Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for increasing the production of free fatty acids at high yield (close to maximum theoretical yield), with various fatty acid compositions and various percentage of fatty acids accumulated intracellularly. This invention will enable the efficient production of other products derived from free fatty acids and/or products that can be branched out from the fatty acid synthesis pathways.
Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to methods of forming calcium-silicate-hydrate particles by mixing a calcium source with a silicate source. In some embodiments, the mixing comprises sonication. In some embodiments, the mixing occurs in the presence of a surfactant and a solvent. In some embodiments, the methods of the present disclosure further comprise a step of controlling the morphology of the calcium-silicate-hydrate particles. In some embodiments, the step of controlling the morphology of calcium-silicate-hydrate particles comprises selecting a stoichiometric ratio of the calcium source over the silicate source. In some embodiments, the formed calcium-silicate-hydrate particles have cubic shapes. In some embodiments, the formed calcium-silicate-hydrate particles have rectangular shapes. In some embodiments, the formed calcium-silicate-hydrate particles are in the form of self-assembled particles of controlled shapes.
Type:
Application
Filed:
May 6, 2015
Publication date:
March 16, 2017
Applicant:
William Marsh Rice University
Inventors:
Rouzbeh Shahsavari, Sakineh Ebrahimpourmoghaddam, Kenton Herbert Whitmire
Abstract: Systems and methods for deploying and securing conductive materials to a region of tissue may utilize a catheter. The catheter may provide a tip with one or more detachable sections or may provide an adjustable opening. A lumen of the catheter may provide a conductive material, such as a filament, fiber, network or patch of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) or carbon nanofibers (CNFs). In some embodiments, the conductive materials may be coupled to securing mechanisms, such as screws, clips, anchors, alligator clips, or anchors with barbs, which can be actuated to attach the conductive materials to desired regions of tissue. In some embodiments, the catheter may provide a needle tip that allows the conductive material to be embedded into desired regions of tissue by inserting the needle into the tissue.
Type:
Application
Filed:
February 20, 2015
Publication date:
March 2, 2017
Applicants:
William Marsh Rice University, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Heart Institute
Inventors:
Flavia Vitale, Dimitri Tsentalovich, Francesca Mirri, Matteo Pasquali, Mehdi Razavi, Mark D. McCauley, Colin C. Young
Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to methods of producing a graphene material by exposing a polymer to a laser source. In some embodiments, the exposing results in formation of a graphene from the polymer. In some embodiments, the methods of the present disclosure also include a step of separating the formed graphene from the polymer to form an isolated graphene. In some embodiments, the methods of the present disclosure also include a step of incorporating the graphene material or the isolated graphene into an electronic device, such as an energy storage device. In some embodiments, the graphene is utilized as at least one of an electrode, current collector or additive in the electronic device. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to the graphene materials, isolated graphenes, and electronic devices that are formed by the methods of the present disclosure.
Type:
Application
Filed:
February 17, 2015
Publication date:
March 2, 2017
Applicant:
William Marsh Rice University
Inventors:
James M. Tour, Jian Lin, Zhiwei Peng, Carter Kittrell
Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to methods of growing chalcogen-linked metallic films on a surface in a chamber. In some embodiments, the method comprises placing a metal source and a chalcogen source in the chamber, and gradually heating the chamber, where the heating leads to the chemical vapor deposition of the chalcogen source and the metal source onto the surface, and facilitates the growth of the chalcogen-linked metallic film from the chalcogen source and the metal source on the surface. In some embodiments, the chalcogen source comprises sulfur, and the metal source comprises molybdenum trioxide. In some embodiments, the growth of the chalcogen-linked metallic film occurs by formation of nucleation sites on the surface, where the nucleation sites merge to form the chalcogen-linked metallic film. In some embodiments, the formed chalcogen-linked metallic film includes MoS2.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 11, 2014
Date of Patent:
February 28, 2017
Assignee:
WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY
Inventors:
Sina Najmaei, Zheng Liu, Pulickel M. Ajayan, Jun Lou
Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods of treating oxidative stress in a subject by administering a therapeutic composition to the subject. In some embodiments, the therapeutic composition comprises a carbon nanomaterial with anti-oxidant activity. In some embodiments, the anti-oxidant activity of the carbon nanomaterial corresponds to ORAC values between about 200 to about 15,000. In some embodiments, the administered carbon nanomaterials include at least one of single-walled nanotubes, double-walled nanotubes, triple-walled nanotubes, multi-walled nanotubes, ultra-short nanotubes, graphene, graphene nanoribbons, graphite, graphite oxide nanoribbons, carbon black, oxidized carbon black, hydrophilic carbon clusters, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the carbon nanomaterial is an ultra-short single-walled nanotube that is functionalized with a plurality of solubilizing groups.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 26, 2012
Date of Patent:
February 21, 2017
Assignees:
WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY, BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
