| UT-BATTELLE, LLC Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20120135086 | METHOD OF TISSUE REPAIR USING A COMPOSITE MATERIAL - A composite biocompatible hydrogel material includes a porous polymer matrix, the polymer matrix including a plurality of pores and providing a Young's modulus of at least 10 GPa. A calcium comprising salt is disposed in at least some of the pores. The porous polymer matrix can comprise cellulose, including bacterial cellulose. The composite can be used as a bone graft material. A method of tissue repair within the body of animals includes the steps of providing a composite biocompatible hydrogel material including a porous polymer matrix, the polymer matrix including a plurality of pores and providing a Young's modulus of at least 10 GPa, and inserting the hydrogel material into cartilage or bone tissue of an animal, wherein the hydrogel material supports cell colonization in vitro for autologous cell seeding. | 05-31-2012 |
| 20120133320 | Electric Machine and Current Source Inverter Drive System - A drive system includes an electric machine and a current source inverter (CSI). This integration of an electric machine and an inverter uses the machine's field excitation coil for not only flux generation in the machine but also for the CSI inductor. This integration of the two technologies, namely the U machine motor and the CSI, opens a new chapter for the component function integration instead of the traditional integration by simply placing separate machine and inverter components in the same housing. Elimination of the CSI inductor adds to the CSI volumetric reduction of capacitors and the elimination of PMs for the motor further improve the drive system cost, weight, and volume. | 05-31-2012 |
| 20120128571 | CARBONATION OF METAL SILICATES FOR LONG-TERM CO2 SEQUESTRATION - In a preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a process of sequestering carbon dioxide. The process comprises the steps of: (a) reacting a metal silicate with a caustic alkali-metal hydroxide to produce a hydroxide of the metal formerly contained in the silicate; (b) reacting carbon dioxide with at least one of a caustic alkali-metal hydroxide and an alkali-metal silicate to produce at least one of an alkali-metal carbonate and an alkali-metal bicarbonate; and (c) reacting the metal hydroxide product of step (a) with at least one of the alkali-metal carbonate and the alkali-metal bicarbonate produced in step (b) to produce a carbonate of the metal formerly contained in the metal silicate of step (a). | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120121888 | THERMALLY INSULATING PRIMER PAINT FILLED WITH MICROSPHERES - A thermally insulating paint composition including carbon microspheres having an average diameter in the range of 1 to 100 μm. The paint composition including the carbon microspheres can be applied as a primer coating to substrates such a metal, and can be covered with a finish coat of a second paint. The paint system including the microsphere-filled primer can lower interior temperatures when applied to vehicles or structures. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120121498 | MESOPOROUS CARBON MATERIALS - The invention is directed to a method for fabricating a mesoporous carbon material, the method comprising subjecting a precursor composition to a curing step followed by a carbonization step, the precursor composition comprising: (i) a templating component comprised of a block copolymer, (ii) a phenolic compound or material, (iii) a crosslinkable aldehyde component, and (iv) at least 0.5 M concentration of a strong acid having a pKa of or less than −2, wherein said carbonization step comprises heating the precursor composition at a carbonizing temperature for sufficient time to convert the precursor composition to a mesoporous carbon material. The invention is also directed to a mesoporous carbon material having an improved thermal stability, preferably produced according to the above method. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120118395 | REPETITIVE PRESSURE-PULSE APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CAVITATION DAMAGE RESEARCH - An apparatus for inducing cavitation at a surface of a specimen includes a cavitation chamber, a window extending through the wall of the chamber to an area outside the chamber, a test specimen positioned within the chamber, and a cavitation media inside the chamber and in contact with the surface of the specimen. A laser light source is disposed outside the chamber, and is operable to provide a laser beam through the window and into the cavitation media. The laser light source generates a shock wave in the cavitation media, the shock wave causing cavitation at the surface of the specimen. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120114102 | X-RAY BACKSCATTER IMAGING OF NUCLEAR MATERIALS - The energy of an X-ray beam and critical depth are selected to detect structural discontinuities in a material having an atomic number Z of 57 or greater. The critical depth is selected by adjusting the geometry of a collimator that blocks backscattered radiation so that backscattered X-ray originating from a depth less than the critical depth is not detected. Structures of Lanthanides and Actinides, including nuclear fuel rod materials, can be inspected for structural discontinuities such as gaps, cracks, and chipping employing the backscattered X-ray. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120106814 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERATING MOTION CORRECTED TOMOGRAPHIC IMAGES - A method and related system for generating motion corrected tomographic images includes the steps of illuminating a region of interest (ROI) to be imaged being part of an unrestrained live subject and having at least three spaced apart optical markers thereon. Simultaneous images are acquired from a first and a second camera of the markers from different angles. Motion data comprising 3D position and orientation of the markers relative to an initial reference position is then calculated. Motion corrected tomographic data obtained from the ROI using the motion data is then obtained, where motion corrected tomographic images obtained therefrom. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120103900 | SUPPORTED LIQUID INORGANIC MEMBRANES FOR NUCLEAR WASTE SEPARATION - A system and method for the extraction of americium from radioactive waste solutions. The method includes the transfer of highly oxidized americium from an acidic aqueous feed solution through an immobilized liquid membrane to an organic receiving solvent, for example tributyl phosphate. The immobilized liquid membrane includes porous support and separating layers loaded with tributyl phosphate. The extracted solution is subsequently stripped of americium and recycled at the immobilized liquid membrane as neat tributyl phosphate for the continuous extraction of americium. The sequestered americium can be used as a nuclear fuel, a nuclear fuel component or a radiation source, and the remaining constituent elements in the aqueous feed solution can be stored in glassified waste forms substantially free of americium. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120094192 | COMPOSITE NANOWIRE COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS OF SYNTHESIS - Nanowire array compositions in which nanowires containing at least one Group IV metal (e.g., Si or Ge) in a single layer or core-shell nanowire structure, wherein, in particular embodiments, the nanowires have a transition metal core and/or are surrounded by or embedded within a metal oxide or metal oxide-ionic liquid ordered host material. The nanowire compositions are incorporated into the anodes of lithium ion batteries. Methods of preparing the nanowire compositions, particularly by low temperature methods, are also described. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120088092 | SUPEROLEOPHILIC PARTICLES AND COATINGS AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME - Superoleophilic particles and surfaces and methods of making the same are described. The superoleophilic particles can include porous particles having a hydrophobic coating layer deposited thereon. The coated porous particles are characterized by particle sizes ranging from at least 100 nm to about 10 μm and a plurality of nanopores. Some of the nanopores provide flow through porosity. The superoleophilic particles also include oil pinned within the nanopores of the porous particles The plurality of porous particles can include (i) particles including a plurality of spaced apart nanostructured features comprising a contiguous, protrusive material, (ii) diatomaceous earth particles, or (iii) both. The surfaces can include the superoleophilic particles coupled to the surface. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120088066 | SUPERHYDROPHOBIC TRANSPARENT GLASS (STG) THIN FILM ARTICLES - An article having a nanostructured surface and a method of making the same are described. The article can include a substrate and a nanostructured layer bonded to the substrate. The nanostructured layer can include a plurality of spaced apart nanostructured features comprising a contiguous, protrusive material and the nanostructured features can be sufficiently small that the nanostructured layer is optically transparent. A surface of the nanostructured features can be coated with a continuous hydrophobic coating. The method can include providing a substrate; depositing a film on the substrate; decomposing the film to form a decomposed film; and etching the decomposed film to form the nanostructured layer. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120083045 | SURFACE SAMPLING CONCENTRATION AND REACTION PROBE - A method of analyzing a chemical composition of a specimen is described. The method can include providing a probe comprising an outer capillary tube and an inner capillary tube disposed co-axially within the outer capillary tube, where the inner and outer capillary tubes define a solvent capillary and a sampling capillary in fluid communication with one another at a distal end of the probe; contacting a target site on a surface of a specimen with a solvent in fluid communication with the probe; maintaining a plug volume proximate a solvent-specimen interface, wherein the plug volume is in fluid communication with the probe; draining plug sampling fluid from the plug volume through the sampling capillary; and analyzing a chemical composition of the plug sampling fluid with an analytical instrument. A system for performing the method is also described. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120080589 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LASER ASSISTED SAMPLE TRANSFER TO SOLUTION FOR CHEMICAL ANALYSIS - A system and method for laser desorption of an analyte from a specimen and capturing of the analyte in a suspended solvent to form a testing solution are described. The method can include providing a specimen supported by a desorption region of a specimen stage and desorbing an analyte from a target site of the specimen with a laser beam centered at a radiation wavelength (λ). The desorption region is transparent to the radiation wavelength (λ) and the sampling probe and a laser source emitting the laser beam are on opposite sides of a primary surface of the specimen stage. The system can also be arranged where the laser source and the sampling probe are on the same side of a primary surface of the specimen stage. The testing solution can then be analyzed using an analytical instrument or undergo further processing. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120079894 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR LASER ASSISTED SAMPLE TRANSFER TO SOLUTION FOR CHEMICAL ANALYSIS - Systems and methods are described for laser ablation of an analyte from a specimen and capturing of the analyte in a dispensed solvent to form a testing solution. A solvent dispensing and extraction system can form a liquid microjunction with the specimen. The solvent dispensing and extraction system can include a surface sampling probe. The laser beam can be directed through the surface sampling probe. The surface sampling probe can also serve as an atomic force microscopy probe. The surface sampling probe can form a seal with the specimen. The testing solution including the analyte can then be analyzed using an analytical instrument or undergo further processing. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120077250 | METHOD FOR CULTURING PHOTOSYNTHETIC MICROORGANISMS ON MICROBIAL CELLULOSE - This invention provides methods for growing and maintaining photosynthetic microorganisms such as algae and cyanobacteria. More specifically, the invention provides methods of cultivation of photosynthetic microorganisms on bacterial cellulose. