Patents by Inventor Shirley F. Nishino

Shirley F. Nishino 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).

  • Process for the biodegradation of dinitrotoluene
    Patent number: 6248580
    Abstract: Dinitrotoluene present as a contaminant in a sample, is degraded by the steps of (a) providing a sample comprising dinitrotoluene; (b) adding to the sample at least one bacterial strain capable of degrading at least one dinitrotoluene isomer under aerobic conditions; (c) producing aerobic conditions in the sample; and (d) maintaining the aerobic conditions in the sample for a time that is sufficient for the bacteria to degrade said dinitrotoluene. In one embodiment, at least one bacterial strain capable of degrading the 2,4-dinitrotoluene isomer under aerobic conditions is added to the sample. In another embodiment, at least one bacterial strain capable of degrading the 2,6-dinitrotoluene isomer under aerobic conditions is added to the sample. In yet another embodiment, at least one bacterial strain capable of degrading both the 2,4-dinitrotoluene isomer and the 2,6-dinitrotoluene isomer under aerobic conditions is added to the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Jim C. Spain, Shirley F. Nishino, Urs Lendenmann