Patents Assigned to Texas A&M
  • PAPER-BASED LOW-COST MICROFLUIDIC DEVICES FOR AUTOMATIC MULTISTEP PROCESSES
    Publication number: 20220134340
    Abstract: In an embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a microfluidic device composed of a substrate having an inlet region and a first storage region, a fluid transporting channel in fluid communication with the inlet region, an expandable component in fluid communication with the fluid transporting channel and coupled to a movable arm, and a fluid transporting region coupled to the movable arm and operable to be moved in a horizontal direction to the fluid transporting channel to thereby form fluidic contact between the inlet region and the first storage region upon expansion of the expandable component. In an additional embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a method of fluid flow utilizing a microfluidic device of the present disclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2021
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Applicant: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Dandan Tu, Gerard L. Coté, Samuel Mabbott, John Dean
  • ANTI-FIBROTIC NEU3 INHIBITOR COMPOUNDS AND METHODS OF USE
    Publication number: 20220133671
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods of preventing or inhibiting fibrosis using small molecule sialidase inhibitors. The present disclosure also relates to methods treating obesity, liver inflammation, steatosis, and cancer. These methods can involve administering the compounds to a patent at risk of developing fibrosis inflammation, obesity, steatosis, or cancer, in a manner that inhibits NEU3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Applicant: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Richard H. Gomer, Thomas Meek, Tejas Karhadkar, Darrell Pilling
  • METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR ALTERING TEETH
    Publication number: 20220133599
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of altering a tooth by applying an object to the tooth, where the object includes a composition that is released from the object onto the tooth, and where the composition has an altering effect on the tooth, such as tooth whitening, tooth repair, tooth maintenance, or combinations thereof. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to the objects of the present disclosure. The objects of the present disclosure may be in a chewable form, such as in the form of a chew toy or a chewing gum. The objects of the present disclosure may also be in a form that is capable of being applied topically by rubbing or brushing. The objects of the present disclosure may also include a second composition that has effects other than tooth altering effects, such as enticing a chewing of the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2020
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Applicant: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Hong Liang, Yan Chen, Bradley Simon, Lynne Opperman
  • Recovery of Rare Earth Metals and Other Metals from Natural Liquid Sources by Electrodialysis Metathesis
    Publication number: 20220127739
    Abstract: Provided herein is an electrodialysis metathesis (EDM) system that has at least one stack or quad of compartments arranged so each compartment is in fluid communication with its adjacent compartment via alternating cation- and anion-exchange membranes. The compartments in a stack are a feed compartment, a substitution salt solution compartment, a first concentrated compartment and a second concentrated compartment. Also provided are processes and methods for separating or recovering a metal, for example, a rare earth element, or a salt or a combination thereof from a salt-containing water. Simultaneous metathesis reactions and electrodialysis across the stack recovers one or more metal or salts from the salt-containing water which desalinates the salt-containing water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Applicant: Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Lucy Mar Camacho Chico, Mohammad U. Shafiq
  • PHASE CHANGE MATERIAL COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR THEIR USE TO LOWER SURFACE FRICTION AND WEAR
    Publication number: 20220127540
    Abstract: Phase change material compositions and methods for using the compositions to prepare substrate coatings or bulk blended polymers that advantageously lower friction between interacting substrate surfaces and lower substrate surface wear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2022
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Applicant: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Reza Gheisari, Andreas A. Polycarpou
  • Method and apparatus for minimum ignition energy testing
    Patent number: 11307157
    Abstract: A minimum-ignition-energy testing apparatus includes a combustion tube and a bottom assembly coupled to a lower end of the combustion tube. A top assembly is coupled to an upper end of the combustion tube. The top assembly includes a first sparge plate coupled to the top base plate. The first sparge plate has a first aperture formed therein. The top assembly also includes a second sparge plate coupled to the first sparge plate. The second sparge plate has formed therein a second aperture that aligns in registry with the first aperture. A channel is formed in the second sparge plate about a perimeter of the third aperture. The channel has a plurality of holes disposed therein that are formed through a thickness of the second sparge plate. A tube is formed through in the second sparge plate, the tube fluidly coupling the channel to a gas source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Chad Mashuga, Purvali Chaudhari
  • Engineered Extracellular Vesicle Delivery Systems and Uses Thereof
