Patents Issued in March 22, 2016
  • Patent number: 9290802
    Abstract: The invention is directed towards methods and compositions for identifying the specific microorganisms present in a particular potion of a papermaking processes. The method involves obtaining a sample from the process which is such that little or no live examples of the microorganism remain. However because DNA from the organisms is still present, an analysis which identifies portions of DNA specific to the particular organism will correctly identify the microorganism present. This allows for analysis of infestations present on felts or paper sheets which typically no longer have many live microorganisms on them when samples are taken for analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: NALCO COMPANY
    Inventors: Laura E. Rice, Liliya Lund
  • Patent number: 9290803
    Abstract: Provided are novel sensitive methylation assays referred to herein as Digital MethyLight, comprising stochastically distributing and compartmentalizing bisulfite-treated genomic DNA over multiple PCR reaction wells for detection of individually methylated DNA molecules in a large background of unmethylated DNA. Digital Bisulfite Genomic DNA Sequencing methods are also provided for high-resolution DNA methylation information without subcloning. Background signal and PCR contaminants are diluted, while the ratio of primer to methylated template DNA is kept high. Preferably, biological fluid (e.g., urine, blood-based (e.g., plasma and/or serum)) samples are analyzed for cancer diagnosis, prognosis and surveillance. Multiplexed PCR formats may be implemented to enhance when using small DNA amounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: University of Southern California
    Inventors: Peter W. Laird, Binh N. Trinh, Mihaela Campan, Daniel J. Weisenberger
  • Patent number: 9290804
    Abstract: A microparticle having a probe molecule able to capture a specific nucleic acid group to be analyzed is used to extract only the specific nucleic acid group to be analyzed from a nucleic acid sample and the microparticle is thereafter directly immobilized on a smooth plate, whereby a device for nucleic acid analysis is rapidly prepared. Immobilizing a single capture probe molecule onto an individual microparticle in advance and forming, at regular positions on the smooth substrate, an adhesion pad on which a functional group that binds to the microparticle has been introduced makes it possible to readily and rapidly prepare the device for nucleic analysis, where the nucleic acid sample to be analyzed is arranged molecule by molecule in a lattice shape on the smooth substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshiro Saito, Kazumichi Imai, Takayuki Obara, Eri Tarasawa
  • Patent number: 9290805
    Abstract: A device for controlling, detecting, and measuring a molecular complex is disclosed. The device comprises a common electrode. The device further comprises a plurality of measurement cells. Each measurement cell includes a cell electrode and an integrator electronically coupled to the cell electrode. The integrator measures the current flowing between the common electrode and the cell electrode. The device further comprises a plurality of analog-to-digital converters, wherein an integrator from the plurality of measurement cells is electrically coupled to one analog-to-digital converter of the plurality of analog-to-digital converters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Genia Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Deierling, Roger J. A. Chen, David J. Fullagar
  • Patent number: 9290806
    Abstract: A technique is provided for a structure. A substrate has a nanopillar vertically positioned on the substrate. A bottom layer is formed beneath the substrate. A top layer is formed on top of the substrate and on top of the nanopillar, and a cover layer covers the top layer and the nanopillar. A window is formed through the bottom layer and formed through the substrate, and the window ends at the top layer. A nanopore is formed through the top layer by removing the cover layer and the nanopillar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Gustavo A. Stolovitzky, Deqiang Wang
  • Patent number: 9290807
    Abstract: This invention relates to the identification of modified cytosine residues, such as 5-methylcytosine (5mC), 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) and 5-formylcytosine (5fC) to be distinguished from cytosine (C) in a sample nucleotide sequence. Methods may comprise oxidizing or reducing a first portion of polynucleotides which comprise the sample nucleotide sequence; treating the oxidized or reduced first portion and a second portion of polynucleotides with bisulfite; sequencing the polynucleotides in the first and second portions of the population following steps ii) and iii) to produce first and second nucleotide sequences, respectively and; identifying the residue in the first and second nucleotide sequences which corresponds to a cytosine residue in the sample nucleotide sequence. These methods may be useful, for example in the analysis of genomic DNA and/or of RNA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Cambridge Epigenetix Limited
    Inventors: Michael John Booth, Shankar Balasubramanian
  • Patent number: 9290808
