Patents Assigned to The University of Memphis
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Patent number: 9566576Abstract: The invention relates to novel metal complexes useful as catalysts in redox reactions (such as, hydrogen (H2) production). In particular, the invention provides novel transition metal (e.g., cobalt (Co) or nickel (Ni)) complexes, in which the transition metal is coupled with N,N-Bis(2-pyridinylmethyl)-2,2?-Bipyridine-6-methanamine (DPA-Bpy), 6?-((bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amino)methyl)-N,N-dimethyl-2,2?-bipyridin-6-amine (DPA-ABpy), N,N-bis((isoquinolin-1-yl)methyl)(6-(pyridin-2-yl)pyridin-2-yl)methanamine (DIQ-Bpy), or a derivative thereof. The invention also relates to a method of producing H2 from an aqueous solution by using the metal complex as a catalyst. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a metal complex of the formulae as described herein.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2014Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: The University of Memphis Research FoundationInventors: Xuan Zhao, Charles E. Webster
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Patent number: 9557413Abstract: A system for detecting object movement including a sensory network having at least one sensory device using modulated radar for detecting an object in proximity to the sensory network. The sensory network including a wireless transmission system and a base station having a computer processing system located remote from the sensory network and including a wireless transmission system to communicate with the sensory network. The base station having a computer readable program code for causing the computer processing system to analyze data received from the sensory network to determine motion characteristics of the object in proximity to the sensory network.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2012Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: The University of Memphis Research FoundationInventors: Robert Kozma, Lan Wang, Khan M. Iftekharuddin, Ross Deming, Orges Furxhi, Sergi Consul
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Patent number: 9297693Abstract: The invention provides a spatially-selective reflective structure for the detection of submillimeter electromagnetic waves and systems and methods incorporating spatially-selective reflective structures. One aspect of the invention provides a spatially-selective reflective structure including a partially-conducting slab and a modulating reflector disk adjacent to the partially-conducting slab. The modulating reflector disk includes a plurality of modulations. Another aspect of the invention provides a submillimeter imaging device including submillimeter wave optics, a spatially-selective reflective structure located in the focal plane of the submillimeter wave optics, a submillimeter wave receiver positioned to capture waves reflected from the spatially-selective reflective structure, and a motor configured to rotate the spatially-selective reflective structure.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2013Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: The University of Memphis Research FoundationInventors: Orges Furxhi, Eddie L. Jacobs, Thomas Layton
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Patent number: 9183927Abstract: Various aspects of the invention provide memory devices, methods of storing and reading data, and silver/molecular-layer/metal (SMM) junctions. One aspect of the invention provides a memory device including a plurality of SMM junctions and an electrical structure configured to permit application of electricity across one or more of the plurality of SMM junctions. Another aspect of the invention provides a method of storing data on a memory device including a plurality of SMM junctions. The method includes applying electrical energy across a subset of the SMM junctions to switch the junction to a more conductive state. Another aspect of the invention provides an SMM junction including a silver layer, a copper layer, and a molecular layer positioned between the silver layer and the copper layer.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2010Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: The University of Memphis Research FoundationInventor: Lam H. Yu
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Patent number: 9158841Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a method of evaluating semantic differences between a first item in a first semantic space and a second item in a second semantic space. The method includes: calculating a first ordered list of N nearest neighbors of the first item within the first semantic space; calculating a second ordered list of N nearest neighbors of the second item within the second semantic space; and computing a plurality of similarity measures between the first n nearest neighbors of the first item and the first n nearest neighbors of the second item, wherein n and N are positive integers and 1?n?N.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2012Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: The University of Memphis Research FoundationInventors: Xiangen Hu, Zhiqiang Cai, Arthur C. Graesser, Scotty Craig
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Patent number: 8780345Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a spatially-selective disk including a plurality of holes arranged such that a matrix having a plurality of rows, each row having elements corresponding to a fraction of a pixel in a viewing window projected onto the disk that is backed by a hole at a distinct rotational position of the disk, has linearly independent rows. Another aspect of the invention provides a spectrometry device including: a disk having one or more holes; a motor configured to rotate the disk; one or more beam-shaping optics arranged to map one or more spectral components of radiation of interest onto a plurality of locations on the disk; and a receiver positioned to capture the one or more spectral components passing through the one or more holes as the disk is rotated.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2012Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: The University of Memphis Research FoundationInventors: Orges Furxhi, Eddie L. Jacobs
