Patents Assigned to Rice University
  • Patent number: 9420201
    Abstract: Provided is an image processing apparatus including an image generation unit that, from photographic images that are captured using multiple photographic parameters, generates an image of which values of the multiple photographic parameters are different from values of the photographic image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignees: SONY CORPORATION, WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Atsushi Ito, Ashok Veeraraghavan, Kaushik Mitra, Salil Tambe
  • Publication number: 20160223478
    Abstract: An Electron Paramagnetic resonance (EPR) system and method allows the measurement paramagnetic characteristics of materials in real-time, such as heavy oil, hydrocarbons, asphaltenes, heptane, vanadium, resins, drilling fluid, mud, wax deposits or the like. The EPR systems and methods discussed herein are low cost, small and light weight, making them usable in flow-assurance or logging applications. The EPR sensor is capable of measuring paramagnetic properties of materials from a distance of several inches. In some embodiments, a window will be used to separate the EPR sensor from the materials in a pipeline or wellbore. Since the sensor does need to be in direct contact with the materials, it can operate at a lower temperature or pressure. In other embodiments, the EPR sensor may be placed in the materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Applicant: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Aydin Babakhani, Xuebei Yang
  • Publication number: 20160223669
    Abstract: A radar system may comprise a trigger, driver, switching circuit, and antenna for generating an ultra-short impulse without utilizing an oscillator. A radar imaging system for imaging a formation or a cross section of a pipeline may include at least one radar sensor. The system may transmit a high-frequency, short impulse signal to a formation or pipeline and measure a reflected signal. A high speed impulse generator may allow the short impulse signals to be generated. This impulse generator may utilize a switching circuit and digital driver to provide the short impulse signals. The images provide useful information about complex permittivity of the formation, the geometry of the pipeline, deposition thickness of asphaltenes and wax, velocity of the fluid, as well as size, type, concentration of gas bubbles, water, or solid particles in the flow, or combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Applicant: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: M. Mahdi Assefzadeh, Aydin Babakhani
  • Patent number: 9403115
    Abstract: A process for conversion of conventional sand granules (or other particulates) to a ‘core-shell’ adsorbent granules in which GO (or GO-f) coating imparts nano structural features on the surface of the sand granules (or other particulates). Such materials are useful in a variety of engineering applications such as water purification, catalysis, capacitors, proppants, casting, and magnetic shielding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignees: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY, NANOHOLDINGS LLC
    Inventors: Mainak Majumder, Wei Gao, Pulickel Madhavapanicker Ajayan, Tharangattu Narayanan, Bhabendra K. Pradhan
  • Patent number: 9388434
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an engineered bacteria for producing short chain fatty acid with the overexpression of a long chain (>C12) acyl-ACP thioesterases (long-TE) and a short chain (?C12) acyl-ACP thioesterases (short-TE).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Ka-Yiu San, Songi Han
  • Patent number: 9385163
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the resistive memory cells and arrays discussed herein comprise: (1) a first electrode; (2) a second electrode; (3) resistive memory material; and (4) a diode. The resistive memory material is selected from the group consisting of SiOx, SiOxH, SiOxNy, SiOxNyH, SiOxCz, SiOxCzH, and combinations thereof, wherein each of x, y and z are equal to or greater than 1 and equal to or less than 2. The diode may be any suitable diode, such as n-p diodes, p-n diodes, and Schottky diodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignees: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY, NANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: James M. Tour, Jun Yao, Jian Lin, Gunuk Wang, Krishna Palem
  • Publication number: 20160185791
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure provides new analogs of uncialamycin of formulae (I) and (II). The present disclosure also provides novel synthetic pathways to obtaining uncialamycin and analogs thereof. Additionally, the present disclosure also describes methods of use of uncialamycin and analogs thereof. In another aspect, the present disclosure provides antibody-drug conjugates comprising the compounds of formulae (I) and (II).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Applicants: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY, BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB COMPANY, THE SCRIPPS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Kyriacos C. NICOLAOU, Min LU, Debashis MANDAL, Sanjeev GANGWAR, Naidu S. CHOWDARI, Yam B. POUDEL
