Abstract: A fiber optic directional sensor has a substantially hemispherical dome surface and a substantially flat surface. The sensor is formed from a plurality of optical fibers fused to one another, and each optical fiber extends from the dome surface to the flat surface. One end of each optical fiber is substantially perpendicular to the sensor's dome surface, and the opposite end of the fiber is substantially perpendicular to the sensor's flat surface such that an end face of the fiber is substantially tangent to the dome surface, and another end face of the fiber is substantially tangent to the flat surface. Using the sensor, light from projectiles, such as missiles, bullets, and other weaponry, can be detected, and the locations of the projectiles can be determined.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 31, 2012
Date of Patent:
August 26, 2014
Assignee:
The Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama, for and on behalf of the University of Alabama in Huntsville
Abstract: Disclosed are ionic liquids and methods of preparing ionic liquid compositions of active pharmaceutical, biological, nutritional, and energetic ingredients. Also disclosed are methods of using the compositions described herein to overcome polymorphism, overcome solubility and delivery problems, to control release rates, add functionality, enhance efficacy (synergy), and improve ease of use and manufacture.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 7, 2012
Date of Patent:
August 12, 2014
Assignee:
Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama
Inventors:
Robin D. Rogers, Daniel T. Daly, Richard P. Swatloski, Whitney L. Hough-Troutman, James Hilliard Davis, Jr., Marcin Smiglak, Juliusz Pernak, Scott K. Spear
Abstract: The present invention discloses a class of organometallic catalysts for both hydrogenation and water oxidation. The synthesis and the use of these catalysts for hydrogenation, hydrogen production and water oxidation reactions is also disclosed.
Type:
Application
Filed:
August 27, 2012
Publication date:
August 7, 2014
Applicant:
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA
Abstract: A magnetic logic cell includes a first electrode portion, a magnetic portion arranged on the first electrode, the magnetic portion including an anti-ferromagnetic material or a ferrimagnetic material, a dielectric portion arranged on the magnetic portion, and a second electrode portion arranged on the dielectric portion.
Type:
Application
Filed:
February 7, 2013
Publication date:
August 7, 2014
Applicants:
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA, INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
Inventors:
Marcin J. Gajek, Daniel C. Worledge, William H. Butler
Abstract: A micro-array surface that provides for drag reduction. In one aspect, an aerodynamic or hydrodynamic wall surface that is configured to modify a fluid boundary layer on the surface comprises at least one array of micro-cavities formed therein the surface. In one example, the interaction of the micro-cavities with the boundary layer of the fluid can delay transition of the fluid over an identical smooth surface without the micro-cavities.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 31, 2008
Date of Patent:
August 5, 2014
Assignee:
The Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama
Abstract: Disclosed are conductive composites prepared from ionic liquids, compositions for preparing the composites, and methods of making and using the composites.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 19, 2010
Date of Patent:
July 22, 2014
Assignee:
Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama
Inventors:
Scott K. Spear, Daniel T. Daly, Rachel M. Frazier, Robin D. Rogers, Anwarul Haque
Abstract: A method and system for providing a magnetic junction usable in a magnetic device are described. The magnetic junction includes a pinned layer, a nonmagnetic spacer layer, and a free layer. The nonmagnetic spacer layer is between the pinned layer and the free layer. The free layer has a magnetic anisotropy, at least a portion of which is a biaxial anisotropy. The magnetic junction is configured such that the free layer is switchable between a plurality of stable magnetic states when a write current is passed through the magnetic junction.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 11, 2013
Date of Patent:
July 15, 2014
Assignees:
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., The Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama for and on Behalf of the University of Alabama
Abstract: Provided are methods of controlling the shape and surface chemistry of nanoparticles, particularly ferrite nanoparticles. Methods for preparing non-spherical ferrite nanoparticles, including nanocubes, nanobars, nanoplates, and nanoflowers, are described. Also provided are methods of functionalizing the surface of metal and metal oxide particles. The surface functionalization methods do not require the use of chemical linkers and/or additional reagents, and permit the facile conjugation of a range of molecules, including bioactive agents, to the surface of particles.
