Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for determining whether and/or when a patient is taking his or her medication and, when appropriate, providing reminders and/or alerts to the patient to improve adherence to a medication regimen. In some embodiments, a medication container is provided that includes a capacitance sensor for sensing the contents of the medication container (e.g., pill count or quantity of liquid medication). The capacitance sensor may include interleaved or interdigitated electrodes oriented vertically, horizontally, or angularly (e.g., diagonally) relative to an axis of the medication container. Reminders and/or alerts to the patient may be triggered based at least in part on the contents of the medication container, when a cap of the container was last opened and/or closed, the location of the medication container, and/or the container's surroundings.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 8, 2014
Date of Patent:
June 7, 2016
Assignees:
AdhereTech Inc., The Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama, for and on behalf of The University of Alabama in Huntsville
Inventors:
Joshua Stein, John Langhauser, Michael Morena, Emil Jovanov
Abstract: A power converter having components enclosed by legs of a first inductor is described. The first inductor is fabricated on the top surface of a substrate along the perimeter of the substrate. A second inductor is fabricated on the bottom surface of the substrate and mirrors the first inductor. Electromagnetic cancellation is provided when the current flow in the second inductor is opposite of the current flow in the first inductor.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 14, 2011
Date of Patent:
May 3, 2016
Assignee:
The Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama for and on behalf of the University of Alabama
Inventors:
Jaber A. Abu Qahouq, Yang-Ki Hong, Seok Bae
Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of methods and systems for a three mode wireless energy harvesting concept wherein a triceiver system with a single antenna can be configured to transmit wireless data, receive wireless data and exchange power with other devices. When not being used for exchanging power, the triceiver system with the single antenna can be operably connected to data transfer functions of a wireless device. When used for receiving power, the triceiver antenna can be operably connected to subsystems for converting RF signals to electrical energy. When used for transmitting power, the triceiver antenna can be operably connected to subsystems for converting electrical energy to RF signals.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 10, 2009
Date of Patent:
April 19, 2016
Assignee:
The Board of Trustees of The University of Alabama
Abstract: Disclosed herein are ionic liquid compositions comprising active pharmaceutical, biological, and nutritional compounds, and methods of use. Further disclosed are compositions of matter including liquid ion pairs alone or in solution and their use; compositions of ionic liquids that are ‘solvated,’ for example, ‘hydrated’ and their uses.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 29, 2009
Date of Patent:
March 8, 2016
Assignees:
The Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama, Monash University, Queen's University Belfast
Inventors:
Robin D. Rogers, Daniel T. Daly, Douglas MacFarlane, Janet L. Scott, Kenneth R. Seddon, Gabriela Gurau, Katharina Bica, Jelena Turanjanin, Pamela M. Dean
Abstract: Disclosed are processes and electrolytic cells that can be used to extract and thereby recover aluminum from aluminum-containing waste, including an aluminum dross that is suitable for disposal in a land-fill. The disclosed processes and cells use ionic liquids as an electrolyte.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 10, 2009
Date of Patent:
February 23, 2016
Assignee:
Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama
Abstract: The disclosure relates to inductors fabricated on a substrate. A first inductor is formed by depositing conducting material on a first side of the substrate and a second inductor is formed by depositing material on a second side of the substrate. The inductors have the same cross section and the paths of the conducting materials are mirror images and provide magnetic flux on a portion of the substrate when equal currents flow in the inductors.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 2, 2011
Date of Patent:
February 16, 2016
Assignee:
The Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama
Inventors:
Jaber A. Abu Qahouq, Yang-Ki Hong, Seok Bae
Abstract: Disclosed are hierarchically porous carbon materials with a plurality of discreet nanoparticles dispersed on their carbon phase. The materials possess a continuous network of pores that spans the porous material, permitting the flow of fluids into and through the material. The porous materials can be used as heterogeneous catalysts.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 16, 2013
Date of Patent:
January 12, 2016
Assignee:
Board of Trustees of The University of Alabama
Inventors:
Martin G. Bakker, Franchessa Maddox Sayler, Kevin Shaughnessy
Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for providing a biopolymer from a biomass or source of chitin using ionic liquids. The processes involve contacting a biomass or source of chitin with an ionic liquid to produce a biopolymer comprising solution and precipitating the biopolymer from the solution with supercritical CO2, gaseous CO2, or combinations thereof.
