Patents Assigned to Idaho Research Foundation
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Patent number: 9676944Abstract: Methods of increasing the solubility of a base in supercritical carbon dioxide include forming a complex of a Lewis acid and the base, and dissolving the complex in supercritical carbon dioxide. The Lewis acid is soluble in supercritical carbon dioxide, and the base is substantially insoluble in supercritical carbon dioxide. Methods for increasing the solubility of water in supercritical carbon dioxide include dissolving an acid or a base in supercritical carbon dioxide to form a solution and dissolving water in the solution. The acid or the base is formulated to interact with water to solubilize the water in the supercritical carbon dioxide. Some compositions include supercritical carbon dioxide, a hydrolysable metallic compound, and at least one of an acid and a base. Some compositions include an alkoxide and at least one of an acid and a base.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2014Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignees: Micron Technology, Inc., Idaho Research FoundationInventors: Chien M. Wai, Hiroyuki Ohde, Stephen J. Kramer
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Patent number: 8658431Abstract: A method and kit for determining whether an animal is not pregnant, or is pregnant following a breeding. The level of expression of a pregnancy induced protein is determined in an animal for which pregnancy status information is desired and the level is compared to that of the level in animals that are not pregnant.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2006Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Idaho Research FoundationInventor: Troy L. Ott
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Patent number: 8404212Abstract: Method and apparatus for storing hydrogen. One embodiment of such a method comprises providing a storage apparatus having a substrate and a nanostructure mat on at least a portion of a side of the substrate. The nanostructure mat comprises a plurality of nanostructures having a surface ionization state which causes more than one layer of hydrogen to adsorb onto the nanostructures. The method can also include exposing the nanostructure mat to hydrogen such that more than one layer of hydrogen adsorbs onto the nanostructures.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2010Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignees: Washington State University Research Foundation, Idaho Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Grant Norton, David McIlroy
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Publication number: 20120291666Abstract: Methods of increasing the solubility of a base in supercritical carbon dioxide include forming a complex of a Lewis acid and the base, and dissolving the complex in supercritical carbon dioxide. The Lewis acid is soluble in supercritical carbon dioxide, and the base is substantially insoluble in supercritical carbon dioxide. Methods for increasing the solubility of water in supercritical carbon dioxide include dissolving an acid or a base in supercritical carbon dioxide to form a solution and dissolving water in the solution. The acid or the base is formulated to interact with water to solubilize the water in the supercritical carbon dioxide. Some compositions include supercritical carbon dioxide, a hydrolysable metallic compound, and at least one of an acid and a base. Some compositions include an alkoxide and at least one of an acid and a base.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2012Publication date: November 22, 2012Applicants: IDAHO RESEARCH FOUNDATION, MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Chien M. Wai, Hiroyuki Ohde, Stephen J. Kramer
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Patent number: 8241708Abstract: Metal and/or silicon oxides are produced by hydrolysis of alkoxide precursors in the presence of either an acid catalyst or a base catalyst in a supercritical fluid solution. The solubility of the acid catalysts in the supercritical fluid can be increased by complexing the catalyst with a Lewis base that is soluble in the supercritical fluid. The solubility of the base catalysts in the supercritical fluid can be increased by complexing the catalyst with a Lewis acid that is soluble in the supercritical fluid. The solubility of water in the solution is increased by the interaction with the acid or base catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2005Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignees: Micron Technology, Inc., Idaho Research FoundationInventors: Chien M. Wai, Hiroyuki Ohde, Stephen J. Kramer
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Patent number: 8080163Abstract: Exemplary systems and methods for treating contaminated water are described. In one instance a method supplies metal salt reagents to a moving media filter in the presence of contaminated water. The method also introduces a waste stream resulting from the moving media filter upstream of the moving media filter effective to lower an average contaminant concentration of effluent water from the moving media filter.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2007Date of Patent: December 20, 2011Assignees: Blue Water Technologies, Inc., Idaho Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Gregory Moller, Remembrance Newcombe
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Publication number: 20110053020Abstract: Nanostructured catalysts and related methods are described. The nanostructured catalysts have a hierarchical structure that facilitates modification of the catalysts for use in particular reactions. Methods for generating hydrogen from a hydrogen-containing molecular species using a nanostructured catalyst are described. The hydrogen gas may be collected and stored, or the hydrogen gas may be collected and consumed for the generation of energy. Thus, the methods may be used as part of the operation of an energy-consuming device or system, e.g., an engine or a fuel cell. Methods for storing hydrogen by using a nanostructured catalyst to react a dehydrogenated molecular species with hydrogen gas to form a hydrogen-containing molecular species are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2008Publication date: March 3, 2011Applicants: WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION, IDAHO RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.Inventors: M. Grant Norton, David N. McIlroy
