Abstract: The present invention describes a unique antiviral screen system. The assay is based on quantitatively monitoring viral activation of host cell beta-interferon (IFN-?) gene expression in a HEK293-derived reporter cell line expressing a firefly luciferase gene under the control of a human IFN-? promoter. Unlike the traditional high throughput antiviral assays that measure either the reduction of viral components/yields or cytopathic effect, the readout of the reporter assay in the present invention is the virus-induced host cellular innate immune response. Hence, the assay allows for identification of compounds that inhibit virus infection. In addition, because induction of IFN is one of the most common attributes of viruses, the assay is applicable to all the viruses that are able to infect the reporter cell line and induce IFN-? expression.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 22, 2013
Date of Patent:
October 27, 2015
Assignees:
Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Drexel University
Inventors:
Andrea Cuconati, Jinhong Chang, Timothy M. Block, Ju-Tao Guo
Abstract: The present invention generally relates to devices for energy storage technologies, and more particularly to electrochemical flow capacitor systems and applications. In some aspects, these flow capacitors have at least one electrode comprising a non-stationary solid or semi-solid composition comprising supercapacitive particles and an electrolytic solvent in electrical communication with at least one current collector, and energy is stored and/or released by charging and/or discharging the electrode(s).
Abstract: A solid freeform fabrication method of creating a three-dimensional article built at least in part from scaffolding layers, the method includes providing a scaffolding material, providing a supporting material in a shape of a foamy layer, and contacting the scaffolding material with the foamy layer to form at least one scaffolding layer and thereby creating the three dimensional article.
Abstract: The invention relate to fibrous mats comprising chitosan nanofibers and, optionally, at least one filler material, at least one additive, or both. The invention also relates to methods of making same, and devices that include a fibrous mat comprising chitosan nanofibers.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 11, 2008
Date of Patent:
October 20, 2015
Assignee:
Drexel University
Inventors:
Caroline L. Schauer, Jessica D. Schiffman
Abstract: A hyperspectral holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystal (HPDLC) medium comprising broadband reflective properties comprises dopants that result in a hyperspectral HPDLC with fast transitional switching speeds. A technique for fabrication of hyperspectral broadband HPDLC mediums involves dynamic variation of the holography setup during HPDLC formation, enabling the broadening of the HPDLC medium's wavelength response. Dopants may include carbon nanoparticles, piezoelectric nanoparticles, multiwalled carbon nanotubes, a high dielectric anisotropy compound, semiconductor nanoparticles, electrically conductive nanoparticles, metallic nanoparticles, or the like. The hyperspectral HPDLC having fast switching speeds may be used to form a mirror stack with electrically-switchable beam steering capability.
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.
Abstract: A novel photovoltaic device including a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) material that is capable of converting solar energy to electrical energy and method for making. The device may optionally include a conductive container for holding the PDLC material. In an exemplary embodiment, the invention is directed to a self assembled PDLC material, a holographically synthesized PDLC material or a block co-polymer dispersed liquid crystal material. It is envisioned that the invention may be used a power source for any device, system or application. In particular, the invention may be used for any application involving the conversion of solar energy to electrical energy.
Abstract: Provided is a method for immobilizing a macromolecule to a solid support material using poly(ethylene glycol), and a device obtained from the method. The macromolecule can be a polypeptide, such as an antibody.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 12, 2011
Date of Patent:
September 15, 2015
Assignee:
Drexel University
Inventors:
David R. Hansberry, Peter M. Clark, Elisabeth Papazoglou, Sundar Babu Nadarajan, Constantinos Papathomas
Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention comprise alkylated imino sugars derivatives having a disease-modifying action in the treatment of diseases associated with glucosidase activity that include Viral hemorrhagic fevers, and any other diseases involving glucosidase activity.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 27, 2013
Date of Patent:
September 8, 2015
Assignees:
Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Drexel University
Inventors:
Yanming Du, Xiaodong Xu, Hong Ye, Jinhong Chang, Timothy M. Block
Abstract: The present invention includes a composition comprising a gold nanoparticle complexed with a cysteine-containing compound. The invention also includes the method of preparing a composition comprising a gold nanoparticle complexed with a cysteine-containing compound. The invention further includes a method of causing virolysis of a virus using the compositions described therein. The invention further includes a method of inhibiting virus entry using the compositions described therein.