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120074306 | SPATIALLY RESOLVED THERMAL DESORPTION/IONIZATION COUPLED WITH MASS SPECTROMETRY - A system and method for sub-micron analysis of a chemical composition of a specimen are described. The method includes providing a specimen for evaluation and a thermal desorption probe, thermally desorbing an analyte from a target site of said specimen using the thermally active tip to form a gaseous analyte, ionizing the gaseous analyte to form an ionized analyte, and analyzing a chemical composition of the ionized analyte. The thermally desorbing step can include heating said thermally active tip to above 200° C., and positioning the target site and the thermally active tip such that the heating step forms the gaseous analyte. The thermal desorption probe can include a thermally active tip extending from a cantilever body and an apex of the thermally active tip can have a radius of 250 nm or less; | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120073649 | HIGH VOLUME METHOD OF MAKING LOW-COST, LIGHTWEIGHT SOLAR MATERIALS - A thin film solar cell and a method fabricating thin film solar cells on flexible substrates. The method includes including providing a flexible polymeric substrate, depositing a photovoltaic precursor on a surface of the substrate, such as CdTe, ZrTe, CdZnTe, CdSe or Cu(In,Ga)Se | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120073640 | PULSED PHOTOTHERMAL PHASE TRANSFORMATION CONTROL FOR TITANIUM OXIDE STRUCTURES AND REVERSIBLE BANDGAP SHIFT FOR SOLAR ABSORPTION - A method for bandgap shift and phase transformation for titania structures. The method can include providing a flexible substrate, depositing a titania film onto the substrate, and exposing the titania film to one or more pulses of infrared energy of sufficient energy density and for a sufficient time to crystallize the titania film to predominantly anatase crystalline phase. The flexible substrate can be formed from a polymeric material, and the method can achieve a bandgap shift from greater than 3.0 eV to approximately 2.4 eV. The method can also include forming a crystalline titania layer over a substrate and annealing the crystalline titania layer by applying pulsed thermal energy sufficient to modify the phase constitution of the crystalline titania layer. The source of pulsed thermal energy can include an infrared flashlamp or laser, and the resulting titania structure can be used with photovoltaic and photoelectrolysis systems. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120070895 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SUSTAINING VIABILITY OF BIOLOGICAL CELLS ON A SUBSTRATE - A method for the transient transformation of a living biological cell having an intact cell membrane defining an intracellular domain, and an apparatus for the transient transformation of biological cells. The method and apparatus include introducing a compartmentalized extracellular component fixedly attached to a cellular penetrant structure to the intracellular domain of the cell, wherein the cell is fixed in a predetermined location and wherein the component is expressed within in the cell while being retained within the compartment and wherein the compartment restricts the mobility and interactions of the component within the cell and prevents transference of the component to the cell. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120070686 | FRICTION STIR WELDING AND PROCESSING OF OXIDE DISPERSION STRENGTHENED (ODS) ALLOYS - A method of welding including forming a filler material of a first oxide dispersoid metal, the first oxide dispersoid material having first strengthening particles that compensate for decreases in weld strength of friction stir welded oxide dispersoid metals; positioning the filler material between a first metal structure and a second metal structure each being comprised of at least a second oxide dispersoid metal; and friction welding the filler material, the first metal structure and the second metal structure to provide a weld. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120055258 | Apparatus and Method for Fatigue Testing of a Material Specimen in a High-Pressure Fluid Environment - Provided are several examples of apparatuses and methods for applying loads to material specimens in pressurized fluid environments. The apparatuses use the fluid pressure as the force for applying the loads to the specimens. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120043930 | OFF-RESONANCE FREQUENCY OPERATION FOR POWER TRANSFER IN A LOOSELY COUPLED AIR CORE TRANSFORMER - A power transmission system includes a loosely coupled air core transformer having a resonance frequency determined by a product of inductance and capacitance of a primary circuit including a primary coil. A secondary circuit is configured to have a substantially same product of inductance and capacitance. A back EMF generating device (e.g., a battery), which generates a back EMF with power transfer, is attached to the secondary circuit. Once the load power of the back EMF generating device exceeds a certain threshold level, which depends on the system parameters, the power transfer can be achieved at higher transfer efficiency if performed at an operating frequency less than the resonance frequency, which can be from 50% to 95% of the resonance frequency. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120043473 | ELECTROSPRAY ION SOURCE WITH REDUCED ANALYTE ELECTROCHEMISTRY - An electrospray ion (ESI) source and method capable of ionizing an analyte molecule without oxidizing or reducing the analyte of interest. The ESI source can include an emitter having a liquid conduit, a working electrode having a liquid contacting surface, a spray tip, a secondary working electrode, and a charge storage coating covering partially or fully the liquid contacting surface of the working electrode. The liquid conduit, the working electrode and the secondary working electrode can be in liquid communication. The electrospray ion source can also include a counter electrode proximate to, but separated from, said spray tip. The electrospray ion source can also include a power system for applying a voltage difference between the working electrodes and a counter-electrode. The power system can deliver pulsed voltage changes to the working electrodes during operation of said electrospray ion source to minimize the surface potential of the charge storage coating. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120039759 | ZEOLITE-BASED SCR CATALYSTS AND THEIR USE IN DIESEL ENGINE EMISSION TREATMENT - A catalyst comprising a zeolite loaded with copper ions and at least one trivalent metal ion other than Al | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120036309 | COORDINATED GARBAGE COLLECTION FOR RAID ARRAY OF SOLID STATE DISKS - An optimized redundant array of solid state devices may include an array of one or more optimized solid-state devices and a controller coupled to the solid-state devices for managing the solid-state devices. The controller may be configured to globally coordinate the garbage collection activities of each of said optimized solid-state devices, for instance, to minimize the degraded performance time and increase the optimal performance time of the entire array of devices. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120033331 | NANOCOMPOSITES FOR ULTRA HIGH DENSITY INFORMATION STORAGE, DEVICES INCLUDING THE SAME, AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME - A nanocomposite article that includes a single-crystal or single-crystal-like substrate and heteroepitaxial, phase-separated layer supported by a surface of the substrate and a method of making the same are described. The heteroepitaxial layer can include a continuous, non-magnetic, crystalline, matrix phase, and an ordered, magnetic magnetic phase disposed within the matrix phase. The ordered magnetic phase can include a plurality of self-assembled crystalline nanostructures of a magnetic material. The phase-separated layer and the single crystal substrate can be separated by a buffer layer. An electronic storage device that includes a read-write head and a nanocomposite article with a data storage density of 0.75 Tb/in | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120025090 | POROUS MATERIAL NEUTRON DETECTOR - A neutron detector employs a porous material layer including pores between nanoparticles. The composition of the nanoparticles is selected to cause emission of electrons upon detection of a neutron. The nanoparticles have a maximum dimension that is in the range from 0.1 micron to 1 millimeter, and can be sintered with pores thereamongst. A passing radiation generates electrons at one or more nanoparticles, some of which are scattered into a pore and directed toward a direction opposite to the applied electrical field. These electrons travel through the pore and collide with additional nanoparticles, which generate more electrons. The electrons are amplified in a cascade reaction that occurs along the pores behind the initial detection point. An electron amplification device may be placed behind the porous material layer to further amplify the electrons exiting the porous material layer. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120019829 | Oxygen Concentration Sensors and Methods of Rapidly Measuring the Concentration of Oxygen in Fluids - Provided are sensors and methods of measuring the oxygen concentration of a fluid. An excitation light source is in optical communication with a transducer for transmitting an excitation light that is at least partially absorbed by the transducer. The transducer has a property of photoluminescence, and enters a higher energy state by at least partially absorbing the excitation light and enters a lower energy state through radiation of emitted light, thus producing spectral indicia. A light detection system, which is also in optical communication with the transducer, processes the spectral indicia to determine the concentration of oxygen in the fluid. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120017760 | Apparatus and Method for Rapid Separation and Detection of Hydrocarbon Fractions in a Fluid Stream - An apparatus and method for rapid fractionation of hydrocarbon phases in a sample fluid stream are disclosed. Examples of the disclosed apparatus and method include an assembly of elements in fluid communication with one another including one or more valves and at least one sorbent chamber for removing certain classifications of hydrocarbons and detecting the remaining fractions using a detector. The respective ratios of hydrocarbons are determined by comparison with a non separated fluid stream. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120012737 | ACOUSTIC ENHANCEMENT FOR PHOTO DETECTING DEVICES - Provided are improvements to photo detecting devices and methods for enhancing the sensitivity of photo detecting devices. A photo detecting device generates an electronic signal in response to a received light pulse. An electro-mechanical acoustic resonator, electrically coupled to the photo detecting device, damps the electronic signal and increases the signal noise ratio (SNR) of the electronic signal. Increased photo detector standoff distances and sensitivities will result. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120002191 | STANDOFF SPECTROSCOPY USING A CONDITIONED TARGET - A system and method are disclosed for standoff spectroscopy of molecules (e.g. from a residue) on a surface from a distance. A source emits radiation that modifies or conditions the residue, such as through photodecomposition. A spectral generating source measures a spectrum of the residue before and after the residue is exposed to the radiation from that source. The two spectra are compared to produce a distinct identification of the residues on the surface or identify certain properties of the residue. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20110309708 | MULTI-WINDING HOMOPOLAR ELECTRIC MACHINE - A multi-winding homopolar electric machine and method for converting between mechanical energy and electrical energy. The electric machine includes a shaft defining an axis of rotation, first and second magnets, a shielding portion, and a conductor. First and second magnets are coaxial with the shaft and include a charged pole surface and an oppositely charged pole surface, the charged pole surfaces facing one another to form a repulsive field therebetween. The shield portion extends between the magnets to confine at least a portion of the repulsive field to between the first and second magnets. The conductor extends between first and second end contacts and is toroidally coiled about the first and second magnets and the shield portion to develop a voltage across the first and second end contacts in response to rotation of the electric machine about the axis of rotation. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110308933 | METHOD FOR REMOVING PRECIPITATES IN A BIOFUEL - The invention provides a method to remove and/or prevent formation of precipitates in biofuel. The methods comprise subjecting the biofuel to ultrasonic energy. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110269166 | SEALING SURFACE SAMPLING PROBE APPLIED TO BLOOD SPOTS AND TISSUES - A sample assembly includes a stack of a sample and a hydrophobic elastic layer located on the back side surface thereof or a filter layer. The sample may include a biological material or a chemical, and can include an absorptive material. The filter layer includes an absorptive material in which a sample material is embedded. A sealing surface sampling probe including a knife edge lands on an area of interest in the sample or the filter layer. The hydrophobic elastic layer or the substrate in conjunction with the knife edge provides a complete sealing of a confined portion of the sample or the filter layer to prevent inclusion of any other material from outside the confined volume and to enhance the precision and sensitivity of the analysis. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110250186 | METHODS FOR PROMOTING WOUND HEALING AND MUSCLE REGENERATION WITH THE CELL SIGNALING PROTEIN NELL1 - The present invention provides methods for promoting wound healing and treating muscle atrophy in a mammal in need. The method comprises administering to the mammal a Nell1 protein or a Nell1 nucleic acid molecule. | 10-13-2011 |
