Patents Assigned to Iowa State University Research
  • Patent number: 12374733
    Abstract: An efficient and green method for selective extraction of Li from end-of-life secondary LIBs of any capacity and size is provided. Electrochemical driven selective lithium deposition is targeted at the anode/separator interface of the end-of-life LIB. The deposited Li is recovered by processing of an opened or dismantled battery using only distilled or de-ionized water. The process not only enables the recovery of the plated lithium at the anode/separator interface, but also extracts the lithium from the organic salts and/or inorganic salts in the solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layers and from the electrolyte in the separator. In addition, the method partially strips the cyclable Li from the cathode and concentrates it at the anode/separator interface. The concentrated Li is extracted by using aqueous solution such as distilled or de-ionized water followed by recovery of the Li from aqueous solution. After Li recovery from the anode, the method can also enable the recovery of battery-grade graphite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2025
    Assignee: Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Cajetan Ikenna Nlebedim, Abhishek Sarkar, Pranav Shrotriya
  • Patent number: 12357840
    Abstract: A coil configuration and method for transcranial magnetic stimulation enabling stimulation of deep regions of the brain without excessively stimulating the cortex is provided. The coil configuration utilizes at least one coil to produce an off-plane magnetic field to enhance the magnetic field from a top TMS coil. In one configuration at least a single variable position coil referred to as the Variable Halo Coil and positionable vertically and/or angularly is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2025
    Assignee: Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Jiles, Magundappa Ravi L. Hadimani, Priyam Rastogi
  • Patent number: 12358077
    Abstract: Various embodiments relate to forming particles using undercooled metal particles in response to focused low power laser light. Particle growth can be initiated by utilizing the metastable and liquid nature of the particles, allowing for surface instability promoted by the laser light to induce liquid flow to translate to a neighboring particle. This event can cascade radially leading to accumulation of the liquid metal at the epicenter. The grown solidified particle size can be varied by using different power, exposure time, or working distance. Once the liquid has accumulated into a single region, it eventually solidifies either through homogeneous or heterogeneous nucleation to give a solid particle of larger size than the original. Such a method can be used to print patterns on a surface in four dimensions, where the fourth dimension (4D) is attained through gradient in size of the particles made. Additional systems and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2025
    Assignee: Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Thuo, Peter C. Collins, Andrew Martin
  • Patent number: 12350300
    Abstract: Dopamine producing probiotics to increase immune responses to vaccination and to provide increased immune protection are provided. Also provided are dopamine producing synbiotic compositions, formulations, plants, and synthetic compounds, as well as methods for their use for targeted clinical and veterinary applications, for example, in promoting health and well-being and enhancing vaccine efficacy. Also provided is an approach for optimization of synbiotic delivery of a probiotic or other dopamine producing product with a dopamine precursor to beneficially aid in the use of such products for a variety of conditions and diseases, and particularly in the field of vaccines, whether prophylactic or therapeutic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2025
    Assignee: Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Lyte
  • Patent number: 12344873
    Abstract: Various aspects relate to a cell-free protein expression method. The method includes exposing a microorganism to substantially anaerobic growth conditions to produce a conditioned microorganism. The method further includes lysing the conditioned microorganism to produce a lysate. The method further includes combining the lysate with a nucleic acid and producing a protein of interest a metabolic pathway, a molecule, or a mixture thereof from the lysate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2025
    Assignee: Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Denis Tamiev, Nigel Forest Reuel
  • Publication number: 20250207222
    Abstract: Embodiments of a process are provided. In the process, a rare earth (RE) element is added to an aqueous feedstock including a first salt of the RE element and a second salt of a metal to form a mixture. The mixture is heated to a temperature of at least 50° C. to cause hydrolysis of the second salt to form a precipitate of a hydroxide comprising the metal and to cause an increase in a concentration of the first salt or formation of a third salt comprising the RE element. The precipitate is separated from the mixture, and the first salt or the third salt in the mixture is reacted with an oxalate to precipitate a RE oxalate. The RE oxalate is separated from the mixture, and the RE oxalate is calcined to form the RE element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2024
    Publication date: June 26, 2025
    Applicant: Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Denis Prodius, Ikenna Cajetan Nlebedim, Anirudha Karati
  • Patent number: 12310635
    Abstract: A tunable stiffness bone rod promotes the healing of fractured bones, such as tibia bones. The tunable stiffness bone rod includes a hexagonal shape that has variable levels of stiffness upon application of an axial force. The axial force will begin a low stiffness movement of the bone rod until a threshold is met. Upon reaching the threshold, the stiffness of the bone rod increases to lessen additional longitudinal movement caused by the axial force on the bone rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2025
