Patents Issued in February 15, 2018
  • Publication number: 20180044714
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of preparing a nucleic acid population suitable for RNA sequencing. The method involves amplifying a double-stranded DNA and a poly T sequence by using the DNA constituted of any additional nucleic acid sequence X, poly T sequence, mRNA sequence isolated from a biological sample, poly A sequence and any additional nucleic acid sequence Y in this order as a template, a first primer containing any additional nucleic acid sequence X having amine added to the 5?-terminal (and a poly T sequence), and a second primer containing any additional nucleic acid sequence Y (and a poly T sequence), followed by fractionalizing the DNA, phosphorylating the DNA, preparing cDNA by using the DNA as a template and a third primer, adding adenine (A) to the cDNA, linking a DNA, and amplifying the DNA by using the DNA as a template, a fourth primer, and a fifth primer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: KYOTO UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Mitinori SAITOU, Tomonori NAKAMURA, Yukihiro YABUTA
  • Publication number: 20180044715
    Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for reducing the time needed for sequencing nucleic acids. The approach relies on detecting formation of nucleotide-specific ternary complexes comprising a polymerase (e.g., a DNA polymerizing enzyme), a primed template nucleic acid molecule, and a nucleotide complementary to the templated base of the primed template nucleic acid. The methods and systems facilitate determination of the next correct nucleotide, as well as the subsequent next correct nucleotide from a cycle of examining four different nucleotides without requiring chemical incorporation of any nucleotide into the primer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: Omniome, Inc.
    Inventors: Pinar Iyidogan, Kandaswamy Vijayan
  • Publication number: 20180044716
    Abstract: The invention is directed to methods and kits for performing an RNase H2-mediated cleavage reaction on a sample in an emulsion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Joseph Dobosy, Sarah Jacobi, Richard Owczarzy, Mark Behlke
  • Publication number: 20180044717
    Abstract: The present invention relates to primers, probes, primer sets, primer and probe sets, methods and kits for detecting human papillomaviruses, human beta globin sequences and human papillomaviruses and human beta globin sequences in a test sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Klara Abravaya, Brian J. Erickson, Shihai X. Huang, Wai-Bing X. Mak, John A. Salituro, Ning Tang
  • Publication number: 20180044718
    Abstract: The present invention concerns markers for the detection, in any matrix, of any Brevibacillus laterosporus strains and for the detection of specific Brevibacillus laterosporus strains.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Luca RUIU, Giovanni FLACHI, Maria Giovanna MARCHE
  • Publication number: 20180044719
    Abstract: The invention relates, in part, to methods to identify the presence and/or level of a pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus bacterium in a subject or in or on a substrate. Methods are provided that, in part, permit detection of infection of a subject, or contamination of a substrate by pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus bacteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: University of New Hampshire
    Inventors: Cheryl Whistler, Jeffrey Allister Hall, Feng Xu
  • Publication number: 20180044720
    Abstract: Disclosed are nucleic acid oligomers, including amplification oligomers, capture probes, and detection probes, for detection of a 16S rRNA or its encoding gene from bacterial species associated with bacterial vaginosis. Also disclosed are methods of specific nucleic acid amplification and detection using the disclosed oligomers, as well as corresponding reaction mixtures and kits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Damon K. GETMAN, Paul M. DARBY
  • Publication number: 20180044721
    Abstract: A method for characterising a DNA analyte comprised of one or more polynucleotide types characteristic of a site of nucleotide polymorphism each of which includes a target region having the formula -X-Y-Z- wherein X and Z are respectively first and second characteristic flanking oligonucleotide regions and Y is one of the variants constituting the site is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: BASE4 INNOVATION LTD
    Inventor: Barnaby BALMFORTH
  • Publication number: 20180044722
