Patents Assigned to Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
  • Patent number: 12098475
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to large area single crystal diamond (SCD) surfaces and substrates, and their methods of formation. Typical large area substrates can be at least about 25 mm, 50 mm, or 100 mm in diameter or square edge length, and suitable thicknesses can be about 100 ?m to 1000 ?m. The large area substrates have a high degree of crystallographic alignment. The large area substrates can be used in a variety of electronics and/or optics applications. Methods of forming the large area substrates generally include lateral and vertical growth of SCD on spaced apart and crystallographically aligned SCD seed substrates, with the individual SCD growth layers eventually merging to form a composite SCD layer of high quality and high crystallographic alignment. A diamond substrate holder can be used to crystallographically align the SCD seed substrates and reduce the effect of thermal stress on the formed SCD layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignees: BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY, Fraunhofer USA
    Inventors: Timothy A. Grotjohn, Ramon Diaz, Aaron Hardy
  • Publication number: 20240309283
    Abstract: A method of charging and/or discharging energy in reusable fuel workpieces or particles includes a solar furnace with counter-flowing workpieces and gas, to exchange heat therebetween, with the exiting gas and workpieces being at about ambient temperature. A further aspect employs a production plant including a reduction reactor configured to use excess electrical energy generated by renewable power generators to charge and/or discharge solid-state thermochemical fuel. Another aspect includes a fuel flow control valve using air pulses. An oxygen-deprived and reusable fuel, such as magnesium manganese oxide, or magnesium iron oxide, is also provided. In another aspect, an apparatus for producing a solid-state fuel includes a reduction reactor including a reactor chamber configured to receive concentrated solar energy, and a reactor tube having a recuperation zone, a reduction zone, and a quenching zone, wherein the reduction zone passes through the reactor chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2024
    Publication date: September 19, 2024
    Applicant: Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
    Inventors: James F. KLAUSNER, Joerg PETRASCH, Kelvin RANDHIR, Nima RAHMATIAN
  • Patent number: 12091672
    Abstract: Described herein are plants, plant seeds, and plants cells that are modified to express particular types of cellulose synthase enzymes (but not CesA3, CesA9, or CesA7 enzymes). Such plants, plant seeds and plant cells can be cotton, flax, hemp, jute, sisal, poplar, or eucalyptus plants, plant seeds or plant cells. The modified plants tend to grow taller, have increased cellulose synthesis, have more crystalline cellulose, have wider secondary cell walls, increased biomass, and increased mechanical strength than in a control plant without the expression cassette (e.g., a wild type or parental plant without the expression cassette).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Shi-You Ding
  • Patent number: 12091671
    Abstract: Described herein are modified MYB46 transcription factors that are more stable and less prone to degradation than corresponding unmodified MYB46 transcription factors. Expression of the modified MYB46 transcription factors within plants improves the structural strength, increases biomass, and enhances fiber strength of the plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Kyung-Hwan Han, Jong Hee Im
  • Patent number: 12084596
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to encapsulated UV (ultraviolet) stabilizer/absorber nanoparticles, which nanoparticles limit or prevent the migration of UV stabilizers/absorbers to the surface of a coating in service and/or which otherwise preserve the UV-resistance properties of the UV stabilizer for a longer period once incorporated into a UV-protective coating. The nanoparticles each include a clay or other nanotube encapsulating body such as a halloysite nanotube (HNT) and a UV stabilizing material within the interior cylindrical volume of the nanotube encapsulating body. The UV stabilizing/absorbing material can include one or more of lignin, a biomass extractive, a phenolic biomass material, and an organic UV stabilizer. The encapsulated UV stabilizer nanoparticles can be incorporated into a polymer composite as a heterogeneous phase distributed throughout a continuous polymer matrix. The polymer composite can be applied as a coating or film to an underlying substrate to form a corresponding coated article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Mojgan Nejad, Saeid Nikafshar
  • Patent number: 12084421
    Abstract: Described herein are quinoline compounds useful for, among other things, inhibition of the proteasome and for treatment of cancer and inflammation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
    Inventors: Aaron Odom, Jetze J. Tepe, Theresa A. Lansdell
  • Patent number: 12082530
