Patents Assigned to The Board of Trustee of Michigan State University
  • Publication number: 20230203641
    Abstract: A magnetic-field-assisted plasma coating system and method are provided. In another aspect, a coating system employs a cathode with a linearly moveable magnetic field. A further aspect employs a workpiece as an anode within which is located an elongated cathode which internally coats a bore of the workpiece. Still another aspect of the present system and method employs an elongated and hollow cathode with at least one magnetic source therein. In yet another aspect, end caps or plates seal against one or more open ends of a workpiece bore to be coated, with a cathode inserted into the bore and a vacuum being created within the bore such that the workpiece itself defines at least a portion of a vacuum chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Applicants: Board of Trustees of Michigan State University, Franhofer USA
    Inventors: Thomas Schuelke, Michael Becker, Lars Haubold, Qi Hua Fan
  • Patent number: 11688818
    Abstract: An energy harvesting system is provided. The energy harvesting system includes a waveguide, a luminophore embedded in the waveguide, and a solar photovoltaic array or a solar photovoltaic cell coupled to the waveguide. The energy harvesting system is visibly transparent, having an average visible transmittance of greater than about 50% and a color rendering index of greater than about 80 at normal incidence to the waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
    Inventors: Richard R. Lunt, III, Yimu Zhao
  • Patent number: 11684274
    Abstract: A system and method is presented for cuff-less blood pressure measurement in a mobile device. A key aspect of this disclosure is the discovery of a new location for blood pressure measurement at the fingertip of a subject and that reflectance-mode photoplethysmography can be used to help make this measurement. Through experiments in human subjects, it was discovered that it is indeed possible to measure systemic blood pressure by having a subject press the fingertip against a reflectance-mode photo-plethysmography-force sensor unit under visual guidance and then compute blood pressure from the resulting variable-amplitude blood volume oscillations and applied pressure via an oscillometric algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
    Inventors: Ramakrishna Mukkamala, Anand Chandrasekhar, Jin-Oh Hahn
  • Publication number: 20230191861
    Abstract: An amphibious robot is provided. An aspect of the robot includes an elongated flexible body, actuators in the flexible body and spaced apart along a length of the flexible body. The actuators are configured to move the flexible body in a serpentine or concertina motion on land and in water. An additional aspect includes a camera coupled adjacent to an end of the flexible body, at least one sensor coupled to the flexible body, and a buoyancy controller located in the flexible body. Another aspect includes a power source coupled to the flexible body and configured to power the actuators, the camera, the sensors, and the buoyancy controller. Yet another aspect employs an electric controller to control the actuators and receive data from the sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2022
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Applicant: Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
    Inventors: Xiaobo TAN, Hongyang SHI, Christian Robert LUEDTKE
  • Publication number: 20230183590
    Abstract: A method of charging and/or discharging energy in reusable fuel workpieces or particles includes a solar furnace with counter-flowing workpieces and gas, to exchange heat therebetween, with the exiting gas and workpieces being at about ambient temperature. A further aspect employs a production plant including a reduction reactor configured to use excess electrical energy generated by renewable power generators to charge and/or discharge solid-state thermochemical fuel. Another aspect includes a fuel flow control valve using air pulses. An oxygen-deprived and reusable fuel, such as magnesium manganese oxide, or magnesium iron oxide, is also provided. In another aspect, an apparatus for producing a solid-state fuel includes a reduction reactor including a reactor chamber configured to receive concentrated solar energy, and a reactor tube having a recuperation zone, a reduction zone, and a quenching zone, wherein the reduction zone passes through the reactor chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2023
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Applicant: Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
    Inventors: James F. KLAUSNER, Joerg PETRASCH, Kelvin RANDHIR, Nima RAHMATIAN
  • Patent number: 11674147
    Abstract: Described herein are expression cassettes, plant cells, plant seeds, plants, and methods useful for improving the glucan content and growth of plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
    Inventors: Federica Brandizzi, Sang Jin Kim, Starla Zemelis-Durfee
  • Patent number: 11673923
    Abstract: A fusion chimeric protein is described herein that can assemble a functional carboxysome core, which is able to fix carbon by taking atmospheric carbon dioxide and converting it into useful carbon-containing compounds such as 3-phosphoglycerate (3-PGA).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
    Inventors: Cheryl A. Kerfeld, Cesar R. Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 11674151