    Abstract: A probe system is provided. In some embodiments, the probe system may comprise: a first labeled probe that hybridizes to one side of a potential translocation breakpoint in a first locus; a second labeled probe that hybridizes to the other side of the potential translocation breakpoint in the first locus; a third labeled probe that hybridizes to one side of a potential translocation breakpoint in a second locus; a fourth labeled probe that hybridizes to the other side of the potential translocation breakpoint in the second locus; and a fifth labeled probe that hybridizes to both sides of the potential translocation breakpoint in either the first locus or the second locus, but not both. The fifth probe is distinguishably labeled from the first, second, third and fourth probes. Methods for detecting a chromosomal rearrangement in the first and second loci using the probe system are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Ruvolo, Jimmy Jin
  • Publication number: 20180044723
    Abstract: Processes, oligonucleotides, and kits for amplifying RNA. In particular, the processes generate and amplify cDNA libraries in which the orientation of the input RNA molecule is preserved in the products. Among the various aspects of the present disclosure is the provision of process for directionally amplifying RNA. The process comprises reverse transcribing at least one RNA molecule in the presence of a plurality of first synthesis primers to generate a plurality of first strands of complementary DNA (cDNA), wherein each of the first synthesis primers comprises a 3? sequence having complementarity to a portion of the RNA molecule, a non-complementary 5? sequence corresponding to one or more amplification primers, and optionally an internal tag sequence comprising a first tag sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: Sigma-Aldrich Co. LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth B Heuermann, Carol A Kreader, Jaime K Robert, Brian W Ward
  • Publication number: 20180044724
    Abstract: The disclosure provides methods of DNA amplification mediated by DNA ligase. Specifically disclosed is a method of amplifying a target region at DNA level, which comprises repeating cycles of amplification comprising the following steps: denaturing DNA template to obtain single target DNA strands; hybridizing a primer pair comprising an upstream primer and a downstream primer to the target DNA strand, wherein the upstream primer is hybridized to a first nucleic acid sequence of the target region, and the downstream primer is hybridized to a second nucleic acid sequence of the target region; the first nucleic acid sequence is downstream to the second nucleic acid sequence on the target DNA strand, with the downstream primer containing a phosphorylated 5? end; ligating the upstream primer or extension product thereof to the downstream primer or extension product thereof, to obtain a semi-amplification product. This disclosure also discloses a kit used to amplify a target region at DNA level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Jian-Bing FAN, Yangbin GAO, Weihong XU
  • Publication number: 20180044725
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems, methods and compositions for single molecule electronic sequencing of template nucleic acids using nanosensors. The nanosensors of the invention improve the measurement of polynucleotides by assimilating authentic polynucleotide binding proteins (“PBPs”) in place of conventional pore-forming proteins that do not normally interact with polynucleotides. The PBPs of the present invention form the constriction sites of electroconductive pores of the nano sensors, while maintaining their natural polynucleotide binding and processing activities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Mark Stamatios Kokoris, Robert N. McRuer
  • Publication number: 20180044726
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to sequencing two or more genes expressed in a single cell in a high-throughput manner. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a method for high-throughput sequencing of pairs of transcripts co-expressed in single cells (e.g., antibody VH and VL coding sequence) to determine pairs of polypeptide chains that comprise immune receptors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Scott HUNICKE-SMITH, Brandon DEKOSKY, Andy ELLINGTON, George GEORGIOU
  • Publication number: 20180044727
    Abstract: Provided are compositions, methods and systems for determining the sequence of a template nucleic acid using a polymerase-based, sequencing-by-binding procedure. An examination step involves monitoring the interaction between a polymerase and template nucleic acid in the presence of one or more nucleotides. Identity of the next correct nucleotide in the sequence is determined without incorporation of any nucleotide into the structure of the primer by formation of a phosphodiester bond. An optional incorporation step can be used after the examination step to extend the primer by one or more nucleotides, thereby incrementing the template nucleotides that can be examined in a subsequent examination step. The sequencing-by-binding procedure does not require the use of labeled nucleotides or polymerases, but optionally can employ these reagents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: OMNIOME, INC.
