Patents Assigned to Colorado School of Mines
  • Biodegradable polymers for delivery of therapeutic agents
    Patent number: 9657094
    Abstract: Methods, processes, systems, and compositions for treating disease are disclosed. In some cases, the present disclosure provides for delivery of therapeutic agents, in an active form, to a localized area, over an extended period of time. In one embodiment, the disclosed composition may comprise a therapeutic agent and a biodegradable polymer and/or a biodegradable polymer microsphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Colorado School of Mines
    Inventor: Melissa D. Krebs
  • Electrochemical device for syngas and liquid fuels production
    Patent number: 9631284
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods for creating high value liquid fuels such as gasoline, diesel, jet and alcohols using carbon dioxide and water as the starting raw materials and a system for using the same. These methods combine a novel solid oxide electrolytic cell (SOEC) for the efficient and clean conversion of carbon dioxide and water to hydrogen and carbon monoxide, uniquely integrated with a gas-to-liquid fuels producing method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignees: Colorado School of Mines, Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Braun, William L. Becker, Michael Penev
  • Method and apparatus for testing a tubular annular seal
    Patent number: 9624764
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for testing a wellbore, and to an apparatus and method to efficiently and effectively test the annular seal of a tubular string positioned within a wellbore. More specifically, the cement seal between a casing string and a wellbore is tested to assure there is no contamination of groundwater or between different geologic formations. An additional aspect of the present invention is to provide a testing assembly comprising a frangible body and a tool body, the tool body providing a passageway to the annular seal when the frangible body is drilled out. In one particular embodiment, the frangible body initially forms an encapsulated bore that aligns with the passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Colorado School of Mines
    Inventor: William W. Fleckenstein
  • HYBRID ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING METHOD AND APPARATUS MADE THEREFROM
    Publication number: 20170057164
    Abstract: A hybrid additive manufacturing method that allows for precise deposition of various photo curable resins without the use of a vat has been developed. This method utilizes thermoplastics for an exterior shell and structural support. This method of resin or epoxy deposition allows for stronger parts to be printed more rapidly through hybridization of two additive manufacturing methods. This hybrid nature greatly expands material compatibilities from strictly thermoplastics to thermoplastics and any photo curable resins. Furthermore, reinforcing materials or dopants can be incorporated into the part using the method and apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: Colorado School of Mines
    Inventors: Ryan L. Hemphill, Kevyn C. Young, Maxwell T. Harris, Adam R. Short, Douglas L. Van Bossuyt
  • Downhole tools and methods for selectively accessing a tubular annulus of a wellbore
    Patent number: 9562419
    Abstract: A downhole tool that selectively opens and closes an axial/lateral bore of a tubular string positioned in a wellbore used to produce hydrocarbons or other fluids. When integrated into a tubular string, the downhole tool allows individual producing zones within a wellbore to be isolated between stimulation stages while simultaneously allowing a selected formation to be accessed. The downhole tools and methods can be used in vertical or directional wells, and additionally in cased or open-hole wellbores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Colorado School of Mines
    Inventors: William Winfrid Fleckenstein, Todd Lance Flaska
  • Geological medium exploration
    Patent number: 9551803
    Abstract: Systems and methods for geological medium exploration are provided herein. A method of geological medium exploration may include generating vibrations in a geological medium and recording wave-fields at a surface and in a borehole. Additionally, the method may include obtaining a wave field modification operator and applying the wave-field operator to a full range of seismic data to achieve a spectrally-modified wave field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Colorado School of Mines
    Inventors: Thomas Leonard Davis, Halina Jedrzejowska-Tyczkowska, Krystyna Zukowska, Irena Irlik
  • Spatially chirped pulses for femtosecond laser ablation through transparent materials
    Patent number: 9545689
    Abstract: Temporal focusing of spatially chirped femtosecond laser pulses overcomes previous limitations for ablating high aspect ratio features with low numerical aperture (NA) beams. Simultaneous spatial and temporal focusing reduces nonlinear interactions, such as self-focusing, prior to the focal plane so that deep (˜1 mm) features with parallel sidewalls are ablated at high material removal rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Colorado School of Mines
    Inventors: Jeffrey Squier, Dawn Vitek, Charles Durfee, Daniel Adams, David Kleinfeld
  • CONTROLLED AND TUNABLE PRECIPITATION OF BIOMIETIC APATITES VIA IN SITU MINERALIZATION OF AN ORGANIC POLYMERIC MATRIX
    Publication number: 20160346429
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for the tunable precipitation of apatite induced by a chemical reaction within a polymeric hydrogel, and the product made thereof. The present invention includes a pH dependent pathway for the hydrolysis of DCPD precursor phase. In addition to pH the stoichiometry of the CaP reactants can contribute to the composition of the CaP phase incorporated into the PVA hydrogels. At elevated pH the direct conversion of DCPD to apatite is observed. However, decreasing the reaction pH to 7.4 to mimic physiological conditions results in the inclusion of OCP as a transition step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Applicant: Colorado School of Mines
    Inventors: Melissa Krebs, Jacqueline Harding
  • Optical alignment deformation spectroscopy
    Patent number: 9487812
    Abstract: A microfluidic system, device, and method are disclosed. The microfluidic system may include a first microfluidic channel and a second microfluidic channel, each of which are carrying one or more objects. There is an intersection between the first and second microfluidic channels where one or more objects from the first microfluidic channel impact one or more objects from the second microfluidic channel under hydrodynamic forces. The impact causes the objects to deform and the deformation of objects can be analyzed to determine properties of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Colorado School of Mines
