Michigan Tech Patents

Explore a collection of patented innovations created by Michigan Tech inventors below.

For the most up-to-date information about these patents, including the availability of Certificates of Correction, be sure to check the United States Patent and Trademark Office's free, publicly accessible database: Patent Public Search https://ppubs.uspto.gov/pubwebapp/static/pages/landing.html

Printing is not supported at the primary Gallery Thumbnail page. Please first navigate to a specific Image before printing.

Switch View to Grid View Slideshow

No-releasing polymers and uses thereof

Megan C. Frost and Genevieve Romanowicz

The present invention provides stable, photosensitive polymers that release NO response to intensity and wavelength of light, methods of making such polymers and methods using such polymers.
System for powered ankle-foot prosthesis with active control of dorsiflexion-plantarflexion and inversion-eversion

Mo Rastgaar, Evandro Ficanha, and Kenton Kaufman

A system and method for operating a prosthesis is provided. The system includes a socket configured to engage a residual limb of a subject and a shaft having a first end connected to the socket and an opposing second end. The system also includes a foot piece connected to the second end of the shaft. The foot piece includes an ankle plate and a sole piece configured to contact a surface. The system also includes at least one computer configured to detect a state of the foot piece and to transmit an indication of the state of the foot. The system further includes a motor assembly configured to receive the indication of the state of the foot and to control a position and impedance of the ankle plate based on the state of the foot.
Room temperature tunneling switches and methods of making and using the same

Yoke Khin Yap

The tunneling channel of a field effect transistor comprising a plurality of tunneling elements contacting a channel substrate. Applying a source-drain voltage of greater than a turn-on voltage produces a source-drain current of greater than about 10 pA. Applying a source-drain voltage of less than a turn-on voltage produces a source-drain current of less than about 10 pA. The turn-on voltage at room temperature is between about 0.1V and about 40V.
Distributed control system for parallel-connected DC boost converters

Steven Goldsmith

The disclosed invention is a distributed control system for operating a DC bus fed by disparate DC power sources that service a known or unknown load. The voltage sources vary in v-i characteristics and have time-varying, maximum supply capacities. Each source is connected to the bus via a boost converter, which may have different dynamic characteristics and power transfer capacities, but are controlled through PWM. The invention tracks the time-varying power sources and apportions their power contribution while maintaining the DC bus voltage within the specifications. A central digital controller solves the steady-state system for the optimal duty cycle settings that achieve a desired power supply apportionment scheme for a known or predictable DC load. A distributed networked control system is derived from the central system that utilizes communications among controllers to compute a shared estimate of the unknown time-varying load through shared bus current measurements and bus voltage measurements.
Fluorescent conjugated polymers with a bodipy-based backbone and uses thereof

Haiying Liu

The present invention provides various fluorescent conjugated polymers with a BODIPY-based backbone. The invention also provides methods of using the polymers of the invention, such as for imaging and detection of cells, tumors, bacteria and viruses.
Wire neutralization system

Scott A. Bradley, Jason Wiitanen, Timothy B. Smigowski, John T. Niemeyer, and Andrew Culkin

A wire neutralizing system for use with a vehicle including a frame adapted to be hitched to a vehicle. At least one wheel supports the frame while a bottom of the wheel rolls over terrain having buried wires. The system also includes a blade movable between a stowed position in which the blade is above the bottom of the wheel and a deployed position in which the blade is below the bottom of the wheel, such that the blade plows through the terrain to disable buried wires when in the deployed position.
Fluorescent conjugated polymers with a bodipy-based backbone and uses thereof

Haiying Liu

The present invention provides various fluorescent conjugated polymers with a BODIPY-based backbone. The invention also provides methods of using the polymers of the invention, such as for imaging and detection of cells, tumors, bacteria and viruses.
Compositions, methods and devices for generating nanotubes on a surface

Craig Richard Freidrich and Tolou Shokuhfar

A method for modifying a surface by generating nanotubes at one or more selected sites on the surface, the surface including a first metal. The method includes the steps of positioning at least one cathode and at least one anode relative to the surface in an electrolyte solution including a fluoride salt of a second metal, and applying a voltage between the at least one anode and the at least one cathode sufficient to generate nanotubes at one or more selected sites on the surface and to inhibit nanotube formation at one or more of the other selected sites, wherein the nanotubes include the first metal and the second metal.
Purification of synthetic oligonucleotides

