Patents Assigned to Rice University
  • Patent number: 9312540
    Abstract: A fabrication process for conformal coating of a thin polymer electrolyte layer on nanostructured electrode materials for three-dimensional micro/nanobattery applications, compositions thereof, and devices incorporating such compositions. In embodiments, conformal coatings (such as uniform thickness of around 20-30 nanometer) of polymer Polymethylmethacralate (PMMA) electrolyte layers around individual Ni—Sn nanowires were used as anodes for Li ion battery. This configuration showed high discharge capacity and excellent capacity retention even at high rates over extended cycling, allowing for scalable increase in areal capacity with electrode thickness. Such conformal nanoscale anode-electrolyte architectures were shown to be efficient Li-ion battery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: WILLIAM MARCH RICE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Pulickel M. Ajayan, Fung Suong Ou, Manikoth M. Shajiumon, Sanketh R. Gowda, Arava L. M. Reddy
  • Patent number: 9309543
    Abstract: There is provided a recombinant bacterium comprising at least one overexpressed acyl-ACP thioesterase gene, and wherein at least one gene from the tricarboxylic acid cycle or glycolysis or both is inactivated. There is also provided a method for producing fatty acids, said method comprising culturing bacteria comprising at least one overexpressed acyl-ACP thioesterase gene in a growth medium in a container having walls; allowing said bacteria to secrete fatty acids; and collecting said fatty acids. Acid supplementation is also shown to increase productivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Ka-Yiu San, Mai Li, Xiujun Zhang
  • Patent number: 9290665
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignees: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY, NATCORE TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew R. Barron, Dennis J. Flood, Elizabeth Whitsitt
  • Patent number: 9283511
    Abstract: Composite materials for carbon dioxide (C02) capture that include: (1) a mesoporous carbon source; and (2) an in situ polymerized polymer that is associated with the mesoporous carbon source, where the in situ polymerized polymer is selected from the group consisting of thiol-based polymers, amine-based polymers, and combinations thereof. Methods of making the composite materials for C02 capture include: (1) associating a mesoporous carbon source with monomers, where the monomers are selected from the group consisting of thiol-based monomers, amine-based monomers, and combinations thereof; and (2) polymerizing the monomers in situ to form said composite materials. Further embodiments of the present invention pertain to methods of capturing C02 from an environment by associating the environment with one or more of the aforementioned composite materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignees: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY, NALCO COMPANY
    Inventors: James M. Tour, Garry Chih-Chau Hwang, Jay R. Lomeda
  • Patent number: 9283299
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to injectable compositions. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to injectable, thermogelling hydrogels and associated methods. In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides for a composition comprising a poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-based macromer and a polyamidoamine-based macromer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Antonios G. Mikos, F. Kurtis Kasper, Adam K. Ekenseair, Tiffany N. Vo, Kristel W. M. Boere, Tyler J. Touchet
  • Publication number: 20160068690
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising carbon nanotubes and a surfactant for forming a thin film on a substrate, and a method of manufacturing a thin film on a substrate by using an aqueous dispersion of the composition comprising carbon nanotubes and a surfactant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Applicants: NITTO DENKO CORPORATION, Rice University
    Inventors: Ryuta KIBE, Takayuki YAMAMOTO, Laurent MAILLAUD, Robert James HEADRICK, Francesca MIRRI, Matteo PASQUALI
  • Patent number: 9260570
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides methods of strengthening liquid crystal elastomers. In some embodiments, such methods include a step of placing the liquid crystal elastomer in an environment that applies dynamic stress to the liquid crystal elastomer. In further embodiments, the methods of the present disclosure also include a step of providing liquid crystal elastomers for placement in an environment that applies dynamic stress. In some embodiments, the liquid crystal elastomer is in a nematic phase before or during the application of dynamic stress. In some embodiments, the application of dynamic stress enhances the stiffness of the liquid crystal elastomer by more than about 10%. Further embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to liquid crystal elastomers that are made by the methods of the present disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Rafael Verduzco, Aditya Agrawal, Alin Cristian Chipara
  • Patent number: 9255853
