Patents by Inventor James Tour

James Tour 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: 11478489
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to the treatment of primary and metastatic cancer using radiation. Specifically, the disclosure relates to methods providing for the selective accretion of cytoprotective agent in tissues and/or organs, sensitive to radiation that are adjacent to malignant tumors prior to radiation of the tumors at a dose that otherwise would be toxic to the tissues and/or organs, but are necessary to achieve ablative outcome on the tumors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignees: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY, THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE LELAND STANFORD JUNIOR UNIVERSITY, BOARD OF REGENTS, UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM
    Inventors: James Tour, Cullen Taniguchi, Kathy Mason
  • Publication number: 20200360406
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to the treatment of primary and metastatic cancer using radiation. Specifically, the disclosure relates to methods providing for the selective accretion of cytoprotective agent in tissues and/or organs, sensitive to radiation that are adjacent to malignant tumors prior to radiation of the tumors at a dose that otherwise would be toxic to the tissues and/or organs, but are necessary to achieve ablative outcome on the tumors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Applicants: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY, THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE LELAND STANFORD JUNIOR UNIVERSITY, BOARD OF REGENTS, UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM
    Inventors: James Tour, Cullen Taniguchi, Kathy Mason
  • Patent number: 10433629
    Abstract: Disclosed is an elastic-fit fingernail-attached stylus, held to the end-portion of the user's fingernail (or to a fingernail extension) principally by an elastic fit around the fingernail/extension. The portion of the sleeve on the underside of the fingernail/extension includes a substantially transverse extension pointing in the direction of the user's fingertip and is designed to contact the flesh of the user's finger, when in use. A substantially spherical projection is on the opposite side of the sleeve with the forward most portion of the sphere and is designed to make contact with the touchscreen (or the keys of the touchscreen keyboard). The stylus is preferably formed of an elastomer, e.g., a silicone rubber composition, preferably including a conducting material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: TEXTING TIP LLC
    Inventors: Brian Atlas, James Tour, Yieu Chyan
  • Publication number: 20190200723
    Abstract: Disclosed is an elastic-fit fingernail-attached stylus, held to the end-portion of the user's fingernail (or to a fingernail extension) principally by an elastic fit around the fingernail/extension. The portion of the sleeve on the underside of the fingernail/extension includes a substantially transverse extension pointing in the direction of the user's fingertip and is designed to contact the flesh of the user's finger, when in use. A substantially spherical projection is on the opposite side of the sleeve with the forward most portion of the sphere and is designed to make contact with the touchscreen (or the keys of the touchscreen keyboard). The stylus is preferably formed of an elastomer, e.g., a silicone rubber composition, preferably including a conducting material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Brian Atlas, James Tour, Yieu Chyan
  • Publication number: 20160175292
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of treating diseases which are: reactive oxygen species mediated, ischemic or reperfusion-related, or T-cell mediated, including autoimmune diseases. The method is administering a therapeutically effective amount of a formulation wherein the active ingredient includes non-phenolic aromatic structures that are electron deficient and are capable of converting the superoxide radical to O2; and/or of converting superoxide radical to oxygen and hydrogen peroxide, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts of said structures. Also disclosed is a method of diagnosing and treating such diseases and conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventor: James Tour
  • Patent number: 9096437
    Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides methods of forming graphene films by: (1) depositing a non-gaseous carbon source onto a catalyst surface; (2) exposing the non-gaseous carbon source to at least one gas with a flow rate; and (3) initiating the conversion of the non-gaseous carbon source to the graphene film, where the thickness of the graphene film is controllable by the gas flow rate. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to graphene films made in accordance with the methods of the present disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: James Tour, Zhengzong Sun, Zheng Yan, Gedeng Ruan, Zhiwei Peng
  • Publication number: 20140234200
    Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides methods of forming graphene films by: (1) depositing a non-gaseous carbon source onto a catalyst surface; (2) exposing the non-gaseous carbon source to at least one gas with a flow rate; and (3) initiating the conversion of the non-gaseous carbon source to the graphene film, where the thickness of the graphene film is controllable by the gas flow rate. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to graphene films made in accordance with the methods of the present disclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: James Tour, Zhengzong Sun, Zheng Yan, Gedeng Ruan, Zhiwei Peng
