Patents by Inventor Kenneth H. Nealson
Kenneth H. Nealson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11920247Abstract: In various embodiments of the present disclosure, an oxygen-generating bioelectrical reactor comprises two chambers, a first oxidative chamber configured for the abiotic oxidation of water to generate molecular oxygen, and a second reductive chamber configured for the biotic reduction of an insoluble metal(loid) oxide or hydroxide. In various embodiments, the biotic reduction comprises microbially-catalyzed metal(loid) ion reduction of the insoluble metal(loid) oxide or hydroxide, wherein a dissimilatory metal(loid) reducing microorganism transfers electrons obtained from the oxidation of the water extracellularly to the metal(loid) ions.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2021Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIAInventors: Martin Van Den Berghe, Kenneth H. Nealson, A. Joshua West
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Publication number: 20220098739Abstract: In various embodiments of the present disclosure, an oxygen-generating bioelectrical reactor comprises two chambers, a first oxidative chamber configured for the abiotic oxidation of water to generate molecular oxygen, and a second reductive chamber configured for the biotic reduction of an insoluble metal(loid) oxide or hydroxide. In various embodiments, the biotic reduction comprises microbially-catalyzed metal(loid) ion reduction of the insoluble metal(loid) oxide or hydroxide, wherein a dissimilatory metal(loid) reducing microorganism transfers electrons obtained from the oxidation of the water extracellularly to the metal(loid) ions.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2021Publication date: March 31, 2022Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIAInventors: Martin Van Den Berghe, Kenneth H. Nealson, A. Joshua West
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Publication number: 20220017426Abstract: Primary leachate is used as a plant growth stimulant. A fermentation medium is fermented with a microbial culture in a bioreactor to produce a primary leachate comprising microorganisms derived from the microbial culture and/or naturally occurring microorganisms. The primary leachate is isolated from the bioreactor, diluted with water, and used to irrigate plants to reduce bacterial diversity and stimulate beneficial microorganisms in the rhizosphere around the plants. The fermentation medium may be organic waste, preferably food waste. A secondary leachate may also be used as a plant growth stimulant. The primary leachate is used to culture black soldier fly larvae with a substrate in a secondary processing bioreactor under suboptimal culture conditions, thereby producing secondary leachate. Melanin is extracted therefrom by acid precipitation.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2021Publication date: January 20, 2022Applicant: River Road Research, IncInventors: Radu Popa, Kenneth H' Nealson
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Patent number: 10588331Abstract: Biological waste such as food, organic or other biologically-derived waste is converted into shelf-stable and health-safe invertebrate feed. The method for converting includes pre-treating waste by fragmenting, reducing microbial contaminants, optionally amending with components that optimize fermentation, inoculating with microorganisms and mixing. Fermentation takes place in a bioreactor and produces fermentation leachate and solid fermentate. In the post-treatment steps, the solid fermentate is separated from the fermentation leachate. The solid fermentate is ground, dewatered and milled. The solid fermentate can be used as an invertebrate feed with or without further processing.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2015Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: River Road Research, Inc.Inventors: Radu Popa, Kenneth H. Nealson, Matthew Schechter
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Publication number: 20190161782Abstract: Melanin or inorganic fertilizers are produced from fermentation leachates or from low-cost nutrient-rich solutions. The method for producing the melanin or inorganic fertilizer comprises repetitive trophic cycling in the controlled conditions of primary and secondary bioreactors. Nutrients are cycled between microorganisms such as bacteria, yeast and fungi and black soldier fly larvae, Hermetia illucens. Polysaccharides are partly converted into natural melanins or inorganic fertilizer, which are difficult to biodegrade and hence accumulate in the bioreactors. The method can employ, as a source of nutrients, leachates produced from food waste or from sugar-rich liquid waste of the food industry. These leachates can be used raw or can be augmented with low-cost sugar-rich solutions such as molasses, hydrolyzed cellulose or starch. The method is inexpensive and does not require the use of expensive chemically-defined culture media.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2019Publication date: May 30, 2019Inventors: Radu Popa, Kenneth H. Nealson
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Patent number: 10227626Abstract: Melanin or inorganic fertilizers are produced from fermentation leachates or from low-cost nutrient-rich solutions. The method for producing the melanin or inorganic fertilizer comprises repetitive trophic cycling in the controlled conditions of primary and secondary bioreactors. Nutrients are cycled between microorganisms such as bacteria, yeast and fungi and black soldier fly larvae, Hermetia illucens. Polysaccharides are partly converted into natural melanins or inorganic fertilizer, which are difficult to biodegrade and hence accumulate in the bioreactors. The method can employ, as a source of nutrients, leachates produced from food waste or from sugar-rich liquid waste of the food industry. These leachates can be used raw or can be augmented with low-cost sugar-rich solutions such as molasses, hydrolyzed cellulose or starch. The method is inexpensive and does not require the use of expensive chemically-defined culture media.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2014Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: River Road Research, Inc.Inventors: Radu Popa, Kenneth H. Nealson
