Patents by Inventor Eric J. Beckman
Eric J. Beckman 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).
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Patent number: 7347263Abstract: A composition includes water having a salinity of at least 1 ppt, at least one hydrophilic polymer containing primary (—NH2) and/or secondary (—NHR) amine groups and at least one saccharide containing a reducible function. A method of changing the permeability of a subterranean formation includes the step of injecting into a subterranean formation a composition comprising water, at least one hydrophilic polymer containing at least two groups which are independently the same or different a primary amine group or a secondary amine group and at least one saccharide containing a reducible function.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2005Date of Patent: March 25, 2008Assignee: University of Pittsburgh - of the Commonwealth of Higher EducationInventors: Eric J. Beckman, Ronald A. LoSasso, Janice E. LoSasso
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Patent number: 7271286Abstract: Aromatic carboxylic acids are produced by reacting a Lewis acid: CO2 complex with aromatic hydrocarbons. The complex can be created by incubating a Strong Lewis acid and CO2 and forming a composition consisting essentially of CO2, strong Lewis acid, and Lewis acid: CO2 complex. Carboxylation of aromatic hydrocarbons to produce aromatic carboxylic acids using the composition and method in accordance with this invention provides improved yields without the use of finely divided aluminum or zinc.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2005Date of Patent: September 18, 2007Assignee: The University of Pittsburgh - of the Commonwealth System of Higher EducationInventors: Eric J. Beckman, Pradip Munshi
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Patent number: 7264823Abstract: An adhesive including a mixture of isocyanate capped molecules formed by reacting multi-isocyanate functional molecules with multi-functional precursor molecules including terminal functional groups selected from the group consisting of a hydroxyl group, a primary amino group and a secondary amino group. Preferably, the functional groups are hydroxyl groups. The multi-functional precursor compounds are biocompatible. Multi-amine functional precursors of the multi-isocyanate functional molecules are also biocompatible. As discussed, above, the mixture of molecules preferably has an average isocyanate functionality of at least 2.1 and, more preferably, has an average isocyanate functionality of at least 2.5. As also described above, the mixture of molecules preferably has a viscosity in the range of approximately 1 to approximately 100 centipoise. The mixture of molecules forms a crosslinked polymer network upon contact with the organic tissue in the presence of water.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2003Date of Patent: September 4, 2007Assignee: University of PittsburghInventors: Eric J. Beckman, Michael Buckley, Sudha Agarwal, Jianying Zhang
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Patent number: 7135598Abstract: A method of synthesizing a compound having the formula: comprising the step of: reacting a N-vinylformamide salt having the formula ?with a compound having the formula XR1R2; wherein X is Br, Cl or I, M is an alkali metal or an alkali earth metal, R1 is a C0–C25 alkylene group, a C0–C25 fluroalkylene group or a C0–C25 perfluoro alkylene group, R2 is H, provided R1 is not absent, an alkyl group, a fluroalkyl group, a perfluoroalkyl group, an aryl group, a hydroxy group, a polyether group, a heterocyclic group of 5 or 6 atoms wherein at least one of the atoms is not a carbon and is N, O, or S, —OR3, wherein, R3 is an alkyl group, a fluoroalkyl group, a perfluoroalkyl group, or an aryl group, —C(O)R4, —C(O)OR4, —OC(O)R4, —OC(O)R4, wherein R4 is an H, an alkyl group, a fluoroalkyl group, a perfluoroalkyl group, or an aryl group, a phthalimide group or NR5 R5 wherein R5 and R5 are independently H, —C(O)R4, an alkyl, a fluoroalkyl group, a perfluoroalkyl group or an aryl group.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2003Date of Patent: November 14, 2006Assignee: University of PittsburghInventors: Eric J. Beckman, Toby M. Chapman, Lianjun Shi
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Patent number: 7090745Abstract: A composition includes at least one hydrophilic polymer containing primary (—NH2) and/or secondary (—NHR) amine groups and at least one saccharide containing a reducible function. A method of increasing the strength of paper includes the step of contacting the paper with a composition comprising (i) at least one hydrophilic polymer containing at least two groups which are independently the same or different a primary amine group or a secondary amine group and at least one saccharide containing a reducible function. A hydrogel composition is formed from a mixture of at least one hydrophilic polymer containing at least two groups which are independently the same or different a primary amine group or a secondary amine group and at least one saccharide containing a reducible function.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2002Date of Patent: August 15, 2006Assignee: University of PittsburghInventors: Eric J. Beckman, W. Eamon Carroll, Toby Chapman, Kristen E. Minnich, Dennis Sagl, Richard J. Goddard
