Patents Assigned to The University of Akron
-
Patent number: 12280349Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention is directed to a facile one-pot reverse emulsion process to assemble core-shell nanoparticles (CS-SMNPs) into bright and noniridescent photonic supraballs. In one or more embodiments, the present invention is directed to core-shell nanoparticles having an inner high refractive index (RI) core and an outer low RI shell. In one or more embodiment, the present invention includes core-shell nanoparticles using high RI (˜1.74) melanin cores and low-RI (˜1.45) silica shells. In various embodiments, these nanoparticles may be self-assembled into bright and noniridescent supraballs using a scalable one-pot reverse emulsion process. According to various embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to generate a full spectrum of structural colors with the combination of only two ingredients, synthetic melanin and silica.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2022Date of Patent: April 22, 2025Assignees: The University of Akron, University of California, San DiegoInventors: Ali Dhinojwala, Ming Xiao, Ziying Hu, Matthew Shawkey, Nathan Gianneschi
-
Patent number: 12273458Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention relates to a blockchain-powered SDN-enabled networking infrastructure in which the integration between blockchain-based security and autonomy management layer and multi-controller SDN networking layer is defined to enhance the integrity of the control and management messages. In one or more embodiments, this networking infrastructure is utilized achieve three main functionalities: (1) integrity verification of control and management commands for cloud platforms, (2) identification of the malicious hosts abusing the cloud platform, and (3) enhancing the availability of the cloud platform via autonomous bandwidth provisioning.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2020Date of Patent: April 8, 2025Assignee: The University of AkronInventors: Jin Kocsis, Mututhanthrige Pravenn Sameera Fernando
-
Patent number: 12258443Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention is directed to a PPF-based copolymer for 3D printing applications and methods for its making and use. These copolymers have a viscosity in a printable viscosity range and allow light transmittance at curing wavelengths. In various embodiments, a lower viscosity copolymers are obtained by substitution of a portion of maleic anhydride with succinic anhydride and then forming a poly(propylene fumarate-co-succinate) copolymer by the copolymerization of maleic anhydride and succinic anhydride with propylene oxide via Mg(BHT)2(THF)2 catalyzed ring opening copolymerization (ROCOP). Because of their lower viscosities, these copolymers require less, if any, diethyl fumarate (DEF) to prepare the 3D printing resin, while the mechanical properties can still be adjusted as with a PPF polymer prepared without the succinic anhydride.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2019Date of Patent: March 25, 2025Assignee: The University of AkronInventors: Matthew Becker, Yongjun Shin, Gaelle Le Fer
-
Publication number: 20250090475Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention provides a drug-loaded amino acid-based poly(ester urea) film for controlled local release of non-opioid analgesic compounds and various methods for their making and use. In one or more embodiments, he present invention is directed to a drug-loaded amino acid-based poly(ester urea) film for controlled local release of non-opioid analgesic compounds comprising an amino acid-based poly(ester urea) polymer or copolymer and a therapeutically effective amount of a non-opioid analgesic compound. In various embodiments, these amino acid-based poly(ester urea) polymers or copolymers will comprise a plurality of diester monomer units connected by a carboxyl group to form a poly(ester urea) (PEU) polymer.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2021Publication date: March 20, 2025Applicants: The University of Akron, MERK SHARP & DOHME CORP.Inventors: Matthew BECKER, Seth P. FORSTER, Natasha BRIGHAM, Tiffany GUSTAFSON, Andre HERMANS, Rebecca NOFSINGER
-
Patent number: 12240979Abstract: A curable rubber composition including a rubber, a plurality of ground particles, and a reactive surfactant represented by the formula: X—Y—Z where X is a reactive group capable of forming covalent links with the rubber during compounding or vulcanization, Y is a hydrophobic linkage, and Z is a polar group capable of forming self-assemblies via intermolecular interactions, and wherein the reactive surfactant is incompatible with the rubber and a method of making the same.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2022Date of Patent: March 4, 2025Assignee: The University of AkronInventors: Li Jia, Yu Sun
-
Patent number: 12187844Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention provides well-defined biodegradable poly(lactone-b-propylene fumarate) diblock and triblock polymers formed using a novel one-pot, scalable ring-opening block-order copolymerization (ROBOCOP) technique that utilizes magnesium 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenoxide (Mg(BHT)2(THF)2) to “switch” from the ROP of cyclic esters to the ROCOP of maleic anhydride (MAn) and propylene oxide (PO) to produce PPF based block copolymers for application in additive manufacturing and patient specific regenerative medicine. These block copolymers are fully resorbable and can be photochemically crosslinked in a number of applications, including 3D printing. By adding the lactone block to the PPF polymer, the viscosity of the resulting block copolymer at working temperatures can be precisely controlled and the quantity of the reactive diluent in printable resins can be reduced or eliminated.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2018Date of Patent: January 7, 2025Assignee: The University of AkronInventors: Matthew Becker, James Wilson, Shannon Petersen