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Publication number: 20190058193Abstract: A method for producing lithiated pyomelanin (LPM), sodiated pyomelanin (SPM) and potassiated pyomelanin (PPM) is provided. A method is also provided for improving the safety of lithium-ion (Li-ion), sodium-ion (Na-ion) and potassium-ion (K-ion) batteries. The method employs using LPM, SPM or PPM in the negative compartment (anode) of the batteries. These LPM Li-ion, SPM Na-ion and PPM K-ion batteries have decreased tendencies to overheat and/or explode.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2016Publication date: February 21, 2019Inventors: Radu Popa, Kenneth H. Nealson, Vily M. Cimpoiasu
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Publication number: 20180360008Abstract: A method is provided for mass-rearing black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) to the mature larval stage just prior to the pre-pupal developmental stage. The BSFL biomass produced by the mass-rearing methods can be used for processing decayable biological or organic waste and converting it into protein meal for animal feeds and melanin or melanin-associated proteins.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2018Publication date: December 20, 2018Inventors: Radu Popa, Kenneth H. Nealson
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Publication number: 20170265496Abstract: Biological waste such as food, organic or other biologically-derived waste is converted into shelf-stable and health-safe invertebrate feed. The method for converting includes pre-treating waste by fragmenting, reducing microbial contaminants, optionally amending with components that optimize fermentation, inoculating with microorganisms and mixing. Fermentation takes place in a bioreactor and produces fermentation leachate and solid fermentate. In the post-treatment steps, the solid fermentate is separated from the fermentation leachate. The solid fermentate is ground, dewatered and milled. The solid fermentate can be used as an invertebrate feed with or without further processing.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2015Publication date: September 21, 2017Inventors: Radu Popa, Kenneth H. Nealson, Matthew Schechter
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Patent number: 8920983Abstract: A device for mixing and aerating a body of water, the device includes a microbial fuel cell comprising an anode and a cathode; an electricity management subsystem electrically connecting the anode and the cathode; and a mixing subsystem electrically connected to the electricity management subsystem. The device can be used to mix or aerate a body of water containing organic material while simultaneously reducing the requirements for aeration. The body of water may provide organic material to the microbial fuel cell to produce electricity to power the mixing subsystem.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2012Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Inventors: Anthony F. Michaels, Kenneth H. Nealson, Patrick Michaels, Yuelong Huang
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Publication number: 20140360237Abstract: Melanin or inorganic fertilizers are produced from fermentation leachates or from low-cost nutrient-rich solutions. The method for producing the melanin or inorganic fertilizer comprises repetitive trophic cycling in the controlled conditions of primary and secondary bioreactors. Nutrients are cycled between microorganisms such as bacteria, yeast and fungi and black soldier fly larvae, Hermetia illucens. Polysaccharides are partly converted into natural melanins or inorganic fertilizer, which are difficult to biodegrade and hence accumulate in the bioreactors. The method can employ, as a source of nutrients, leachates produced from food waste or from sugar-rich liquid waste of the food industry. These leachates can be used raw or can be augmented with low-cost sugar-rich solutions such as molasses, hydrolyzed cellulose or starch. The method is inexpensive and does not require the use of expensive chemically-defined culture media.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2014Publication date: December 11, 2014Inventors: Radu Popa, Kenneth H. Nealson
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Patent number: 8815539Abstract: Melanin or inorganic fertilizers are produced from fermentation leachates or from low-cost nutrient-rich solutions. The method for producing the melanin or inorganic fertilizer comprises repetitive trophic cycling in the controlled conditions of primary and secondary bioreactors. Nutrients are cycled between microorganisms such as bacteria, yeast and fungi and black soldier fly larvae, Hermetia illucens. Polysaccharides are partly converted into natural melanins or inorganic fertilizer, which are difficult to biodegrade and hence accumulate in the bioreactors. The method can employ, as a source of nutrients, leachates produced from food waste or from sugar-rich liquid waste of the food industry. These leachates can be used raw or can be augmented with low-cost sugar-rich solutions such as molasses, hydrolyzed cellulose or starch. The method is inexpensive and does not require the use of expensive chemically-defined culture media.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2013Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: River Road Research, Inc.Inventors: Radu Popa, Kenneth H. Nealson
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Patent number: 8524402Abstract: A microbial fuel cell for generating electricity. The microbial fuel cell includes an anode and a cathode electrically coupled to the anode. The anode is in contact with a first fluid including microorganisms capable of catalyzing the oxidation of ammonium. The anode is in contact with a second fluid including microorganisms capable of catalyzing the reduction of nitrite. The anode and the cathode may be housed in a single compartment, and the cathode may rotate with respect to the anode. The microbial fuel cell can be used to remove ammonium from wastewater, to generate electricity, or both.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2009Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: University of Southern CaliforniaInventors: Zhen He, Kenneth H. Nealson, Florian Mansfeld
