Patents Assigned to University of Alberta
  • Publication number: 20140235884
    Abstract: The present application includes a method of preparing silicon nanocrystals (Si-NCs) comprising combining silica particles with magnesium and heating said combination under conditions to form Si-NCs, wherein the silica particles are obtained using sol gel chemistry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: THE GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
    Inventors: Jonathan G.C. Veinot, Mita Dasog
  • Publication number: 20140231379
    Abstract: A nanotip, is fabricated by modifying a precursor nanotip having an apex and a shank by applying an electric field in the presence of a reactive gas to perform field-assisted etching wherein atoms are preferentially removed from the shank by chemical interaction with the reactive gas, and controlling the reactive gas pressure and/or tip voltage to vary the electric field so as to promote field evaporation of apex atoms during fabrication of the nanotip and thereby control the overall profile of the resulting nano-tip. The method permits shaping of the overall tip profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicants: NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL OF CANADA, THE GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
    Inventors: Jason L. Pitters, Radovan Urban, Robert A. Wolkow
  • Publication number: 20140220340
    Abstract: A new set of branched nanowire or nanotree structures and their fabrication process. Some structures have one or more of the following distinctions from other branched nanowires: (1) the trunk and branch diameter and branching number density can be changed along the trunk's length; (2) the branch's azimuthal direction can be controlled along the trunk's length; (3) the branch's diameter can be modulated along its length; (4) the crystal orientation and branches of the ensemble of nanowires can be aligned on a non-epitaxially matched substrate. The structures are made by a geometrically controlled kinetic growth method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: The Governors of the University of Alberta
    Inventors: Ryan Thomas Tucker, Allan Leo Beaudry, Joshua Michael LaForge, Michael Thomas Taschuk, Michael Julian Brett
  • Publication number: 20140221296
    Abstract: The invention is directed to methods for extracting phosvitin from egg yolk involving contacting the egg yolk or egg yolk protein granules with a solution having a salt concentration of about 10% to form a mixture; optionally, heating the mixture; adjusting the pH of the mixture to separate phosvitin from other proteins; recovering the phosvitin. The phosvitin extract may be dephosphorylated and hydrolyzed to produce phosvitin phosphopeptides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: THE GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
    Inventors: Jianping Wu, Bo Lei, Jiandong Ren
  • Patent number: 8795691
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to implants and the modification of the surface of implants using amino acid or polypeptide functionalized rosette nanotubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignees: Brown University, National Research Council of Canada, The Governors of the University of Alberta
    Inventors: Thomas J. Webster, Hicham Fenniri, Usha Devi Hemraz
  • Patent number: 8772235
    Abstract: Described herein are compositions having a peptide sequence that includes at least one bone targeting moiety, wherein the bone targeting moiety is bonded to the peptide sequence by a linker, wherein the peptide sequence is calcitonin, and wherein the composition is neutral or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof. In one aspect, calcitonin inhibits or slows osteoclast mediated resorptive bone loss. The compounds described herein can be used in a number of therapeutic applications including treating or preventing conditions associated with bone loss, which include, but are not limited to, osteoporosis, Paget's disease, osteolytic tumors, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Osteoarthritis, osteopenia, and hypercalcemia. Also described herein are the methods of making these compositions that prevent or treat conditions associated with bone loss and methods of preventing bone fractures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: The Governors of the University of Alberta
    Inventors: Michael R. Doschak, Krishna Hari Bhandari
  • Publication number: 20140179954
    Abstract: Phosphoranimide-metal catalysts and their role in C—O bond hydrogenolysis and hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) are disclosed. The catalysts comprise of first row transition metals such as nickel, cobalt and iron. The catalysts have a metal to anionic phosphoranimide ratio of 1:1 and catalyze C—O bond hydrogenolyses of a range of oxygen-containing organic compounds under lower temperature and pressure conditions than those commonly used in industrial hydrodeoxygenation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
    Inventors: Jeffrey Camacho Bunquin, Jeffrey Mark Stryker
  • Publication number: 20140179943
    Abstract: Phosphoranimide-metal catalysts are disclosed. The catalysts comprise first row transition metals such as nickel, cobalt or iron. The hydrocarbon-soluble catalysts have a metal to anionic phosphoranimide ratio of 1:1, have no inactive bulk phase and no dative ancillary ligands, and are active for a range of commercially important reductive transformations. A method of synthesis of these catalysts by reduction of a precursor of these catalysts is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
    Inventor: GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
  • Publication number: 20140179946
    Abstract: Phosphoranimide-metal catalysts and their role in hydrogenation and hydrosilylation are disclosed. The catalysts comprise first row transition metals such as nickel, cobalt or iron. The catalysts have a metal to anionic phosphoranimide ratio of 1:1. This disclosure presents a process for catalytic hydrogenation and hydrosilylation of a range of unsaturated organic compounds under lower temperature and pressure conditions than conditions associated with industrial hydrogenation and hydrosilylation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
    Inventors: Jeffrey Camacho BUNQUIN, Jeffrey Mark STRYKER
  • Patent number: 8758988
    Abstract: The invention relates generally to methods and compositions for the cryopreservation and/or vitrification of tissue including articular cartilage and the preparation of said tissue for clinical or research use, including but not limited to joint replacement and the treatment and prevention of osteoarthritis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: The Governors of the University of Alberta
    Inventors: Nadr Mohamed Jomha, Locksley Earl McGann, Janet Anne Wade Elliott, Garson Law, Fraser Forbes, Alireza Abazari Torgabeh, Babak Maghdoori, Andrew Weiss
