Patents Assigned to Rice University
  • Publication number: 20240120506
    Abstract: Method and system for flash recycling of batteries, including lithium-ion batteries, other metal (sodium, potassium, zinc, magnesium, and aluminum)-ion batteries, metal batteries, batteries having all metal oxide cathodes, and batteries having graphite-containing anodes. The method and system include a solvent-free and water-free flash Joule heating (FJH) method performed upon a mixture that includes materials from the batteries done in millisecond for recycling the materials. In some embodiments, the FJH method is combined with magnetic separation to recover lithium, cobalt, nickel, and manganese with high yields up to 98%. In some embodiments, the FJH method is followed by rinsing with dilute acid, such a 0.01 M HCl. In other embodiments, the FJH method is utilized to purify the graphite in the battery, such as for use in the anode of the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2022
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: James Mitchell TOUR, Weiyin CHEN, Duy X. LUONG, Carter KITTRELL
  • Publication number: 20240116094
    Abstract: Method and system for soil remediation by flash Joule heating. A contaminated soil that includes organic pollutants and/or one or more metal pollutants can be mixed with carbon black or other conductive additive to form a mixture. The mixture then undergoes flash Joule heating to clean the soil (by the decomposing of the organic pollutants and/or removing of the one or more toxic metals, such as by vaporization).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2022
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: James M. Tour, Bing Deng
  • Publication number: 20240106664
    Abstract: A method and circuit for an Automatic Self Checking and Healing (ASCH) of Physically Unclonable Functions (PUFs), the method includes: controlling a skew input added to each PUF cell of a PUF array in a circuit with sub-mV resolution; healing a portion of unstable bits of each PUF cells locally; and performing a second self-checking on healed PUF cells to determine final PUF cells to discard. The method further includes performing at least one of a static operation mode, a dynamic operation mode, and a hybrid operation mode of ASCH stabilization system based on design needs to reconfigure and mask the PUF array to achieve less than 1E-8 Bit Error Rate (BER) with less than 25% masking ratio. The circuit includes the skew input, a self-checking controller, a high-speed readout, a validity detector, and a Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2022
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Kaiyuan Yang, Yan He
  • Publication number: 20240100502
    Abstract: Rigid porous polymeric carbon sorbents, including particularly polymeric carbon sorbents for CO2 capture for flue gas from power plants and for gases from other post combustion CO2 emission outlets, and methods of making and using same. The porous carbon material can be prepared by heating plastic with an additive. The additive can be selected from metal hydroxide, metal oxalate, metal acetate, metal acetylacetonoate or mixtures thereof. By controlling the preparation, such as the temperature of preparation, the porous carbon sorbent can be controlled to be rigid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: James M. Tour, Wala Algozeeb, Paul E. Savas, Jr., Wilbur Carter Kittrell
  • Patent number: 11922313
    Abstract: A system may include a processor and a memory. The memory may include program code that provides operations when executed by the processor. The operations may include: partitioning, based at least on a resource constraint of a platform, a global machine learning model into a plurality of local machine learning models; transforming training data to at least conform to the resource constraint of the platform; and training the global machine learning model by at least processing, at the platform, the transformed training data with a first of the plurality of local machine learning models.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Bita Darvish Rouhani, Azalia Mirhoseini, Farinaz Koushanfar
  • Patent number: 11913884
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are photoactivable fluorophores comprising one or more thiocarbonyl groups as well as conjugates and compositions thereof. The present disclosure also provides methods of preparing photoactivatable fluorophores as well as methods of imaging using the photoactivatable fluorophores, conjugates, and compositions of the present disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Han Xiao, Juan Tang
  • Patent number: 11897767
    Abstract: A method for producing fluorinated boron nitride involves heating a reactor chamber, providing boron nitride in the reactor chamber, flowing fluorine and an inert gas through the reactor chamber, and exposing the boron nitride to the flowing gases and the heat. The method may include boron nitride that is exfoliated or non-exfoliated. The fluorinated boron nitride that is produced from this method may have a hexagonal crystal structure or a cubic crystal structure. The method may additionally comprise removing the fluorinated boron nitride from the reactor chamber and mixing it with a surfactant. A suspension may comprise particles of fluorinated boron nitride suspended in a fluid, which may be polar or non-polar, and may additionally include a surfactant. The fluorinated boron nitride may have a hexagonal or a cubic crystal structure. Furthermore, the boron nitride may be exfoliated or non-exfoliated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignees: William Marsh Rice University, Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Valery N. Khabashesku, Ashok Kumar Meiyazhagan, Pulickel M. Ajayan
  • Publication number: 20240041939
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to implantable constructs (encapsulated cells) designed to deliver therapeutic reagents, such as IL-12 and/or IL-12 and methods of using the same to treat conditions, such as cancer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2022
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Applicant: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Omid VEISEH, Amanda NASH, Samira AGHLARA-FOTOVAT
  • Publication number: 20240041755
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to implantable constructs and related compositions comprising a plurality of cells producing antigens and/or immune effector molecules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Applicant: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Omid VEISEH, Amanda NASH, Boram KIM, Damon BERMAN, Lauren CHENG, David ZHANG
  • Publication number: 20240023791
