Patents Assigned to Governors of the University of Alberta
  • POLYMERS FOR FLOCCULATION, DEWATERING AND CONSOLIDATION OF OIL SANDS FLUID FINE TAILINGS, MINE TAILINGS AND SOLID PARTICULATE SUSPENSIONS
    Publication number: 20160280572
    Abstract: A method of treating a solid particulate suspension, such as fluid fine tailings, to form a flocculated slurry by mixing with the suspension with a polymer having a solubility in water which is temperature responsive, having an upper critical solution temperature between about 0° C. and about 80° C. The polymer may be formed from water-soluble monomer units and monomers units which are insoluble or less-soluble in water than the water-soluble monomers. When used with mature fine tailings (MFT), reclaimable MFT may be formed by dewatering the treated slurry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: THE GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
    Inventors: Hongbo ZENG, Bin YAN, Qiuyi LU, Qi LIU
  • Method for depositing silicon nanocrystals in hollow fibers
    Patent number: 9452446
    Abstract: A method for depositing a layer of silicon nanocrystals upon the inside surface of hollow fibers is disclosed. In particular, the method includes inserting a hollow glass fiber into a solution of hydrogen silsesquioxane, removing the solvent and heating the hollow glass fiber to a temperature suitable to form silicon nanocrystals, and subsequently cooling the hollow glass fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: The Governors of the University of Alberta
    Inventors: Jonathan Veinot, Jose Roberto Rodriguez, Pablo Bianucci, Al Meldrum
  • Auxin receptors
    Patent number: 9441237
    Abstract: The invention is directed to isolated polynucleotide and polypeptides of the PsAFB2 and PsAFB6 genes from Pisum sativum; nucleic acid constructs, vectors and host cells incorporating the polynucleotide sequences; and methods of producing and using same. Also provided are transformed cells, and transgenic seeds and plants with enhanced abiotic stress tolerance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: THE GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
    Inventors: Jocelyn Ozga, Dennis Reinecke, Courtney Nadeau
  • Flexible-base electrode array and surrogate neural tissue
    Patent number: 9433787
    Abstract: A flexible-base electrode array for implantation within neural tissue, method of making the electrode array and use thereof, is provided. A surrogate neural tissue, method of making same and use thereof, is further provided. The use of the present flexible-base electrode array for implantation into the surrogate neural tissue for stimulation or recording neural activity, wherein the array is biocompatible with the surrogate tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: The Governors of the University of Alberta
    Inventors: Anastasia Elias, Vivian Mushahwar, Walied Moussa, Cheng Cheng, Imad Khaled, Kathryn Todd
  • Methods for tailoring electrode work function using interfacial modifiers for use in organic electronics
    Patent number: 9431612
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for tailoring the work function of electrodes in organic electronics using interfacial modifiers comprising functionalized semiconducting polymers and/or small molecules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignees: The Governors of the University of Alberta, National Research Council of Canada
    Inventors: Brian Worfolk, Qun Chen, Jillian Buriak
  • POLYHYDROXYALKANOATE FILM FORMATION USING ALKANOIC ACIDS
    Publication number: 20160230039
    Abstract: A method of forming a polymer film, coating or particle comprising a polyhydroxyalkanoate such as polyhydroxybutyrate, comprising the step of dissolving the polymer in a solvent comprising an alkanoic acid such as acetic acid, and drying or precipitating the dissolved polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2016
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Applicant: THE GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
    Inventors: Anastasia ELIAS, Preetam ANBUKARASU, Dominic SAUVAGEAU
  • BIOACTIVE PEPTIDES AND METHODS OF PRODUCING AND USING THE SAME
    Publication number: 20160222058
    Abstract: Described herein are methods of identifying and releasing bioactive peptides from their full length proteins. The method involves (a) contacting the protein with a reducing agent, a sonication step, a high pressure processing step, a heating step, a fermentation step, or any combination thereof; and (b) contacting the protein after step (a) with a hydrolytic enzyme to produce the bioactive peptide. The bioactive peptides exhibit enhanced biological activity when compared to the parent protein. The bioactive peptides may be added to foodstuffs, a medication, or to any potable, ingestible, or edible compositions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Applicant: The Governors of the University of Alberta
    Inventors: Jianping WU, Kaustav MAJUMDER
  • GENETICALLY ENGINEERED SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE AND YARROWIA LIPOLYTICA AND PRODUCTION OF FATTY ALCOHOLS
    Publication number: 20160222419
