Patents Assigned to Massachusetts Institute Technology
  • Fermentation method producing ethanol
    Patent number: 4568644
    Abstract: Ethanol is the major end product of an anaerobic, thermophilic fermentation process using a mutant strain of bacterium Clostridium thermosaccharolyticum. This organism is capable of converting hexose and pentose carbohydrates to ethanol, acetic and lactic acids. Mutants of Clostridium thermosaccharolyticum are capable of converting these substrates to ethanol in exceptionally high yield and with increased productivity. Both the mutant organism and the technique for its isolation are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1986
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Daniel I. C. Wang, Rajen Dalal
  • High-temperature brazed ceramic joints
    Patent number: 4567110
    Abstract: High-temperature joints formed from metallized ceramics are disclosed wherein the metal coatings on the ceramics are vacuum sputtered thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1986
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventor: Philip O. Jarvinen
  • Method and apparatus using a piezoelectric film for active control of vibrations
    Patent number: 4565940
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed in which a piezoelectric film is used to control or dampen vibrations in a mechanical system. Voltage of proper amplitude and phase is fed across the piezoelectric film to induce strain in the film of appropriate phase, amplitude and frequency to dampen beam vibrations of the mechanical system. The film may be applied directly to the mechanical system or an intermediate viscoelastic layer may be provided. Various control functions are described for determining the correct voltage to be applied to the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1986
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventor: James E. Hubbard, Jr.
  • Graphoepitaxy by encapsulation
    Patent number: 4565599
    Abstract: Improvements on the graphoepitaxial process for obtaining epitaxial or preferred orientation films are described wherein a cap of material is formed over the film to be oriented, artificial surface-relief structure may be present in the substrate, the cap, or both, and the film may be heated by irradiation with electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1986
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Michael W. Geis, Henry I. Smith, Dimitri A. Antoniadis, Dale C. Flanders
  • Intra-cavity loss-modulated diode laser
    Patent number: 4563765
    Abstract: An amplitude-modulated diode laser, fabricated from a double heterostructure wafer, having a passive central layer which is partially doped to permit amplification. Losses are modulated in another section of the wafer, electrically isolated from the doped amplifying section, by reverse biasing a P-N junction also formed by doping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1986
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Dean Z. Tsang, James N. Walpole
  • Product made by method of entraining dislocations and other crystalline defects
    Patent number: 4562106
    Abstract: A substrate, such as a film of thermally grown silicon dioxide on a silicon wafer is coated with a thin film of polycrystalline or amorphous silicon in the thickness range 0.05-10.mu. deposited by chemical vapor deposition. An encapsulation layer that is a composite of 2 .mu.m thickness SiO.sub.2, 30 nm of Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 is deposited on the thin film. A pattern of stripes is created on this encapsulation layer made of materials, such as titanium, silicon, silicon dioxide and photoresist. A long and narrow molten zone is created in the film with its long axis oriented perpendicular to the lines and is moved with a movable strip-heater over in a direction parallel to the lines in the recrystallization process to establish dislocation and crystalline defects in the film entrained to follow the pattern of the stripes at locations related to the stripes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1985
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Michael W. Geis, Henry I. Smith
  • Metal-mediated halohydrin formation
    Patent number: 4560811
    Abstract: Novel methods for making chlorohydrins are provided using a Lewis acid catalyst with an olefin and peroxy compound or where an enantiomer is desired, a Lewis acid catalyst in combination with a chiral alcohol, particularly glycol, and a combination of a peroxy compound and alkenol. In certain situations, an epoxide may be employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1985
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Karl B. Sharpless, Roy A. Johnson
  • Non-hygroscopic welding flux binders
    Patent number: 4557768
