Patents by Inventor Birte Gerdes

Birte Gerdes 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).

  • Bioremediation method for accelerated biological decomposition of petroleum hydrocarbons in sea ice-covered polar regions, and bacteria and enzyme mixtures as agents for carrying out said method
    Patent number: 8968718
    Abstract: A bacterial mixture usable in an inoculum usable in a bioremediateion method for accelerated biological degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in a sea ice-covered polar region includes a plurality of isolated cold-adapted autochthonous bacterial strains. Each of the bacterial strains has petroleum hydrocarbons degrading activity at an ambient temperature of ?3° C. and each has a different temperature tolerance range, a different salinity tolerance range, a different petroleum hydrocarbons degradation spectrum, and a different capacity to emulsify oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum fuer Polar-und Meeresforschung
    Inventors: Elisabeth Helmke, Birte Gerdes, Jutta Juergens, Kristine Reuter
  • Bioremediation method for accelerated biological decomposition of petroleum hydrocarbons in sea ice-covered polar regions, and bacteria and enzyme mixtures as agents for carrying out said method
    Patent number: 8444962
    Abstract: A bioremediation method for accelerated biological degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in a sea ice-covered polar region comprising contacting the petroleum hydrocarbons with an inoculum. The inoculum includes a bacterial mixture, nutrients, and an environmentally friendly carrier material. The bacterial mixture includes a plurality of cold-adapted autochthonous bacterial strains, wherein each of the bacterial strains are active at an ambient temperature of ?3° C., and wherein each of the bacterial strains has a different temperature tolerance range, a different salinity tolerance range, a different degradation spectrum, and a different potential to emulsify oil. Bacteria of the bacterial strains are immobilized on the environmentally friendly carrier material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Stiftung Alfred-Wegener-Insitut fuer Polar-und Meeresforschung
    Inventors: Elisabeth Helmke, Birte Gerdes, Jutta Juergens, Kristine Reuter
  • BIOREMEDIATION METHOD FOR ACCELERATED BIOLOGICAL DECOMPOSITION OF PETROLEUM HYDROCARBONS IN SEA ICE-COVERED POLAR REGIONS, AND BACTERIA AND ENZYME MIXTURES AS AGENTS FOR CARRYING OUT SAID METHOD
    Publication number: 20100051541
    Abstract: A bioremediation method for accelerated biological degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in a sea ice-covered polar region comprising contacting the petroleum hydrocarbons with an inoculum. The inoculum includes a bacterial mixture, nutrients, and an environmentally friendly carrier material. The bacterial mixture includes a plurality of cold-adapted autochthonous bacterial strains, wherein each of the bacterial strains are active at an ambient temperature of ?3° C., and wherein each of the bacterial strains has a different temperature tolerance range, a different salinity tolerance range, a different degradation spectrum, and a different potential to emulsify oil. Bacteria of the bacterial strains are immobilized on the environmentally friendly carrier material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: Stiftung Alfred-Wegener-Institut fuer Polar-und Meeresforschung
    Inventors: Elisabeth Helmke, Birte Gerdes, Jutta Juergens, Kristine Reuter