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Patent number: 7026511Abstract: A process to produce N-vinylformamide includes the steps of: reacting hydroxyethyl formamide with a reactant comprising at least one cyclic anhydride group to form an ester, and dissociating the ester via heat in a thin film evaporation to synthesize N-vinylformamide and a compound comprising at least one diacid group, the N-vinylformamide separating from the diacid during the thin film evaporation. The reactant including at least one cyclic anhydride group can, for example, be succinic anhydride, maleic anhydride, phthalic anhydride, (2-docecen-1-yl)succinic anhydride, exo-3,6-epoxy-1,2,3,6-tetrahydrophthalic anhydride or a polymer including at least one cyclic anhydride group.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2004Date of Patent: April 11, 2006Assignees: University of Pittsburgh, SNF SAInventors: Eric J. Beckman, Toby M. Chapman, Cedrick Favero, Christopher C. Capelli, Harold E. Swift, William Eamon Carroll
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Patent number: 6965052Abstract: A process to produce N-vinylformamide includes the steps of: reacting hydroxyethyl formamide with a reactant including at least one cyclic anhydride group to form an ester, and dissociating (or cracking) the ester to synthesize N-vinylformamide and a compound including at least one diacid group. The ester can be dissociated using heat. The reactant including at least one cyclic anhydride group can, for example, be succinic anhydride, maleic anhydride, phthalic anhydride, a polymer including at least one cyclic anhydride group, or a solid support to which at least one cyclic anhydride group is covalently tethered. Preferably, the cyclic anhydride is regenerated from the diacid formed in the synthesis of the ester by heating the diacid to dehydrate the diacid. The temperature required to dehydrate diacid groups is preferably higher than the temperature use to dissociate the ester.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2003Date of Patent: November 15, 2005Assignees: University of Pittsburgh, SNF SAInventors: Eric J. Beckman, Tody M. Chapman, Cedrick Gilbert Favero, Christopher C. Capelli, Harold E. Swift
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Publication number: 20040186319Abstract: A process to produce N-vinylformamide includes the steps of: reacting hydroxyethyl formamide with a reactant including at least one cyclic anhydride group to form an ester, and dissociating (or cracking) the ester to synthesize N-vinylformamide and a compound including at least one diacid group. The ester can be dissociated using heat. The reactant including at least one cyclic anhydride group can, for example, be succinic anhydride, maleic anhydride, phthalic anhydride, a polymer including at least one cyclic anhydride group, or a solid support to which at least one cyclic anhydride group is covalently tethered. Preferably, the cyclic anhydride is regenerated from the diacid formed in the synthesis of the ester by heating the diacid to dehydrate the diacid. The temperature required to dehydrate diacid groups is preferably higher than the temperature use to dissociate the ester.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2003Publication date: September 23, 2004Inventors: Eric J. Beckman, Toby M. Chapman, Cedrick Gilbert Favero, Christopher C. Capelli, Harold E. Swift
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Publication number: 20040170597Abstract: An adhesive including a mixture of isocyanate capped molecules formed by reacting multi-isocyanate functional molecules with multi-functional precursor molecules including terminal functional groups selected from the group consisting of a hydroxyl group, a primary amino group and a secondary amino group. Preferably, the functional groups are hydroxyl groups. The multi-functional precursor compounds are biocompatible. Multi-aminc functional precursors of the multi-isocyanate functional molecules are also biocompatible. As discussed, above, the mixture of molecules preferably has an average isocyanate functionality of at least 2.1 and, more preferably, has an average isocyanate functionality of at least 2.5. As also described above, the mixture of molecules preferably has a viscosity in the range of approximately 1 to approximately 100 centipoise. The mixture of molecules forms a crosslinked polymer network upon contact with the organic tissue in the presence of water.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2003Publication date: September 2, 2004Inventors: Eric J. Beckman, Michael Buckley, Sudha Agarwal, Jianying Zhang