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a filtration system for harvesting microalgae. The filtration system includes a filter housing with modular filtration units each containing a fungal filter. The fungal filter includes a perforated support with a capture fungus on the support. The fungal filter is adapted to be removed and replaced from the modular filtration unit, for example during operation of the filtration system. The capture fungus is adapted to capture one or more types of microalgae upon contact of the capture fungus with the microalgae, for example via fungal mycelium. During use of the filtration system to treat an influent stream containing microalgae, microalgae are captured and coated on the fungal filters. The coated fungal filters can be easily removed and the microalgae is harvested directly from the perforated support. New replacement filters can be inserted into the filtration system for continuous operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Zhi-Yan Du, Muhammad Fadzlan Bin Kamarudzaman, Warren Purvin, Spencer Rinke, Tomo Max Saito, Chad Winner
  • Patent number: 12086933
    Abstract: A method and system of operating a vehicle includes a first sensor generating first sensor data for an object comprising a first bounding box from a first sensor. The first sensor data comprising a first confidence score. A second sensor generates second sensor data for the object comprising a second bounding box from a second sensor different than the second sensor. The second sensor data comprises a second confidence score. A bounding box circuit is programmed to generate a third confidence score for the object based on the first sensor data and the second sensor data and utilize the first sensor data, the second sensor data and the third confidence score to control operation of a vehicle system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
    Inventors: Hayder Radha, Su Pang, Daniel Morris
  • Publication number: 20240293362
    Abstract: Compounds and methods to treat or prevent CNS diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease and brain injury inflammation, are disclosed herein. The compounds are soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) inhibitors and have improved physical properties, blood-brain-barrier (BBB) penetration and long drug-target residence time. Pharmaceutical compositions and kits comprising the compounds are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2024
    Publication date: September 5, 2024
    Applicant: Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
    Inventors: Edmund L. ELLSWORTH, Kin Sing Stephen LEE
  • Patent number: 12079874
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods and related systems for precision crop modeling and management using the same. Precision crop modeling and management can be incorporated into various methods for growing plants such as crop plants and various methods for managing the growth of such plants in a particular field. The methods generally utilize in-season information relating to weather conditions actually experienced by the field to prepare mid-season, updated crop management plans. A crop management plan is determined using a crop model incorporating a variety of inputs and plant-specific material and energy balances to specify one or more grower-controlled management parameters. An updated plan for a given field can be followed by a grower to increase crop yield and/or optimize one or more other crop or field parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Bruno Basso
  • Patent number: 12077450
    Abstract: A nanoparticle composition is provided. The nanoparticle composition includes a plurality of nanoparticles, each nanoparticle of the plurality having a core including tantalum oxide, and a covalent coating covalently bound to the core. The covalent coating includes a surface modifier selected from the group consisting of (3-aminopropyl)trimethoxy silane (APTMS), (3-aminopropyl)triethoxy silane (APTES), APTMS-methoxy-poly(ethylene-glycol)-succinimidyl glutarate (APTMS-m-PEG-glutarate), APTES-methoxy-poly(ethylene-glycol)-succinimidyl glutarate (APTES-m-PEG-glutarate), 2-[methoxy (polyethyleneoxy)-9-12-propyl] trimethoxysilane (PEG-Silane), hexadecyltriethoxy silane, and combinations thereof. Methods of synthesizing and using the nanoparticle composition are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
    Inventors: Shatadru Chakravarty, Erik M. Shapiro
  • Patent number: 12065657
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for controlling hybridization in plants and producing hybrid plants. The present invention also relates to nucleic acids encoding amino acid sequences for self-incompatibility (SI) proteins in plants, and the use thereof for the manipulation of SI, including seed production, in plants, particularly of the Solanaceae family. The present invention also relates to kits, compositions, constructs and vectors including such nucleic acids, and related polypeptides, regulatory elements and methods as well as resultant plant varieties developed through the use of self-pollination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: David S. Douches, Felix E. Enciso-Rodriguez, C. Robin Buell, Daniel Zarka, Satya Swathi Nadakuduti, Norma C. Manrique-Carpintero
  • Patent number: 12061253
    Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to receive radar data from a radar, the radar data including radar pixels having respective measured depths; receive camera data from a camera, the camera data including an image frame including camera pixels; map the radar pixels to the image frame; generate respective regions of the image frame surrounding the respective radar pixels; for each region, determine confidence scores for the respective camera pixels in that region; output a depth map of projected depths for the respective camera pixels based on the confidence scores; and operate a vehicle including the radar and the camera based on the depth map. The confidence scores indicate confidence in applying the measured depth of the radar pixel for that region to the respective camera pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
