Patents Assigned to The University of Wyoming
  • proteins and methods of use thereof
    Patent number: 9180170
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for the diagnosis and prevention of B. abortus infection are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: University of Wyoming
    Inventors: Gerard P. Andrews, John E. Lowry
  • Compact catalytic membrane reactor for chemical process intensification
    Patent number: 9138718
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to an apparatus for simultaneous generation and separation processes. The apparatus provides a membrane module including a substrate, a catalytic layer and a membrane layer. The catalytic layer includes nano-sized particles. As a result, the apparatus can operate in sulfur-free and sulfur-laden feed gas environment for water gas shift (WGS) reactions while maintaining high reaction conversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: University of Wyoming
    Inventors: Dongmei Li, Shuai Tan
  • Continuous Destabilization of Emulsions
    Publication number: 20150225655
    Abstract: The inventive technology, in at least one embodiment, may be described as a method of destabilizing an aqueous hydrocarbon emulsion comprising the steps of: effecting contact between a sorbent and said aqueous hydrocarbon emulsion; effecting relative motion between said sorbent and said aqueous hydrocarbon emulsion; and destabilizing (perhaps in continuous fashion) the aqueous hydrocarbon emulsion. Applications include but are not limited to oil spill clean up, manufacturing of emulsions, oil refinery and production operations (anywhere along the production chain).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Applicant: The University of Wyoming Research Corpoation d/b/a Western Research Institute
    Inventors: Jeramie J. Adams, Jean-Pascal Planche, Joseph F. Rovani, John F. Schabron
  • Methods for Changing Stability of Water and Oil Emulsions
    Publication number: 20150218461
    Abstract: At least one embodiment of the inventive technology may involve the intentional changing of the stability of an emulsion from a first stability to a more desired, second stability upon the addition of a more aromatic asphaltene subfraction (perhaps even a most aromatic asphaltene subfraction), or a less aromatic asphaltene subfraction (perhaps even a least aromatic asphaltene subfraction) to a emulsion hydrocarbon of an oil emulsion, thereby increasing emulsion stability or decreasing emulsion stability, respectively. Precipitation and redissolution or sorbent-based techniques may be used to isolate a selected asphaltene subfraction before its addition to an emulsion hydrocarbon when that hydrocarbon is part of an emulsion or an ingredient of a yet-to-be-formed emulsion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Applicant: The University of Wyoming Research Corporation d/b/a Western Research Institute
    Inventors: John F. Schabron, Jeramie J. Adams, Joseph F. Rovani, JR., Jean-Pascal Planche
  • Lyophilization of colloidal metals for surface enhanced raman scattering
    Patent number: 9097675
    Abstract: An assay and method of making same for use in SERS spectroscopy. The assay includes colloidal particles of a metal, which have been lyophilized. The lyophilized particles of metal produce a SERS active solution when reconstituted. The lyophilized particles of metal may be provided in a container in an assay system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: University of Wyoming
    Inventors: Keith T. Carron, Bryan Hubert Ray, Roberta A. Sulk
  • Prismatic/revolute orienting apparatus
    Patent number: 9061415
    Abstract: A two degree-of-freedom parallel device for orienting or pointing an end effector with vibration suppression is described. The two end effector degrees-of-freedom are decoupled by connecting fast actuators to the effector by passive joints. The stiffness of the linkages and the high speed of the revolute and prismatic actuators employed permit the application of large feedback useful for disturbance rejection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING
    Inventors: John E. McInroy, John F. O'Brien
  • Methods for natural product optimization
    Patent number: 9057089
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for natural product optimization are provided. In particular, methods and compositions for selecting bacterial strains (e.g., predatory bacteria such as myxobacteria) which produce a desired compound (e.g., antibiotic, antifungal, or anticancer agent) are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: THE UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING
    Inventor: Daniel Wall
  • METHOD FOR ENHANCED FERMENTATION THROUGH THE DESTRUCTION OF MITOCHONDRIAL DNA IN YEAST