    Abstract: Systems and corresponding methods for an end-expandable optical fiber bundle are described herein. In one aspect, an endoscope can include a plurality of optical fibers each having a proximal end and a distal end; at least one camera coupled to the proximal ends of the plurality of optical fibers; and a sleeve enveloping the plurality of optical fibers proximate to the distal ends and repositionable along the length of the plurality of optical fibers, such that the sleeve is configured to control an angle of bend for each of the plurality of optical fibers as the optical fibers advance past the sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Applicants: Baylor College of Medicine, William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Elena Petrova, Sharmila Anandasabapathy, Rebecca Richards-Kortum
  • Patent number: 11879152
    Abstract: This invention describes a method of controlling the hybridization yield of nucleic acid probes by adjusting the relative concentrations of auxiliary oligonucleotides to the probes and the targets. The auxiliary oligonucleotide is partially or fully complementary to either the probe or the target, and is released upon hybridization of the probe to the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: David Yu Zhang, Ruojia Wu, Juexiao Wang
  • Patent number: 11859177
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for employing nanobubbles for theranostic purposes are provided. In one embodiment, a method comprising introducing a photothermal nanobubble into a malaria-infected red blood cell is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Dmitri Lapotko, Katsiaryna Hleb, Janet Braam, John S. Olson
  • Patent number: 11858039
    Abstract: Methods for fabricating a multi-material composite structure are described. Methods for fabricating a multi-material composite structure include forming a first colloidal ink solution with a first material matrix, water, and a rheology modifying agent; forming a second colloidal ink solution with a second material matrix, water, and a rheology modifying agent; printing a first layer on a substrate using a first printing nozzle carrying the first colloidal ink solution; printing a second layer on top of the first layer using a second printing nozzle carrying the second colloidal ink solution; forming a 3D structure by printing a plurality of layers including the first layer and the second layer printed in an alternating pattern; and sintering the 3D structure to form the multi-material composite structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignees: Saudi Arabian Oil Company, William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Seyed Mohammad Sajadi, Peter Boul, Chandra Sekhar Tiwary, Muhammad M. Rahman, Pulickel M. Ajayan, Carl Thaemltiz
  • Publication number: 20230405340
    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: June 16, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Applicant: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Jacob ROBINSON, Fatima ALRASHDAN, Kaiyuan YANG, Zhanghao YU, Joshua WOODS, Amanda SINGER, Matthew PARKER
  • Publication number: 20230410341
    Abstract: A method for a passive single-viewpoint 3D imaging system comprises capturing an image from a camera having one or more phase masks. The method further includes using a reconstruction algorithm, for estimation of a 3D or depth image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Applicants: William Marsh Rice University, Carnegie Mellon University
    Inventors: Yicheng Wu, Vivek Boominathan, Huaijin Chen, Aswin C. Sankaranarayanan, Ashok Veeraraghavan
  • Publication number: 20230407937
    Abstract: A damping device includes a superelastic element made of an austenitic shape memory alloy and an energy-absorbing element adjacent to the superelastic element, wherein the energy-absorbing element is made of a material selected from a shape memory alloy, a malleable metal or alloy, and a viscoelastic polymer, and wherein deformation of the energy-absorbing element is restrained by the superelastic element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Applicant: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Darel Hodgson, Mohammad Salehi, Reginald Desroches
  • Publication number: 20230399687
    Abstract: The present invention discloses methods of quantitative multiplex amplicon sequencing system for labeling the original DNA sample with an oligonucleotide barcode sequence by polymerase chain reaction, amplifying the genomic region(s) for high-throughput sequencing and quantifying the sequence in DNA sample. The methods allow analyzing a DNA sample comprising between 1 and 10,000 Target Regions for quantifying potential sequence variants and wildtype molecules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2021
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Applicants: NUPROBE USA, INC., WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: David Y. ZHANG, Peng DAI, Pengying HAO, Alessandro PINTO
  • Publication number: 20230384297
    Abstract: A simple immunosensor for rapid and high sensitivity measurements of protein biomarkers, such as SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein, in serum. The assay is based on a unique sensing scheme utilizing dually labeled magnetic nanobeads for immunomagnetic enrichment and signal amplification. This immunosensor can be integrated onto a microfluidic chip, which offers the advantages of minimal sample and reagent consumption, simplified sample handling, and enhanced detection sensitivity. An ultrafast magneto-immunosensor, which employs AC electrothermally driven flow (ACEF) for accelerated mass transport and enhanced immunocomplex formation, is developed for high sensitivity protein measurement in whole blood samples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Applicant: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Peter B. LILLEHOJ, Jiran LI
  • Publication number: 20230386603
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for quantifying target analytes in sample by providing framework for expanded multiplexing through asynchronous fingerprinting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2022
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Applicant: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Pavan K. KOTA, Richard G. BARANIUK, Daniel E. LEJEUNE, Rebekah A. DREZEK, Hoang-Anh VU
  • Publication number: 20230374623
    Abstract: Ultrafast flash Joule heating synthesis methods and systems, and more particularly, ultrafast synthesis methods to recover metal from ores, fly ash, and bauxite residue (red mud).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Applicant: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: James M. Tour, Bing Deng