    Inventors: Yunfei Long, Daniel Morris, Xiaoming Liu, Marcos Paul Gerardo Castro, Praveen Narayanan, Punarjay Chakravarty
  • Patent number: 12060337
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to substituted dibenzo[b,f]azepines of the formula (II): wherein the variables n, X3, R1, R2, R4, and R5 are defined herein, and uses of such compounds to treat conditions including neurodegenerative diseases and cancers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
    Inventors: Jetze J. Tepe, Theresa A. Lansdell, Evert Njomen, Corey Lee Jones
  • Publication number: 20240264276
    Abstract: A computer that includes a processor and a memory, the memory including instructions executable by the processor to generate radar data by projecting radar returns of objects within a scene onto an image plane of camera data of the scene based on extrinsic and intrinsic parameters of a camera and extrinsic parameters of a radar sensor to generate the radar data. The image data can be received at an image channel of an image/radar convolutional neural network (CNN) and receive the radar data at a radar channel of the image/radar CNN, wherein features are transferred from the image channel to the radar channel at multiple stages Image object features and image confidence scores can be determined by the image channel, and radar object features and radar confidences by the radar channel. The image object features can be combined with the radar object features using a weighted sum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2024
    Publication date: August 8, 2024
    Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
    Inventors: Yunfei Long, Daniel Morris, Abhinav Kumar, Xiaoming Liu, Marcos Paul Gerardo Castro, Punarjay Chakravarty, Praveen Narayanan
  • Publication number: 20240265230
    Abstract: The harmonic tag includes a ring resonator circuit and may include a first ring microstrip disposed on a first side of a first dielectric substrate, a microstrip feedline spaced apart from and adjacent to the first ring microstrip and a ground plane disposed opposite the first ring microstrip and the microstrip feedline on a second side of the first dielectric substrate. The ring resonator circuit is tuned to resonate at an interrogation frequency. A dipole antenna circuit may include a dipole microstrip electrically coupled to the microstrip feedline through a first diode. The first diode causes the dipole microstrip to transmit a harmonic signal having a harmonic frequency twice the interrogation frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2022
    Publication date: August 8, 2024
    Applicant: Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
    Inventors: Jeffrey NANZER, Corwin HILTON, Neda NOURSHAMSI
  • Patent number: 12057637
    Abstract: A reflector apparatus is provided. A further aspect employs at least one antenna or radar operably emitting signals, and a moving object-mounted reflector which operably reflects at least some of the signals back to the at least one antenna or radar, the reflector including trihedral walls with metallic reflective surfaces. In another aspect, a programmable controller in an automotive vehicle determines a moving object-characteristic based on at least reflected signals received by a horn antenna using a Doppler or micro-Doppler effect. Still another aspect includes a trihedral reflector which moves with a movable object including handlebars, a straddled user seat and being one of: a bicycle, a motorcycle, or an all-terrain vehicle. A further aspect includes multiple spaced apart trihedral reflectors attached to a user-wearable, flexible and nonconductive substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
    Inventor: Lee Harle
  • Patent number: 12054520
    Abstract: Described herein are constructs, compositions and methods for precise in vivo imaging of the structures and dynamics of protein-based scaffolds with and without their designated cargos.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Eric Jeffrey Young, Cheryl A. Kerfeld, Daniel Christopher Ducat
  • Patent number: 12055449
    Abstract: A flexible sensor is provided. A further aspect employs a sensor apparatus including pressure or force sensing layers or sheets in addition to location sensing layers or sheets. In another aspect, an electrical sensing circuit and flexible films are used to sense pressure and/or location of a contacting object. In another aspect, a compressible polymer includes conductive particles therein such that the compressible polymer changes electrical resistance when compressed to indicate a force or location. Still another aspect has stacked sandwiches of pressure and/or location sensing films, layers or sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
    Inventors: Xiaobo Tan, Mohammed Khalid Al-Rubaiai
  • Patent number: 12048910
    Abstract: A vertically oriented plasma reactor is provided. In another aspect, a plasma reactor includes a vertically elongated vacuum chamber, a wall internally projecting within a middle section of the housing, magnets, electrodes and a radio frequency source. A further aspect employs a workpiece-entry port and an opposite workpiece material-exit port, with one located adjacent a top end and the other adjacent a bottom end of a vertically elongated reactor housing or vacuum chamber. Yet another aspect employs a moving or falling-bed plasma reactor for use in activating biochar material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
    Inventors: Qi Hua Fan, Martin E. Toomajian, Thomas Schuelke