    Publication number: 20150152423
    Abstract: Methods for enhanced yeast fermentation of plant material through the genetic modification of yeast comprising stably integrating into a yeast an inducible promoter operably linked to a mitochondrial targeting signal as well as at least one restriction enzyme and inducing the expression of the at least one restriction enzyme, wherein the restriction enzyme targets and destroys the mitochondrial DNA of the yeast. DNA constructs comprising at least an inducible promoter operably linked to a mitochondrial targeting signal as well as at least one restriction enzyme for induced expression of at least one restriction enzyme for destruction of mitochondrial DNA as well as transgenic yeast expressing a DNA construct for destruction of mitochondrial DNA and enhanced fermentation, are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING
    Inventors: Peter E. Thorsness, Elizabeth A. Hiatt
  • Insect cell line for production of recombinant glycoproteins with sulfated complex N-glycans
    Patent number: 9045778
    Abstract: A transgenic insect cell line for production of recombinant glycoproteins possessing sulfated, complex N-glycans is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: The University of Wyoming
    Inventor: Donald L. Jarvis
  • Hydrocarbonaceous material upgrading method
    Patent number: 9045699
    Abstract: A hydrocarbonaceous material upgrading method may involve a novel combination of heating, vaporizing and chemically reacting hydrocarbonaceous feedstock that is substantially unpumpable at pipeline conditions, and condensation of vapors yielded thereby, in order to upgrade that feedstock to a hydrocarbonaceous material condensate that meets crude oil pipeline specification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: The University of Wyoming Research Corporation
    Inventors: Charles G. Mones, Frank D. Guffey, Phyllis J. Brecher
  • Production of spider silk protein in corn
    Patent number: 8993844
    Abstract: Methods for the production of synthetic spider silk-like proteins in corn endosperm or plant shoot tissue are provided. The present invention provides further methods for the identification of synthetic spider silk-like proteins in corn endosperm or plant shoot tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: University of Wyoming
    Inventors: Anne W. Sylvester, Randolph V. Lewis, David Jackson
  • Process and catalyst for production of mixed alcohols from synthesis gas
    Patent number: 8969236
    Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the process involves a generate a catalyst that comprises molybdenum carbide nickel material. Steps may involve heating a surface that comprises molybdenum oxide and a nickel salt while passing thereover a gaseous mixture that comprises a reductant and a carburizer. In certain embodiments, the reductant and the carburizer may both be carbon monoxide, or both be a saturated hydrocarbon. In others, the reductant may be carbon monoxide and the carburizer may be a saturated hydrocarbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: University of Wyoming Research Corporation
    Inventors: Vijay K. Sethi, Yulong Zhang
  • SURFACE ENHANCED RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY
    Publication number: 20150038347
    Abstract: Rapid surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) assays for ultratrace pathogen detection are provided. One-particle and two-particle sensor assays (e.g., biosensor assays) are provided. In one implementation, for example, an assay forms and concentrates a DNA hybridization complex incorporating paramagnetic particles and Raman active noble metal (e.g., gold, silver and/or copper) nanoparticles (two-particle sensor) or noble metal coated paramagnetic particles that provide both a SERS substrate and magnetic capture ability in a single sensor particle via a noble metal-coated paramagnetic particle, such as a gold-coated paramagnetic particle (one-particle sensor).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: The University of Wyoming,an institution of higher of the State of Wyoming
    Inventors: Patrick A. Johnson, Hao Zhang, Mark Harpster
  • Nanoparticles for cytoplasmic drug delivery to cancer cells
    Patent number: 8945629
    Abstract: The invention is a nanoparticle that contains an anticancer drug that is released in cancer cells when administered to a subject. The nanoparticles have a core including the anticancer drug and polymer chains that are soluble at the pH of the cancer cell. The core is surrounded by a layer of polymer chains that are insoluble at the pH of healthy tissue but soluble at the pH of the cancer interstitium. An outside layer is made of water-soluble polymer chains to shield the nanoparticle from RES recognition and give the nanoparticle a long circulation time in the bloodstream of the subject. The outside layer may also include folic acid moieties that bind folic acid receptors on the surface of the cancer cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: University of Wyoming