    Abstract: Compositions, methods and kits are disclosed for high-sensitivity single molecule digital counting by the stochastic labeling of a collection of identical molecules by attachment of a diverse set of labels. Each copy of a molecule randomly chooses from a non-depleting reservoir of diverse labels. Detection may be by a variety of methods including hybridization based or sequencing. Molecules that would otherwise be identical in information content can be labeled to create a separately detectable product that is unique or approximately unique in a collection. This stochastic transformation relaxes the problem of counting molecules from one of locating and identifying identical molecules to a series of binary digital questions detecting whether preprogrammed labels are present. The methods may be used, for example, to estimate the number of separate molecules of a given type or types within a sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Cellular Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen P. A. Fodor, Glenn K. Fu
  • Patent number: 9290809
    Abstract: Compositions, methods and kits are disclosed for high-sensitivity single molecule digital counting by the stochastic labeling of a collection of identical molecules by attachment of a diverse set of labels. Each copy of a molecule randomly chooses from a non-depleting reservoir of diverse labels. Detection may be by a variety of methods including hybridization based or sequencing. Molecules that would otherwise be identical in information content can be labeled to create a separately detectable product that is unique or approximately unique in a collection. This stochastic transformation relaxes the problem of counting molecules from one of locating and identifying identical molecules to a series of binary digital questions detecting whether preprogrammed labels are present. The methods may be used, for example, to estimate the number of separate molecules of a given type or types within a sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Cellular Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen P. A. Fodor, Glenn K. Fu
  • Patent number: 9290810
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a product includes a plurality of particles, each particle including: a carrier that includes a non-toxic material; and at least one DNA barcode coupled to the carrier, where the particles each have a diameter in a range from about 1 nanometer to about 100 microns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: George R. Farquar, Roald N. Leif, Elizabeth Wheeler
  • Patent number: 9290811
    Abstract: A precise measurement of the immunological receptor diversity present in a sample is obtained by sequence analysis. Samples of interest are generally complex, comprising more than 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 1010, 1011, 1012 or more different sequences for a receptor of interest. Immunological receptors of interest include immunoglobulins, T cell antigen receptors, and major histocompatibility receptors. The specific composition of immunological receptor sequence variations in the sample can be recorded and output. The composition is useful for predictive, diagnostic and therapeutic methods relating to the immune capabilities and history of an individual. Such predictions and diagnoses are used to guide clinical decisions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Stephen R. Quake, Joshua Weinstein, Ning Jiang, Daniel S. Fisher
  • Patent number: 9290812
    Abstract: The present invention includes methods of enriching rare cells, such as cancer cells, from biological samples, such as blood samples. The methods include performing at least one debulking step on a blood sample and selectively removing at least one type undesirable component from the blood sample to obtain a blood sample that is enriched in a rare cell of interest. In some embodiments magnetic beads coupled to specific binding members are used to selectively removed components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Aviva Biosciences Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas T. Yamanishi, Paul G. Hujsak, Sara F. Snyder, George Walker, Junquan Xu, Mingxian Huang, Guoliang Tao, Lei Wu, Xiaobo Wang, Joe Ouyang, Charina Schmitigal, Jing Cheng, Jia Xu
  • Patent number: 9290813
    Abstract: Methods are provided for determining whether a subject has a graft tolerant phenotype. In practicing the subject methods, the expression level of one or more gene in a sample from the subject, e.g., a blood sample, is assayed to obtain a gene expression result, where the gene expression result includes a result for a biomarker of graft tolerance. The obtained gene expression result is then employed to determine whether the subject has a graft tolerant phenotype. Also provided are compositions, systems and kits that find use in practicing the subject methods. The methods and compositions find use in a variety of applications, including the determination of an immunosuppressive therapy regimen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Minnie M. Sarwal, Li Li, Samuel Strober
  • Patent number: 9290814
    Abstract: A method of diagnosing bladder cancer in a patient comprising contacting a sample of urothelial cells obtained from the patient with a set of detectably labeled probes comprising locus-specific probes for c-myc and AURKA and centromeric probes for chromosomes 7 and 17 under hybridization conditions, and determining the presence of chromosomal abnormalities, wherein the presence of chromosomal abnormalities involving at least two of the detectably labeled probes indicates that the patient has bladder cancer; a method of monitoring recurrence of bladder cancer in a patient; a set of probes comprising locus-specific probes for c-myc and AURKA and centromeric probes for chromosomes 7 and 17; and a kit comprising (a) the set of probes and (b) instructions for diagnosing bladder cancer, or monitoring the recurrence thereof, in a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Abbott Molecular Inc.
