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.
Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of concurrently introducing multiple genes into plants and trees is provided. The method includes simultaneous transformation of plants with multiple genes from the phenylpropanoid pathways including 4CL, CAld5H, AldOMT, SAD and CAD genes and combinations thereof to produce various lines of transgenic plants displaying altered agronomic traits. The agronomic traits of the plants are regulated by the orientation of the specific genes and the selected gene combinations, which are incorporated into the plant genome.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 14, 2005
Date of Patent:
April 7, 2009
Assignee:
Board of Control of Michigan Technological University
Abstract: A latching magnetic structure in the resonant cavity of magneto-photonic crystal films with in-plane magnetization. Also disclosed is a method for the fabrication and observation of a latching magnetic structure.
Type:
Application
Filed:
September 5, 2007
Publication date:
March 5, 2009
Applicant:
MICHIGAN TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
Inventors:
Miguel Levy, Xiaoyue Huang, Raghav Vanga, Ziyou Zhou
Abstract: A method of locating mobiles via a dynamic base station. The method includes transmitting a first wireless signal from the dynamic base station at a first time, and receiving the first wireless signal at the mobile. The method also includes transmitting a second wireless signal from the mobile in response to receiving the first wireless signal, and receiving the second wireless signal at the dynamic base station at a second time. The method also includes determining a time difference between the first time and the second time, determining an angle of arrival of the second wireless signal, and locating the mobile based on the angle of arrival and the time difference.
Abstract: Extruded composite compositions of PVC and wood particles containing chitosan or chitin as a coupling agent are described. The composite compositions have improved physical and mechanical properties.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 21, 2006
Date of Patent:
November 4, 2008
Assignees:
Board of Trustees of Michigan State University, Michigan Technological University
Inventors:
Laurent M. Matuana, Patricia A. Heiden, Bhavesh L. Shah
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.
Abstract: A method of statistically characterizing combustion knock events includes receiving signals from a sensing device such as an accelerometer, estimating at least one parameter of a probability distribution function based on the received signals, and calculating a value indicative of an nth percentile based on the parameter to predict upcoming combustion knock events.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 25, 2006
Date of Patent:
August 19, 2008
Assignee:
Michigan Technological University
Inventors:
Jeffrey D. Naber, Satheesh Rajh Rajagopalan
Abstract: An apparatus for water management in a fuel cell. The apparatus includes a fuel cell having a first porous electrode layer, a second porous electrode layer, a proton-conducting membrane positioned between the first electrode and second electrode layers, and a first and second bi-polar distribution plate, wherein the first bi-polar distribution plate is positioned on a top of the first electrode layer and defining a first gas flow channel, and wherein the second bi-polar distribution plate is positioned on a bottom of the second electrode layer and defining a second gas flow channel. The apparatus further includes a mechanism for oscillating liquid water formed in the gas flow channel and configured to remove the liquid water.
Abstract: A device and method for contouring three-dimensionally curved surfaces includes an elongated contouring assembly that is supported at two locations by height adjustment mechanisms that raise and lower the two locations of the contouring assembly independently of each other. The contouring assembly creates a three-dimensionally curved surface as it passes over an area to be contoured. The control of at least one location of the contouring assembly is based on a comparison of the measured position of one portion of the contouring assembly with a profile of the surface to be leveled that is stored in a computer memory. Control of the height of the other location is preferably based on the height above a physical reference measured with a proximity sensor. A pivot or tilting controller may control the tilting of the contouring assembly to follow the slope of the profile stored in computer memory.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 21, 2005
Date of Patent:
July 15, 2008
Assignees:
Somero Enterprises, Inc., Michigan Technological University
Inventors:
Carl B Kieranen, Charles A Hallstrom, Glen R Simula, Nils P Ruonavaara, James D Waineo
Abstract: A process for converting lactose into carbon dioxide and/or carbon monoxide using catalytic wet oxidation. Oxygen gas and an aqueous solution of lactose are fed to a reactor comprising a Pt/Al2O3 catalyst, a Mn/Ce catalyst or a Pt/Mn—Ce catalyst, and the lactose is oxidized in the reactor at elevated temperature and pressure to produce at least one of small organic acids, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, water and combinations thereof. The small organic acids may be further degraded by feeding the small organic acids and oxygen gas into a reactor containing a Mn/Ce catalyst and oxidizing the small organic acids to water and at least one of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and combinations thereof.
Abstract: A method of inhibiting or preventing bonding between snow or ice and a substrate. The method includes applying an adhesive to the substrate, broadcasting an aggregate onto the adhesive, the aggregate having the capacity to receive an anti-icing chemical into the aggregate, and applying the anti-icing chemical onto the aggregate so that at least a portion of the anti-icing chemical is received into at least a portion of the aggregate.