Shiyue Fang

This invention provides a method for purifying synthetic oligonucleotides comprising capping, polymerizing and separating any failure sequences produced during oligonucleotide synthesis. The invention also provides a method for purifying synthetic oligonucleotides comprising reacting a full length oligonucleotide with a compound to attach a polymerizable functional group to an end of the full length oligonucleotide, polymerizing the full length oligonucleotides and removing the failure sequences, and recovering the full length oligonucleotides. The invention also provides novel capping agents having a polymerizable functional group, and kits comprising at least one composition of the present invention.
Map-aware adaptive automotive RADAR

Jae Seung Lee, Nikola Steven Subotic, James Paul Ebling, and Helen Kourous-Harrigan

A dedicated short range radar system is provided for use with a GPS system. The radar system includes a transmitter which transmits a microwave radio signal. A receiver is coupled to a horizontally scanning receiver antenna array which receives an echo, if present, from the radio signal transmitted by the transmitter. The radio receiver then generates an output signal representative of the echo. A control circuit then receives the output signal from the antenna array as well as the output signal from the GPS system. The control circuit then varies the mode of operation of the receiver and/or the transmitter as a function of the type of roadway for optimal radar performance.
High resolution Doppler collision avoidance radar

Jae Seung Lee, Paul Donald Schmalenberg, Nikola Steven Subotic, and James Paul Ebling

An example radar apparatus has a transmission frequency modulated by a chirp waveform having three chirp segments, including increasing, decreasing, and a constant frequency segments. The chirp waveform may extend over the full revisit time of the radar beam. The frequency difference between the transmitted and echo signals are determined at least once per chirp segment. Example apparatus include a Doppler radar for vehicle use.
Black bear parathyroid hormone and methods of using black bear parathyroid hormone

Seth W. Donahue

Black bear parathyroid hormone (PTH) and functional fragments thereof are provided. Also provided are methods of using black bear PTH and functional fragments for increasing cAMP in a bone-forming cell; reducing apoptosis in a bone-forming cell; decreasing the ratio of expression levels of Bax protein to Bcl-2 protein in a bone-forming cell; increasing the expression level of one or more of a bone matrix protein, a transcriptional activator, or a transcriptional regulator in a bone-forming cell; enhancing bone mineral density, increasing bone mass, decreasing bone loss, or reducing the incidence of bone fractures, or any combination thereof, in a subject; also provided are antibodies directed against black bear parathyroid hormone (PTH) and functional fragments thereof.
Rotational torque measurement device

Paul A. LaVigne, Daniel R. Kemppainen, and Glen L. Barna

A device for measuring torque applied through a rotating member. A first torsion reference member is fixedly coupled to the rotating member at a first axial position and a second torsion reference member is fixedly coupled to the rotating member at a second axial position. A first detector detects the passage of the first torsion reference member past the first detector upon each full rotation of the rotating member and to generate a first signal upon each passage of the first torsion reference member. A second detector detects the passage of the second torsion reference member past the second detector upon each full rotation of the rotating member and to generate a second signal upon each passage of the second torsion reference member. A controller calculates a phase difference between the first signal and the second signal relative during rotation of the rotating member under a torsional load.
Anti-icing coatings and methods

Russell G. Alger

A method of inhibiting or preventing bonding between snow or ice and a substrate. The method includes applying an adhesive to the substrate, broadcasting an aggregate onto the adhesive, the aggregate having the capacity to receive an anti-icing chemical into the aggregate, and applying the antiicing chemical onto the aggregate so that at least a portion of the anti-icing chemical is received into at least a portion of the aggregate.
Synthesis of carbon nitrides from carbon dioxide

Yun Hang Hu

Provided are methods of converting carbon dioxide to carbon nitrides. In a first reaction, carbon dioxide may be reacted with metal nitrides, such as Li.sub.3N, to form carbon nitrides in a fast and exothermic reaction. Also provided are methods of using product metal cyanamides from the first reaction to subsequently generate additional carbon nitrides.
Method for coating mineral granules to improve bonding to hydrocarbon-based substrate and coloring of same