Type:
Application
Filed:
December 20, 2013
Publication date:
June 26, 2014
Applicant:
Board of Trustees 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:
February 25, 2013
Date of Patent:
June 17, 2014
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: Systems containing imidazoles or blends of imidazoles and amines are described herein. Methods of their preparation and use are also described herein. The methods of using the systems include the reduction of volatile compounds from gas streams and liquid streams.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 10, 2013
Date of Patent:
June 3, 2014
Assignee:
Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama
Abstract: Embodiments include a method and system for testing an electric circuit. A carrier signal of a first frequency is modulated with a multi-tone signal to generate a test signal. The test signal is applied to an input of a circuit under test (CUT). A crest factor of an output signal that corresponds to the test signal received at an output of the CUT is measured. A crest factor differential between the measured crest factor and a reference crest factor is determined. If the crest factor differential exceeds a threshold value, the CUT is determined to be defective.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 29, 2010
Date of Patent:
June 3, 2014
Assignee:
The Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama for and on behalf of the University of Alabama
Inventors:
Bruce C. Kim, Sukeshwar Kannan, Ganesh Srinivasan, Friedrich Taenzler
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:
Application
Filed:
November 15, 2013
Publication date:
May 15, 2014
Applicant:
Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama
Abstract: A battery pack having a plurality of battery pack modules, wherein each battery pack module includes a battery cell and a power converter. The power converters of the plurality of battery pack modules are connected in series to form a string of N battery pack modules such that the voltage across the N battery pack modules defines the output voltage of the battery pack. A controller regulates the output voltage of each battery cell or module power converter and the output voltage of the battery pack by independently controlling each battery cell module in accordance with variables such as state-of-charge (SOC), state-of-health (SOH) and temperature, capacity, and temperature of each individual battery cell module. The power converter may be used to measure impedance of the battery pack by adding a sinusoidal perturbation signal to a reference voltage of the cell battery pack module.
Type:
Application
Filed:
October 30, 2013
Publication date:
May 8, 2014
Applicant:
Board of Trustees of The University of Alabama
Abstract: A method and system for providing a magnetic junction usable in a magnetic device are described. The magnetic junction includes a pinned layer, a nonmagnetic spacer layer, and a free layer. The nonmagnetic spacer layer is between the pinned layer and the free layer. The free layer has a magnetic anisotropy, at least a portion of which is a biaxial anisotropy. The magnetic junction is configured such that the free layer is switchable between a plurality of stable magnetic states when a write current is passed through the magnetic junction.
Type:
Application
Filed:
January 11, 2013
Publication date:
April 24, 2014
Applicants:
The Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama for and on Behalf of the University of Alabama, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
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:
Application
Filed:
October 16, 2013
Publication date:
April 17, 2014
Applicant:
Board of Trustees of The University of Alabama
Inventors:
Martin G. Bakker, Franchessa Maddox Sayler, Kevin Shaughnessy
Abstract: A power converter has a controller that uses as input a voltage output of the converter and provides a signal for controlling the duty cycle without the need for current sensing. In one embodiment, the output characteristic of the converter is similar to the output characteristic provided by conventional adaptive voltage positioning (AVP) controllers, but by eliminating the need to sense current, the converter's cost, complexity, and power consumption can be reduced.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 7, 2012
Date of Patent:
March 18, 2014
Assignee:
The Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama for and on behalf of the University of Alabama
Abstract: Imido-acid salts and compositions containing imido-acid salts are described herein. Methods of their preparation and use are also described herein. The methods of using the imido-acid salts include the reduction of volatile compounds from gas and liquid streams and the delivery of pharmaceutical agents to subjects.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 29, 2012
Date of Patent:
March 18, 2014
Assignee:
Board of Trustees of The University of Alabama
Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods that involve ionic liquids and biomass. Multiphasic compositions involving ionic liquids and a polymer and uses of such compositions for fractioning various components of biomass are disclosed. Methods of making and using compositions comprising an ionic liquid, biomass, and a catalyst are also disclosed.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 18, 2009
Date of Patent:
March 11, 2014
Assignee:
Board of Trustees of The University of Alabama
Inventors:
Mustafizur Rahman, Hector Rodriguez, Ning Sun, Richard P. Swatloski, Daniel T. Daly, Robin D. Rogers
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:
Application
Filed:
August 14, 2013
Publication date:
February 20, 2014
Applicant:
Board of Trustees of The University of Alabama
Inventors:
Yuebin Guo, Michael Sealy, Meisam Salahshoor Pirsoltan
Abstract: Disclosed are methods for producing carbon, metal and/or metal oxide porous materials that have precisely controlled structures on the nanometer and micrometer scales. The methods involve the single or repeated infiltration of porous templates with metal salts at controlled temperatures, the controlled drying and decomposition of the metal salts under reducing conditions, and optionally the removal of the template. The carbon porous materials are involve the infiltration of a carbon precursor into a porous template, followed by polymerization and pyrolysis. These porous materials have utility in separations, catalysis, among others.
Type:
Application
Filed:
October 4, 2013
Publication date:
February 6, 2014
Applicant:
Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama
Inventors:
Martin Bakker, Franchessa Maddox Sayler, Amy Grano, Jan-Henrik Smått