    Inventors: Maciej Radosz, Peisheng Xu, Youqing Shen
  • NEAR-INFRARED LIGHT-ACTIVATED PROTEINS
    Publication number: 20150013024
    Abstract: Methods and constructs are provided for controlling processes in live animals, plants or microbes via genetically engineered near-infrared light-activated or light-inactivated proteins including chimeras including the photosensory modules of bacteriohytochromes and output modules that possess enzymatic activity and/or ability to bind to DNA, RNA, protein, or small molecules. DNA encoding these proteins are introduced as genes into live animals, plants or microbes, where their activities can be turned on by near-infrared light, controlled by the intensity of light, and turned off by near-infrared light of a different wavelength than the activating light. These proteins can regulate diverse cellular processes with high spatial and temporal precision, in a nontoxic manner, often using external light sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING
    Inventors: Mark Gomelsky, Min-Hyung Ryu
  • Temperature control transport system
    Patent number: 8904810
    Abstract: Embodiments of the inventive technology may involve the use of layered, insulated PCM assemblage that itself comprises: modular insulating foam material 8 that, upon establishment as part of the assemblage, defines inner foam material sides 9 and outer foam material sides 10; thin reflective material 11 established against (whether directly in contact with or not) at least either the inner foam material sides or the outer foam materials sides, and modular, enclosed PCM sections 12 established between the modular insulating foam material and the interior center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: University of Wyoming Research Corporation
    Inventors: John F. Schabron, Greg Wong
  • Brominated poly (2,6-diphenyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) and its nanocomposites as membranes for COseparation
    Patent number: 8901031
    Abstract: Novel brominated poly(2,6-diphenyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) compounds are synthesized and found to have improved carbon dioxide separation properties, including improved carbon dioxide permeability and improved carbon dioxide/nitrogen selectivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: University of Wyoming
    Inventors: Maciej Radosz, Youqing Shen
  • Surrogate markers for viral infections and other inflammatory responses
    Patent number: 8889845
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for the detection, diagnosis and treatment of BVDV and other viruses are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: University of Wyoming
    Inventors: Thomas R. Hansen, Kathleen J. Austin, Alberto van Olphen, Lea A. Rempel
  • ENHANCED YEAST FERMENTATION PLATFORM USING YEAST LACKING MITOCHONDRIAL DNA AND CONTAINING GROWTH IMPROVING MUTATIONS
    Publication number: 20140302577
    Abstract: Methods for enhanced yeast fermentation of plant material through the genetic modification of non-respiring yeast are provided including the introduction of a dominant mitochondrial ATP synthase gene mutation into a non-respiring yeast that entirely lacks mitochondrial DNA and transgenic yeast for the enhanced yeast fermentation of plant material lacking mitochondrial DNA while having a dominant mitochondrial ATP synthase gene mutation in the nuclear genome. Methods further include the introduction of a mitochondrial genome into a non-respiring yeast lacking the COX1, COX2, COX3, or COB gene as well as transgenic yeast having a mitochondrial genome lacking the COX1, COX2, COX3, or COB gene. Additional methods include the creation of a disrupted copy of the CAT5 nuclear gene in a non-respiring yeast as well as transgenic yeast having a disrupted copy of the CAT5 nuclear gene are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING
    Inventors: Peter E. Thorsness, Christopher P. Smith
  • Lepidopteran insect N-acetylglucosaminidase genes and their use in glycoengineering
    Patent number: 8846886
    Abstract: A transgenic insect cell line for production of elevated levels of recombinant glycoproteins comprising mammalian-like N-glycans is provided. Also disclosed are nucleic acid sequences encoding ?-N-acetylglucosaminidases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: University of Wyoming
    Inventors: Donald L. Jarvis, Christoph Geisler