Patents Assigned to The University of Houston System
  • Publication number: 20250092302
    Abstract: A composition composed of highly reactive metal particles that are ball milled, bead milled or blended and dispersed in a solvent with/without polymer for significantly reducing the viscosity of heavy oil for extracting viscous heavy oil, such that the composition reacts with water and oil to produce heat, H2 gas, and hydroxide to lower the oil viscosity and facilitate extraction from an underground formation or transport of heavy oil, such as in a pipe from one place to another place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2024
    Publication date: March 20, 2025
    Applicant: University of Houston System
    Inventors: Zhifeng REN, Dan LUO
  • Patent number: 12256649
    Abstract: A superconductor tape and method for manufacturing, measuring, monitoring, and controlling same are disclosed. Embodiments are directed to a superconductor tape which includes a superconductor film overlying a buffer layer which overlies a substrate. In one embodiment, the superconductor film is defined as having a c-axis lattice constant higher than 11.74 Angstroms. In another embodiment, the superconductor film comprises BaMO3, where M=Zr, Sn, Ta, Nb, Hf, or Ce, and which has a (101) peak of BaMO3 elongated along an axis that is between 60° to 90° from an axis of the (001) peaks of the superconductor film. These and other embodiments achieve well-aligned nanocolumnar defects and thus a high lift factor, which can result in superior critical current performance of the tape in, for example, high magnetic fields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: University of Houston System
    Inventors: Goran Majkic, Venkat Selvamanickam
  • Patent number: 12249337
    Abstract: Provided here are systems and method for non-intrusive authentication of a user. Such systems and methods may include in an embodiment a waveform generator to generate a message, encrypt the message, and transmit the encrypted message to one or more transmitters. The system may include a decryption engine to receive a bone conduction signal from one or more receivers, process the bone conduction signal, decrypt the processed bone conduction signal, and separate a bone conduction token portion from the decrypted bone conduction signal. The system may include an authentication engine to analyze the bone conduction signal, authenticate a user for the operation detected based on a comparison of the analyzed bone conduction signal and the pilot portion of the message exceeding a preselected threshold, and verify bone conduction signal authenticity via the bone conduction token portion and the token portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: University of Houston System
    Inventors: Miao Pan, Chenpei Huang
  • Publication number: 20250068000
    Abstract: A corrective lens for correcting aberrations of an eye of a patient includes a central region formed in the center of the corrective lens preventing light transmission. The corrective lens further includes a slotted transmissive region formed in the central region, the slotted transmissive region allowing light transmission therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2024
    Publication date: February 27, 2025
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM
    Inventor: Geunyoung Yoon
  • Patent number: 12214298
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the detection of analytes in high volumetric flow applications. Particular embodiments relate to the use of fluorescence polarization/anisotropy based for detection of analytes in a flow cell. In one testing format, an analyte of interest is probed with reagents containing fluorescent labeled recognition elements. When present in a sample or portion of a sample, the labeled analyte produces a shift in fluorescence polarization/anisotropy/intensity/lifetime as the output signal following the binding of the recognition elements to the analytes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: University of Houston System
    Inventors: Richard C. Willson, Ujwal Patil, Binh V. Vu, Ekaterini Kourentzi, Mary Crum
  • Patent number: 12208287
    Abstract: The present invention addresses IBD from the standpoint of mucosal stem cells cloned from defined regions of the gastrointestinal tract. In the case of pediatric Crohn's disease, for example, isolation of those stem cells according to the methods of the present invention reveals a pattern of inflammatory gene expression in stem cells from the terminal ileum and colon that is epigenetically maintained despite months of continuous cultivation in the absence of immune or stromal cells, or of intestinal microbes. Superimposed on this distributed inflammatory phenotype is a differentiation defect that profoundly and specifically alters the mucosal barrier properties of the terminal ileum. The co-existence of diseased and normal stem cells within the same endoscopic biopsies of Crohn's disease patients implicates an epigenetically enforced heterogeneity among mucosal stem cells in the dynamics of this condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: University of Houston System
    Inventors: Frank Mckeon, Matthew Vincent
  • Patent number: 12208159