    Inventors: Nick Giafis, Irina Sokolova, Minghao Song, Frank Policht, Svetlana Sitailo
  • Patent number: 9290815
    Abstract: The invention provides for a method for quantifying one or more nucleic acids of a genome in a sample comprising the steps of, (a) amplifying a first nucleic acid to be quantified, (b) determining the amount of said first nucleic acid by comparison of the amount of amplification product from said first nucleic acid with at least one amplification product from a second template nucleic acid, (c) wherein said second template nucleic acid was generated using whole genome amplification and wherein the starting concentration of the second template nucleic acid is known.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Qiagen GMBH
    Inventors: Francesca Di Pasquale, Holger Engel
  • Patent number: 9290816
    Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, methods and compositions for encoding a substrate for detecting and quantifying target nucleic acids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Firefly Bioworks Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel C. Pregibon, Isaac Stoner, Andreas Windemuth, Timothy Erps
  • Patent number: 9290817
    Abstract: Three important species of Aspergillus, A. fumigatus, A. flavus and A. niger are known to contribute to the pathogenicity of allergic and invasive diseases in humans. They are also known to be plant pathogens. Several important ESTs/genes of Aspergilli species are now identified and characterized. Efforts are still needed to explore 30% genes of Aspergillus species for their valuable products which need to be explored. Polyketide biosynthetic pathway in Aspergillus species produce important secondary metabolites like polyketide toxins such as Aflatoxins, drugs such as Lovastatins and several other important pharmaceutically important polyketide compounds etc. With the availability of Aspergillus genome sequences it is possible today to characterize the structure and function of important genes of Aspergillus species. Based on the gene sequence information on PKS enzymes in medically and agriculturally important Aspergillus species such as A. fumigatus, A. flavus and A.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: COUNCIL OF SCIENTIFIC & INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH
    Inventors: Preetida Jagdish Bhetariya, Taruna Madan Gupta, Yogendra Singh, Anupam Varma, Puranam Usha Sarma
  • Patent number: 9290818
    Abstract: A probe, a set of probes, and a probe carrier on which the probe or the set of probes is immobilized, are provided for classification of fungus species. The probe or the set of probes is capable of collectively detecting fungus of the same species and distinguishingly detecting those fungus from fungus of other species. The probe is an oligonucleotide probe for detecting a pathogenic fungus DNA and includes at least one of base sequences of SEQ ID NOS. 1 to 3 and mutated sequences thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Tomatsu, Toshifumi Fukui, Nobuyoshi Shimizu, Atsushi Takayanagi
  • Patent number: 9290819
    Abstract: Methods for distinguishing between cotton cultivars of a specific species by analyzing a sample of mature cotton fibers from raw cotton materials or from textile goods are disclosed. DNA is extracted from the mature cotton fiber sample and subjected to PCR techniques which enable the identification of the cultivar of a particular cotton species utilized in the textile or cotton material of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: APDN (B.V.I.) Inc.
