Patents Assigned to Aalto University
  • Patent number: 9252303
    Abstract: A thin film photovoltaic cell structure (1) comprises a substrate (2); a first dielectric layer (3) on the substrate (2); an active layer (4) on the first dielectric layer (3); and a plasmonic light concentrator arrangement (5) on the active layer (4) for coupling incident light at a first wavelength band into the active layer (4). According to the present invention, the thin film photovoltaic cell structure (1) further comprises a second dielectric layer (6) formed of a dielectric material which is transparent at the first wavelength band and at a second wavelength band on the plasmonic light concentrator arrangement (5); the first dielectric layer (3), the active layer (4), the plasmonic light concentrator arrangement (5), and the second dielectric layer (6) being configured to form a resonant cavity for coupling incident light at the second wavelength band into a standing wave confined in the resonant cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Aalto University Foundation
    Inventor: Constantin Simovski
  • Patent number: 9102533
    Abstract: A method of treating waste liquors which comprise organic compounds, in order to recover chemical compounds or to recycle chemicals. In the present method, the sodium-based waste liquor, which comprises organic compounds that are sourced from lignocellulose, is subjected to partial wet oxidation, in order to produce organic sodium salts, in which case the partial wet oxidation is carried out in conditions where at least part of the lignin is simultaneously precipitated. The precipitated filtrate or lignin is subjected to further processing. Most suitably, the organic sodium salts, such as Na acetate, which are generated in the partial oxidation of the waste liquor, are also subjected to further processing, in which case it is possible, from the lignin and the organic sodium salts, to efficiently produce compounds which as such are already of sufficient quality as chemicals, or which as gases are suitable for further processing, for instance for production of fuels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Aalto University Foundation
    Inventors: Kristian Melin, Kari Parviainen
  • Publication number: 20150203594
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for functionalization, via topographical modification, of the surfaces of nanofibrillated (NFC) cellulose films into non-porous, water-resistant platforms, usable in diagnostic applications. The method includes a carboxylation of the NFC-film via TEMPO-mediated oxidation, and optionally an activation via EDS/NHS chemistry and, finally, the reactivity of the film can be tested using anti-human IgG. The invention also concerns the thus prepared functionalized NFC films, as well as the use thereof as platforms for diagnostical assays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Applicant: Aalto University Foundation
    Inventors: Hannes Orelma, Ilari Filpponen, Janne Laine
  • Publication number: 20140255688
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of preparing a film of nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) on at least one surface of a support material, wherein the film is applied and spread directly onto a surface of the plastic support material in the form of a suspension of nanofibrillated cellulose, whereby the nanofibrillated cellulose forms a film. Further, the invention concerns a structure containing or consisting of a film of nanofibrillated cellulose prepared using said method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicants: Telnologian tutkimuskeskus VTT, Aalto University Foundation
    Inventors: Tekla Salminen, Ulla Hippi, Arto Salminen
  • Patent number: 8777946
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an anatomically personalized and mobilizing external support, a method for manufacturing is, as well as the use of a component of an invasively attached external support in determining the path of the joint being supported. In the method according to the invention, the kinetic dynamics of the joint are measured with the aid of a component of an external support invasively attached to two bone groups, on the basis of which an external support is arranged between the bone groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Aalto University Foundation
    Inventors: Jan Erik Lindahl, Jari Salo, Jukka Tuomi, Roy Björkstrand, Kaija-Stlina Paloheimo
  • Patent number: 8666562
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the estimation of maximum friction between a vehicular tire and a road surface via driving dynamics measurements and at least one sensor measuring the road surface, comprising measuring road surface properties via a sensor; measuring the state of motion of a vehicle and a tire and concluding therefrom a momentary maximum friction coefficient when the tire is subjected to a sufficient friction force; storing a maximum friction estimate concluded from the above-mentioned measurements, along with measuring results regarding road surface properties measured at the moment of measurement; when the tire is not subjected to a friction force sufficient for measuring maximum friction, using, as a maximum friction estimate, the previously measured maximum friction estimate, such that an applied selection criterion for the maximum friction estimate is the newness as up-to-date as possible of the measuring result and a consistency of the road surface measuring result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Aalto University Foundation
    Inventor: Ari Tuononen
  • Publication number: 20140005788
    Abstract: The invention relates to an implantable device fixed or interlinked to bone, which generates unidirectional movement by a member generating reciprocating motion in the same direction using means allowing unidirectional movement. In the device, the means allowing unidirectional movement comprise means based on friction which make line contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: Aalto University Foundation