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Publication number: 20130321642Abstract: The invention provides a spatially-selective reflective structure for the detection of submillimeter electromagnetic waves and systems and methods incorporating spatially-selective reflective structures. One aspect of the invention provides a spatially-selective reflective structure including a partially-conducting slab and a modulating reflector disk adjacent to the partially-conducting slab. The modulating reflector disk includes a plurality of modulations. Another aspect of the invention provides a submillimeter imaging device including submillimeter wave optics, a spatially-selective reflective structure located in the focal plane of the submillimeter wave optics, a submillimeter wave receiver positioned to capture waves reflected from the spatially-selective reflective structure, and a motor configured to rotate the spatially-selective reflective structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2013Publication date: December 5, 2013Applicant: The University of Memphis Research FoundationInventors: Orges Furxhi, Eddie L. Jacobs, Thomas Layton
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Publication number: 20130241765Abstract: A system for detecting object movement including a sensory network having at least one sensory device using modulated radar for detecting an object in proximity to the sensory network. The sensory network including a wireless transmission system and a base station having a computer processing system located remote from the sensory network and including a wireless transmission system to communicate with the sensory network. The base station having a computer readable program code for causing the computer processing system to analyze data received from the sensory network to determine motion characteristics of the object in proximity to the sensory network.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 26, 2012Publication date: September 19, 2013Applicant: The University of MemphisInventors: Robert Kozma, Lan Wang, Khan M. Iftekharuddin, Ross Deming, Orges Furxhi, Sergi Consul
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Patent number: 8508592Abstract: The invention provides a spatially-selective reflective structure for the detection of submillimeter electromagnetic waves and systems and methods incorporating spatially-selective reflective structures. One aspect of the invention provides a spatially-selective reflective structure including a partially-conducting slab and a modulating reflector disk adjacent to the partially-conducting slab. The modulating reflector disk includes a plurality of modulations. Another aspect of the invention provides a submillimeter imaging device including submillimeter wave optics, a spatially-selective reflective structure located in the focal plane of the submillimeter wave optics, a submillimeter wave receiver positioned to capture waves reflected from the spatially-selective reflective structure, and a motor configured to rotate the spatially-selective reflective structure.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2010Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: The University of Memphis Research FoundationInventors: Orges Furxhi, Eddie L. Jacobs, Thomas Layton
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Patent number: 8404256Abstract: This invention relates to a process to facilitate osteochondral bone remodeling in a subject by inducing regeneration of this bone to a healthy, vascularized state capable of supporting the underlying hyaline cartilage of articular joints and spinal discs, both biomechanically and metabolically and to deliver a bioactive agent. This process involves the steps of: administering an effective amount of an injectable in situ curing biomaterial composite to a site. The biomaterial composite product is prepared by a process involving the steps: admixing an alginate solution with a nonporous aggregate of ?-tricalcium phosphate, in a sufficient amount to initiate polymerization of the alginate solution, to form a hydrogel having from between 10 to 20 percent by volume of ?-tricalcium phosphate.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2012Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: The University of Memphis Research FoundationInventors: Jonathan Dempsey McCanless, Warren Ollver Haggard
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Patent number: 8195580Abstract: Methods, computer-readable media, and systems are provided for the detection of propagating phase gradients using model field theory of non-Gaussian mixtures. One embodiment of the invention is directed to a method for identifying phase cones in a data set. The method includes generating an initial set of values of parameters (?A,?A,tA) for a preset number of cones, initializing a covariance matrix with high values, evaluating the ratio of volume of a phase cone over total observed space-time volume, comparing the data set with a model, estimating a class probability density function, and generating a revised set of values of parameters (?A,?A,tA).Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2008Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignees: The University of Memphis Research Foundation, The United States of America, as Represented by the Secretary of the Air ForceInventors: Robert Kozma, Leonid Perlovsky
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Patent number: 8076652Abstract: Post-column reaction-ion chromatography (PCR-IC) analysis of drinking water samples for quantity measurements and species identification of haloacetic acid contaminants therein is provided. With the necessity to chlorinate drinking water to remove harmful bacteria and other potential toxins, haloacetic acid byproducts are generated that may harm humans after consumption as well. A reliable manner of measuring such drinking water supplies for haloacetic acids at locations far from the source and closer to dispensers is highly desirable. The PCR-IC analysis method of the invention has been found to be nearly as reliable as source measuring methods for the same purpose, but with the versatility to measure for such haloacetic acid contaminants anywhere along the drinking water supply line.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2008Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: The University of Memphis Research FoundationInventors: Gary Lynn Emmert, Paul Steven Simone, Jr.
