Patents Assigned to Midwest Research Institute
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Publication number: 20090057137Abstract: A method (100) is provided for synthesizing a thin film electrode (350) such as an electrochromic (EC) electrode (426) or counter electrode (434) for an EC device (410), a lithiated film of transition metal oxide (616) for a battery device (600), or the like. The method (100) includes providing (140) a source material (322) within a deposition chamber (310) such as a target for sputtering, and the source material (322) includes a transition metal oxide and ionic lithium. The method (100) continues with positioning (140) an electrically conductive substrate (340) with an exposed surface within the deposition chamber (310). A thin film (350) of the transition metal oxide and the ionic lithium is deposited upon the exposed surface of the substrate (340) using physical vapor deposition with the source material (322) to form in a single deposition step a layer of lithiated transition metal oxide (350).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2008Publication date: March 5, 2009Applicant: Midwest Research InstituteInventors: J. Roland Pitts, Se-Hee Lee, C. Edwin Tracy, Dane Gillaspie
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Patent number: 7452412Abstract: A high-efficiency filter for removing or collecting trace levels of chemical compounds includes a randomly oriented glass substrate, a primer coating and a carbon coating. The present filter is operable to sample or remove chemical compounds from the air with a high volumetric capacity while maintaining a low pressure drop across the filter substrate. A method for making the present filter includes providing a glass substrate with randomly oriented glass fibers which is treated to remove any glue or other substances; the substrate is then coated with a primer including polydimethylsiloxane; and the primed substrate is then coated with a carbonaceous compound including polydimethylsiloxane.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2004Date of Patent: November 18, 2008Assignee: Midwest Research Institute, Inc.Inventors: Stephen B. Cummins, Gil Radolovich, Gary Cooper
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Publication number: 20080261070Abstract: Metal oxide thin films and production thereof are disclosed. An exemplary method of producing a metal oxide thin film may comprise introducing at least two metallic elements and oxygen into a process chamber to form a metal oxide. The method may also comprise depositing the metal oxide on a substrate in the process chamber. The method may also comprise simultaneously controlling a ratio of the at least two metallic elements and a stoichiometry of the oxygen during deposition. Exemplary amorphous metal oxide thin films produced according to the methods herein may exhibit highly transparent properties, highly conductive properties, and/or other opto-electronic properties.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2007Publication date: October 23, 2008Applicant: MIDWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTEInventors: John Perkins, Marinus Franciscus Antonius Van Hest, David Ginley, Matthew Taylor, George A. Neuman, Henry A. Luten, Jeffrey A. Forgette, John S. Anderson
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Patent number: 7420669Abstract: Described herein is an optical probe (120) for use in characterizing surface defects in wafers, such as semiconductor wafers. The optical probe (120) detects laser light reflected from the surface (124) of the wafer (106) within various ranges of angles. Characteristics of defects in the surface (124) of the wafer (106) are determined based on the amount of reflected laser light detected in each of the ranges of angles. Additionally, a wafer characterization system (100) is described that includes the described optical probe (120).Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2004Date of Patent: September 2, 2008Assignee: Midwest Research InstituteInventors: Bhushan L. Sopori, Artak Hambarian
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Patent number: 7419635Abstract: A sensor structure for chemochromic optical detection of hydrogen gas over a wide response range, that exhibits stability during repeated coloring/bleaching cycles upon exposure and removal of hydrogen gas, comprising: a glass substrate (20); a vanadium oxide layer (21) coated on the glass substrate; and a palladium layer (22) coated on the vanadium oxide layer.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2001Date of Patent: September 2, 2008Assignee: Midwest Research InstituteInventors: Ping Liu, C. Edwin Tracy, J. Roland Pitts, R. Davis Smith, II, Se-Hee Lee
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Patent number: 7393673Abstract: The invention provides a thermal tolerant cellulase that is a member of the glycoside hydrolase family. The invention further discloses this cellulase as Gux1. Gux1 has been isolated and characterized from Acidothermus cellulolyticus. The invention further provides recombinant forms of the identified Gux1. Methods of making and using Gux1 polypeptides, including fusions, variants, and derivatives, are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2001Date of Patent: July 1, 2008Assignee: Midwest Research InstituteInventors: William S. Adney, Shi-You Ding, Todd B. Vinzant, Michael E. Himmel, Stephen R. Decker, Suzanne Lantz McCarter
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Publication number: 20080118777Abstract: A method for producing transparent p-type conducting oxide films without co-doping plasma enhancement or high temperature comprising: a) introducing a dialkyl metal at ambient temperature and a saturated pressure in a carrier gas into a low pressure deposition chamber, and b) introducing NO alone or with an oxidizer into the chamber under an environment sufficient to produce a metal-rich condition to enable NO decomposition and atomic nitrogen incorporation into the formed transparent metal conducting oxide.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2002Publication date: May 22, 2008Applicant: MIDWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTEInventors: Xiaonan Li, Yanfa Yan, Timothy J. Coutts, Timothy A. Gessert, Clay M. Dehart