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Publication number: 20040167338Abstract: A method of synthesizing a compound having the formula: 1Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2003Publication date: August 26, 2004Inventors: Eric J. Beckman, Toby M. Chapman, Lianjun Shi
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Publication number: 20040158013Abstract: A method of synthesizing a CO2-philic analog of a CO2-phobic compound, includes the step of: reacting the CO2-phobic compound with a CO2-philic compound selected from the group of a polyether substituted with at least one side group including preferably a Lewis base, a polycarbonate, a polycarbonate substituted with at least one side group including preferably a Lewis base, a vinyl polymer substituted with at least one side group including preferably a Lewis base a poly(ether-ester) or a poly(ether-ester) substituted with at least one side group including preferably a Lewis base, to create the CO2-philic analog. A method of synthesizing a CO2-phile includes the step of copolymerizing at least two monomers, wherein a polymer formed from homopolymerization of one of the monomers has a Tg of less than approximately 250 K and a steric factor less than approximately 1.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2004Publication date: August 12, 2004Inventors: Eric J. Beckman, Traian Sarbu, Thomas J. Styranec
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Publication number: 20040050513Abstract: A composition includes at least one hydrophilic polymer containing primary (—NH2) and/or secondary (—NHR) amine groups and at least one saccharide containing a reducible function. A method of increasing the strength of paper includes the step of contacting the paper with a composition comprising (i) at least one hydrophilic polymer containing at least two groups which are independently the same or different a primary amine group or a secondary amine group and at least one saccharide containing a reducible function. A hydrogel composition is formed from a mixture of at least one hydrophilic polymer containing at least two groups which are independently the same or different a primary amine group or a secondary amine group and at least one saccharide containing a reducible function.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2002Publication date: March 18, 2004Inventors: Eric J. Beckman, W. Eamon Carroll, Toby Chapman, Kristen E. Minnich, Dennis Sagl, Richard J. Goddard
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Patent number: 6686438Abstract: A method of synthesizing a CO2-philic analog of a CO2-phobic compound, includes the step of: reacting the CO2-phobic compound with a CO2-philic compound selected from the group of a polyether substituted with at least one side group including preferably a Lewis base, a polycarbonate, a polycarbonate substituted with at least one side group including preferably a Lewis base, a vinyl polymer substituted with at least one side group including preferably a Lewis base a poly(ether-ester) or a poly(ether-ester) substituted with at least one side group including preferably a Lewis base, to create the CO2-philic analog. A method of synthesizing a CO2-phile includes the step of copolymerizing at least two monomers, wherein a polymer formed from homopolymerization of one of the monomers has a Tg of less than approximately 250 K and a steric factor less than approximately 1.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2000Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Assignee: University of PittsburghInventors: Eric J. Beckman, Traian Sarbu, Thomas J. Styranec
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Patent number: 6656446Abstract: A method for synthesizing hydrogen peroxide comprises the step of: mixing an analog of a secondary alcohol that is soluble with carbon dioxide with a free radical initiator and oxygen in carbon dioxide to generate hydrogen peroxide. Another method of synthesizing hydrogen peroxide comprises the step of: mixing hydrogen, oxygen and a CO2-philic catalyst in carbon dioxide phase. The CO2-philic catalyst is soluble or miscible in carbon dioxide and is suitable to catalyze the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen to produce hydrogen peroxide. The method also comprises the step of reacting the hydrogen and oxygen to produce hydrogen peroxide.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2000Date of Patent: December 2, 2003Assignee: University of PittsburghInventors: Eric J. Beckman, Dan Hâncu
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Patent number: 6638749Abstract: There is provided a process for the extraction of water soluble biomaterials such as enzymes or proteins into carbon dioxide utilizing certain carbon dioxide-soluble surfactants. Also provided are certain carbon dioxide-soluble surfactants useful in the extraction of proteins. The surfactants are selected from fluoroether sulfate, fluoroether-polyethylene glycol block copolymer, fluoroether-functional sorbitol, and fluoroether dithiocarbamate chelate.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 1998Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignees: Genencor International, Inc., University of PittsburghInventors: Eric J. Beckman, Eliador J. Ghenciu, Nathaniel T. Becker, Landon M. Steele, Alan J. Russell
