Patents Assigned to The Board of Trustees of the University of
  • Publication number: 20240140833
    Abstract: A method for the electrochemical remediation of a metal species comprises flowing a contaminated solution comprising a metal species to be removed through an electrochemical cell that includes a working electrode and a counter electrode spaced apart from the working electrode. The working electrode comprises a conductive substrate or current collector with a polymeric coating thereon, where the polymeric coating comprises a semiconducting or redox-active polymer. A reducing potential is applied to the electrochemical cell, thereby inducing the metal species from the contaminated solution to deposit onto the working electrode. After depositing the metal species, a recovery solution is flowed through the electrochemical cell. An oxidizing potential is applied to the electrochemical cell, thereby stripping the metal species from the working electrode and recovering the metal species in the recovery solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2023
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Applicant: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Xiao Su, Riccardo Candeago
  • Patent number: 11970512
    Abstract: Provided are certain derivatives of amphotericin B (AmB) characterized by reduced toxicity and retained anti-fungal activity. Certain of the derivatives are C16 urea derivatives of AmB. Certain of the derivatives are C3, C5, C8, C9, C11, C13, or C15 deoxy derivatives of AmB. Certain of the derivatives include C3? or C4? modifications of the mycosamine appendage of AmB. Also provided are methods of making AmB derivatives of the invention, pharmaceutical compositions comprising AmB derivatives of the invention, and methods of use of AmB derivatives of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Martin D. Burke, Stephen Davis, Brice E. Uno, Justin Struble, Ian Dailey, Kaitlyn C. Gray, David M. Knapp, Pulin Wang, Nagarjuna Palyam
  • Publication number: 20240136011
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system, method, and computer program for estimating binding affinity that is purely physics-based, highly accurate, computationally efficient, and applicable to drugs of any size and proteins of any flexibility level. In one aspect, a method for physics-based binding affinity estimation is disclosed. The method includes the step of creating a unified simulation for a ligand and a target molecule, where the unified simulation includes a plurality of replicas that are each associated with four restraints along four variables. The method also includes the steps of exchanging data for the four variables between a subset of the replicas and performing a single non-parametric reweighting analysis with the data to estimate an absolute binding free energy for the ligand and target molecule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicant: BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS
    Inventor: Mahmoud Moradi
  • Publication number: 20240132776
    Abstract: Chiral redox-polymers that have been enabled for electrochemically-controlled enantioselective interactions. Supramolecular chirality was leveraged for enhancing recognition toward target enantiomers. Chiral redox-metallopolymers were synthesized based on Ugi's amine-inspired chiral monomers, and their enantioselective recognition toward ionic enantiomers, such as tryptophan and naproxen, is demonstrated, with higher enhancement provided by a chiral redox-polymer over a single-site, chiral building block. 2D nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and solid-state circular dichroism support supramolecular chirality resulting from the intramolecular interaction between the ferrocene and the alkyl group in the backbone. The chiral redox-metallopolymers can be used as a platform for electrochemically-modulated enantioselective interactions toward a range of amino acids and pharmaceutical carboxylates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicant: THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
    Inventors: Xiao SU, Jemin JEON, Johannes ELBERT
  • Patent number: 11967229
    Abstract: A traffic monitoring system has a controller and sensors placed in or on roads such that vehicles pass over or near the sensors, thereby casting shadows on the sensors as they pass. The sensors may be configured to detect the shadows, and a controller may be configured to determine any of a variety of information about the passing vehicles based on the detected shadows. For example, the controller may count the number of vehicles that pass, determine a speed of each passing vehicle, and determine a length of each passing vehicle. The sensors can be relatively inexpensive so that a relatively large number of sensors can be used to monitor a large area at a relatively low cost. In some embodiments, solar cells are used to power the sensors, and if desired, the solar cells may be used as the sensors for detecting the shadows of the vehicles being monitored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama, for and on behalf of the University of Alabama in Huntsville
    Inventor: Biswajit Ray
  • Publication number: 20240124462
