Patents Assigned to Drexel University
  • Publication number: 20170204434
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing hydrogen from a waste material, comprising steps of fermenting 100 a fermentation mixture comprising the waste material in a reactor 1 with a headspace 1a under anaerobic conditions, removing 200 hydrogen from a gas from the headspace 1a during fermentation to produce a hydrogen gas and a remainder gas and recirculating 300 at least a portion of the remainder gas back to the headspace 1a. An apparatus for producing hydrogen and recirculating at least a portion of the remainder gas to the headspace 1a is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Applicant: Drexel University
    Inventor: Charles Nathan Haas
  • Publication number: 20170205389
    Abstract: A PEFS (Piezoelectric Finger Sensor) acts as an “electronic finger” capable of accurately and non-destructively measuring both the Young's compression modulus and shear modulus of tissues with gentle touches to the surface. The PEFS measures both the Young's compression modulus and shear modulus variations in tissue generating a less than one-millimeter spatial resolution up to a depth of several centimeters. This offers great potential for in-vivo early detection of diseases. A portable hand-held device is also disclosed. The PEF offers superior sensitivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Applicant: Drexel University
    Inventors: Wan Y. Shih, Wei-Heng Shih, Anna Markidou, Steven T. Szewczyk, Hakki Yegingil
  • Publication number: 20170199076
    Abstract: A sensing method is based on using a special fiberoptic probe for detection of acoustic/ultrasound pressure in an immersion medium. The developed system is highly sensitive in detecting ultrasound waves up to 100 MHz, for imaging of micro structures and more. For applications up to 100 MHz, without spatial averaging corrections, the probe tip is modified by reducing the fiber diameter to 7 um or less. Also, to maximize acousto-optic interaction, the probe tip, not just its end face, may be coated with a thin layer of metallic material. This thin film coating satisfies partial transparency of the metallic coating. The coating thickness may range from 2 nm to 10 nm or others depending on the type of the coating material. The probe detects the pressure of acoustic and/or ultrasound waves propagating within an immersion medium, whenever the probe tip is immersed inside the medium, and having a reasonable immersion contact surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Applicant: Drexel University
    Inventors: Mahmoud A. El-Sherif, Afshin S. Daryoush, Peter A. Lewin, Rupa Gopinath Minasamudram
  • Patent number: 9700640
    Abstract: Provided is a particle-stabilized ultrasound contrast agent (UCA) and methods of preparing same. Also provided is a method for preparing a lyoprotected UCA, a freeze-dried lyoprotected UCA, and a reconstituted freeze-dried lyoprotected UCA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Drexel University
    Inventors: Margaret A. Wheatley, Boriphat Methachan, Carl D. Solis
  • Patent number: 9695068
    Abstract: The present invention consists of a method of pre-treatment of adulterated water for distillation, including adulterated water produced during hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) of shale rock during natural gas drilling. In particular, the invention is directed to a method of treating adulterated water, said adulterated water having an initial level of bicarbonate ion in a range of about 250 ppm to about 5000 ppm and an initial level of calcium ion in a range of about 500 ppm to about 50,000 ppm, said method comprising contacting the adulterated water with a non-thermal arc discharge plasma to produce plasma treated water having a level of bicarbonate ion of less than about 100 ppm. Optionally, the plasma treated water may be further distilled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Drexel University
    Inventors: Young I. Cho, Alexander Fridman, Alexander Rabinovich, Daniel J. Cho
  • Patent number: 9675565
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of inhibiting, suppressing or preventing levodopa-induced dyskinesia in a patient suffering from Parkinson's Disease, comprising the step of administering to the patient a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one compound of the invention. The present invention further provides a method of inhibiting, suppressing or preventing Parkinson's Disease in a patient, comprising the step of administering to the patient a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one compound of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignees: Drexel University, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
    Inventors: Sandhya Kortagere, Eldo V. Kuzhikandahil
  • Publication number: 20170160165