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods of detecting strain associated with an object by: (1) irradiating a composition that has been applied to the object, where the composition comprises semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes; (2) measuring an emission from the irradiated composition, where the emission comprises near infrared emission; and (3) correlating the near infrared emission to the presence or absence of strain associated with the object. In some embodiments, the aforementioned steps occur without physically contacting the object or the composition. In some embodiments, the aforementioned steps occur without utilizing Raman spectroscopy. Further embodiments of the present invention also include a step of applying the composition to the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: R. Bruce Weisman, Paul A. Withey, Sergei M. Bachilo, Satish Nagarajaiah, Venkata Srivishnu M. Vemuru
  • Publication number: 20160031711
    Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides methods of forming graphene films by: (1) depositing a non-gaseous carbon source onto a catalyst surface; (2) exposing the non-gaseous carbon source to at least one gas with a flow rate; and (3) initiating the conversion of the non-gaseous carbon source to the graphene film, where the thickness of the graphene film is controllable by the gas flow rate. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to graphene films made in accordance with the methods of the present disclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: James M. Tour, Zhengzong Sun, Zheng Yan, Gedeng Ruan, Zhiwei Peng
  • Patent number: 9249023
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to methods of forming a solution of single-walled carbon nanotube polyelectrolytes in a liquid crystalline phase. In some embodiments, such methods comprise: (a) providing single-walled carbon nanotube polyelectrolytes; and (b) mixing the single-walled polyelectrolytes with a polar aprotic solvent to form a mixture, where the mixing results in the formation of single-walled carbon nanotubes in the liquid crystalline phase. In some embodiments, the polar aprotic solvent comprises crown ether. In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to a method of making single-walled carbon nanotube fibers. Further embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to a method of making a single walled carbon nanotube composite. In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to an article comprising neat aligned carbon nanotubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Angel A. Marti-Arbona, Chengmin Jiang, Avishek Saha, Matteo Pasquali, Colin Young
  • Patent number: 9248448
    Abstract: A bionanochip cartridge for analysis of multiple samples or analytes is provided herein, and the cartridge is dimensioned to take advantage of existing robotic microtiter plate handling equipment. Fluidics are specially designed to provide a small footprint and to prevent cross contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: John McDevitt, Nicolaos Christodoulidies, Pierre N. Floriano, Tim Abram
  • Publication number: 20160028004
    Abstract: A nanoporous (NP) memory may include a non-porous layer and a nanoporous layer sandwiched between the bottom and top electrodes. The memory may be free of diodes, selectors, and/or transistors that may be necessary in other memories to mitigate crosstalk. The nanoporous material of the nanoporous layer may be a metal oxide, metal chalcogenide, or a combination thereof. Further, the memory may lack any additional components. Further, the memory may be free from requiring an electroformation process to allow switching between ON/OFF states.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Applicant: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: James M. Tour, Gunuk Wang, Yang Yang
  • Patent number: 9243888
    Abstract: A method for imaging a sample. The method includes, during a single acquisition event, receiving depth-encoded electromagnetic (EM) fields from points on a sample that includes a first depth-encoded EM field for a first point and a second depth-encoded EM field for a second point, and redirecting the first depth-encoded EM field along a first predetermined direction to a first location on a dispersing re-imager and the second depthencoded EM field along a second pre-determined direction to a second location on the dispersing re-imager. The method further includes spectrally dispersing the first depthencoded EM field to obtain a first spectrum, re-imaging the first spectrum onto a first location on a detector, spectrally dispersing the second depth-encoded EM field to obtain a second spectrum, re-imaging the second spectrum onto a second location on the detector, and detecting the first re-imaged spectrum and the second re-imaged spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Tomasz S. Tkaczyk, Mark Pierce
  • Patent number: 9242876
