Patents Assigned to Rice University
  • Publication number: 20250136910
    Abstract: In some embodiments, devices for use as blood-brain barrier models are disclosed. The devices may include either a hydrogel component that surrounds a channel formed between a first opening and a second opening of the hydrogel component, or a hydrogel component that forms a groove. The devices may further include pericytes disposed in the channel or the groove, and endothelial cells may be disposed in the channel or the groove. The hydrogel component may include astrocytes (e.g., printed into the hydrogel component via projection stereolithography). Also disclosed are various methods of making and using these devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2024
    Publication date: May 1, 2025
    Applicants: Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Nicole L. Buist, Martha J. Fowler, Yufang He, Anna Kristen Mai, Adam T. Procopio, Madison K. Royse, Omid Veiseh, Jun Xu
  • Patent number: 12280115
    Abstract: Cytokine-bisphosphonate conjugates and methods of use thereof in muscle functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2025
    Assignees: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York, William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Gerard Karsenty, Julian Berger, Han Xiao
  • Publication number: 20250121106
    Abstract: Provided is a composite material including an electrically insulating upper layer; a conductive layer which promotes Joule heating; and a thermally insulating backing layer configured to provide support and thermal insulation. The conductive layer is adhered to the thermally insulating backing layer, and the electrically insulating upper layer is adhered to the conductive layer. Also provided are an article including the composite material; a method of fabricating the composite material; a system including the composite material, a controller, and a power source; a method of thermally decontaminating the composite material; and method of thermoregulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2024
    Publication date: April 17, 2025
    Applicant: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Marquise Da'Shaun Bell, Daniel J. Preston, Kai Ye, Te Faye Yap, Anoop Rajappan, Zhen Liu, Yizhi Jane Tao
  • Publication number: 20250117088
    Abstract: A wearable haptic device and system for providing spatiotemporal cues are disclosed. The system includes a wearable haptic device and a controller. The wearable haptic device includes a fluidic circuit having, at least one fluidic capacitor, wherein each of the at least one fluidic capacitor comprises an inflatable cell formed from a portion of a first material sheet bonded to a portion of a second material sheet to form a hermetic bond, at least one channel fluidically connected to the fluidic capacitor, each of the at least one channel is configured to convey a pressurized fluid to the at least one fluidic capacitor, a master valve, fluidically connected to the at least one channel, and a fluid source fluidically connected to the at least one fluidic capacitor via the at least one channel. The controller sends and receives signals to deliver pressurized fluid to the at least one fluidic capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2024
    Publication date: April 10, 2025
    Applicant: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Barclay Jumet, Zane Anthony Zook, Anas Nafees Yousaf, Anoop Rajappan, Doris Xu, Te Faye Yap, Nathaniel Wallace Fino, Zhen Liu, Marcia K. O'Malley, Daniel J. Preston
  • Publication number: 20250114773
    Abstract: Nanocomposites include boron nitride doped with a metal, where the boron nitride doped with a metal is catalytically active for degrading a perfluoroalkyl substance. Methods of making nanocomposites include forming a mixture by adding a salt comprising a metal cation to a powder comprising boron nitride; forming a dispersion by adding the mixture to a eutectic solvent; and reacting the metal with the boron nitride to form a product comprising the nanocomposite by heating the dispersion. Methods of treating a perfluoroalkyl substance include contacting the perfluoroalkyl substance with a nanocomposite comprising boron nitride doped with a metal; and degrading the perfluoroalkyl substance with the nanocomposite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2024
    Publication date: April 10, 2025
    Applicant: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Harikishan Kannan, Jordin Metz, Johanna Ikabu Bangala, Ashok Kumar Meiyazhagan, Sarah Glass, Pulickel M. Ajayan, Pedro Alvarez
  • Publication number: 20250115773
    Abstract: A method of forming a perovskite film includes depositing an ink onto a substrate and annealing the substrate to form the perovskite film. The ink includes one or more 2D perovskite crystals; one or more group one cations or ammonium halides; one or more metal halides; and one or more solvents. A perovskite ink includes one or more 2D perovskite crystals, one or more group one cations or ammonium halides, one or more metal halides and one or more solvents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2024
    Publication date: April 10, 2025
    Applicant: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Aditya D. Mohite, Siraj Sidhik
