Patents by Inventor Paul J. A. Kenis

Paul J. A. Kenis 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: 11189870
    Abstract: A lithium-air flow battery has minimal cathodic product precipitation, thus extending capacity. The lithium-air flow battery includes a flow electrolyte, flowing proximal to the air cathode, the flow electrolyte having little to no intrinsic lithium ion content. Operation of the lithium-air flow battery generates a lithium-ion concentration gradient across the flow electrolyte, with the lowest lithium-ion concentration adjacent to the air cathode. The extremely low lithium-ion concentration at the cathode, combined with the flow condition at the cathode, results in a minimum of solid product accumulation at the cathode, enabling the cathode to catalyze oxygen reduction for an extended duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Kensuke Takechi, Byoungsu Kim, Paul J. A. Kenis
  • Publication number: 20190262453
    Abstract: Provided herein are physiologically insoluble insoluble forms of drugs. In particular, provided herein are physiologically insoluble insoluble salts of drugs (e.g., basic drugs) and their use in treatment of disease.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventors: Gustavo Rosania, Paul J.A. Kenis, Tehetina Woldemichael, Mikhail M. Murashov, Phillip Rzeczycki, Rahul K. Keswani, Elizabeth M. Horstman
  • Publication number: 20190055656
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of electroreducing carbon dioxide (CO2). The method of electroreducing carbon dioxide may include feeding a first stream comprising carbon dioxide into a chamber through a chamber inlet, the chamber containing a gas diffusion cathode and a gas diffusion anode; feeding a second stream comprising glycerol or glucose into the chamber, the second stream having a pH of 12 to 14; and applying an electrical potential between the gas diffusion anode and the gas diffusion cathode to reduce the carbon dioxide and oxidize the glycerol or glucose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: Paul J. A. Kenis, Sumit Verma, Shawn Lu
  • Publication number: 20180301776
    Abstract: A lithium-air flow battery has minimal cathodic product precipitation, thus extending capacity. The lithium-air flow battery includes a flow electrolyte, flowing proximal to the air cathode, the flow electrolyte having little to no intrinsic lithium ion content. Operation of the lithium-air flow battery generates a lithium-ion concentration gradient across the flow electrolyte, with the lowest lithium-ion concentration adjacent to the air cathode. The extremely low lithium-ion concentration at the cathode, combined with the flow condition at the cathode, results in a minimum of solid product accumulation at the cathode, enabling the cathode to catalyze oxygen reduction for an extended duration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Kensuke Takechi, Byoungsu Kim, Paul J.A. Kenis
  • Patent number: 9447895
    Abstract: An electrostatic actuator is provide that can include a fluidic line, a first electrode, and a second electrode such that a gate chamber portion of the fluidic line is sandwiched between the first electrode and the second electrode. The electrostatic actuator can also include a pressure-balancing channel in fluid communication with the gate chamber portion where the first electrode is sandwiched between the pressure-balancing channel and the gate chamber portion. A pneumatic valve system is provided which includes an electrostatic gate and a fluidic channel fluidly separate from a fluidic control line. A pneumatic valve portion of the fluidic control line can be positioned relative to a portion of the fluidic channel such that expansion of the pneumatic valve portion restricts fluid flow through the fluidic channel. Methods of using an electrostatic actuator and a pneumatic valve system are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignees: The Board of Trustees of the University Of Illinois, Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Joshua D. Tice, Thomas A. Bassett, Amit V. Desai, Christopher A. Apblett, Paul J. A. Kenis
  • Publication number: 20150151268
    Abstract: A microreactor for preparing a radiolabeled complex or a biomolecule conjugate comprises a microchannel for fluid flow, where the microchannel comprises a mixing portion comprising one or more passive mixing elements, and a reservoir for incubating a mixed fluid. The reservoir is in fluid communication with the microchannel and is disposed downstream of the mixing portion. A method of preparing a radiolabeled complex includes flowing a radiometal solution comprising a metallic radionuclide through a downstream mixing portion of a microchannel, where the downstream mixing portion includes one or more passive mixing elements, and flowing a ligand solution comprising a bifunctional chelator through the downstream mixing portion. The ligand solution and the radiometal solution are passively mixed while in the downstream mixing portion to initiate a chelation reaction between the metallic radionuclide and the bifunctional chelator. The chelation reaction is completed to form a radiolabeled complex.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Applicants: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois, Washington University