    Inventors: Kandaswamy VIJAYAN, Corey M. DAMBACHER, Eugene TU, Mark A. BERNARD, Joseph ROKICKI, Kerry WILSON
  • Publication number: 20180044728
    Abstract: A method for determining the sequence of nucleotide bases in a polynucleotide analyte is provided. It is characterised by the steps of (1) generating a stream of single nucleotide bases from the analyte by pyrophosphorolysis; (2) producing captured molecules by reacting each single nucleotide base with a capture system labelled with detectable elements in an undetectable state; (3) releasing the detectable elements from each captured molecule in a detectable state and (4) detecting the detectable elements so released and determining the sequence of nucleotide bases therefrom. The method can be used advantageously in sequencers involving the use of microdroplets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicants: BASE4 INNOVATION LTD, MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
    Inventors: Cameron Alexander FRAYLING, Barnaby BALMFORTH, Bruno Flavio Nogueira de Sousa SOARES, Thomas Henry ISAAC, Boris BREINER, Alessandra NATALE, Michele AMASIO, Paul DEAR
  • Publication number: 20180044729
    Abstract: A method for determining the sequence of nucleotide bases in a polynucleotide analyte is provided. It is characterised by the steps of (1) generating a stream of single nucleotide bases from the analyte by pyrophosphorolysis; (2) producing captured molecules by reacting each single nucleotide base with a capture system labelled with detectable elements in an undetectable state; (3) releasing the detectable elements from each captured molecule in a detectable state and (4) detecting the detectable elements so released and determining the sequence of nucleotide bases therefrom. The method can be used advantageously in sequencers involving the use of microdroplets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicants: BASE4 INNOVATION LTD, MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
    Inventors: Cameron Alexander FRAYLING, Barnaby BALMFORTH, Bruno Flavio Nogueira de Sousa SOARES, Thomas Henry ISAAC, Boris BREINER, Alessandra NATALE, Michele AMASIO, Paul DEAR
  • Publication number: 20180044730
    Abstract: Methods are provided for analyzing one or more genetic samples, comprising procuring one or more genetic samples comprising genetic material from one or more individuals and sequencing the genetic material using non-targeted, ultra-low coverage sequencing to obtain genetic information for individual associated with the one or more genetic samples. Personal and genetic information associated with the individuals is stored in a database for retrieval and manipulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Joseph K. Pickrell, Tomaz Berisa, Suma Jaini, Brian Houck-Loomis, Kaja Wasik
  • Publication number: 20180044731
    Abstract: Described herein are methods of preparing dual-indexed nucleic acid libraries for methylation profiling using bisulfite conversion sequencing. In various embodiments, the methods use a two-step indexing process to tag bisulfite-treated DNA with unique molecular identifiers (UMIs).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Anton VALOUEV, Arash JAMSHIDI
  • Publication number: 20180044732
    Abstract: The present technology relates to molecular sciences, such as genomics. More particularly, the present technology relates to methods for obtaining long lengths of sequencing data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: ILLUMINA, INC.
    Inventors: Mostafa Ronaghi, Helmy A. Eltoukhy
  • Publication number: 20180044733
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods that find use in determining a likelihood of having or developing diabetic retinopathy (DR) in a subject. Such methods generally include detection of one or more DR diagnostic microRNAs (miRNAs) as described herein. The detection of one or more (e.g., a combination) of such DR diagnostic miRNAs can be used to determine a likelihood of having or developing DR in a subject. Also provided are wet and dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) diagnostic miRNAs and methods of using same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Zeljka Smit-McBride, Lawrence Morse
  • Publication number: 20180044734
    Abstract: The present specification discloses a biomarker for diagnosing skin cell damage caused by fine dust, a kit using the same, and a novel use of a composition comprising galangin as an active ingredient. Specifically, it is possible to conveniently check skin damage caused by fine dust by measuring and comparing the expression amounts of the biomarker in normal cells and cells damaged by fine dust. In addition, a composition of the present invention comprising galangin, an isomer thereof, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, a prodrug thereof, a hydrate thereof or a solvate thereof as an active ingredient can normalize the gene expression of skin damaged by fine dust and promote differentiation of skin keratinocytes, thereby having a skin moisturizing or skin-barrier strengthening effect. Accordingly, since the composition can be used to prevent, treat, or alleviate skin diseases such as atopy, psoriasis, etc. the composition is useful.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Hyoung-June KIM, Na Ri CHA, Ju Yearl PARK, Changjo JUNG, Lee-Kyoung KWON, Dong Wook SHIN, Tae Ryong LEE
