Patents by Inventor Elizabeth Woods

Elizabeth Woods 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).

  • Publication number: 20140273118
    Abstract: The present invention provides processes, methods, and systems for converting biomass-derived feedstocks to liquid fuels and chemicals. The method generally includes the reaction of a hydrolysate from a biomass deconstruction process with hydrogen and a catalyst to produce a reaction product comprising one of more oxygenated compounds. The process also includes reacting the reaction product with a condensation catalyst to produce C4+ compounds useful as fuels and chemicals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Virent, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Held, Elizabeth Woods, Randy Cortright, Matthew Gray
  • Patent number: 8710281
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods for producing polyols, ketones, carboxylic acids, aldehydes and alcohols from biomass-derived oxygenated hydrocarbons, such as sugars, sugar alcohols, saccharides and the like, using catalysts containing platinum, ruthenium and tin. The methods can be run at lower temperatures and pressures, and allows for the production of oxygenated compounds without the need for hydrogen from an external source. The oxygenated compounds produced are useful as industrial chemicals or chemical intermediates for liquid fuels production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Virent, Inc.
    Inventors: Dick Alan Nagaki, Randy D. Cortright, Lisa Kamke, Elizabeth Woods
  • Publication number: 20140107353
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods, reactor systems, and catalysts for converting in a continuous process biomass to less complex oxygenated compounds for use in downstream processes to produce biofuels and chemicals. The invention includes methods of converting the components of biomass, such as hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin, to water-soluble materials, including lignocellulosic derivatives, cellulosic derivatives, hemicellulosic derivatives, carbohydrates, starches, polysaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, sugars, sugar alcohols, alditols, polyols, diols, alcohols, ketones, cyclic ethers, esters, carboxylic acids, aldehydes, and mixtures thereof, using hydrogen and a heterogeneous liquefaction catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Virent, Inc.
    Inventors: Ming Qiao, Randy D. Cortright, John Kania, Elizabeth Woods
  • Publication number: 20140051872
    Abstract: The present invention provides catalysts, methods, and reactor systems for converting oxygenated hydrocarbons to oxygenated compounds. The invention includes methods for producing cyclic ethers, monooxygenates, dioxygenates, ketones, aldehydes, carboxylic acids, and alcohols from oxygenated hydrocarbons, such as carbohydrates, sugars, sugar alcohols, sugar degradation products, and the like, using catalysts containing palladium, molybdenum, tin, and tungsten. The oxygenated compounds produced are useful in the production of liquid fuels, chemicals, and other products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: Virent, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Blank, Randy Cortright, Taylor Beck, Elizabeth Woods, Mike Jehring
  • Patent number: 8642813
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods, reactor systems, and catalysts for converting in a continuous process biomass to less complex oxygenated compounds for use in downstream processes to produce biofuels and chemicals. The invention includes methods of converting the components of biomass, such as hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin, to water-soluble materials, including lignocellulosic derivatives, cellulosic derivatives, hemicellulosic derivatives, carbohydrates, starches, polysaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, sugars, sugar alcohols, alditols, polyols, diols, alcohols, ketones, cyclic ethers, esters, carboxylic acids, aldehydes, and mixtures thereof, using hydrogen and a heterogeneous liquefaction catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Virent, Inc.
    Inventors: Ming Qiao, Randy D. Cortright, John Kania, Elizabeth Woods
  • Publication number: 20130263498
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods, reactor systems and catalysts for converting biomass and biomass-derived feedstocks to C8+ hydrocarbons using heterogenous catalysts. The product stream may be separated and further processed for use in chemical applications, or as a neat fuel or a blending component in jet fuel and diesel fuel, or as heavy oils for lubricant and/or fuel oil applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: VIRENT, INC.
    Inventors: John Kania, Paul Blommel, Elizabeth Woods, Brice Dally, Warren Lyman, Randy Cortright
  • Publication number: 20130248163
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions, preparation methods, and use of thermally conductive materials comprising silicone composition curable by hydrosilylation, thermally conductive fillers, and phthalocyanine. The novel composition retains its desirable pliability after cure even when kept at an elevated temperature for an extended period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventors: Dorab Bhagwagar, Kelly Messing, Elizabeth Wood
  • Publication number: 20130045514
    Abstract: Carbonic anhydrase can be expressed on a cell surface in a system and method for mineralizing carbon dioxide. The system and method can optionally include a mineralization peptide to facilitate formation of minerals from carbonate ions and divalent metal cations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Inventors: Roberto Barbero, Elizabeth Wood, Angela Belcher
  • Publication number: 20130036660
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods, reactor systems, and catalysts for converting in a continuous process biomass to fuels and chemicals. The invention includes methods of converting the water insoluble components of biomass, such as hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin, to volatile C2+O1-2 oxygenates, such as alcohols, ketones, cyclic ethers, esters, carboxylic acids, aldehydes, and mixtures thereof. In certain applications, the volatile C2+O1-2 oxygenates can be collected and used as a final chemical product, or used in downstream processes to produce liquid fuels, chemicals and other products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: Virent, Inc.