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Patent number: 8022239Abstract: A novel class of compounds to inactivate autotaxin enzymes is provided. Such compounds include mono- and di-fluoromethylphenyl C12-C18 phosphodiesters and exhibit reactivity with autotaxin to ultimately reduce the size of the reactive sites thereon to prevent conversion of lysophosphatidyl choline to lysophophatidic acid. Furthermore, such compounds are non-cytotoxic, and can be incorporated within delivery forms for human ingestion. As such, these compounds accord an excellent manner of potentially reducing generation of certain cancers attributable to the presence of naturally occurring autotaxin within the human body. Methods of producing such novel compounds are encompassed within this invention as well as methods of inactivating autotaxin to certain degrees therewith.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2009Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: The University of Memphis Research FoundationInventors: Abby Louise Parrill-Baker, Daniel Lee Baker, Louis Edward Montedonico
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Patent number: 7829155Abstract: The present invention provides a new monomer and methods of using the monomer to fabricate robust polymer surface coatings with controlled thicknesses between 1 and 5 nanometers. The coatings are composed of a new material containing polymerized monomers of 4-vinylbenzenepropanethiol. The polymer surface coating may be applied to metal and silicon. The method includes exposing a metal substrate to a solution of the monomer in hexanes in order to deposit a monolayer of the monomer onto the metal surface. The substrate is then irradiated with ultraviolet radiation in order to graft a thin polymer coating onto the surface. The procedure can be repeated in order to control the thickness of the coating between about 1 nm and 5 nm. Alternatively, thermally initiated polymerization or deposition of partially oligomerized monomers onto the surface provides nanothin coatings with identical performance.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2007Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: The University of Memphis Research FoundationInventors: Evgueni Pinkhassik, Larry Todd Banner, Benjamin T. Clayton
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Patent number: 5942255Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of enhancing lean tissue mass in a subject by administering calcium to the subject, thereby enhancing the lean tissue mass in the subject. The invention is also directed to a method of enhancing bone mineral content in a physically active subject comprising administering calcium to the subject, thereby enhancing the bone mineral content in the subject. The invention is also directed to a method of enhancing bone mineral content and of enhancing lean tissue mass in a subject comprising administering calcium to the subject, thereby enhancing the bone mineral content and enhancing the lean tissue mass in the subject. The invention is further directed to a milk-free composition for enhancing bone mineral content and/or for enhancing lean tissue mass in a physically active subject, comprising an effective amount of calcium.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 1996Date of Patent: August 24, 1999Assignee: The University of MemphisInventor: Robert C. Klesges
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Patent number: 5601534Abstract: The present invention provides a disposable hypodermic syringe which has an elongate, rigid, hollow chamber with a longitudinal axis, a posterior opening and an anterior opening smaller than the posterior opening. The syringe also has a hollow needle axially disposed within the anterior opening. The first end of the needle is outside the chamber in fluid communication with an opposed second end. The second end of the needle is disposed within the chamber and in fluid communication therewith. The syringe also includes an axially slidable plunger in a fluid-tight seal within the chamber for drawing a fluid into the chamber through the first end of the needle and for expelling the fluid from the chamber through the second end of the needle. The plunger has a anterior end and a posterior end and comprises a grip for the user which extends out of the posterior opening of the chamber and a sloped surface for deflecting the second end of the needle during operation of the syringe.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: February 11, 1997Assignee: The University of MemphisInventor: Raymond A. Turner