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Patent number: 7373904Abstract: A stratified vapor generator (110) comprises a first heating section (H1) and a second heating section (H2). The first and second heating sections (H1, H2) are arranged so that the inlet of the second heating section (H2) is operatively associated with the outlet of the first heating section (H1). A moisture separator (126) having a vapor outlet (164) and a liquid outlet (144) is operatively associated with the outlet (124) of the second heating section (H2). A cooling section (C1) is operatively associated with the liquid outlet (144) of the moisture separator (126) and includes an outlet that is operatively associated with the inlet of the second heating section (H2).Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2001Date of Patent: May 20, 2008Assignee: Midwest Research InstituteInventors: Desikan Bharathan, Vahab Hassani
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Patent number: 7374939Abstract: The present invention briefly provides a method of site-specific insertion in Zymomonas, comprising, providing a Zymomonas gene fragment, interrupting a DNA sequence the fragment, and transforming the Zymomonas through homologous recombination with the interrupted fragment.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2000Date of Patent: May 20, 2008Assignee: Midwest Research InstituteInventors: Min Zhang, Yat-Chen Chou
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Patent number: 7375197Abstract: The disclosure provides a method for preparing an active exoglucanase in a heterologous host of eukaryotic origin. The method includes mutagenesis to reduce glycosylation of the exoglucanase when expressed in a heterologous host. It is further disclosed a method to produce variant cellobiohydrolase that is stable at high temperature through mutagenesis.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2002Date of Patent: May 20, 2008Assignee: MidWest Research InstituteInventors: William S. Adney, Stephen R. Decker, Suzanne Mc Carter, John O. Baker, Raphael Nieves, Michael E. Himmel, Todd B. Vinzant
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Patent number: 7364890Abstract: The invention provides a thermal tolerant (thermostable) cellulase, AviIII, that is a member of the glycoside hydrolase (GH) family. AviIII was isolated and characterized from Acidothermus cellulolyticus and, like many cellulases, the disclosed polypeptide and/or its derivatives may be useful for the conversion of biomass into biofuels and chemicals.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2008Assignee: Midwest Research InstituteInventors: Shi-You Ding, William S. Adney, Todd B. Vinzant, Michael E. Himmel
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Patent number: 7354755Abstract: The present invention briefly includes a transposon for stable insertion of foreign genes into a bacterial genome, comprising at least one operon having structural genes encoding enzymes selected from the group consisting of xylAxylB, araBAD and tal/tkt, and at least one promoter for expression of the structural genes in the bacterium, a pair of inverted insertion sequences, the operons contained inside the insertion sequences, and a transposase gene located outside of the insertion sequences. A plasmid shuttle vector for transformation of foreign genes into a bacterial genome, comprising at least one operon having structural genes encoding enzymes selected from the group consisting of xylAxylB, araBAD and tal/tkt, at least one promoter for expression of the structural genes in the bacterium, and at least two DNA fragments having homology with a gene in the bacterial genome to be transformed, is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2000Date of Patent: April 8, 2008Assignee: Midwest Research InstituteInventors: Min Zhang, Yat-Chen Chou
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Patent number: 7329554Abstract: A GaAlInP compound semiconductor and a method of producing a GaAlInP compound semiconductor are provided. The apparatus and method comprises a GaAs crystal substrate in a metal organic vapor deposition reactor. Al, Ga, In vapors are prepared by thermally decomposing organometallic compounds. P vapors are prepared by thermally decomposing phospine gas, group II vapors are prepared by thermally decomposing an organometallic group IIA or IIB compound. Group VIB vapors are prepared by thermally decomposing a gaseous compound of group VIB. The Al, Ga, In, P, group II, and group VIB vapors grow a GaAlInP crystal doped with group IIA or IIB and group VIB elements on the substrate wherein the group IIA or IIB and a group VIB vapors produced a codoped GaAlInP compound semiconductor with a group IIA or IIB element serving as a p-type dopant having low group II atomic diffusion.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2001Date of Patent: February 12, 2008Assignee: Midwest Research InstituteInventors: Mark Cooper Hanna, Robert Reedy
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Patent number: 7309832Abstract: A multi-junction solar cell device (10) is provided. The multi-junction solar cell device (10) comprises either two or three active solar cells connected in series in a monolithic structure. The multi-junction device (10) comprises a bottom active cell (20) having a single-crystal silicon substrate base and an emitter layer (23). The multi-junction device (10) further comprises one or two subsequent active cells each having a base layer (32) and an emitter layer (23) with interconnecting tunnel junctions between each active cell. At least one layer that forms each of the top and middle active cells is composed of a single-crystal III-V semiconductor alloy that is substantially lattice-matched to the silicon substrate (22). The polarity of the active p-n junction cells is either p-on-n or n-on-p.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2001Date of Patent: December 18, 2007Assignee: Midwest Research InstituteInventors: Daniel J. Friedman, John F. Geisz
