Abstract: Implantable devices for adhering eukaryotic cells and devices providing a substrate for eukaryotic cell growth and/or differentiation in vitro are described. Each device comprises a scaffold that is coated with a protein comprising an adhesive polypeptide that has at least 90% sequence identity to a specific peptide sequence within domain IV of perlecan. The devices adhere epithelial cells, epithelial stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells, and osteoblasts.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 5, 2009
Date of Patent:
March 1, 2011
Assignee:
University of Delaware
Inventors:
Mary C. Farach-Carson, Daniel D. Carson, Jeffrey B. Safran
Abstract: Methods and apparatus for vacuum infusing resin into a fabric preform within a mold. The methods comprise increasing permeability in a selected region, such as by deploying a VIPR chamber in a location corresponding to the resin injection port corresponding to the resin flow front furthest from the mold vent or a location identified by predictive modeling as best to achieve a desired flow front geometry. Suitable apparatus comprise a VIPR chamber, an image detector for detecting resin flow fronts, a processor programmed to identify a desired location to deploy the VIPR chamber, and an automatic positioner for moving the VIPR chamber to the identified location.
Type:
Application
Filed:
August 18, 2010
Publication date:
February 24, 2011
Applicant:
University of Delaware
Inventors:
Justin B. Alms, James L. Glancey, Suresh G. Advani
Abstract: A method and article of manufacture for three-dimensional structures having micron dimensions includes coating a substrate with layers of photo resist. Each layer of photo resist is exposed with its own two-dimensional mask defining one slice of an object. Subsequent layers of photo resist are exposed with different patterns. Once all layers have been fabricated and exposed to identify two-dimensional features for the layer, the multiple layers are developed to removed photo resist which has not been exposed. The layered structure represents a three-dimensional object where the depth dimension is defined by the photo resist layer thickness. By decreasing the wavelength of the light exposure, it is possible to confine exposure to a single layer of photo resist.
Abstract: The present invention provides novel hydrogels and methods of making and using such hydrogels. The present invention provides hydrogels that may be formed by the self-assembly of peptides in solution. Such self-assembly may be brought about by a change in one or more characteristics of the solution. Characteristics of the solution that may be changed include pH, ionic strength, temperature, and concentration of one or more specific ions. In addition, hydrogels of the invention may be disassembled by changing one or more characteristic of the hydrogel such as pH, ionic strength, temperature, and concentration of one or more specific ions.
Abstract: A supercapacitor comprising a cathode, an anode, a first single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) film electrode adjacent the cathode, a second SWNT film electrode adjacent the anode, and separator disposed between the first and second electrodes. The SWNT film electrodes may be manufactured by a non-filtration process comprising depositing the SWNT film on a foil via CVD; separating the SWNT film from the foil; heating the SWNT film; treating the SWNT film with an acid solution; washing the SWNT film; and excising the electrodes from the SWNT film.
Abstract: An ankle-foot orthosis comprising a leg member 12; a foot member 14; a frame 16 connecting the leg member to the foot member, wherein the frame comprises a first revolute joint 18 that rotates about a first axis 20 and a second revolute joint 22 that rotates about a second axis 24, wherein the first and second axes are non-parallel. The frame can further comprise a foot member segment 30 secured to the foot member 14 and extending to the second revolute joint 22. The orthosis can comprise a first force-torque sensor 36 located on the leg member, a second force-torque sensor 38 located on the foot member, and an encoder positioned on one of the revolute joints. The invention includes a method of measuring ankle-foot-related forces comprising positioning a subject's leg and foot in an ankle-foot orthosis; collecting data from the first and second force-torque sensors; and analyzing the collected data to determine the motion of the subject's ankle.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 15, 2006
Date of Patent:
February 1, 2011
Assignee:
University of Delaware
Inventors:
Sunil K. Agrawal, Abhishek Agrawal, Sai Banala, Stuart Binder-MacLeod
Abstract: A photovoltaic cell has two electrodes and a hole injection layer. A liquid crystal material and a plurality of particles can be disposed between the electrodes.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 30, 2008
Date of Patent:
January 25, 2011
Assignees:
Konarka Technologies, Inc., University of Delaware
Inventors:
Mary E. Galvin, Russell Gaudiana, David Waller, Zhengguo Zhu
Abstract: A device comprising a scaffold coated with a protein having at least 83% identity to the amino acid sequence of the core protein of domain I of a mammalian perlecan, wherein at least one glycosaminoglycan is attached to the protein is described. The device may be used in vitro or in vivo to induce replication and/or differentiation of connective tissue cells and to repair tissue.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 22, 2009
Date of Patent:
January 25, 2011
Assignee:
University of Delaware
Inventors:
Daniel D. Carson, Mary C. Farach-Carson, Margaret French, Ronald Gomes
Abstract: A method and apparatus for achieving high-density and misalignment tolerant short-reach free-space optical interconnects between arbitrary locations in a field, using microlenses, steering elements and a curved reflecting surface.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 15, 2006
Date of Patent:
January 18, 2011
Assignee:
University of Delaware
Inventors:
Michael W. Haney, Michael J. McFadden, Muzammil Iqbal
Abstract: A monolithic pair of nanoscale probes, including: a substrate having a cavity that extends from a surface of the substrate into its body; a dielectric layer formed on the substrate; a pair of nanoscale probe precursors formed over the dielectric layer; a plurality of sub-monolayers of electrode material selectively atomic layer deposited over the pair of nanoscale probe precursors. The dielectric layer includes a window that extends through it to the cavity of the substrate such that a portion of the dielectric layer adjacent to the window extends over the cavity. The pair of nanoscale probe precursors includes a pair of edges facing each other across the window. These edges correspond to tips of the pair of nanoscale probes. The sub-monolayers of electrode material include the pair of edges, so that a distance between the tips of the nanoscale probes is between about 0.1 nm and about 20 nm.