Type:
Application
Filed:
February 13, 2014
Publication date:
December 24, 2015
Applicant:
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA
Inventors:
Robin D. Rogers, Patrick S. Barber, Chris S. Griggs, Gabriela Gurau, Xingmei Lu, Suojiang Zhang
Abstract: Methods of characterizing an analyte of interest are provided. The methods can involve using a population of nanoparticles (e.g., magnetic ferrite nanoparticles) as a matrix for matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry. The size, shape, and composition of the nanoparticles can be selected in view of a variety of factors, including the nature of the analyte of interest, the desired characteristics of the mass spectrum, the nature of the energy directed onto the target composition, and combinations thereof. The nanoparticle matrix can enhance MALDI analysis by providing a cleaner mass spectral background and/or inducing abundant fragmentation of analyte ions by in-source decay (ISD). The nanoparticles are also versatile and selective; the nanoparticle matrix can be tuned to render the matrix particles compatible with an analyte of interest and/or improve selectivity for an analyte of interest.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 16, 2014
Date of Patent:
October 27, 2015
Assignee:
The Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama
Inventors:
Qiaoli Liang, Yuping Bao, Carolyn J. Cassady
Abstract: Imidazole-containing polymer membranes are described herein. Methods of their preparation and use are also described herein. The methods of using the membranes include capturing and reducing volatile compounds from gas streams.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 15, 2013
Date of Patent:
October 20, 2015
Assignee:
Board of Trustees of The University of Alabama
Abstract: A permanent magnet is fabricated such that it has a magnetically hard core surrounded by a thin magnetically soft shell. The magnetically hard core provides a relatively high intrinsic coercivity (Hci), and the magnetically soft shell provides a relatively high magnetic flux density (B). Due to magnetic exchange coupling between the core and shell, a relatively high maximum energy product (BH)max is achievable over a wide temperature range, including temperatures above 150° C. Further, such effects can be achieved without using rare-earth metals or precious metals helping to keep the manufacturing costs of the magnet low. To allow sufficient exchange magnetic coupling between the core and shell, the width of the shell is less than about 40 nanometers, and the overall dimensions are controlled such that the width of the shell is less than two times the Bloch domain wall thickness of the core.
Type:
Application
Filed:
June 16, 2015
Publication date:
October 8, 2015
Applicant:
The Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama for and on behalf of the University of Alabama
Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for determining whether and/or when a patient is taking his or her medication and, when appropriate, providing reminders and/or alerts to the patient to improve adherence to a medication regimen. In some embodiments, a medication container is provided that includes a capacitance sensor for sensing the contents of the medication container (e.g., pill count or quantity of liquid medication). The capacitance sensor may include interleaved or interdigitated electrodes oriented vertically, horizontally, or angularly (e.g., diagonally) relative to an axis of the medication container. Reminders and/or alerts to the patient may be triggered based at least in part on the contents of the medication container, when a cap of the container was last opened and/or closed, the location of the medication container, and/or the container's surroundings.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 8, 2014
Date of Patent:
September 8, 2015
Assignees:
AdhereTech Inc., The Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama, for and on behalf of the University of Alabama
Inventors:
Joshua Stein, John Langhauser, Michael Morena, Emil Jovanov
Abstract: Embodiments according to the present invention provide methods and a system for a control approach that effectively maintains the DC link voltage at a constant set value under variable system conditions and keeps the converter operating with an optimal power factor range while limiting power quality effects and phase balance.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 29, 2010
Date of Patent:
September 1, 2015
Assignee:
The Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama
Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating terahertz radiation are disclosed herein. In addition, methods for forming orientation-patterned nonlinear semiconductor crystals are disclosed herein. For example, according to an example implementation, a method for generating terahertz radiation may include: providing an optical pulse having a wavelength less than approximately 1.0 ?m; and illuminating an orientation-patterned nonlinear semiconductor crystal with the optical pulse.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 15, 2013