Inventors:
James M. Tour, Jacob Berlin, Daniela Marcano, Ashley Leonard, Thomas A. Kent, Robia G. Pautler, Brittany Bitner, Taeko Inoue
Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to methods of forming electrodes on a surface. In some embodiments, the formed electrodes have a three-dimensional current collector layer. In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to the formed electrodes. In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to energy storage devices that contain the formed electrodes.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 16, 2014
Date of Patent:
February 14, 2017
Assignee:
WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY
Inventors:
Charudatta Galande, Neelam Singh, Suman Khatiwada, Pulickel M. Ajayan
Abstract: Production of products by engineered bacteria is increased by regulating cellular respiration. Cellular respiration is controlled by reducing electron transfer enzyme activity. Some examples of electron transfer enzymes include NADH dehydrogenases, Succinate dehydrogenases, ubiquinone synthesis, cytochrome O, and cytochrome D. In one example, deletion of UbiCA prevents respiration. Respiration can the be controlled by addition of ubiquinone or expression of ubiCA.
Abstract: A compressive sensing system for dynamic video acquisition. The system includes a video signal interface including a compressive imager configured to acquire compressive sensed video frame data from an object, a video processing unit including a processor and memory. The video processing unit is configured to receive the compressive sensed video frame data from the video signal interface. The memory comprises computer readable instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to generate a motion estimate from the compressive sensed video frame data and generate dynamical video frame data from the motion estimate and the compressive sensed video frame data. The dynamical video frame data may be output.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 26, 2013
Date of Patent:
January 24, 2017
Assignee:
William Marsh Rice University
Inventors:
Jianing V. Shi, Aswin C. Sankaranarayanan, Christoph Emanuel Studer, Richard G. Baraniuk
Abstract: A system including a steam generation system and a chamber. The steam generation system includes a complex and the steam generation system is configured to receive water, concentrate electromagnetic (EM) radiation received from an EM radiation source, apply the EM radiation to the complex, where the complex absorbs the EM radiation to generate heat, and transform, using the heat generated by the complex, the water to steam. The chamber is configured to receive the steam and an object, wherein the object is of medical waste, medical equipment, fabric, and fecal matter.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 20, 2015
Date of Patent:
January 17, 2017
Assignee:
Willam Marsh Rice University
Inventors:
Nancy J. Halas, Peter Nordlander, Oara Neumann
Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to materials for CO2 adsorption at pressures above 1 bar, where the materials include a porous carbon material with a surface area of at least 2800 m2/g, a total pore volume of at least 1.35 cm3/g, and a carbon content of 80%-95%. The porous carbon material is prepared by heating organic polymer precursors or biological materials in the presence of KOH at 700° C.-800° C. The present disclosure also pertains to materials for the separation of CO2 from natural gas at partial pressures above 1 bar, where the material includes a porous carbon material with a surface area of at least 2000 m2/g, a total pore volume of at least 1.00 cm3/g, and a carbon content of greater than 90%. The porous carbon materials can be prepared by heating organic polymer precursors or biological materials in the presence of KOH at 600° C.-700° C.
Type:
Application
Filed:
July 1, 2016
Publication date:
January 5, 2017
Applicants:
William Marsh Rice University, Apache Corporation
Inventors:
Saunab Ghosh, Andrew R. Barron, Jason Ho
Abstract: Methods for dissolving carbon materials such as, for example, graphite, graphite oxide, oxidized graphene nanoribbons and reduced graphene nanoribbons in a solvent containing at least one superacid are described herein. Both isotropic and liquid crystalline solutions can be produced, depending on the concentration of the carbon material The superacid solutions can be formed into articles such as, for example, fibers and films, mixed with other materials such as, for example, polymers, or used for functionalization of the carbon material. The superacid results in exfoliation of the carbon material to produce individual particles of the carbon material. In some embodiments, graphite or graphite oxide is dissolved in a solvent containing at least one superacid to form graphene or graphene oxide, which can be subsequently isolated. In some embodiments, liquid crystalline solutions of oxidized graphene nanoribbons in water are also described.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 19, 2010
Date of Patent:
January 3, 2017
Assignee:
WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY
Inventors:
James M. Tour, Matteo Pasquali, Natnael Behabtu, Jay R. Lomeda, Dmitry V. Kosynkin, Amanda Duque, Micah J. Green, A. Nicholas Parra-Vasquez, Colin Young
Abstract: A point of care diagnostic test, device and disposables for determining a patient risk for oral cancer in the same visit that a sample is collected.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 11, 2011
Date of Patent:
January 3, 2017
Assignee:
William Marsh Rice University
Inventors:
John T. McDevitt, Nicolaos Christodoulides, Pierre N. Floriano, Martin Thornhill, Spencer Redding, Nadarajah Vigneswaran, Craig Murdoch, Paul Speight
Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to compositions comprising heat-inactivated complement factor B and methods of using the same to treat thrombotic or complement-mediated inflammatory disorders.