  • Publication number: 20140170150
    Abstract: An isolated or purified compound is provided, comprising A-GlcNAc[GlcNAc]-GalNAc-GalNAc-QuiNAc4NAc, wherein A is GlcNAc or Glc. There is further provided a vaccine based on such compound, having particular use to treat or prevent an infection caused by a Campylobacter organism. There is also provided an antibody or antisera against the compound, having particular use to diagnose the presence of an infection caused by a Campylobacter organism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: The Governors of the University of Alberta
    Inventors: Christine SZYMANSKI, Harald NOTHAFT
  • Publication number: 20140163225
    Abstract: There is provided a process for the reduction of one or more amide moieties in a compound comprising contacting the compound with hydrogen gas and a transition metal catalyst in the presence or absence of a base under conditions for the reduction an amide bond. The presently described processes can be performed at low catalyst loading using relatively mild temperature and pressures, and optionally, in the presence or absence of a base or high catalyst loadings using low temperatures and pressures and high loadings of base to effect dynamic kinetic resolution of achiral amides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: THE GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
    Inventors: Steven Bergens, Jeremy M. John
  • Publication number: 20140154516
    Abstract: The invention is directed to adhesives derived from animal or plant proteins, particularly canola and spent hen proteins. The adhesives are prepared by extracting the proteins by pH shifting; and either treating the extracted proteins with urea or sodium dodecyl sulfate, or polymerizing the proteins to form a protein-polymer conjugate. The invention is also directed to a wood based product comprising pieces of wood based material joined or consolidated with the adhesives.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: THE GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
    Inventors: Jianping Wu, Chanchan Wang
  • Patent number: 8745115
    Abstract: There is described a pixel sensor converter for an image sensor array. In particular, a pixel sensor converter comprising: a delta-sigma converter comprising a modulator and a decimator. In some examples, the modulator is configured to be in communication with a detector, such as a photo-detector, and is configured to sample an analogue signal received from a detector at a particular sampling rate. The modulator is further configured to provide a bit stream of a particular bit rate. The provided bit stream corresponds to a sampled analogue signal. The decimator is in communication with the modulator, and is configured to receive and modify a bit stream provided from the modulator in order to provide a digital output signal. The provided digital output signal is representative of an analogue signal received at the modulator, but having a reduced bit rate than a corresponding bit stream provided by the modulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: The Governors of the University of Alberta
    Inventors: Dileepan Joseph, Alireza Mahmoodi
  • Publication number: 20140148356
    Abstract: A method for single-cycle selection of aptamers is provided. More specifically, a method comprising single-cycle selection of aptamers for proteins blotted on a membrane is provided. In some embodiments, the present methods can comprise a deoxyribonuclease I (DNase I) mediated aptamers selection strategy that may be capable of isolating strong binding aptamers for target proteins from a crude protein extract. Aptamers selected using the present method are further provided. More specifically, the presently selected aptamers may be thermally stable, modifiable and easily produced through single-cycle synthesis process. The present aptamers may provide unique affinity reagents for use in diagnosing and detecting infectious disease (for example Hepatitis B), for research and biochemical studies (e.g. into molecular mechanisms). Further, the present aptamers may be utilized to develop unique assays or kits for clinical application, such as monitoring disease treatment and outcome.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: The Governors of the University of Alberta
    Inventors: Xing-Fang Li, X. Chris Le, Yanming Liu
  • Patent number: 8722041
    Abstract: This invention provides monoclonal antibodies that recognize hENT1. The invention further provides methods of using such monoclonal antibodies as a therapeutic, diagnostic, and/or prophylactic in disorders associated with aberrant hENT1 expression and/or activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Governors of the University of Alberta
    Inventors: Marit L. Sandvold, Finn Myhren, Carol E. Cass, James D. Young
  • Publication number: 20140117809
    Abstract: Novel CMUT architectures are provided permitting independent addressability of both top and bottom CMUT electrodes. CMUT top electrodes are connected in strips along the x-direction, while CMUT bottom electrodes are connected in strips along the y-direction. In an embodiment, 3D imaging can be performed with an N×N 2D array using only N transmit channels and N receive channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: The Governors of the University of Alberta
    Inventor: Roger Zemp
  • Patent number: 8679509
    Abstract: The disclosure provides mutant ribonucleotide reductase strains of poxviruses including for example vaccinia viruses. The disclosure also provides methods and for the use of these mutant ribonucleotide reductase strains of vaccinia viruses in oncolytic virotherapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: The Governors of the University of Alberta
    Inventors: David H. Evans, Don B. Gammon
  • Publication number: 20140077662
    Abstract: This disclosure presents an advanced design of an energy harvester that utilizes a piezoelectric element to convert vibration to electricity. The advanced design is based on a fixed-fixed folded beam. An aqua regia wet etching and PZT sol-gel deposition/patterning processes can be used to manufacture the energy harvester.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: The Governors of the University of Alberta
    Inventors: Jonathan Sierzant Lueke, Walied Ahmed Mohamed Moussa
  • Publication number: 20140060383
    Abstract: The invention is directed to thermoplastics derived from feathers. The thermoplastics are prepared by blending whole feathers or portions thereof with a plasticizer in an amount ranging from about 20 wt to about 40 wt % and a reducing agent in an amount ranging from about 1 wt % to about 5 wt % to form a mixture; and either extruding the mixture to form an article, or pressing the mixture into a film at an elevated temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: THE GOVERNORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
    Inventors: Jianping WU, Aman ULLAH, David BRESSLER