Patents Assigned to The Penn State Research Foundation
  • ULTRA-HIGH SPEED ANISOTROPIC REACTIVE ION ETCHING
    Publication number: 20140166618
    Abstract: A system and method for reactive ion etching (RIE) system of a material is provided. The system includes a plasma chamber comprising a plasma source and a gas inlet, a diffusion chamber comprising a substrate holder for supporting a substrate with a surface comprising the material and a gas diffuser, and a source of a processing gas coupled to the gas diffuser. In the system and method, at least one radical of the processing gas is reactive with the material to perform etching of the material, the gas diffuser is configured to introduce the processing gas into the processing region, and the substrate holder comprises an electrode that can be selectively biased to draw ions generated by the plasma source into the processing region to interact with the at least one processing gas to generate the at least one radical at the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: THE PENN STATE RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Srinivas TADIGADAPA, Gokhan HATIPOGLU
  • Liquid Electrolyte for Increasing Capacity and Cycling Retention of Lithium Sulfur Battery
    Publication number: 20140170459
    Abstract: We provide a liquid electrolyte for a lithium-sulfur battery. Electrolytes of the invention may include a protecting additive; a lithium salt (in addition to LiNO3, if that is selected as the protecting additive); at least one electrolyte solvent; and a dissolved electrochemically active material comprising sulfur. In one embodiment an electrolyte includes 0.1-2 M of one or more of LiPF6, LiBF4, LiAsF6, LiClO4, LiCF3SO3, LiN(CF3SO2)2, 0.1-1 M LiNO3, at least one nonaqueous solvent; and dissolved electrochemically active material comprising sulfur in the form of at least one of a soluble lithium polysulfide and/or organodisulfide compounds, which is used in a lithium-sulfur cell and a battery having a plurality of lithium-sulfur cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: THE PENN STATE RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Donghai Wang, Shuru Chen, Fang Dai
  • Studying aesthetics in photographic images using a computational approach
    Patent number: 8755596
    Abstract: The aesthetic quality of a picture is automatically inferred using visual content as a machine learning problem using, for example, a peer-rated, on-line photo sharing Website as data source. Certain visual features of images are extracted based on the intuition that they can discriminate between aesthetically pleasing and displeasing images. A one-dimensional support vector machine is used to identify features that have noticeable correlation with the community-based aesthetics ratings. Automated classifiers are constructed using the support vector machines and classification trees, with a simple feature selection heuristic being applied to eliminate irrelevant features. Linear regression on polynomial terms of the features is also applied to infer numerical aesthetics ratings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventors: Ritendra Datta, Jia Li, James Z. Wang
  • Ceramide anionic liposome compositions
    Patent number: 8747891
    Abstract: Described herein are pharmaceutical compositions according to aspects of the present invention which include one or more hydrophilic antineoplastic chemotherapeutics, such as vinca alkyloid antineoplastic chemotherapeutics, encapsulated in ceramide anionic liposomes. Methods of treatment of a subject having cancer using the pharmaceutical compositions are described, along with methods of making ceramide anionic liposomes which encapsulate one or more hydrophilic antineoplastic chemotherapeutics in the aqueous interior of the ceramide anionic liposomes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventors: Mark Kester, Sriram S. Shanmugavelandy, Todd Fox
  • IN VIVO PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY OF CANCER VIA A NEAR INFRARED AGENT ENCAPSULATED IN CALCIUM PHOSPHATE NANOPARTICLES
    Publication number: 20140154325
    Abstract: Nano-encapsulated photosensitizers and their use in the treatment of tumors and/or imaging is described. Preferably, the photosensitizers are encapsulated in a calcium phosphate nanoparticle (CPNP). Encapsulating the PS in a CPNP increases the half-life of the PS, increases absorption of the PS into the target cell tissue, increases the photostability of the PS, increases the photoefficiency of the PS, increases in vivo retention of the PS, or combinations thereof, ultimately making it a highly efficacious agent for use in photodynamic therapy, imaging target tissues, vessels, or tumors, and/or detecting or locating tumors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: THE PENN STATE RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: James H. Adair, Mark Kester, Peter C. Eklund, Erhan I. Altinoglu, Brian M. Barth, Timothy J. Russin, James M.D. Kaiser, Thomas T. Morgan
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INCREMENTAL FORMING
    Publication number: 20140150510
    Abstract: A system includes a frame configured to hold a workpiece and first and second tool positioning assemblies configured to be opposed to each other on opposite sides of the workpiece. The first and second tool positioning assemblies each include a toolholder configured to secure a tool to the tool positioning assembly, a first axis assembly, a second axis assembly, and a third axis assembly. The first, second, and third axis assemblies are each configured to articulate the toolholder along a respective axis. Each axis assembly includes first and second guides extending generally parallel to the corresponding axis and disposed on opposing sides of the toolholder with respect to the corresponding axis. Each axis assembly includes first and second carriages articulable along the first and second guides of the axis assembly, respectively, in the direction of the corresponding axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicants: The Penn State Research Foundation, Northwestern University