    Abstract: Genetically engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Yarrowia lipolytica for the production of fatty alcohols, including hexadecanol and octadecanol, are provided. The S. cerevisiae and Y. lipolytica can be genetically engineered to express or over-express a plurality of enzymes involved in fatty alcohol synthesis, such as acyl-CoA thioesterase, fatty acyl reductase, fatty acyl activating enzyme and fatty acyl synthetase, and can be further genetically engineered with a deficiency in one or more enzymes involved in fatty acid oxidation, such as fatty acyl-CoA oxidase. Methods of producing fatty alcohols, such as hexadecanol and octadecanol, by fermenting the genetically engineered S. cerevisiae and Y. lipolytica are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Applicant: The Governors of the University of Alberta
    Inventor: David Troy STUART
  • Methods of phosvitin extraction and phosphopeptide preparation from egg yolk
    Patent number: 9403870
    Abstract: The invention is directed to methods for extracting phosvitin from egg yolk involving contacting the egg yolk or egg yolk protein granules with a solution having a salt concentration of about 10% to form a mixture; optionally, heating the mixture; adjusting the pH of the mixture to separate phosvitin from other proteins; recovering the phosvitin. The phosvitin extract may be dephosphorylated and hydrolyzed to produce phosvitin phosphopeptides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: THE GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
    Inventors: Jianping Wu, Bo Lei, Jiandong Ren
  • ALDEHYDE FREE THERMOSET BIORESINS AND BIOCOMPOSITES
    Publication number: 20160215088
    Abstract: Aldehyde-free bio-based resin and composite materials include flexible or rigid thermoset resins of epoxidized oils derived from unsaturated oils which are cured with crosslinking carboxylic acids, natural food acids, anhydrides and acid anhydrides, and may be combined with different lignocellulosic fibers, forestry products or waste, with up to 100% renewable content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Applicant: THE GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
    Inventors: Tolibjon OMONOV, Jonathan CURTIS
  • Method for quantum computation by perturbing dangling bond electronic states
    Patent number: 9400957
    Abstract: A quantum device is provided that includes controllably quantum mechanically coupled dangling bonds extending from a surface of a semiconductor material. Each of the controllably quantum mechanically coupled dangling bonds has a separation of at least one atom of the semiconductor material. At least one electrode is provided for selectively modifying an electronic state of the controllably quantum mechanically coupled dangling bonds. By providing at least one additional electron within the controllably quantum mechanically coupled dangling bonds with the proviso that there exists at least one unoccupied dangling bond for each one additional electron present, the inventive device is operable at least to 293 degrees Kelvin and is largely immune to stray electrostatic perturbations. Room temperature operable quantum cellular automata and qubits are constructed therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignees: National Research Council of Canada, The Governors of the University of Alberta
    Inventors: Gino A. Dilabio, Robert A. Wolkow, Jason L. Pitters, Paul G. Piva
  • Methods and systems for preparing irreversible inhibitors of protein tyrosine phosphatases
    Patent number: 9399653
    Abstract: Described herein are the preparation and use of novel bromo-phosphonomethylphenylalanine amino acid derivatives (BrPmp) and BrPmp-containing peptides as specific, irreversible protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitors, which are suitable for application in peptide synthesis. These derivatives are particularly advantageous since their synthesis is both easy and scalable, and they are suitable for peptide synthesis. The BrPmp derivatives described herein can be appropriately protected to allow for solid phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) and incorporation into peptides for preparation of protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitors and inhibitor libraries. The peptides and peptide libraries can be used to identify new protein tyrosine phosphatase specific sequences and profile protein tyrosine phosphatase activity in cell lysates, diagnostic samples and biopsy samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: The Governors of the University of Alberta
    Inventors: Christopher Warren Cairo, Naresh Singh Tulsi, Alan Michael Downey
  • Frequency dependent analog boost converter for low voltage applications
    Patent number: 9397561
    Abstract: An analog open-loop self-oscillating boost converter is provided including: an output terminal for supplying an output voltage bus; an input terminal for receiving variable input power; a varactor positioned in series with the input terminal; and an oscillating network having an inductor, a resistor and a capacitor in a parallel orientation, the oscillating network connected to a semiconductor device and the varactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: The Governors of the University of Alberta
    Inventors: Douglas Barlage, Lhing Gem Kim Shoute
  • DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF MYCOBACTERIA INFECTIONS
    Publication number: 20160195525
    Abstract: The invention provides isolated, purified, recombinant receptor binding proteins Gp-6, Gp-10 and Gp-31 from mycobacterium phage L5, and methods for producing these recombinant receptor binding proteins. The invention also provides the use of recombinant receptor binding proteins, including Gp-6, Gp-10 and Gp-31, as probes for the identification and diagnosis of mycobacterium infections and conditions caused by mycobacterium. Further provided by the invention are methods of targeting mycobacteria using recombinant receptor binding proteins, including Gp-6, Gp-10 and Gp-31. Other methods provided by the invention include the use of recombinant receptor binding proteins, such as Gp-10, in diagnostic assays for diseases, such as Johne's disease, in animals, including ruminants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Applicant: The Governors of the University of Alberta