  • Publication number: 20130264121
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for use in drilling a wellbore into an earthen formation that includes the use of a graphene-based material, where the graphene-based material may be at least one of graphene, graphene oxide, chemically converted graphene, and derivatized graphite oxide are shown and described. In certain examples, the methods and compositions reduce permeability damage and/or stabilize shales.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicants: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY, M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Steve Young, James Friedheim, Arvind D. Patel, James Tour, Dmitry Kosynkin
  • Publication number: 20130058984
    Abstract: The present invention includes single-walled carbon nanotube compositions for the delivery of siRNA and methods of making such single-walled carbon nanotube compositions. A single-walled carbon nanotube composition for delivery of siRNA includes a nonfunctionalized single-walled carbon nanotube; and siRNA noncovalently complexed with the nonfunctionalized single-walled carbon nanotube, wherein the siRNA solubilizes such nonfunctionalized single-walled carbon nanotube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Garth Powis, Jeffrey Bartholomeusz, James Tour, Howard Schmidt, Paul Cherukuri, R. Bruce Weisman
  • Publication number: 20110045080
    Abstract: The present invention includes single-walled carbon nanotube compositions for the delivery of siRNA and methods of making such single-walled carbon nanotube compositions. A single-walled carbon nanotube composition for delivery of siRNA includes a nonfunctionalized single-walled carbon nanotube; and siRNA noncovalently complexed with the nonfunctionalized single-walled carbon nanotube, wherein the siRNA solubilizes such nonfunctionalized single-walled carbon nanotube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Garth Powis, Jeffrey Bartholomeusz, James Tour, Howard Schmidt, Paul Cherukuri, R. Bruce Weisman
  • Publication number: 20080093224
    Abstract: The invention incorporates new processes for the chemical modification of carbon nanotubes. Such processes involve the derivatization of multi- and single-wall carbon nanotubes, including small diameter (ca. 0.7 nm) single-wall carbon nanotubes, with diazonium species. The method allows the chemical attachment of a variety of organic compounds to the side and ends of carbon nanotubes. These chemically modified nanotubes have applications in polymer composite materials, molecular electronic applications, and sensor devices. The methods of derivatization include electrochemical induced reactions, thermally induced reactions (via in-situ generation of diazonium compounds or preformed diazonium compounds), and photochemically induced reactions. The derivatization causes significant changes in the spectroscopic properties of the nanotubes. The estimated degree of functionality is ca. 1 out of every 20 to 30 carbons in a nanotube bearing a functionality moiety.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Inventors: James Tour, Jeffrey Bahr, Jiping Yang
  • Publication number: 20070297216
    Abstract: A method for selectively assembling a molecular device on a substrate comprises contacting the first substrate with a solution containing molecular devices; impeding bonding of the molecular devices to the substrate such that application of a voltage potential to the substrate results in assembly of the molecular device on the substrate at a rate that is at least 1.5 times the rate of assembly of the molecular device on a voltage-neutral substrate; and applying a voltage potential to the substrate so as to cause the molecular devices to assemble on the substrate. A nanoscale computing device is described that includes a substrate, a pair of conductive input/output electrodes carried on this substrate and disposed in spaced-apart relationship and a substantially disordered assembly of nanowires formed on the substrate in a region between the electrodes, thereby forming at least one programmable conductive pathway between the pair of electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Applicants: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: James Tour, Jiping Yang, Philipp Harder, David Allara, Paul Weiss, Long Cheng, Paul Franzon, David Nackashi
  • Publication number: 20070280876
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to methods of functionalizing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in acidic media. By first dispersing CNTs in an acidic medium, bundled CNTs can be separated as individual CNTs, affording exposure of the CNT sidewalls, and thereby facilitating the functionalization of such CNTs, wherein functional groups are attached to the subsequently exposed sidewalls of these individualized CNTs. Once dispersed in this substantially unhundled state, the CNTs are functionalized according to one or more of a variety of functionalization processes. Typically, ultrasonication or non-covalent wrapping is not needed to afford such dispersion and subsequent functionalization. Additionally, such methods are easily scalable and can provide for sidewall-functionalized CNTs in large, industrial-scale quantities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Applicant: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: James Tour, Jared Hudson, Christopher Dyke, Jason Stephenson
  • Publication number: 20070259994