  • Publication number: 20250115935
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to designed fusion proteins derived from MTFs with strong potency to modulate transcription and designated these recombinant fusion proteins MSN and NMS. These powerful transactivators potently activate transcription from endogenous loci when recruited through CRISPR-dCas9, Zinc Finger, or TALE system proteins. This technology permits upregulation of gene expression in targeted manner devoid of viral transcription activation domains and is amenable to high-throughput screening. These synthetic transcription activators interact with all programable DNA binding proteins tested and have exhibited applicability in vitro for efficient lineage conversion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2023
    Publication date: April 10, 2025
    Applicant: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Isaac HILTON, Barun MAHATA, Jacob GOELL
  • Patent number: 12251449
    Abstract: Provided herein are compositions comprising multi domain peptide (MDP) hydrogels where the peptides that constitute the hydrogel have at least one N6-(1-iminoethyl)-lysine side chain. Also provided are hydrogels that further comprise a STING agonist, an immune checkpoint inhibitor, and/or an anti-cancer therapy. Also provided are methods of using such compositions in the treatment of cancer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignees: William Marsh Rice University, Baylor College of Medicine, The Board of Regents of The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Jeffrey Hartgerink, Andrew G. Sikora, David Leach, Jared M. Newton, Simon Young
  • Publication number: 20250084183
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for treating bone disease, such as bone cancers or bone metastasis of cancers, by administering an engineered bone-targeting compositions, such as an antibody or one or more polypeptides, such as an antibody or polypeptide engineered to comprise bone-homing peptide(s). Further provided herein are bone-targeting compositions, such as an antibody or one or more polypeptides, such as an antibody or polypeptide engineered to comprise bone-homing peptide(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Publication date: March 13, 2025
    Applicant: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Han XIAO, Chenfei YU, Zeru TIAN
  • Publication number: 20250073477
    Abstract: Some disclosed embodiments relate to a system (and/or use of or manufacturing) that includes: a magnetoelectric (ME) component comprising: one or more first layers, wherein each of the one or more first layers comprises a piezoelectric material; one or more second layers, wherein each of the one or more second layers comprises a magnetostrictive material, and wherein a thickness ratio that is defined to be a cumulative thickness of the one or more first layers relative to a cumulative thickness of the one or more second layers is between 0.2 and 0.5. The system may also include an energy harvesting circuit comprising a rectifier circuit, where the energy harvesting circuit is coupled to the ME component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2024
    Publication date: March 6, 2025
    Applicant: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Jacob T. ROBINSON, Wonjune KIM, C. Anne TUPPEN, Kaiyuan YANG, Yiwei ZOU
  • Publication number: 20250075040
    Abstract: Systems and methods for producing a covalent organic framework including providing a first monomer to a first zone in a furnace, a second monomer to a second zone in the furnace, and a substrate to a third zone in the furnace, where the third zone is located downstream from the first zone and the second zone. Systems and methods also include heating the furnace to a achieve temperature profile having a range of temperatures where the range of temperatures vaporizes the first monomer the second monomer. Systems and methods further include absorbing, onto the substrate, the first vaporized monomer and the second vaporized monomer to produce a covalent organic framework (COF). Articles produced by systems and methods include a film of a covalent organic framework (COF). The COF is a reaction product of a first monomer and a second monomer, and the COF is arranged in a two-dimensional crystalline lattice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2024
    Publication date: March 6, 2025
    Applicant: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Jeremy Paul Daum, Alec Ajnsztajn, Sathvik Ajay Iyengar, Rafael Verduzco, Pulickel M. Ajayan
  • Patent number: 12234356
    Abstract: This document relates to epoxy compositions containing a sliding-ring polymer (polyrotaxane) additive and a thermally-curable epoxy resin. The epoxy compositions exhibit increased flexural toughness and impact resistance as compared to the same epoxy composition that does not contain the additive. This document also relates to 3D-printed epoxy compositions containing a sliding-ring polymer (polyrotaxane) additive and a thermally-curable epoxy resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignees: William Marsh Rice University, Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Hasmukh A. Patel, Ali Zein Khater, Peter Boul, Pulickel M. Ajayan, Muhammad M. Rahman