    Inventors: Keith B. Neeves, David W. M. Marr, Kevin B. Roth, Charles D. Eggleton
  • WATER/OIL/GAS EMULSIONS/FOAMS CHARACTERIZATION USING LOW FIELD NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE
    Publication number: 20160320323
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods to identify and quantify the emulsion properties in oil and gas producing wells at downhole condition or pipelines using NMR and to provide potential treatment options. The longitudinal (T1), transverse (T2) relaxation times and diffusion coefficient of a fluid are changed by the presence of a second dispersed fluid phase in the form of bubbles or droplets. Properties may be determined by comparing the measured T1 and T2 spectra and diffusion coefficient at downhole conditions with the bulk responses of the constituent fluids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Applicant: Colorado School of Mines
    Inventors: Milad Saidian, Ahmad A. Abdul Majid, Manika Prasad, Carolyn A. Koh
  • Ductile Ultra High Strength Medium Manganese Steel Produced Through Continuous Annealing and Hot Stamping
    Publication number: 20160312323
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of medium manganese steels for hot stamping to produce ultra high strength steel blanks with improved residual ductility of hot formed steels (as compared to boron-added steels such as 22MnB5 grade). The medium manganese steel sheets require much lower processing temperatures (<700° C. vs. >900° C.) prior to forming operation, allowing reduction of energy consumption during manufacturing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Applicant: Colorado School of Mines
    Inventors: Radhakanta Rana, Charles H. Carson, John Speer
  • CATHODE MATERIAL FOR LOW TEMPERATURE SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELLS
    Publication number: 20160301070
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a solid oxide (or protonic ceramic) fuel cell, a cathode for a solid oxide (or protonic ceramic) fuel cell, and a method of making the same. More specifically, the cathode for a solid oxide (or protonic ceramic) fuel cell utilizes a phase-pure perovskite structure of the compound BaCo0.4Fe0.4Zr0.2-xYxO3-6, where x is between about 0 and about 0.2. The cathode material may then be utilized in a SOFT or a PCFC as either a thin film porous cathode or as nanoparticles infiltrated into a cathode bone having a different structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Applicant: Colorado School of Mines
    Inventors: JIANHUA TONG, RYAN PATRICK O'HAYRE, MENG SHANG, CHUANCHENG DUAN
  • Harvesting micro algae
    Patent number: 9464268
    Abstract: A reusable composite paramagnetic particle may comprise a paramagnetic core encased by a protective material to which is grafted a tendril layer comprising a plurality of polymeric chains. The polymeric chains may be designed to interact with a microorganism. The interaction between the microorganism and the polymeric chain may be electrostatic. The nanoparticle may be used in a method to isolate or recover microorganisms from solutions using an externally applied magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES
    Inventor: Hongjun Liang
  • Compositions and methods for detecting Yersinia pestis bacteria
    Patent number: 9441204
    Abstract: Genetically modified bacteriophage and methods of using the same to detect bacterial types of interest are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES
    Inventors: Kent J. Voorhees, Leah G. Luna
  • Rapid reduction of sodium occupancy in type II silicon clathrate by chemical etching
    Patent number: 9416013
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method to produce a type II silicon clathrate, a method to produce a type I clathrate, and a method to decrease sodium in silicon clathrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Colorado School of Mines
    Inventors: Lakshmi Krishna, Eric Toberer, Adele Tamboli
  • Spectroscopic polarimeter
    Patent number: 9389344
    Abstract: A spectroscopic polarimeter and methods of manufacturing the same are provided. The spectroscopic polarimeter is described as being fabricated by etching or patterning grooves into a substrate with a centrally smooth area, laying down an opaque thin layer of metal, etching out a central cavity from the metal, laying down a thin layer of dielectric material, and then laying down metal over the cavity. Optionally, before or after the dielectric layer is laid, a thicker metal barrier at the edge of the design can be laid as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Colorado School of Mines
    Inventors: P. David Flammer, Jonathan Peltzer, Russell Hollingsworth
  • Gold nanoparticle conjugates and uses thereof
    Patent number: 9382346
    Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to formation of polymers grafted to or polymerized from the surface of gold nanoparticles. The polymers are functionalized to include therapeutic agents and/or targeting agents at their surface, thereby allowing both therapeutic and targeting compounds to be directed to specific cells in a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES
    Inventors: Stephen G. Boyes, Misty D. Rowe, Jay Hotchkiss
  • Alumina-rich glasses and methods for making the same
    Patent number: 9359244
    Abstract: The invention relates to new glass formulations with alumina contents greater than 35 mol % and methods for making these glasses. The glass may be a porous glass or a dense glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Colorado School of Mines
    Inventors: Ivan A. Cornejo, Ivar E. Reimanis
  • Method of forming rigid imide material from soluble amide ester functionalized precursors
    Patent number: 9355787
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method for making soluble precursors to imides, polyimides, and polymers containing imide groups, and a method of making thin films of the same by solution casting and then removing the solubilizing group to produce thermally stable and insoluble materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Colorado School of Mines
    Inventor: Daniel M. Knauss
  • Catalyst for oxygenate synthesis, oxygenate production apparatus, and method of producing oxygenate
    Patent number: 9333491
    Abstract: This invention relates to a catalyst for oxygenate synthesis to use for synthesizing an oxygenate from mixed gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide, the catalyst comprising, an (A) component: rhodium, a (B) component: manganese, a (C) component: an alkali metal, and a (Z) component: magnesium oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignees: SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO., LTD., COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Iwane, Ryan Richards, Christopher Cadigan