Abstract: Methods for diagnosing pathology of the liver in subject suspected of having such pathology by measuring the glycosylation of anti-gal IgG in various biological fluids of the subject.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 4, 2008
Date of Patent:
August 18, 2015
Assignee:
Drexel University
Inventors:
Timothy M. Block, Mary Ann Comunale, Anand Mehta
Abstract: The present invention relates to a hybrid graft and methods of generating the hybrid graft. The hybrid graft comprises an exterior surface and a luminal surface. The luminal surface comprises a micropattern of grooves to which cells adhere and orient along. The exterior surface comprises electrospun microfibers wherein the microfibers provide mechanical properties to the graft. The hybrid graft is capable supporting endothelial cell attachment, endothelial cell alignment, cell proliferation, and maintaining their in vivo function. The graft of the invention can recapitulate the in vivo morphology and function of natural vascular endothelium.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 24, 2010
Date of Patent:
August 18, 2015
Assignees:
Drexel University, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania
Inventors:
Peter I. Lelkes, Mengyan Li, Anat Perets, Pimporn Uttayarat, Robert J. Levy, Russell J. Composto
Abstract: Grafted triglycerides comprising an acrylated triglyceride grafted with a fatty acid residue containing 4 to 28 carbon atoms. Also described are methods for making a grafted triglyceride and for curing a material selected from vinyl esters and unsaturated polyesters and mixtures thereof and optionally a reactive diluent. The method includes the steps of mixing a grafted triglyceride of the present invention with a material selected from vinyl esters, unsaturated polyesters and mixtures thereof to form a mixture, and curing the mixture to form a cured resin system. A cured resin system comprising a cured product obtained by the foregoing method and composites containing the cured product and a filler or reinforcing material are also disclosed. This method also includes use of the grafted triglycerides to make toughened resin and composite systems with reduced hazardous air pollutants without significantly reducing the glass transition temperature and significantly increasing the viscosity.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 1, 2014
Date of Patent:
August 11, 2015
Assignees:
The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Army, Drexel University
Inventors:
Giuseppe R. Palmese, John J. LaScala, James M. Sands, Xing Geng
Abstract: A vertical charge ordered transistor is disclosed. A thin charge ordered layer is employed as a tunnel barrier between two electrodes. A gate-induced accumulation of charge destabilizes the charge ordered state around the circumference of the device, opening up a parallel ohmic conduction channel, which leads to an exponential increase in source-drain current. VCOT devices have the potential to exhibit very large on/off ratios, low off-state currents, and sub-threshold slopes below 60 mV/dec.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 15, 2013
Date of Patent:
August 4, 2015
Assignees:
Drexel University, The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania
Inventors:
Steven May, Jonathan Spanier, James Rondinelli, Mitra Taheri, Robert Charles Devlin, Andrew Marshall Rappe
Abstract: A method for the formation of surface enhanced Raman scattering substrates. The method produces thin substrates that have a nanoparticle ink deposited thereon. The nanoparticle ink may be any suitable nanoparticle ink such as silver, gold or copper nanoparticle ink which includes stabilized nanoparticles. The substrates and nanoparticle ink undergo a first step of heating in order to remove liquid vehicle from the ink The substrates and nanoparticles then undergo a second step of heating for an amount of time sufficient to remove a substantial portion of the stabilizer and provide a fractal aggregate nanoparticle layer on the substrate having a certain resistivity or conductivity suitable for Raman scattering. This creates SERS substrates with enhanced amplification properties.
Abstract: The present invention provides methods, compositions, apparatus, and kits for assessing glycoforms of proteins as a biomarker for disease. A purified recombinant form of lectin is used as a detector molecule to specifically label target sugars expressed in disease states. The high affinity of recombinant lectin allows for automation of assays that would be used in the diagnosis of diseases such as, but not limited to, cancer or liver disease.
Type:
Application
Filed:
February 3, 2012
Publication date:
July 16, 2015
Applicants:
Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, Drexel University
Inventors:
Patrick Robert ROMANO, Anand MEHTA, Timothy M. Block
Abstract: A novel quantum dot containing two different metals at non-toxic levels which is capable of narrow bandwidth near infrared emissions at wavelengths of 600-1100 nm. The quantum dot is fabricated via an aqueous method which forms a structure having an inner region of one composition and an outer region of a different composition, wherein the inner region contains at least a first metal and the outer region contains at least a second metal. The quantum dots may be enabled for bioconjugation and may be used in a method for tissue imaging and analyte detection.
Abstract: A rapid and sensitive assay to detect p53 mutations in urine has been developed for use in screening cancer patients. The method uses a locked nucleic acid (LNA) clamp mediated one-step PCR-based assay with a sensitivity of up to a single copy and can be used not only in urine, but also other biological samples. The assay is particularly useful for hepatocellular carcinoma, colon cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, bladder cancer, lymphoma, and stomach cancer.
Abstract: Provided are multimaterial devices, such as coaxial nanowires, that effect hot photoexcited electron transfer across the interface of the materials. Modulation of the transfer rates, manifested as a large tunability of the voltage onset of negative differential resistance and of voltage-current phase, may be effected by modulating electrostatic gating, incident photon energy, and the incident photon intensity. Dynamic manipulation of this transfer rate permits the introduction and control of an adjustable phase delay within a device element.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 26, 2012
Date of Patent:
June 16, 2015
Assignee:
Drexel University
Inventors:
Jonathan E Spanier, Guannan Chen, Eric M Gallo, Baris Taskin
Abstract: The invention relates to a reflective surface substantially perpendicular to a vector field described by the equation: and a method for forming the reflective surface. The reflective surface is capable of providing a non-reversed, substantially undistorted direct reflection.