    Abstract: A welding flux binder is provided which comprises an alkali-alkaline earth silicate hydrolyzed and polymerized from tetraalkylorthosilicate, Si(OR).sub.4, wherein R is --CH.sub.3, --C.sub.2 H.sub.5, or --C.sub.3 H.sub.7, and alkali and alkaline earth salts. The reaction product of the tetraalkylorthosilicate and metal salts, M.sub.2 O.M'O.SiO.sub.2, where M is potassium, sodium or lithium, and M' is magnesium, calcium or barium, has several advantages as a welding flux binder. For example, it is not hygroscopic and can be prepared at low temperatures since the alkali ions lower the melting point for viscous sintering of the gel phase. Because of the low temperature processing, a wide variety of solid additives with low thermal stability, such as some metals, carbonates, and fluorides, can be incorporated into the flux. Other dopants may also be readily incorporated into the binder during the gel phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1985
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Eric A. Barringer, Thomas W. Eagar
  • Transparent heat-mirror
    Patent number: 4556277
    Abstract: Transparent heat-mirrors are disclosed which are comprised of composite films. These films include a discrete and continuous layer of metallic silver sandwiched between a transparent, outer, protective, anti-reflection layer and a transparent, phase-matching layer. This combination of layers is chosen to provide high solar transmission with minimum loss of thermal radiation. Transparent heat-mirrors are useful in the collection and trapping of solar energy, and in other applications where it is desired or necessary to have high infrared reflectivity with high solar transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1985
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: John C. C. Fan, Frank J. Bachner
  • Injection molding method
    Patent number: 4548773
    Abstract: A novel method and device for precision injection molding is disclosed providing controlled cooling of a portion of the mold cavity surface during the molding cycle, or several such portions independently, and also, in the preferred embodiment controlled heating of a portion of the mold cavity surface during the molding cycle or several such portions independently, whereby high quality, high precision parts having close dimensional tolerances may be produced. Another aspect of the invention, a volume-controlled variable conductance heat pipe is disclosed, which novel heat pipe comprises housing means forming a sealed chamber, fluid, such as water or ammonia, within the chamber, wicking means and control means for controlling the thermal conductance of the heat pipe comprising means for controlling the volume of fluid in the liquid phase in the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1985
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Nam P. Suh, James R. Rinderle
  • Solar cells and photodetectors
    Patent number: 4547622
    Abstract: An improved photovoltaic device in which a charge separation junction is provided over a charge confining heterojunction. The charge separation junction is a junction formed of an n.sup.+ -doped direct bandgap layer on a p-doped direct bandgap active layer. The charge confining heterojunction is formed by the interface of the active layer with a Back Surface Layer (BSL) of higher bandgap material than the active layer to provide a Back Surface Field (BSF). The percentage of Al in the layers may vary from Y=O to x.ltoreq.0.42. The structure applies to both crystalline and amorphous material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1985
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: John C. C. Fan, Ronald P. Gale
  • Fabrication of living blood vessels and glandular tissues
    Patent number: 4546500
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a vessel-equivalent prosthesis is described. A contractile agent such as fibroblast cells, smooth muscle cells or platelets is incorporated into a collagen lattice and contracts the lattice axially around an inner core. After the structure has set, additional layers may be formed in an ordered manner depending on the intended function of the prosthesis. Alternatively, all the layers may be formed concurrently. A plastic mesh sleeve is sandwiched between layers or embedded within the smooth muscle cell layer to reinforce the structure and provide sufficient elasticity to withstand intravascular pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1985
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventor: Eugene Bell
  • Production and use of monoclonal antibodies to phosphotyrosine-containing proteins
    Patent number: 4543439
    Abstract: A hybridoma cell line is disclosed that secretes monoclonal antibodies which serve as a high titer, reproducible, biological reagent useful in biological/medical research for isolating and identifying phosphotyrosine-containing proteins. In addition, the antibodies have potential uses in diagnosis of a variety of diseases, including certain cancers. The antibodies, which have demonstrated affinity for a variety of molecules containing o-phosphotyrosine residues, were prepared using a synthetic analog, p-azobenzyl phosphonate (ABP) covalently linked to a carrier protein, as the antigen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1985
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: A. Raymond Frackelton, Jr., Herman N. Eisen, Alonzo H. Ross
  • Synthesis and processing of monosized oxide powders
    Patent number: 4543341