| 20110250108 | ADVANCED DRY HEAD-END REPROCESSING OF LIGHT WATER REACTOR SPENT NUCLEAR FUEL - A method for reprocessing spent nuclear fuel from a light water reactor includes the step of reacting spent nuclear fuel in a voloxidation vessel with an oxidizing gas having nitrogen dioxide and oxygen for a period sufficient to generate a solid oxidation product of the spent nuclear fuel. The reacting step includes the step of reacting, in a first zone of the voloxidation vessel, spent nuclear fuel with the oxidizing gas at a temperature ranging from 200-450° C. to form an oxidized reaction product, and regenerating nitrogen dioxide, in a second zone of the voloxidation vessel, by reacting oxidizing gas comprising nitrogen monoxide and oxygen at a temperature ranging from 0-80° C. The first zone and the second zone can be separate. A voloxidation system is also disclosed. | 10-13-2011 |
| 20110229401 | Carbon Films Produced from Ionic Liquid Carbon Precursors - The invention is directed to a method for producing a film of porous carbon, the method comprising carbonizing a film of an ionic liquid, wherein the ionic liquid has the general formula (X | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110212554 | TRANSPARENT CONDUCTIVE NANO-COMPOSITES - The present invention, in one embodiment, provides a method of forming an organic electric device that includes providing a plurality of carbon nanostructures; and dispersing the plurality of carbon nanostructures in a polymeric matrix to provide a polymeric composite, wherein when the plurality of carbon nanostructures are present at a first concentration an interface of the plurality of carbon nanostructures and the polymeric matrix is characterized by charge transport when an external energy is applied, and when the plurality of carbon nanostructures are present at a second concentration the interface of the plurality of carbon nanostructures and the polymeric matrix are characterized by exciton dissociation when an external energy is applied, wherein the first concentration is less than the second concentration. | 09-01-2011 |
| 20110204741 | BRUSHLESS MACHINE HAVING FERROMAGNETIC SIDE PLATES AND SIDE MAGNETS - An apparatus is provided having a cylindrical stator and a rotor that is spaced from a stator to define an annular primary air gap air gap that receives AC flux from the stator. The rotor has a plurality of longitudinal pole portions disposed parallel to the axis of rotation and alternating in polarity around a circumference of the rotor. each longitudinal pole portion includes portions of permanent magnet (PM) material and at least one of the longitudinal pole portions has a first end and an opposing second end and a side magnet is disposed adjacent the first end and a side pole is disposed adjacent the second end. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110204700 | IN-SITU COMPOSITE FORMATION OF DAMAGE TOLERANT COATINGS UTILIZING LASER - A coating steel component with a pattern of an iron based matrix with crystalline particles metallurgically bound to the surface of a steel substrate for use as disc cutters or other components with one or more abrading surfaces that can experience significant abrasive wear, high point loads, and large shear stresses during use. The coated component contains a pattern of features in the shape of freckles or stripes that are laser formed and fused to the steel substrate. The features can display an inner core that is harder than the steel substrate but generally softer than the matrix surrounding the core, providing toughness and wear resistance to the features. The features result from processing an amorphous alloy where the resulting matrix can be amorphous, partially devitrified or fully devitrified. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110201079 | IDENTIFICATION AND MODIFICATION OF DYNAMICAL REGIONS IN PROTEINS FOR ALTERATION OF ENZYME CATALYTIC EFFECT - A method for analysis, control, and manipulation for improvement of the chemical reaction rate of a protein-mediated reaction is provided. Enzymes, which typically comprise protein molecules, are very efficient catalysts that enhance chemical reaction rates by many orders of magnitude. Enzymes are widely used for a number of functions in chemical, biochemical, pharmaceutical, and other purposes. The method identifies key protein vibration modes that control the chemical reaction rate of the protein-mediated reaction, providing identification of the factors that enable the enzymes to achieve the high rate of reaction enhancement. By controlling these factors, the function of enzymes may be modulated, i.e., the activity can either be increased for faster enzyme reaction or it can be decreased when a slower enzyme is desired. This method provides an inexpensive and efficient solution by utilizing computer simulations, in combination with available experimental data, to build suitable models and investigate the enzyme activity. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110196509 | HYDRAULIC APPARATUS WITH DIRECT TORQUE CONTROL - A hydraulic apparatus has a cam body rotatable about an axis and with at least two mirror image involute cam surfaces on opposing sides of the axis. Hydraulic actuators on opposing sides of the axis have a linearly extendable ram and a hydraulic cylinder. A fluid supply line is provided for delivering a pressurized fluid equally to each of the cylinders. A pressure relief or flow control valve is associated with each of the hydraulic cylinders and is operable to selectively assume a closed position to retain fluid or assume an open position to release fluid from the hydraulic cylinders. A control can operate the pressure relief valves between at least the closed and open positions, to move the rams out of and in to the cylinders to rotate the cam body about the axis with controlled torque. A robotic, prosthetic or orthotic and a method for applying torque to a body are also disclosed. | 08-11-2011 |
| 20110177428 | Superbase-Derived Protic Ionic Liquids - Protic ionic liquids having a composition of formula (A | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110172092 | Biochar Production Method and Composition Therefrom - The invention is directed to a method for producing an oxygenated biochar material possessing a cation-exchanging property, wherein a biochar source is reacted with one or more oxygenating compounds in such a manner that the biochar source homogeneously acquires oxygen-containing cation-exchanging groups in an incomplete combustion process. The invention is also directed to oxygenated biochar compositions and soil formulations containing the oxygenated biochar material. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110160066 | METHOD FOR PRODUCING MICROSTRUCTURED TEMPLATES AND THEIR USE IN PROVIDING PINNING ENHANCEMENTS IN SUPERCONDUCTING FILMS DEPOSITED THEREON - The present invention relates to a method for producing a phase-separated layer useful as a flux pinning substrate for a superconducting film, wherein the method includes subjecting at least a first and a second target material to a sputtering deposition technique in order that a phase-separated layer is deposited epitaxially on a primary substrate containing an ordered surface layer. The invention is also directed to a method for producing a superconducting tape containing pinning defects therein by depositing a superconducting film on a phase-separated layer produced by the method described above. | 06-30-2011 |
| 20110160065 | PHASE-SEPARATED, EPITAXIAL COMPOSITE CAP LAYERS FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICE APPLICATIONS AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME - An electronic component that includes a substrate and a phase-separated layer supported on the substrate and a method of forming the same are disclosed. The phase-separated layer includes a first phase comprising lanthanum manganate (LMO) and a second phase selected from a metal oxide (MO), metal nitride (MN), a metal (Me), and combinations thereof. The phase-separated material can be an epitaxial layer and an upper surface of the phase-separated layer can include interfaces between the first phase and the second phase. The phase-separated layer can be supported on a buffer layer comprising a composition selected from the group consisting of IBAD MgO, LMO/IBAD-MgO, homoepi-IBAD MgO and LMO/homoepi-MgO. The electronic component can also include an electronically active layer supported on the phase-separated layer. The electronically active layer can be a superconducting material, a ferroelectric material, a multiferroic material, a magnetic material, a photovoltaic material, an electrical storage material, and a semiconductor material. | 06-30-2011 |
| 20110140296 | ROBUST CARBON MONOLITH HAVING HIERARCHICAL POROSITY - A carbon monolith includes a robust carbon monolith characterized by a skeleton size of at least 100 nm, and a hierarchical pore structure having macropores and mesopores | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110100222 | MASS INDEPENDENT KINETIC ENERGY REDUCING INLET SYSTEM FOR VACUUM ENVIRONMENT - A particle inlet system comprises a first chamber having a limiting orifice for an incoming gas stream and a micrometer controlled expansion slit. Lateral components of the momentum of the particles are substantially cancelled due to symmetry of the configuration once the laminar flow converges at the expansion slit. The particles and flow into a second chamber, which is maintained at a lower pressure than the first chamber, and then moves into a third chamber including multipole guides for electromagnetically confining the particle. The vertical momentum of the particles descending through the center of the third chamber is minimized as an upward stream of gases reduces the downward momentum of the particles. The translational kinetic energy of the particles is near-zero irrespective of the mass of the particles at an exit opening of the third chamber, which may be advantageously employed to provide enhanced mass resolution in mass spectrometry. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110095231 | LITHIUM-LOADED LIQUID SCINTILLATORS - The invention is directed to a liquid scintillating composition containing (i) one or more non-polar organic solvents; (ii) (lithium-6)-containing nanoparticles having a size of up to 10 nm and surface-capped by hydrophobic molecules; and (iii) one or more fluorophores. The invention is also directed to a liquid scintillator containing the above composition. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110091131 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR STABILIZATION OF FISHEYE VIDEO IMAGERY - A coordinate system mapping between each image and the reference image of fisheye images are computed and used to resample each image to align with the reference image directly in the fisheye image space. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110080257 | CONFIGURABLE DISPLAY FOR SIGNAL ACTIVATED DEVICE - A system for providing a configurable display for a signal activated device may include a receiver, a memory, a processor, and a display. The receiver may be operative to receive a radio frequency signal. The memory may be coupled with the receiver, and may be operative to store an item. The processor may be coupled with the memory and may be operative to retrieve the item stored in the memory, in response to the activation signal received by the receiver. The processor may use a current induced in the receiver by the radio frequency signal to retrieve the item. The display may be coupled with the processor and may be operative to display the item retrieved from memory using the current induced in the receiver. | 04-07-2011 |
| 20110080050 | Systems and Methods for Directional Reactive Power Ground Plane Transmission - Systems and methods for transmitting electrical power through a ground plane are provided. A phased array of transmitters transmits moving, reactive power ground waves through a ground plane to a focus. A receiver, disposed proximate the focus, collects and converts the reactive power to real power for use in driving an electrical load. By adjusting the timing between the individual transmitters in the array, the focus may be moved to accommodate a mobile receiver. The reactive power ground waves may enter the receiver by conduction or induction. | 04-07-2011 |