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to carbon nanotube-elastomer composites, methods for making such carbon nanotube-elastomer composites, and articles of manufacture made with such carbon nanotube-elastomer composites. In general, such carbon nanotube-elastomer (CNT-elastomer) composites display an enhancement in their tensile modulus (over the native elastomer), but without a large concomitant reduction in their strain-at-break.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Publication date: November 8, 2007
    Applicants: William Marsh Rice University, The University of Houston
    Inventors: James Tour, Jared Hudson, Ramanan Kirshnamoorti, Koray Yurekli, Cynthia Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20070249180
    Abstract: This invention is generally related to a method of making a molecule-surface interface comprising at least one surface comprising at least one material and at least one organic group wherein the organic group is adjoined to the surface and the method comprises contacting at least one organic group precursor with at least one surface wherein the organic group precursor is capable of reacting with the surface in a manner sufficient to adjoin the organic group and the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2007
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Applicant: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: James Tour, Michael Stewart
  • Publication number: 20070128744
    Abstract: An assembly of a NanoCell comprising a disordered array of metallic islands interlinked with molecules between metallic input/output leads and with disordered arrays of molecules and Au islands is disclosed. The NanoCell may function both as a memory device that is programmable post-fabrication. The assembled NanoCells exhibit reproducible switching behavior and at least two types of memory effects at room temperature. The switch-type memory is characteristic of a destructive read while the conductivity-type memory features a nondestructive read. Both types of s memory effects are stable for more than a week at room temperature and bit level ratios (0:1) of the conductivity-type memory have been observed to be as high as 104:1 and reaching 106:1 upon ozone treatment which likely destroys extraneous leakage pathways.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2005
    Publication date: June 7, 2007
    Inventors: James Tour, Long Cheng, Paul Franzon, David Neckeshi
  • Publication number: 20070118937
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to the block copolymerization of aromatic polymers with carbon nanotubes (CNTs), the CNTs typically being shortened, to form nanotube block copolymers. The present invention is also directed to fibers and other shaped articles made from the nanotube block copolymers of the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2006
    Publication date: May 24, 2007
    Applicant: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Wen-Fang Hwang, James Tour, Zheyi Chen, Robert Hauge, Kazufumi Kobashi
  • Publication number: 20070111486
    Abstract: Work from several laboratories has shown that metal nanofilaments cause problems in some molecular electronics testbeds. A new testbed for exploring the electrical properties of single molecules has been developed to eliminate the possibility of metal nanofilament formation and to ensure that molecular effects are measured. This metal-free system uses single-crystal silicon and single-walled carbon nanotubes as electrodes for the molecular monolayer. A direct Si-arylcarbon grafting method is used. Use of this structure with ?-conjugated organic molecules results in a hysteresis loop with current-voltage measurements that are useful for an electronic memory device. The memory is non-volatile for more than 3 days, non-destructive for more than 1,000 reading operations and capable of more than 1,000 write-erase cycles before device breakdown.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Publication date: May 17, 2007
    Inventors: James Tour, Jianli He, Bo Chen, Austen Flatt, Jason Stephenson, Condell Doyle
  • Publication number: 20070071667
    Abstract: The present invention is directed towards methods of thermally defunctionalizing functionalized (derivatized) carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in solution or suspended in a liquid medium. Such defunctionalization largely comprises the removal of sidewall functionality from the CNTs, but can also serve to remove functionality from the CNT ends. Such methods facilitate the resuspension of such defunctionalized CNTs in various solvents and permit the defunctionalization of functionalized CNTs that would normally decompose (or partially decompose) upon thermal treatment. Such methods of defunctionalization can typically lead to defunctionalized CNTs that are essentially pristine (or nearly pristine), and which, in contrast to prior art methods of thermal defunctionalization, can be easily resuspended in a variety of solvents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Applicant: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: James Tour, Christopher Dyke
  • Publication number: 20060178462
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel flame retardant monomers and polymers, wherein the flame retardant properties of the polymers are provided by functionality in pendant groups attached to a polymer backbone (as opposed to the polymer backbone itself possessing flame retardant properties. The present invention is also directed to methods of making such polymers and monomers, and articles of manufacture incorporating such monomers and polymers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Publication date: August 10, 2006
    Applicant: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: James Tour, Joshua Jurs, Jason Stephenson