Patents Assigned to University of Delaware
  • Thermocouple psychrometer
    Patent number: 4952071
    Abstract: An apparatus for the determination of the water status of living and nonliving materials capable of measuring the vapor pressure of water in the material at thermodynamic equilibrium by matching a solution of known vapor pressure with that of the water in the material, detected by observing the thermocouple output comprising a plurality of spiral loop thermocouples, a recording means for observing the thermocouple output, switches for connecting the thermocouples to the recording means one at a time using latching relays, a pair of contacts for each relay, each contact comprised of layers of dissimilar metals so that the current flowing under a thermalvoltage at the thermocouple in proceeding through the contacts flows through a sequence of metals across the first contact and an exact reverse sequence of metals across the opposing contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Assignee: University of Delaware
    Inventor: John S. Boyer
  • Dual mode light emitting diode/detector diode for optical fiber transmission lines
    Patent number: 4948960
    Abstract: This invention relates to a double heterostructure diode and photodiode which is selectively switchable between an emission mode and receiving mode. A light emitting active region is localized and restricted by limitation of the area of contact to a window in a silicon dioxide layer and an optical fiber is coupled to the diode at a lateral surface to provide substantially greater light emission from the lateral surface than from side emission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1990
    Assignee: The University of Delaware
    Inventors: Garfield Simms, Robert G. Hunsperger
  • Dispersions of chitin and product therefrom
    Patent number: 4931551
    Abstract: Ground chitin is rendered dispersible in aqueous medium to form stable dispersions on mild shearing, by pretreating the chitin with an aqueous oxidizing bleach solution. the dispersions, and paper-like structures prepared from them by papermaking techniques, are useful for treating and binding wounds.Operable bleaches include peroxygen bleaches and labile halogen bleaches. Peroxygen bleaches include hydrogen and alkali metal peroxide, alkaline earth and alkali metal perborate, percarbonate, peroxymonosulfate, and bromate. The labile halogen bleaches include alkali metal and alkaline earth hypohalites, and dihalo-s-triazinetriones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Assignee: University of Delaware
    Inventors: Charles J. Albisetti, John E. Castle
  • Process of making a blend of PET and PBT
    Patent number: 4915885
    Abstract: A process of preparing a homogeneous amorphous polymeric blend of polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) and polybutyleneterephthalate (PBT) which includes intimately mixing the PET and PBT at a weight ratio of about 10:90-90:10, melting the mixture at 290.degree.-330.degree. C., cooling the mixture to 0.degree.--194.degree. C. by extruding it onto rollers maintained in a cooling bath and orienting the polymer of the resulting continuous shaped object at room temperature to a draw ratio of about 5:1, with subsequent annealing at about 120.degree.-180.degree. C. for about one hour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Assignee: University of Delaware
    Inventors: Nadka V. Avramova, Isak A. Avramov, Stoyko C. Fakirov, Jerold M. Schultz
  • Xray lens and collimator
    Patent number: 4910759
    Abstract: A lens and collimator apparatus for focusing and increasing the intensity of an x-ray beam at a specimen point. A screen with an aperture of pupil diameter comparable and no larger than the x-ray transverse coherence length and no smaller that the specimen diameter focuses the x-ray beam by diffraction. The screen is positioned from the specimen plane proportional to the ratio of the square of the pupil diameter to the mean wavelength of the x-ray beam. A plurality of parallel screens can also be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1990
    Assignee: University of Delaware
    Inventor: Mark Sharnoff
  • Process for levelling film surfaces and products thereof
    Patent number: 4909863
    Abstract: Semiconductor films and photovoltaic devices prepared therefrom are provided wherein the semiconductor films have a specular surface with a texture less than about 0.25 micron greater than the average planar film surface and wherein the semiconductor films are surface modified by exposing the surface to an aqueous solution of bromine containing an acid or salt and continuing such exposure for a time sufficient to etch the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1990
