prepared by dispensing a gel-forming composition on a solid substrate. The method utilizes the difference between the wettability properties of a supporting substrate and a gel, where the gel is hydrophilic. Condensation of vapor of a chemically inert water-soluble liquid, such as water or glycerol, on the surface of a substrate under inspection creates a layer of tiny droplets that affect both transmission and scattering of light on the surface. A pattern of condensation, characterized by spatial distribution, average size of the droplets and spacing between the droplets, reflects variation in wetting properties of the substrate. The pattern of condensation circumscribes printed microarray features to be non-destructively imaged and analyzed. | 02-18-2010 |
| 20100033323 | RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION (RFID) SURVEILLANCE TAG - An enhanced method and apparatus are provided for tracking and managing a plurality of packagings, particularly packagings containing radioactive and fissile materials. A radio frequency identification (RFID) surveillance tag is provided with an associated packaging. The RFID surveillance tag includes a tag body and a back plate including predefined mounting features for mounting the surveillance tag to the associated packaging. The RFID surveillance tag includes a battery power supply. The RFID surveillance tag includes a plurality of sensors monitoring the associated packaging including a seal sensor. The seal sensor includes a force sensitive material providing a resistivity change responsive to change in a seal integrity change of the associated packaging. The resistivity change causes a seal integrity tag alarm. A tag memory stores data responsive to tag alarms generated by each of the plurality of sensors monitoring the associated packaging. | 02-11-2010 |
| 20100031822 | Hydrogen separation membrane on a porous substrate - A hydrogen permeable membrane is disclosed. The membrane is prepared by forming a mixture of metal oxide powder and ceramic oxide powder and a pore former into an article. The article is dried at elevated temperatures and then sintered in a reducing atmosphere to provide a dense hydrogen permeable portion near the surface of the sintered mixture. The dense hydrogen permeable portion has a higher initial concentration of metal than the remainder of the sintered mixture and is present in the range of from about 20 to about 80 percent by volume of the dense hydrogen permeable portion. | 02-11-2010 |
| 20100028234 | Methods for making and processing metal targets for producing Cu-67 radioisotope for medical applications - The present invention provides a method for producing Cu67 radioisotope suitable for use in medical applications. The method comprises irradiating a metallic zinc-68 (Zn68) target with a high energy gamma ray beam. After irradiation, the Cu67 is isolated from the Zn68 by any suitable method (e.g., chemical and/or physical separation). In a preferred embodiment, the Cu67 is isolated by sublimation of the zinc (e.g., at about 500-700° C. under reduced pressure) to afford a copper residue containing Cu67. The Cu67 can be further purified by chemical means (i.e., dissolution in acid, followed by ion exchange). | 02-04-2010 |
| 20090255276 | ENHANCED INTEGRATED OPERATION BLENDER BASED STERILE MEDICAL ICE SLURRY PRODUCTION DEVICE - A method and device are provided for the preparation of sterile medical ice slurry, for example having ice loadings of greater than approximately 50%. An integrated-operation ice slurry blender-based production and delivery system methods for monitoring cooling capacity of the produced and delivered slurry. All individual medical ice slurry production and delivery steps are integrated into one tightly coupled precisely sequenced and timed system. The novel procedure and equipment is simple to use and makes sterile slurry, which is ready to deliver to patients, for example, in less than 2 minutes after adding predetermined thermally preconditioned ingredient modules to a blender. | 10-15-2009 |
| 20090188842 | FRICTION BASED MATERIAL SORTER - A method and apparatus are provided for separating elastomeric materials from mixed material streams. A separator includes a bank of parallel rollers extending longitudinally between a first end and a second end. The bank of parallel rollers having a predefined inclination with the first end elevated higher than the second end. Mixed material streams are fed onto a top surface of the high end of the inclined parallel rollers. A material having less friction and elasticity slides down the inclined roller bank top surface are collected into a collection bin positioned adjacent the second, lower end of the roller bank. Other materials having a higher friction coefficient grip the rollers more and are lifted out of the valley due to friction migrating perpendicular to the rotating rollers and are collected in a collection bin positioned adjacent one side of the roller bank parallel to the longitudinal roller axis. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090084159 | High-Performance Flexible Hydrogen Sensors - Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are decorated with metal nanoparticles to form high-performance flexible hydrogen sensors. The special process to form the high-performance flexible hydrogen sensors can combine a dry transfer printing technique and modification of SWNTs with palladium (Pd) nanoparticles to provide high-performance hydrogen sensors with excellent mechanical flexibility on plastic substrates. Two approaches can be used to decorate the SWNTs. One is physical deposition, such as electron beam evaporation (EBE) and the other is electrochemical deposition which can selectively grow palladium nanoparticles on the surface of the SWNTs, resulting in significantly decreasing the use of palladium. Preferably, the Pd nanoparticles are deposed on the SWNTs in a discontinuous arrangement so that the Pd nanoparticles are spaced away from each other to form individual discontinuous Pd nanoparticles rather a continuous Pd film. Advantageously, the SWNTs are arranged with substantial semiconducting pathways. Desirably, the high-performance flexible hydrogen sensors have an excellent response and recovery time, provide superior sensitivity for detecting hydrogen, and are bendable to conform to the contours of other structures. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090081529 | Positive electrodes for lithium batteries - This invention provides lithium-rich compounds as precursors for positive electrodes for lithium cells and batteries. The precursors comprise a Li | 03-26-2009 |
