Patents Assigned to The University of Akron
  • Patent number: 10676598
    Abstract: In one or more embodiments, the present invention provides an way to modify the isoprene unit using an alder-ene reaction to form thermoset compounds comprising the resultant electron-deficient, readily crosslinkable polyisobutylene-based rubber that avoids the use of corrosive bromine or chlorine to make the activated butyl rubber, is easier to crosslink than the halobutyls, allows crosslinking with a simple organic base or a peroxide, and has mechanical properties as good as or better than sulfur crosslinked butyl rubbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON
    Inventors: Li Jia, Yu Sun, Mara Kuenen
  • Patent number: 10676489
    Abstract: Fluorescent chromophores nicknamed BOPHY are provided. The chromophores may be readily synthesized in two steps from readily available reagents via the coupling of a pyrrole aldehyde or ketone with hydrazine, followed by reaction with BF3. The resultant symmetric and dimeric tetracycle is comprised of two BF2 units in six-member chelate rings, appended by pyrrole units on the periphery. The quantum yield of fluorescence for the unmodified compound and the tetramethyl variant are near unity, with values 95 and 92% respectively in CH2Cl2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: The University of Akron
    Inventors: Christopher J. Ziegler, Ingrid-Suzy Tamgho
  • Publication number: 20200171869
    Abstract: In one or more embodiments, the present invention provides a method of applying or printing structural colors to a substrate that involves pre-treatment of the substrate surface to prevent absorption of the fluid containing the particles. This allows the fluid to maintain their sessile drop shapes and as the water evaporates, the colloidal particles spontaneously assemble within the confined geometry into semi-ordered structures that interact with light to produce structural color. While the pre-treatment may be done in a variety of ways, application of a, hydrophobic and/or oleophobic coating, like 1H-IH,2H-perfluoro-1-dodecene (C10F21—CH?CH2) (perfluoro) monomer, fluoroalkyls, fluorohydroalkyls, cyclo-fluoroalkyls, fluorobenzen, by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (cold plasma treatment) has been found to be effective, particularly for printing applications. These treated substrates allow production of a wide range of structural colors using binary systems of nanoparticles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Applicant: THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON
    Inventors: Ali DHINOJWALA, Mario Alberto ECHEVERRI, Anvay Arun PATIL
  • Patent number: 10666928
    Abstract: An optical imaging system utilizes a three-dimensional (3D) light scanner to capture topography information, color reflectance information, and fluorescence information of a target object being imaged, such as a surgical patient. The system also utilizes the topography information of the target object to perform an image mapping process to project the captured fluorescence or other intraoperative images back onto the target object with enhanced definition or sharpness. Additionally, the system utilizes the topography information of the target object to co-register two or more images, such as a color image of the target object with a fluorescence image for presentation on a display or for projection back onto the target object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON
    Inventor: Yang Liu
  • Publication number: 20200157298
    Abstract: In one or more embodiments, the present invention provides a heat dissipating polymer materials (and films thereof) that utilize supramolecular chemistry. In various embodiments, these materials comprise networks of hydrogen bonded supramolecular crystals, self-assembled into aligned 2-D layered sheet structures that are distributed throughout a polymer matrix. In some of these embodiments, the heat dissipating polymer materials are prepared by in-situ co-precipitation of melamine and cyanuric acid in a PVA polymer resulting in homogenous distribution of MC crystals and the eventual formation of a network of hydrogen bonded melamine-cyanurate (MC) 2-D layered sheet structures throughout the PVA polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Applicant: THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON
    Inventors: Jiahua ZHU, Nitin MEHRA
  • Publication number: 20200163255
    Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention is directed to polymer based heat dissipating materials and films that are highly elastic, thermally conductive and optically transparent and made using a non-conventional approach. The polymer based heat dissipating materials and films of the present invention use a hybrid filler comprising a very small loading of traditional fillers like boron nitride or graphene oxide combined with non-conventional fillers like organic linkers, dispersed in a preferably non-conductive polymer matrix. These hybrid fillers provide an elastic thermal network that drives heat conduction across the polymer chains, while provided flexibility and optical clarity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Applicant: THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON
    Inventors: Jiahua ZHU, Nitin Mehra
  • Publication number: 20200131294