Date of Patent:
August 25, 2015
Assignee:
The Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama
Abstract: Disclosed is a process for forming films, fibers, and beads comprising a chitinous mass, for example, chitin, chitosan obtained from one or more biomasses. The disclosed process can be used to prepare films, fibers, and beads comprising only polymers, i.e., chitin, obtained from a suitable biomass, or the films, fibers, and beads can comprise a mixture of polymers obtained from a suitable biomass and a naturally occurring and/or synthetic polymer. Disclosed herein are the films, fibers, and beads obtained from the disclosed process. This Abstract is presented solely to aid in searching the subject matter disclosed herein and is not intended to define, limit, or otherwise provide the full scope of the disclosed subject matter.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 1, 2010
Date of Patent:
August 4, 2015
Assignee:
The Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama
Inventors:
Ying Qin, Robin D. Rogers, Daniel T. Daly
Abstract: A meso-scaled combustion system. In one aspect, the system has a housing with a housing wall, a top portion defining an exhaust port, and a bottom portion having a bottom surface. A combustion chamber is positioned therein the interior volume of the housing. The combustion chamber wall has a proximal portion adjacent the top portion of the housing and a distal portion spaced from the bottom surface of the housing. In another aspect, there is a lid that is in sealed relation with the housing wall and the combustion chamber wall. An annulus is defined by the lid, the combustion chamber wall, and the housing wall.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 20, 2009
Date of Patent:
July 28, 2015
Assignee:
The Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama
Abstract: Disclosed herein are biodegradable medical devices comprising biodegradable materials (e.g., magnesium-calcium alloys) having an adjustable rate of degradation that can be used in various applications including, but not limited to, drug delivery applications, cardiovascular applications, and orthopedic applications to make biodegradable and biocompatible devices. Also disclosed herein are methods of making biodegradable medical devices comprising biodegradable materials by using, for instance, hybrid dry cutting/hydrostatic burnishing.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 14, 2013
Date of Patent:
July 21, 2015
Assignee:
The Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama
Inventors:
Yuebin Guo, Michael Sealy, Meisam Salahshoor Pirsoltan
Abstract: Photoactive layers for use in a photovoltaic cell are described. The photoactive layers comprise at least one photoactive ion paired with another ion. This photoactive ion pair can be in the form of an ionic liquid, hydrogen bonded ion pair, cocrystal, or complex to allow for greater flexibility and portability. Also described are photovoltaic cells that contain the described photoactive layers sandwiched between two electrodes.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 18, 2012
Date of Patent:
July 7, 2015
Assignee:
Board of Trustees of The University of Alabama
Inventors:
Rachel M. Frazier, Daniel T. Daly, Scott K. Spear, Robin D. Rogers, Whitney Hough
Abstract: A permanent magnet is fabricated such that it has a magnetically hard core surrounded by a thin magnetically soft shell. The magnetically hard core provides a relatively high intrinsic coercivity (Hci), and the magnetically soft shell provides a relatively high magnetic flux density (B). Due to magnetic exchange coupling between the core and shell, a relatively high maximum energy product (BH)max is achievable over a wide temperature range, including temperatures above 150° C. Further, such effects can be achieved without using rare-earth metals or precious metals helping to keep the manufacturing costs of the magnet low. To allow sufficient exchange magnetic coupling between the core and shell, the width of the shell is less than about 40 nanometers, and the overall dimensions are controlled such that the width of the shell is less than two times the Bloch domain wall thickness of the core.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 15, 2011
Date of Patent:
July 7, 2015
Assignee:
The Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama for and on the behalf of the University of Alabama
Abstract: A system has a plurality of spacecraft in orbit around the earth for collecting energy from the Sun in space, using stimulated emission to configure that energy as well defined states of the optical field and delivering that energy efficiently throughout the region of space surrounding Earth.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 12, 2012
Date of Patent:
May 26, 2015
Assignee:
The Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama, for and on behalf of the University of Alabama in Huntsville