    Inventors: MingHwa Benjamin Liang, Stephane Shu Kin So
  • Patent number: 9290820
    Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules derived from sequences of novel human parvovirus B19 variant genomes are provided. Also provided are assays and kits comprising the nucleic acid molecules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Grifols Therapeutics Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas C. Lee, Todd M. Gierman, Chris Glenn, Burton Beams, Brett Buno, Lori Rinckel
  • Patent number: 9290821
    Abstract: Fermentable sugar useful for the production of biofuels can be produced from biomass by contacting the biomass with a solution containing at least one ?-hydroxysulfonic acid. The ?-hydroxysulfonic acid can be easily removed from the product and recycled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Robert Lawrence Blackbourn, Paul Richard Weider
  • Patent number: 9290822
    Abstract: A Si-killed steel wire rod for obtaining a spring excellent in fatigue properties and a spring excellent in fatigue properties obtained from such steel wire rod are provided. In the Si-killed steel wire rod of the present invention, oxide-based inclusions present in the wire rod contain SiO2: 30-90%, Al2O3: 2-35%, MgO: 35% or below (not inclusive of 0%), CaO: 50% or below (not inclusive of 0%), MnO: 20% or below (not inclusive of 0%) and BaO: 0.2-20% respectively, and total content of (CaO+MgO) is 3% or above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoko Sugimura, Koichi Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 9290823
    Abstract: Described herein are a method, an apparatus, and a system for metal processing that improves one or more properties of a sintered metal part by controlling the process conditions of the cooling zone of a continuous furnace using one or more cryogenic fluids. In one aspect, there is provided a method comprising: providing a furnace wherein the metal part is passed therethough on a conveyor belt and comprises a hot zone and a cooling zone wherein the cooling zone has a first temperature; and introducing a cryogenic fluid into the cooling zone where the cryogenic fluid reduces the temperature of the cooling zone to a second temperature, wherein at least a portion of the cryogenic fluid provides a vapor within the cooling zone and cools the metal parts passing therethrough at an accelerated cooling rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Zbigniew Zurecki, Ranajit Ghosh, Lisa Ann Mercando, Xiaoyi He, John Lewis Green, David Scott Nelson
  • Patent number: 9290824
    Abstract: In a method of producing a grain-oriented electrical steel sheet by hot-rolling a steel slab of a chemical composition containing C: 0.001˜0.10%, Si: 1.0˜5.0%, Mn: 0.01˜1.0%, at least one of S and Se: 0.01˜0.05% in total, sol. Al: 0.003˜0.050%, N: 0.001˜0.020% by mass, subjecting to cold rolling, a primary recrystallization annealing, application of an annealing separator mainly composed of MgO and a finish annealing, a temperature rising rate S1 between 500˜600° C. in the primary recrystallization annealing is made to not less than 100° C./s and a temperature rising rate S2 between 600˜700° C. is made to 30° C./s˜0.6×S1° C./s, while a total content W (mol %) of an element having an ionic radius of 0.6˜1.3 ? and an attracting force between the ion and oxygen of not more than 0.7 ??2 included in the annealing separator to MgO is adjusted to satisfy 0.01S2?5.5?Ln (W)?0.01S2?4.3 to produce a grain-oriented electrical steel sheet having excellent iron loss properties and coating properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: JFE Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Watanabe, Yukihiro Shingaki, Toshito Takamiya, Tomoyuki Okubo, Kunihiro Senda
  • Patent number: 9290825
    Abstract: An apparatus for pre-stressing a component, the apparatus includes means to direct a beam of radiation in a path through a medium adjacent to the component between a pair of electrodes to produce ionisation in the path through the medium and means to produce an electrical discharge between the pair of electrodes in the path through the medium to produce a pressure pulse in the medium adjacent to the component without the electrical discharge directly contacting the component, the pressure pulse impacting a surface of the component to produce a region of compressive residual stress within the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: John R. Webster
  • Patent number: 9290826
    Abstract: A process to upgrade heavy oil and convert the heavy oil into lower boiling hydrocarbon products is provided. The process employs a catalyst slurry comprising catalyst particles with an average particle size ranging from 1 to 20 microns. In the upgrade process, spent slurry catalyst in heavy oil is generated as an effluent stream, which is subsequently recovered/separated from the heavy oil via membrane filtration. In one embodiment, dynamic filtration is used for the separation of the heavy oil from the catalyst particles. Valuable metals can be recovered from catalyst particles for subsequent re-use in a catalyst synthesis unit, generating a fresh slurry catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Andre R. Da Costa, Christopher Alan Powers, Bruce Reynolds, Oluwaseyi Abiodun Odueyungbo