-
Patent number: 12187870Abstract: In one or more embodiments, the present invention is directed to an electrically conductive polymer composition comprising a conductive metal filler material comprising a plurality of metal particles and one or more carbon-based filler material substantially homogenously dispersed throughout a polymer matrix, wherein the aspect ratio of the one or more carbon-based filler material is at least ten times greater than the aspect ratio of the conductive metal filler material comprising a plurality of metal particles. In one or more embodiment, the carbon-based filler material will comprise at least one of carbon nanotubes, multi-walled carbon nanotubes and edge-functionalized graphene.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2020Date of Patent: January 7, 2025Assignee: The University of AkronInventors: Yu Zhu, Bryan D. Vogt, Clinton J. Taubert, Kun Chen
-
Patent number: 12176850Abstract: A wireless self-charging power pack including a solution processed conductive thin film integrating a solar cell with a solid-state supercapacitor. Additionally, a method of forming a wireless self-charging power pack including integrating a solar cell with a solid-state supercapacitor by forming a layer of conductive thin film between the solar cell and the solid-state supercapacitor through solution processing of the material forming the conductive thin film.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2021Date of Patent: December 24, 2024Assignee: The University of AkronInventor: Xiong Gong
-
Patent number: 12157795Abstract: In one or more embodiments, the present invention is directed to a novel method for synthesizing Mg(BHT)2(THF)2 catalyst, which has several advantages over previous methods. Dry toluene or pentane are not required for synthesizing the catalyst, and the reaction is done in a bulk solution of BHT and THF. Further, because the Mg(BHT)2(THF)2 is made in a one-step (“one-pot”) synthesis, the time required for synthesizing and drying the catalyst is reduced. Using the new method of the present invention, the Mg(BHT)2(THF)2 is pure after removing excess THF, thereby eliminating the need for washes and recrystallization.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2018Date of Patent: December 3, 2024Assignee: The University of AkronInventors: Matthew Becker, Alex P. Kleinfehn, Shannon R. Petersen
-
Patent number: 12139701Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions for self-cleaning that include a digestive protein capable of decomposing stain forming molecules, a substrate applied to a solid surface, and a linker moiety bound to an outer surface of said substrate and an active group of said digestive protein, said linker moiety between said protein and said substrate and covalently linking said protein to a surface of said substrate by an amide bond, the linker moiety between a free amine of said protein and said outer surface of said substrate wherein the digestive protein forms a layer on a surface of said substrate such that the digestive protein is surface exposed for reaction with a stain.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2019Date of Patent: November 12, 2024Assignees: Toyota Motor Corporation, The University of AkronInventors: Ping Wang, Minjuan Zhang, Hongfei Jia, Archana H. Trivedi, Masahiko Ishii
-
Patent number: 12122906Abstract: A 3D-printable blend comprising a thermoplastic elastomer and a polymer. The thermoplastic elastomer is selected from poly(styrene-b-isobutylene-b-styrene) (SIBS), poly(St-b-butadiene-b-St) (SBS), poly(St-b-isoprene-b-St) (SIS), and their hydrogenated derivatives. The polymer is selected from polystyrene (PSt), poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (PPO) and blends of PSt and PPO. The blends may be made into filaments suitable for use in the production of 3D printed articles.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2022Date of Patent: October 22, 2024Assignee: The University of AkronInventors: Joseph P. Kennedy, Weinan Xu
-
Patent number: 12054630Abstract: A coating composition comprising at least one alkyd resin and at least one reactive diluent selected from modified cardanol. Optionally, the coating composition may further include at least one dryer agent, at least one pigment, and at least one solvent. The use of a modified cardanol reactive diluent can reduce the amount of volatile organic solvent, while decreasing drying time, increasing adhesion, and improving corrosion resistance.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2020Date of Patent: August 6, 2024Assignee: The University of AkronInventors: Qixin Zhou, Haoran Wang
-
Patent number: 12043744Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention is directed to a supraparticle for use in producing structural colors comprising a plurality of core/shell nanoparticles having a melanin or synthetic melanin core and a silica shell having a plurality of silanol groups on its outer surface and a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) crosslinker. In various embodiments, the structure of these crosslinked supra particles is reinforced by hydrogen bonds formed between the silanol groups on the core-shell nanoparticles and mechanical, solution phase, and dry state stability.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2021Date of Patent: July 23, 2024Assignee: The University of AkronInventors: Ali Dhinojwala, Nathan Gianneschi, Ming Xiao, Ziying Hu