    Abstract: A polystyrene-g-(polyisobutylene-b-polystyrene) is taught. The polystyrene-g-(polyisobutylene-b-polystyrene) is synthesized by first providing a polystyrene backbone. Once the polystyrene backbone is provided, the polystyrene backbone is acetylated to provide acetyl groups on the polystyrene backbone. Next, the acetyl groups are converted to —C(CH3)2OH groups. Finally, the living polymerization of isobutylene is initiated, which is then followed by the living block polymerization of styrene. A polymer network of polystyrene-g-(polyisobutylene-b-polystyrene)s is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Applicant: THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON
    Inventors: Joseph KENNEDY, Turgut NUGAY, Nihan NUGAY
  • Patent number: 10626207
    Abstract: A polystyrene-g-(polyisobutylene-b-polystyrene) is taught. The polystyrene-g-(polyisobutylene-b-polystyrene) is synthesized by first providing a polystyrene backbone. Once the polystyrene backbone is provided, the polystyrene backbone is acetylated to provide acetyl groups on the polystyrene backbone. Next, the acetyl groups are converted to —C(CH3)2OH groups. Finally, the living polymerization of isobutylene is initiated, which is then followed by the living block polymerization of styrene. A polymer network of polystyrene-g-(polyisobutylene-b-polystyrene)s is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: The University of Akron
    Inventors: Joseph Kennedy, Turgut Nugay, Nihan Nugay
  • Patent number: 10626211
    Abstract: A star block copolymer and a thermoplastic elastomer including plurality of the star block copolymers and a method of making both is taught. The star block copolymers of the present invention include a core component having an ?-methylstyrene oligomer wherein arms emanate from the core component and the arms are poly(isobutylene-block-styrene) diblock copolymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: The University of Akron
    Inventors: Joseph Kennedy, Turgut Nugay, Nihan Nugay
  • Publication number: 20200119631
    Abstract: An acoustic noise mitigation system for an electric machine includes one or more suspension members. The suspension members may include arcuate members that are positioned between a machine housing and a stator. During operation of the electric machine, the electromagnetic force frequency that is generated by the stator relative to a rotating rotor is able to be absorbed by the suspension members. As a result, acoustic noise generated by the electric machine is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Applicant: THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON
    Inventors: Yilmaz Sozer, Yusuf Yasa
  • Patent number: 10618999
    Abstract: In one or more embodiments, the present invention provide a polyisobutylene-based polyurethane-urea, and related method of preparation, wherein PIB-diols form the soft segment and a diisocyanate along with a well-defined combinations low molecular weight diol chain extenders and amino alcohol as co-chain extenders form the hard segments. In one or more embodiments, the present invention is directed to the use of judiciously chosen chain extender/co-chain extender combinations to enhance the strength of PUs by partially replacing urethane groups with urea groups by the use of amino alcohols to improve strength, while maintaining good processability. These thermoplastic PIB-PUU elastomers exhibit heretofore unattainable combinations of mechanical properties and processability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON
    Inventors: Joseph Kennedy, Kalman Toth, Nihan Nugay
  • Patent number: 10612123
    Abstract: A surface treatment for a metal substrate includes a nitride layer and a diamond-like carbon coating on said nitride layer. The metal substrate can be a titanium-containing substrate. The nitride layer and diamond-like carbon coating serve to improve the tribological properties of the metal substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignees: THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON, AKRON RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Gary L. Doll, Benjamin M. McMillen
  • Publication number: 20200106351
    Abstract: An axial flux machine (AFM) includes a rotor rotatably disposed between a pair of fixed stators. The rotor and the stators are formed of tape-wound laminated cores of ferromagnetic material. In addition, the rotor includes multiple layers of angled magnets that circumscribe the rotor. Such configuration enables the axial flux machine to achieve a high airgap flux density while achieving a high saliency ratio and lowered cogging torque as compared to current generation AFMs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Applicant: THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON
    Inventor: Yilmaz Sozer
  • Patent number: 10608184
    Abstract: An organic polymer photo device with broadband response and high photo-responsitivity includes an anode terminal with a hole transporting network, and a cathode terminal with an electron transporting network. Positioned in electrical communication with the hole transporting network and the electron transporting network is a blended material that has at least one organic polymer light absorbing component. The organic light absorbing component is configured to have a collection length that is larger than the distance to the nearest electron transporting network and hole transporting network. As such, the blended material forms a light absorbing area that has a dimension that is greater than the collection length of the organic polymer light absorbing component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON
    Inventors: Xiong Gong, Stephen Z. D. Cheng
  • Publication number: 20200080237
