Patents Assigned to VTT
  • Publication number: 20160221233
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of forming a moulded fibrous product, comprising the steps of foaming an aqueous suspension of natural fibres, optionally in combination with synthetic fibres, to provide a first fibrous foam, a surfactant may be added to aid the foaming, feeding the fibrous foam into a mould, mechanically withdrawing a part of the water contained in the foam to produce a solidified, moist fibrous composition, and evaporating water from the solidified, moist fibrous composition to produce a dry fibrous product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Applicant: Teknologian tutkimuskeskus VTT Oy
    Inventors: Harri Kiiskinen, Esa Torniainen, Karita Kinnunen
  • Publication number: 20160208087
    Abstract: The present invention relates to surface-modified cellulose nanofibres, which are used to improve fibre-matrix adhesion, resulting in biodegradable nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC)-polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) composites, which can be used to form structures such as films, with excellent mechanical performance. Particularly, the present invention relates to a bio composite resin composition wherein the surface of cellulose nanofibres have been chemically modified, a method for producing such composite resin composition and a casting-sheet composite body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Applicant: Teknologian tutkimuskeskus VTT Oy
    Inventors: Sanna Virtanen, Sauli Vuoti, Panu Lahtinen, Harri Setälä
  • Patent number: 9395247
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a semiconductor single-photon avalanche detector, and a counter. The detector performs detections of photons of optical radiation caused by an optical excitation pulse to the object. The counter measures timing of each detection made in the detector with respect to the excitation pulse causing the detected photons, and performs at least one of the following: forming a number of Raman detections, forming a number of fluorescence detections. Forming the number of the Raman detections is performed by eliminating an estimate of a number of fluorescence photons in the measurement. Forming the number of the fluorescence detections is performed by eliminating an estimate of a number of Raman photons in the measurement. The estimates are formed in a predetermined manner from the number and timing of the detections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignees: Oulun Yliopisto, Teknologian Tutkimuskeskus VTT
    Inventors: Juha Kostamovaara, Jussi Tenhunen
  • Patent number: 9393824
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing liquid- guiding structural layers by flexo or gravure printing on a substrate sheet, using a printing solution, which alters the properties of the substrate sheet in such a way that liquid flow is prevented in the area of the structural layers. The penetrability of the printing layer into the substrate sheet can be regulated by the printing-cylinder pressure and the composition of the printing solution. In the method it is possible to use printing solutions consisting of economical polymers and a solvent. In terms of printing technology, the invention is compatible with existing printing machines and is thus highly suitable for mass production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: TEKNOLOGIAN TUTKIMUSKESKUS VTT OY
    Inventors: Kaisa Lehtinen, Juuso Olkkonen
  • Publication number: 20160194674
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for producing terpenes in fungi comprising the steps of (a) providing a modified terpene biosynthetic gene cluster inside a host cell, wherein one or more of the naturally occurring genes or promoters of the cluster have been replaced, truncated or removed, (b) providing a transcription factor inside the host cell, the transcription factor activating the terpene biosynthetic gene cluster; (c) cultivating said host in conditions allowing the expression of the transcription factor activating the cluster; and optionally (d) recovering the thus produced terpene product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Applicant: Teknologian tutkimuskeskus VTT
    Inventors: Kirsi Bromann, Mervi Toivari, Tiina Nakari-Setälä, Laura Ruohonen
  • Patent number: 9382436
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for modification of the surface of a body, especially a film-shaped body, wherein a fiber-containing substance comprising nano-sized polysaccharide fiber particles is dispersed in a medium essentially composed of water and a polar solvent to form a suspension. The suspension is applied on the surface by a printing method. According to the invention, the viscosity of the suspension is adjusted to a range that is suitable for the printing method by adjusting the fiber concentration of the suspension. The invention concerns also a composition disposable onto the surface of a body, such as a film-shaped body, by a non-contact inkjet printing method. According to the invention, the composition comprises nanocellulose fibers suspended in a medium essentially composed of water and a polar solvent, miscible with water, wherein the concentration of nanocellulose fibers is 0.5 to 1.5%, preferably 0.5 to 1%, most preferably about 0.7% of said composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Teknologian Tutkimuskeskus VTT
    Inventors: Pasi Puukko, Laura Kela, Anu Ilmonen
  • Publication number: 20160186018