    Abstract: Provided herein are fluorinated compounds having chemical structures: (I) where n is 0 or greater, or (II) where m and n are 0 or greater, or an amino acid, a soluble polymer, an oligo(ethylene glycol), a poly(ethylene glycol), or a carbohydrate each fluorinated with perfluorocarbons having the chemical structure (III) where n is 0 or greater. These fluorinated compounds are utilized in contact lenses to impart lipid-resistant, protein-resistant and biofouling-resistant properties, thus reducing discomfort and infection caused by contact lens wear without changing its transmission characteristics. Also provided is an ophthalmic drug delivery system comprising at least one of the compounds described above embedded in the contact lens and a kit to incorporate the ophthalmic into a contact lens. Methods for incorporating these compounds onto a contact lens without affecting transparency and for use in treating an ophthalmologic-associated condition are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: University of Houston System
    Inventors: Guoting Qin, Chengzhi Cai
  • Patent number: 12201416
    Abstract: A soleus contraction measurement system includes a sensor configured to measure rotational movement when positioned on a user's foot with an X-axis oriented laterally across the user's foot, a Y-axis oriented parallel to the user's foot, a Z-axis orthogonal to the X-axis and the Y-axis, and a positive X-axis rotational movement corresponding to an increasing ankle angle, and a memory storing computer-executable instructions for controlling a processor to: measure an X-axis rotational movement, identify a positive X-axis rotational movement as a plantarflexion and a negative X-axis rotational movement as an ankle dorsiflexion, deem the plantarflexion a performed soleus contraction when the plantarflexion is immediately followed by the ankle dorsiflexion for two consecutive cycles of plantarflexion and ankle dorsiflexion, and cause performance information regarding the performed soleus contractions to be communicated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: University of Houston System
    Inventor: Marc Hamilton
  • Patent number: 12203935
    Abstract: Disclosed are probes based on papilloma virus and modified SV40 that can be used for detecting circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in the blood stream, methods for manufacturing such probes, and methods for using such probes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: The University of Houston System
    Inventors: Shaun Xiaoliu Zhang, Xinping Fu
  • Publication number: 20250018009
    Abstract: Loss of cardiomyocytes underlies most causes of heart failure, and normal repair processes are inadequate to deal with extensive myocardial damage. The inventors have identified mutations of the N-terminus of serum respose factor (SRF)'s MADS box, termed STEMINs, that block cardiac differentiation, but also powerfully activate the stem cell marker genes Nanog and Octomer 4, as well as cyclins, which promotes adult myocyte replication. SRF Stemin mutations are not cardiac-specific, and also propel mammalian fibroblasts into a proliferative state. Thus, STEMINs may be useful for regeneration of all tissue and organ types, by activating partial pluripotency programs and enhacing repair by increased cell replication. Following withdrawal of STEMINs, the cells then return to normal cell identity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2024
    Publication date: January 16, 2025
    Applicant: University of Houston System
    Inventors: Robert J. SCHWARTZ, Dinakar IYER
  • Patent number: 12174237
    Abstract: A system for monitoring a circuit, comprising a device under test, such as a power field effect transistor or capacitor, coupled to a power source and a signal source and configured to generate a power output using the signal source, a current output, a voltage output and an end of life detector coupled to the current output and the voltage output and configured to generate a first impedance as a function of the current output and the voltage output, to compare the first impedance to a second impedance and to generate an indicator if the first impedance exceeds the second impedance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignees: University of Houston System, The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Harish Krishnamoorthy, Joshua Hawke
  • Patent number: 12168134
    Abstract: A method of locating an implantation site in the brain includes inserting a plurality of multi-contact electrodes into a region of a target structure in an individual's brain. High Frequency Stimulation (HFS) is applied to a contact of a multi-contact electrode of the plurality of multi-contact electrodes. High Frequency Oscillations (HFO) evoked in the region of the target structure by the HFS are measured. Evoked Compound Activity (ECA) evoked in the region of the target structure by the HFS is measured. It is determined if at least one of the HFO and the ECA is above a predetermined threshold. If at least one of the HFO and the ECA is above the predetermined threshold, a location of the contact of the multi-contact electrode is identified as a site for electrode implantation in the individual's brain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM
    Inventors: Nuri F. Ince, Musa Ozturk, Ashwin Viswanathan
  • Patent number: 12168612
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a strategy to synthesize antimony- and zinc-doped tin oxide particles with tunable band gap characteristics. The methods yield stable and monodispersed particles with great control on uniformity of shape and size. The methods produce undoped and antimony and zinc-doped tin oxide stand-alone and core-shell particles, both nanoparticles and microparticles, as well as antimony and zinc-doped tin oxide shells for coating particles, including plasmonic core particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignees: University of Houston System, National Central University
