Patents by Inventor Benjamin Chiau-pin Wu
Benjamin Chiau-pin Wu has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
-
Patent number: 11312978Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of upgrading biomass to provide useful chemical intermediates, fuels, amino acids, nutrients, etc. In particular examples, the biomass is a by-product of ethanol production and is mainly used as high-protein feed. Described herein are methods for upgrading such biomass, such as by implementing pre-treatment conditions and by employing fermentation conditions including modified organisms.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2020Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLCInventors: Ryan Wesley Davis, Blake Simmons, Mary Bao Tran-Gyamfi, Benjamin Chiau-Pin Wu
-
Patent number: 10947563Abstract: The present invention relates to terpene synthases capable of degrading precursors into biofuel compounds, such as terpenoid compounds. In one instance, a transformed organism can include such terpene synthases, as well as vectors encoding such synthases. Methods of employing such synthases and organisms are also described herein.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2019Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLCInventors: Weihua Wu, John Michael Gladden, Benjamin Chiau-Pin Wu, Ryan Wesley Davis
-
Publication number: 20200370071Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of upgrading biomass to provide useful chemical intermediates, fuels, amino acids, nutrients, etc. In particular examples, the biomass is a by-product of ethanol production and is mainly used as high-protein feed. Described herein are methods for upgrading such biomass, such as by implementing pre-treatment conditions and by employing fermentation conditions including modified organisms.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2020Publication date: November 26, 2020Inventors: Ryan Wesley Davis, Blake Simmons, Mary Bao Tran-Gyamfi, Benjamin Chiau-Pin Wu
-
Patent number: 10683519Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of upgrading biomass to provide useful chemical intermediates, fuels, amino acids, nutrients, etc. In particular examples, the biomass is a by-product of ethanol production and is mainly used as high-protein feed. Described herein are methods for upgrading such biomass, such as by implementing pre-treatment conditions and by employing fermentation conditions including modified organisms.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2017Date of Patent: June 16, 2020Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLCInventors: Ryan Wesley Davis, Blake Simmons, Mary Bao Tran-Gyamfi, Benjamin Chiau-Pin Wu
-
Publication number: 20200017885Abstract: The present invention relates to terpene synthases capable of degrading precursors into biofuel compounds, such as terpenoid compounds. In one instance, a transformed organism can include such terpene synthases, as well as vectors encoding such synthases. Methods of employing such synthases and organisms are also described herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2019Publication date: January 16, 2020Inventors: Weihua Wu, John Michael Gladden, Benjamin Chiau-Pin Wu, Ryan Wesley Davis
-
Patent number: 10400254Abstract: The present invention relates to terpene synthases capable of degrading precursors into biofuel compounds, such as terpenoid compounds. In one instance, a transformed organism can include such terpene synthases, as well as vectors encoding such synthases. Methods of employing such synthases and organisms are also described herein.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2016Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLCInventors: Weihua Wu, John Michael Gladden, Benjamin Chiau-Pin Wu, Ryan Wesley Davis
-
Publication number: 20150056672Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for producing eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and/or derivatives and/or mixtures thereof by growing algae that produce the oils containing EPA and/or DHA and/or derivatives and/or mixtures thereof, harvesting the algae with fish in one or more enclosed systems, and then processing fish to separate and purify the EPA and/or DHA. The multi-trophic systems provided herein comprise at least one enclosure that contains the algae and the fishes, and means for controllably feeding the algae to the fishes. Also provided herein are the lipid compositions extracted from the fishes.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2014Publication date: February 26, 2015Applicant: LiveFuels, Inc.Inventors: Benjamin Chiau-pin Wu, David Stephen, Gaye Elizabeth Morgenthaler, David Vancott Jones
-
Publication number: 20140220664Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for extracting lipids and/or producing biofuel from algae in marine and freshwater environments, wherein algae and bivalves are co-cultured in a system of enclosures comprising water that comprises recycled nutrients that are essential for algal growth. The system also include enclosures for culturing fishes which are used to harvest the algae.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2014Publication date: August 7, 2014Applicant: LiveFuels, Inc.Inventors: David Stephen, Gaye Elizabeth Morgenthaler, Benjamin Chiau-pin Wu, David Vancott Jones
-
Patent number: 8753851Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for extracting lipids and/or producing biofuel from algae in marine and freshwater environments, wherein algae and bivalves are co-cultured in a system of enclosures comprising water that comprises recycled nutrients that are essential for algal growth. The system also include enclosures for culturing fishes which are used to harvest the algae.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2010Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Assignee: LiveFuels, Inc.Inventors: David Stephen, Gaye Elizabeth Morgenthaler, Benjamin Chiau-pin Wu, David Vancott Jones
-
Publication number: 20120231513Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for extracting lipids and/or producing biofuel from algae in marine and freshwater environments, wherein algae and bivalves are co-cultured in a system of enclosures comprising water that comprises recycled nutrients that are essential for algal growth. The system also include enclosures for culturing fishes which are used to harvest the algae.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2010Publication date: September 13, 2012Inventors: David Stephen, Gaye Elizabeth Morgenthaler, Benjamin Chiau-pin Wu, David Vancott Jones
-
Publication number: 20120184001Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for sustainable aquaculture. The methods provided herein allows recovery and/or recycling of autochthonous nutrients in fish farming, and recovery of allochthonous nutrients present in eutrophic water. The systems provided herein comprises two closely spaced cages, an array of rotary panels that regulates the flow of matters between the two cages; and a means for producing a directional water current.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2010Publication date: July 19, 2012Applicant: LiveFuels, Inc.Inventors: David Stephen, Benjamin Chiau-pin Wu