    Abstract: An adhesive composition and a method of producing the same. According to the present invention, a first adhesive component which comprises polyphenol and another adhesive component which comprises a starch derivative, are dissolved or dispersed in water. The polyphenol and the starch derivative are added into the water at a weight ratio which is approximately 1:50 . . . 50:1, in which case the quantities of polyphenol and starch derivative added are such that the dry matter percentage of the adhesive composition is at least 40% by weight. The composition according to the present invention is particularly suitable for gluing of fibrous, such as laminated or veneer-based products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Applicant: TEKNOLOGIAN TUTKIMUSKESKUS VTT
    Inventor: Hannu Mikkonen
  • Patent number: 9349091
    Abstract: The invention relates to an antenna construction for an RFID chip for long ranges, which comprises a substrate, an antenna of conducting material supported by the substrate, the antenna is formed as a magnetic dipole, and coupling means for coupling the antenna to a circuit, which coupling means are formed by overlapping extensions of the antenna conductor. In accordance with the invention the antenna is formed of at least three sections each of different width W1, W2 and W3, where the sections are widest and the section is the narrowest W2 with an optimized shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Teknologian tutkimuskeskus VTT
    Inventor: Kaarle Jaakkola
  • Patent number: 9340809
    Abstract: A DNA molecule comprising a fungal gene encoding an enzyme protein capable of converting L-galactonic acid into L-threo-3-deoxy-hexulosonic acid has been cloned and heterologously expressed. The enzyme is involved in the metabolic conversion of sugar acids, which are present in biological waste material such as sugar beet pulp and other pectin comprising material. A microorganism genetically modified to effectively express said enzyme may be used in fermenting biomaterial to desired end products such as ethanol. Alternatively, microorganisms in which the gene has been inactivated may be used to produce L-galactonic acid, which accumulates when the expression of the gene is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Teknologian Tutkimuskeskus VTT Oy
    Inventors: Satu Hilditch, Merja Penttilä, Peter Richard
  • Patent number: 9335834
    Abstract: The invention relates to providing detection of an exposure to a physical or chemical phenomenon and revealing information as a response to the exposure. A microfluidic device (20) comprises a microchannel (22) filled at least partly with at least one substance and a conductor (29) providing an intersection area (23a-23d) with the microchannel (22). As a result of exposure to the physical or chemical phenomenon directed to the microchannel (22) or to the substance in the microchannel (22) the microfluidic device (20) is arranged to control electromagnetic characteristic of the conductor (29) in the intersection area (23a-23d). An indicator device (45) comprises the microfluidic device (20) that is connected to means for indicating (40) to indicate the exposure to the phenomenon by giving a visual, sound, scent and/or electhcomagnetic indication. Further a method for detecting exposure to a physical or chemical phenomenon and indicating the exposure is presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: TEKNOLOGIAN TUTKIMUSKESKUS VTT OY
    Inventors: Markku Känsäkoski, Antti Kemppainen
  • Patent number: 9322906
    Abstract: This document describes a wireless sensor comprising a MEMS resonator and an antenna directly matched thereto. Also a method of reading the wireless sensor is described. The method comprises illuminating the wireless sensor with electromagnetic energy at a first and second frequencies and receiving an intermodulation signal emitted by the wireless sensor in response to said electromagnetic energy at the first and second frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Teknologian tutkimuskeskus VTT Oy
    Inventors: Heikki Seppä, Ville Viikari
  • Patent number: 9315834
    Abstract: Provided is a method for producing xylonic acid from xylose with a recombinant fungal strain that is genetically modified to express a xylose dehydrogenase gene, which is able to convert xylose to xylonolactone, which is spontaneously or enzymatically hydrolyzed to xylonic acid. The xylonic acid is excreted outside the host cell. Xylonate production may be coupled with xylitol production. Alternatively, if xylitol production is not desired, its production is reduced by removing the aldose reductase (or specific xylose reductase) enzyme, which converts xylose to xylitol. Expression of a heterologous lactonase encoding gene may result in higher acid concentrations. The method is suitable for producing xylonic acid from a hemicellulose hydrolysate such as hydrolyzed lignocellulosic plant biomass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Teknologian Tutkimuskeskus VTT
    Inventors: Peter Richard, Marilyn Wiebe, Mervi Toivari, Dominik Mojzita, Laura Ruohonen, Merja Penttilä
  • Patent number: 9294069
    Abstract: In a bulk acoustic wave (BAW) filter based on laterally acoustically coupled resonators on piezoelectric thin films, one can utilize two distinct acoustic plate wave modes of different nature, for example the thickness extensional (longitudinal) TE1 and the second harmonic thickness shear (TS2) mode to form a bandpass response. The invention is based on the excitation of at least two lateral standing wave resonances belonging to different plate wave modes that facilitate the transmission of signal. The passband is designed by tailoring the wave propagation characteristics in the device such that the resonances are excited at suitable frequencies to form a passband of a desired shape. The bandwidth of the filter described herein may therefore be more than twice that of the existing state-of-the-art microacoustic filters. Consequently, it has significant commercial and technological value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Teknologian Tutkimuskeskus VTT
