Patents by Inventor Robert Mark Worden

Robert Mark Worden 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: 10246786
    Abstract: An inexpensive, easily renewable bioelectronic device useful for bioreactors, biosensors, and biofuel cells includes an electrically conductive carbon electrode and a bioelectronic interface bonded to a surface of the electrically conductive carbon electrode, wherein the bioelectronic interface includes catalytically active material that is electrostatically bound directly or indirectly to the electrically conductive carbon electrode to facilitate easy removal upon a change in pH, thereby allowing easy regeneration of the bioelectronic interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Robert Mark Worden, Brian L. Hassler, Lawrence T. Drzal, IIsoon Lee
  • Patent number: 9714404
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide a bioreactor for producing a bioproduct comprising one or more catalytically active zones located in a housing and adapted to keep two incompatible gaseous reactants separated when in a gas phase, wherein each of the one or more catalytically active zones may comprise a catalytic component retainer and a catalytic component retained within and/or thereon. Each of the catalytically active zones may additionally or alternatively comprise a liquid medium located on either side of the catalytic component retainer. Catalytic component may include a microbial cell culture located within and/or on the catalytic component retainer, a suspended catalytic component suspended in the liquid medium, or a combination thereof. Methods of using various embodiments of the bioreactor to produce a bioproduct, such as isobutanol, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Robert Mark Worden, Yangmu Chloe Liu
  • Patent number: 9601227
    Abstract: Electrically conductive nanowires, and genetically or chemically modified production and use of such nanowires with altered conductive, adhesive, coupling or other properties are described. The disclosed nanowires are used as device or device components or may be adapted for soluble metal remediation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Gemma Reguera, Dena Cologgi, Robert Mark Worden, Angelines A. Castro-Forero, Rebecca Steidl
  • Publication number: 20160326658
    Abstract: An inexpensive, easily renewable bioelectronic device useful for bioreactors, biosensors, and biofuel cells includes an electrically conductive carbon electrode and a bioelectronic interface bonded to a surface of the electrically conductive carbon electrode, wherein the bioelectronic interface includes catalytically active material that is electrostatically bound directly or indirectly to the electrically conductive carbon electrode to facilitate easy removal upon a change in pH, thereby allowing easy regeneration of the bioelectronic interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventors: Robert Mark Worden, Brian L. Hassler, Lawrence T. Drzal, IIsoon Lee
  • Patent number: 9406959
    Abstract: An inexpensive, easily renewable bioelectronic device useful for bioreactors, biosensors, and biofuel cells includes an electrically conductive carbon electrode and a bioelectronic interface bonded to a surface of the electrically conductive carbon electrode, wherein the bioelectronic interface includes catalytically active material that is electrostatically bound directly or indirectly to the electrically conductive carbon electrode to facilitate easy removal upon a change in pH, thereby allowing easy regeneration of the bioelectronic interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
    Inventors: Robert Mark Worden, Brian L Hassler, Lawrence T. Drzal, Ilsoon Lee
  • Publication number: 20140239237
    Abstract: Electrically conductive nanowires, and genetically or chemically modified production and use of such nanowires with altered conductive, adhesive, coupling or other properties are described. The disclosed nanowires are used as device or device components or may be adapted for soluble metal remediation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Gemma REGUERA, Dena COLOGGI, Robert Mark WORDEN, Angelines A. CASTRO-FORERO, Rebecca STEIDL
  • Publication number: 20140187826
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide a bioreactor for producing a bioproduct comprising a housing; and one or more catalytically active zones located in the housing and adapted to keep two incompatible gaseous reactants separated when in a gas phase, wherein each of said catalytically active zone comprises a catalytic component retainer and a catalytic component retained within and/or on the catalytic component retainer. Each of said catalytically active zones may additionally or alternatively comprise a liquid medium located on either side of the catalytic component retainer and the catalytic component may additionally or alternatively be a suspended catalytic component suspended in a liquid medium located on either side of the catalytic component retainer. Methods of using various embodiments of the bioreactor to produce a bioproduct, such as isobutanol, are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Robert Mark WORDEN, Yangmu Chloe LIU