    Inventors: T. Randall Lee, Riddhiman Medhi, Sang Ho Lee, Chien-Hung Li, Allan J. Jacobson, Tai-Chou Lee
  • Publication number: 20240400726
    Abstract: This invention relates to nickel catalysts with alkali ions for homopolymerization and copolymerization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2024
    Publication date: December 5, 2024
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM
    Inventors: Loi H. Do, Thi V. Tran
  • Patent number: 12138347
    Abstract: Nanoparticles and nanonetworks formed of these nanoparticles are provided. Methods for forming such nanoparticles and nanonetworks are also provided, as well as uses of the nanoparticles and/or nanonetworks, including their use for drug delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: University of Houston System
    Inventor: Eva Harth
  • Publication number: 20240352068
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure pertains to one or more novel peptoids, derivatives thereof, multimers thereof, and combinations thereof. The peptoids may be suitable for use in treating or preventing a cancer in a subject, detecting a cancer in a subject, or as research and development tools. Further embodiments pertain to methods of inhibiting the growth of cancer cells by exposing the cancer cells to the peptoids. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of treating or preventing a cancer in a subject by administering the peptoids to the subject. Further embodiments pertain to methods of detecting cancer in a subject by exposing cells susceptible of being cancerous to the peptoids, detecting the presence or absence of vimentin associated with cells susceptible of being cancerous, and correlating the presence or absence of the vimentin to the presence or absence of the cancer in the subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Publication date: October 24, 2024
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM
    Inventors: Damith Gomika UDUGAMASOORIYA, Satya Prakash SHUKLA, Haowen ZHANG
  • Publication number: 20240352422
    Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to compositions suitable for use in differentiating cardiac progenitor cells to cells that resemble cardiac Purkinje cells. Additional embodiments pertain to methods of generating such differentiated cardiac cells by exposing cardiac progenitor cells to the compositions. The present disclosure also pertains to methods of treating or preventing a cardiovascular disease in a subject by administering the compositions or differentiated cardiac cells to the subject. Further embodiments pertain to methods of generating a cardiac tissue by exposing cardiac progenitor cells to a composition of the present disclosure and associating the cardiac progenitor cells with a tissue scaffold. The present disclosure also pertains to the use of the differentiated cardiac progenitor cells to assess the efficacy of one or more compounds in the treatment or prevention of a cardiovascular disease.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2022
    Publication date: October 24, 2024
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM
    Inventors: Bradley K. McConnell, Robert J. Schwartz, Nicole Prodan
  • Patent number: 12117380
    Abstract: Milling with ultraviolet excitation (MUVE) realizes high-throughput multiplex imaging of large three-dimensional samples. The instrumentation may comprise a UV-source attachment, precision stage attachment, and/or a blade assembly, and the instrumentation may overcome several constraints inherent to current state-of-the-art three-dimensional microscopy. MUVE offers throughput that is orders of magnitude faster than other technology by collecting a two-dimensional array of pixels simultaneously. The proposed instrumentation also utilizes serial ablation and provides the opportunity for true whole-organ imaging at microscopic resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: University of Houston System
    Inventors: David Mayerich, Jason Eriksen
  • Publication number: 20240336477
    Abstract: A hydrogen storage device comprising (i) hydrogen gas and (ii) a host framework material. A hydrogen discharge device comprising (i) hydrogen gas and (ii) a host framework material. A method of storing hydrogen comprising introducing hydrogen gas to a host framework material comprising a zeolite, carbon, silica, nickel foam, carbon nanosponge (CNS), a graphene aerogel or a combination thereof under conditions suitable for the formation of hydrogen gas hydrates. A battery comprising a host framework material comprising hydrogen gas hydrates wherein the host framework material comprises a zeolite, carbon, silica, nickel foam, carbon nanosponge (CNS), a graphene aerogel or a combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2022
    Publication date: October 10, 2024
    Applicant: University of Houston System
    Inventor: Hadi Ghasemi
  • Publication number: 20240327403
    Abstract: Identified compounds demonstrate protein kinase inhibitory activity. More specifically, the compounds are demonstrated to inhibit receptor interacting kinase 2 (RIPK2) and/or Activin-like kinase 2 (ALK2). Compounds that are either dual RIPK2/ALK2 inhibitors or that preferentially inhibit RIPK2 or ALK2 could provide therapeutic benefit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2024
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Applicants: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM, TRUSTEES OF TUFTS COLLEGE
    Inventors: Gregory Cuny, Sameer Nikhar, Alexei Degterev