  • Patent number: 9290827
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of leaching copper and gold from sulfide ores, which includes Process (1) of bringing a first aqueous acidic solution which contains chlorine ion, copper ion and iron ion, but no bromine ion, into contact with sulfide ores under supply of an oxidizing agent, so as to leach copper component contained in the sulfide ores; Process (2) of separating, by solid-liquid separation, a leaching reaction liquid obtained in Process (1), into a leaching residue and a leachate; and Process (3) of bringing a second aqueous acidic solution which contains chlorine ion, bromine ion, copper ion and iron ion, into contact with the leaching residue obtained in Process (2) under supply of an oxidizing agent, so as to leach gold contained in the leaching residue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: JX NIPPON MINING & METALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Hatano, Yoshifumi Abe, Koji Katsukawa, Eiki Ono
  • Patent number: 9290828
    Abstract: There are provided processes for preparing various products from various materials. For example, such processes are effective for extracting titanium and various other metals from various materials, thereby allowing for preparing products such as titanium chloride and titanium oxide. These processes can comprise leaching the starting material with HCl so as to obtain a leachate and a solid. The solid can be treated so as to substantially selectively extract titanium therefrom while the leachate can be treated so as to substantially selectively recover a first metal chloride therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: ORBITE TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Richard Boudreault, Joël Fournier, Denis Primeau, Marie-Maxime Labrecque-Gilbert
  • Patent number: 9290829
    Abstract: An alloy having a formula Zr100-x-u (Cu100-aNia)xAlu wherein X, U and a are in atomic percentages wherein X is less than or equal to 48 and greater than or equal to 37, wherein U is less than or equal to 14 and greater than or equal to 3, and wherein a is less than or equal to ten and greater than or equal to 3. Methods of forming the alloy and bulk metallic glass comprising the alloy are also provided. The alloy and bulk metallic glass are useful in a wide number of applications which includes sports and luxury products, electronic goods, medical instruments, and military equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: National University of Singapore
    Inventors: Li Yi, Irene Lee, Dong Wang
  • Patent number: 9290830
    Abstract: Provided is a ferritic stainless steel excellent in terms of thermal fatigue resistance, high-temperature fatigue resistance and oxidation resistance without adding Mo or W, which is an expensive chemical element and with controlling Nb content to be as small as possible. The chemical composition contains, by mass %, C: 0.020% or less, Si: 3.0% or less, Mn: 3.0% or less, P: 0.040% or less, S: 0.030% or less, Cr: 10% to 25%, N: 0.020% or less, Nb: 0.005% to 0.15%, Al: 0.20% to 3.0%, Ti: 5×(C %+N %) to 0.5%, Mo: 0.1% or less, W: 0.1% or less, Cu: 0.55% to 2.0%, B: 0.0002% to 0.0050%, Ni: 0.05% to 1.0%, and the balance being Fe and inevitable impurities, where C % and N % in the expression 5×(C %+N %) respectively represent the contents (mass %) of the chemical elements C and N.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: JFE Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuyuki Nakamura, Hiroki Ota, Hiroyuki Ogata
  • Patent number: 9290831
    Abstract: A soft-magnetic, amorphous alloy ribbon produced by a rapid quenching method, having transverse lines of recesses formed on its surface by laser beams with predetermined longitudinal intervals, with a doughnut-shaped projection formed around each recess; doughnut-shaped projections having smooth surfaces substantially free from splashes of the alloy melted by the irradiation of laser beams, and a height t2 of 2 ?m or less; and a ratio t1/T of the depth t1 of the recesses to the thickness T of the ribbon being in a range of 0.025-0.18, thereby having low iron loss and low apparent power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: HITACHI METALS, LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshihito Yoshizawa, Naoki Ito, Shinichi Kazui, Makoto Sasaki
  • Patent number: 9290832
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cold-rolled carbon steel comprising (in % by weight) C 0.63-0.85%, max. 0.40% Si, 0.20-0.90% Mn, max. 0.035% P, max. 0.035% S, max. 0.060% Al, max. 0.40% Cr, 0.003-0.010% N, preferably 0.005-0.008%, and a maximum of 0.12% of at least one micro-alloying element, the remainder being iron and steel production-related pollutants. Possible micro-alloying elements are Ti, Nb, V and optionally Zr. A carbon steel of the type is cold-rolled into texture-rolled strip steel with a high cold reduction degree and can be used in particular as a material for coiling springs or other components having spring properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: C.D. Waelzholz GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Toni Junius, Heino Buddenberg, Michael Hellmann, Dirk Wilmes