  • Publication number: 20180044735
    Abstract: The present invention provides means and methods for determining whether a hepatitis B patient is susceptible to hepatitis B treatment, comprising determining whether a sample of the patient comprises nucleic acid with nucleotide polymorphisms that are associated with a positive outcome of hepatitis B treatment and/or determining whether a sample of the patient comprises an expression level of carnitine or of a carnitine derivative that is associated with a positive outcome of hepatitis B treatment. Compositions, kits of parts, (micro)arrays and vectors useful for such methods are also herewith provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: Academisch Medisch Centrum
    Inventors: Hendrik Willem Reesink, Louis Jansen, Neeltje Akke Kootstra
  • Publication number: 20180044736
    Abstract: The present invention describes a method of using a molecular prognostic signature, to predict overall survival in patients with metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma. The present invention also describes a method of selecting therapy and a process for patient risk stratification based on the molecular prognostic signature analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicants: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Duke University
    Inventors: Hyung KIM, Ping LI, Susan HALABI
  • Publication number: 20180044737
    Abstract: The present application concerns a new in vitro method for assessing the prognosis of a prostate cancer patient, comprising measuring the expression level of at least two miRs selected from group of miRs consisting of: miR-106a-5p, miR-10b-5p, miR-133a-3p, miR-152-3p, miR-185-5p, miR-193a-5p, miR-221-3p, miR-23a-3p, miR-30d-3p, miR-326, miR-374b-5p, miR-615-3p and miR-625-3p in a RNA sample from prostate cells obtained from said patient, wherein a changed expression level of said at least 2 miRs, as compared to a reference expression profile, is indicative of the prognosis of said prostate cancer patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: Exiqon A/S
    Inventors: Anni RØNFELDT THOMSEN, Helle KRISTENSEN, Karina DALSGAARD SØRENSEN, Lars KONGSBAK, Peter MOURITZEN, Torben ØRNTOFT
  • Publication number: 20180044738
    Abstract: Described are methods of detecting circulating HOTAIR in breast cancer patients. The detection of circulating HOTAIR may aid in the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (“TNBC”) or anti-estrogen resistant breast cancer. Circulating HOTAIR may be quantified before and after treatment to determine effectiveness of the treatment. Aspects are directed to diagnosing and treating TNBC and/or anti-estrogen resistant breast cancers in a subject by detecting circulating HOTAIR levels from a sample in the patient. The treatments may include administering agents that decrease the activity of EGFR and c-ABL, such as lapatinib and imatinib, respectively. Additional embodiments of the treatments include administration of a chimeric aptamer that targets both EGFR activity and HOTAIR expression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventor: Shao-Chun Wang
  • Publication number: 20180044739
    Abstract: Oligomers useful for determining the presence of Trichomonas vaginalis in a test sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Barbara Susan WEINBAUM, Janel M. DOCKTER, Astrid R.W. SCHRODER
  • Publication number: 20180044740
    Abstract: The present disclosure is in the field of plant breeding and disease resistance. The disclosure provides methods for breeding corn plants having late wilt (LW) resistance using marker-assisted selection. The disclosure further provides corn germplasm resistant to LW. The disclosure also provides markers associated with LW resistance loci for introgressing these loci into elite germplasm in a breeding program, thus producing novel LW resistant germplasm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: Rakesh B, Sunil Kumar BIRADAR, Franck Jean CHOPIN, Romain FOUQUET, Sonali Dilip GANDHI, Erappa GANGAPPA, Veeresh RP GOWDA, Yule PAN, Jean-Luc PELLET, Dharanendra SWAMY, Gonzalo TORRES, Chongqing XIE
  • Publication number: 20180044741
    Abstract: Probes and primers are disclosed for detecting EBOV nucleic acid in a sample. Methods are also disclosed that utilize these probes and primers, wherein the methods can be used to detect an EBOV in a sample to identify a subject with an EBOV infection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Serv
    Inventors: Ute Stroeher, Tara Sealy, Jonathan Towner, Stuart Nichol, César Albariño
  • Publication number: 20180044742
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for rapid, sensitive, and highly specific nucleic acid-based (e.g., DNA based) detection of a BK virus in a sample. In general, the methods involve detecting a target nucleic acid having a target sequence of a conserved region of BK viral genomes. The invention also features compositions, including primers, probes, and kits, for use in the methods of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: Focus Diagnostics, Inc.