Type:
Application
Filed:
September 18, 2007
Publication date:
March 20, 2008
Applicant:
Board of Control of Michigan Technological University
Abstract: A method of statistically characterizing combustion knock events includes receiving signals from a sensing device such as an accelerometer, estimating at least one parameter of a probability distribution function based on the received signals, and calculating a value indicative of an nth percentile based on the parameter to predict upcoming combustion knock events.
Type:
Application
Filed:
August 25, 2006
Publication date:
February 28, 2008
Applicant:
MICHIGAN TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
Inventors:
Jeffrey D. Naber, Satheesh Rajh Rajagopalan
Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel DNA sequence, which encodes a previously unidentified lignin biosynthetic pathway enzyme, sinapyl alcohol dehydrogenase (SAD) that regulates the biosynthesis of syringyl lignin in plants. Also provided are methods for incorporating this novel SAD gene sequence or substantially similar sequences into a plant genome for genetic engineering of syringyl-enriched lignin in plants.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 13, 2004
Date of Patent:
October 30, 2007
Assignee:
Board of Control of Michigan Technological University
Abstract: A method of concurrently introducing multiple genes to plants and trees is provided. The method includes an Agrobacterium-mediated gene delivery system by which multiple genes together with a single selectable marker gene are simultaneously transferred and inserted into the genome of plants, including trees.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 6, 2000
Date of Patent:
October 30, 2007
Assignee:
Board of Control of Michigan Technological University
Abstract: A control for a working apparatus having a boom arm. The apparatus includes a controller operable to receive signals from at least one pressure sensor. The at least one pressure sensor detects pressure of hydraulic fluid in at least one chamber of a control valve. The controller compares the signals from the at least one pressure sensor to parameters generated by testing the working apparatus. The controller predicts boom arm oscillations based on the comparison of the signals with the parameters, and generates a control signal in response to predicting the boom arm oscillations.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 12, 2005
Date of Patent:
October 9, 2007
Assignee:
Board of Control of Michigan Technological University
Abstract: A method of inhibiting or preventing bonding between snow or ice and a substrate. The method includes applying an adhesive to the substrate, broadcasting an aggregate onto the adhesive, the aggregate having the capacity to receive an anti-icing chemical into the aggregate, and applying the anti-icing chemical onto the aggregate so that at least a portion of the anti-icing chemical is received into at least a portion of the aggregate.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 30, 2004
Date of Patent:
October 9, 2007
Assignee:
Board of Control of Michigan Technological University
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:
Application
Filed:
November 13, 2006
Publication date:
September 20, 2007
Applicant:
Board of Control of Michigan Technological University
Abstract: A process for converting lactose into carbon dioxide and/or carbon monoxide using catalytic wet oxidation. Oxygen gas and an aqueous solution of lactose are fed to a reactor comprising a Pt/Al2O3 catalyst, a Mn/Ce catalyst or a Pt/Mn—Ce catalyst, and the lactose is oxidized in the reactor at elevated temperature and pressure to produce at least one of small organic acids, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, water and combinations thereof. The small organic acids may be further degraded by feeding the small organic acids and oxygen gas into a reactor containing a Mn/Ce catalyst and oxidizing the small organic acids to water and at least one of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and combinations thereof.
Abstract: This invention relates to an isolated cellulose synthase promoter, methods for genetically altering cellulose and lignin biosynthesis, and to methods for improving strength properties of juvenile wood and fiber in trees. The invention further relates to methods for identifying regulatory elements in a cellulose synthase promoter and to methods for augmenting expression of polynucleotides operably linked to a cellulose synthase promoter.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 19, 2006
Date of Patent:
June 19, 2007
Assignee:
Board of Control of Michigan Technological University
Inventors:
Vincent L. Chiang, Luguang Wu, Chandrashekhar P. Joshi, Daniel T. Carraway
Abstract: A contouring device and method for contouring three-dimensionally curved surfaces includes an elongated contouring assembly that is supported at opposite ends by a pair of fluid cylinders. The fluid cylinders are controlled to raise and lower the ends of the contouring assembly independently of each other, thereby allowing the contouring assembly to create a three-dimensionally curved surface as it passes over an area to be contoured. The control of one of the fluid cylinders is based on a comparison of the measured position of a first end of the contouring assembly with a profile of the surface to be leveled that is stored in a computer memory. The measurement of the position of the first end of the contouring assembly is achieved by a tracking device which tracks the position of a target positioned on the first end of the contouring assembly and which determines the three dimensional position of the target.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 6, 2003
Date of Patent:
September 11, 2007
Assignees:
Michigan Technological University, Somero Enterprises, Inc.
Inventors:
Carl B. Kieranen, Charles A. Hallstrom, Glen R. Simula, Nils P. Ruonavaara, James D. Waineo