Patents Assigned to Board of Trustees of Northern Illinois University
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Publication number: 20170018357Abstract: BN nanosheets are prepared by a method comprising heating to a temperature of at least 500° C., a mixture comprising: (1) an alkali borohydride, and (2) an ammonium salt. NaN3 may be included to increase the yield. No catalyst is required, and the product produced contains less than 0.1 atomic percent metal impurities.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2014Publication date: January 19, 2017Applicant: Board of Trustees of Northern Illinois UniversityInventors: Narayan S. Hosmane, Amartya Chakrabarti, Shena M. Peter
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Patent number: 9539681Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for laser assisted machining are provided, by utilizing a computer to develop interrelated heating and machining plans, from a variety of input data describing the material to be machined, the properties of lasers and pyrometers used for heating the material, and computer models of the machining arrangement, workpiece and final part to be produced. An iterative process continues until the machining and heating plans result in the cutting zone of the workpiece being maintained at a desired temperature with no obstruction in the line-of-sight of at least one laser and pyrometer throughout the machining process, while also maintaining the cutting tool at or below a desired maximum temperature.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2011Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: Board of Trustees of Northern Illinois UniversityInventors: Joseph S. Santner, Federico M. Sciammarella, Stefan Kyselica
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Publication number: 20170003565Abstract: An electrochromic device comprises (i) a conductive layer, (ii) an electrochromic material, on the conductive layer, (iii) an electrolyte, on the electrochromic material, and (iv) a counter-electrode, on the electrolyte. The conductive layer has a surface roughness factor (SRF) of at least 10, and the conductive layer comprises a semi-metal.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2016Publication date: January 5, 2017Applicant: Board of Trustees of Northern Illinois UniversityInventor: Tao Xu
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Patent number: 9405164Abstract: An electrochromic device comprises (i) a conductive layer, (ii) an electrochromic material, on the conductive layer, (iii) an electrolyte, on the electrochromic material, and (iv) a counter-electrode, on the electrolyte. The conductive layer has a surface roughness factor (SRF) of at least 10, and the conductive layer comprises a semi-metal.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2013Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: Board of Trustees of Northern Illinois UniversityInventor: Tao Xu
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Patent number: 9340430Abstract: A method of producing graphene comprises forming a composition comprising magnesium and carbon, and isolating graphene from the composition. The isolated graphene is crystalline.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2011Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: Board of Trustees of Northern Illinois UniversityInventors: Amartya Chakrabarti, Narayan S. Hosmane
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Patent number: 9309232Abstract: Antibacterial IspF inhibitor compounds and compositions are described. Methods include administering described compounds and compositions to treat bacterial or parasitic infections and to inhibit or parasite or bacterial growth.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2013Date of Patent: April 12, 2016Assignees: Board of Trustees of Northern Illinois University, Beryllium Discovery Corp.Inventors: Timothy J. Hagen, Zheng Zhang, Zachary Lazowski, Michael Clare, Darren W. Begley
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Patent number: 9279540Abstract: A storage system, including an outer casing having an evacuated inner volume; a vessel for storage located within the outer casing and having a plurality of protrusions distributed on an outer surface thereof; and a plurality of filamentary strands spanning the inner volume, wherein at least some of the plurality of protrusions are essentially tangentially contacted by a plurality of the filamentary strands to secure the vessel in six degrees of freedom relative to the outer casing.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2014Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITYInventors: Michael Wallace Verhulst, Joseph D. Nix, Christopher W. Smith
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Patent number: 9247875Abstract: A method of diagnosing a patient with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), by detecting biomarkers in the patient's Bruch's membrane, and diagnosing the patient with AMD. A method of detecting the presence of AMD in a patient, by detecting biomarkers in the patient's Bruch's membrane. A method of detecting inflammation in a patient, by detecting biomarkers in the patient's Bruch's membrane. A method of determining the progression of AMD in a patient. A method of determining efficacy of a treatment for AMD in a patient. A method of determining the presence of AMD in an animal model. A kit for detecting the presence of disease in a patient, including an assay for biomarkers 3-nitrotyrosine and nitro-A2E. An assay of the biomarkers.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2010Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: Board of Trustees of Northern Illinois UniversityInventors: Elizabeth R. Gaillard, James P. Dillon
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Patent number: 9206458Abstract: Many fungal secondary metabolites are of industrial interest, such as antibiotics, while others are undesirable compounds such as mycotoxins. Overexpression of mtfA enhances production of fungal compounds with applications in the medical field, and overexpression or impaired mtfA expression decreases the production of compounds that negatively affect health/agriculture/economy such as mycotoxins.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2013Date of Patent: December 8, 2015Assignee: Board of Trustees of Northern Illinois UniversityInventors: Ana M. Calvo-Byrd, Vellaisamy Ramamoorthy
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Patent number: 9140810Abstract: A proton computed tomography (pCT) detector system, including two tracking detectors in sequence on a first side of an object to be imaged, two tracking detectors in sequence on an opposite side of the object to be imaged, a calorimeter, and a computer cluster, wherein the tracking detectors include plastic scintillation fibers. All fibers in the detector system are read out by Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPM). A method of imaging an object by emitting protons from a source through two tracking detectors, through and around the object, and through two opposite tracking detectors, detecting energy of the protons with a calorimeter, and imaging the object.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2014Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignees: Board of Trustees of Northern Illinois University, Fermi Research Alliance, LLC, University of WollongongInventors: Nicholas Karonis, George Coutrakon, Kirk Duffin, Bela Erdelyi, Kevin Naglich, Scott Penfold, Paul Rubinov, Victor Rykalin, Vishnu Zutshi