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Patent number: 7306951Abstract: A measuring apparatus and method for use in measuring diffusible hydrogen concentrations in materials, structures, and other objects. In an embodiment of the invention for use in welding applications, the measuring apparatus (10) includes a sensor assembly (20) that, with an included sealing member (40), defines a sample area (17) on a weld bead (16) from which hydrogen evolves into a sample volume (18) defined by the sealing member (40), a sensor housing (34) and a sensor (22) of the sensor assembly (20). The hydrogen reacts with a sensing layer (28) and a reflector layer (30) positioned on the end of an optical fiber (24), all of which are included in the sensor assembly (20) and are sealably positioned within the sensor (22).Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2000Date of Patent: December 11, 2007Assignee: Midwest Research InstituteInventors: David K. Benson, Thomas R. Wildeman, R. Davis Smith, David L. Olson
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Patent number: 7306650Abstract: A method, and systems for implementing such method, for purifying and conditioning air of weaponized contaminants. The method includes wetting a filter packing media with a salt-based liquid desiccant, such as water with a high concentration of lithium chloride. Air is passed through the wetted filter packing media and the contaminants in are captured with the liquid desiccant while the liquid desiccant dehumidifies the air. The captured contaminants are then deactivated in the liquid desiccant, which may include heating the liquid desiccant. The liquid desiccant is regenerated by applying heat to the liquid desiccant and then removing moisture. The method includes repeating the wetting with the regenerated liquid desiccant which provides a regenerable filtering process that captures and deactivates contaminants on an ongoing basis while also conditioning the air. The method may include filtration effectiveness enhancement by electrostatic or inertial means.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2003Date of Patent: December 11, 2007Assignee: Midwest Research InstituteInventors: Steven J. Slayzak, Ren S. Anderson, Ronald D. Judkoff, Daniel M. Blake, Todd B. Vinzant, Joseph P. Ryan
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Patent number: 7300890Abstract: A silicon nitride film formation method includes: Heating a substrate to be subjected to film formation to a substrate temperature; heating a wire to a wire temperature; supplying silane, ammonia, and hydrogen gases to the heating member; and forming a silicon nitride film on the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2003Date of Patent: November 27, 2007Assignee: Midwest Research InstituteInventor: Qi Wang
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Publication number: 20070269874Abstract: A method of using sequential chemostat culture vessels to provide continuous H2 production, in which photosynthetic O2 evolution and H2 photoproduction are separated physically into two separate bioreactors, comprising: a) growing a microorganism culture able to continuously generate H2 by photosynthetically producing cells at about the early-to-late log state in a first photobioreactor operating as a sulfur chemostat under aerobic and/or conditions; b) continuously feeding cells from the first photobioreactor to a second photobioreactor operating under anaerobic conditions and sulfur deprivation conditions resulting from constant uptake of sulfate in the first bioreactor and a low rate of culture flow between the first and second bioreactors, for induction of hydrogenase and H2 photoproduction to allow for continuous cultivation of the microorganism's cells in the first photobioreactor and constant H2 production in the second photobioreactor, and c) H2 gas from the second photobioreactor.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2003Publication date: November 22, 2007Applicant: Midwest Research InstituteInventors: Sergey Kosourov, Maria Ghirardi, Michael Seibert
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Publication number: 20070231466Abstract: A method for protecting catalytic metal-based sensor for sensing the presence of hydrogen in an environment comprising, depositing a protective layer on said sensor, said protective layer being permeable to hydrogen.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2007Publication date: October 4, 2007Applicant: MIDWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTEInventors: Ping Liu, J. Pitts, Se-Hee Lee, C. Tracy
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Patent number: 7264775Abstract: An igniter assembly for a pulsed flame photometric detector having a filament comprising a resistive heating wire between about 0.08 millimeter and about 0.40 millimeter in diameter wound into a coil having an inner diameter between about 0.40 millimeter and about 3.2 millimeters. The filament has an applied protective coating of an alloy of gold and palladium. The filament is detachably connected to a cable and connector assembly that connects the filament to a source of power in the pulsed flame photometric detector.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2003Date of Patent: September 4, 2007Assignee: Midwest Research Institute, Inc.Inventors: Keith D. Wilson, Stephen B. Cummins, Douglas C. Stewart