    Inventors: David E. Reichert, Paul J.A. Kenis, Tobias D. Wheeler, Amit V. Desai, Dexing Zeng, Birce C. Onal
  • Patent number: 8980185
    Abstract: A microreactor for preparing a radiolabeled complex or a biomolecule conjugate comprises a microchannel for fluid flow, where the microchannel comprises a mixing portion comprising one or more passive mixing elements, and a reservoir for incubating a mixed fluid. The reservoir is in fluid communication with the microchannel and is disposed downstream of the mixing portion. A method of preparing a radiolabeled complex includes flowing a radiometal solution comprising a metallic radionuclide through a downstream mixing portion of a microchannel, where the downstream mixing portion includes one or more passive mixing elements, and flowing a ligand solution comprising a bifunctional chelator through the downstream mixing portion. The ligand solution and the radiometal solution are passively mixed while in the downstream mixing portion to initiate a chelation reaction between the metallic radionuclide and the bifunctional chelator. The chelation reaction is completed to form a radiolabeled complex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignees: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois, Washington University
    Inventors: David E. Reichert, Paul J. A. Kenis, Tobias D. Wheeler, Amit V. Desai, Dexing Zeng, Birce C. Önal
  • Publication number: 20130225791
    Abstract: A microreactor for preparing a radiolabeled complex or a biomolecule conjugate comprises a microchannel for fluid flow, where the microchannel comprises a mixing portion comprising one or more passive mixing elements, and a reservoir for incubating a mixed fluid. The reservoir is in fluid communication with the microchannel and is disposed downstream of the mixing portion. A method of preparing a radiolabeled complex includes flowing a radiometal solution comprising a metallic radionuclide through a downstream mixing portion of a microchannel, where the downstream mixing portion includes one or more passive mixing elements, and flowing a ligand solution comprising a bifunctional chelator through the downstream mixing portion. The ligand solution and the radiometal solution are passively mixed while in the downstream mixing portion to initiate a chelation reaction between the metallic radionuclide and the bifunctional chelator. The chelation reaction is completed to form a radiolabeled complex.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS
    Inventors: David E. Reichert, Paul J.A. Kenis, Tobias D. Wheeler, Amit V. Desai, Dexing Zeng, Birce C. Önal
  • Publication number: 20120107242
    Abstract: Embodiments of a method for nucleic acid-mediated control of a nanoparticle shape are disclosed. In some embodiments, one or more nucleic acid oligomers are adsorbed to a metal nanoseed, and additional metal is deposited onto the nanoseed to produce a shaped nanoparticle. In certain embodiments, the nanoseed is gold and the oligomers are 5-100 nucleotides in length. The nanoparticle shape is determined at least in part by the nucleic acid sequence of the oligomer(s). Shaped nanoparticles produced by embodiments of the method include nanoflowers, nanospheres, nanostars, and nanoplates. Embodiments for using the shaped nanoparticles also are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Zidong Wang, Yi Lu, Jieqian Zhang, Paul J. A. Kenis, Ngo Yin Wong
  • Patent number: 7976789
    Abstract: A microfluidic device for preparing a mixture, has a mixer. The mixer includes a plurality of chambers, each chamber having a volume of at most 1 microliter, a first plurality of channels, each channel fluidly connecting 2 chambers, a plurality of chamber valves, each chamber valve controlling fluid flow out of one of the plurality of chambers, and a first plurality of channel valves, each channel valve controlling fluid flow through one of the first plurality of channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Paul J. A. Kenis, Joshua D. Tice, Sarah L. Perry, Griffin W. Roberts
  • Patent number: 7892681
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes an anode half-cell and a cathode half-cell. A separator, such as a membrane, is formed between the two half-cells, and a gate electrode may be configured to influence the properties of the separator. Electricity is generated by flowing a liquid fuel through conduits, while applying an electric field to the gated membrane such that the membrane conducts protons. Complementary half cell reactions take place at an anode and a cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Inventors: Walter E. Pelton, Paul J. A. Kenis
  • Patent number: 7774920
    Abstract: A method of forming microstructures. An article including a metal atom precursor is disproportionally exposed to electromagnetic radiation in an amount and intensity sufficient to convert some of the precursor to elemental metal. Additional conductive material may then be deposited onto the elemental metal to produce a microstructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Tao Deng, Francisco Arias, Rustem F. Ismagilov, Paul J. A. Kenis, George M. Whitesides