    Abstract: New synthetic methods to provide access to previously unexplored functionality at the C8 position of substituted imidazo[5,1-d][1,2,3,5]tetrazines of Formula I. Through synthesis and evaluation of a suite of compounds with a range of aqueous stabilities (from 0.5 to 40 hours), a predictive model for imidazotetrazine hydrolytic stability based on the Hammett constant of the C8 substituent was derived. Promising compounds were identified that possess activity against a panel of GBM cell lines, appropriate hydrolytic and metabolic stability, and brain-to-serum ratios dramatically elevated relative to TMZ, leading to lower hematological toxicity profiles and superior activity to TMZ in a mouse model of GBM.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2022
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Paul J. HERGENROTHER, Timothy M. FAN, Riley L. SVEC
  • Publication number: 20240124753
    Abstract: Embodiments pertain to a system with a first surface and a second surface operational to associate with one another, where at least one of the first surface and the second surface includes an adhesive layer and a graphite layer positioned on the adhesive layer, and where the graphite layer reduces friction between the first surface and the second surface while the adhesive layer maintains the position of the graphite layer on at least the first surface and the second surface. Additional embodiments pertain to methods of modifying a system that includes a first surface and a second surface by applying an adhesive material to at least one of the first surface and the second surface to form an adhesive layer on at least one of the first surface and the second surface; and applying a graphite material onto the adhesive layer to form a graphite layer on the adhesive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS
    Inventors: Min Zou, Sujan K. Ghosh, Josue A. Goss
  • Publication number: 20240126258
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system for monitoring unstructured environments. A predetermined path can be determined according to an assignment of geolocations to one or more agronomically anomalous target areas, where the one or more agronomically anomalous target areas are determined according to an analysis of a plurality of first images that automatically identifies a target area that deviates from a determination of an average of the plurality of first images that represents an anomalous place within a predetermined area, where the plurality of first images of the predetermined area are captured by a camera during a flight over the predetermined area. A camera of an unmanned vehicle can capture at least one second image of the one or more agronomically anomalous target areas as the unmanned vehicle travels along the predetermined path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
    Inventors: Girish Chowdhary, Chinmay P. Soman, Beau David Barber
  • Patent number: 11957366
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to electrically controllable surgical tools. In general, surgical devices are provided having an electrically controllable, fingered operating end for use in angiography, endovascular and/or neurological surgery. The finger(s) at the operating end can be made from ionic polymer metal composite (IPMC) material to facilitate control of the finger(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignees: MaineHealth, Board of Trustees of the University of Maine System
    Inventors: Robert D. Ecker, Mohsen Shahinpoor
  • Patent number: 11959182
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are precursor compounds, composite electrodes comprising the same, and methods of making and use thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignees: THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA, THE ADMINISTRATORS OF THE TULANE EDUCATIONAL FUND
    Inventors: Pravin Shinde, James Donahue, Patricia R. Fontenot, Arunava Gupta, Shanlin Pan
  • Publication number: 20240115686
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for eliciting an immune response in a subject (such as against Shigella) are provided. In examples, the compositions can include fusion proteins including one or more epitopes from Shigella or E. coli. In examples, the methods can include administering a disclosed fusion protein to a subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventor: Weiping Zhang
  • Publication number: 20240116911
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are antibacterial compounds that accumulate in Gram-negative bacteria, methods of preparing the compounds, and methods of using the compounds to inhibit or kill microbes, and methods of treating microbial infections, such as Gram-negative bacterial infections. Compounds selected for conversion to potential Gram-negative antibacterial compounds were identified based on compounds having low globularity and low flexibility. Amine substituents were then strategically added to the selected compounds to provide compounds having antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
    Inventors: Paul J. Hergenrother, Emily Jane Geddes, Bryon Shane Drown, Stephen E. Motika, Erica Nicole Parker
  • Publication number: 20240109934
    Abstract: Novel Fusidic Acid (FA) based compounds that have equivalent potency against clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Enterococcus faecium (E. faecium) as well as an improved resistance profile in vitro when compared to FA. Importantly, the new compounds display efficacy against a FA-resistant strain of Staphylococcus aureus in a soft-tissue murine infection model. This disclosure delineates the structural features of FA necessary for potent antibiotic activity and demonstrates that the resistance profile can be improved for this scaffold and target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2022
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Applicant: THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