    Assignee: University of Delaware
    Inventors: Robert W. Birkmire, Brian E. McCandless
  • Method for the processing of liquid crystal polymers
    Patent number: 4902369
    Abstract: Described and claimed are a process for preserving the orientation of a liquid crystal polymer/during lamination which comprises carrying out the lamination bonding at a high temperature below the melting point of the polymer and under pressure of up to about 5 MPa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1990
    Assignee: University of Delaware
    Inventors: Nadka V. Avramova, Stoyko C. Fakirov
  • Method for welding and laminating polyamides
    Patent number: 4895612
    Abstract: Polyamide bodies, e.g., foils or sheets, are welding together or laminated by forming methylene bridges between nitrogen atoms in the separate bodies by pressing them together in the presence of a alkaline paraformaldehyde/methanol solution containing a catalytic amount of oxalic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1990
    Assignee: University of Delaware
    Inventors: Nadka V. Avramova, Stoyko C. Fakirov, Jerold M. Schultz
  • Making a holographic optical element using a computer-generated-hologram
    Patent number: 4880286
    Abstract: A method of producing an IR hologram having a planar surface on which a fringe pattern is recorded, the fringe pattern being produced by interference with a visible wavelength on the surface of reconstruction from a computer generated hologram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1989
    Assignee: University of Delaware
    Inventor: Charles C. Ih
  • Solution growth of lattice mismatched and solubility mismatched heterostructures
    Patent number: 4876210
    Abstract: The effects of excessive lattice mismatch in solution grown heterostructures are reduced by incorporating a lattice graded interface layer between the substrate and the heteroepitaxial layer. The effects of lattice mismatch are also reduced by reducing the contact area with a selective growth mask which controls where growth initiates on the substrate. The effect of mismatched solubility is reduced by double saturation of the solvent and selective supersaturation of the solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1989
    Assignee: The University of Delaware
    Inventors: Allen M. Barnett, John C. Zolper
  • Live attenuated temperature-sensitive avian infectious bronchitis virus vaccines and preparation and use thereof
    Patent number: 4867975
    Abstract: The cold-adapted (ca) temperature-sensitive (ts) vaccine is prepared by serially passaging a suitably selected virus (e.g. Arkansas-type DPI strain) through a culture medium at a suboptimal replication temperature which is less than about 35.degree. C., e.g. 28.degree. C., and harvesting the live, cold-adapted mutant for formulation into dosage units of, for example, about 10.sup.3 to about 10.sup.5 EID.sub.50 /bird. The ca ts mutant is much less able to replicate at 40.degree.-42.degree. C. (internal avian body temperatures) than at the temperature of the bird's upper respiratory tract, which is below 40.degree. C. The vaccine can be administered by any of the usual techniques, including the spray technique. Vaccines of this invention appear to be very effective (immunogenic), but are also safe (non-pathogenic).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1989
    Assignee: University of Delaware
    Inventor: Jack Gelb, Jr.
  • Coordination complexes of platinum with amides
    Patent number: 4855498
    Abstract: Disclosed are platinum (IV) chelates derived from substituted amides. The chelates result from the reaction under mild conditions of potassium chloroplatinate (II) and the appropriate amide. The chelate transdichloro-cis-bis(dimethylacetamide-C,O) was prepared, fully characterized and exemplified in preparation of the antihistamine diphenhydramine hydrochloride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Assignee: University of Delaware
    Inventors: Rosette M. Roat, Seymour Yolles
  • Artificial oyster cultch
    Patent number: 4844015
    Abstract: Described is an oyster cultch made from coal-ash wastes substantially as effective as the natural oyster-shell cultch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Assignee: University of Delaware
    Inventors: Margaret M. Garvey, Kent S. Price, Jr.
