Patents Assigned to Virginia Tech
  • Patent number: 8211681
    Abstract: The present invention comprises an in vitro enzymatic process that effectively converts renewable polysaccharides into high yields of hydrogen at mild conditions, using only enzymes and water. The process comprises a number of enzymes: (1) phosphorylases, (2) phosphoglucomutases, (3) hydrogenases, and (4) enzymes involved in the pentose-phosphate pathway. Preferred embodiments of the process produce only hydrogen and carbon dioxide as net products, translating into an inexpensive method of generating hydrogen in very large quantities from low-cost feedstocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Yi-Heng Percival Zhang, Jonathan Mielenz
  • Patent number: 8202332
    Abstract: Methods for fractional catalytic pyrolysis which allow for conversion of biomass into a slate of desired products without the need for post-pyrolysis separation are described. The methods involve use of a fluid catalytic bed which is maintained at a suitable pyrolysis temperature. Biomass is added to the catalytic bed, preferably while entrained in a non-reactive gas such as nitrogen, causing the biomass to become pyrolyzed and forming the desired products in vapor and gas forms, allowing the desired products to be easily separated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties
    Inventor: Foster A. Agblevor
  • Patent number: 8203302
    Abstract: A single controllable switch (509) drive system for regulating the speed of a two-phase switched reluctance machine (TPSRM) (700) rotor may include a speed control feedback loop (970) component that uses an established speed control signal and a signal indicative of the rotor's speed to dynamically adjust a first parameter. And a current control feedback loop (976) component that uses an established current control signal and a signal indicative of the current flowing through a stator winding (505,508) of the TPSRM to dynamically adjust a second parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Krishnan Ramu, Keunsoo Ha, Sung-Yeul Park
  • Patent number: 8193411
    Abstract: The invention provides novel molecular genetic markers in soybean, where the markers are useful, for example, in the marker-assisted selection of gene alleles that impart disease-resistance, thereby allowing the identification and selection of a disease-resistant plant. The markers also find use in positional cloning of disease-resistance genes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignees: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Godwin, Feng Han, Alec A. Hayes, Xu Hu, Soon-Chun Jeong, Guihua Lu, M.A. Saghai Maroff
  • Patent number: 8172040
    Abstract: Vibration or acoustic sound control is achieved using an elastic layer of thermal or insulation material in which a plurality of discrete masses are distributed throughout. The elastic layer may be installed as a pre-formed layer, or be blown into position within a structure where vibration or acoustic sound control is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher R. Fuller, Kathleen Kondylas
  • Patent number: 8172998
    Abstract: Ionic liquids are incorporated into transducers, actuators or sensors which employ the ionic polymer membranes. The ionic liquids have superior electrochemical stability, low viscosity and low vapor pressure. The transducers, actuators and sensors which utilize ionic polymer membranes solvated with ionic liquids have long term air stability. Superior results are achieved when a conductive powder and ionomer mixture is applied to the ionic polymer membrane to form the electrodes during or after the ionic liquid is imbibed into the ionic polymer membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignees: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc., University of Wollongong
    Inventors: Matthew Bennett, Donald Leo, Gordon Wallace, Geoff Spinks
  • Publication number: 20120085649
    Abstract: Devices and methods for performing dielectrophoresis are described. The devices contain a sample channel which is separated by physical barriers from electrode channels which receive electrodes. The devices and methods may be used for the separation and analysis of particles in solution, including the separation and isolation of cells of a specific type. As the electrodes do not make contact with the sample, electrode fouling is avoided and sample integrity is better maintained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael B. Sano, John L. Caldwell, Rafael V. Davalos
  • Patent number: 8148360
    Abstract: Supramolecular complexes that target and cleave DNA are provided. The supramolecular complexes include at least one metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) light absorbing unit, at least one Pt based DNA binding unit, and at least one bridging unit that serves to connect the components. The Pt-based DNA binding unit binds the complex to DNA, and the MLCT unit absorbs light, thereby sensitizing molecular oxygen to produce reactive oxygen species in close proximity to the complex and the bound DNA. The reactive oxygen species cleave the bound DNA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Karen J. Brewer, Brenda Winkel