    Inventors: Juha Kalevi Haaja, Harri Olavi Hallila, Antti Gabriel Ritvanen
  • Patent number: 8603428
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for producing calcium carbonate containing the steps of extraction of alkaline industrial waste or by-products using as a first extraction solvent an aqueous solution of a salt formed from a weak acid and a weak base, whereby a vanadium-enriched first residue is allowed to settle and a calcium-rich first filtrate is formed, filtration, whereby the first filtrate is separated from the first residue, carbonation of the calcium-rich first filtrate using a carbonation gas, whereby calcium carbonate precipitates and a second filtrate is formed, and a second filtration, whereby the calcium carbonate is separated from the second filtrate. Further, the present invention concerns a method for extracting calcium carbonate and vanadium from alkaline industrial waste or by-products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignees: Aalto University Foundation, Abo Akademi, Rautaruukki Oyj
    Inventors: Sebastian Teir, Sanni Eloneva, Hannu Revitzer, Ron Zevenhoven, Justin Salminen, Carl-Johan Fogelholm, Esko Poylio
  • Publication number: 20130207690
    Abstract: A field effect transistor current mode differential logic circuit comprising load transistors for converting the current output of each differential leg current to voltage output, and means for configuring the bulk of each differential leg's load transistor to be connected to the drain of the load transistor for use the logic circuit in Subthreshold Source Coupled Logic (STSCL) mode, and means for configuring the bulk of each leg load transistor to be connected to a voltage or to source of the same transistor for use in MOS current more logic (MCML) operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: Aalto University Foundation
    Inventors: Matthew Turnquist, Lauri Koskinen, Jani Mäkipää, Erkka Laulainen
  • Publication number: 20130193999
    Abstract: A sequential circuit with transition error detector including a sequential element with an input that is asserted to the output during the second clock phase of a two phase clock signal, a transition error detector coupled to the sequential element input to assert an error signal if a transition occurs at the sequential element input during the second clock phase but not to assert during the first clock phase, wherein a transition error detection circuit comprises a current mode circuit as a detection circuit for transition timing error detection from signals derived from the sequential element clock signal and input signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: Aalto University Foundation
    Inventors: Matthew Turnquist, Lauri Koskinen, Jani Mäkipää, Erkka Laulainen
  • Publication number: 20120277744
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an anatomically personalized and mobilizing external support, a method for manufacturing is, as well as the use of a component of an invasively attached external support in determining the path of the joint being supported. In the method according to the invention, the kinetic dynamics of the joint are measured with the aid of a component of an external support invasively attached to two bone groups, on the basis of which an external support is arranged between the bone groups.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: Aalto University Foundation
    Inventors: Jan Erik Lindahl, Jari Salo, Jukka Tuomi, Roy Björkstrand, Markku Paloheimo, Kaija-Stlina Paloheimo
  • Patent number: 8178706
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for forming a fatty acid, a fatty acid ester or a mixture thereof from a soap-comprising starting material, in which process a metal-ion forming agent is added to the starting material, whereby a mixture is formed, which contains an insoluble phase and a liquid phase, the insoluble phase is separated from the liquid phase, and an acid is added into the insoluble phase to form a fatty acid, or a monohydric alcohol and an acid catalyst are added to form a fatty acid ester, whereby two phases are formed, an aqueous phase and an organic phase, or, first, an acid is added and then a monohydric alcohol and an acid catalyst are added into at least a portion of the formed fatty acid to esterify the fatty acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Aalto University Foundation
    Inventors: Ossi Pastinen, Simo Laakso, Sanna Hokkanen, Marjatta Vahvaselkä
  • Patent number: 8164505
    Abstract: A structure made of in certain frequency bands invisible material includes a transmission line network. The structure has a matching layer at the boundary of the material, supporting structures inside the transmission line network and that the transmission line network has been matched with the surrounding space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Aalto University Foundation
    Inventors: Jukka Venermo, Sergei A. Tretyakov, Olli Luukonen, Pekka Alitalo, Liisi Schulman
  • Publication number: 20110139628
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for producing calcium carbonate containing the steps of extraction of alkaline industrial waste or by-products using as a first extraction solvent an aqueous solution of a salt formed from a weak acid and a weak base, whereby a vanadium-enriched first residue is allowed to settle and a calcium-rich first filtrate is formed, filtration, whereby the first filtrate is separated from the first residue, carbonation of the calcium-rich first filtrate using a carbonation gas, whereby calcium carbonate precipitates and a second filtrate is formed, and a second filtration, whereby the calcium carbonate is separated from the second filtrate. Further, the present invention concerns a method for extracting calcium carbonate and vanadium from alkaline industrial waste or by-products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: Aalto University Foundation
    Inventors: Sebastian Teir, Sanni Eloneva, Hannu Revitzer, Ron Zevenhoven, Justin Salminen, Carl-Johan Fogelholm, Esko Poylio