Patents Assigned to Michigan Technological University
  • Publication number: 20120070382
    Abstract: The present invention provides various fluorescent conjugated polymers with a BODIPY-based backbone. The invention also provides methods of using the polymers of the invention, such as for imaging and detection of cells, tumors, bacteria and viruses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: MICHIGAN TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Haiying Liu
  • Patent number: 8129585
    Abstract: Described are methods for making transgenic plants capable of expressing secondary cell wall cellulose synthases and methods of enhancing expression of secondary cell wall cellulose synthases in plants. Also described are plants produced by the methods. Plants comprising at least three exogenous polynucleotides encoding secondary cell wall cellulose synthases are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Michigan Technological University
    Inventor: Chandrashekhar P. Joshi
  • Patent number: 8080930
    Abstract: Spindt-type field-emission cathodes for use in electric propulsion (EP) systems having self-assembling nanostructures that can repeatedly regenerate damaged cathode emitter nanotips. A nanotip is created by applying a negative potential near the surface of a liquefied base metal to create a Taylor cone converging to a nanotip, and solidifying the Taylor cone for use as a field-emission cathode. When the nanotip of the Taylor cone becomes sufficiently blunted or damaged to affect its utility, the base metal is re-liquefied by application of a heat source, a negative potential is reapplied to the surface of the base metal to recreate the Taylor cone, and a new nanotip is generated by solidifying the base metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Michigan Technological University
    Inventor: Lyon Bradley King
  • Patent number: 7994129
    Abstract: Black bear parathyroid hormone (PTH) and functional fragments thereof are provided. Also provided are methods of using black bear PTH and functional fragments for increasing cAMP in a bone-forming cell; reducing apoptosis in a bone-forming cell; decreasing the ratio of expression levels of Bax protein to Bcl-2 protein in a bone-forming cell; increasing the expression level of one or more of a bone matrix protein, a transcriptional activator, or a transcriptional regulator in a bone-forming cell; enhancing bone mineral density, increasing bone mass, decreasing bone loss, or reducing the incidence of bone fractures, or any combination thereof, in a subject; also provided are antibodies directed against black bear parathyroid hormone (PTH) and functional fragments thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Michigan Technological University
    Inventor: Seth W. Donahue
  • Patent number: 7996076
    Abstract: Methods and systems for diagnosing or assessing rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD). Muscle tone or activity variance during rapid eye movement (REM) and non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep intervals of a polysomnogram are compared. A threshold based on the NREM data is used to identify a subject-specific threshold for abnormality in the REM variance. A metric that includes the percentage of REM variance exceeding the threshold relates to RBD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignees: The Regents of the University of Michigan, Michigan Technological University
    Inventors: Joseph W. Burns, Ronald D. Chervin
  • Publication number: 20110182779
    Abstract: There is provided a process for the capture and sequestration of carbon dioxide that would otherwise enter the atmosphere and contribute to global warming and other problems. CO2 capture is accomplished by reacting carbon dioxide in flue gas with an alkali metal carbonate, or a metal oxide, particularly containing an alkaline earth metal or iron, to form a carbonate salt. A preferred carbonate for CO2 capture is a dilute aqueous solution of additive-free (Na2CO3). Other carbonates include (K2CO3) or other metal ion that can produce both a carbonate and a bicarbonate salt. Examples of suitable metal oxides include several alkaline earths including Cac and MgO. The captured CO2 is preferably sequestered using any available mineral or industrial waste that contains calcium magnesium or iron in non-carbonate forms, or iron in the Fe+2 oxidation state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: Michigan Technological University
    Inventors: Surendra Komar Kawatra, Timothy C. Eisele, John J. Simmons
  • Patent number: 7942044
    Abstract: A method, and a system employing the method, for determining a position of a rotational part in a reciprocating machine. The system includes a quadrature encoder and an interrupter coupled to the rotational element. As the interrupter rotates with the wrist pin, the quadrature encoder generates some binary signals based on the rotation of the wrist pin. A digital-to-analog converter then converts the binary signals into a single analog signal. The system then wirelessly transmits the single analog signal for processing by other remote components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Michigan Technological University
    Inventor: Daniel R. Kemppainen
  • Publication number: 20110082288
    Abstract: This invention provides a novel method for purifying synthetic oligomers comprising capping, polymerizing and separating any failure sequences produced during oligomer synthesis. Either the failure sequence or the full-length oligomer may be polymerized. Optionally, small molecule impurities may also be incorporated into the polymerized material. The invention provides novel capping agents having a polymerizable functional group. The invention also provides kits comprising at least one composition of the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: MICHIGAN TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Shiyue Fang
  • Patent number: 7919064
    Abstract: There is provided a process for the capture and sequestration of carbon dioxide that would otherwise enter the atmosphere and contribute to global warming and other problems. CO2 capture is accomplished by reacting carbon dioxide in flue gas with an alkali metal carbonate, or a metal oxide, particularly containing an alkaline earth metal or iron, to form a carbonate salt. A preferred carbonate for CO2 capture is a dilute aqueous solution of additive-free (Na2CO3). Other carbonates include (K2CO3) or other metal ion that can produce both a carbonate and a bicarbonate salt. Examples of suitable metal oxides include several alkaline earths including CaO and MgO. The captured CO2 is preferably sequestered using any available mineral or industrial waste that contains calcium magnesium or iron in non-carbonate forms, or iron in the Fe+2 oxidation state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Michigan Technological University
    Inventors: Surendra Komar Kawatra, Timothy C. Eisele, John J. Simmons
  • Publication number: 20110041211
    Abstract: Polynucleotide constructs contain fiber-specific elements which are used to target expression of polynucleotides and polypeptides to the vascular fibers of a plant. The constructs can be contained within a vector. Transgenic plants transformed with the fiber-specific elements can be made which have expression of a polynucleotide or polypeptide directed to the plant fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: MICHIGAN TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Chung-Jui Tsai, Edward Odhiambo Anino