    Inventors: Fan Chen, Lilly I. Kong, Jules Chen, Mehrdad Jannatipour
  • Publication number: 20180044743
    Abstract: Disclosed is a transgenic Drosophila model of human papillomavirus-mediated cancer. Also disclosed is a method for screening a candidate therapeutic for Human papillomavirus-induced cell transformation and a method for screening a candidate therapeutic for Human papillomavirus-induced cell transformation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: MOJGAN PADASH BARMCHI, BING ZHANG, VANESSA J. AULD, LAWRENCE BANKS, MARY GILBERT
  • Publication number: 20180044744
    Abstract: Methods are provided for the purification of isoidide. The methods comprise subjecting an at least partially deionized isoidide composition comprising isoidide and other isohexides to chromatographic separation of isoidide from other isohexides, removal of solvent from the isoidide, and crystallization of the isoidide. Isoidide of monomer-grade purity is obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: Archer Daniels Midland Company
    Inventors: Stephen Howard, Brennan Smith, Josh Terrian
  • Publication number: 20180044745
    Abstract: To provide a method for operating a blast furnace with which the combustion efficiency of a solid fuel, such as pulverized coal, is improved, thereby making it possible to improve productivity and reduce CO2 emissions. Pulverized coal and LNG are blown from an upstream lance configured by a double tube, and oxygen is blown from a downstream lance on the downstream side in a hot air blast direction, so that oxygen used for preceding combustion of the LNG is supplied from the downstream lance, and the pulverized coal whose temperature has been increased by the combustion of the LNG is combusted along with the supplied oxygen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: JFE STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naoki Yamamoto, Akinori Murao, Tomoyuki Kawashima, Nobuyuki Ooyama
  • Publication number: 20180044746
    Abstract: A batch furnace for annealing material, in particular a single chamber furnace or single coil furnace, with a furnace housing. The batch furnace has a closable charging opening, a receiving chamber for receiving furnace material, and a device for convective heat transfer onto the furnace material by a heat transfer medium. The batch furnace includes at least one fan, which is arranged in the furnace housing, at least one heating device for the heat transfer medium and/or at least one inlet for an externally heated heat transfer medium, wherein the heating device and/or the inlet is arranged directly in front of the intake side or directly behind the pressure side of the fan or circumferentially in an annular gap between the fan and the furnace housing, and a receiving chamber for the furnace material, which is arranged on the pressure side of the fan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: Gautschi Engineering GmbH
    Inventor: Rainer Ehmann
  • Publication number: 20180044747
    Abstract: A system includes a feeder configured to feed a continuous length of a tube at a predefined rate, a speed sensor configured to determine a feed rate of the continuous length of the tube, a first geometry sensor configured to determine one or more geometric dimensions of a portion of the continuous length of the tube, a first treatment station comprising a first entrance, a first exit, and a first heat treatment zone therebetween, the first heat treatment zone comprising at least one first zone heating element, and a controller configured to power the first zone heating element at a first heat treatment power level based on a first heat treatment target value, the feed rate, one or more of the geometric dimensions, and a first heating element value of the first zone heating element. The system may also include additional heat treatment and cooling stations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Martin Emiliano Valdez, Diego Javier Monterosso, Jorge M. Mitre
  • Publication number: 20180044748