    Inventors: Stephane Evoy, Denis Arutyunov, Upasana Singh, Christine Szymanski
  • PARALLEL ORGANIC SYNTHESIS ON PATTERNED PAPER USING A SOLVENT-REPELLING MATERIAL
    Publication number: 20160193582
    Abstract: The present application is directed to a porous support for parallel organic synthesis comprising: a solvophilic area for spotting an organic solvent comprising a reagent for synthesizing an organic compound, and a solvophobic area that repels the organic solvent. Methods of synthesizing the support and compounds thereon are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Applicant: THE GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
    Inventors: Ratmir Derda, Frederique Deiss
  • Ore froth processing
    Patent number: 9376627
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for processing ore, the method comprising obtaining a reflectance spectra of an ore froth using a camera, applying a calculation using at least a wavelet decomposition to the reflectance spectra and generating a value representative of the reflectance spectra of the ore froth, classifying the quality of the ore froth using the value, and using the classification of the quality of the ore froth in froth processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: The Governors of the University of Alberta
    Inventors: Benoit Rivard, Michael George Lipsett, Jilu Feng
  • CATALYST SYSTEMS FOR USE IN CONTINUOUS FLOW REACTORS AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURE AND USE THEREOF
    Publication number: 20160175829
    Abstract: The present application provides a composite material and system for use in a heterogeneous flow reactor, which can include: a catalytic polymeric framework comprising catalyst-containing monomeric units each separated by at least one non-catalyst-containing monomeric unit; and a solid support material, wherein the catalytic polymeric framework is covalently or non-covalently immobilized on or in the support material. Each catalyst-containing monomeric subunit in the polymeric framework comprises a transition metal bound to a catalyst ligand. Also provided are methods of manufacture and use of the catalyst system and composite material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Applicant: THE GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
    Inventors: Steven H. BERGENS, Suneth KALAPUGAMA, Prabin NEPAL, Elizabeth MCGINITIE
  • Oncolytic viruses and methods for treating neoplastic disorders
    Patent number: 9370550
    Abstract: The disclosure provides mutant ribonucleotide reductase strains of poxviruses including for example vaccinia viruses. The disclosure also provides methods and for the use of these mutant ribonucleotide reductase strains of vaccinia viruses in oncolytic virotherapy. Also provided in the disclosure are vector constructs for generating mutant ribonucleotide reductase strains of poxviruses including for example vaccinia viruses. The disclosure also provides poxviruses comprising a functionally inactivated R2 gene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: The Governors of the University of Alberta
    Inventors: David H. Evans, Don B. Gammon
  • POLYMERS AND PLASTICS DERIVED FROM ANIMAL PROTEINS
    Publication number: 20160160048
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for preparing a polymer derived from an animal protein, such as in a feedstock derived from animal by-products. The method involves hydrolyzing proteins present in a feedstock to obtain hydrolyzed proteins, wherein hydrolysis is conducted under conditions sufficient to digest the proteins and destroy pathogens; extracting a protein fraction from the hydrolyzed proteins; and treating the protein fraction with a crosslinking reagent to form the polymer. The crosslinking reagents may include epoxies. The polymer may be further processed to form a thermoset plastic. The polymer may be used as an adhesive, or in the preparation of a natural fiber composite material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Applicant: THE GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
    Inventors: David Curtis BRESSLER, Phillip CHOI
  • Peptides that inhibit angiotensin converting enzyme and peptides with antioxidant activity purified from ovotransferrin and methods of producing and using the same
    Patent number: 9315563
    Abstract: Described herein are methods of identifying and releasing bioactive peptides from ovotransferrin The method involves (a) contacting ovotransferrin with a reducing agent, a sonication step, a high pressure processing step, a heating step, a fermentation step, or any combination thereof, and (b) contacting the ovotransferrin after step (a) with a hydrolytic enzyme to produce bioactive peptides that exhibit angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitory activity or antioxidant activity when compared to the parent protein. The bioactive peptides may be added to foodstuffs, a medication, or to any potable, ingestible, or edible compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: The Governors of the University of Alberta
    Inventors: Jianping Wu, Kaustav Majumder