  • Patent number: 9290833
    Abstract: A method of controlling the location at which yielding initiates a load bearing component and the collapse mode that is activated at the site of yielding for a designated type of loading is claimed. The steps include selecting a desired area of deformation and a kinematic mode of collapse; selecting a strength-altering pattern including at least a strengthening or weakening zone to control the location in a component where plastic deformation occurs, such that the pattern causes deformation to proceed into a desired collapse mode or shape with the component is subjected to design loading; and applying the strength-altering pattern to the component by friction stir processing, forming at least a strengthened or weakened zone relative to the base material of the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Cornell University
    Inventor: Paul R. Dawson
  • Patent number: 9290834
    Abstract: A galvanized steel sheet has a composition containing, by mass %, C: 0.05% or more and 0.5% or less, Si: 0.01% or more and 2.5% or less, Mn: 0.5% or more and 3.5% or less, P: 0.003% or more and 0.100% or less, S: 0.02% or less, Al: 0.010% or more and 0.5% or less, B: 0.0002% or more and 0.005% or less, Ti: 0.05% or less, a relationship of Ti>4N being satisfied, and the balance comprising Fe and inevitable impurities, and a microstructure containing 60% or more and 95% or less of tempered martensite in terms of area ratio and 5% or more and 20% or less of retained austenite in terms of area ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: JFE Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Hasegawa, Tatsuya Nakagaito, Shinjiro Kaneko, Yasunobu Nagataki, Yoshitsugu Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9290835
    Abstract: The invention provides a cold-rolled steel sheet excellent in paint bake hardenability and ordinary-temperature non-aging property comprising, in mass %, C: 0.0005-0.0040%, Si: 0.8% or less, Mn: 2.2% or less, S: 0.0005-0.009%, Cr: 0.4-1.3%, O: 0.003-0.020%, P: 0.045-0.12%, B: 0.0002-0.0010%, Al: 0.008% or less, N: 0.001-0.007%, and a balance of Fe and unavoidable impurities. Ultra-low-carbon steel retaining solute N and containing added Cr, P, B and O is used to produce hot-rolled and cold-rolled steel sheet and hot-dip galvanized cold-rolled steel sheet that exhibit both high paint bake hardenability and ordinary-temperature non-aging property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Nippon Steel & Summitomo Metal Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Yoshinaga, Naoki Maruyama, Manabu Takahashi, Natsuko Sugiura
  • Patent number: 9290836
    Abstract: Methods suitable for reducing corner cracking of environmental barrier coating systems. The methods include forming at least one layer of a first portion of the environmental barrier coating system on at least a first region of the component, performing a first heat treatment, forming at least one layer of a second portion of the environmental barrier coating system on a second region of the component, and performing a second heat treatment to the component. Edges of the first portion and edges of the second portion form an angle of at most 60° with respect to a surface of the first region of the component. During the second heat treatment, the second portion of the EBC system expands and the expansion of the second portion of the EBC system is at least partially constrained by the first portion of the EBC system to reduce tensile interfacial stresses in the EBC system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Zhang, Herbert Chidsey Roberts, Rupak Das
  • Patent number: 9290837
    Abstract: A technique for forming an organic polymer thin film on a surface of a substrate with high film formation efficiency and excellent reproducibility and stability is provided. When a vacuum deposition polymerization for forming an organic polymer thin film is performed on a surface of a substrate repeatedly, in which a plurality of kinds of monomers evaporated in a plurality of evaporation source containers in vacuum state are introduced into a deposition chamber in a vacuum state and polymerized on a surface of the substrate arranged in the deposition chamber, each of the monomers in a liquid form is present in the evaporation source containers in a constant amount every time, at the beginning of the evaporation operation of monomers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignees: Kojima Press Industry Co., Ltd., ULVAC, INC.
    Inventors: Masumi Noguchi, Ken Momono, Hagane Irikura
  • Patent number: 9290838
    Abstract: A method for inhibiting diffusion of gases and/or transmission of photons through elastomeric seals and a diffusion inhibiting elastomeric seal wherein at least a portion of the surface of a diffusion inhibiting elastomeric seal is coated with a compatibly-deformable, malleable metal coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: JEFFERSON SCIENCE ASSOCIATES, LLC
    Inventors: George Herman Biallas, James Reid Boyce
  • Patent number: 9290839
    Abstract: The subject invention provides conductive stripes, suitable for use as electrodes, and methods of making conductive stripes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Inc.