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Publication number: 20100276304Abstract: Method and apparatus for storing hydrogen. One embodiment of such a method comprises providing a storage apparatus having a substrate and a nanostructure mat on at least a portion of a side of the substrate. The nanostructure mat comprises a plurality of nanostructures having a surface ionization state which causes more than one layer of hydrogen to adsorb onto the nanostructures. The method can also include exposing the nanostructure mat to hydrogen such that more than one layer of hydrogen adsorbs onto the nanostructures.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2010Publication date: November 4, 2010Applicants: WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION, IDAHO RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.Inventors: Grant Norton, David McIlroy
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Publication number: 20100226899Abstract: The present disclosure provides embodiments of a method for characterizing microbial populations. Exemplified by methods for characterizing microbiota in vaginal samples, the methods provided herein are widely applicable to the characterization of microbial communities. Also provided are probiotic regimens and methods for selecting appropriate probiotic regimens based on the normal vaginal microbiota of a subject. Reagents and kits for detecting normal vaginal microbiota and diagnosing pathogenic microorganisms in the vagina are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2009Publication date: September 9, 2010Applicants: Idaho Research Foundation, Procter & GambleInventors: Thomas Osborn, Catherine Davis, Bruce Johns, Larry J. Forney, James Foster, Celeste Brown, Paul Joyce, Zaid Abdo, Audra Johnson, Xia Zhou
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Publication number: 20100215915Abstract: The synthesis of nanostructures uses a catalyst that may be in the form of a thin film layer on a substrate. Precursor compounds are selected for low boiling point or already exist in gaseous form. Nanostructures are capable of synthesis with a masked substrate to form patterned nanostructure growth. The techniques further include forming metal nanoparticles with sizes <10 nm and with a narrow size distribution. Metallic nanoparticles have been shown to possess enhanced catalytic properties. The process may include plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition to deposit Ni, Pt, and/or Au nanoparticles onto the surfaces of SiO2, SiC, and GaN nanowires. A nanostructure sample can be coated with metallic nanoparticles in approximately 5-7 minutes. The size of the nanoparticles can be controlled through appropriate control of temperature and pressure during the process. The coated nanowires have application as gas and aqueous sensors and hydrogen storage.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2006Publication date: August 26, 2010Applicants: Washington State University, Idaho Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Grant Norton, David McIlroy
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Patent number: 7771512Abstract: Method and apparatus for storing hydrogen. One embodiment of such a method comprises providing a storage apparatus having a substrate and a nanostructure mat on at least a portion of a side of the substrate. The nanostructure mat comprises a plurality of nanostructures having a surface ionization state which causes more than one layer of hydrogen to adsorb onto the nanostructures. The method can also include exposing the nanostructure mat to hydrogen such that more than one layer of hydrogen adsorbs onto the nanostructures.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2007Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignees: Washington State University Research Foundation, Idaho Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Grant Norton, David McIIRoy
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Patent number: 7744764Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for treating waste water includes passing ozonized waste water through a bed of moving sand.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2008Date of Patent: June 29, 2010Assignee: Idaho Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Greg Möller, Kevin Brackney, Roger Korus, Gary Keller, Brian Hart, Remembrance Newcombe
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Patent number: 7713423Abstract: In one embodiment, a reactive filtration method includes continuously regenerating a reactive filter media while simultaneously filtering contaminants from fluid flowing through the filter media. In one embodiment, regenerating the reactive filter media comprises mixing metal granules with the filter media and agitating the mixture. In another embodiment, regenerating the reactive filter media comprises introducing a metal in the fluid flowing through the filter media and agitating the filter media. In one embodiment, a method for removing phosphorus, arsenic or a heavy metal from water includes introducing a metal salt reagent into the water at a molar ratio of 5:1 to 200:1 to the phosphorous or the arsenic in the water and passing the water through a bed of moving sand.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2008Date of Patent: May 11, 2010Assignee: Idaho Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Gregory Moller, Kevin Marshall Brackney, Roger Alan Korus, Gerald Michael Keller, Jr., Brian Keith Hart, Remembrance Louisa Newcombe
