Patents by Inventor Simon S. Shih

Simon S. Shih 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).

  • Polymer extraction methods
    Patent number: 8003355
    Abstract: A method of separating a polymer from a biomass containing the polymer, includes contacting the biomass with a solvent system, the solvent system including a solvent for the polymer and a precipitant for the polymer, to provide a residual biomass and a solution that includes the polymer, the solvent for the polymer and the precipitant for the polymer; and applying a centrifugal force to the solution and residual biomass to separate at least some of the solution from the residual biomass; where, the polymer is a polyhydroxyalkanoate; the precipitant comprises at least one alkane; the solvent for the polymer is selected from the group consisting of ketones, esters and alcohols and combinations thereof; and the biomass comprises a slurry of the biomass and water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Metabolix, Inc.
    Inventors: Johan van Walsem, Luhua Zhong, Simon S. Shih
  • Polymer extraction methods
    Patent number: 7981642
    Abstract: A method of separating a polymer from a biomass containing the polymer, includes contacting the biomass with a solvent system, the solvent system including a solvent for the polymer and a precipitant for the polymer, to provide a residual biomass and a solution that includes the polymer, the solvent for the polymer and the precipitant for the polymer; and applying a centrifugal force to the solution and residual biomass to separate at least some of the solution from the residual biomass; where, the polymer is a polyhydroxyalkanoate; the precipitant comprises at least one alkane; the solvent for the polymer is selected from the group consisting of ketones, esters and alcohols and combinations thereof; and the biomass comprises a slurry of the biomass and water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Metabolix, Inc.
    Inventors: Johan van Walsem, Luhua Zhong, Simon S. Shih
  • POLYMER EXTRACTION METHODS
    Publication number: 20100196997
    Abstract: A method of separating a polymer from a biomass containing the polymer, includes contacting the biomass with a solvent system, the solvent system including a solvent for the polymer and a precipitant for the polymer, to provide a residual biomass and a solution that includes the polymer, the solvent for the polymer and the precipitant for the polymer; and applying a centrifugal force to the solution and residual biomass to separate at least some of the solution from the residual biomass; where, the polymer is a polyhydroxyalkanoate; the precipitant comprises at least one alkane; the solvent for the polymer is selected from the group consisting of ketones, esters and alcohols and combinations thereof; and the biomass comprises a slurry of the biomass and water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventors: Johan Van Walsem, Luhua Zhong, Simon S. Shih
  • POLYMER EXTRACTION METHODS
    Publication number: 20100197885
    Abstract: A method of separating a polymer from a biomass containing the polymer, includes contacting the biomass with a solvent system, the solvent system including a solvent for the polymer and a precipitant for the polymer, to provide a residual biomass and a solution that includes the polymer, the solvent for the polymer and the precipitant for the polymer; and applying a centrifugal force to the solution and residual biomass to separate at least some of the solution from the residual biomass; where, the polymer is a polyhydroxyalkanoate; the precipitant comprises at least one alkane; the solvent for the polymer is selected from the group consisting of ketones, esters and alcohols and combinations thereof; and the biomass comprises a slurry of the biomass and water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventors: Johan Van Walsem, Luhua Zhong, Simon S. Shih
  • Polymer extraction methods
    Patent number: 7713720
    Abstract: Polymer extraction methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Metabolix Inc.
    Inventors: Johan Van Walsem, Luhua Zhong, Simon S. Shih
  • Polymer extraction methods
    Patent number: 7252980
    Abstract: Polymer extraction methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Metabolix Inc.
    Inventors: Johan Van Walsem, Luhua Zhong, Simon S. Shih