Patents Assigned to University of Nevada
  • Patent number: 9068397
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a drilling method and drill. According to a disclosed method, multiple reciprocating rock-breaking elements, including a hammer drill bit, are used. The elements are moved in alternation to each other such that the net volume displacement by the moving parts is reduced for reducing compression work and thus for losing useful energy from the available amount from the drill bit engine for rock breaking. If desired, a small component of the net volume displacement is kept for enhancing PVW for enhancing rock chipping by tensile strength. The method also includes synchronizing the peak of the pressure depression wave with that of the impact moment of the drill bit's reciprocating motion to enhance, rather than hamper, rock breaking by the creation of PVW.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education, on behalf of the University of Nevada, Reno
    Inventor: George L. Danko
  • Publication number: 20150177216
    Abstract: A disclosed chemical detection system for detecting a target material, such as an explosive material, can include a cantilevered probe, a probe heater coupled to the cantilevered probe, and a piezoelectric element disposed on the cantilevered probe. The piezoelectric element can be configured as a detector and/or an actuator. Detection can include, for example, detecting a movement of the cantilevered probe or a property of the cantilevered probe. The movement or a change in the property of the cantilevered probe can occur, for example, by adsorption of the target material, desorption of the target material, reaction of the target material and/or phase change of the target material. Examples of detectable movements and properties include temperature shifts, impedance shifts, and resonant frequency shifts of the cantilevered probe. The overall chemical detection system can be incorporated, for example, into a handheld explosive material detection system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education, on behalf of the University of Nevada
    Inventors: Jesse D. Adams, Todd A. Sulchek, Stuart C. Feigin
  • Patent number: 9029282
    Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method of fixing nitrogen. An amount of titania catalyst is provided and contacted with a feed stream that includes nitrogen. The titania catalyst is heated. The heated titania catalyst fixes nitrogen in the feed stream to form nitrogen products, such as nitrates. The nitrogen products are then removed from the titania catalyst. In some examples, the titania catalyst is treated with a base. In further examples, the catalytic process is carried out in the absence of light for photochemically activating the titania catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education, on behalf of the University of Nevada, Reno
    Inventors: Glenn C. Miller, Ahmed Al-Taani
  • Patent number: 8999718
    Abstract: A vapochromic gold-copper complex [AuL2(Cu(Y)n)2](X)3 exhibiting luminescence is provided, where L is an N-heterocyclic carbene; Y is a heteroatom-containing ligand; X is an anion, and n is an integer having a value of 1 or 2, and solvates thereof. A reaction of [AuL2(Cu(Y)n)2](X)3 with water vapor or an organic compound vapor, for example, affords a modified complex that yields a change in luminescence color under UV excitation. These tricationic vapochromic materials exhibit large changes in the emission through ligand substitution reactions between the solid complex and vapors, which permit use in luminescent vapochromic sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education, on behalf of the University of Nevada, Reno
    Inventors: Vincent J. Catalano, Christoph E. Strasser
  • Publication number: 20150093354
    Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method and enzyme for forming various compounds, such as monoterpenes and monoterpenoid compounds. In a specific example, the present disclosure provides a method for producing one or more of (?)-ipsdienol, (?)-ipsenol, ipsenone, and ipsdienone. The present disclosure also provides methods of using compounds formed from the disclosed method and enzyme.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education, on Behalf of the University of Nevada
    Inventors: Claus Tittiger, Rubi Figueroa-Teran, Gary J. Blomquist
  • Publication number: 20150080213
    Abstract: A template-free reverse micelle (RM) based method is used to synthesize pyrochlore nanostructures having photocatalytic activity. In one embodiment, the method includes separately mixing together a first acid stabilized aqueous solution including pyrochlore precursor A and a second acid stabilized aqueous solution including pyrochlore precursor B with an organic solution including a surfactant to form an oil-in-water emulsion. Next, equimolar solutions of the first and second acid stabilized oil-in-water emulsions are mixed together. Then, the mixture of the first and second acid stabilized oil-in-water emulsion is treated with a base to produce a precipitate including pyrochlore precursors A and B. After which, the precipitate is dried to remove volatiles. The precipitate is then calcined in the presence of oxygen to form a pyrochlore nanostructure, such as a bismuth titanate (Bi2Ti2O7) pyrochlore nanorod. The method of synthesizing the pyrochlore nanorod is template-free.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education, on behalf of the University of Nevada
    Inventors: Vaidyanathan Subramanian, Sankaran Murugesan
  • Publication number: 20150050292
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for the detection, prevention, or treatment of anthrax or other infectious diseases. In one aspect, the present invention provides methods for immunizing humans or animals against Bacillus anthracis or other capsulated pathogens. The methods include administering a capsular polypeptide of a pathogen of interest and a CD40 agonist to a human or animal. The capsular polypeptide or the CD40 agonist is administered in such an amount or frequency that an immunoprotective response can be elicited in the human or animal against the pathogen of interest. In another aspect, the present invention provides methods of using passive immunization with anti-capsular polypeptide antibodies to prevent or treat infections caused by Bacillus anthracis or other pathogens. In yet another aspect, the present invention provides methods useful for diagnosis of anthrax by detection of capsular polypeptide in serum or other biological samples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicants: Board of Regents of th Nevada System of Higher Education, on behalf of the University of Nevada, STC. UNM, Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Thomas R. Kozel, William Murphy, Suzanne Brandt, Bruce R. Blazar, Julie A. Lovchik, Peter Thorkildson, Ann Percival, C. Rick Lyons