    Inventors: Michael Beltran, Jian Cao, John T. Roth
  • Electrical-assisted double side incremental forming and processes thereof
    Patent number: 8741079
    Abstract: A process for forming a sheet metal component using an electric current passing through the component is provided. The process can include providing a double side incremental forming machine, the machine operable to perform a plurality of double side incremental deformations on the sheet metal component and also apply an electric direct current to the sheet metal component during at least part of the forming. The direct current can be applied before or after the forming has started and/or be terminated before or after the forming has stopped. The direct current can be applied to any portion of the sheet metal. The electrical assistance can reduce the magnitude of force required to produce a given amount of deformation, increase the amount of deformation exhibited before failure and/or reduce any springback typically exhibited by the sheet metal component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignees: The Penn State Research Foundation, Northwestern University
    Inventors: John Roth, Jian Cao
  • SPATIOTEMPORAL CONTROL OF CHEMICAL MICROENVIRONMENT USING OSCILLATING MICROSTRUCTURES
    Publication number: 20140146634
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for generating a chemical gradient within a flow channel include providing at least one bubble support structure within the flow channel. A bubble support structure helps maintain a bubble at a predetermined location in flow channel when a fluid flow passes therethrough. Oscillations are induced in the bubble using acoustic waves, which may be provided by a piezoelectric transducer located proximate the flow channel. Two or more inlets provide fluids of different chemical compositions into the flow channel, and bubble oscillations are used to generate a dynamically controllable mixing process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: THE PENN STATE RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Daniel Ahmed, Stephen Benkovic, Tony Jun Huang
  • Z-MICROSCOPY
    Publication number: 20140146159
    Abstract: We present a method for parallel axial imaging, or z-microscopy, utilizing an array of tilted micro mirrors arranged along the axial direction. Image signals emitted from different axial positions can be orthogonally reflected by the corresponding micro mirrors and spatially separated for parallel detection, essentially converting the more challenging axial imaging to a lateral imaging problem. Each micro mirror also provides optical sectioning capability due to its finite dimension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventors: Zhiwen Liu, Chuan Yang, Kebin Shi, Mingda Zhou, Siyang Zheng, Shizhuo Yin
  • MASSIVE CLUSTERING OF DISCRETE DISTRIBUTIONS
    Publication number: 20140143251
    Abstract: The trend of analyzing big data in artificial intelligence requires more scalable machine learning algorithms, among which clustering is a fundamental and arguably the most widely applied method. To extend the applications of regular vector-based clustering algorithms, the Discrete Distribution (D2) clustering algorithm has been developed for clustering bags of weighted vectors which are well adopted in many emerging machine learning applications. The high computational complexity of D2-clustering limits its impact in solving massive learning problems. Here we present a parallel D2-clustering algorithm with substantially improved scalability. We develop a hierarchical structure for parallel computing in order to achieve a balance between the individual-node computation and the integration process of the algorithm. The parallel algorithm achieves significant speed-up with minor accuracy loss.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: THE PENN STATE RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: James Z. Wang, Yu Zhang, Jia Li
  • High energy density nanocomposites and related methods of preparation
    Patent number: 8729182
    Abstract: A nanoparticle composition comprising a substrate comprising a metal oxide component and an aluminum oxide component; and a metallocene olefin polymerization catalyst component coupled to the substrate is disclosed. The metal oxide component is homogenously dispersed throughout the nanocomposite composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignees: Northwestern University, The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventors: Tobin J. Marks, Michael T. Lanagan, Neng Guo, Sara A. DiBenedetto
  • Bone repair system and method
    Patent number: 8728133
    Abstract: A bone repair system and method for percutaneously fixing a first bone segment to a second bone segment, such as rib bone segments, in a body of a patient include drilling a first hole through the first bone segment and a second hole through the second bone segment, and feeding a first tether through the first hole and a second tether through the second hole, each tether having a proximal end and a distal end. The first and second tether distal ends are withdrawn from the body while the first and second tether proximal ends have not passed through the first and second bone segments, respectively. A reinforcing member, such as a bone plate, having first and second openings, is passed onto the first and second tether distal ends, and the reinforcing member is pulled into engagement with the first and second bone segments guided by the tethers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventors: Barry M. Fell, Peter W. Dillon, Donald R. Mackay, Randy S. Haluck