| 20110079725 | APPARATUS AND METHOD TO ACHIEVE HIGH-RESOLUTION MICROSCOPY WITH NON-DIFFRACTING OR REFRACTING RADIATION - An imaging system employing a coded aperture mask having multiple pinholes is provided. The coded aperture mask is placed at a radiation source to pass the radiation through. The radiation impinges on, and passes through an object, which alters the radiation by absorption and/or scattering. Upon passing through the object, the radiation is detected at a detector plane to form an encoded image, which includes information on the absorption and/or scattering caused by the material and structural attributes of the object. The encoded image is decoded to provide a reconstructed image of the object. Because the coded aperture mask includes multiple pinholes, the radiation intensity is greater than a comparable system employing a single pinhole, thereby enabling a higher resolution. Further, the decoding of the encoded image can be performed to generate multiple images of the object at different distances from the detector plane. Methods and programs for operating the imaging system are also disclosed. | 04-07-2011 |
| 20110076597 | WIRE MESH CURRENT COLLECTOR, SOLID STATE ELECTROCHEMICAL DEVICES INCLUDING THE SAME, AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME - A tubular conductive wire mesh is provided for use in solid state electrochemical devices such as fuel cells. The tubular conductive wire mesh is typically formed from wire using knitting, weaving, or similar process. The mesh typically includes a plurality of substantially uniform interconnected adjacent segments that may form junctions that provide a repetitive pattern of localized bumps that may form preferred electrical contact points between the conductive wire mesh and a surface of a tubular fuel cell body in a solid state electrochemical device. In some embodiments the conductive wire mesh is disposed adjacent the inside surface of a tubular electrode and in some embodiments the conductive wire mesh is disposed adjacent the outside surface of a tubular fuel cell body. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110074326 | ELECTRICAL MOTOR/GENERATOR DRIVE APPARATUS AND METHOD - The present disclosure includes electrical motor/generator drive systems and methods that significantly reduce inverter direct-current (DC) bus ripple currents and thus the volume and cost of a capacitor. The drive methodology is based on a segmented drive system that does not add switches or passive components but involves reconfiguring inverter switches and motor stator winding connections in a way that allows the formation of multiple, independent drive units and the use of simple alternated switching and optimized Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) schemes to eliminate or significantly reduce the capacitor ripple current. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110052998 | SULFUR-CARBON NANOCOMPOSITES AND THEIR APPLICATION AS CATHODE MATERIALS IN LITHIUM-SULFUR BATTERIES - The invention is directed in a first aspect to a sulfur-carbon composite material comprising: (i) a bimodal porous carbon component containing therein a first mode of pores which are mesopores, and a second mode of pores which are micropores; and (ii) elemental sulfur contained in at least a portion of said micropores. The invention is also directed to the aforesaid sulfur-carbon composite as a layer on a current collector material; a lithium ion battery containing the sulfur-carbon composite in a cathode therein; as well as a method for preparing the sulfur-composite material. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110051775 | CARBON NANOTUBE TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE SENSORS - The present invention, in one embodiment, provides a method of measuring pressure or temperature using a sensor including a sensor element composed of a plurality of carbon nanotubes. In one example, the resistance of the plurality of carbon nanotubes is measured in response to the application of temperature or pressure. The changes in resistance are then recorded and correlated to temperature or pressure. In one embodiment, the present invention provides for independent measurement of pressure or temperature using the sensors disclosed herein. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110041223 | SPATIALLY RESOLVED QUANTITATIVE MAPPING OF THERMOMECHANICAL PROPERTIES AND PHASE TRANSITION TEMPERATURES USING SCANNING PROBE MICROSCOPY - An approach for the thermomechanical characterization of phase transitions in polymeric materials (polyethyleneterephthalate) by band excitation acoustic force microscopy is developed. This methodology allows the independent measurement of resonance frequency, Q factor, and oscillation amplitude of a tip-surface contact area as a function of tip temperature, from which the thermal evolution of tip-surface spring constant and mechanical dissipation can be extracted. A heating protocol maintained a constant tip-surface contact area and constant contact force, thereby allowing for reproducible measurements and quantitative extraction of material properties including temperature dependence of indentation-based elastic and loss moduli. | 02-17-2011 |
| 20110037486 | NUCLEOTIDE CAPACITANCE MEASUREMENT FOR LOW COST DNA SEQUENCING - High frequency capacitance measurement on a single strand of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) or a ribonucleic acid (RNA) is employed to provide identification of the nucleotides in the strand. Effect of variations in the capacitance of nucleotides can be minimized by employing statistical quantities generated from multiple measurement values on a strand of DNA or RNA nucleotides, or by employing a program that positively identifies a large capacitance nucleotide upon detection of a large capacitance. Capacitance data on a DNA strand can be used as a criterion for identifying the DNA sequence in conjunction with other methods for identifying the DNA sequence. | 02-17-2011 |
| 20110033674 | Structures with Three Dimensional Nanofences Comprising Single Crystal Segments - A simple and controlled method to fabricate a 3D, epitaxial, biaxially textured nanofence comprised of single crystalline MgO nanobelt segments or links that grew both vertically and horizontally along <100> directions of the (100) STO substrate was developed. Continuous supply of Ni catalyst during the co-laser ablation of MgO and Ni metal led to the growth of nanobelts with such a unique morphology. Individual single crystalline MgO nanobelts had a square cross-section with high aspect ratios. X-ray diffraction results obtained from an entire MgO nanofence layer confirmed that MgO nanofence had epitaxial relation with STO substrate of [100] | 02-10-2011 |
| 20110025841 | ESTIMATING VEHICLE HEIGHT USING HOMOGRAPHIC PROJECTIONS - Multiple homography transformations corresponding to different heights are generated in the field of view. A group of salient points within a common estimated height range is identified in a time series of video images of a moving object. Inter-salient point distances are measured for the group of salient points under the multiple homography transformations corresponding to the different heights. Variations in the inter-salient point distances under the multiple homography transformations are compared. The height of the group of salient points is estimated to be the height corresponding to the homography transformation that minimizes the variations. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110024611 | CALIBRATION METHOD FOR VIDEO AND RADIATION IMAGERS - The relationship between the high energy radiation imager pixel (HERIP) coordinate and real-world x-coordinate is determined by a least square fit between the HERIP x-coordinate and the measured real-world x-coordinates of calibration markers that emit high energy radiation imager and reflect visible light. Upon calibration, a high energy radiation imager pixel position may be determined based on a real-world coordinate of a moving vehicle. Further, a scale parameter for said high energy radiation imager may be determined based on the real-world coordinate. The scale parameter depends on the y-coordinate of the moving vehicle as provided by a visible light camera. The high energy radiation imager may be employed to detect radiation from moving vehicles in multiple lanes, which correspondingly have different distances to the high energy radiation imager. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110015461 | Ionic Liquids for Separation of Olefin-Paraffin Mixtures - The invention is directed to an ionic liquid comprising (i) a cationic portion containing a complex of a silver (I) ion and one or more neutral ligands selected from organoamides, organoamines, olefins, and organonitriles, and (ii) an anionic portion having the chemical formula | 01-20-2011 |
| 20110004967 | BAND EXCITATION METHOD APPLICABLE TO SCANNING PROBE MICROSCOPY - Methods and apparatus are described for scanning probe microscopy. A method includes generating a band excitation (BE) signal having finite and predefined amplitude and phase spectrum in at least a first predefined frequency band; exciting a probe using the band excitation signal; obtaining data by measuring a response of the probe in at least a second predefined frequency band; and extracting at least one relevant dynamic parameter of the response of the probe in a predefined range including analyzing the obtained data. The BE signal can be synthesized prior to imaging (static band excitation), or adjusted at each pixel or spectroscopy step to accommodate changes in sample properties (adaptive band excitation). An apparatus includes a band excitation signal generator; a probe coupled to the band excitation signal generator; a detector coupled to the probe; and a relevant dynamic parameter extractor component coupled to the detector, the relevant dynamic parameter extractor including a processor that performs a mathematical transform selected from the group consisting of an integral transform and a discrete transform. | 01-06-2011 |
| 20110002893 | DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF CONGENITAL HEART DEFECTS USING NELL1 - The present invention provides diagnostic methods for detecting congenital heart defects, or increased risk thereof, based on the Nell1 gene, RNA and protein. The methods include obtaining a biological sample and assessing the presence of a mutation in the Nell1 gene, RNA or protein. The presence of a mutation in the Nell1 gene, RNA or protein can be assessed by determining the levels of Nell1 gene, RNA or protein in the biological sample. The present invention further provides therapeutic methods for treating congenital heart defects based on the Nell1 gene. RNA and protein. | 01-06-2011 |
| 20110001055 | RADIATION DETECTION SYSTEM - A preamplifier circuit for processing a signal provided by a radiation detector includes a transimpedance amplifier coupled to receive a current signal from a detector and generate a voltage signal at its output. A second amplification stage has an input coupled to an output of the transimpedance amplifier for providing an amplified voltage signal. Detector electronics include a preamplifier circuit having a first and second transimpedance amplifier coupled to receive a current signal from a first and second location on a detector, respectively, and generate a first and second voltage signal at respective outputs. A second amplification stage has an input coupled to an output of the transimpedance amplifiers for amplifying the first and said second voltage signals to provide first and second amplified voltage signals. A differential output stage is coupled to the second amplification stage for receiving the first and second amplified voltage signals and providing a pair of outputs from each of the first and second amplified voltage signals. Read out circuitry has an input coupled to receive both of the pair of outputs, the read out circuitry having structure for processing each of the pair of outputs, and providing a single digital output having a time-stamp therefrom. | 01-06-2011 |
| 20100330367 | MICROBIALLY-MEDIATED METHOD FOR SYNTHESIS OF NON-OXIDE SEMICONDUCTOR NANOPARTICLES - The invention is directed to a method for producing non-oxide semiconductor nanoparticles, the method comprising: (a) subjecting a combination of reaction components to conditions conducive to microbially-mediated formation of non-oxide semiconductor nanoparticles, wherein said combination of reaction components comprises i) anaerobic microbes, ii) a culture medium suitable for sustaining said anaerobic microbes, iii) a metal component comprising at least one type of metal ion, iv) a non-metal component comprising at least one non-metal selected from the group consisting of S, Se, Te, and As, and v) one or more electron donors that provide donatable electrons to said anaerobic microbes during consumption of the electron donor by said anaerobic microbes; and (b) isolating said non-oxide semiconductor nanoparticles, which contain at least one of said metal ions and at least one of said non-metals. The invention is also directed to non-oxide semiconductor nanoparticle compositions produced as above and having distinctive properties. | 12-30-2010 |
| 20100322474 | DETECTING MULTIPLE MOVING OBJECTS IN CROWDED ENVIRONMENTS WITH COHERENT MOTION REGIONS - Coherent motion regions extend in time as well as space, enforcing consistency in detected objects over long time periods and making the algorithm robust to noisy or short point tracks. As a result of enforcing the constraint that selected coherent motion regions contain disjoint sets of tracks defined in a three-dimensional space including a time dimension. An algorithm operates directly on raw, unconditioned low-level feature point tracks, and minimizes a global measure of the coherent motion regions. At least one discrete moving object is identified in a time series of video images based on the trajectory similarity factors, which is a measure of a maximum distance between a pair of feature point tracks. | 12-23-2010 |