  • Patent number: 12225638
    Abstract: An microheater array system includes an integrated microheater array configured to generate a localized heat and having a plurality of pixels. Each pixel includes: an inductor; a stacked oscillator configured to generate a magnetic field at microwave frequencies with tunable intensity and frequency; and an electro-thermal loop. The microheater array system may further include a plurality of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Yingying Fan, Qingbo Zhang, Linlin Zhang, Gang Bao, Taiyun Chi
  • Patent number: 12215132
    Abstract: Exemplary methods, compositions and uses thereof can be provided for preventing, reducing and/or treating loss of muscle function. In particular, e.g., it is possible to administer to a subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of an agent that enhances Interleukin-6 (IL) release during exercise, and optionally a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignees: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York, William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Gerard Karsenty, Julian Berger, Han Xiao
  • Publication number: 20250032804
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of this disclosure include apparatus, systems and methods utilizing a passive, power-efficient backscattering communication system that enables transmitting data wirelessly between implantable magnetoelectric (ME) devices and an external base station. Certain embodiments encode the transmitted data through modulating the resonance frequency of a ME film by digitally tuning its electric loading conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2024
    Publication date: January 30, 2025
    Applicant: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Jacob ROBINSON, Fatima ALRASHDAN, Kaiyuan YANG, Zhanghao YU, Joshua WOODS, Amanda SINGER, Matthew PARKER
  • Publication number: 20250032797
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to wirelessly monitoring and controlling implantable magnetoelectric devices. Particularly, aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a system that includes an implantable device, a base station, and one or more sensors that are physically connected or wirelessly connected to the base station. The implantable device includes a magnetoelectric film, an electrical circuit coupled to the magnetoelectric film, and one or more electrodes. The base station includes a magnetic field generator and a magnetic transceiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2024
    Publication date: January 30, 2025
    Applicants: William Marsh Rice University, WTMC Innovation Factory - Motif Neurotech
    Inventors: Jacob T. ROBINSON, Joshua WOODS, Matthew KUHN, Kaiyuan YANG, Fatima ALRASHDAN, Zhanghao YU
  • Publication number: 20250019680
    Abstract: Provided herein are engineered Cas13 proteins with enhanced collateral activity. The engineered proteins comprise RNA binding domains (RBDs) fusions within an active site-proximal loop within a higher eukaryotes and prokaryotes nucleotide-binding (HEPN) domain. Also provided are compositions comprising and methods of using the engineered Cas13 proteins to detect target nucleic acids at attomolar sensitivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2022
    Publication date: January 16, 2025
    Applicant: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Xue GAO, Jie YANG, Yang GAO
  • Publication number: 20250011833
    Abstract: This disclosure provides methods and compositions comprising random reverse primers that are useful for the amplification of nucleic acid molecules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2022
    Publication date: January 9, 2025
    Applicants: William Marsh Rice University, NuProbe USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Ping SONG, David Y. ZHANG, Wenjun LI
  • Patent number: 12179026
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of this disclosure include apparatus, systems and methods utilizing a passive, power-efficient backscattering communication system that enables transmitting data wirelessly between implantable magnetoelectric (ME) devices and an external base station. Certain embodiments encode the transmitted data through modulating the resonance frequency of a ME film by digitally tuning its electric loading conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Jacob Robinson, Fatima Alrashdan, Kaiyuan Yang, Zhanghao Yu, Joshua Woods, Amanda Singer, Matthew Parker
  • Publication number: 20240415931
    Abstract: A fundamental barrier to successful device-based therapies is the Inability to deliver a sustained amount of therapeutics that do not have a systemic toxic impact on the subject. Thus, there is a need for identifying new compositions and methods to enhance the delivery, distribution, and/or efficacy of therapeutic agents. The present disclosure relates to implantable constructs (encapsulated cells) designed to deliver antigenic therapeutic reagents, such as IL-2, and optionally one additional therapeutic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2022
    Publication date: December 19, 2024
    Applicant: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Omid VEISEH, Amanda NASH, Samira AGHLARA-FOTOVAT