Patents by Inventor Natnael Behabtu

Natnael Behabtu 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: 20180230241
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to benzyl ?-(1?3)-glucan, compositions comprising benzyl ?-(1?3)-glucan, and blends comprising benzyl ?-(1?3)-glucan and one or more polymers. Also disclosed are fibers comprising benzyl ?-(1?3)-glucan, and articles comprising such fibers, including articles such as a carpet, a textile, a fabric, yarn, or apparel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Ross S. Johnson, Natnael Behabtu, Alicia C. Briegel, Hugh P. McAdams, III
  • Publication number: 20180229214
    Abstract: Compositions are disclosed herein comprising poly alpha-1,3-glucan or poly alpha-1,3-1,6-glucan polymer having an open-cell pore structure with an average pore size of about 100 nm to about 3000 nm in diameter. Such polymers have enhanced aqueous liquid absorption capacity, and can be comprised in various products having aqueous liquid absorption function. Methods of preparing glucan polymers of the compositions provided herein are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Natnael Behabtu, Rakesh Nambiar
  • Patent number: 9968910
    Abstract: Compositions are disclosed herein comprising poly alpha-1,3-glucan or poly alpha-1,3-1,6-glucan polymer having an open-cell pore structure with an average pore size of about 100 nm to about 3000 nm in diameter. Such polymers have enhanced aqueous liquid absorption capacity, and can be comprised in various products having aqueous liquid absorption function. Methods of preparing glucan polymers of the compositions provided herein are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: E I DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Natnael Behabtu, Rakesh Nambiar
  • Publication number: 20180127682
    Abstract: Polysaccharides can be used to provide a liquid composition with desirable rheological properties while being compatible with other ingredients, such as enzymes, that may be used in formulating the liquid composition. The polysaccharides can be i) a colloidal dispersion of poly alpha-1,3-glucan, ii) poly alpha-1,3-glucan fibrids, iii) soy polysaccharide; or iv) a combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventors: Rakesh Nambiar, Jayme L. Paullin, Ji Yeon Huh, Natnael Behabtu
  • Publication number: 20180119357
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to poly alpha-1,3-glucan fibrids and methods for making them. Also disclosed uses for the fibrids, including paper-making and use as an emulsifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Natnael Behabtu, Jayme L. Paullin, Mikhail R. Levit
  • Publication number: 20180021238
    Abstract: A colloidal dispersion is disclosed comprising poly alpha-1,3-glucan or poly alpha-1,3-1,6-glucan and a solvent. The colloidal dispersion has utility in various applications, including food, oil field, pharmaceutical, personal care and specialty industries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Ji Yeon Huh, Natnael Behabtu, Rakesh Nambiar
  • Publication number: 20170362345
    Abstract: A polymeric blend composition comprising: (a) from about 1 to about 99 wt. % of a polymer; and (b) from about 1 to about 75 wt. % poly alpha-1,3-glucan is disclosed. The addition of alpha-1,3-glucan as a polymer filler can increase the tensile modulus, tensile strength and oxygen barrier properties of the polymeric blend composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Natnael Behabtu, Sandeep Kumar, Jayme L. Paullin
  • Publication number: 20170327857
    Abstract: Enzymatic reactions are disclosed herein comprising water, glucose-1-phosphate, cellodextrin, and at least one cellodextrin phosphorylase enzyme comprising an amino acid sequence that is at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:6. These reactions produce a low molecular weight, insoluble cellulose with enhanced features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Inventors: Natnael Behabtu, Ayrookaran J. Poulose, Zheyong Yu, Zhenghong Zhang
  • Publication number: 20170167063
    Abstract: Nonwoven webs formed from modified 1,3-?-D-glucan polymer and methods of forming the nonwoven webs are disclosed. The modified 1,3-?-D-glucan polymer can have a number average degree of polymerization in the range of from 55 to 10,000. The nonwoven webs can be used for personal hygiene wipes, filtration media, apparel or other uses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventor: NATNAEL BEHABTU
  • Patent number: 9534319