  • Publication number: 20120063659
    Abstract: A system and method for tomographic image reconstruction using truncated projection data that allows exact interior reconstruction (interior tomography) of a region of interest (ROI) based on the known sparsity models of the ROI, thereby improving image quality while reducing radiation dosage. In addition, the method includes parallel interior tomography using multiple sources beamed at multiple angles through an ROI and that enables higher temporal resolution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: VIRGINIA TECH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES, INC
    Inventors: Ge Wang, Hengyong Yu
  • Publication number: 20120056570
    Abstract: A method for collecting operational parameters of a motor may include controlling the energization of a phase winding of the motor to establish an operating point, monitoring operational parameters of the motor that characterize a relationship between the energization control applied to the motor's phase winding and the motor's response to this control, and collecting information of the operational parameters for the operating point that characterizes the relationship between the applied energization control and the motor's response. The collected information characterizing the relationship between the applied energization control and the motor's response may be employed by a neural network to estimate the regions of operation of the motor. And a system for controlling the operation of motor may employ this information, the neural network, or both to regulate the energization of a motor's phase winding during a phase cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Allen Hudson, Nimal Lobo, Krishnan Ramu
  • Patent number: 8129428
    Abstract: The present invention includes insecticidal carbamates that are useful, for example, for the control of insects, such as mosquitoes, which can be used in applications where exposure to and/or contact with humans is likely. The insecticides of the present invention include phenyl N-methyl carbamates and compositions comprising them that exhibit species-selective inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and are preferably toxic to mosquitoes but not humans. Of particular interest are compounds of Formula (I) and Formula (II): Compounds of Formula (I) and Formula (II) are especially suitable for insecticide treated nets and indoor residual spraying for mosquito control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Carlier, Jeffrey Bloomquist, Sally Paulson, Eric Wong
  • Patent number: 8125291
    Abstract: Improved performance of a noise separator circuit capable of separating common mode (CM) and differential mode (DM) components of electromagnetic interference (EMI) noise are provided by arrangement of terminating impedances such that the circuit is fully symmetric with respect of a pair of input ports. The noise separator circuit is further improved by perfecting features for canceling effects of parasitic inductances and capacitances, parasitic capacitance and inductance between circuit connections such as printed circuit board traces, minimizing leakage inductance effects of pairs of coupled inductors and mutual inductance effects between pairs of coupled inductors, providing sufficient magnetizing inductance for low frequency response, and preventing saturation of inductors using switched attenuators, providing a plurality of ground planes, choices of terminating resistors and circuit layout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Shuo Wang, Fred C. Lee
  • Patent number: 8121249
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of x-ray imaging. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to methods, systems, and apparatus for imaging, which can be used in a wide range of applications, including medical imaging, security screening, and industrial non-destructive testing to name a few.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Ge Wang, Wenxiang Cong
  • Patent number: 8094610
    Abstract: High quality communications among a diverse set of cognitive radio (CR) nodes is permitted while minimizing interference to primary and other secondary users by employing Dynamic Spectrum Access (DSA) in a Dynamic Cellular Cognitive System (DCCS). Diverse device types interoperate, cooperate, and communicate with high spectrum efficiency and do not require infrastructure to form the network. The dynamic cellular cognitive system can expand to a wider geographical distribution via linking to existing infrastructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Ying Wang, Charles W. Bostian
  • Patent number: 8080964