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Patent number: 6596884Abstract: A method for synthesizing hydrogen peroxide comprises the steps of: synthesizing an analog of anthraquinone that is miscible or soluble in carbon dioxide; reacting the analog of anthraquinone with hydrogen in carbon dioxide to produce a corresponding analog of tetrahydroquinone; and reacting the analog of tetrahydroquinone with oxygen to produce the hydrogen peroxide and regenerate the analog of anthraquinone. A chemical compound having the formula: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, and R8 are independently, the same or different, H, RC, or RSRC, wherein RS is a spacer group and RC is a fluoroalkyl group, a fluoroether group, a silicone group, an alkylene oxide group, a fluorinated acrylate group, or a phosphazine group, and wherein at least one of R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, and R8 is not H.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2001Date of Patent: July 22, 2003Assignee: University of PittsburghInventors: Eric J. Beckman, Dan Hâncu
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Patent number: 6562605Abstract: A method is provided for the extraction of water soluble biomaterials such as enzymes or proteins into carbon dioxide utilizing certain carbon dioxide soluble surfactants. The extraction can be performed on an aqueous solution, a fermentation broth or a fluid. The method includes the process steps of forming a carbon dioxide/surfactant mixture which involves dissolving carbon dioxide soluble surfactant(s) in carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide can be in a liquid or supercritical form and the surfactant includes tail and head groups that interact with the biomaterials. Further, the mixture is added to the aqueous solution, fermentation broth or liquid under conditions to allow for extraction of the biomaterials. The method further includes depressurizing and/or temperature adjusting to remove the water soluble biomaterials. The surfactants include fluroethers, oligomers of propylene-oxide, siloxanes, etc. The biomaterials include proteins or enzymes. The carbon dioxide is suberitical or supercritical.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1996Date of Patent: May 13, 2003Assignees: Genencor International, Inc., University of PittsburghInventors: Eric J. Beckman, Eliador J. Ghenciu, Nathaniel T. Becker, Landon M. Steele
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Publication number: 20020110516Abstract: A method for synthesizing hydrogen peroxide comprises the steps of: synthesizing an analog of anthraquinone that is miscible or soluble in carbon dioxide; reacting the analog of anthraquinone with hydrogen in carbon dioxide to produce a corresponding analog of tetrahydroquinone; and reacting the analog of tetrahydroquinone with oxygen to produce the hydrogen peroxide and regenerate the analog of anthraquinone.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2001Publication date: August 15, 2002Inventors: Eric J. Beckman, Dan Hancu
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Patent number: 6342196Abstract: A method for synthesizing hydrogen peroxide comprises the steps of: synthesizing an analog of anthraquinone that is miscible or soluble in carbon dioxide; reacting the analog of anthraquinone with hydrogen in carbon dioxide to produce a corresponding analog of tetrahydroquinone; and reacting the analog of tetrahydroquinone with oxygen to produce the hydrogen peroxide and regenerate the analog of anthraquinone. A chemical compound having the formula: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, and R8 are independently, the same or different, H, RC, or RSRC, wherein RS is a spacer group and RC is a fluoroalkyl group, a fluoroether group, a silicone group, an alkylene oxide group, a fluorinated acrylate group, or a phosphazine group, and wherein at least one of R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, and R8 is not H.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 1998Date of Patent: January 29, 2002Assignee: University of PittsburghInventors: Eric J. Beckman, Dan Hâncu
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Publication number: 20010007045Abstract: A method for synthesizing hydrogen peroxide comprises the steps of: synthesizing an analog of anthraquinone that is miscible or soluble in carbon dioxide; reacting the analog of anthraquinone with hydrogen in carbon dioxide to produce a corresponding analog of tetrahydroquinone; and reacting the analog of tetrahydroquinone with oxygen to produce the hydrogen peroxide and regenerate the analog of anthraquinone.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 1998Publication date: July 5, 2001Inventors: ERIC J. BECKMAN, DAN HANCU