    Assignee: Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Azadeh Sheidaei, Mohammad Saber Hashemi, Karl Kraus
  • Patent number: 12313581
    Abstract: An inductive-capacitive resonant sensor architecture includes an inductively-coupled extender (ICE) that can both increase read range and lessen the effects of reader/sensor misalignment. The ICE can include a first coil configured with respect to a resonant sensor and a second coil separated from the first coil and coupled to the first coil by electrical wires. An external reader can be arranged with respect to the second coil. This architecture can nearly eliminate misalignment issues between the external reader and the resonant sensor. The ICE can be implemented with a closed circuit design. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2025
    Assignee: Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Yee Jher Chan, Adam Russell Carr, Nigel Forest Reuel
  • Publication number: 20250134089
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling the level relative to ground of moveable wings in a spray system that includes the moveable wings mounted to a common center frame support structure attached to an associated work vehicle to form a pair of opposed independently moveable wings extending laterally from the associated work vehicle. An initial control signal is determined for moving the moveable wings based on positions of the moveable wings relative to the ground. A compensating signal is determined for compensating the initial control signal, wherein the compensating signal is derived independent from the position of the moveable wings relative to the ground and includes a flexure component dependent upon one or more flexural properties of the associated work vehicle. A level control output signal is generated for controlling the level of the moveable wings based on a combination of the initial control signal and the compensating signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2024
    Publication date: May 1, 2025
    Applicants: Deere & Company, Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle R. BLAYLOCK, Robert MCNAULL, Adam D. SPORRER, Bryan N. HRNICEK, Kasey J. LAMMERS, Daniel K. MURRAY, Alex J. IRLBECK
  • Patent number: 12284942
    Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for a harvester vehicle that includes a crop processing system comprising at least an accumulator and a round module builder. The harvester vehicle has a feedback fusion system that operably provides crop processing data indicative of an estimated accumulator fill level to a crop feed rate control system. The feedback fusion system has a plurality of feedback devices that operably provide feedback signals including data indicative of two or more of: crop mass flow, module builder status, module size, and accumulator fill level. The feedback fusion system has a control module that operably receives the feedback signals and generates an accumulator fill level signal based at least upon two or more of the feedback signals. The accumulator fill level signal is indicative of the estimated fill level in the accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Assignees: Deere & Company, Iowa State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Wigdahl, Jeffrey C. Askey, Mark A. Cracraft, Robert R. Carlson, Grant W. Mandernach
  • Patent number: 12274240
    Abstract: An apparatus, systems, and methods of providing enrichment to poultry during raising or maintaining of the poultry. One or more light sources project beams to generate laser spots at and around the poultry. A control regimen moves the light spots relative the poultry in generally random fashion during timed sessions for each given time period (e.g. each day). The spot movement is designed to promote benefits to poultry and producer in correlation to experimental data related to animal welfare, health, and commercial value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignee: Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Elizabeth Ann Kraayenbrink, Anna Butters-Johnson, Derek Kraayenbrink
  • Patent number: 12272471
    Abstract: The present invention provides fine grain structures for rare earth permanent magnets (REPMs) and their production in a manner to significantly enhance flexural strength and fracture toughness of the magnets with no or little sacrifice in the hard magnetic properties. The tough REPMs can have either homogeneous or heterogeneous refined grain microstructural architectures achieved by introducing a small amount of additive particle materials into the magnet matrix, such as fine-sized, insoluble, chemically stable, and non-reactive with the magnet matrix. These additive materials can act effectively as both heterogeneous nuclei sites and grain growth inhibitors during the heat treatment processes, which in turn resulting in refined grain structures of the REPMs. Alternatively, the fine grain structures were also achieved by using magnet alloy feedstock powders with finer particle sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Baozhi Cui, Jun Cui
  • Patent number: 12257046
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a resonator system for detecting perspiration. The system includes a resonator. The resonator includes an electronically conductive segment. The resonator further includes a polymeric component coating at least a portion of the electronically conductive segment. The resonator further includes a fluidic channel component positioned adjacent to the polymeric component and comprising a microfluidic channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Russell Carr, Nigel Forest Reuel
  • Patent number: 12247272