| 20100311137 | Microorganisms Having Enhanced Tolerance To Inhibitors and Stress - The present invention provides genetically modified strains of microorganisms that display enhanced tolerance to stress and/or inhibitors such as sodium acetate and vanillin. The enhanced tolerance can be achieved by increasing the expression of a protein of the Sm-like superfamily such as a bacterial Hfq protein and a fungal Sm or Lsm protein. Further, the present invention provides methods of producing alcohol from biomass materials by using the genetically modified microorganisms of the present invention. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100303669 | Cast Heat-Resistant Austenitic Steel with Improved Temperature Creep Properties and Balanced Alloying Element Additions and Methodology for Development of the Same - The present invention addresses the need for new austenitic steel compositions with higher creep strength and higher upper temperatures. The present invention also discloses a methodology for the development of new austenitic steel compositions with higher creep strength and higher upper temperatures. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100301219 | Metal-Organic Scintillator Crystals for X-Ray, Gamma Ray, and Neutron Detection - New metal-organic materials are useful as scintillators and have the chemical formula LX | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100297527 | Fast Ion Conducting Composite Electrolyte for Solid State Electrochemical Devices - Composite electrolyte materials include composites comprising 8YSZ in a range of 50-95%, balance 3YSZ. Either the 8YSZ or the 3YSZ can be substituted with a composition having the general formula A | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100297389 | MESOPOROUS CARBON MATERIALS - The invention is directed to a method for fabricating a mesoporous carbon material, the method comprising subjecting a precursor composition to a curing step followed by a carbonization step, the precursor composition comprising: (i) a templating component comprised of a block copolymer, (ii) a phenolic compound or material, (iii) a crosslinkable aldehyde component, and (iv) at least 0.5 M concentration of a strong acid having a pKa of or less than −2, wherein said carbonization step comprises heating the precursor composition at a carbonizing temperature for sufficient time to convert the precursor composition to a mesoporous carbon material. The invention is also directed to a mesoporous carbon material having an improved thermal stability, preferably produced according to the above method. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100291647 | Microorganisms Having Enhanced Resistance To Acetate And Related Compositions And Methods of Use - The present invention provides isolated or genetically modified strains of microorganisms that display enhanced resistance to acetate as a result of increased expression of a sodium proton antiporter. The present invention also provides methods for producing such microbial strains, as well as related promoter sequences and expression vectors. Further, the present invention provides methods of producing alcohol from biomass materials by using microorganisms with enhanced resistance to acetate. | 11-18-2010 |
| 20100284014 | DETERMINING BIOLOGICAL TISSUE OPTICAL PROPERTIES VIA INTEGRATING SPHERE SPATIAL MEASUREMENTS - An optical sample is mounted on a spatial-acquisition apparatus that is placed in or on an enclosure. An incident beam is irradiated on a surface of the sample and the specular reflection is allowed to escape from the enclosure through an opening. The spatial-acquisition apparatus is provided with a light-occluding slider that moves in front of the sample to block portions of diffuse scattering from the sample. As the light-occluding slider moves across the front of the sample, diffuse light scattered into the area of the backside of the light-occluding slider is absorbed by back side surface of the light-occluding slider. By measuring a baseline diffuse reflectance without a light-occluding slider and subtracting measured diffuse reflectance with a light-occluding slider therefrom, diffuse reflectance for the area blocked by the light-occluding slider can be calculated. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20100273713 | Diagnosis and Treatment of Congenital Heart Defects Using NELL1 - The present invention provides diagnostic methods for detecting congenital heart defects, or increased risk thereof, based on the Nell1 gene, RNA and protein. The methods include obtaining a biological sample and assessing the presence of a mutation in the Nell1 gene, RNA or protein. The presence of a mutation in the Nell1 gene, RNA or protein can be assessed by determining the levels of Nell1 gene, RNA or protein in the biological sample. The present invention further provides therapeutic methods for treating congenital heart defects based on the Nell1 gene, RNA and protein. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20100267647 | MODULATING PHOTOREACTIVITY IN A CELL - Photoreactivity in a cell is modulated by incorporating an isolated optical trigger on the surface or in the membrane of the cell. Exposure of a cell bearing incorporated optical triggers causes the generation of a measurable physiological signal. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100252731 | REAL-TIME AIRBORNE PARTICLE ANALYZER - An aerosol particle analyzer includes a laser ablation chamber, a gas-filled conduit, and a mass spectrometer. The laser ablation chamber can be operated at a low pressure, which can be from 0.1 mTorr to 30 mTorr. The ablated ions are transferred into a gas-filled conduit. The gas-filled conduit reduces the electrical charge and the speed of ablated ions as they collide and mix with buffer gases in the gas-filled conduit. Preferably, the gas filled-conduit includes an electromagnetic multipole structure that collimates the nascent ions into a beam, which is guided into the mass spectrometer. Because the gas-filled conduit allows storage of vast quantities of the ions from the ablated particles, the ions from a single ablated particle can be analyzed multiple times and by a variety of techniques to supply statistically meaningful analysis of composition and isotope ratios. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100252443 | BIOELECTROCHEMICAL TREATMENT OF GASEOUS BYPRODUCTS - The present invention relates to a method for producing electrical energy or hydrogen gas from a gas stream containing one or more gaseous compounds that are oxidatively degradable by microbes, the method comprising contacting the gas stream with an anode of a bioelectrochemical device, said anode containing said microbes which oxidatively degrade one or more of said gaseous compounds while producing electrical energy or hydrogen gas by said oxidative degradation, wherein: (i) said anode is sufficiently porous such that gas is permitted to flow therethrough, (ii) said anode contains on its surface and/or interior portions a proton-conducting medium, and (iii) said anode is in electrical communication with a cathode of the bioelectrochemical device. The invention is also directed to a bioelectrochemical device (e.g., microbial fuel cell) configured to accomplish the above method. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100252171 | Friction Stir Method for Joining Materials Having Different Thicknesses - Methods for joining materials having different thicknesses is provided. Friction stir material processing is typically used, and a transition piece may be friction stir welded between the materials being joined. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100252170 | Friction Stir Method for Joining Complex Shapes - Methods for joining complex shapes are disclosed. The shapes joined may include multiple planar surfaces and various common surfaces. Friction stir welding may be used to weld various joints and pre-heating may be optionally employed. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100252169 | Friction Stir Method for Forming Structures and Materials - Processes for forming an enhanced material or structure are disclosed. The structure typically includes a preform that has a first common surface and a recess below the first common surface. A filler is added to the recess and seams are friction stir welded, and materials may be stir mixed. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100252146 | TITANIUM ALUMINIDE INTERMETALLIC ALLOYS WITH IMPROVED WEAR RESISTANCE - The invention is directed to a method for producing a titanium aluminide intermetallic alloy composition having an improved wear resistance, the method comprising heating a titanium aluminide intermetallic alloy material in an oxygen-containing environment at a temperature and for a time sufficient to produce a top oxide layer and underlying oxygen-diffused layer, followed by removal of the top oxide layer such that the oxygen-diffused layer is exposed. The invention is also directed to the resulting oxygen-diffused titanium aluminide intermetallic alloy, as well as mechanical components or devices containing the improved alloy composition. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100241241 | REMOTE ACTUATED VALVE IMPLANT - Valve implant systems positionable within a flow passage, the systems having an inlet, an outlet, and a remotely activatable valve between the inlet and outlet, with the valves being operable to provide intermittent occlusion of the flow path. A remote field is applied to provide thermal or magnetic activation of the valves. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100233017 | PRODUCTION OF MAGNESIUM METAL - A process of producing magnesium metal includes providing magnesium carbonate, and reacting the magnesium carbonate to produce a magnesium-containing compound and carbon dioxide. The magnesium-containing compound is reacted to produce magnesium metal. The carbon dioxide is used as a reactant in a second process. In another embodiment of the process, a magnesium silicate is reacted with a caustic material to produce magnesium hydroxide. The magnesium hydroxide is reacted with a source of carbon dioxide to produce magnesium carbonate. The magnesium carbonate is reacted to produce a magnesium-containing compound and carbon dioxide. The magnesium-containing compound is reacted to produce magnesium metal. The invention also relates to the magnesium metal produced by the processes described herein. | 09-16-2010 |
| 20100210927 | MEANS AND METHODS FOR CYTOMETRIC THERAPIES - A functionalized tip is incorporated into catheters for the cytometric delivery of cells into the brain and other body parts. For use in the brain, the tip forms part of a neurosurgical probe having a proximal end and a distal end. In addition to the functionalized tip, the probe has at least one cell slurry delivery lumen and a plurality of optical fibers configured along the probe, terminating in the tip to provide the photo-optical capability needed to monitor the viability and physiological behavior of the grafted cells as well as certain characteristics of the cellular environment. Details are also presented of the use of a neurocatheter having a cytometric tip of the type disclosed in the invention, as employed within the context of a feedback and control system for regulating the number of cells delivered to the brain of a patient. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20100203359 | MICROBIAL FUEL CELL TREATMENT OF ETHANOL FERMENTATION PROCESS WATER - The present invention relates to a method for removing inhibitor compounds from a cellulosic biomass-to-ethanol process which includes a pretreatment step of raw cellulosic biomass material and the production of fermentation process water after production and removal of ethanol from a fermentation step, the method comprising contacting said fermentation process water with an anode of a microbial fuel cell, said anode containing microbes thereon which oxidatively degrade one or more of said inhibitor compounds while producing electrical energy or hydrogen from said oxidative degradation, and wherein said anode is in electrical communication with a cathode, and a porous material (such as a porous or cation-permeable membrane) separates said anode and cathode. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100202957 | ACTIVATED CARBON FIBERS AND ENGINEERED FORMS FROM RENEWABLE RESOURCES - A method of producing activated carbon fibers (ACFs) includes the steps of providing a natural carbonaceous precursor fiber material, blending the carbonaceous precursor material with a chemical activation agent to form chemical agent-impregnated precursor fibers, spinning the chemical agent-impregnated precursor material into fibers, and thermally treating the chemical agent-impregnated precursor fibers. The carbonaceous precursor material is both carbonized and activated to form ACFs in a single step. The method produces ACFs exclusive of a step to isolate an intermediate carbon fiber. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100200495 | MICROBIAL FUEL CELL TREATMENT OF FUEL PROCESS WASTEWATER - The present invention is directed to a method for cleansing fuel processing effluent containing carbonaceous compounds and inorganic salts, the method comprising contacting the fuel processing effluent with an anode of a microbial fuel ell, the anode containing microbes thereon which oxidatively degrade one or more of the carbonaceous compounds while producing electrical energy from the oxidative degradation, and directing the produced electrical energy to drive an electrosorption mechanism that operates to reduce the concentration of one or more inorganic salts in the fuel processing effluent, wherein the anode is in electrical communication with a cathode of the microbial fuel cell. The invention is also directed to an apparatus for practicing the method. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100196983 | Transformation of gram positive bacteria by sonoporation - The present invention provides a sonoporation-based method that can be universally applied for delivery of compounds into Gram positive bacteria. Gram positive bacteria which can be transformed by sonoporation include, for example, | 08-05-2010 |
