Patents by Inventor Kung-Hui Chu

Kung-Hui Chu 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: 12037629
    Abstract: In an embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to an oleaginous bacterium. In some embodiments, the oleaginous bacterium includes lipids and at least one exogenous and inducible gene. In some embodiments, the exogenous and inducible gene encodes at least one protein capable of inducing lysis in the oleaginous bacterium to release the lipids. In an addition embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a method of releasing lipids into an environment. In general, the method includes one or more of the following steps of: (1) introducing at least one oleaginous bacterium of the present disclosure to the environment; and (2) inducing expression of at least one exogenous gene in the oleaginous bacterium to thereby induce the expression of at least one protein. In some embodiments, the protein facilitates the lysis of the oleaginous bacterium and release of the lipids into the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Kung-Hui Chu, Ry Young, Jason Gill
  • Publication number: 20230048349
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a recirculating aquaculture system comprising a) a wastewater treatment system and b) a polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) production system. In particular, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) can be utilized as the PHA in such a system. Methods of treating wastewater for reuse by contacting the wastewater with one or more zeolites to remove material from the wastewater and reusing the treated wastewater are also provided as well as methods of producing a PHA such as PHB from organic waste. Moreover, food compositions comprising a PHA biomass as well as associated methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventor: Kung-Hui CHU
  • Publication number: 20220056492
    Abstract: In an embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to an oleaginous bacterium. In some embodiments, the oleaginous bacterium includes lipids and at least one exogenous and inducible gene. In some embodiments, the exogenous and inducible gene encodes at least one protein capable of inducing lysis in the oleaginous bacterium to release the lipids. In an addition embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a method of releasing lipids into an environment. In general, the method includes one or more of the following steps of: (1) introducing at least one oleaginous bacterium of the present disclosure to the environment; and (2) inducing expression of at least one exogenous gene in the oleaginous bacterium to thereby induce the expression of at least one protein. In some embodiments, the protein facilitates the lysis of the oleaginous bacterium and release of the lipids into the environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Applicant: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Kung-Hui Chu, Ry Young, Jason Gill
  • Publication number: 20210395112
    Abstract: Hydrogel-based sorbents and methods for their use in collecting, concentrating, and removing environmental per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances. In one aspect, the invention provides hydrogel-based sorbents that are effective for collecting, concentrating, and removing PFASs from an environment in which the sorbent is placed; an environment in which the sorbent is in contact with (e.g., liquid communication).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Applicant: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Jun Kameoka, Po-Jung Huang, Kung-Hui Chu