  • Preparation of high-modulus, high-strength linear polycondensates
    Patent number: 4842789
    Abstract: Described and claimed is a process for obtaining high-modulus, high-strength linear polycondensates, e.g., polyamides, comprising the sequential steps drawing at room temperature, isothermal annealing at 180.degree.-270.degree. C., a second drawing at room temperature, and a second isothermal annealing at 120.degree.-260.degree. C., an orientation degree after the second drawing being 20-25.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1989
    Assignee: University of Delaware
    Inventors: Michail G. Evstatiev, Stoyko C. Fakirov, Jerold M. Schultz
  • Thin active-layer solar cell with multiple internal reflections
    Patent number: 4818337
    Abstract: High efficiency, thin active-layer silicon solar cells and a process for their fabrications have been provided. The cells are characterized by a capability of employing a low-cost, metallurgical grade silicon for the substrate. The substrate has a silicon dioxide barrier coating with electrical conductivity to the active semiconductor layers provided by a multiplicity of fine holes through the oxide. The holes have silicon therein to afford electrical continuity between the active layers and the silicon of the substrate. The process comprises in situ formation of silicon dioxide on the silicon, formation of the holes in the oxide by photolithography, and etching enabling nucleation and growth of silicon in the holes by epitaxy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Assignee: University of Delaware
    Inventors: Allen M. Barnett, Michael G. Mauk
  • Chitosan alginate capsules
    Patent number: 4808707
    Abstract: The permeability of the walls of chitosan alginate capsules is adjusted by substituting with esterified alginic acid a portion of the metal alginate normally used in the fabrication of such capsules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1989
    Assignee: University of Delaware
    Inventors: Mary M. Daly, Robert W. Keown, Dietrich W. Knorr
  • Method of making thin film photovoltaic solar cell
    Patent number: 4778478
    Abstract: Solar cell quality semiconductors are grown using a constant temperature sliding boat liquid phase process in a continuous or semi-continuous mode. The growth is driven by applying a temperature gradient or other gradient across the melt, with the substrate at a cooler temperature, after thermal equilibrium is obtained between the solution and the substrate. Growth occurs from the bottom of the solution to prevent contamination of the growth layers by extraneous particles in the solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1988
    Assignee: University of Delaware
    Inventor: Allen M. Barnett
  • Fabric-reinforced cementitious sheet-like structures and their production
    Patent number: 4778718
    Abstract: A bendable thin, sheet-like structure having a cementitious matrix reinforced with a three-dimensional fabric of an organic fiber uniformly distributed throughout the thickness of the structure and a continuous process for its production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1988
    Assignee: University of Delaware
    Inventor: Robert L. Nicholls
  • Dual mode laser/detector diode for optical fiber transmission lines
    Patent number: 4773074
    Abstract: The invention relates to an emitter-receiver semiconductor diode device for direct optical coupling to optical signal transmission apparatus. It is a unitary combination of a double heterostructure diode and a waveguide photodiode with elements to selectively switch between an emission mode and a receiving mode. Confining semiconductor at least partially restrict light to junction-forming active and waveguiding semiconductors of the diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1988
    Assignee: University of Delaware
    Inventors: Robert G. Hunsperger, Jung H. Park
  • Optical wavelength division multiplexing/demultiplexing system
    Patent number: 4773063
    Abstract: A wavelength division method and system employing a radiation transmissive planar waveguide provided with collimating and focusing lenses and with a periodic radiation transmissive diffraction grating incorporating radiation reflecting elements in spaced array, preselected, in demultiplexing service, to separate into individual entities an optical signal input constituting a multiplicity of coherent radiation signals of different characteristic wavelengths transmitted simultaneously via the waveguide and, in multiplexing service, to consolidate a multiplicity of coherent radiation signals individually introduced to the grating via the waveguide along angular courses substantially coincident with the angular courses taken by individual radiation signals of corresponding wavelengths exiting the grating during demultiplexing service, and means directing the signals to dedicated receptors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1988
    Assignee: University of Delaware
    Inventors: Robert G. Hunsperger, Andrew J. Maltenfort