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Patent number: 8425742Abstract: A high throughput biological screening assay comprising at least two anodes, at least two cathodes acting as the reference electrode, and a polymer membrane placed between each anode and cathode, wherein the at least two anodes comprise a biological culture, and wherein the at least two cathodes comprise an oxidizing agent and a buffering agent. The high throughput biological screening assay wherein the at least two cathodes are connected in parallel to simulate the connection between the same cathode and different anodes. The high throughput biological screening assay further including an external resistor or open circuit and means for measuring the voltage across the external resistor or open circuit. A method of measuring power generation using a single cathode as a reference electrode to monitor the biological production of energy. A method of correlating bacterial biofilm formation within an operational microbial fuel cell directly to current output.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2010Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Justin C Biffinger, Meghann Ribbens, Kenneth H. Nealson, Bradley R Ringeisen
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Patent number: 8415037Abstract: A microbial fuel cell includes an anode compartment with an anode and an anode biocatalyst and a cathode compartment with a cathode and a cathode biocatalyst, with a membrane positioned between the anode compartment and the cathode compartment, and an electrical pathway between the anode and the cathode. The anode biocatalyst is capable of catalyzing oxidation of an organic substance, and the cathode biocatalyst is capable of catalyzing reduction of an inorganic substance. The reduced organic substance can form a precipitate, thereby removing the inorganic substance from solution. In some cases, the anode biocatalyst is capable of catalyzing oxidation of an inorganic substance, and the cathode biocatalyst is capable of catalyzing reduction of an organic or inorganic substance.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2008Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: University of Southern CaliforniaInventors: Kenneth H. Nealson, Massoud Pirbazari, Lewis Hsu
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Publication number: 20130048574Abstract: A device for mixing and aerating a body of water, the device includes a microbial fuel cell comprising an anode and a cathode; an electricity management subsystem electrically connecting the anode and the cathode; and a mixing subsystem electrically connected to the electricity management subsystem. The device can be used to mix or aerate a body of water containing organic material while simultaneously reducing the requirements for aeration. The body of water may provide organic material to the microbial fuel cell to produce electricity to power the mixing subsystem.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2012Publication date: February 28, 2013Inventors: Anthony F. Michaels, Kenneth H. Nealson, Patrick Michaels, Yuelong Huang
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Publication number: 20110229775Abstract: A continuous system for growing algae, processing it and converting it into electricity, fuel and animal feed. The system utilizes an algae bioreactor which feeds harvested algae to a biomass extraction system which in turn directs a portion of the harvested algae to a microbial generator. The microbial generator converts the algae into electricity, water and nutrients. The biomass extraction system includes a dewatering device and a biomass dryer. The microbial generator in a preferred embodiment is a microbial fuel cell. Dry algae product used for animal feed, fuel, and the like is obtained from the output of the biomass dryer.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2009Publication date: September 22, 2011Applicant: PHYCOSYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Anthony F. Michaels, David A. Caron, Kenneth H. Nealson
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Publication number: 20110183159Abstract: A microbial fuel cell for generating electricity. The microbial fuel cell includes an anode and a cathode electrically coupled to the anode. The anode is in contact with a first fluid including microorganisms capable of catalyzing the oxidation of ammonium. The anode is in contact with a second fluid including microorganisms capable of catalyzing the reduction of nitrite. The anode and the cathode may be housed in a single compartment, and the cathode may rotate with respect to the anode. The microbial fuel cell can be used to remove ammonium from wastewater, to generate electricity, or both.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2009Publication date: July 28, 2011Applicant: University of Southern CaliforniaInventors: Zhen He, Kenneth H. Nealson, Florian Mansfeld
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Publication number: 20110032511Abstract: A system for measuring stress and strain in a sample is provided. The system includes a sample holder operable to support the sample; a stress inducing assembly operable to apply force to a selected location on the sample to deform the sample by a selected distance in a range from about 0.1 angstrom to about a millimeter; and an interferometer operable to determine a surface topography of the deformed sample at a resolution in a range from about 0.1 angstrom to about a micron.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2007Publication date: February 10, 2011Applicant: William Marsh Rice UniversityInventors: Andreas Luttge, Firdaus Udwadia, Kenneth H. Nealson, Steven D. Goodman
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Publication number: 20100196742Abstract: A sediment-type self-sustained phototrophic microbial fuel cell for generating electricity through the syntrophic interaction between photosynthetic microorganisms and heterotrophic bacteria in algae cultivation ponds used for biodiesel production. The microbial fuel cell is operable to continuously produce electricity without the external input of exogenous organics or nutrients.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2010Publication date: August 5, 2010Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIAInventors: Kenneth H. Nealson, Zhen He