    Abstract: Steel material for composite pressure vessel liners that, when used as raw material for manufacturing a composite pressure vessel liner, yields a liner having sufficient strength and a high fatigue limit and enables the manufacture of an inexpensive composite pressure vessel is provided. Steel material for composite pressure vessel liners comprises: a chemical composition containing, in mass %, C: 0.10% to 0.60%, Si: 0.01% to 2.0%, Mn: 0.1% to 5.0%, P: 0.0005% to 0.060%, S: 0.0001% to 0.010%, N: 0.0001% to 0.010%, and Al: 0.01% to 0.06%, with a balance being Fe and incidental impurities; and a metallic microstructure in which a mean grain size of prior austenite grains is 20 ?m or less, and a total area ratio of martensite and lower bainite is 90% or more.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: JFE STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shusaku TAKAGI, Akihide NAGAO, Mitsuo KIMURA, Hiroshi OKANO
  • Publication number: 20180044749
    Abstract: A hot-rolled steel sheet includes a predetermined chemical composition, and a structure which include, by area ratio, ferrite and bainite in a range of 80% to 98% in total, and martensite in a range of 2% to 10%, in which in the structure, in a case where a boundary having an orientation difference of equal to or greater than 15° is defined as a grain boundary, and an area which is surrounded by the grain boundary, and has an equivalent circle diameter of equal to or greater than 0.3 ?m is defined as a grain, the ratio of the grains having an intragranular orientation difference in a range of 5° to 14° is, by area ratio, in a range of 10% to 60%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi SHUTO, Natsuko SUGIURA, Mitsuru YOSHIDA, Tatsuo YOKOI, Masayuki WAKITA
  • Publication number: 20180044750
    Abstract: A cold rolled, coated and post annealed steel sheet. The cold rolled steel sheet may comprise (in wt. %): C—0.1-0.3 %; Mn—1-3%; Si—0.5-3.5%; Al—0.05-1.5%; Mo+Cr is between 0-1.0%; and Mo+Cr is between 0.2-0.5%. The steel sheet may be coated with a zinc or zinc alloy coating. The coated steel sheet may be formed by cold rolling, zinc coating the cold rolled sheet and annealing said steel sheet after application of said zinc coating. The annealing is performed at a temperature and for a time sufficient to significantly increase the yield strength and hole expansion of the annealed coated cold rolled steel sheet as compared with the as coated sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventor: Hyun Jo JUN
  • Publication number: 20180044751
    Abstract: A high-strength cold-rolled steel sheet having a tensile strength (TS) of 1150 MPa or more and excellent elongation and delayed fracturing resistance, as well as a method for manufacturing the steel sheet. The steel sheet has a chemical composition containing, by mass %, C: 0.16% to 0.30%, Si: 1.20% to 2.20%, Mn: 1.50% to 2.50%, P: 0.05% or less, S: 0.005% or less, Al: 0.10% or less, N: 0.007% or less, at least one of Ti and Nb, and the balance being Fe and inevitable impurities, wherein the combined mass % of Ti and Nb is 0.04% to 0.15%, and a multi-phase microstructure including ferrite having an average crystal grain diameter of 3 ?m or less in an amount of 45% to 65% in terms of volume fraction, tempered martensite having an average crystal grain diameter of 2 ?m or less in an amount of 35% to 55% in terms of volume fraction, and optionally non-recrystallized ferrite having an average crystal grain diameter of 5 ?m or less in an amount of 5% or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: JFE STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Katsutoshi Takashima, Yoshimasa Funakawa
  • Publication number: 20180044752
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a high-strength cold-rolled steel sheet, in which the metal structure at a position of ¼ of the sheet thickness satisfies (1) to (4): (1) an area ratio of ferrite is more than 10% to 65% or less, with a balance being a hard phase including quenched martensite and retained austenite and including at least one selected from the group consisting of bainitic ferrite, bainite, and tempered martensite; (2) a volume ratio V? of retained austenite is 5% to 30%; (3) an area ratio VMA of an MA structure in which quenched martensite and retained austenite are combined is 3% to 25%, and an average circle-equivalent diameter of the MA structure is 2.0 ?m or less; and (4) a ratio VMA/V? of the area ratio VMA of the MA structure to the volume ratio V? of the retained austenite is 0.50 to 1.50.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho (Kobe Steel, Ltd.)