Abstract: The present invention comprises a device which utilizes catalytic microcombustion for the production of heat or power and which exhibits a low pressure drop and has a high catalytic surface area. The catalytic microcombustor includes catalyst inserts in the reaction chamber separated by a sub millimeter distance. Thermal spreaders ensure temperature uniformity and maximum thermal efficiency. A mixing zone is prior to the combustion zone. Thermally conductive and/or insulating inserts are in the vicinity of the reaction zone.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 12, 2006
Date of Patent:
January 4, 2011
Assignee:
University of Delaware
Inventors:
Daniel G. Norton, Eric Dean Wetzel, Dionisios G. Vlachos
Abstract: The present invention provides novel hydrogels and methods of making and using such hydrogels. The present invention provides hydrogels that may be formed by the self-assembly of peptides in solution. Such self-assembly may be brought about by a change in one or more characteristics of the solution. Characteristics of the solution that may be changed include pH, ionic strength, temperature, and concentration of one or more specific ions. In addition, hydrogels of the invention may be disassembled by changing one or more characteristic of the hydrogel such as pH, ionic strength, temperature, and concentration of one or more specific ions.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 14, 2006
Date of Patent:
December 28, 2010
Assignee:
University of Delaware
Inventors:
Bulent Ozbas, Juliana Kretsinger, Lisa Ann Butterick, Karthikan Rajagopal, Darrin J. Pochan, Joel P. Schneider
Abstract: Dynamic vibrational methods and devices for inducing differentiation of stem cells into vocal fold fibroblast-like cells or for generating vocal fold-like tissue from cultured cells. Also provided are matrices providing sustained release of growth factors, and bioreactors generating and delivering a high frequency vibration with in-plane shear stress to cultured cells.
Type:
Application
Filed:
May 17, 2010
Publication date:
November 18, 2010
Applicant:
University of Delaware
Inventors:
Xinqiao Jia, Mingde Jia, Amit K. Jha, Alexandra J.E. Farran, Zhixiang Tong
Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting electromagnetic waves are disclosed. A system for detecting such waves includes a device having a first magnetic layer having a fixed magnetization direction, a second magnetic layer having an unfixed magnetization direction responsive to the electromagnetic wave, and a barrier layer positioned between the first and second magnetic layers. The device may have an impedance dependent on a relative angle between the fixed magnetization direction and the unfixed magnetization direction. The system further has a detector configured to detect a change in the impedance indicative of the electromagnetic wave. The electromagnetic wave may be detected by positioning the device in order to detect the electromagnetic wave, determining a change in the impedance of the device, and detecting the electromagnetic wave based on the change in the impedance of the device. Characteristics of the wave such as frequency, power, and phase may also be detected.
Abstract: An apparatus for determining microrelief of an object periphery, comprising a ring for attachment to the object, a carriage adapted to traverse the ring; a non-contact measurement system mounted on the carriage; an advancement mechanism for incrementally advancing the carriage to a plurality of locations along the path; and a processor configured to receive and process an output of the measurement system. The processor determines a distance from the object periphery to the detector at each of the plurality of locations and automatically determines the microrelief of the object periphery from the measured distances. The apparatus and associated methods for determining microrelief may be particularly adapted to determine bark microrelief of trees, poles, pipes, or any other types of cylindrical objects.
Type:
Application
Filed:
May 14, 2010
Publication date:
November 18, 2010
Applicant:
University of Delaware
Inventors:
John Toland Van Stan, II, Matthew T. Jarvis, Delphis F. Levia, JR.
Abstract: An armor composite material has been invented which contains a fabric which has been impregnated with shear thickening fluid. This invention offers a ballistic resistant material that is more flexible and less bulky than comparable, conventional ballistic fabric. The material in the alternative can be puncture resistant. The invented material offers superior ballistic performance and/or puncture resistance compared to conventional ballistic fabric-based materials of equal thickness. The invented material can be applied to applications requiring armor that is compact and/or flexible, such as body armor, protective clothing and flexible protective devices and shields, and stab resistant clothing and devices.
Abstract: A scanning optical microscope, including: a light source to generate a beam of probe light; collimation optics to substantially collimate the probe beam; a probe-result beamsplitter; a long working-distance, infinity-corrected objective; scanning means to scan a beam spot of the focused probe beam on or within a sample; relay optics; and a detector. The collimation optics are disposed in the probe beam. The probe-result beamsplitter is arranged in the optical paths of the probe beam and the resultant light from the sample. The beamsplitter reflects the probe beam into the objective and transmits resultant light. The long working-distance, infinity-corrected objective is also arranged in the optical paths of the probe beam and the resultant light. It focuses the reflected probe beam onto the sample, and collects and substantially collimates the resultant light. The relay optics are arranged to relay the transmitted resultant light from the beamsplitter to the detector.
Abstract: Applicants have used protein design to develop novel functional protein architectures, termed protein kinase-inducible domains, whose structures are dependent on phosphorylation by specific protein kinases or are dependent on dephosphorylation by specific protein phosphatases. Applicants have designed kinase-inducible domains based on a modular architecture, which allows kinase-inducible domains to be responsive to any specific serine-threonine kinases. Kinase-inducible domains can consist of canonical amino acids, allowing their use as expressible tags of protein kinase activity.
Abstract: The present invention provides methods of screening chickens to determine those more likely to have a lean or fat phenotype. The invention also provides methods of screening chickens to identify a polymorphism associated with a fat or lean phenotype.
Type:
Application
Filed:
January 6, 2010
Publication date:
October 14, 2010
Applicant:
University of Delaware
Inventors:
Larry A. Cogburn, Wilfrid G. Carre, Xiaofei Wang