    Abstract: A method for collecting operational parameters of a motor may include controlling the energization of a phase winding of the motor to establish an operating point, monitoring operational parameters of the motor that characterize a relationship between the energization control applied to the motor's phase winding and the motor's response to this control, and collecting information of the operational parameters for the operating point that characterizes the relationship between the applied energization control and the motor's response. The collected information characterizing the relationship between the applied energization control and the motor's response may be employed by a neural network to estimate the regions of operation of the motor. And a system for controlling the operation of motor may employ this information, the neural network, or both to regulate the energization of a motor's phase winding during a phase cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Allen Hudson, Nimal Lobo, Krishnan Ramu
  • Publication number: 20110280905
    Abstract: The present invention provides a novel chimeric porcine circovirus infectious DNA clone and live attenuated chimeric virus with the PCV2, preferably of subtype PCV2b, capsid gene integrated into a non-pathogenic PCV1 virus genome. In a particular embodiment, the PCV2 capids gene is of subtype PCV2b, the predominant subtype circulating in pigs worldwide. The attenuated chimeric virus, designated PCV1-2b, effectively protects pigs from PCV2b challenges, and can be used as a live vaccine, as well as an inactivated (killed) vaccine, that provides protection and cross protection against PCV2b and PCV2a subtypes infection. The live attenuated vaccine of the present invention is also effective protecting pigs from porcine circovirus-associated disease (PCVAD).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: VIRGINIA TECH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES, INC.
    Inventors: XIANG-JIN MENG, NATHAN M. BEACH, SHEELA RAMAMOORTHY
  • Patent number: 8058048
    Abstract: The present invention relates to infectious DNA clones, infectious chimeric DNA clones of porcine circovirus (PCV), vaccines and means of protecting pigs against viral infection or postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) caused by PCV2. The new chimeric infectious DNA clone and its derived, avirulent chimeric virus are constructed from the nonpathogenic PCV1 in which the immunogenic ORF gene of the pathogenic PCV2 replaces a gene of the nonpathogenic PCV1, preferably in the same position. The chimeric virus advantageously retains the nonpathogenic phenotype of PCV1 but elicits specific immune responses against the pathogenic PCV2. The invention further embraces the immunogenic polypeptide expression products. In addition, the invention encompasses two mutations in the PCV2 immunogenic capsid gene and protein, and the introduction of the ORF2 mutations in the chimeric clones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignees: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc., Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiang-Jin Meng, Martijn Fenaux, Patrick G. Halbur
  • Publication number: 20110275558
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of medical treatments for diseases and disorders. More specifically, the present invention relates to the use of the lanthionine synthetase component C-like (LANCL) proteins as therapeutic targets for novel classes of anti-inflammatory, immune regulatory and antidiabetic drugs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Josep BASSAGANYA-RIERA, Pinyi LU, Raquel HONTECILLAS
  • Publication number: 20110252248
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, machine, device, manufacture, circuit, and/or user interface adapted for, and/or a method and/or machine-readable medium comprising machine-implementable instructions for, activities that can comprise, based on a predicted non-zero future power requirement for performing one or more portions of an expected workload by a predetermined system, the predicted future power requirement based on a past power requirement for performing one or more portions of a known workload by the predetermined system, automatically causing a change from a first power state of the predetermined system to a second power state that does not violate a specification for performing the one or more portions of the expected workload.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: VIRGINIA TECH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES, INC.
    Inventors: Kirk Cameron, Joseph Turner
  • Patent number: 8028842
    Abstract: The present invention provides a membrane, kit, and method of making a hydrophilic-hydrophobic random copolymer membrane. The hydrophilic-hydrophobic random copolymer membrane includes a hydrophilic-hydrophobic random copolymer. The hydrophilic-hydrophobic random copolymer includes one or more hydrophilic monomers having a sulfonated polyarylsulfone monomer and a second monomer and one or more hydrophobic monomers having a non-sulfonated third monomer and a fourth monomer. The sulfonated polyarylsulfone monomer introduces a sulfonate into the hydrophilic-hydrophobic random copolymer prior to polymerization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. McGrath, Ho Bum Park, Benny D. Freeman