    Publication number: 20220110970
    Abstract: Provided herein is an engineered extracellular vesicle (eEV) and an extracellular vesicle delivery vehicle. The engineered extracellular vesicle is an isolated extracellular vesicle that has a membrane hybridized with lipids. The extracellular vesicle delivery vehicle is a lipid-hybridized extracellular vesicle with a nucleic acid loaded within the core, a multi-layered polyelectrolyte coating deposited around the lipid-hybridized extracellular vesicle and a therapeutic drug complexed to one of the layer of polyelectrolyte coatings. Also provided are methods for preparing an engineered extracellular vesicle, for preparing an extracellular vesicle delivery vehicle, for treating a pathophysiological condition in a subject, and for co-delivering a nucleic acid and a therapeutic drug to a cell of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Applicant: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Yong-Yu Jhan, Corey J. Bishop, Guillermo Palou, Daniel Prasca-Chamorro
  • Fabrication of electronic devices using sacrificial seed layers
    Patent number: 11302800
    Abstract: A method of making a semiconductor device includes depositing an amorphous layer on a substrate, masking a portion of the amorphous layer, removing a portion of the amorphous layer to form a first channel into the amorphous layer, depositing a semiconductor layer onto the substrate layer, and removing at least a portion of a defect region of the semiconductor layer to form a second channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Michael Everett Babb, Harlan Rusty Harris
  • Devices and Methods for a Pyrolysis and Gasification System for Biomass Feedstock
    Publication number: 20220106528
    Abstract: A pyrolysis and gasification system produce a synthesis gas and bio-char from a biomass feedstock. The system includes a feed hopper that has a flow measurement device. The system also includes a reactor that is operable in a gasification mode or a pyrolysis mode. The reactor is configured to receive the biomass feedstock from the feed hopper. The reactor is operable to provide heat to the biomass feedstock from the feed hopper to produce the synthesis gas and bio-char. The system also includes a cyclone assembly. The produced synthesis gas including the bio-char is fed to the cyclone assembly. The cyclone assembly removes a portion of the bio-char from the synthesis gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Applicant: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Sergio C. Capareda, Calvin B. Parnell, JR., David B. Carney
  • FUNCTIONALIZED PYRANO[2,3-D]PYRIMIDIN-7-ONE DERIVATIVES AND METHODS FOR THEIR PREPARATION AND USE
    Publication number: 20220096485
    Abstract: Functionalized pyrano[2,3-d]pyrimidin-7-one derivatives, methods for making the derivatives, and methods of using the derivatives as protein kinase inhibitors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Applicant: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Dai Lu, Chang-Jiang Qiao, Boqiao Fu, Anantha Lakshmi Duddupudi, Zhixing Wu
  • APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR A REAL-TIME-MONITORING OF A RISER AND MOORING OF FLOATING PLATFORMS
    Publication number: 20220081080
    Abstract: An apparatus, method and system for real-time monitoring of underwater risers, cables, and mooring lines based on a Kalman filter. In an embodiment, the system is formed with sensors configured to sense an inclination of a riser segment between riser nodes of the riser between the upper end and the lower end. A data processing system is configured to employ a Kalman filter algorithm to produce real-time estimates of a deformed shape and a stress of the riser segment using the sensed inclination between the riser nodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Applicant: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Moo-Hyun Kim, Hansung Kim, Chungkuk Jin
  • APPROXIMATING ANCHOR DEVICE
    Publication number: 20220061831
    Abstract: An approximating anchor device, corresponding kits, and methods for implementing the device are described herein. In one embodiment, the approximating anchor device includes a first cylindrical fastener defining a first set of cross lumens, each of the first set of cross lumens extending substantially perpendicular to a central axis of the first cylindrical fastener, a second cylindrical fastener defining a second set of cross lumens, each of the second set of cross lumens extending substantially perpendicular to a central axis of the second cylindrical fastener, and a string running through the first set of cross lumens of the first cylindrical fastener and the second set of cross lumens of the second cylindrical fastener. Tightening of the string will draw the first cylindrical fastener and the second cylindrical fastener towards each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Applicants: The Texas A&M University System, Baylor College of Medicine, Fannin Partners, LLC
    Inventors: Achu Geetha Byju, Balakrishna Haridas, Jimmy Espinoza, Michael J. Belfort, Michael J. Heffernan
  • ENGINEERED BIOCATALYSTS FOR NON-STERILE CULTIVATION AND SOLVENT-FREE BIOLIPID BIOEXTRACTION
    Publication number: 20220056492
    Abstract: In an embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to an oleaginous bacterium. In some embodiments, the oleaginous bacterium includes lipids and at least one exogenous and inducible gene. In some embodiments, the exogenous and inducible gene encodes at least one protein capable of inducing lysis in the oleaginous bacterium to release the lipids. In an addition embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a method of releasing lipids into an environment. In general, the method includes one or more of the following steps of: (1) introducing at least one oleaginous bacterium of the present disclosure to the environment; and (2) inducing expression of at least one exogenous gene in the oleaginous bacterium to thereby induce the expression of at least one protein. In some embodiments, the protein facilitates the lysis of the oleaginous bacterium and release of the lipids into the environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Applicant: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Kung-Hui Chu, Ry Young, Jason Gill