    Inventors: Paul J. HERGENROTHER, Martin GARCIA CHAVEZ
  • Publication number: 20240109249
    Abstract: A 3D printer for printing continuous carbon fibers comprising a mechanical system and control system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Applicant: BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS
    Inventors: Wenchao Zhou, Yadong Chen
  • Patent number: 11944966
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, an apparatus comprising: a membrane, wherein the membrane has a first side and a second side, wherein the membrane has a first pore disposed therein, wherein the first pore extends through the membrane from the first side of the membrane to the second side of the membrane, wherein the membrane has a second pore disposed therein, and wherein the second pore extends through the membrane from the first side of the membrane to the second side of the membrane; a first channel disposed on the first side of the membrane, wherein the first channel is along a first longitudinal axis; a second channel disposed on the first side of the membrane, wherein the second channel is along a second longitudinal axis, and wherein the first channel and the second channel are disposed side by side adjacent to each other; a third channel disposed on the second side of the membrane, wherein the third channel is along a third longitudinal axis, wherein the third channel is in
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
    Inventor: Aleksei Aksimentiev
  • Publication number: 20240103016
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods, devices, kits, and articles of manufacture for detecting pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) in a biological sample, for instance a whole blood or serum sample obtained from a pregnant subject, and estimating gestational age (GA) based on the detection of PAPP-A, such that clinical or personal decisions informed by GA can be made without ultrasound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2021
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicants: Gynuity Health Projects, Inc., The Board of Trustees of University of Illinois
    Inventors: Irina BUHIMSCHI, Laura FRYE, Elizabeth RAYMOND, Beverly WINIKOFF
  • Patent number: 11942920
    Abstract: A piezoelectric thin film (PTF) is located above a carrier substrate. The PTF may be X-cut LiNbO3 thin film adapted to propagate an acoustic wave in at least one of a first mode excited by an electric field oriented in a longitudinal direction along a length of the PTF or a second mode excited by the electric field oriented at least partially in a thickness direction of the PTF. A first interdigitated transducer (IDT) is disposed on a first end of the PTF. The first IDT is to convert a first electromagnetic signal, traveling in the longitudinal direction, into the acoustic wave. A second IDT is disposed on a second end of the PTF with a gap between the second IDT and the first IDT. The second IDT is to convert the acoustic wave into a second electromagnetic signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Ruochen Lu, Tomas Manzaneque Garcia, Yansong Yang, Songbin Gong
  • Patent number: 11938480
    Abstract: A microfluidic diagnostic device with a three-dimensional (3D) flow architecture comprises a polymeric body having first and second opposing surfaces and comprising first flow channels in the first opposing surface, second flow channels in the second opposing surface, and connecting flow passages extending through a thickness of the polymeric body to connect the first flow channels to the second flow channels, thereby defining a continuous 3D flow pathway in the polymeric body. The microfluidic diagnostic device also includes a first cover adhered to the first opposing surface to seal the first flow channels, a second cover adhered to the second opposing surface to seal the second flow channels, and one or more access ports in fluid communication with the continuous 3D flow pathway for introducing liquid reagent(s) and/or a sample into the polymeric body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA, ILLINOIS
    Inventors: William P. King, Rashid Bashir, Mehmet Y. Aydin, Jacob E. Berger, Enrique Valera
  • Publication number: 20240093208
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems that provide a genetic program to control bacterial life cycle and function execution, thereby conferring programmable microbial transition between planktonic and biofilm states and facilitating the development of cellular functions across physiological domains.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Ting Lu, Wentao Kong
  • Publication number: 20240094116
    Abstract: An imaging substrate is provided to facilitate wide field photothermal infrared spectroscopic imaging of samples disposed thereon. The substrate includes at least two reflective layers and at least one spacer layer disposed therebetween which, together, form an optical cavity. The spacer layer(s) exhibit expansion and/or refractive index change as a function of heating by incident infrared illumination. Such localized heating results in a localized change in the effective reflectivity of the substrate by locally tuning/detuning the optical cavity. Thus, the pattern of effective reflectivity of the substrate can be made to correspond to the pattern of infrared absorptivity of a sample mounted on the substrate by illuminating the sample and the substrate with infrared illumination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Rohit Bhargava, Seth Kenkel