Patents by Inventor Todd J. Menkhaus

Todd J. Menkhaus 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: 20230383013
    Abstract: The invention relates to porous polymeric cellulose prepared via cellulose crosslinking. The porous polymeric cellulose can be incorporated into membranes and/or hydrogels. In preferred embodiments, the membranes and/or hydrogels can provide high dynamic binding capacity at high flow rates. Membranes and/or hydrogels comprising the porous polymeric cellulose are particularly suitable for filtration, separation, and/or functionalization media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Steven Schneiderman, Todd J. Menkhaus, Yong Zhao, Hao Fong, Craig Arnold
  • Patent number: 11724234
    Abstract: This invention relates thin film nanocomposites (TFNCs) and methods of preparing the same by molecular layer-by-layer assembly. The TFNCs comprise a porous nanofibrous support first layer coated with a mid-layer having an outer separating layer, wherein the out separating layer has one or more bilayers or trilayers. The TFNCs can be particularly suitable for use as filtration membranes for the separation of dissolved components from fluids such as ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, and reverse osmosis. Thus, embodiments of the invention also include filtration systems and methods of filtering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: SOUTH DAKOTA BOARD OF REGENTS
    Inventors: Rajesh Sahadevan, Todd J. Menkhaus, Hao Fong
  • Publication number: 20230149832
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides surface functionalized affinity membranes. The surface functionalized affinity membranes can provide increased binding capacity through improved coupling chemistries, ligand densities, spacer arm types, and spacer arm lengths. Methods of preparing the surface functionalized affinity membranes and methods of using the surface functionalized affinity membranes to isolate targets of interest, including nucleic acid molecules and proteins, from a sample are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: Todd J. Menkhaus, Steven Schneiderman
  • Patent number: 11560438
    Abstract: The invention relates to porous polymeric cellulose prepared via cellulose crosslinking. The porous polymeric cellulose can be incorporated into membranes and/or hydrogels. In preferred embodiments, the membranes and/or hydrogels can provide high dynamic binding capacity at high flow rates. Membranes and/or hydrogels comprising the porous polymeric cellulose are particularly suitable for filtration, separation, and/or functionalization media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: NANOPAREIL, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Schneiderman, Todd J. Menkhaus, Yong Zhao, Hao Fong, Craig Arnold
  • Patent number: 11466386
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to air-assisted spinnerets and spinneret arrays for electrospinning. In some embodiments, the air-assisted spinnerets and spinneret arrays are incorporated in electrospinning systems and/or electrospinning machines. Methods of making and using the same are also described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Nanopareil, LLC
    Inventors: Hao Fong, Todd J. Menkhaus, Yong Zhao, Nyle Hedin, Craig Arnold
  • Publication number: 20220040641
    Abstract: A membrane capsule for biological and chemical separations comprising a cassette comprising an upper surface and a lower surface adjoined by a cassette sidewall, an inlet and an outlet located on the upper and lower surfaces of the cassette, tubes fluidly connected to the inlet and the outlet, holes or slots in the tubes to facilitate separation, and a membrane wrapped, pleated, and/or spiral wound around each of the tubes. Methods of separation comprising flowing fluid flow through the inlet of the membrane capsule, allowing the fluid to permeate through the holes or slots of the tubes, separating biological and/or non-biological substances, collecting the fluid within a reservoir, and draining fluid from the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventors: Todd J. Menkhaus, Craig Arnold, Steven Schneiderman
  • Publication number: 20210171665
    Abstract: The invention relates to porous polymeric cellulose prepared via cellulose crosslinking. The porous polymeric cellulose can be incorporated into membranes and/or hydrogels. In preferred embodiments, the membranes and/or hydrogels can provide high dynamic binding capacity at high flow rates. Membranes and/or hydrogels comprising the porous polymeric cellulose are particularly suitable for filtration, separation, and/or functionalization media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Inventors: Steven Schneiderman, Todd J. Menkhaus, Yong Zhao, Hao Fong, Craig Arnold
  • Patent number: 10919986
    Abstract: The invention relates to porous polymeric cellulose prepared via cellulose crosslinking. The porous polymeric cellulose can be incorporated into membranes and/or hydrogels. In preferred embodiments, the membranes and/or hydrogels can provide high dynamic binding capacity at high flow rates. Membranes and/or hydrogels comprising the porous polymeric cellulose are particularly suitable for filtration, separation, and/or functionalization media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Nanopareil, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Schneiderman, Todd J. Menkhaus, Yong Zhao, Hao Fong, Craig Arnold
  • Publication number: 20190292685