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Publication number: 20150251955Abstract: A manganese oxide contains M1, optionally M2, Mn and O. M1 is selected from the group consisting of In, Sc, Y, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu. M2 is different from M1, and M2 is selected from the group consisting of Bi, In, Sc, Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu. These ceramic materials are hexagonal in structure, and provide superior materials for gas separation and oxygen storage.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2015Publication date: September 10, 2015Applicant: Board of Trustees of Northern Illinois UniversityInventors: Bogdan Dabrowski, Steven Remsen
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Patent number: 9084803Abstract: A prodrug having antioxidant activity, including a phosphorylated compound having a thiol group. A method of treating oxidative stress by administering a prodrug of a phosphorylated compound including a thiol group, removing a phosphate group of the prodrug, and treating oxidative stress. A method of increasing bioavailability of a thiol compound by creating a prodrug by phosphorylating a thiol compound, administering the prodrug, preventing first pass metabolism of the prodrug, removing a phosphate group from the prodrug, and providing active drug to a site in need of therapy from oxidative stress. A method of preventing radiation damage to healthy tissue by administering a prodrug comprising a phosphorylated compound including a thiol group, removing a phosphate group of the prodrug to provide active drug, and preventing radiation damage to healthy tissue.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2008Date of Patent: July 21, 2015Assignee: Board of Trustees of Northern Illinois UniversityInventors: Elizabeth R. Gaillard, James P. Dillon
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Publication number: 20150121992Abstract: A network of nanowires may be used for a sensor. The nanowires are metallic, each nanowire has a thickness of at most 20 nm, and each nanowire has a width of at most 20 nm. The sensor may include nanowires comprising Pd, and the sensor may sense a change in hydrogen concentration from 0 to 100%. A device may include the hydrogen sensor, such as a vehicle, a fuel cell, a hydrogen storage tank, a facility for manufacturing steel, or a facility for refining petroleum products.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2014Publication date: May 7, 2015Applicant: Board of Trustees of Northern Illinois UniversityInventor: Zhili Xiao
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Publication number: 20150105899Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for laser assisted machining are provided, by utilizing a computer to develop interrelated heating and machining plans, from a variety of input data describing the material to be machined, the properties of lasers and pyrometers used for heating the material, and computer models of the machining arrangement, workpiece and final part to be produced. An iterative process continues until the machining and heating plans result in the cutting zone of the workpiece being maintained at a desired temperature with no obstruction in the line-of-sight of at least one laser and pyrometer throughout the machining process, while also maintaining the cutting tool at or below a desired maximum temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2014Publication date: April 16, 2015Applicant: BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITYInventors: Joseph S. Santner, Federico M. Sciammarella, Stefan Kyselica
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Patent number: 8991150Abstract: A propulsion device including a chamber that stores a superfluid, a substrate coupled to a portion of the chamber, a plurality of orifices extending through the substrate, each of the plurality of orifices having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end disposed in an interior of the chamber and the second end disposed outside the chamber; and a pressure source that generates a pressure differential between the first end of each of the plurality of orifices and the second end of each of the plurality of orifices.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2012Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Board of Trustees of Northern Illinois UniversityInventors: Michael Wallace Verhulst, Joseph D. Nix, Christopher W. Smith
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Patent number: 8991636Abstract: A storage system, including an outer casing having an evacuated inner volume; a vessel for storage located within the outer casing and having a plurality of protrusions distributed on an outer surface thereof; and a plurality of filamentary strands spanning the inner volume, wherein at least some of the plurality of protrusions are essentially tangentially contacted by a plurality of the filamentary strands to secure the vessel in six degrees of freedom relative to the outer casing.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Board of Trustees of Northern Illinois UniversityInventors: Michael Wallace Verhulst, Joseph D. Nix, Christopher W. Smith
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Patent number: 8980213Abstract: A manganese oxide contains M1, optionally M2, Mn and O. M1 is selected from the group consisting of In, Sc, Y, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu. M2 is different from M1, and M2 is selected from the group consisting of Bi, In, Sc, Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu. These ceramic materials are hexagonal in structure, and provide superior materials for gas separation and oxygen storage.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2011Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Board of Trustees of Northern Illinois UniversityInventors: Bogdan Dabrowski, Steven Remsen
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Publication number: 20150055206Abstract: An electrochromic device comprises (i) a conductive layer, (ii) an electrochromic material, on the conductive layer, (iii) an electrolyte, on the electrochromic material, and (iv) a counter-electrode, on the electrolyte. The conductive layer has a surface roughness factor (SRF) of at least 10, and the conductive layer comprises a semi-metal.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2013Publication date: February 26, 2015Applicant: Board of Trustees of Northern Illinois UniversityInventor: Tao Xu
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Publication number: 20140326615Abstract: A capacitor for a hydrogen sensor includes a dielectric substrate, a first electrode on the dielectric substrate, a second electrode on the dielectric substrate, and palladium islands on the dielectric substrate and between the first and second electrodes. The palladium islands are electrically isolated from the first and second electrodes and from each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2014Publication date: November 6, 2014Applicant: Board of Trustees of Northern Illinois UniversityInventors: Martin Kocanda, Michael James Haji-Sheikh
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Patent number: 8839659Abstract: A network of nanowires may be used for a sensor. The nanowires are metallic, each nanowire has a thickness of at most 20 nm, and each nanowire has a width of at most 20 nm. The sensor may include nanowires comprising Pd, and the sensor may sense a change in hydrogen concentration from 0 to 100%. A device may include the hydrogen sensor, such as a vehicle, a fuel cell, a hydrogen storage tank, a facility for manufacturing steel, or a facility for refining petroleum products.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2011Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Assignee: Board of Trustees of Northern Illinois UniversityInventor: Zhili Xiao