    Abstract: Uniform-size, high-purity, spherical oxide powders are formed by hydrolysis of alkoxide precursors in dilute alcoholic solutions. Under controlled conditions (concentrations of 0.03 to 0.2 M alkoxide and 0.2 to 1.5 M water, for example) oxide particles on the order of about 0.05 to 0.7 micron can be produced. Methods of doping such powders and forming sinterable compacts are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1985
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Eric A. Barringer, M. Bruce Fegley, Jr., H. Kent Bowen
  • Composition and method for increasing brain tyrosine levels
    Patent number: 4542123
    Abstract: A composition comprising tyrosine and a carbohydrate is administered in amount to increase brain tyrosine levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1985
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventor: Richard J. Wurtman
  • Fabrication of living blood vessels and glandular tissues
    Patent number: 4539716
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a vessel-equivalent prosthesis is described. A contractile agent such as fibroblast cells, smooth muscle cells or platelets is incorporated into a collagen lattice and contracts the lattice axially around an inner core. After the structure has set, additional layers may be formed in an ordered manner depending on the intended function of the prosthesis. Capillary beds, blood vessels and glandular structures may be formed by this process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1985
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventor: Eugene Bell
  • Apparatus and method for drying insulation
    Patent number: 4534119
    Abstract: A wicking apparatus for drying insulation wet with water, particularly insulation in flat roofing systems and wall systems, is disclosed consisting of a hollow device, capable of penetrating the exterior weather shield or siding to the insulation to create a passageway from the insulation to an external environment where moisture can evaporate, and a wick disposed within the passageway to transport moisture by capillary action from the insulation to the external environment. In retrofit applications, the method resides in penetrating the weather shield or insulation in at least one location and deploying the wicking apparatus to induce drying; in new applications a network of moisture-transporting channels can also be employed within the insulation itself together with one or more wicking apparatuses to further aid in drying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1985
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventor: Leon R. Glicksman
  • Characterization of oncogenes and assays based thereon
    Patent number: 4535058
    Abstract: Experiments designed to define the differences between an oncogene isolated from human bladder cancer cells and its corresponding proto-oncogene are described herein. By a series of in vitro recombinations, the difference was initially isolated to a 350 kb segment of DNA; sequencing defined the difference as a change in the Gly.sup.12 codon causing the p21 protein of the oncogene to contain valine at a location where the p21 protein of the proto-oncogene contained glycine. Assays for detecting carcinogenesis based on such differences are also described. In one type of assay, a restriction enzyme specific for either the altered or non-altered DNA segment of the genes are employed to detect carcinogenesis. In another type of assay, seralogical reagents, such as antibody specific for either p21 protein expressed from the proto-oncogene or oncogene, or a common site therein, are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1985
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Robert A. Weinberg, Clifford J. Tabin, Scott M. Bradley
  • Production of hydrogen peroxide
    Patent number: 4533443
    Abstract: Methods, materials and apparatus for production of hydrogen peroxide are disclosed. In one preferred embodiment, high surface area circulating elements derivatized with a quinone catalyst are reduced in an electrolytic cell where the cathode may also be derivatized with a quinone catalyst and a solution quinone at low concentration is used as a mediator. Once reduced, the circulating elements are separated and used to form hydrogen peroxide from molecular oxygen in an aqueous, electrolyte-free, environment. The circulating elements can be cycled repeatedly. Particular, novel naphthoquinone compounds are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1985
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Mark S. Wrighton, Robert M. Buchanan, Gary S. Calabrese
  • Mutation assays involving blood cells that metabolize toxic substances
    Patent number: 4532204
    Abstract: A line of human blood cells which have high levels of oxidative activity (such as oxygenase, oxidase, peroxidase, and hydroxylase activity) is disclosed. Such cells grow in suspension culture, and are useful to determine the mutagenicity of xenobiotic substances that are metabolized into toxic or mutagenic substances. Mutation assays using these cells, and other cells with similar characteristics, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1985
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Charles L. Crespi, William G. Thilly