    Abstract: Methods for dissolving carbon materials such as, for example, graphite, graphite oxide, oxidized graphene nanoribbons and reduced graphene nanoribbons in a solvent containing at least one superacid are described herein. Both isotropic and liquid crystalline solutions can be produced, depending on the concentration of the carbon material The superacid solutions can be formed into articles such as, for example, fibers and films, mixed with other materials such as, for example, polymers, or used for functionalization of the carbon material. The superacid results in exfoliation of the carbon material to produce individual particles of the carbon material. In some embodiments, graphite or graphite oxide is dissolved in a solvent containing at least one superacid to form graphene or graphene oxide, which can be subsequently isolated. In some embodiments, liquid crystalline solutions of oxidized graphene nanoribbons in water are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: James M. Tour, Matteo Pasquali, Natnael Behabtu, Jay R. Lomeda, Dmitry V. Kosynkin, Amanda Duque, Micah J. Green, A. Nicholas Parra-Vasquez, Colin Young
  • Publication number: 20160175811
    Abstract: Compositions are disclosed herein comprising poly alpha-1,3-glucan or poly alpha-1,3-1,6-glucan polymer having an open-cell pore structure with an average pore size of about 100 nm to about 3000 nm in diameter. Such polymers have enhanced aqueous liquid absorption capacity, and can be comprised in various products having aqueous liquid absorption function. Methods of preparing glucan polymers of the compositions provided herein are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: NATNAEL BEHABTU, Rakesh Nambiar
  • Publication number: 20150298164
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides methods for fabricating carbon nanotube films. Such methods generally comprise: (i) suspending carbon nanotubes in a superacid (e.g. chloro sulfonic acid) to form a dispersed carbon nanotube-superacid solution, wherein the carbon nanotubes have substantially exposed sidewalls in the carbon nanotube-superacid solution; (ii) applying the dispersed carbon nanotube-superacid solution onto a surface to form a carbon nanotube film; and (iii) removing the superacid. Desirably, such methods occur without the utilization of carbon nanotube wrapping molecules or sonication. Further embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to carbon nanotube films that are fabricated in accordance with the methods of the present disclosure. Such carbon nanotube films comprise a plurality of carbon nanotubes that are dispersed and individualized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Applicant: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Matteo Pasquali, Wing Kui Anson Ma, Natnael Behabtu, Mainak Majumder, Jaewook Nam, Francesca Mirri, Tien Yi Theresa Hsu Whiting
  • Publication number: 20140363669
    Abstract: Carbon nanotubes (CNT) fibers having a resistivity lower than 120 ??*cm are prepared by a wet spinning process including the steps of supplying a spin-dope of carbon nanotubes to a spinneret, extruding the spin-dope through at least one spinning hole in the spinneret to form spun carbon nanotubes fibers, and coagulating the spun carbon nanotubes fibers in a coagulation medium to form coagulated carbon nanotubes fibers. The carbon nanotubes fibers are drawn at a draw ratio higher than 1.0. The carbon nanotubes have a length of at least 0.5 ?m. The carbon nanotubes fibers can further have a resistivity lower than 50 ??*cm. At the same time, the CNT fibers can have high modulus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicants: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY, TEIJIN ARAMID B.V.
    Inventors: Marcin Jan Otto, Jorrit Jong De, Ronald Folkert Waarbeek Ter, Ronald Edward Hoogerwerf, Anson Ma, Natnael Behabtu, Dmitri Tsentalovich, Colin Young, Matteo Pasquali
  • Publication number: 20120295091
    Abstract: Methods for producing carbon films are disclosed herein. The methods include treating a carbon nanostructure with one or more dispersing agents, filtering the solution through a filter membrane to form the carbon film, releasing the carbon film from the filter membrane, and transferring the film onto a desired substrate without the use of sonication. Carbon films formed by said methods are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Matteo Pasquali, Robert H. Hauge, Budhadipta Dan, Natnael Behabtu, Cary Pint
  • Publication number: 20120063988
    Abstract: Methods for dissolving carbon materials such as, for example, graphite, graphite oxide, oxidized graphene nanoribbons and reduced graphene nanoribbons in a solvent containing at least one superacid are described herein. Both isotropic and liquid crystalline solutions can be produced, depending on the concentration of the carbon material The superacid solutions can be formed into articles such as, for example, fibers and films, mixed with other materials such as, for example, polymers, or used for functionalization of the carbon material. The superacid results in exfoliation of the carbon material to produce individual particles of the carbon material. In some embodiments, graphite or graphite oxide is dissolved in a solvent containing at least one superacid to form graphene or graphene oxide, which can be subsequently isolated. In some embodiments, liquid crystalline solutions of oxidized graphene nanoribbons in water are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: James M. Tour, Matteo Pasquali, Natnael Behabtu, Jay R. Lomeda, Dmitry V. Kosynkin, Amanda Duque, Micah J. Green, A. Nicholas Parra-Vasquez, Colin Young