    Inventors: Yi Wang, Timothy P. Henning, Edmund T. Marciniec
  • Patent number: 9290840
    Abstract: A method for forming an electrically conductive oxide film (1) on a substrate (2), the method comprising the steps of, bringing the substrate (2) into a reaction space, forming a preliminary deposit on a deposition surface of the substrate (2) and treating the deposition surface with a chemical. The step of forming the preliminary deposit on the deposition surface of the substrate (2) comprises forming a preliminary deposit of transition metal oxide on the deposition surface and subsequently purging the reaction space. The step of treating the deposition surface with a chemical comprises treating the deposition surface with an organometallic chemical and subsequently purging the reaction space, to form oxide comprising oxygen, first metal and transition metal. The steps of forming the preliminary deposit and treating the deposition surface being alternately repeated such that a film (1) of electrically conductive oxide is formed on the substrate (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Beneq Oy
    Inventor: Jarmo Maula
  • Patent number: 9290841
    Abstract: The present invention is an organoruthenium compound for a chemical vapor deposition raw material, including dodecacarbonyl triruthenium represented by the following chemical formula, wherein the iron (Fe) concentration is 1 ppm or less. The DCR in the present invention can be produced by obtaining crude DCR by directly carbonylating ruthenium through allowing a ruthenium salt and carbon monoxide to react with each other and by purifying the crude DCR by a sublimation method. In the synthesis step, the concentration of Fe in the obtained crude DCR is preferably set at 10 ppm or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: TANAKA KIKINZOKU KOGYO K.K.
    Inventors: Masayuki Saito, Junichi Taniuchi, Hirofumi Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 9290842
    Abstract: The present invention provides an evaporation device for which maintenance is readily conducted, and further, provides an electrode cover which can prevent an evaporation material from being adhered to electrodes. Moreover, the present invention provides an evaporation device including an evaporation chamber; a holding portion for holding an object to be treated; an evaporation source; an electrode; an electrode cover; and a power supply, in which the evaporation chamber includes the holding portion in an upper portion, and includes the evaporation source, the electrode, and the electrode cover in a lower portion; the electrode cover covers at least a part of an exposed surface of the electrode; the electrode and the power supply are electrically connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuharu Ohsawa, Ryoji Nomura, Masahiro Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9290843
    Abstract: A semiconductor substrate processing apparatus comprises a ball screw showerhead module adjuster assembly for adjusting the planarization of a showerhead module of the apparatus. The ball screw showerhead module adjuster assembly comprises a collar supported in a stepped opening of a top plate; a bellows forms an airtight seal between the collar and an adjuster plate supported above the collar by at least three adjustable ball screws operable to adjust the planarization of the adjuster plate with respect to the collar. An insulating sleeve extends through an opening in the collar, the bellows, and the adjuster plate. A stem of the showerhead module is supported in an opening of the insulating sleeve by a nut assembly such that the stem is supported and aligned within the insulating sleeve so that an adjustment of planarization of the adjuster plate thereby adjusts the planarization of the faceplate of the showerhead module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventor: Eric Russell Madsen
  • Patent number: 9290844
    Abstract: Provided is a method for manufacturing a metal film, including: coating or printing a metal ink containing an organic metal complex on a substrate; and necessarily parallel-performing a pressure process during a procedure of forming metal particles by firing the metal ink, thereby forming a conductive metal film. The present invention can provide a method for manufacturing a metal film capable of improving film characteristics such as conductivity, reflectance, and uniformity in thickness, and the like, as well as remarkably shortening the time for forming the metal film, thereby efficiently manufacturing a superior-quality metal film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Inktec Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kwang Choon Chung, Hyun Nam Cho, Ji Hoon Yoo, Jae Ho Beak, Yoo Seong Kim
  • Patent number: 9290845
    Abstract: There are provided a ferrite stainless steel for a polymer fuel cell separator having excellent corrosion resistance and interfacial contact resistance under an operating environment of a polymer fuel cell, and a preparation method of the stainless steel. A stainless steel includes C: 0.02 wt % or less, N: 0.02 wt % or less, Si: 0.4 wt % or less, Mn: 0.2 wt % or less, P: 0.04 wt % or less, S: 0.02 wt % or less, Cr: 25.0 to 32.0 wt %, Cu: 0 to 2.0 wt %, Ni: 0.8 wt % or less, Ti: 0.5 wt % or less, Nb: 0.5 wt % or less, waste Fe and inevitably contained elements. A preparation method of the stainless steel having a second passive film formed on a surface thereof includes forming a first passive film on the surface of the stainless steel by bright-annealing or annealing-pickling the stainless steel; removing the first passive film by pickling the stainless steel in a 10 to 20 wt % sulfuric acid solution at a temperature of 50 to 75° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: POSCO