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Patent number: 7686865Abstract: Embodiments of a method and a system for recovering a metal, such as uranium, from a metal-containing material are disclosed. The metal-containing material is exposed to an extractant containing a liquid or supercritical-fluid solvent and an acid-base complex including an oxidizing agent and a complexing agent. Batches of the metal-containing material are moved through a series of stations while the extractant is moved through the stations in the opposite direction. After the extraction step, the metal is separated from the solvent, the complexing agent and/or other metals by exposing the extract to a stripping agent in a countercurrent stripping column. The complexing agent and the solvent exit the column and are separated from each other by reducing the pressure. The recovered complexing agent is recharged with fresh oxidizing agent and recombined with fresh or recovered solvent to form a recovered extractant, which is distributed through the extraction stations.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2006Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Assignees: Idaho Research Foundation, Inc., Areva NP, Inc.Inventors: Chien M. Wai, Sydney S. Koegler
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Patent number: 7629116Abstract: A method for determining the presence of a viral infection in an animal not known to have been infected with a virus or other disease-causing microbial organism by determining the level of Mx protein or other Type I Interferon-inducible protein in the animal.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2003Date of Patent: December 8, 2009Assignee: Idaho Research FoundationInventor: Troy L. Ott
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Patent number: 7627437Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for defining one or more microbial communities. In an example, the method can include providing a plurality of microbial profiles, wherein each microbial profile is established from a sample of microorganisms obtained from an individual subject. The method can also include identifying one or more consensus profiles from among the plurality of microbial profiles. These methods can be used to characterize normal and pathological microflora in vaginal samples.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2006Date of Patent: December 1, 2009Assignee: Idaho Research FoundationInventors: Larry J. Forney, James Foster, Celeste Brown, Paul Joyce, Zaid Abdo, Audra Johnson, Xia Zhou
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Patent number: 7582561Abstract: A method for depositing one or more materials on a substrate, such as for example, a semiconductor substrate that includes providing the substrate; applying a polymer film to at least a portion of a surface of the substrate; and exposing the semiconductor substrate to a supercritical fluid containing at least one reactant for a time sufficient for the supercritical fluid to swell the polymer and for the at least one reactant to penetrate the polymer film. The reactant is reacted to cause the deposition of the material on at least a portion of the substrate. The substrate is removed from the supercritical fluid, and the polymer film is removed. The process permits the precise deposition of materials without the need for removal of excess material using chemical, physical, or a combination of chemical and physical removal techniques.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2005Date of Patent: September 1, 2009Assignees: Micron Technology, Inc., Idaho Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Chien M. Wai, Hiroyuki Ohde, Steve Kramer
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Publication number: 20090000192Abstract: Method and apparatus for storing hydrogen. One embodiment of such a method comprises providing a storage apparatus having a substrate and a nanostructure mat on at least a portion of a side of the substrate. The nanostructure mat comprises a plurality of nanostructures having a surface ionization state which causes more than one layer of hydrogen to adsorb onto the nanostructures. The method can also include exposing the nanostructure mat to hydrogen such that more than one layer of hydrogen adsorbs onto the nanostructures.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2007Publication date: January 1, 2009Applicants: Washington State University Research Foundation, Idaho Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Grant Norton, David McllRoy
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Patent number: 7445721Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for treating waste water includes passing ozonized waste water through a bed of moving sand.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2005Date of Patent: November 4, 2008Assignee: Idaho Research Foundation, Inc.Inventor: Gregory Möller
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Patent number: 7399416Abstract: In one embodiment, a reactive filtration method includes continuously regenerating a reactive filter media while simultaneously filtering contaminants from fluid flowing through the filter media. In one embodiment, regenerating the reactive filter media comprises mixing metal granules with the filter media and agitating the mixture. In another embodiment, regenerating the reactive filter media comprises introducing a metal in the fluid flowing through the filter media and agitating the filter media. In one embodiment, a method for removing phosphorus, arsenic or a heavy metal from water includes introducing a metal salt reagent into the water at a molar ratio of 5:1 to 200:1 to the phosphorous or the arsenic in the water and passing the water through a bed of moving sand.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2003Date of Patent: July 15, 2008Assignee: Idaho Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Greg Moller, Kevin Marshall Brackney, Roger Alan Korus, Gerald Michael Keller, Jr., Brian Keith Hart, Remembrance Louisa Newcombe