    Abstract: Various aspects of the present invention pertain to porous membranes that comprise: (1) a plurality of pores with pore sizes of more than about 0.1 ?m in diameter; and (2) a plurality of hydrophilic molecules. Additional aspects of the present invention pertain to methods of separating organic compounds from a liquid sample by: (1) providing the porous membrane; and (2) flowing the liquid sample through the porous membrane in order to retain organic compounds on the porous membrane. Further aspects of the present invention pertain to systems for separating organic compounds from a liquid sample. Such systems comprises: (1) the porous membrane; and (2) a flowing unit that enables the liquid sample to flow through the porous membrane. Additional aspects of the present invention pertain to methods of making the above-described porous membranes by: (1) coating a surface of a porous membrane containing 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Andrew R. Barron, Samuel J. Maguire-Boyle
  • Patent number: 9246505
    Abstract: An active cancellation system may provide a first and second transmission gates that are fed with an input signal and a complimentary signal, respectively. The first transmission gate may be switched on/off, and a second transmission gate may remain off at all times. When switched off, the first transmission gate may provide a leakage signal resulting from leakage in current, especially at high input frequencies, which is detrimental to performance. The complimentary signal fed to the second transmission gate is out of phase with the input signal, but identical in amplitude. Thus, second transmission gate may output a signal that can cancel out the leakage signal from the first transmission gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Himanshu Aggrawal, Aydin Babakhani
  • Patent number: 9239263
    Abstract: A method for imaging a sample, the method includes, during a single acquisition event, receiving a first polarization-encoded EM field for a first point and a second polarization-encoded EM field for a second point. The method further includes re-directing the first polarization-encoded EM field along a first pre-determined direction to a first location on a dispersing re-imager and the second polarization-encoded EM field along a second pre-determined direction to a second location on the dispersing re-imager. The method further includes spectrally dispersing the first polarization-encoded EM field to obtain a first spectrum, re-imaging the first spectrum onto a first location on a detector, spectrally dispersing the second polarization-encoded EM field to obtain a second spectrum, re-imaging the second spectrum onto a second location on the detector, and detecting the first re-imaged spectrum and the second re-imaged spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Robert T. Kester, Tomasz S. Tkaczyk
  • Publication number: 20160001260
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to materials for use in CO2 capture in high pressure environments. In some embodiments, the materials include a porous carbon material containing a plurality of pores for use in a high pressure environment. Additional embodiments pertain to methods of utilizing the materials of the present disclosure to capture CO2 from various environments. In some embodiments, the materials of the present disclosure selectively capture CO2 over hydrocarbon species in the environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Applicant: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: James M. Tour, Desmond E. Schipper, Chih-Chau Hwang, Josiah Tour, Almaz S. Jalilov, Gedeng Ruan, Yilun Li
  • Publication number: 20160002673
    Abstract: A method of producing bioethanol that includes receiving a feedstock solution that includes polysaccharides in a vessel comprising a complex is described. The complex may be copper nanoparticles, copper oxide nanoparticles, nanoshells, nanorods, carbon moieties, encapsulated nanoshells, encapsulated nanoparticles, and/or branched nanostructures. The method also includes applying electromagnetic (EM) radiation to the complex such that the complex absorbs the EM radiation to generate heat. Using the heat generated by the complex, sugar molecules may be extracted from the polysaccharides in the feedstock solution, and fermented. Then, bioethanol may be extracted from the vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Applicant: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Nancy J. Halas, Peter Nordlander, Oara Neumann, Alexander Urban
  • Publication number: 20160002704
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods for detecting a target in a sample; methods for modulating the reporting intensity of a labeled target in a sample of fixed cells or tissues; methods for detecting the location of at least two targets in a sample; and related compositions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Applicant: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Michael DIEHL, Jan ZIMAK, Ryan SCHWELLER, Edward B. SAMSON, Dzifa Y. DUOSE
  • Patent number: 9228009
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to collagen, and more particularly compositions and methods related to collagen-mimetic peptides. More specifically, the present disclosure provides a collagen-mimetic peptide and peptide systems comprising the amino acid sequence (Pro-Lys-Gly)4(Pro-Hyp-Gly)4(Asp-Hyp-Gly)4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Hartgerink, Lesley R. O'Leary