    Abstract: Plants, plant cells, and seeds are described herein that grow well and are resistant to environmental stresses such as drought and insects, where the plants have one or more mutations that reduce or eliminate the interaction of MYC transcription factors with the JAZ proteins. The plants can have an additional mutation that reduces or eliminates the function of the PHYB gene, and/or a heterologous PIF4 transgene or PIF4 expression cassette to improve the growth of the myc mutant plants. Methods of making and using such plants, plant cells, and seeds are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
    Inventors: Gregg A. Howe, Marcelo Campos, Yuki Yoshida
  • Patent number: 11666072
    Abstract: Described herein are compositions and methods that involve use of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (e.g., fish oil and/or flax oil) as supplements to colostrum. When administered to newborn calves the combination of colostrum with fish oil and/or flax oil can improve the health and immune function of the calf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
    Inventors: Michael J. VandeHaar, Julie Opgenorth
  • Patent number: 11671635
    Abstract: New systems and methods allow for transmission of multiple types of content protocols over a unidirectional content delivery network, such as a television broadcast. Hardware and/or software used at the network transmission location (such as a television broadcast station) and hardware and/or software located at an endpoint (such as a home television, car infotainment system, or first responder location) allow for a native ATSC 1.0 signal to have embedded within it additional content that is not encoded as ATSC 1.0 content. The non-ATSC 1.0 content can be detected and segregated from ATSC 1.0 content so that the endpoint devices (such as a television receiver) will not attempt to render the non-ATSC 1.0 content (such as, e.g., ATSC 3.0 content or application specific content) as normal ATSC 1.0 programming. Instead, the non-ATSC 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Chandra Kotaru, Prabu David, Susanne Elkins
  • Patent number: 11668014
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an electrolyzer reactor suitable for the reduction of organic compounds. The reactor includes a membrane electrode assembly with freestanding metallic meshes which serve both as metallic electrode structures for electron transport as well as catalytic surfaces for electron generation and organic compound reduction. Suitable organic compounds for reduction include oxygenated and/or unsaturated hydrocarbon compounds, in particular those characteristic of bio-oil (e.g., alone or a multicomponent mixtures). The reactor and related methods provide a resource- and energy-efficient approach to organic compound reduction, in particular for bio-oil mixtures which can be conveniently upgraded at or near their point of production with minimal or no transportation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: James E. Jackson, Chun Ho Lam, Christopher M. Saffron, Dennis J. Miller
  • Patent number: 11660846
    Abstract: A multilayer composite includes adjacent filler layers having a filler material dispersed within a first polymeric matrix and an intervening-layer disposed between the adjacent filler layers. The intervening-layer comprises nanoplatelets embedded within a second polymeric matrix and are aligned substantially parallel to the adjacent filler layers. The intervening-layer is configured to fail upon application of a force to the multilayer composite that is greater than or equal to a predetermined force threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Lawrence T. Drzal, Mahmoodul Haq
  • Patent number: 11654402
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to processes, related polyacid polymers, and related articles for functionalizing a porous membrane by contacting the membrane with a polyacid polymer at low pH to stably adsorb a polyacid layer on the membrane pore surface, in particular polyacid polymers including repeating units with a pendent metal-binding ligand or star polyacid polymers. The resulting functionalized membrane is characterized by a high density of free acid groups, resulting in a higher specific capacity for its intended application. The process allows functionalization of porous membranes in a very simple, one-step process, for example without a need to derivatize an adsorbed polyacid layer to impart metal-binding ligand functionality thereto. Such functional membranes may find multiple uses, including rapid, selective binding of proteins for their purification or immobilization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Merlin L. Bruening, Salinda Wijeratne, Wenjing Ning, Jinlan Dong, Weijing Liu
  • Patent number: 11648294
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for modulating immune responses using at least one CRACC composition comprising an adenoviral vector comprising at least one CRACC fusion. Such CRACC compositions may be combined with a number of other therapeutic agents which target modulating immune responses, as well as, treatments that include immune events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
    Inventors: Yasser A. Aldhamen, Andrea Amalfitano
  • Patent number: 11643169