Abstract: Systems, methods and compositions useful for treatment of traumatic bone injuries are provided. In one embodiment, a bone reconstruction system comprising a space maintaining composition comprising porous polymethylmethacrylate; and an osseous generating construct comprising a polymethylmethacrylate chamber that comprises one or more osseous generating materials is provided. Associated compositions and methods are also provided.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 19, 2014
Date of Patent:
January 3, 2017
Assignee:
WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY
Inventors:
Antonios G. Mikos, Mark E. Wong, Simon W. Young, James D. Kretlow, Meng Shi, F. Kurtis Kasper, Patrick Spicer
Abstract: Systems and methods providing wireless synchronization of wave arrays may include an antenna that receives a wireless injection signal and another antenna that radiates a locked wave signal corresponding to the injection signal. In some embodiments, these systems may also provide a low noise amplifier, voltage controlled oscillator (VCO), buffer amplifier(s), phase shifter, and/or multi-stage amplifier. In some embodiments, the injection signal may be provided on an even harmonic, and the intended transmission frequency signal is on an odd harmonic of the locked signal. The substrate thickness may be designed to radiate electromagnetic waves in odd harmonics of the locked signal. In yet another embodiment, polarization of a receiving antenna may be orthogonal to a transmitter antenna.
Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to electrodes that include a nickel-based material and at least one porous region with a plurality of nickel hydroxide moieties on a surface of the nickel-based material. The nickel-based material may be a nickel foil in the form of a film. The porous region of the electrode may be directly associated with the surface of the nickel-based material. The nickel hydroxide moieties may be in crystalline form and embedded with the porous region. The electrodes of the present disclosure may be a component of an energy storage device, such as a capacitor. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of fabricating the electrodes by anodizing a nickel-based material to form at least one porous region on a surface of the nickel-based material; and hydrothermally treating the porous region to form nickel hydroxide moieties associated with the porous region.
Abstract: The present disclosure provides a composition comprising a multi-domain peptide capable of self-assembly into a nanofibrous hydrogel structure capable of stimulating a robust angiogenic response. In one embodiment, the composition comprises a short 15 amino acid VEGF-165 peptide mimic conjugated to a 16 amino acid multidomain peptide. A method for promoting angiogenesis and/or treating ischemic wounds in a subject is also provided.
Abstract: Compressive imaging apparatus employing multiple modulators in various optical schemes to generate the modulation patterns before the signal is recorded at a detector. The compressive imaging apparatus is equally valid when applying compressive imaging to structured light embodiments where the placement is shifted from the acquisition path between the subject and the detector into the illumination path between the source and the subject to be imaged.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 28, 2015
Date of Patent:
December 13, 2016
Assignee:
William Marsh Rice University
Inventors:
Kevin F Kelly, Richard G Baraniuk, Gary Woods, Ting Sun, Matthew Turner
Abstract: A fully-programmable digital-to-impulse radiator with a programmable delay is discussed herein. The impulse radiator may be part of an array of impulse radiators. Each individual element of the array may be equipped with an integrated programmable delay that can shift the timing of a digital trigger. The digital trigger may be fed to an amplifier, switch, and impulse matching circuitry, whereas the data signal path may be provided from a separate path. An antenna coupled to the impulse matching circuitry may then radiate ultra-short impulses. The radiating array may provide the ability to control delay at each individual element, perform near-ideal spatial combing, and/or beam steering.
Type:
Application
Filed:
May 18, 2016
Publication date:
November 24, 2016
Applicant:
William Marsh Rice University
Inventors:
Mohammad Mahdi Assefzadeh, Aydin Babakhani