| 20100193752 | MICROBIALLY-MEDIATED METHOD FOR SYNTHESIS OF NON-OXIDE SEMICONDUCTOR NANOPARTICLES - The invention is directed to a method for producing non-oxide semiconductor nanoparticles, the method comprising: (a) subjecting a combination of reaction components to conditions conducive to microbially-mediated formation of non-oxide semiconductor nanoparticles, wherein said combination of reaction components comprises i) anaerobic microbes, ii) a culture medium suitable for sustaining said anaerobic microbes, iii) a metal component comprising at least one type of metal ion, iv) a non-metal component containing at least one non-metal selected from the group consisting of S, Se, Te, and As, and v) one or more electron donors that provide donatable electrons to said anaerobic microbes during consumption of the electron donor by said anaerobic microbes; and (b) isolating said non-oxide semiconductor nanoparticles, which contain at least one of said metal ions and at least one of said non-metals. The invention is also directed to non-oxide semiconductor nanoparticle compositions produced as above and having distinctive properties. | 08-05-2010 |
| 20100184179 | MICROBIAL-MEDIATED METHOD FOR METAL OXIDE NANOPARTICLE FORMATION - The invention is directed to a method for producing metal oxide nanoparticles, the method comprising: (i) subjecting a combination of reaction components to conditions conducive to microbial-mediated formation of metal oxide nanoparticles, wherein said combination of reaction components comprise: metal-reducing microbes, a culture medium suitable for sustaining said metal-reducing microbes, an effective concentration of one or more surfactants, a reducible metal oxide component containing one or more reducible metal species, and one or more electron donors that provide donatable electrons to said metal-reducing microbes during consumption of the electron donor by said metal-reducing microbes; and (ii) isolating said metal oxide nanoparticles, which contain a reduced form of said reducible metal oxide component. The invention is also directed to metal oxide nanoparticle compositions produced by the inventive method. | 07-22-2010 |
| 20100177461 | WELL DEFINED STRUCTURES FOR CAPACITOR APPLICATIONS - A capacitor is disclosed having a plurality of drawn fibers. Each of the drawn fibers has an electrically conductive fiber core and an electrically insulating cladding. The drawn fibers are arranged in a matrix bundle pattern of a first and second set of fiber cores with each fiber core of the first set being disposed adjacent to and aligned with at least one fiber core of the second set to create a capacitance between the first and second set of fiber cores. A first electrode contacts the first set of fiber cores and a second electrode contacts the second set of fiber cores so that an electric capacitance is established between the first and second sets of fiber cores and between the first and second electrodes. | 07-15-2010 |
| 20100176350 | METHOD OF FORMING AN ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE CELLULOSE COMPOSITE - An electrically conductive cellulose composite includes a cellulose matrix and an electrically conductive carbonaceous material incorporated into the cellulose matrix. The electrical conductivity of the cellulose composite is at least 10 μS/cm at 25° C. The composite can be made by incorporating the electrically conductive carbonaceous material into a culture medium with a cellulose-producing organism, such as | 07-15-2010 |
| 20100175506 | TOUGHENED GRAPHITE ELECTRODES FOR ELECTRIC ARC FURNACES - The present invention is directed to a method for producing a carbon fiber-pitch binder composition, the method comprising combining surface-modified carbon fibers with a molten pitch binder such that the surface-modified carbon fibers are substantially homogeneously dispersed throughout said molten pitch binder, wherein said surface-modified carbon fibers possess a surface that has been modified in a manner that increases the dispersability of the carbon fibers into said molten pitch binder. The invention is also directed to a method for producing a toughened graphite electrode and a method for processing metal in an electric arc furnace. The invention is also directed to carbon fiber-pitch binder compositions prepared by the inventive method in which carbon fibers are substantially homogeneously dispersed in the composition. | 07-15-2010 |
| 20100155335 | MAGNETIC FILTRATION PROCESS, MAGNETIC FILTERING MATERIAL, AND METHODS OF FORMING MAGNETIC FILTERING MATERIAL - The present invention provides magnetically responsive activated carbon, and a method of forming magnetically responsive activated carbon. The method of forming magnetically responsive activated carbon typically includes providing activated carbon in a solution containing ions of ferrite forming elements, wherein at least one of the ferrite forming elements has an oxidation state of +3 and at least a second of the ferrite forming elements has an oxidation state of +2, and increasing pH of the solution to precipitate particles of ferrite that bond to the activated carbon, wherein the activated carbon having the ferrite particles bonded thereto have a positive magnetic susceptibility. The present invention also provides a method of filtering waste water using magnetic activated carbon. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100100973 | CRANIAL AND VERTEBRAL DEFECTS ASSOCIATED WITH LOSS-OF-FUNCTION OF NELL1 - The mouse Nell1 cDNA and amino acid sequences are disclosed. Also disclosed is a Nell1 knock-out mouse with several bone- and cartilage-related defects. On the molecular level, the loss of Nell1 function led to reduced expression of certain extracellular matrix proteins. The disclosure here provides new tools for studying bone and cartilage development as well as new drug screening and treatment strategies for bone- and cartilage-related diseases and conditions. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100092804 | MICROBIAL FUEL CELL WITH IMPROVED ANODE - The present invention relates to a method for preparing a microbial fuel cell, wherein the method includes: (i) inoculating an anodic liquid medium in contact with an anode of the microbial fuel cell with one or more types of microorganisms capable of functioning by an exoelectrogenic mechanism; (ii) establishing a biofilm of the microorganisms on and/or within the anode along with a substantial absence of planktonic forms of the microorganisms by substantial removal of the planktonic microorganisms during forced flow and recirculation conditions of the anodic liquid medium; and (iii) subjecting the microorganisms of the biofilm to a growth stage by incorporating one or more carbon-containing nutritive compounds in the anodic liquid medium during biofilm formation or after biofilm formation on the anode has been established. | 04-15-2010 |
| 20100081574 | SUPERCONDUCTOR FILMS WITH IMPROVED FLUX PINNING AND REDUCED AC LOSSES - The present invention relates to a method for producing a defect-containing superconducting film, the method comprising (a) depositing a phase-separable layer epitaxially onto a biaxially-textured substrate, wherein the phase-separable layer includes at least two phase-separable components; (b) achieving nanoscale phase separation of the phase-separable layer such that a phase-separated layer including at least two phase-separated components is produced; and (c) depositing a superconducting film epitaxially onto said phase-separated components of the phase-separated layer such that nanoscale features of the phase-separated layer are propagated into the superconducting film. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100075303 | METHODS FOR TARGETTED MUTAGENESIS IN GRAM-POSITIVE BACTERIA - The present invention provides a method of targeted mutagenesis in Gram-positive bacteria. In particular, the present invention provides a method that effectively integrates a suicide integrative vector into a target gene in the chromosome of a Gram-positive bacterium, resulting in inactivation of the target gene. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100075231 | Lead Acid Battery Slurry Comprising Polyelectrolyte Comb Copolymers - The invention provides a slurry, such as a lead-acid battery slurry, comprising a polyelectrolyte comb copolymer and lead oxide. Use of polyelectrolyte comb copolymers results in a slurry with low viscosity. In addition, the use of polyelectrolyte comb copolymers controls the growth (e.g., size, morphology and location) of the inactive species, and thus, improves battery cycle life. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100033723 | PHOTOACOUSTIC MICROCANTILEVERS - A system generates a photoacoustic spectrum in an open or closed environment with reduced noise. A source focuses a beam on a target substance disposed on a base. The base supports a cantilever that measures acoustic waves generated as light is absorbed by the target substance. By focusing a chopped/pulsed light beam on the target substance, a range of optical absorbance may be measured as the wavelength of light changes. An identifying spectrum of the target may detected by monitoring the vibration intensity variation of the cantilever as a function of illuminating wavelength or color. | 02-11-2010 |
| 20100033722 | PHOTOACOUSTIC POINT SPECTROSCOPY - A system and method are disclosed for generating a photoacoustic spectrum in an open or closed environment with reduced noise. A source may emit a beam to a target substance coated on a detector that measures acoustic waves generated as a result of a light beam being absorbed by the target substance. By emitting a chopped/pulsed light beam to the target substance on the detector, it may be possible to determine the target's optical absorbance as the wavelength of light is changed. Rejection may decrease the intensity of the acoustic waves on the detector while absorption may increase the intensity. Accordingly, an identifying spectrum of the target may be made with the intensity variation of the detector as a function of illuminating wavelength. | 02-11-2010 |
| 20100033720 | REVERSE PHOTOACOUSTIC STANDOFF SPECTROSCOPY - A system and method are disclosed for generating a reversed photoacoustic spectrum at a greater distance. A source may emit a beam to a target and a detector measures signals generated as a result of the beam being emitted on the target. By emitting a chopped/pulsed light beam to the target, it may be possible to determine the target's optical absorbance by monitoring the intensity of light collected at the detector at different wavelengths. As the wavelength of light is changed, the target may absorb or reject each optical frequency. Rejection may increase the intensity at the sensing element and absorption may decrease the intensity. Accordingly, an identifying spectrum of the target may be made with the intensity variation of the detector as a function of illuminating wavelength. | 02-11-2010 |
| 20100021023 | DETECTION OF LATENT PRINTS BY RAMAN IMAGING - The present invention relates to a method for detecting a print on a surface, the method comprising: (a) contacting the print with a Raman surface-enhancing agent to produce a Raman-enhanced print; and (b) detecting the Raman-enhanced print using a Raman spectroscopic method. The invention is particularly directed to the imaging of latent fingerprints. | 01-28-2010 |
| 20100008835 | INTEGRATED REACTOR AND CENTRIFUGAL SEPARATOR AND USES THEREOF - An apparatus for providing reaction of fluids and separation of products with increased residence time. The apparatus includes a stationary shell, a rotating hollow cylindrical component disposed in the stationary shell, a residence-time increasing device external to the stationary shell, a standpipe for introducing fluid into an interior cavity of the hollow cylindrical component from the residence-time increasing device, a first outlet in fluid flow communication with the interior cavity of the hollow cylindrical component for a less dense phase fluid, and a second outlet in fluid flow communication with the interior cavity of the hollow cylindrical component for a more dense phase fluid. | 01-14-2010 |