    Inventors: Tadao MURATA, Yuichi FUTAMURA, Koji KASUYA
  • Publication number: 20180044753
    Abstract: A high-strength steel sheet having a high yield ratio and a reduced difference in strength between the center and edges of the steel sheet in the width direction. The high-strength steel sheet includes a composition containing, by mass, C: 0.02% or more and less than 0.10%, Si: less than 0.10%, Mn: less than 1.0%, P: 0.10% or less, S: 0.020% or less, Al: 0.01% or more and 0.10% or less, N: 0.010% or less, Nb: 0.005% or more and less than 0.070%, and the balance being Fe and inevitable impurities. Additionally, the steel sheet has a microstructure including, by area, ferrite: 90% or more, pearlite: 0% to 10%, and the total of martensite, retained austenite, and cementite: 0% to 3%. The average crystal grain diameter dC of the ferrite at the center of the steel sheet in the width direction is 15.0 ?m or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: JFE STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuma HONDA, Yoshimasa FUNAKAWA, Kozo HARADA
  • Publication number: 20180044754
    Abstract: A steel sheet for hot stamping includes a composition including at least, in mass %, C: 0.100% to 0.600%, Si: 0.50% to 3.00%, Mn: 1.20% to 4.00%, Ti: 0.005% to 0.100%, B: 0.0005% to 0.0100%, P: 0.100% or less, S: 0.0001% to 0.0100%, Al: 0.005% to 1.000%, and N: 0.0100% or less, with a balance of Fe and impurities, surface roughness of the steel sheet satisfies Rz>2.5 ?m, and 50 mg/m2 to 1500 mg/m2 of coating oil is applied to a surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masafumi AZUMA, Yoshihiro SUWA, Yusuke KONDO, Koichi SATO
  • Publication number: 20180044755
    Abstract: Disclosed are novel processes to increase productivity on a continuous anneal and solution heat treatment line for heat-treatable automotive aluminum sheet products with high T4 and after-paint bake strengths and reduced roping. As a non-limiting example, the processes described herein can be used in the automotive industry. The disclosed heat treatable alloys and processes also may be applicable to the marine, aerospace, and transportation industries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: NOVELIS INC.
    Inventors: Rajeev G. Kamat, David Custers, Alok Gupta, Aude Despois
  • Publication number: 20180044756
    Abstract: A tool system for stress relieving a turbocharger turbine wheel longitudinally welded to a hardened rotor shaft. The shaft has a journal bearing region and a turbine-end body forming an A datum surface for receiving an axial bearing. The tool system includes an induction coil and an electronic oscillator, and a tool. The tool forms an opening configured to receive the rotor shaft such that the journal bearing region of the shaft extends into the tool housing while the A datum surface adjoins an end of the tool housing. The induction coil is positioned around the turbine-end body. The housing forms an annular cooling chamber surrounding the journal bearing region of the shaft. The housing forms an inlet passage to provide cooling fluid to the annular chamber, and an outlet passage to remove cooling fluid from the annular chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Angelo Prior, Maurizio Barbone
  • Publication number: 20180044757
    Abstract: Age hardening steel excellent in machinability before aging treatment and excellent in fatigue characteristics, toughness, and low cycle fatigue characteristics after aging treatment, that is, age hardening steel containing predetermined amounts of C, Si, Mn, S, Cr, Al, V, Nb, Ca, and REM, limiting contents of P, Ti, and N to predetermined amounts or less, having a balance of Fe and impurities, having an area ratio of bainite structures of 70% or more, and, furthermore, having a chemical composition where F1 expressed by C+0.3×Mn+0.25×Cr is 0.68 or more, F2 expressed by C+0.1×Si+0.2×Mn+0.15×Cr+0.35×V is 0.85 or less, F3 expressed by ?4.5×C+Mn+Cr?3.5×V is 0.00 or more, and F4 expressed by 10×Ca+REM is 0.012 to 0.08, is provided. Note that, the symbols of elements in the formulas showing F1 to F4 mean the contents by mass % of those elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yutaka NEISHI, Masato YUYA, Tatsuya HASEGAWA, Motoki TAKASUGA, Masashi HIGASHIDA, Hitoshi MATSUMOTO, Taizo MAKINO
  • Publication number: 20180044758
    Abstract: A device for heating an iron and steel product (steel product), the device including: a preheating chamber for preheating the steel product; a heating chamber for heating the steel product to a desired temperature which is connected to the preheating chamber; a plurality of burners arranged so as to sandwich the steel product from above and below in the heating chamber; and a means for causing an exhaust gas containing combustion gas in the burners to flow into the preheating chamber, wherein the burners form flames with a fuel and an oxidizing agent having an oxygen concentration of 80 vol % or more and have a function of blowing away fats and oils adhered onto the surface of the steel product by the flames, and the preheating chamber has a structure for preheating the steel product by an exhaust gas which has been made to flow thereinto by the means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Yasuyuki YAMAMOTO, Kimio IINO, Shinichi KOGA