  • Publication number: 20100324201
    Abstract: Disclosed are free-radical retrograde precipitation processes to product a radicalized polymer or copolymer. A process includes form an admixture of a monomer, a solvent, and a free-radical-forming agent to initiate the polymerization at a temperature above the lower critical solution temperature of the mixture. Polymer radicals are precipitated to form micron-sized or nano-sized particulates. The admixture is cooled to stop the polymerization. The radicalized polymer radical may be mixed with a monomer to form a second radicalized copolymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: MICHIGAN TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Gerard T. Caneba
  • Patent number: 7850949
    Abstract: This invention provides a novel method for purifying synthetic oligomers comprising capping, polymerizing and separating any failure sequences produced during oligomer synthesis. Either the failure sequence or the full-length oligomer may be polymerized. Optionally, small molecule impurities may also be incorporated into the polymerized material. The invention provides novel capping agents having a polymerizable functional group. The invention also provides kits comprising at least one composition of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Michigan Technological University
    Inventor: Shiyue Fang
  • Patent number: 7802947
    Abstract: A cutting tool insert includes: a body defining a rake face, a flank face, and a cutting edge at an intersection of the rake and flank faces; and a cooling microduct within the body. A portion of the microduct extends along the cutting edge not more than 0.5 millimeter from the rake face, and not more than 0.5 millimeter from the flank face. The microduct has a cross-sectional area of not more than 1.0 square millimeter. The microduct is adapted to permit the flow of a coolant therethrough to transfer heat away from the cutting edge and extend the useful life of the insert. Secondary conduits having cross-sectional area no larger than 0.004 square millimeter may communicate between the microduct and the rake and/or flank face to exhaust coolant behind the cutting edge and further enhance cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Michigan Technological University
    Inventor: William J. Endres
  • Publication number: 20100175152
    Abstract: Polynucleotides encoding polypeptides which increase the rate of growth of plants were identified. Introduction of the polynucleotides into plants produces plants having altered characteristics, such as increased growth, increased leaf area and reduced fertility. Expression of the polypeptides in plants or plant cells promotes cell division. Expression of the polynucleotides in plants in the antisense orientation may produce plants that are sterile or have smaller leaves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: MICHIGAN TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Victor B. Busov, Steven H. Strauss
  • Patent number: 7747993
    Abstract: A method of ordering instructions. The method can include placing a first instruction that consumes a value of an object before a second instruction that produces the value of the object such that the first instruction is processed before the second instruction and a physical location is allocated to the value of the object upon processing the first instruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Michigan Technological University
    Inventor: Soner Onder
  • Patent number: 7732204
    Abstract: A cell culture assembly and a method for culturing cells that provide mechanical stimulation to cells. The cell culture assembly can include a flow chamber positioned in a fluid path and a support comprising cells positioned within the flow chamber to expose the cells to the fluid path. The cell culture assembly can further include a means for producing a steady flow of fluid in the fluid path, and a means for producing an oscillatory flow of fluid in the fluid path simultaneously with producing the steady flow of fluid in the fluid path to mechanically stimulate the cells. The method can include transporting fluid in the fluid path at a substantially steady flow rate, and transporting fluid in the fluid path at a substantially oscillatory flow rate simultaneously with transporting fluid in the fluid path at a substantially steady flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Michigan Technological University
    Inventor: Seth W. Donahue
  • Patent number: 7674951
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods of inducing expression of coding sequences including cellulose synthase coding sequences in transgenic plants using promoters of cellulose synthase genes from Populus plant species and transgenic plants produced by the methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Michigan Technological University
    Inventor: Chandrashekhar P. Joshi
  • Patent number: 7632330
    Abstract: To produce metallic iron from iron ore, a composition comprising a mass of material formed from a mixture of iron ore particles and particles of a reductant that is either a biomass material in particulate form or a plastic resinous material in particulate form is used. The reductant can also be a mixture of biomass material and resin in any proportions. The mass of material comprises at least one body having a shape adapted for smelting such as pellets, briquettes, pieces or lumps. The pellets have sufficient cohesion to maintain the shape into which they have been formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Michigan Technological University
    Inventors: Timothy C. Eisele, Surendra Komar Kawatra
  • Patent number: 7619518
    Abstract: Intrusion detection methods and apparatus exploit the infrastructure of the building itself. The preferred embodiments use the existing power line infrastructure to provide power, data, and sensor observables to a monitoring system which is simply connected at one point, namely, the connection of the building to the city power grid. Computer network interfaces may also be used. In terms of sensors, impedance, capacitive, inductive, electric field and Radar modalities may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Michigan Technological University
    Inventors: Nikolas Subotic, Christopher Roussi, Peter Jensen, William Buller
  • Publication number: 20090153015
    Abstract: Spindt-type field-emission cathodes for use in electric propulsion (EP) systems having self-assembling nanostructures that can repeatedly regenerate damaged cathode emitter nanotips. A nanotip is created by applying a negative potential near the surface of a liquefied base metal to create a Taylor cone converging to a nanotip, and solidifying the Taylor cone for use as a field-emission cathode. When the nanotip of the Taylor cone becomes sufficiently blunted or damaged to affect its utility, the base metal is re-liquefied by application of a heat source, a negative potential is reapplied to the surface of the base metal to recreate the Taylor cone, and a new nanotip is generated by solidifying the base metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: MICHIGAN TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Lyon Bradley King