    Abstract: An apparatus including a controllable fluid-contacting surface is provided. In another aspect, the present apparatus includes a flexible membrane and multiple actuators each having an output shaft or activation member coupled to a water-contacting membrane, with the shafts extending in a direction offset from the nominal outer surface of the membrane. A further aspect of the present apparatus includes an underwater vessel including a propulsion source, a flexible membrane having a water-contacting outer surface and an electronic controller including programmable software for actuating the actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignees: The Government of the USA represented by the Sec. of the Navy, Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
    Inventors: Xaiobo Tan, Thassyo Da Silva Pinto, Demetris Coleman, Weilin Hou, Silvia Matt, Sergio Restaino, Freddie Santiago, Hongyang Shi
  • Publication number: 20230133293
    Abstract: A control circuit is provided for a field-effect transistor with a floating source node. The control circuit includes: a charge storage device electrically connected between a gate of the field-effect transistor and a DC power supply; a gate control circuit electrically connected between the charge storage device and the gate of the field-effect transistor; and a charge control circuit electrically connected between the DC power supply and the charge storage device. The gate control circuit is configured to receive a gate control signal and operates to turn on the field-effect transistor during on time of the gate control signal and turn off the field-effect transistor during off time of the gate control signal. The charge control circuit is also configured to receive the gate control signal and operates to charge the charge storage device with power from the DC power supply during off time of the gate control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2022
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Applicant: Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
    Inventors: Kevin David MORAN, Guoming George ZHU
  • Patent number: 11637527
    Abstract: The multi-modal imaging system, in particular for brain imaging, comprising a pump signal generator which emits at least one pump signal in the radio frequency (RF)-range with a first power P1 and a second power P2, a wireless detection unit, which comprises at least one parametric resonator circuit with multiple resonance modes, wherein the at least one parametric resonator circuit comprises at least two varactors, at least one capacitor and at least one inductance, wherein, in a first detection mode, the pump signal, having a first power P1, induces a first pump current in the at least one parametric resonator circuit, wherein the at least one parametric resonator circuit is operated below its oscillation threshold and generates a first output signal by amplifying a first input signal, which is provided due to a magnetic-resonance (MR) measurement, wherein an external receiving device receives the first output signal, wherein, in a second detection mode, the pump signal, having a second power P2, induces a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignees: The General Hospital Corporation, Board of Trustees Michigan State University
    Inventors: Xin Yu, Chunqi Qian
  • Patent number: 11626125
    Abstract: A system may perform speech enhancement of audio data in real-time by suppressing noise components that are present in the audio data while preserving speech components. The system may include an in-ear module and a separate signal processing module that is wirelessly communicatively coupled to the in-ear module. The system may include non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) dictionaries capable of identifying frequency band components associated with speech and frequency band components associated with noise. The NMF dictionaries may be trained using voice samples and noise samples. The NMF dictionaries may be applied to noisy speech data to produce an NMF representation of the speech data which may then be applied using a dynamic mask to the noisy speech data in order to suppress the noise components of the noisy speech data and produce speech enhanced data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Mi Zhang, Kai Cao, Xiao Zeng, Haochen Sun
  • Patent number: 11617740
    Abstract: Provides herein are novel compounds, compositions, and methods useful for inhibiting bacteria, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis. These compositions and methods find many uses in medicine and research, e.g., treating subjects afflicted with active or latent bacterial infections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
    Inventors: Robert Abramovitch, Edmund Ellsworth
  • Publication number: 20230103140
    Abstract: A dielectric coated plasmonic photoemitter is provided. An aspect of the present photonic apparatus includes a conductive photoemitter including a dielectric material coating or layered on a metallic core. The dielectric material being configured to enhance a local optical field strength and current density of the photoemitter as compared to a bare photoemitter without the dielectric layer. The dielectric layered photoemitter being tunable to transmit photoemissions from corners thereof with different photonic characteristics depending on a laser wavelength pulse received.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Applicant: BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Peng ZHANG, Lin WU, Xiao XIONG, Yang ZHOU