    Inventors: Elizabeth Woods, Ming Qiao, Paul Myren, Randy D. Cortright, John Kania
  • Publication number: 20130019859
    Abstract: The present invention provides processes for deconstructing biomass using a solvent produced in a bioreforming reaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: VIRENT, INC.
    Inventors: Ming Qiao, Elizabeth Woods, Paul Myren, Randy Cortright
  • Publication number: 20130023702
    Abstract: The present invention provides processes for deconstructing biomass using water. The method generally includes loading a reactor with biomass and water, heating the reactor to a first deconstruction temperature and establishing a first deconstruction pressure, maintaining the reactor at the first deconstruction temperature and a first deconstruction pressure for a first deconstruction period, flushing the reactor with water, and repeating these steps one or more times after establishing a second deconstructing temperature and second deconstruction pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: VIRENT, INC.
    Inventors: Ming Qiao, Elizabeth Woods, Paul Myren, Randy Cortright
  • Publication number: 20120318258
    Abstract: The present invention provides processes for deconstructing biomass to produce aqueous and organic products using a solvent produced in a bioreforming reaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: VIRENT, INC.
    Inventors: Ming Qiao, Elizabeth Woods, Paul Myren, Randy Cortright, Sean Connolly
  • Publication number: 20120323053
    Abstract: The present invention provides processes for deconstructing and purifying biomass using water. The method includes the steps of loading a reactor with biomass and water, establishing and maintaining a deconstruction temperature and pressure for a deconstruction period, flushing the reactor with water, and repeating these steps to produce a solid phase and a biomass hydrolysate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: VIRENT, INC.
    Inventors: Ming Qiao, Elizabeth Woods, Paul Myren, Randy Cortright
  • Publication number: 20120172579
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods, reactor systems, and catalysts for converting in a continuous process biomass to less complex oxygenated compounds for use in downstream processes to produce biofuels and chemicals. The invention includes methods of converting the components of biomass, such as hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin, to water-soluble materials, including lignocellulosic derivatives, cellulosic derivatives, hemicellulosic derivatives, carbohydrates, starches, polysaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, sugars, sugar alcohols, alditols, polyols, diols, alcohols, ketones, cyclic ethers, esters, carboxylic acids, aldehydes, and mixtures thereof, using hydrogen and a heterogeneous liquefaction catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventors: Ming Qiao, Randy D. Cortright, John Kania, Elizabeth Woods
  • Publication number: 20120172588
    Abstract: The present invention provides processes for catalytically converting biomass to oxygenated compounds suitable for use in bioreforming processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventors: Ming Qiao, Randy D. Cortright, Dick A. Nagaki, Elizabeth Woods
  • Publication number: 20120167876
    Abstract: The present invention provides processes for catalytic deconstruction of biomass using a solvent produced in a bioreforming reaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventors: Ming Qiao, Randy D. Cortright, Elizabeth Woods
  • Publication number: 20110160482
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods for producing polyols, ketones, carboxylic acids, aldehydes and alcohols from biomass-derived oxygenated hydrocarbons, such as sugars, sugar alcohols, saccharides and the like, using catalysts containing platinum, ruthenium and tin. The methods can be run at lower temperatures and pressures, and allows for the production of oxygenated compounds without the need for hydrogen from an external source. The oxygenated compounds produced are useful as industrial chemicals or chemical intermediates for liquid fuels production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventors: Dick Alan Nagaki, Randy D. Cortright, Lisa Kamke, Elizabeth Woods
  • Patent number: 7626170
    Abstract: Infrared radiation detection systems and methods of making the same are provided. In one embodiment, the radiation detection system comprises: a housing having an open end exposed to a radiation emitting object; a detector positioned in the housing, the detector comprising a radiation sensing material for detecting infrared radiation, the radiation sensing material having a portion removed by etching or coated by a mask such that only a region of the radiation sensing material is capable of detecting the infrared radiation; and a lens positioned in the housing for transmitting infrared radiation from the object to the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kevin George Harding, Mark Joseph Bartonek, Brandi Elizabeth Wood, Pingfan Peter Wu
  • Publication number: 20090277831
    Abstract: A mixed culture of Dehalococcoides species is provided that has an ability to catalyze the complete dechlorination of polychlorinated ethenes such as PCE, TCE, cDCE, 1,1-DCE and vinyl chloride as well as halogenated ethanes such as 1,2-DCA and EDB. The mixed culture demonstrates the ability to achieve dechlorination even in the presence of high source concentrations of chlorinated ethenes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicants: Washington Savannah River Co, LLC, Clemson University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Christopher E. Bagwell, David L. Freedman, Robin Brigmon, William B. Bratt, Elizabeth A. Wood
  • Patent number: D708629
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Timothy Weindorf, Ahmed Muaydh, Michael Stephen Elder, Brandi Elizabeth Wood