    Abstract: A system for measuring structural integrity includes a self-contained rapid modal testing trailer that delivers an impact load to a structure being tested and records data resulting from the impact load, and a data processing software that extracts modal parameters of the structure, such as frequencies and mode shapes. The parameters are used to determine anomalous behavior as well as provide experimental data for finite element model calibration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Applicant: Drexel University
    Inventors: Franklin Lehr Moon, John DeVitis, David Robert Masceri, Jr., Ahmet Emin Aktan, Barry William Buchter, Basily B. Basily, John Burton Braley, Nicholas Paul Romano
  • Patent number: 9668846
    Abstract: The present invention includes an anisotropic scaffold, which is prepared by electrospinning a solution of matrix material upon a textile template. The present invention further includes a method of preparing such scaffold. The anisotropic scaffold of the invention finds use in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignees: Drexel University, Philadelphia University
    Inventors: Peter I. Lelkes, H. Gozde Senel, David Brookstein, Muthu Govindaraj
  • Patent number: 9662012
    Abstract: The invention is directed to quantification of the effects of drugs on a patient using pupillometric measures. Apparatus and processes for obtaining control and patient measures and deriving relationships from same are provided. The methods of the invention provide doctor quantitative feedback on patient symptoms and on the effects of a drug or dosage of same on a patient, as well as provide assessment capability to patients and law enforcement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Drexel University
    Inventor: Robert A. Hirsh
  • Patent number: 9663372
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of disaggregating nanodiamond clusters, especially those clusters typically produced from detonation syntheses, the nanodiamond particles and dispersions produced from these disaggregation processes, and compositions derived from these nanodiamond particles and dispersions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Drexel University
    Inventors: Yury Gogotsi, Vadym Mochalin
  • Patent number: 9657013
    Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention comprise covalently closed circular DNA formation inhibitors having a disease-modifying action in the treatment of diseases associated with the formation of covalently closed circular DNA that include hepatitis B infection, and any disease involving formation of covalently closed circular DNA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignees: Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Drexel University
    Inventors: Andrea Cuconati, Haitao Guo, Timothy M. Block, Ju-Tao Guo, Xiaodong Xu, Huagang Lu, Dawei Cai
  • Patent number: 9644850
    Abstract: An energy efficient heat pump system capable of operating in extreme low and high temperature environments. The heat pump system includes an evaporator, a heater operatively associated with the evaporator, compressor and condenser. In an exemplary embodiment, the heat pump system may further include a plasma pulse-spark system to facilitate removal of scale deposits. The heater heats an environmental medium prior to the environmental medium exchanging energy with a refrigerant located in an evaporator coil of the evaporator in order to maintain a predetermined minimum temperature differential between the environmental medium when it contacts the evaporator coil and the refrigerant when located in the evaporator coil. The system allows efficient operation at low temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Drexel University
    Inventor: Young I. Cho
  • Patent number: 9642830
    Abstract: The invention includes methods of treating a subject having hepatitis B viral (HBV) infection. In certain embodiments, the method of the invention comprises stimulating the innate cytokine response in macrophages, dendritic cells and/or liver non-parenchymal cells with small molecular STING agonists, thus suppressing HBV replication in hepatocytes. In other embodiments, the method of the invention can be used to treat chronic HBV infections. The invention further provides methods of identifying compounds useful in treating HBV infection in a subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Drexel University
    Inventors: Jinhong Chang, Fang Guo, Timothy M. Block, Ju-Tao Guo
  • Patent number: 9644059
    Abstract: Anhydrosugar-based monomers prepared from isosorbide, isomannide, and isoidide and resin systems containing these anhydrosugar-based monomers that are partially to fully bio-based, which may produce materials having properties that meet or exceed the properties of similar petroleum derived vinyl ester resins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignees: Drexel University, The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Giuseppe R. Palmese, John Joseph La Scala, Joshua Matthew Sadler, Anh-Phuong Thy Lam
  • Publication number: 20170109879
    Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a computer-implemented method for tracking a plurality of spermatozoa. The method includes: identifying a coordinate for each of the plurality of spermatozoa in a plurality of video frames; and applying a nearest-neighbor joint probabilistic data association filter (NN-JPDAF) algorithm to associate the coordinates with one or a plurality of sperm tracks. Another aspect of the invention provides a non-transitory computer-readable medium containing program instructions executable by a processor. The computer-readable medium can include program instructions for performing a method as described herein. Another aspect of the invention provides a system including: a processor and a computer-readable medium including program instructions for performing a method as described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Applicants: Drexel University, The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania
    Inventors: Leonardo Urbano, Moshe Kam, Puneet Masson, Matthew Vermilyea
  • Patent number: 9625878
    Abstract: Described herein is a new holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystal (HPDLC) medium with broadband reflective properties, and a new technique for fabrication of broadband HPDLC mediums. The new technique involves dynamic variation of the holography setup during HPDLC formation, enabling the broadening of the HPDLC medium's wavelength response. Dynamic variation of the holography setup may include the rotation and/or translation of one or more motorized stages, allowing for time and spatial, or angular, multiplexing through variation of the incident angles of one or more laser beams on a pre-polymer mixture during manufacture. An HPDLC medium manufactured using these techniques exhibits improved optical response by reflecting a broadband spectrum of wavelengths. A new broadband holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystal thin film polymeric mirror stack with electrically-switchable beam steering capability is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Drexel University
    Inventors: Adam K. Fontecchio, Kashma Rai
  • Patent number: 9623071
    Abstract: The present invention provides small molecule inhibitors of hepatitis B virus (HBV) covalently closed circular (ccc) DNA, which are useful as therapeutics in the management of chronic HBV. The compounds of the invention achieve epigenetic modification of the cccDNA, histone modification and histone deacetylase activity inhibition, thus modulating HBV cccDNA. The present invention further provides methods for modulating HBV cccDNA, for treating or preventing HBV in a subject, and for modulating cccDNA transcription of hepatitis B in a subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignees: Drexel University, Baruch S. Blumberg Institute
    Inventors: Ju-Tao Guo, Jinhong Chang, Timothy M. Block, William A. Kinney, Harold R. Almond
  • Publication number: 20170100313
    Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a method of inhibiting, protecting against, or treating UVR-induced skin damage in a mammal at risk of developing UVR-induced skin damage. The method includes the step of topically administering a pharmaceutical or cosmetic composition including an effective amount of a Syk kinase inhibitor to said mammal. The Syk kinase inhibitor inhibits the UVR-induced skin damage in the mammal. Another aspect of the invention provides a method of treating a disease or disorder associated with a change of Syk kinase expression in the skin in a mammal. The method includes the step of topically administering to said skin of said mammal a pharmaceutical or cosmetic composition including a therapeutically effective amount of at least one Syk kinase inhibitor, thereby reducing Syk kinase expression in the skin of the mammal and treating the disease or disorder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Applicant: Drexel University
    Inventor: Zhenyu Huang
  • Patent number: 9616065
    Abstract: The present invention provides compounds useful for treating or preventing a brain-related disease or disorder. The present invention further provides a method of treating or preventing a brain-related disease or disorder in a patient, the method comprising administering to the patient a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one compound of the invention. The present invention further provides a method of modulating the activity of a monoamine transporter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Drexel University
    Inventors: Sandhya Kortagere, Ole Valente Mortensen, Andreia C. K. Mortensen, Joseph M. Salvino
  • Patent number: 9618497
    Abstract: A PEFS (Piezoelectric Finger Sensor) acts as an “electronic finger” capable of accurately and non-destructively measuring both the Young's compression modulus and shear modulus of tissues with gentle touches to the surface. The PEFS measures both the Young's compression modulus and shear modulus variations in tissue generating a less than one-millimeter spatial resolution up to a depth of several centimeters. This offers great potential for in-vivo early detection of diseases. A portable hand-held device is also disclosed. The PEF offers superior sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Drexel University
    Inventors: Wan Y. Shih, Wei-Heng Shih, Anna Markidou, Steven T. Szweczyk, Hakki Yegingil