  • Patent number: 9377449
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to nanocomposites for detecting hydrocarbons in a geological structure. In some embodiments, the nanocomposites include: a core particle; a polymer associated with the core particle; a sulfur-based moiety associated with the polymer; and a releasable probe molecule associated with the core particle, where the releasable probe molecule is releasable from the core particle upon exposure to hydrocarbons. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of detecting hydrocarbons in a geological structure by utilizing the nanocomposites of the present disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: James M. Tour, Chih-Chau Hwang, Wei Lu, Gedeng Ruan, Mason B. Tomson, Amy Kan, Lu Wang, Michael S. Wong, Gautam Kini, George J. Hirasaki, Clarence Miller
  • Patent number: 9372151
    Abstract: A device for Surface Enhanced Infrared Absorption (SEIRA) that includes at least one pair of metallic antennas deposited on a substrate, wherein the pair of metallic antennas are collinear. The length, width, and height of the metallic antenna determines an infrared absorption of the pair of metallic antennas. The device also includes a gap located between the pair of metallic antennas. A chemical moiety is disposed on at least a portion of the metallic antennas such that the infrared absorption of the chemical moiety is enhanced by the at least one pair of metallic antennas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Lisa V. Brown, Ke Zhao, Nancy J. Halas, Peter J. Nordlander
  • Publication number: 20160163652
    Abstract: The present invention relates to coated fullerenes comprising a layer of at least one inorganic material covering at least a portion of at least one surface of a fullerene and methods for making. The present invention further relates to composites comprising the coated fullerenes of the present invention and further comprising polymers, ceramics, and/or inorganic oxides. A coated fullerene interconnect device where at least two fullerenes are contacting each other to form a spontaneous interconnect is also disclosed as well as methods of making. In addition, dielectric films comprising the coated fullerenes of the present invention and methods of making are further disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Applicants: William Marsh Rice University, Natcore Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew R. Barron, Dennis J. Flood, Elizabeth Whitsitt
  • Patent number: 9358730
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods of strengthening composites. In some embodiments, such methods generally comprise a step of applying a dynamic stress to the composite in order to increase at least one of the stiffness or strength of the composite. In some embodiments, the composite comprises: a polymer matrix; nanomaterial fillers; and an interphase between the polymer matrix and the nanomaterial fillers. In some embodiments, the stiffness or strength of the composite increases permanently in response to the applied stress. In some embodiments, the increase in the stiffness or strength of the composite may be associated with an increase in the storage modulus of the composite, a decrease in the loss modulus of the composite, and a decrease in the loss tangent of the composite. In some embodiments, the applied stress results in a rearrangement of the interphase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Pulickel M. Ajayan, Brent Joseph Carey
  • Publication number: 20160153098
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to methods of mediating a gas evolution reaction by exposing a gas precursor to an electrocatalyst that comprises a plurality of layers with catalytic sites. The exposing results in electrocatalytic conversion of the gas precursor to a gas. Thereafter, the generated gas enhances the electrocatalytic activity of the electrocatalyst by enhancing the accessibility of the catalytic sites to the gas precursor. In some embodiments, the electrocatalyst is associated with an electrically conductive surface (e.g., an electrode) that provides electrical current. In some embodiments, the electrocatalyst is a hydrogen production electrocatalyst that converts H+ to H2. In some embodiments, the electrocatalyst includes a transition metal dichalcogenide. Further embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to the aforementioned electrocatalysts for mediating gas evolution reactions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Applicants: William Marsh Rice University, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
    Inventors: Ken Hackenberg, Kunttal Keyshar, Jingjie Wu, Yuanyue Liu, Pulickel Ajayan, Brandon Wood, Boris Yakobson
  • Patent number: 9356151
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to methods of preparing graphene nanoribbons from a graphene film associated with a meniscus, where the method comprises patterning the graphene film while the meniscus acts as a mask above a region of the graphene film, and where the patterning results in formation of graphene nanoribbons from the meniscus-masked region of the graphene film. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of preparing wires from a film associated with a meniscus, where the method comprises patterning the film while the meniscus acts as a mask above a region of the film, and where the patterning results in formation of a wire from the meniscus-masked region of the film. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to chemical methods of preparing wires from water-reactive materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: James M. Tour, Vera Abramova, Alexander Slesarev