  • Patent number: 7741130
    Abstract: The present invention relates to fluidic systems and, in particular, fluidic arrays and methods for using them to promote interaction of materials. In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a microfluidic system. The microfluidic system includes a first fluid path and a second fluid path segregated from the first fluid path by a first convection controller at a first contact region, wherein at least one of the first fluid path and the second fluid path has a cross-sectional dimension of less than about 1 millimeter. In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a method of promoting interaction. In another aspect, the invention relates to a device and method for performing titrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Jessamine Lee, Jr., Rustem F. Ismagilov, Xingyu Jiang, Paul J. A. Kenis, Rosaria Ferrigno, George M. Whitesides
  • Publication number: 20100022007
    Abstract: A microfluidic device for preparing a mixture, has a mixer. The mixer includes a plurality of chambers, each chamber having a volume of at most 1 microliter, a first plurality of channels, each channel fluidly connecting 2 chambers, a plurality of chamber valves, each chamber valve controlling fluid flow out of one of the plurality of chambers, and a first plurality of channel valves, each channel valve controlling fluid flow through one of the first plurality of channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventors: Paul J. A. Kenis, Joshua D. Tice, Sarah L. Perry, Griffin W. Roberts
  • Patent number: 7635530
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell, comprises (a) a first electrode, (b) a second electrode, (c) a first fluid, in contact with the first electrode, and (d) a second fluid, in contact with the second electrode. The first fluid and the second fluid are in parallel laminar flow, and the first fluid has a pH different from the second fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Paul J. A. Kenis, Andrzej Wieckowski, Eric R. Choban
  • Patent number: 7399579
    Abstract: A method of forming microstructures. An article including a metal atom precursor is disproportionally exposed to electromagnetic radiation in an amount and intensity sufficient to convert some of the precursor to elemental metal. Additional conductive material may then be deposited onto the elemental metal to produce a microstructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: President & Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Tao Deng, Francisco Arias, Rustem F. Ismagilov, Paul J. A. Kenis, George M. Whitesides
  • Publication number: 20080121045
    Abstract: A sensor array includes a plurality of q sensors, a common output lead electrically connected to each sensor, a plurality of m primary input leads each primary input lead electrically connected to n of the plurality of sensors, and a plurality of n secondary input leads each secondary input lead electrically connected to m of the plurality of sensors. The number of sensors q=m·n, m is at least 2, n is at least 2, and each sensor is electrically connected to one of the plurality of primary input leads and one of the plurality of secondary input leads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventors: Matthew C. Cole, Paul J.A. Kenis
  • Patent number: 7273541
    Abstract: A method of electrolytic synthesis comprises applying a potential between a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode is in contact with a first fluid stream in a channel, the second electrode is in contact with a second fluid stream in the channel, and the first steam and the second stream are in parallel laminar flow in the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Eric R. Choban, Piotr Waszczuk, Paul J. A. Kenis, Theodore Tzedakis, Seong Kee Yoon, Cheikhou Kane
  • Patent number: 7252898
    Abstract: A fuel cell is described that includes (a) a first electrode; (b) a second electrode; and (c) a channel contiguous with at least a portion of the first and the second electrodes. When a first liquid is contacted with the first electrode, a second liquid is contacted with the second electrode, and the first and the second liquids flow through the channel, a multistream laminar flow is established between the first and the second liquids. Electronic devices containing such electrochemical cells and methods for their use are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Larry J. Markoski, Paul J. A. Kenis, Eric R. Choban
  • Patent number: 7205064
    Abstract: A method for transporting a gas to an electrode in a fuel cell is provided, whereby the gas is dissolved in an emulsion comprising a fluorinated hydrocarbon, a surfactant and an aqueous electrolyte with a pH of at most 4 or at least 9, and the emulsion is contacted with the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Larry J. Markoski, Piotr Waszczuk, Paul J. A. Kenis, Eric R. Choban