Patents by Inventor R. Malcolm Brown

R. Malcolm Brown 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: 20210028324
    Abstract: Described are flexible electronics incorporating a bacterial cellulose paper substrate and methods of making and using the flexible electronics. Example devices disclosed include photovoltaic cells constructed over bacterial cellulose paper substrates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Applicant: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Brian A. Korgel, Vikas Reddy Voggu, James Sham, R. Malcolm Brown, Taylor B. Harvey
  • Publication number: 20190305158
    Abstract: Described are flexible electronics incorporating a bacterial cellulose paper substrate and methods of making and using the flexible electronics. Example devices disclosed include photovoltaic cells constructed over bacterial cellulose paper substrates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Applicant: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Brian A. Korgel, Vikas Reddy Voggu, James Sham, R. Malcolm Brown, Taylor B. Harvey
  • Publication number: 20180216148
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of making composite cellulose hydrogels, the methods comprising providing a cellulose synthesizing microbe; and culturing the cellulose synthesizing microbe in a composition comprising greater than 1% of a cellulose derivative, thereby forming the composite cellulose hydrogel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: R. Malcolm Brown, JR., Sarah J. Pfeffer, Chelsea Elisabeth Casper
  • Publication number: 20180148890
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are synthetic leather materials and methods of making and use thereof. The methods of making the synthetic leather materials comprise: synthesizing a piece of cellulose from a microbe, thereby forming a piece of microbial cellulose; partially drying the piece of microbial cellulose; treating the partially dried piece of microbial cellulose with a conditioning agent, thereby forming a piece of conditioned microbial cellulose; drying the piece of conditioned microbial cellulose; and treating the dried piece of conditioned microbial cellulose with a hydrophobic agent, thereby forming the synthetic leather material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: R. Malcolm Brown, JR., Mandy Hegemeyer, Emilie Perez, Chelsea Elisabeth Casper, Sarah Pfeffer
  • Patent number: 8951551
    Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for the integration of a non-allergenic nanocellulose into a wound bed. The composition may be formed into a wide variety of implants, e.g., a suture, a sheet, a compress, a bandage, a band, a prosthesis, a fiber, a woven fiber, a bead, a strip, a clasp, a prosthesis, a catheter, a screw, a bone plate, a pin, a bandage or combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: R. Malcolm Brown, Jr., Wojciech Czaja, Marc Jeschke, David J. Young
  • Publication number: 20110003345
    Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for making and using an isolated cyanobacterium that includes a portion of an exogenous bacterial cellulose operon sufficient to express bacterial cellulose, whereby the cyanobacterium produces extracellular glucose. The compositions and methods of the present invention may be used as a new global crop for the manufacture of cellulose, CO2 fixation, for the production of alternative sources of conventional cellulose as well as a biofuel and precursors thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: David R. Nobles, JR., R. Malcolm Brown, JR.
  • Patent number: 7803601
    Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for making and using an isolated cyanobacterium that includes a portion of an exogenous bacterial cellulose operon sufficient to express bacterial cellulose, whereby the cyanobacterium produces extracellular glucose. The compositions and methods of the present invention may be used as a new global crop for the manufacture of cellulose, CO2 fixation, for the production of alternative sources of conventional cellulose as well as a biofuel and precursors thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas
    Inventors: David R. Nobles, Jr., R. Malcolm Brown, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20080297878
    Abstract: The present invention is a device, method and system for making a display and displaying information that includes a fibrous organic substrate, e.g., multiribbon cellulose or cellulose substrate, and a variable reflectivity dye disposed in the fibrous substrate, wherein the reflectivity of the dye is modulated in situ. The display device may use a dye selected from an electrochromic, a thermochromic, a magnetochromic, an ionochromic, a light sensitive, a fluorescent, a fluorescent effect energy transfer dye or combinations thereof and may be used as high storage, high contrast and/or high definition paper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: Board Of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: R. Malcolm Brown, Yuyu Sun, Robert Wenz
  • Publication number: 20080124767
    Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for making and producing sucrose from cyanobacteria, by growing a cyanobacterium in a growth medium; incubating the cyanobacteria in a salt containing medium under conditions that promote sucrose production; and exposing the cyanobacteria to acidic conditions, wherein the acidic conditions trigger sucrose secretion into the medium. The compositions and methods of the present invention may be used as a new global crop for the manufacture of sucrose, glucose, or fructose, CO2 fixation, for the production of alternative sources of conventional cellulose as well as a biofuel and precursors thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: Board of Regents, The University of Texas at Austin
    Inventors: David R. Nobles, R. Malcolm Brown
  • Publication number: 20080113413
    Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for making and using cyanobacteria that include a portion of an exogenous cellulose operon sufficient to express cellulose. The compositions and methods of the present invention may be used as a new global crop for the manufacture of cellulose, CO2 fixation, for the production of alternative sources of conventional cellulose as well as a biofuel and precursors thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: BOARD OF REGENTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM
    Inventors: David R. Nobles, R. Malcolm Brown
  • Publication number: 20080061249
    Abstract: The present invention includes a method, apparatus and system for nanofabrication in which one or more target molecules are identified for manipulation with an electron beam and the one or more target molecules are manipulated with the electron beam to produce new useful materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Applicant: Board Of Regents, The University Of Texas System