    Inventors: Jonghee Kim, Kihoon Jo, Younghwan Kim, Jeonghe Lee, Yunyong Lee, Jinsuk Kim, Jongheon Seok
  • Patent number: 9290846
    Abstract: A conversion coating composition including a conducting polymer dispersion, at least one silane and inorganic metallic salts, wherein a pH of the composition is between 1.0 and 6.0, and wherein the inorganic metallic salts include at least one zirconium salt and at least one cerium nitrate salt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Nieves Lapena Rey, Patricia Santa Coloma Mozo, Usoa Izagirre Etxeberria, Oihana Zubillaga Alcorta, Francisco J. Cano Iranzo
  • Patent number: 9290847
    Abstract: The present invention provides an Al2O3 coated Si3N4 cutting tool comprising a Si3N4 based substrate body and a coating layer on the substrate body, wherein the coating layer has at least one Al2O3 coating layer consisting of amorphous Al2O3 or nanocrystalline ?-, ?-, or ?-Al2O3. The hard and wear resistant refractory coating is deposited onto the Si3N4-based substrate body by reactive sputtering using bipolar pulsed DMS technique or dual magnetron sputtering method at substrate temperatures of 300-700° C. During the deposition, preferably, the substrate temperature is controlled to achieve the desired crystal structure of the coating. To form amorphous Al2O3 coating on the surface of the substrates, the deposition temperature can be controlled from 300 to 500° C.; on the other hand, to form nanocrystalline ?-, ?-, or ?-Al2O3, the deposition temperature can be controlled in the range of 500-700° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: GUANGDONG UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Shanghua Wu, Ying Long, Qimin Wang, Chengyong Wang
  • Patent number: 9290848
    Abstract: A method for anisotropically etching a feature in a Cu-containing layer includes providing a substrate having a Cu-containing layer and a patterned etch mask formed on the Cu-containing layer such that on exposed Cu-containing layer is exposed to processing through the patterned etch mask, passivating a first surface of the exposed Cu-containing layer, and inhibiting passivation of a second surface of the Cu-containing layer. A Cu compound is formed on said second surface of the Cu-containing layer, and the Cu compound is removed from the second surface of the Cu-containing layer to anisotropically etch a feature in the Cu-containing layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Lee Chen, Ying Zhang
  • Patent number: 9290849
    Abstract: There are provided methods of suppressing corrosion of a corrodible metal surface that contacts a water stream in a water system, the method comprising: (a) introducing into the water stream a shot dose of a treatment composition comprising a corrosion inhibitor, the shot dose being introduced into the water stream over a first time period and the water stream having a first concentration of corrosion inhibitor during the first time period; (b) then reducing the amount of treatment composition that is introduced into the water stream; and (c) after the first time period, maintaining a second concentration of corrosion inhibitor in the water stream over a second time period, the second concentration being less than 25% of the concentration of corrosion inhibitor during the first time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: CHEMTREAT, INC.
    Inventors: John Richardson, Rajendra Kalakodimi, DeAnn Wills-Guy
  • Patent number: 9290850
    Abstract: Methods for inhibiting the corrosion of metals in contact with an aqueous system are provided. The method of inhibiting corrosion includes maintaining effective amounts of (1) an amino acid-based polymer, such as a polyaspartic acid compound, and (2) a dispersible and/or soluble tin compound in the aqueous system. The corrosion inhibiting components of the treatment may be added simultaneously or separately into the water of the aqueous system, i.e., provided either in a single treatment product or as separate products. Such a corrosion inhibiting method may optionally also include adding a polycarboxylic acid chelating agent and/or a carboxylate/sulfonate functional copolymer to the aqueous system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: U.S. Water Services Inc.
    Inventors: Donovan L. Erickson, Roy A. Johnson, Matthew Ryan LaBrosse, Paul R. Young
  • Patent number: 9290851
    Abstract: Corrosion inhibitors and methods for inhibiting or reducing corrosion of metallic surfaces are provided. A corrosion inhibitor composition may include a 3-alkylamino-2-hydroxysuccinic acid compound. A method of inhibiting corrosion of a metallic surface in an aqueous system includes the step of contacting the surface with an effective amount of a corrosion inhibitor composition. The corrosion inhibitor composition may include other components, such as zinc, and it may also exclude phosphorus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: ECOLAB USA Inc.
    Inventors: Jasbir S. Gill, Peter E. Reed, Santanu Banerjee, Anand Harbindu