  • Methods for treating selenocyanate in wastewater
    Patent number: 11235994
    Abstract: Methods and systems for reducing the concentration of selenocyanate in water. In the methods and systems, water containing selenocyanate is treated an oxidant to provide oxidant-treated water, which is then contacted with a zero-valent iron treatment system comprising (a) a reactive solid comprising zero-valent iron and one or more iron oxide minerals in contact therewith and (b) ferrous iron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: The Texas A & M University System
    Inventor: Yongheng Huang
  • Integrated carbon capture and conversion for production of syngas
    Patent number: 11229871
    Abstract: A method of capturing and converting a gas includes supplying a first gas to an adsorption column, adsorbing a first component of the first gas into an adsorbent contained in the adsorption column responsive to the adsorbent having an increased affinity for the first component, venting a second component of the first gas out of the adsorption column, supplying a second gas to the adsorption column so as to increase a partial pressure of the second gas thereby decreasing the partial pressure of the first component within the adsorption column, desorbing the first component from the adsorbent responsive to the increased partial pressure of the second gas and decreased partial pressure of the at least one first component, and transmitting a mixture of the first component and the second gas to a reactor via a reactor line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: M. M. Faruque Hasan, Shachit Shankaran Iyer, Priyadarshini Balasubramanian, Ishan Bajaj, Akhil Arora
  • AUTONOMOUS LANDING SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR VERTICAL LANDING AIRCRAFT
    Publication number: 20220017235
    Abstract: An autonomous landing system for vertical landing aircraft includes a vertical landing aircraft including a powertrain and an onboard camera, a motion-stabilized visual cue including a visual indicator, wherein the visual cue is configured to maintain a fixed orientation of the visual indicator with respect to a horizon, and an autonomous control system configured to control a position of the aircraft with respect to the visual indicator of the visual cue based on image data captured by the onboard camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Applicant: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Bochan Lee, Moble Benedict
  • Phase change material compositions and methods for their use to lower surface friction and wear
    Patent number: 11225626
    Abstract: Phase change material compositions and methods for using the compositions to prepare substrate coatings or bulk blended polymers that advantageously lower friction between interacting substrate surfaces and lower substrate surface wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Reza Gheisari, Andreas A. Polycarpou
  • AMPHIBIOUS VEHICLES COMPRISING CYCLOIDAL PROPELLERS
    Publication number: 20220009300
    Abstract: An amphibious vehicle for traversing land and bodies of water includes a chassis, and a cycloidal propeller coupled to the chassis and which includes a plurality of cycloidal propeller blades rotatably coupled to the chassis and each extending parallel a rotational axis of the cycloidal propeller, and an extension/retraction system configured to extend the plurality of cycloidal propeller blades away from the chassis and to retract the plurality of cycloidal propeller blades towards the chassis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Applicant: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Moble Benedict, Sean M. McHugh, Chase B. Wiley, Ramsay A. Ramsey, Adam Kellen, Yin Lu Young
  • ENGINEERING THE PRODUCTION OF A CONFORMATIONAL VARIANT OF OCCIDIOFUNGIN THAT HAS ENHANCED INHIBITORY ACTIVITY AGAINST FUNGAL SPECIES
    Publication number: 20220007652
    Abstract: Occidiofungin is a cyclic nonribosomally synthesized antifungal peptide with submicromolar activity. This invention is directed to compositions enriched for particular occidiofungin diastereomers/conformers, methods of making compositions enriched for particular diastereomers/conformers and microorganisms suitable for producing enriched compositions of particular diastereomers/conformers. Methods of treating fungal infections or plants infected by fungi are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Applicants: Mississippi State University, The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: JAMES LEIF SMITH, AKSHAYA RAVICHANDRAN, SHIEN LU, GANYU GU
  • Systems and Methods for Thomson Scattering Background Interference Suppression
    Publication number: 20210410263
    Abstract: An apparatus for measurement of Thomson scattering signals from a plasma includes a light emitting device, configured to emit a light beam into the plasma, along an axis. In addition, the apparatus includes a collector configured to collect the Thomson scattering from the plasma at an angle less than 90 degrees from the axis of the light beam. Further, the apparatus includes a sensor assembly to detect the Thomson scattering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Applicant: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Richard B. Miles, Christopher Limbach, Alexandros Gerakis