  • Patent number: 8945890
    Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method and enzyme for forming various compounds, such as monoterpenes and monoterpenoid compounds. In a specific example, the present disclosure provides a method for producing one or more of (?)-ipsdienol, (?)-ipsenol, ipsenone, and ipsdienone. The present disclosure also provides methods of using compounds formed from the disclosed method and enzyme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education, on behalf of the University of Nevada, Reno
    Inventors: Claus Tittiger, Rubi Figueroa-Teran, Gary J. Blomquist
  • Patent number: 8945304
    Abstract: A system and method A method of growing an elongate nanoelement from a growth surface includes: a) cleaning a growth surface on a base element; b) providing an ultrahigh vacuum reaction environment over the cleaned growth surface; c) generating a reactive gas of an atomic material to be used in forming the nanoelement; d) projecting a stream of the reactive gas at the growth surface within the reactive environment while maintaining a vacuum of at most 1×10?4 Pascal; e) growing the elongate nanoelement from the growth surface within the environment while maintaining the pressure of step c); f) after a desired length of nanoelement is attained within the environment, stopping direction of reactive gas into the environment; and g) returning the environment to an ultrahigh vacuum condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: The Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education on behalf of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas University of Nevada
    Inventors: Biswajit Das, Myung B. Lee
  • Patent number: 8927910
    Abstract: An electrical heat production device comprising a thin resistive layer sandwiched between a pair of plates having high thermal and electrical conductivity, the stack of layers being insulated around the side surfaces. When a voltage potential is applied across the plates in the disclosed electrical heat production device, an electrical current flows across the resistive layer producing heat within the resistive layer that is conducted through the plates and across the outer surfaces of the plates. A guard heater can be positioned adjacent to one of the outer plate surfaces to bias the heat flow from the resistive layer toward the opposite outer plate surface, such that the apparatus can have a single planar heating surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education, on Behalf of the University of Nevada, Reno
    Inventors: Richard Wirtz, Sean Penley
  • Publication number: 20140378675
    Abstract: The invention provides novel oligonucleotides and methods of using the same for detection or measurement of specific nucleic acid molecules. The invention also features nucleic acid arrays comprising the oligonucleotides of the invention. An oligonucleotide of the invention comprises (1) a reporter-binding sequence capable of hybridizing to a fluorophore-labeled reporter sequence and (2) a hairpin-forming sequence capable of forming a stem-loop. Formation of the stem-loop modifies (e.g., quenching) the fluorescence signals of the reporter sequence when the reporter sequence is hybridized to the oligonucleotide. This can be achieved, for example, by bringing one or more guanine based in the oligonucleotide into close proximity to the fluorophore(s) of the reporter sequence by virtue of the formation of the stem-loop. Disruption of the stem-loop, such as by hybridization of a target sequence to at least part of the hairpin-forming sequence, produces a detectable change in the fluorescence signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicant: Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education, on behalf of the University of Nevada
    Inventors: Suk-Wah Tam-Chang, Kenneth W. Hunter, Nelson G. Publicover
  • Patent number: 8900537
    Abstract: A template-free reverse micelle (RM) based method is used to synthesize pyrochlore nanostructures having photocatalytic activity. In one embodiment, the method includes separately mixing together a first acid stabilized aqueous solution including pyrochlore precursor A and a second acid stabilized aqueous solution including pyrochlore precursor B with an organic solution including a surfactant to form an oil-in-water emulsion. Next, equimolar solutions of the first and second acid stabilized oil-in-water emulsions are mixed together. Then, the mixture of the first and second acid stabilized oil-in-water emulsion is treated with a base to produce a precipitate including pyrochlore precursors A and B. After which, the precipitate is dried to remove volatiles. The precipitate is then calcined in the presence of oxygen to form a pyrochlore nanostructure, such as a bismuth titanate (Bi2Ti2O7) pyrochlore nanorod. The method of synthesizing the pyrochlore nanorod is template-free.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education, on behalf of the University of Nevada, Reno
    Inventors: Vaidyanathan Subramanian, Sankaran Murugesan
  • Publication number: 20140350246
    Abstract: The present invention relates to 7-membered nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds and methods of making the same. Using a novel aza-[4+3] cycloaddition reaction, the 7-membered heterocyclic compounds are synthesized by reacting a first reactant and a second reactant. Exemplary first reactants and second reactants include ?-halohydroxamates and dienes, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education, on behalf of the University of Nevada
    Inventor: Christopher S. Jeffrey
  • Publication number: 20140307927