| 20090324031 | IMAGE REGISTRATION METHOD FOR MEDICAL IMAGE SEQUENCES - Image registration of low contrast image sequences is provided. In one aspect, a desired region of an image is automatically segmented and only the desired region is registered. Active contours and adaptive thresholding of intensity or edge information may be used to segment the desired regions. A transform function is defined to register the segmented region, and sub-pixel information may be determined using one or more interpolation methods. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20090310127 | Laser-Induced Fluorescence Fiber Optic Probe Measurement of Oil Dilution by Fuel - Apparatus for detecting fuel in oil includes an excitation light source in optical communication with an oil sample for exposing the oil sample to excitation light in order to excite the oil sample from a non-excited state to an excited state and a spectrally selective device in optical communication with the oil sample for detecting light emitted from the oil sample as the oil sample returns from the excited state to a non-excited state to produce spectral indicia that can be analyzed to determine the presence of fuel in the oil sample. A method of detecting fuel in oil includes the steps of exposing a oil sample to excitation light in order to excite the oil sample from a non-excited state to an excited state, as the oil sample returns from the excited state to a non-excited state, detecting light emitted from the oil sample to produce spectral indicia; and analyzing the spectral indicia to determine the presence of fuel in the oil sample. | 12-17-2009 |
| 20090296856 | CARRIER PHASE SYNCHRONIZATION SYSTEM FOR IMPROVED AMPLITUDE MODULATION AND TELEVISION BROADCAST RECEPTION - Systems and methods are described for carrier phase synchronization for improved AM and TV broadcast reception. A method includes synchronizing the phase of a carrier frequency of a broadcast signal with the phase of a remote reference frequency. An apparatus includes a receiver to detect the phase of a reference signal; a phase comparator coupled to the reference signal-phase receiver; a voltage controlled oscillator coupled to the phase comparator; and a phase-controlled radio frequency output coupled to the voltage controlled oscillator. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20090286107 | Ferritic Alloy Compositions - The invention relates to a ferritic alloy composition. In one aspect, the ferritic alloy composition comprises about 16 to 20 wt. % Cr, about 7 to 11 wt. % Mo, and the balance Fe. In another aspect, the ferritic composition comprises about 10 to 14 wt. % Cr, about 7 to 11 wt. % Mo or about 10 to 20 wt. % W, and the balance Fe. | 11-19-2009 |
| 20090263295 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR OXIDATION AND STABILIZATION OF POLYMERIC MATERIALS - An apparatus for treating polymeric materials comprises a treatment chamber adapted to maintain a selected atmosphere; a means for supporting the polymeric material within the chamber; and, a source of plasma-derived gas containing at least one reactive oxidative species whereby the polymer is stabilized and cross linked through exposure to the oxidative species in the chamber at a selected temperature. The polymer may be directly exposed to the plasma, or alternatively, the plasma may be established in a separate volume from which the reactive species may be extracted and introduced into the vicinity of the polymer. The apparatus may be configured for either batch-type or continuous-type processing. The apparatus and method are especially useful for preparing polymer fibers, particularly PAN fibers, for later carbonization treatments. | 10-22-2009 |
| 20090257543 | PRODUCTION OF THORIUM-229 USING HELIUM NUCLEI - A method for producing | 10-15-2009 |
| 20090256640 | AGILE HIGH RESOLUTION ARBITRARY WAVEFORM GENERATOR WITH JITTERLESS FREQUENCY STEPPING - Jitterless transition of the programmable clock waveform is generated employing a set of two coupled direct digital synthesis (DDS) circuits. The first phase accumulator in the first DDS circuit runs at least one cycle of a common reference clock for the DDS circuits ahead of the second phase accumulator in the second DDS circuit. As a phase transition through the beginning of a phase cycle is detected from the first phase accumulator, a first phase offset word and a second phase offset word for the first and second phase accumulators are calculated and loaded into the first and second DDS circuits. The programmable clock waveform is employed as a clock input for the RAM address controller. A well defined jitterless transition in frequency of the arbitrary waveform is provided which coincides with the beginning of the phase cycle of the DDS output signal from the second DDS circuit. | 10-15-2009 |
| 20090256072 | MASS INDEPENDENT KINETIC ENERGY REDUCING INLET SYSTEM FOR VACUUM ENVIRONMENT - A particle inlet system comprises a first chamber having a limiting orifice for an incoming gas stream and a micrometer controlled expansion slit. Lateral components of the momentum of the particles are substantially cancelled due to symmetry of the configuration once the laminar flow converges at the expansion slit. The particles and flow into a second chamber, which is maintained at a lower pressure than the first chamber, and then moves into a third chamber including multipole guides for electromagnetically confining the particle. The vertical momentum of the particles descending through the center of the third chamber is minimized as an upward stream of gases reduces the downward momentum of the particles. The translational kinetic energy of the particles is near-zero irrespective of the mass of the particles at an exit opening of the third chamber, which may be advantageously employed to provide enhanced mass resolution in mass spectrometry. | 10-15-2009 |
| 20090240271 | RETINAL INSTRUMENT - In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of removing scar tissue from an eye that includes inserting a device including an array of micro-rods into an eye, wherein at least one glass micro-rod of the array of glass micro-rods includes a sharp feature; contacting a scar tissue with the array of micro-rods; and removing the array of micro-rods and the scar tissue from the eye. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a medical device for engaging a tissue including and an array of glass micro-rods, wherein at least one glass micro-rod of the array of glass micro-rods includes a sharp feature opposite a base of the array of glass micro-rods that is connected to the cannula, wherein the sharp feature of the at least one micro-rod is angled from a plane that is normal to a face of the base of the array of glass micro-rods. | 09-24-2009 |
| 20090240217 | NOVEL MICROFABRICATED INSTRUMENTS AND METHODS TO TREAT RECURRENT CORNEAL EROSION - In one embodiment, the present invention provides a device and method for treating recurrent corneal erosion. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of contacting an epithelium layer of a cornea with an array of glass micro-rods including a plurality of sharp features having a length that penetrates a Bowman's layer of the eye, wherein the plurality of sharp features of the array of glass micro-rods produces a plurality of punctures in the Bowman's layer of the eye that are of micro-scale or less. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method and device for drug delivery. In one embodiment, the device includes an array of glass micro-rods, wherein at least one glass micro-rod of the array of glass micro-rods includes a sharp feature opposite a base of the array of glass micro-rods, wherein the sharp feature includes a treated surface for delivering a chemical compound to the eye. | 09-24-2009 |
| 20090236924 | BRUSHLESS MACHINE WITH TAPERED POLES - A method and apparatus in which a rotor ( | 09-24-2009 |
| 20090209897 | Photoactivated Antimicrobial Wound Dressing and Method Relating Thereto - A photoactivated antimicrobial wound dressing comprising a photocatalytic membrane is provided. The photocatalytic membrane comprises a bacterial cellulose hydrogel membrane having photocatalytic particles are immobilized within the membrane and are activated when exposed to light, at which time they react with oxygen-based species forming reactive oxygen species. The reactive oxygen species further react with microbes to kill the microbes. | 08-20-2009 |
| 20090196990 | Articles Coated with Flash Bonded Superhydrophobic Particles - A method of making article having a superhydrophobic surface includes: providing a solid body defining at least one surface; applying to the surface a plurality of diatomaceous earth particles and/or particles characterized by particle sizes ranging from at least 100 nm to about 10 μm, the particles being further characterized by a plurality of nanopores, wherein at least some of the nanopores provide flow through porosity, the particles being further characterized by a plurality of spaced apart nanostructured features that include a contiguous, protrusive material; flash bonding the particles to the surface so that the particles are adherently bonded to the surface; and applying a hydrophobic coating layer to the surface and the particles so that the hydrophobic coating layer conforms to the nanostructured features. | 08-06-2009 |
| 20090170663 | Electrical Signal Analysis to Assess the Physical Condition of a Human or Animal - The invention is a human and animal performance data acquisition, analysis, and diagnostic system for fitness and therapy devices having an interface box removably disposed on incoming power wiring to a fitness and therapy device, at least one current transducer removably disposed on said interface box for sensing current signals to said fitness and therapy device, and a means for analyzing, displaying, and reporting said current signals to determine human and animal performance on said device using measurable parameters. | 07-02-2009 |
| 20090146511 | PERMANENT-MAGNET-LESS SYNCHRONOUS RELUCTANCE SYSTEM - A permanent magnet-less synchronous system includes a stator that generates a magnetic revolving field when sourced by an alternating current. An uncluttered rotor is disposed within the magnetic revolving field and spaced apart from the stator to form an air gap relative to an axis of rotation. The rotor includes a plurality of rotor pole stacks having an inner periphery biased by single polarity of a north-pole field and a south-pole field, respectively. The outer periphery of each of the rotor pole stacks are biased by an alternating polarity. | 06-11-2009 |
| 20090142312 | Methods for Promoting Wound Healing and Muscle Regeneration with the Cell Signaling Protein Nell1 - The present invention provides methods for promoting wound healing and treating muscle atrophy in a mammal in need. The method comprises administering to the mammal a Nell1 protein or a Nell1 nucleic acid molecule. | 06-04-2009 |
| 20090137401 | Chemical Solution Deposition Method of Fabricating Highly Aligned MgO Templates - A superconducting article includes a substrate having an untextured metal surface; an untextured barrier layer of La | 05-28-2009 |
| 20090126897 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEMI-SOLID MATERIAL PROCESSING - A method of forming a material includes the steps of: vibrating a molten material at an ultrasonic frequency while cooling the material to a semi-solid state to form non-dendritic grains therein; forming the semi-solid material into a desired shape; and cooling the material to a solid state. The method makes semi-solid castings directly from molten materials (usually a metal), produces grain size usually in the range of smaller than 50 μm, and can be easily retrofitted into existing conventional forming machine. | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090107535 | SOLID STATE TRANSPORT-BASED THERMOELECTRIC CONVERTER - A solid state thermoelectric converter includes a thermally insulating separator layer, a semiconducting collector and an electron emitter. The electron emitter comprises a metal nanoparticle layer or plurality of metal nanocatalyst particles disposed on one side of said separator layer. A first electrically conductive lead is electrically coupled to the electron emitter. The collector layer is disposed on the other side of the separator layer, wherein the thickness of the separator layer is less than 1 μm. A second conductive lead is electrically coupled to the collector layer. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090104111 | Carbonate Thermochemical Cycle for the Production of Hydrogen - The present invention is directed to a thermochemical method for the production of hydrogen from water. The method includes reacting a multi-valent metal oxide, water and a carbonate to produce an alkali metal-multi-valent metal oxide compound, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen. | 04-23-2009 |