| 20090078874 | Computed radiography system for mammography - A computed radiography system including a stimulating light source such as a laser, a photostimulable glass imaging plate (PGIP) substantially transparent to the stimulating light positioned such that the stimulating light impinges the PGIP perpendicularly thereto producing photostimulated luminescence light (PLL), a light collector having a light reflecting inner surface proximate the PGIP for collecting PLL emitted from the PGIP and having a hole or slot therein for admitting stimulating light into the light collector and onto the PGIP. An optical filter in communication with the light collector for blocking stimulating light waves and passing PLL therethrough. A light detector receives PLL from the optical filter and the light collector, mechanism providing relative movement between the PGIP and the stimulating light source, and mechanism including an analog to digital converter for converting the collected and detected PLL to a diagnostic readout. The system is particularly useful in mammography. | 03-26-2009 |
| 20090033935 | MAGNETO-OPTIC BIOSENSOR USING BIO-FUNCTIONALIZED MAGNETIZED NANOPARTICLES - A biosensor utilizing bio-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles is provided. An external magnetic field is applied to a suspension of magnetic nanoparticles. A linearly polarized incident light is applied to the suspension of magnetic nanoparticles. A photocurrent from polarized light scattering by bio-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles in liquid is detected. The magneto-optic sensing technique is applied to a micro-fluidic channel for rapid and sensitive detection with a small sample amount, and subsequent magnetic separation for detoxification. This technique is used for the detection of Brownian relaxation with time sweep as well as frequency sweep. The magneto-optical sensor enables rapidly detecting changes in local dynamic properties of the magnetic nanoparticles in liquids and magnetic modulation of ferromagnetic particles in liquid provides increased signal sensitivity. | 02-05-2009 |
| 20090004565 | Silver manganese vanadium oxide electrodes for lithium batteries - This invention relates to electrodes for non-aqueous lithium cells and batteries. More specifically, the invention relates to silver manganese vanadium oxide positive electrodes for such cells and batteries. The silver manganese vanadium oxide electrodes may contain substituents or dopants to improve the electrochemical properties of the electrodes, cells and batteries. The silver manganese vanadium oxide electrodes optionally contain silver powder and/or silver foil to assist in current collection at the electrodes and to improve the power capability of the cells or batteries. The invention also includes a method for preparing the electrodes by decomposition of a permanganate salt, such as AgMnO | 01-01-2009 |
| 20080266930 | Piezoelectrically actuated ultrananocrystalline diamond tip array integrated with ferroelectric or phase change media for high-density memory - A compact large density memory piezoactuated storage device and process for its fabrication provides an integrated microelectromechanical (MEMS) and/or nanoelectromechanical (NEMS) system and structure that features an integrated large density array of nanotips made of wear-resistant conductive ultrananocrystalline diamond (UNCD) in which the tips are actuated via a piezoelectric thin film integrated with the UNCD tips. The tips of the special piezoactuated storage device effectively contact an underlying metal layer (top electrode) deposited on a polarizable ferroelectric layer that is grown on top of another metal layer (bottom electrode) to form a ferroelectric capacitor. Information is imprinted in the ferroelectric layer by the polarization induced by the application of a voltage pulse between the top and bottom electrodes through the conductive UNCD tips. This integrated microelectromechanical (MEMS) and/or nanoelectromechanical (NEMS) system and structure can be efficiently used to imprint data in the ferroelectric layer for memory storage with high density in the gigabit (Gb) to terabit (Tb) range. An alternative memory media to the ferroelectric layer can be a phase change material that exhibits two orders of magnitude difference in electrical resistance between amorphous and crystalline phases. | 10-30-2008 |
| 20080246368 | Integration of dissimilar materials for advanced multfunctional devices - A device including a layered heterostructure with an oxygen-containing material, with a carbon layer and an amorphous oxygen diffusion barrier protecting the carbon layer from etching by oxygen. One or more of a metal, a carbide or an oxide may be in contact with the amorphous oxygen diffusion barrier that has the lowest free energy of oxide formation in the device. Various devices are disclosed as are varieties of carbon allotropes. Methods of protecting carbon, such as diamond from the oxygen etching in processes such as device manufacture are also disclosed. | 10-09-2008 |
| 20080241965 | METHODS FOR VALIDATING THE PRESENCE OF AND CHARACTERIZING PROTEINS DEPOSITED ONTO AN ARRAY - A method of determining if proteins have been transferred from liquid-phase protein fractions to an array comprising staining the array with a total protein stain and imaging the array, optionally comparing the staining with a standard curve generated by staining known amounts of a known protein on the same or a similar array; a method of characterizing proteins transferred from liquid-phase protein fractions to an array including staining the array with a post-translational modification-specific (PTM-specific) stain and imaging the array and, optionally, after staining the array with a PTM-specific stain and imaging the array, washing the array, re-staining the array with a total protein stain, imaging the array, and comparing the imaging with the PTM-specific stain with the imaging with the total protein stain; stained arrays; and images of stained arrays. | 10-02-2008 |
| 20080241944 | METHOD OF MAKING GEL DROP PROTEIN BIOCHIPS - A method of making a gel drop protein chip by transferring proteins, which were obtained from a cellular lysate, partitioned using two-dimensional, protein fractionation, and mixed with a polymeric matrix solution containing acrylamide/bis and glycerol, to an array; a method of making a gel drop protein chip by transferring proteins, which were derivatized with N-hydroxysuccinimide ester of N-methacryloyl-6-aminocaproic acid (NHS monomer), and mixed with a polymeric matrix solution containing acrylamide/bis and glycerol, to an array; a gel drop protein chip containing proteins in a polymeric matrix solution containing acrylamide/bis glycerol; a method of using the gel drop protein chip to interrogate a sample; and a protein derivatized with the NHS monomer. | 10-02-2008 |