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a computer implemented method of determining energy expenditure associated with a user's movement. A plurality of video images of a subject are obtained. From the plurality of video images, a first location is determined of a first joint of the subject at a first time. From the plurality of video images, a second location is determined of the first joint of the subject at a second time. The movement of the first joint of the subject between the first and second location is associated with an energy associated with the movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education, on behalf of the University of Nevada,
    Inventors: Eelke Folmer, George Bebis, Jeffrey Angermann
  • Patent number: 8853450
    Abstract: A method for hydrating a nitrile derivative to generate an amide derivative is provided. The method includes mixing the nitrile derivative with a ruthenium catalyst complex in an aqueous solution to form a mixture, and reacting the nitrile derivative with water in the aqueous solution and in the presence of the ruthenium catalyst complex to form a reacted mixture comprising the amide derivative. The ruthenium catalyst complex is represented by the following structural formula: RuX2(L)n, wherein X is an anionic ligand, L is a bifunctional phosphine ligand, and n is 3 or 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education, on behalf of the University of Nevada, Reno
    Inventors: Brian J. Frost, Wei-Chih Lee
  • Publication number: 20140219315
    Abstract: A disclosed chemical detection system for detecting a target material, such as an explosive material, can include a cantilevered probe, a probe heater coupled to the cantilevered probe, and a piezoelectric element disposed on the cantilevered probe. The piezoelectric element can be configured as a detector and/or an actuator. Detection can include, for example, detecting a movement of the cantilevered probe or a property of the cantilevered probe. The movement or a change in the property of the cantilevered probe can occur, for example, by adsorption of the target material, desorption of the target material, reaction of the target material and/or phase change of the target material. Examples of detectable movements and properties include temperature shifts, impedance shifts, and resonant frequency shifts of the cantilevered probe. The overall chemical detection system can be incorporated, for example, into a handheld explosive material detection system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education, on behalf of the University of Nevada
    Inventors: Jesse D. Adams, Todd A. Sulchek, Stuart C. Feigin
  • Publication number: 20140186254
    Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method of fixing nitrogen. An amount of titania catalyst is provided and contacted with a feed stream that includes nitrogen. The titania catalyst is heated. The heated titania catalyst fixes nitrogen in the feed stream to form nitrogen products, such as nitrates. The nitrogen products are then removed from the titania catalyst. In some examples, the titania catalyst is treated with a base. In further examples, the catalytic process is carried out in the absence of light for photochemically activating the titania catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education, on behalf of the University of Nevada
    Inventors: Glenn C. Miller, Ahmed A. Al-Taani
  • Patent number: 8746039
    Abstract: The invention provides a liquid cell for an atomic force microscope. The liquid cell includes a liquid cell housing with an internal cavity to contain a fluid, a plurality of conductive feedthroughs traversing the liquid cell housing between the internal cavity and a dry side of the liquid cell, a cantilevered probe coupled to the liquid cell housing, and a piezoelectric drive element disposed on the cantilevered probe. The cantilevered probe is actuated when a drive voltage is applied to the piezoelectric drive element through at least one of the conductive feedthroughs. A method of imaging an object in a liquid medium and a method of sensing a target species with the liquid cell are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education, on behalf of the University of Nevada, Reno
    Inventors: Jesse D. Adams, Benjamin S. Rogers, Todd A. Sulchek
  • Patent number: 8722888
    Abstract: The invention provides materials and methods for making anisotropic solids which may be in the form of films, layers, shaped elements, and other shaped articles. The methods provide anisotropic solids without the need for rolling, rubbing, or stretching to impart orientational alignment of the molecules of the solid. The methods employ organic or organometallic compounds which are soluble orienting molecules. The solvent or solvent system must be sufficiently volatile to be removed without disruption of the molecular orientation. The soluble orienting molecules include those containing one or more hydrophilic and/or ionic groups and the solvent or solvent system can be a polar organic solvent or solvent system or an aqueous solvent or solvent system. The invention also provides novel compounds having quaterrylene, perylene and naphthalene ring systems carrying one or more hydrophilic and/or ionic groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Board of Regents of the Nevada Systems of Higher Education, on behalf of the University of Nevada, Reno
    Inventors: Travis D. Carson, Suk-Wah Tam-Chang
  • Patent number: 8709304
    Abstract: The present invention relates to formation of nanocubes of sillenite type compounds, such as bismuth titanate, i.e., Bi12TiO20, nanocubes, via a hydrothermal synthesis process, with the resulting compound(s) having multifunctional properties such as being useful in solar energy conversion, environmental remediation, and/or energy storage, for example. In one embodiment, a hydrothermal method is disclosed that transforms nanoparticles of TiO2 to bismuth titanate, i.e., Bi12TiO20, nanocubes, optionally loaded with palladium nanoparticles. The method includes reacting titanium dioxide nanotubes with a bismuth salt in an acidic bath at a temperature sufficient and for a time sufficient to form bismuth titanate crystals, which are subsequently annealed to form bismuth titanate nanocubes. After annealing, the bismuth titanate nanocubes may be optionally loaded with nano-sized metal particles, e.g., nanosized palladium particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education, on behalf of the University of Nevada, Reno
    Inventors: Vaidyanathan Subramanian, Sankaran Murugesan