  • Patent number: 6326203
    Abstract: A method and bioreactor (10) apparatus is described for maintaining cells in a culture medium containing gas or liquid aphrons. A preferred microbubble generator (42, 42A) of a gas which is necessary for maintaining the cells to produce plant described chemicals is described. Bioparticles (11) containing magnetically susceptible particles are provided in a column (12) surrounded by solenoids (13, 14, 14A) which act to hold the bioparticles in position in the column. Preferably, one of the solenoids with a magnetically susceptible screen (24) acts as a valve to allow a portion of the bioparticles to be removed from the column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Board of Trustees operating Michigan State University
    Inventors: Robert Mark Worden, Tyler T. Ames
  • Patent number: 6087158
    Abstract: A method and bioreactor (10) apparatus is described for maintaining cells in a culture medium containing gas or liquid aphrons. A preferred microbubble generator (42, 42A) of a gas which is necessary for maintaining the cells to produce plant derived chemicals is described. Bioparticles (11) containing magnetically susceptible particles are provided in a column (12) surrounded by a solenoids (13, 14, 14A) which act to hold the bioparticles in position in the column. Preferably, one of the solenoids with a magnetically susceptible screen (24) acts as a valve to allow a portion of the bioparticles to be removed from the column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Board of Trustees Operating Michigan State University
    Inventors: Robert Mark Worden, Tyler T. Ames
  • Patent number: 6054319
    Abstract: A method and bioreactor (10) apparatus is described for maintaining cells in a culture medium containing gas or liquid aphrons. A preferred microbubble generator (42, 42A) of a gas which is necessary for maintaining the cells to produce plant derived chemicals is described. Bioparticles (11) containing magnetically susceptible particles are provided in a column (12) surrounded by a solenoids (13, 14, 14A) which act to hold the bioparticles in position in the column. Preferably, one of the solenoids with a magnetically susceptible screen (24) acts as a valve to allow a portion of the bioparticles to be removed from the column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Board of Trustees operating Michigan State University
    Inventors: Robert Mark Worden, Tyler T. Ames
  • Patent number: 6022727
    Abstract: A method for forming gas or liquid aphrons with reversible surfactants or emulsifiers is described. Polymers which change their emulsifying properties upon change of pH, temperature or other condition are used to form the aphrons. The aphrons are useful for chemical reactions and separations, mass transfer processes, and for biological processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Board of Trustees Operating Michigan State University
    Inventors: Robert Mark Worden, Alec B. Scranton
  • Patent number: 5885826
    Abstract: A method and bioreactor apparatus is described for growing plant cells, particularly to produce plant derived chemicals is described. Bioparticles (11) containing magnetically susceptible particles are provided in a column (12) surrounded by a solenoids (13, 14, 14A) which act to hold the bioparticles in position in the column. One of the solenoids with a magnetically susceptible screen (24) acts as a valve to allow a portion of the bioparticles to be removed from the column. The method is particularly described for producing daidzein and genistein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Board of Trustees operating Michigan State University
    Inventors: Robert Mark Worden, Kenneth C. Sink, Tyler T. Ames, Vicki S. Thompson
  • Patent number: 5846829
    Abstract: A method and bioreactor (10) apparatus is described for growing plant cells, particularly to produce plant derived chemicals is described. Bioparticles (11) containing magnetically susceptible particles are provided in a column (12) surrounded by a solenoids (13, 14, 14A) which act to hold the bioparticles in position in the column. One of the solenoids with a magnetically susceptible screen (24) acts as a valve to allow a portion of the bioparticles to be removed from the column. The method is particularly described for producing daidzein and genistein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Board of Trustees operating Michigan State University
    Inventors: Robert Mark Worden, Kenneth C. Sink, Tyler T. Ames, Vicki S. Thompson