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of an Al—Ce—Cu alloy for use in additive manufacturing. The disclosed alloy embodiments provide fabricated objects, such as bulk components, comprising a heterogeneous microstructure and having good mechanical properties even when exposed to conditions used during the additive manufacturing process. Methods for making and using alloy embodiments also are disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignees: UT-Battelle, LLC, Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC, Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc., University of Tennessee Research Foundation
    Inventors: Sumit Bahl, Ryan R. Dehoff, Hunter B. Henderson, Scott McCall, Ryan Ott, Alexander J. Plotkowski, Orlando Rios, Amit Shyam, Zachary C. Sims, Kevin D. Sisco, David Weiss, Ying Yang
  • Publication number: 20250075359
    Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a method for producing a rare earth metal from a metallothermic reaction of a reductant metal and a double salt of the rare earth metal. The double salt of rare earth metal can be prepared from an alkali halide and a salt of the rare earth metal at room temperature over a time period of 2 hours of less without the requirement to use hydrofluoric acid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2024
    Publication date: March 6, 2025
    Applicant: Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Ikenna Cajetan Nlebedim, Denis Prodius, Anirudha Karati, Harshida Parmar, Trevor Riedemann, Matthew Besser
  • Publication number: 20250072155
    Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a thin-film photovoltaic technology including a single-junction crystalline silicon solar cell with a photonic-plasmonic back-reflector structure for lightweight, flexible energy conversion applications. The back-reflector enables high absorption for long-wavelength and near-infrared photons via diffraction and light-concentration, implemented by periodic texturing of the bottom-contact layer by nanoimprint lithography. The thin-film crystalline silicon solar cell is implemented in a heterojunction design with amorphous silicon, where plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) is used for all device layers, including a low-temperature crystalline silicon deposition step. Excimer laser crystallization is used to integrate crystalline and amorphous silicon within a monolithic process, where a thin layer of amorphous silicon is converted to a crystalline silicon seed layer prior to deposition of a crystalline silicon absorber layer via PECVD.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2024
    Publication date: February 27, 2025
    Applicants: Pacific Integrated Energy, Inc., Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Vikram Dalal, David Keogh
  • Patent number: 12226831
    Abstract: A method of direct printing or writing of a metallic material involves depositing, with a printing device or writing device, an ink comprising of at least undercooled liquid metallic particles dispersed in a carrier fluid. The ink is deposited on any substrate surface to deposit the undercooled liquid metal particles thereon as one or more layers that can form a desired pattern or layered structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignees: Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc., The Indium Corporation of America
    Inventors: Martin Thuo, Christophe Frankiewicz, Ian Tevis
  • Patent number: 12201091
    Abstract: An artificial and/or simulated environment is used to raise a domestic or commercially raised animal to promote a positive health feedback and to minimize stress on the animal. The simulated environment is used to create the façade of a free range or cage free environment, while also minimizing the exposure to inclement weather, potential predators, and other unknown or stress-inducing situations. The results include animals that have higher resistance to diseases and have a lower stress. The artificial environment can be created by projecting or otherwise showing images and/or videos depicting simulation of environments, climate, and/or other unknown situations to normalize the animals to the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Melha Mellata, James H. Oliver, Mark Lyte, Suzanne Theresa Millman Hartline, Rafael Radkowski, Graham Redweik
  • Patent number: 12205762
    Abstract: New types of particle feedstocks and heterogeneous grain structures are provided for rare earth permanent magnets (REPMs) and their production in a manner to significantly enhance toughness of the magnet with little or no sacrifice in the hard magnetic properties. The novel tough REPMs made from the feedstock have heterogeneous grain structures, such as bi-modal, tri-modal, multi-modal, laminated, gridded, gradient fine/coarse grain structures, or other microstructural heterogeneity and configurations, without changing the chemical compositions of magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Cui, Baozhi Cui
  • Patent number: 12186097
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for high-resolution patterning of various substrates with functional materials, including nanomaterials. A technique of preparing a patterned substrate in a high-resolution mold for stick and transfer process is disclosed with promotes integrity of the high-resolution pattern onto the substrate. One example of a substrate is an adhesive tape. The transferred pattern(s) are scalable and can be implemented in different fabrication processes. One example is a roll-to-roll processes. In one embodiment, the transferred pattern comprises nanomaterials and the substrate comprises a flexible substrate for use in flexible and conformal assemblies for a wide variety of applications including, but not limited to, electrical-based sensors on non-planar inanimate surfaces, plant body surface, or human or animal skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Seval Oren, Liang Dong