Patents by Inventor Steven Skerlos

Steven Skerlos 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: 11970684
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to bioreactors, for example for biological treatment and, more specifically to bioreactor insert apparatus including biofilms and related methods. The bioreactor insert apparatus provides a means for circulation of reaction medium within the bioreactor, a biofilm support, and biological treatment of an inlet feed to die reactor/insert apparatus. The bioreactor insert apparatus has a high relative surface area for biofilm attachment and is capable of generating complex flow patterns and increasing treatment efficiency/biological conversion activity in a biologically-active reactor. The high surface area structure incorporates multiple biofilm support structures such as meshes at inlet and outlet portions of the structure. The biofilm support structures and biofilms thereon can increase overall reaction rate of the bioreactor and/or perform some solid/liquid separation in the treatment of the wastewater or other influent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventors: Steven Skerlos, Lutgarde Raskin, Timothy Fairley-Wax, Nishant Jalgaonkar
  • Publication number: 20230159876
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to bioreactors, for example for biological treatment and, more specifically to bioreactor insert apparatus including biofilms and related methods. The bioreactor insert apparatus provides a means for circulation of reaction medium within the bioreactor, a biofilm support, and biological treatment of an inlet feed to die reactor/insert apparatus. The bioreactor insert apparatus has a high relative surface area for biofilm attachment and is capable of generating complex flow patterns and increasing treatment efficiency/biological conversion activity in a biologically-active reactor. The high surface area structure incorporates multiple biofilm support structures such as meshes at inlet and outlet portions of the structure. The biofilm support structures and biofilms thereon can increase overall reaction rate of the bioreactor and/or perform some solid/liquid separation in the treatment of the wastewater or other influent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2023
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Inventors: Steven Skerlos, Lutgarde Raskin, Timothy Fairley-Wax, Nishant Jalgaonkar
  • Patent number: 11591559
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to bioreactors, for example for biological treatment and, more specifically to bioreactor insert apparatus including biofilms and related methods. The bioreactor insert apparatus provides a means for circulation of reaction medium within the bioreactor, a biofilm support, and biological treatment of an inlet feed to the reactor/insert apparatus. The bioreactor insert apparatus has a high relative surface area for biofilm attachment and is capable of generating complex flow patterns and increasing treatment efficiency/biological conversion activity in a biologically-active reactor. The high surface area structure incorporates multiple biofilm support structures such as meshes at inlet and outlet portions of the structure. The biofilm support structures and biofilms thereon can increase overall reaction rate of the bioreactor and/or perform some solid/liquid separation in the treatment of the wastewater or other influent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventors: Steven Skerlos, Lutgarde Raskin, Timothy Fairley, Nishant Jalgaonkar
  • Publication number: 20210309955
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to bioreactors, for example for biological treatment and, more specifically to bioreactor insert apparatus including biofilms and related methods. The bioreactor insert apparatus provides a means for circulation of reaction medium within the bioreactor, a biofilm support, and biological treatment of an inlet feed to the reactor/insert apparatus. The bioreactor insert apparatus has a high relative surface area for biofilm attachment and is capable of generating complex flow patterns and increasing treatment efficiency/biological conversion activity in a biologically-active reactor. The high surface area structure incorporates multiple biofilm support structures such as meshes at inlet and outlet portions of the structure. The biofilm support structures and biofilms thereon can increase overall reaction rate of the bioreactor and/or perform some solid/liquid separation in the treatment of the wastewater or other influent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: Steven Skerlos, Lutgarde Raskin, Timothy Fairley, Nishant Jalgaonkar
  • Publication number: 20060247139
    Abstract: A method for lubricating a metal workpiece during a metalworking process includes delivering supercritical carbon dioxide to the workpiece during the metalworking process. The supercritical carbon dioxide acts as a lubricant, coolant, chip evacuator, and/or carrier for another lubricant or corrosion inhibitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Publication date: November 2, 2006
    Inventors: Steven Skerlos, Kim Hayes, Andres Clarens
  • Publication number: 20060177937
    Abstract: Gas focusing flow cytometers are fabricatable employing simple and inexpensive manufacturing techniques. When such cytometers or conventional cytometers are combined with fiber optical light paths and laser diode and semiconductor photodetectors, light weight and handheld, optionally disposable devices which maintain high performance are possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Publication date: August 10, 2006
    Applicant: The Regents of The University of Michigan
    Inventors: Katsuo Kurabayashi, Shuichi Takayama, Steven Skerlos, Dongeun Huh, James Grotberg, Yi-Chung Tung