  • Therapeutic compositions and methods
    Patent number: 8710039
    Abstract: PAD4 inhibitory compositions and methods for their use in treatment of cancer and autoimmune disease are provided according to embodiments of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventors: Gong Chen, Yanming Wang, Pingxin Li, Jing Hu, Shu Wang, Yuji Wang
  • Hub fin device
    Patent number: 8702395
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a hub fin device for improving the efficiency of a propeller. The hub fin device can include a propeller having a hub and a plurality of propeller blades that extend radially outward from the hub. Each of the plurality of propeller blades has a trailing edge region. A fin can also be included and located in the trailing edge region of at least one of the plurality of propeller blades. The fin extends radially outward from the hub and reduces or eliminates a hub vortex that is normally present during operation of the propeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventor: Walter S. Gearhart
  • BROADBAND MONOPOLE ANTENNA USING ANISOTROPIC METAMATERIAL COATING
    Publication number: 20140104136
    Abstract: An antenna system is provided that includes an antenna having an elongated conducting segment, such as a metal rod. An anisotropic metamaterial surrounds the elongated conducting segment of the antenna. The presence of the metamaterial remarkably expands the VSWR<2. An example antenna is a monopole antenna, such as a quarter-wavelength monopole antenna, surrounded by the metamaterial.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventors: Douglas H. Werner, Zhihao Jiang, Micah D. Gregory
  • Flat transformational electromagnetic lenses
    Patent number: 8699140
    Abstract: Examples of the present invention include methods and apparatus for modification of electromagnetic waves, including lenses with generally parallel flat surfaces. Lenses may comprise metamaterials, dielectric materials (such as glass), plastics, and the like. Lenses may have an index profile corresponding to a coordinate transformation for the desired effect on the electromagnetic waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventors: Douglas H. Werner, Do-Hoon Kwon
  • COMPOSITES CONTAINING POLYPEPTIDES ATTACHED TO POLYSACCHARIDES AND MOLECULES
    Publication number: 20140099444
    Abstract: This document provides methods and materials related to composites or coatings containing polypeptides attached to polysaccharides and/or molecules. For example, methods and materials related to composites or coatings containing polypeptides (e.g., casein polypeptides) attached to polysaccharides (e.g., cellulose) and/or molecules (e.g., calcium containing molecules such as calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate and/or polyesters such as polylactic acid and polyhydroxybutyrate) are provided. A coating provided herein can include both cationic and ionic polymers, polypeptides, or polysaccharides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Catchmark, Dana Meredith Mears, John Siggins, Niharika Mishra
  • Method for removing residual water from fuel cell
    Patent number: 8685584
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for removing residual water in a fuel cell, which controls the humidity of purge gases to effectively remove residual water in the fuel cell and to maintain the humidity in a membrane at a constant level, thus ensuring the durability of the membrane. For this purpose, the present invention provides a method for removing residual water in a fuel cell, characterized in that the relative humidities of purge gases supplied to an anode and a cathode are controlled to selectively reduce water content in the fuel cell and water content in a membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventors: Kyu Taek Cho, Jong Jin Yoon, Jong Hyun Lee, Matthew M. Mench, Ahmet Turhan
  • Blood pump with expandable cannula
    Patent number: 8684904
    Abstract: A blood pump includes an impeller having a plurality of foldable blades and a cannula having a proximal portion with a fixed diameter, and a distal portion with an expandable diameter. The impeller can reside in the expandable portion of the cannula. The cannula has a collapsed condition for percutaneous delivery to a desired location within the body, and an expanded condition in which the impeller can rotate to pump blood. A flexible drive shaft can extend through the cannula for rotationally driving the impeller within the patient's body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignees: Thoratec Corporation, The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventors: Robert L. Campbell, Justin M. Walsh, Daniel Metrey, Robert F. Kunz, Thomas M. Mallison, Edward Boone, Eric Myer, Mark W. McBride, Kevin J. Powell, Daniel A. Walters
  • Strategies for the transgenic manipulation of filamentous fungi
    Patent number: 8686218
    Abstract: Disclosed is a new technology that enables the transgenic modification of a mushroom-forming fungus to confer a transgenic genotype and/or phenotype. According to the invention herein, one can manipulate the fruiting body of a fungus conferring an altered phenotype, but a wild-type genotype. The fruiting body itself is devoid of any cognate transgene, and Applicants have discovered a new mechanism of protein synthesis and accumulation in fungi and a technique to independently control the genotype and phenotype of the fruiting body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventors: C. Peter Romaine, Carl David Schlagnhaufer, Benjamin Michael Woolston