    Abstract: In various embodiments the invention is directed to a structured filament for use in fused filament fabrication comprising an inner core comprising an first polymer or polymer blend; and an outer shell surrounding said inner core comprising a second polymer or polymer blend having ionic or crystalline functionality; wherein said first polymer or polymer blend has a higher solidification temperature than said second polymer or polymer blend. The ionic or crystalline functionality of the outer shell material strengthen the interface between the printed layers. This structured filament leads to printed 3D structures having improved dimensional fidelity and impact resistance in comparison to the individual components. The impact resistance of structures printed from these is greatly increased as energy is dissipated by delamination of the shell from the core near the crack tip, while the core remains intact to provide stability to the part after impact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Applicant: THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON
    Inventors: Bryan David Vogt, Mukerrem Cakmak, Fang Peng
  • Patent number: 10584361
    Abstract: A method for increasing the lipid content of algae includes combining algae and a lipid-precipitating addition in a growth-inhibitive medium, the growth-inhibitive medium being deficient in at least one nutrient that is necessary for reproductive growth of algae, thus frustrating algae reproduction, the lipid-precipitating addition selected from hydroxyl-containing compounds and amine-containing compounds. An organic acid addition may also be combined with the lipid-precipitating addition and algae in the growth-inhibitive medium, the organic acid addition including compounds containing carboxylic acid functionality. Direct production of biodiesel is also achieved by the use of particular lipid-precipitating additions and organic acid additions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON
    Inventors: Lu-Kwang Ju, Cong Li
  • Patent number: 10570924
    Abstract: Embodiments provide an integrated motor-compressor assembly including a rotating impeller to compress a fluid passing therethrough, and diffuser vanes radially spaced from the impeller, each of the diffuser vanes including a stator winding therearound, the stator windings being supplied with current to generate sufficient magnetic flux for rotating the impeller. Embodiments provide an integrated motor-compressor assembly including a volute casing housing a rotating impeller to compress a fluid passing therethrough, a stator fixedly positioned in the volute casing proximate to the impeller, the stator including stator poles axially spaced from the impeller, each of the stator poles including a stator winding, the stator windings being supplied with current to generate sufficient axial magnetic flux for rotating the impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: The University of Akron
    Inventors: Yilmaz Sozer, Jerald K. Cohen, Iftekhar Hasan, Tausif Husain
  • Publication number: 20200053298
    Abstract: A multi-purpose imaging and display system includes a display; a detector coupled to the display and having a field of view; and a filter communicating with the detector. The field of view is imaged by the detector through the filter, the filter configured to be sensitive to a first frequency spectrum, so the detector displays only objects within the field of view on the detector that emit one or more frequencies within the first frequency spectrum. The detector and filter can work together in different operational states or modes for acquiring image data of a target object under investigation. A computing device can be included to process acquired image data, and communication interfaces can be employed to achieve networking of multiple systems. A peripheral interface allows a plurality of peripheral devices to be selectively added to tailor the data acquisition and display capabilities of the imaging and display system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Applicant: The University of Akron
    Inventor: Yang Liu
  • Publication number: 20200040121
    Abstract: A star block copolymer and a thermoplastic elastomer including plurality of the star block copolymers and a method of making both is taught. The star block copolymers of the present invention include a core component having an -methylstyrene oligomer wherein arms emanate from the core component and the arms are poly(isobutylene-block-styrene) diblock copolymers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Applicant: THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON
    Inventors: Joseph KENNEDY, Turgut Nugay, Nihan Nugay
  • Patent number: 10550366
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cell culture support including a substrate and a thermoresponsive polymeric blend layer, wherein the polymeric blend layer includes at least one thermoresponsive polymer and at least one network forming adhesion promoter. The present invention further relates a method of making a cell culture complex including: providing a substrate; blending at least one thermoresponsive polymer and at least one network forming adhesion promoter to provide a polymeric blend; applying a thin film of said polymeric blend to the substrate to provide a polymeric blend layer on the substrate; curing the polymeric blend layer on the substrate to provide a cell culture support; and depositing cells onto said cell culture support, wherein the cells may optionally further include medium, to provide a cell culture complex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON
    Inventors: Bi-Min Newby, Nikul Patel, John Cavicchia, Ge Zhang