| 20090092961 | IDENTIFICATION AND MODIFICATION OF DYNAMICAL REGIONS IN PROTEINS FOR ALTERATION OF ENZYME CATALYTIC EFFECT - A method for analysis, control, and manipulation for improvement of the chemical reaction rate of a protein-mediated reaction is provided. Enzymes, which typically comprise protein molecules, are very efficient catalysts that enhance chemical reaction rates by many orders of magnitude. Enzymes are widely used for a number of functions in chemical, biochemical, pharmaceutical, and other purposes. The method identifies key protein vibration modes that control the chemical reaction rate of the protein-mediated reaction, providing identification of the factors that enable the enzymes to achieve the high rate of reaction enhancement. By controlling these factors, the function of enzymes may be modulated, i.e., the activity can either be increased for faster enzyme reaction or it can be decreased when a slower enzyme is desired. This method provides an inexpensive and efficient solution by utilizing computer simulations, in combination with available experimental data, to build suitable models and investigate the enzyme activity. | 04-09-2009 |
| 20090087415 | Treatment of cardiovascular disorders using the cell differentiation signaling protein Nell1 - It has been identified in accordance with the present invention that Nell1 is essential for normal cardiovascular development by promoting proper formation of the heart and blood vessels. The present invention therefore provides therapeutic methods for treating cardiovascular disorders by employing a Nell1 protein or nucleic acid molecule. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090078872 | Doped Carbon Nanostructure Field Emitter Arrays for Infrared Imaging - An infrared imaging device and method for making infrared detector(s) having at least one anode, at least one cathode with a substrate electrically connected to a plurality of doped carbon nanostructures; and bias circuitry for applying an electric field between the anode and the cathode such that when infrared photons are absorbed by the nanostructures the emitted field current is modulated. The detectors can be doped with cesium to lower the work function. | 03-26-2009 |
| 20090074837 | Bioresorbable Calcium-Deficient Hydroxyapatite Hydrogel Composite - The present invention provides a composite material comprising oxidized bacterial cellulose and calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite, and methods for preparing the composite material. The composite material is useful as a bone graft material. In another embodiment, the invention provides a method for tissue repair in a mammal. The method comprises inserting the composite material into cartilage or bone tissue. | 03-19-2009 |
| 20090048312 | PLANT PATHOGEN RESISTANCE - Azelaic acid or its derivatives or analogs induce a robust and a speedier defense response against pathogens in plants. Azelaic acid treatment alone does not induce many of the known defense-related genes but activates a plant's defense signaling upon pathogen exposure. | 02-19-2009 |
| 20090044606 | Robust Carbon Monolith Having Hierarchical Porosity - A carbon monolith includes a robust carbon monolith characterized by a skeleton size of at least 100 nm, and a hierarchical pore structure having macropores and mesopores. | 02-19-2009 |
| 20090042469 | Superhydrophilic and Superhydrophobic Powder Coated Fabric - Superhydrophilic and superhydrophobic fabrics are taught having a superhydrophilic or superhydrophobic powder disposed on the fabric. The superhydrophilic powder has at least one material of sodium borosilicate glass and porous diatomaceous earth. The powder material has a contiguous interpenetrating structure with a plurality of spaced apart nanostructured surface features. The superhydrophilic powder is switched to superhydrophobic by adding at least one superhydrophobic material of perfluorinated organics, fluorinated organics, and self-assembled monolayers. | 02-12-2009 |
| 20090038714 | STRONG, NON-MAGNETIC, CUBE TEXTURED ALLOY SUBSTRATES - A warm-rolled, annealed, polycrystalline, cube-textured, {100}<100>, FCC-based alloy substrate is characterized by a yield strength greater than 200 MPa and a biaxial texture characterized by a FWHM of less than 15° in all directions. | 02-12-2009 |
| 20090024547 | MULTI-INTELLIGENT SYSTEM FOR TOXICOGENOMIC APPLICATIONS (MISTA) | 01-22-2009 |
| 20090020426 | Microscale Fluid Transport Using Optically Controlled Marangoni Effect - Low energy light illumination and either a doped semiconductor surface or a surface-plasmon supporting surface are used in combination for manipulating a fluid on the surface in the absence of any applied electric fields or flow channels. Precise control of fluid flow is achieved by applying focused or tightly collimated low energy light to the surface-fluid interface. In the first embodiment, with an appropriate dopant level in the semiconductor substrate, optically excited charge carriers are made to move to the surface when illuminated. In a second embodiment, with a thin-film noble metal surface on a dispersive substrate, optically excited surface plasmons are created for fluid manipulation. This electrode-less optical control of the Marangoni effect provides re-configurable manipulations of fluid flow, thereby paving the way for reprogrammable microfluidic devices. | 01-22-2009 |
| 20090017728 | Method for Producing Dustless Graphite Spheres from Waste Graphite Fines - A method for producing graphite spheres from graphite fines by charging a quantity of spherical media into a rotatable cylindrical overcoater, charging a quantity of graphite fines into the overcoater thereby forming a first mixture of spherical media and graphite fines, rotating the overcoater at a speed such that the first mixture climbs the wall of the overcoater before rolling back down to the bottom thereby forming a second mixture of spherical media, graphite fines, and graphite spheres, removing the second mixture from the overcoater, sieving the second mixture to separate graphite spheres, charging the first mixture back into the overcoater, charging an additional quantity of graphite fines into the overcoater, adjusting processing parameters like overcoater dimensions, graphite fines charge, overcoater rotation speed, overcoater angle of rotation, and overcoater time of rotation, before repeating the steps until graphite fines are converted to graphite spheres. | 01-15-2009 |
| 20080317313 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRACKING MOTION FOR GENERATING MOTION CORRECTED TOMOGRAPHIC IMAGES - A method and related system for generating motion corrected tomographic images includes the steps of illuminating a region of interest (ROI) to be imaged being part of an unrestrained live subject and having at least three spaced apart optical markers thereon. At least one camera is used to obtain images of the markers. Motion data comprising 3D position and orientation of the markers relative to an initial reference position is then calculated. The at least three spaced apart optical markers and the at least one camera are sufficient in quantity and position to avoid multiple epipolar solutions. Motion corrected tomographic data obtained from the ROI using the motion data is then obtained, where motion corrected tomographic images obtained therefrom. | 12-25-2008 |
| 20080304996 | High Nb, Ta, and Al Creep- and Oxidation-Resistant Austenitic Stainless Steels - An austenitic stainless steel HTUPS alloy includes, in weight percent: 15 to 30 Ni; 10 to 15 Cr; 2 to 5 Al; 0.6 to 5 total of at least one of Nb and Ta; no more than 0.3 of combined Ti+V; up to 3 Mo; up to 3 Co; up to 1 W; up to 0.5 Cu; up to 4 Mn; up to 1 Si; 0.05 to 0.15 C; up to 0.15 B; up to 0.05 P; up to 1 total of at least one of Y, La, Ce, Hf, and Zr; less than 0.05 N; and base Fe, wherein the weight percent Fe is greater than the weight percent Ni wherein said alloy forms an external continuous scale comprising alumina, nanometer scale sized particles distributed throughout the microstructure, said particles comprising at least one composition selected from the group consisting of NbC and TaC, and a stable essentially single phase fcc austenitic matrix microstructure, said austenitic matrix being essentially delta-ferrite-free and essentially BCC-phase-free. | 12-11-2008 |
| 20080297178 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DETECTING SULFUR DIOXIDE AT HIGH TEMPERATURES - The present invention relates to a method for selectively detecting and/or measuring gaseous SO | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080296798 | Method of Making Lightweight High Performance Ceramic Material - A method of making a sintered ceramic composition includes the steps of: providing a powder that includes at least 50 wt. % boron carbide and 0.05 wt. % to 30 wt. % of at least one oxide selected from oxides of Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu; milling the powder to form a milled powder; | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080296252 | COMPOSITE, NANOSTRUCTURED, SUPER-HYDROPHOBIC MATERIAL - A method of making a hydrophobic, disordered composite material having protrusive surface features includes the following steps: making a disordered composite body comprised of a recessive phase and a protrusive phase, the recessive phase having a higher susceptibility to a preselected etchant than the protrusive phase; treating a surface of the composite body with the preselected etchant so that the protrusive phase protrudes from the surface to form a plurality of protrusive surface features and the recessive phase defines a recessive surface between the surface features; and applying a hydrophobic coating to the protrusive surface features. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080292489 | High Mn Austenitic Stainless Steel - An austenitic stainless steel alloy includes, in weight percent: >4 to 15 Mn; 8 to 15 Ni; 14 to 16 Cr; 2.4 to 3 Al; 0.4 to 1 total of at least one of Nb and Ta; 0.05 to 0.2 C; 0.01 to 0.02 B; no more than 0.3 of combined Ti+V; up to 3 Mo; up to 3 Co; up to 1W; up to 3 Cu; up to 1 Si; up to 0.05 P; up to 1 total of at least one of Y, La, Ce, Hf, and Zr; less than 0.05 N; and base Fe, wherein the weight percent Fe is greater than the weight percent Ni, and wherein the alloy forms an external continuous scale including alumina, nanometer scale sized particles distributed throughout the microstructure, the particles including at least one of NbC and TaC, and a stable essentially single phase FCC austenitic matrix microstructure that is essentially delta-ferrite-free and essentially BCC-phase-free. | 11-27-2008 |
| 20080234107 | Electrical Signature Analysis to Quantify Human and Animal Performance on Fitness and Therapy Equipment such as a Treadmill - The invention is a human and animal performance data acquisition, analysis, and diagnostic system for fitness and therapy devices having an interface box removably disposed on incoming power wiring to a fitness and therapy device, at least one current transducer removably disposed on said interface box for sensing current signals to said fitness and therapy device, and a means for analyzing, displaying, and reporting said current signals to determine human and animal performance on said device using measurable parameters. | 09-25-2008 |
| 20080223080 | Method of Producing Microchannel and Nanochannel Articles - A method of making an article having channels therethrough includes the steps of: providing a ductile structure defining at least one macro-channel, the macro-channel containing a salt; drawing the ductile structure in the axial direction of the at least one macro-channel to reduce diameter of the macro-channel; and contacting the salt with a solvent to dissolve the salt to produce an article having at least one microchannel. | 09-18-2008 |
| 20080219926 | SERS MOLECULAR PROBE FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND THERAPY AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF - An oligonucleotide-based SERS molecular probe (SMP) includes a nanoparticle having at least a metal component, and at least one pin loop, the pin loop including a loop sequence complementary to at least one target sequence, a first stem attached to one end of the loop sequence, a second stem attached to the other end of the loop sequence, and at least one SERS active label attached to the first stem. The nanoparticle is attached to the second stem. The probe generates a stronger SERS signal upon irradiation with excitation radiation when not bound to the target sequence as compared to the SERS signal generated following hybridization of the probe with the target sequence. | 09-11-2008 |
| 20080206103 | Method For The Preparation Of Very Stable, Self-Assembled Monolayers On The Surface Of Gold Coated Microcantilevers For Application To Chemical Sensing - Methods for the preparation of a stable, self-assembled monolayer on the silicon surface or metallic coating of a microcantilever are disclosed. The methods produce a microcantilever suitable as a chemical sensor. In a microcantilever produced using one version of the method, a metallic coating is disposed on a side of the microcantilever, a bridging atom is bonded to the metallic coating, a first spacer group is bonded to the bridging atom, a second spacer group is bonded to the bridging atom, and a chemical recognition agent is bonded to the first spacer group. In another version of the method, a silicon surface of a microcantilever is hydrogen terminated, and a calixarene chemical recognition agent is carbon linked to the silicon surface using photochemical hydrosilylation. Among other things, the calixarene may be bonded to a crown ether for ion detection or bonded to a area for the recognition of explosives by hydrogen bonding to nitro groups. | 08-28-2008 |