    Inventors: R. Malcolm Brown, Zack Barnes, Chie Sawatari, Tetsuo Kondo
  • Patent number: 7335882
    Abstract: The present invention includes a method, apparatus and system for nanofabrication in which one or more target molecules are identified for manipulation with an electron beam and the one or more target molecules are manipulated with the electron beam to produce new useful materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: R. Malcolm Brown, Jr., Zack Barnes, Chie Sawatari, Tetsuo Kondo
  • Patent number: 5472859
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of synthesizing a novel form of cellulose I as well as methods of synthesizing a novel form of cellulose I in vitro. One method comprises contacting an activated saccharide substrate with an endoglucanase in an appropriate organic solvent/buffer ratio. The invention also encompasses a partially purified endoglucanase and a method of synthesizing cellooligosaccharides. A second method comprises contacting a nucleotide sugar with a purified glycosyl transferase in an appropriate buffer medium to insure polymerization and crystallization of parallel glucan chains from the enzyme/micelle complex to form cellulose I.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Inventors: R. Malcolm Brown, Jr., Shiro Kobayashi, Krystyna Kudlicka, Shigenori Kuga, Jong Lee, Likun Li, Kazuo Okuda, Shin-Ichiro Shoda
  • Patent number: 4967825
    Abstract: Disclosed are improved methods for preparing high resolution replicas for electron microscopic analysis. Replicas are prepared having a resolution capability less than ten angstroms, with structures of even less than five angstroms being readily discernible. Particular aspects of the invention concern the use of a platinum/carbon evaporant to prepare extremely thin replica surfaces which allow the visualization of structures heretofore unresolvable. The replication is performed at high vacuum, on the order of 10.sup.-5 Torr or better, with continuous rotation of the sample to allow for an even distribution of the evaporant. The resultant replica surfaces are on the order of no more than 5 to 10 angstroms thick. The replica technology disclosed herein is applicable to both biological as well as non-biological samples, including tissues, biochemicals, metals and polymers and even computer chips and superconductor surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: R. Malcolm Brown, Jr., Shun Mizuta
  • Patent number: 4954439
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a biologically pure culture of a cellulose-producing microorganism, preferably a prokaryote. This cellulose-producing microorganism is capable, during fermentation in an aqueous nutrient medium containing assimilable sources of carbon, nitrogen and inorganic substances, of reversal of direction of cellulose ribbon extrusion. This reversal of direction of cellulose ribbon extrusion results on the cellulose-producing microorganism shuttling, at least periodically, first in one direction and then in the other direction along a length of an earlier-deposited cellulose ribbon to add another cellulose ribbon thereto and produce a cellulose ribbon-bundle having a width of at least two cellulose ribbons.The cellulose-producing microorganism of the present invention may be of the genus Acetobacter, Agrobacterium, Rhizobium, Pseudomonas or Alcaligenes, preferably of the genus Acetobacter and more preferably of the species Acetobacter xylinum or Acetobacter pasteurianus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1990
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: R. Malcolm Brown, Jr., Fong C. Lin
  • Patent number: 4950597
    Abstract: The present invention involves a process for screening for and isolating spontaneously occurring or induced cellulose II-producing microorganisms. The process comprises a series of steps in various embodiments. Initially, cellulose-producing microorganisms from a first culture are plated out on a nutrient agar plate. The nutrient agar plate is then incubated to facilitate formation of colonies from single microorganisms. Samples of liquid nutrient medium are then inoculated with microorganisms from colonies having a smooth configuration, as compared to the usual rough colony configuration. The inoculated samples are then aerobically incubated to facilitate microorganism proliferation and pellicle formation. From these incubated samples are selected microorganisms, which, after a cultivation period, have proliferated but not formed a pellicle. Said selected microorganisms produce cellulose II instead of the cellulose I produced by pellicle-forming organisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Assignee: The University of Texas Board of Regents
    Inventors: Inder M. Saxena, Eric M. Roberts, R. Malcolm Brown, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4942128
    Abstract: The present invention involves a method of producing cellulose. This method comprises inoculating a quantity of nutrient medium comprising a polysaccharide derivative such as carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) with a cellulose-producing microorganism. The inoculated medium is then aerobically incubated to facilitate the production of cellulose. The step of substantially drying the cellulose may be added for certain products. Substantially dried cellulose resulting from this procedure is highly absorbent, tending to retain its absorbent properties during repeated wetting and drying, and is usable where such absorbency is desired.A subject of the present invention is a composition of matter consisting essentially of such cellulose in a native or substantially dried form. Microbial cellulose produced in the presence of carboxymethyl cellulose may be substantially dried by many means known to those skilled in the art. This drying may be, for example, by washing with a non-aqueous hydrophilic solvent or by air-drying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1990
    Assignee: Board of Regents, the University of Texas System
    Inventor: R. Malcolm Brown, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4891317
    Abstract: A method of producing cellulose of amorphous character by subjecting cellulose-producing organisms to a magnetic field substantially greater than 0.5 gauss and preferably at least about 500 gauss. The cellulose produced in the presence of a magnetic field is of an amorphous nature with increased water absorptivity and decreased crystallinity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1990
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: R. Malcolm Brown, Jr., Debra S. Brown, Michael R. Gretz