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to air-assisted spinnerets and spinneret arrays for electrospinning. In some embodiments, the air-assisted spinnerets and spinneret arrays are incorporated in electrospinning systems and/or electrospinning machines. Methods of making and using the same are also described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventors: Hao Fong, Todd J. Menkhaus, Yong Zhao, Nyle Hedin, Craig Arnold
  • Patent number: 10369252
    Abstract: The invention relates to electrospun three-dimensional (3D) nanofibrous scaffolds (with controllable porosities as high as about 96%) and methods of preparing the same. The electrospun 3D scaffolds possess interconnected and hierarchically structured pores with sizes ranging from tens of nanometers to hundreds of micrometers. In embodiments, the 3D scaffolds can be biocompatible and/or biodegradable. In some embodiments, the 3D scaffolds can be conductive. In some embodiments, the 3D scaffolds can contain bioactive species.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: South Dakota Board of Regents
    Inventors: Hao Fong, Tao Xu, Yong Zhao, Todd J. Menkhaus
  • Publication number: 20190193033
    Abstract: This invention relates thin film nanocomposites (TFNCs) and methods of preparing the same by molecular layer-by-layer assembly. The TFNCs comprise a porous nanofibrous support first layer coated with a mid-layer having an outer separating layer, wherein the out separating layer has one or more bilayers or trilayers. The TFNCs can be particularly suitable for use as filtration membranes for the separation of dissolved components from fluids such as ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, and reverse osmosis. Thus, embodiments of the invention also include filtration systems and methods of filtering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Inventors: Rajesh Sahadevan, Todd J. Menkhaus, Hao Fong
  • Patent number: 10293289
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to compositions for use in biological and chemical separations, as well as other applications. More specifically, the present invention relates to hybrid felts fabricated from electrospun nanofibers with high permeance and high capacity. Such hybrid felts utilize derivatized cellulose, and at least one non-cellulose-based polymer that may be removed from the felt by subjecting it to moderately elevated temperatures and/or solvents capable of dissolving the non-cellulose-based polymer to leave behind a porous nanofiber felt having more uniform pore sizes and other enhanced properties when compared to single component nanofiber felts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Nanopareil, LLC
    Inventors: Todd J. Menkhaus, Hao Fong
  • Publication number: 20190062458
    Abstract: The invention relates to porous polymeric cellulose prepared via cellulose crosslinking. The porous polymeric cellulose can be incorporated into membranes and/or hydrogels. In preferred embodiments, the membranes and/or hydrogels can provide high dynamic binding capacity at high flow rates. Membranes and/or hydrogels comprising the porous polymeric cellulose are particularly suitable for filtration, separation, and/or functionalization media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Steven Schneiderman, Todd J. Menkhaus, Yong Zhao, Hao Fong, Craig Arnold
  • Publication number: 20180015201
    Abstract: The invention relates to electrospun three-dimensional (3D) nanofibrous scaffolds (with controllable porosities as high as about 96%) and methods of preparing the same. The electrospun 3D scaffolds possess interconnected and hierarchically structured pores with sizes ranging from tens of nanometers to hundreds of micrometers. In embodiments, the 3D scaffolds can be biocompatible and/or biodegradable. In some embodiments, the 3D scaffolds can be conductive. In some embodiments, the 3D scaffolds can contain bioactive species.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2015
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Inventors: Hao Fong, Tao Xu, Yong Zhao, Todd J. Menkhaus
  • Publication number: 20170157544
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to compositions for use in biological and chemical separations, as well as other applications. More specifically, the present invention relates to hybrid felts fabricated from electrospun nanofibers with high permeance and high capacity. Such hybrid felts utilize derivatized cellulose, and at least one non-cellulose-based polymer that may be removed from the felt by subjecting it to moderately elevated temperatures and/or solvents capable of dissolving the non-cellulose-based polymer to leave behind a porous nanofiber felt having more uniform pore sizes and other enhanced properties when compared to single component nanofiber felts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventors: Todd J. Menkhaus, Hao Fong
  • Patent number: RE49773
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to compositions for use in biological and chemical separations, as well as other applications. More specifically, the present invention relates to hybrid felts fabricated from electrospun nanofibers with high permeance and high capacity. Such hybrid felts utilize derivatized cellulose, and at least one non-cellulose-based polymer that may be removed from the felt by subjecting it to moderately elevated temperatures and/or solvents capable of dissolving the non-cellulose-based polymer to leave behind a porous nanofiber felt having more uniform pore sizes and other enhanced properties when compared to single component nanofiber felts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: NANOPAREIL, LLC
    Inventors: Todd J. Menkhaus, Hao Fong