-
Patent number: 12034770Abstract: In one or more embodiments, the present invention is directed to a blockchain secured, software-defined network and monitoring system comprising: a multi-controller software-defined network (SDN) network layer; a blockchain based security and autonomy layer; a deep learning-driven decision making layer comprising the one or more computational centers and a horizontal data plane layer. In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to methods for ensuring the integrity of a control commands and optimizing performance and security using the blockchain secured, software-defined network and monitoring system. In various embodiments, the present invention relates to methods for extracting useful features from said labelled and non-labelled data contained in the horizontal data plane layer in the blockchain secured, software-defined network and monitoring system using a knowledge domain-enabled hybrid semi-supervision learning method.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2019Date of Patent: July 9, 2024Assignee: The University of AkronInventors: Jin Kocsis, Mututhanthrige Praveen Sameera Fernando, Yifu Wu
-
Resorbable complex shape memory poly(propylene fumarate) star scaffolds for 4D printing applications
Patent number: 11987668Abstract: In one or more embodiments, the present invention provides am method of making a poly(propylene fumarate-co-succinate) (PPFS) copolymer containing a random incorporation of succinate groups and targetable reduction profiles without the need for three or more monomer units. To achieve this, a time-dependent sonication-promoted zinc/acetic acid reduction of the PPM unsaturated double bonds has been used to create a random PPMS copolymer which may be isomerized into the PPFS equivalent. By changing the sonication time as well as the ratios of acetic acid, zinc, and PPM unsaturated alkenes, partial reduction of the PPM alkenes has been shown to give PPMS products containing varying compositions of succinic and maleate units, which may then be isomerized to the PPFS product.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2021Date of Patent: May 21, 2024Assignee: The University of AkronInventors: Matthew Becker, Garrett Fredric Bass -
Patent number: 11981777Abstract: A new synthetic pathway for hyperbranched polyacrylates and polymethacrylates including the steps of preparing an inimer and polymerizing the inimer to form hyperbranched polymers or copolymers.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2019Date of Patent: May 14, 2024Assignee: The University of AkronInventors: Coleen Pugh, Chenwei Liu, Cesar Lopez Gonzalez, Chenying Zhao
-
Patent number: 11931478Abstract: In various aspects, the present invention is directed to novel bioactive peptide loaded poly(propylene fumarate) (PPF) tissue scaffolds and related methods for their making and use. In various embodiments, these bioactive peptide loaded poly(propylene fumarate) tissue scaffolds are formed by forming a PPF structure or matrix using photochemical 3-D printing techniques and then loading that printed PPF structure or matrix with a bioactive peptides or other bioactive compounds that have, or have been functionalized to have, a thiol functional group at or near its terminus. The thiol groups on the bioactive peptides or other compound will react with exposed alkene functional groups on the PPF polymer matrix via a thiol-ene “click” reaction, thereby binding these bioactive peptides or other compounds to the tissue scaffolds. The bioactive peptide loaded PPF tissue scaffolds of the present invention are particularly useful in repairing bone defects.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2018Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: The University of AkronInventors: Matthew Becker, Yanyi Xu
-
Patent number: 11932774Abstract: A method for preparing waterborne non-isocyanate polyurethane polymers is provided, and the compositions prepared thereby. A method for preparing waterborne non-isocyanate polyurethane epoxy hybrid coatings is also provided. In addition to coatings, the compositions of the present invention are useful as films, adhesives, and sealants.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2020Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: The University of AkronInventors: Qixin Zhou, Cheng Zhang
-
Patent number: 11827769Abstract: Curable rubber compositions that include reactive ionic surfactants as reinforcing fillers are described, as well as methods for preparing composite rubber compounds by direct addition of ionic surfactant solutions into rubber latex.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2021Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: The University of AkronInventors: Li Jia, Mengsha Qian
-
Publication number: 20230327139Abstract: A fuel cell catalyst for oxygen reduction reactions including Pt—Ni—Cu nanoparticles supported on nitrogen-doped mesoporous carbon (MPC) having enhanced activity and durability, and method of making said catalyst. The catalyst is synthesized by employing a solid state chemistry method, which involves thermally pretreating a N-doped MPC to remove moisture from the surface; impregnation of metal precursors on the N-doped MPC under vacuum condition; and reducing the metal precurors in a stream of CO and H2 gas mixture.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2023Publication date: October 12, 2023Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., The University of AkronInventors: Li Qin ZHOU, Kan HUANG, Hongfei JIA, Xiaochen SHEN, Zhenmeng PENG, Hisao KATO