  • Publication number: 20180044759
    Abstract: A high-strength air-hardenable multiphase steel having minimal tensile strengths in a non air hardened state of 750 MPa and excellent processing properties includes the following elements in % by weight: C?0.075 to ?0.115; Si?0.600 to ?0.750; Mn?1.000 to ?1.950; Cr?0.200 to ?0.600; Al?0.010 to ?0.060; N?0.0020 to ?0.0120; S?0.0030; Mo?0.0200; Nb?0.005 to ?0.040; Ti?0.005 to ?0.030; B?0.0005 to ?0.0030; Ca?0.0005 to ?0.0060; Cu?0.050; Ni?0.050; remainder iron, including usual steel accompanying smelting related impurities, wherein for a widest possible process window during continuous annealing of hot strips or cold strips made from the steel a sum content of M+Si+Cr+Mo in the steel strips is a function of a thickness of the steel strips according to the following relationship: for strip thicknesses of up to 1.00 mm the sum content of M+Si+Cr+Mo is ?2.450 and ?2.800%, for strip thicknesses of over 1.00 to 2.00 mm the sum of Mn+Si+Cr+Mo is ?2.600 and ?3.150%, and for strip thicknesses of over 2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: SALZGITTER FLACHSTAHL GMBH
    Inventors: THOMAS SCHULZ, JOACHIM SCHÖTTLER, SASCHA KLUGE, MARION BECHTOLD
  • Publication number: 20180044760
    Abstract: Provided is a method for producing nickel sulfide from an acidic sulfuric acid solution containing nickel, which is capable of suppressing particle diameters of nickel sulfide obtained thereby. The present invention is a method for producing nickel sulfide by causing a sulfurization reaction by blowing a hydrogen sulfide gas into an acidic sulfuric acid solution containing nickel, wherein: nickel sulfide having particle diameters of 5-20 ?m and serving as seed crystals is added into an acidic sulfuric acid solution having a nickel concentration of 0.5-5.0 g/L in an amount of 40-500% by mass relative to the amount of nickel contained in the acidic sulfuric acid solution; and a hydrogen sulfide gas is blown into the acidic sulfuric acid solution, into which the seed crystals have been added, while setting the amount of the hydrogen sulfide gas blown in to be within the range of 0.30-0.85 Nm3/kg-Ni.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: SUMITOMO METAL MINING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinichiro Nakamura, Osamu Nakai, Hiroyuki Mitsui, Keisuke Shibayama
  • Publication number: 20180044761
    Abstract: A method of purifying and casting a material comprising placing a material to be purified within a crucible, the crucible located within a purification chamber; providing thermal energy to the material to maintain the material in a molten state; providing a purification gas into the molten material to purify the material until a first measured condition is attained; passing the material in a fluid state from the purification chamber having a first atmosphere to a casting chamber having a second atmosphere, the purification chamber in fluid communication with the casting chamber such that the material passes from the purification chamber to the casting chamber without exposure to a third atmosphere; placing the material into a mold within the casting chamber; cooling the material within the mold to form a cast material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Glenn M. Mitchell, Suresh Sundarraj, Wayne D. Meyer, Jianxing Li, David E. Steele, Marc D. Ruggiero
  • Publication number: 20180044762
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for recovering a primary metal residue from a metal-containing composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS
    Inventors: Animesh JHA, Yotamu Stephen Rainford HARA, Stephen PARIRENYATWA, Sergio SANCHEZ-SEGADO
  • Publication number: 20180044763
    Abstract: To provide an ?-? titanium alloy that has high strength and excellent hot workability of the level of the ?-? titanium alloy, typified by the Ti-6Al-4V, while exhibiting more excellent machinability than the Ti-6Al-4V. The ?-? titanium alloy includes, in percent by mass: at least one element of 0.1 to 2.0% of Cu and 0.1 to 2.0% of Ni; 2.0 to 8.5% of Al; 0.08 to 0.25% of C; and 1.0 to 7.0% in total of at least one element of 0 to 4.5% of Cr and 0 to 2.5% of Fe, with the balance being Ti and inevitable impurities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho (Kobe Steel, Ltd.)
    Inventors: Keitaro TAMURA, Koichi AKAZAWA, Yoshio ITSUMI, Hideto OYAMA