  • Publication number: 20160143538
    Abstract: A system for estimating a photoplethysmogram waveform of a target includes an image processor configured to obtain images of the target and a waveform analyzer. The waveform analyzer is configured to determine a weight of a portion of the target. The weight is based on a time variation of a light reflectivity of the portion of the target. The time variation of the light reflectivity of the target is based on the images. The waveform analyzer is further configured to estimate a PPG waveform of the target based on the weight of the portion and the time variation of the light reflectivity of the portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Applicant: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Mayank Kumar, Ashok Veeraraghavan, Ashutosh Sabharwal
  • Publication number: 20160137875
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising a conductive polymer and a surfactant for forming a thin film on a substrate, and a method of manufacturing a thin film on a substrate, wherein the conductive polymer may comprise poly(3,4-ethlene-dioxythiophene)-poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT-PSS).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Applicants: RICE UNIVERSITY, NITTO DENKO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ruta KIBE, Takayuki YAMAMOTO, Laurent MAILLAUD, Matteo PASQUALI
  • Patent number: 9340894
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides novel methods of preparing porous silicon films and particles for lithium ion batteries. In some embodiments, such methods generally include: (1) etching a silicon material by exposure of the silicon material to a constant current density in a solution to produce a porous silicon film over a substrate; and (2) separating the porous silicon film from the substrate by gradually increasing the electric current density in sequential increments. In some embodiments, the methods of the present invention may also include a step of associating the porous silicon film with a binding material. In some embodiments, the methods of the present invention may also include a step of splitting the porous silicon film to form porous silicon particles. Additional embodiments of the present invention pertain to anode materials derived from the porous silicon films and porous silicon particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignees: William Marsh Rice University, Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Sibani Lisa Biswal, Madhuri Thakur, Michael S. Wong, Steven L. Sinsabaugh, Mark Isaacson
  • Publication number: 20160131637
    Abstract: A microfluidic device includes a first microfluidic channel comprising a side wall and an electrode, disposed on the side wall. The microfluidic device further includes an intersection of the first microfluidic channel and a second microfluidic channel proximate to the electrode. The electrode is suspended into an interior region of the first microfluidic chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Applicant: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jacob Robinson, Daniel L. Gonzales, Andrew Martin Bell, Daniel Vercosa, Benjamin Wesley Avants
  • Publication number: 20160118527
    Abstract: An opto-electronic sensor may provide one or more layers of atomically layered photo-sensitive materials. The sensor may include a gate electrode layer, a dielectric layer in contact with the gate electrode layer, and a working media layer that is photo-sensitive deposited on the dielectric layer. The working media layer may provide one or more layers of one or more materials where each of the one or more layers is an atomic layer. The sensor may also include side electrodes in contact with the working media layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Applicant: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Sidong Lei, Liehui Ge, Antony George, Bo Li, Robert Vajtai, Pulickel M. Ajayan
  • Patent number: 9321021
    Abstract: An improved process for converting an oil suspension of nanoparticles (NPs) into a water suspension of NPs, wherein water and surfactant and a non-surfactant salt is used instead of merely water and surfactant, leading to greatly improved NP aqueous suspensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Michael S. Wong, Hitesh Ghanshyam Bagaria, Gautam Chandrakanth Kini, Wen Yin Lynn Ko
  • Patent number: 9312078
    Abstract: The present invention relates to patterned graphite oxide films and methods to make and use same. The present invention includes a novel strategy developed to imprint any required conductive patterns onto self-assembled graphene oxide (GO) membranes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignees: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY, NANOHOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Pulickel M. Ajayan, Bhabendra K. Pradhan, Wei Gao