-
Publication number: 20120137574Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for producing biofuel from microalgae that use a population of zooplankton to harvest microalgae in a culture. The methods further comprise gathering the zooplankton, extracting lipids from the zooplankton, and processing the lipids to form biofuel. The systems provided herein comprise at least one enclosure comprising microalgae, means for making the microalgae available to a population of zooplankton, and means for gathering the zooplankton.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2010Publication date: June 7, 2012Applicant: LiveFuels, Inc.Inventors: David Stephen, Gaye Elizabeth Morgenthaler, Benjamin Chiau-pin Wu
-
Publication number: 20120058542Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for regulating algal biomass in offshore waters near an oil and gas production platform. The systems of the invention encompasses a plurality of modules for managing nutrients, algae, and aquaculture, including enclosures for containing aquatic organisms, and various operating subsystems that are operably associated with surface and underwater structures of the platform. In one embodiment of the invention, aquatic organisms are cultured in eutrophic water to feed on algae, thereby reducing the algal biomass. In other embodiments, the diversity of algae in an algal bloom is modified and the productivity of oligotrophic water is increased.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2010Publication date: March 8, 2012Applicant: Live Fuels ,Inc.Inventors: Benjamin Chiau-pin Wu, David Stephen, Gaye Elizabeth Morgenthaler, David Vancott Jones
-
Publication number: 20120058248Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for reducing algal biomass in eutrophic water, wherein organism that feed on algae are introduced into the eutrophic water and cultured in the eutrophic water, until the algal biomass is reduced or the organisms have reach desirable size. The body of eutrophic water can be restocked with juveniles after harvesting. The organisms can be fishes and/or shellfishes. The methods further comprising producing biofuel, specialty chemicals, nutraceuticals, food, and/or fish meal from the harvested fish.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2009Publication date: March 8, 2012Applicant: LiveFuels, Inc.Inventors: David Stephen, Gaye Elizabeth Morgenthaler, Benjamin Chiau-Pin Wu, David Vancott Jones
-
Publication number: 20100236137Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for producing eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and/or derivatives and/or mixtures thereof by growing algae that produce the oils containing EPA and/or DHA and/or derivatives and/or mixtures thereof, harvesting the algae with fish in one or more enclosed systems, and then processing fish to separate and purify the EPA and/or DHA. The multi-trophic systems provided herein comprise at least one enclosure that contains the algae and the fishes, and means for controllably feeding the algae to the fishes. Also provided herein are the lipid compositions extracted from the fishes.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2010Publication date: September 23, 2010Applicant: LiveFuels, Inc.Inventors: Benjamin Chiau-pin Wu, David Stephen, Gaye Elizabeth Morgenthaler, David Vancott Jones
-
Publication number: 20100077654Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for producing biofuel from algae wherein the algae and fishes are co-cultured in a body of water. The methods further comprise inducing the algae to accumulate lipids by environmental stress, and concentrating the algae prior to extraction of the algal oil. The systems of the invention comprise at least one growth enclosure, means for concentrating algae, and means for subjecting algae to environmental stress.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2009Publication date: April 1, 2010Applicant: LiveFuels, Inc.Inventors: Benjamin Chiau-pin Wu, David Stephen, Gaye Elizabeth Morgenthaler, David Vancott Jones
-
Publication number: 20100081835Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for producing biofuel from algae that use cultured fish to harvest algae from an algal culture. The methods further comprise gathering the fish, extracting lipids from the fish, and processing the lipids to form biofuel. The multi-trophic systems of the invention comprises at least one enclosure that contains the algae and the fishes, and means for controllably feeding the algae to the fishes. The lipid compositions extracted from the fishes are also encompassed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2009Publication date: April 1, 2010Applicant: LiveFuels, Inc.Inventors: Benjamin Chiau-pin Wu, David Stephen, Gaye Elizabeth Morgenthaler, David Vancott Jones
-
Publication number: 20100050502Abstract: The invention provides a system for obtaining biofuel from an algae composition comprising algae and water. The system comprises a pump for pressurizing the algae composition to a predefined pressure and a heater for heating the algae composition to a predefined temperature. Lipids in the algae are extracted and/or hydrolyzed to form fatty acids at a set of predefined temperature and pressure. The water may be in a subcritical or supercritical state at the predefined pressure and predefined temperature. The system further comprises a separator for partitioning the treated algae composition into an organic phase which includes the lipids and/or fatty acids, an aqueous phase, and a solid phase with biomass residue, and for collecting the organic phase. The organic phase can be upgraded to biofuel.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2009Publication date: March 4, 2010Applicant: LiveFuels, Inc.Inventors: Benjamin Chiau-pin Wu, Charity Ann DeLuca, Emma Kathryn Payne
-
Patent number: 6030587Abstract: The invention relates to an improved apparatus and method for initiating and sustaining an oxidation reaction. A hazardous waste, is introduced into a reaction zone within a pressurized containment vessel. An oxidizer, preferably hydrogen peroxide, is mixed with a carrier fluid, preferably water, and the mixture is heated until the fluid achieves supercritical conditions of temperature and pressure. The heating means comprise cartridge heaters placed in closed-end tubes extending into the center region of the pressure vessel along the reactor longitudinal axis. A cooling jacket surrounds the pressure vessel to remove excess heat at the walls.Heating and cooling the fluid mixture in this manner creates a limited reaction zone near the center of the pressure vessel by establishing a steady state density gradient in the fluid mixture which gradually forces the fluid to circulate internally.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 1998Date of Patent: February 29, 2000Inventors: Brent Lowell Haroldsen, Benjamin Chiau-pin Wu