    Inventors: Johanna Meltaus, Tuomas Pensala
  • Publication number: 20160077202
    Abstract: A portable electronic navigational aid (104) e.g. for the blind (102), comprising a radio frequency, preferably millimeter wave, radar (218) with at least one transmitting (TX) channel and a plurality of receiving (RX) channels, at least one orientation sensor (220) configured to obtain data indicative of the orientation of the radar, and a processing element (210) configured to adaptively control (500, 602) the beamforming of the radar based on the data provided by the orientation sensor. A corresponding method is presented. An accessory, such as a replaceable cover, containing a radio frequency radar for attaching to an electronic host device is presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Applicant: Teknologian tutkimuskeskus VTT
    Inventors: Mervi HIRVONEN, Tero KIURU, Janne HÄKLI, Pekka PURSULA
  • Patent number: 9268144
    Abstract: A method for producing a mirror plate for a Fabry-Perot interferometer includes providing a base slab, which includes a substrate coated with a reflective multilayer coating, forming one or more intermediate layers on the base slab such that the lowermost intermediate layer substantially consists of silica, and such that the multilayer coating is at least partially covered by the lowermost intermediate layer, forming one or more capacitive sensor electrodes by depositing conductive material on top of the intermediate layers, and removing material of the lowermost intermediate layer by etching in order to form an exposed aperture portion of the multilayer coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: TEKNOLOGIAN TUTKIMUSKESKUS VTT
    Inventors: Anna Rissanen, Jarkko Antila
  • Patent number: 9255844
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system and a method for optical measurement of a target, wherein the target is illuminated, either actively illuminated, reflecting ambient light, or self illuminating, and a measurement radiation beam received from the target or through it is detected. The measurement system has optical fibers for guiding radiation from/to target positions. Radiation of several target positions is simultaneously filtered by a Fabry-Perot interferometer and detected by a row detector, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: TEKNOLOGIAN TUTKIMUSKESKUS VTT
    Inventors: Mikko Juuti, Heikki Saari, Heimo Keranen, Jouko Malinen
  • Patent number: 9244162
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for ranging a radio frequency tag, comprising measuring the modulated backscattering response of the tag at a plurality of frequencies using reader and determining the dispersive properties of the tag from the amplitude of the measured backscattering response. Further, the method comprises determining a position parameter of the tag from the measured modulated backscattering response and the determined dispersive properties of the tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Teknologian Tutkimuskeskus VTT
    Inventors: Ville Viikari, Pekka Pursula
  • Patent number: 9238826
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing terpenes in fungi, wherein a terpene biosynthetic gene cluster having terpene biosynthetic genes and regulatory regions operably linked to said genes is activated. The invention relates also to a terpene biosynthetic gene duster and regulatory regions of such terpene biosynthetic gene cluster usable is production of terpenes, use of regulator for regulating the terpene production and use of Aspergillus nidulans FGSC A4 for producing terpenes. The method of invention provides higher yields of enriched terpene product without essential amount of side-products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Teknologian Tutkimuskeskus VTT Oy
    Inventors: Kirsi Bromann, Tina Nakari-Setala, Laura Ruohonen, Mervi Toivari, Merja Penttila
  • Patent number: 9235043
    Abstract: Controllable Fabry-Perot interferometers include two mirrors with a space between them. The mirrors are such that at least one layer is made of silicon-rich silicon nitride. Additionally, the mirrors' surfaces are formed to be of a roughness which reduces the risk of the mirrors sticking to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: TEKNOLOGIAN TUTKIMUSKESKUS VTT
    Inventor: Martti Blomberg
  • Publication number: 20150369666
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a semiconductor single-photon avalanche detector, and a counter. The detector performs detections of photons of optical radiation caused by an optical excitation pulse to the object. The counter measures timing of each detection made in the detector with respect to the excitation pulse causing the detected photons, and performs at least one of the following: forming a number of Raman detections, forming a number of fluorescence detections. Forming the number of the Raman detections is performed by eliminating an estimate of a number of fluorescence photons in the measurement. Forming the number of the fluorescence detections is performed by eliminating an estimate of a number of Raman photons in the measurement. The estimates are formed in a predetermined manner from the number and timing of the detections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Applicants: TEKNOLOGIAN TUTKIMUSKESKUS VTT, OULUN YLIOPISTO
    Inventors: Juha KOSTAMOVAARA, Jussi TENHUNEN