Bowen Li, Ralph Hodek, Domenic Popko, and Jiann-Yang Hwang

Provided are compositions comprising stamp sand granules embedded in asphalt, where the stamp sand granules comprise a silane coating. Additionally provided are methods of making a silane-coated stamp sand, the methods comprising combining stamp sand granules and a silane solution to form a mixture and drying the mixture. Additionally provided are methods of covering a surface, the methods comprising combining silane-coated particles and asphalt to provide a mixture and distributing the mixture on the surface.
Bacteriorhodopsin-based sensors

Craig Friedrich, Donald Lueking, and Mark Griep

A sensor comprising a membrane containing bacteriorhodopsin. In one embodiment, the sensor comprises a layer of purple membrane between a first and a second electrode, wherein the electrodes are connected to a circuit such that a signal is produced when a charge is transferred across the membrane. In another embodiment, the sensor comprises a field effect transistor with a layer of purple membrane deposited on the gate. The layer of purple membrane may be further functionalized by adding fluorophores to the layer of purple membrane. The fluorophores may be deposited adjacent to the layer of purple membrane, or the fluorophores may be attached to the layer of purple membrane with linkages. The fluorophores or linkages between the fluorophores and the purple membrane may be functionalized with receptors to produce sensors for targeted chemical or biological species.
COMT1 Gene fiber-specific promoter elements from poplar

Chung-Jui Tsai and Edward Odhiambo Anino

Polynucleotide constructs contain fiber-specific elements which are used to target expression of polynucleotides and polypeptides to the vascular fibers of a plant. The constructs can be contained within a vector. Transgenic plants transformed with the fiber-specific elements can e made which have expression of polynucleotide or polypeptide directed to the plant fibers.
Water removal from gas flow channels of fuel cells

Jeffrey S. Allen

An apparatus for water management in a fuel cell. The apparatus includes a fuel cell having a first porous electrode layer, a second porous electrode layer, a proton-conducting membrane positioned between the first electrode and second electrode layers, and a first and second bi-polar distribution plate, wherein the first bi-polar distribution plate is positioned on a top of the first electrode layer and defining a first gas flow channel, and wherein the second bi-polar distribution plate is positioned on a bottom of the second electrode layer and defining a second gas flow channel. The apparatus further includes a mechanism for oscillating liquid water formed in the gas flow channel and configured to remove the liquid water.
Micro-jet cooling of cutting tools

Douglas J. Woodruff, Gary W. Pannala, William J. Endres, Nicole Barna, Quincy Schultz, David Thomasini, and Matthew Zblewski

A cutting tool includes an insert defining a flank face, a rake face, and a cutting edge between the flank face and rake face. The cutting tool includes micro-nozzles formed in at least one of the tool body and the insert, and aimed at the cutting edge. Each micro-nozzle generates a micro jet of cutting fluid in close proximity to the cutting edge and adjacent to at least one of the flank face and the rake face.
Superior analyzer for raman spectra with high acceptance cone, resolution, transmission, and quantum efficiency, and strong background reduction

Manfred Fink, Philip Varghese, and Jacek Borysow

A Raman analyzer for analyzing light emitted from a Raman cell is provided that has a beam splitter configured to split the light emitted from the Raman cell into a first beam and a second beam. An atomic vapor filter can be used to filter a Raman scattered line from the first beam and a chopper system can periodically interrupt the first and second beams that are directed towards a photo detector, which can convert light from the first and second beams into an electrical signal. The signal output from the photo detector can optionally be amplified, digitized, Fourier filtered, and/or subjected to Fourier analysis.
Manipulation of plants by transformation with sequences promoting cell division

Victor B. Busov and Steven H. Strauss

Polynucleotides encode polypeptides for increasing the rate of growth of plants. Introduction of the polynucleotides into plants produces plants having altered characteristics, such as increased growth, increased leaf area and reduced fertility. Expression of polypeptides in plants or plant cells promotes cell division. Expression of the polynucleotides in plants in the antisense orientation produces plants that are sterile or have smaller leaves.
NOx control systems and methods for controlling NOx emissions

Maruthi Devarakonda, Gordon Parker, and John Johnson

An exhaust aftertreatment system comprising a selective reduction catalyst, a NO_x sensor or an NH₃ sensor, a urea injector, and a dosing control unit, wherein the dosing control unit calculates the rate of urea injection by estimating the concentrations of NO and NO₂ in the exhaust downstream of the SCR catalyst.
Methods for enhancing expression of secondary cell wall cellulose synthases in plants

Chandrashekhar P. Joshi

Described are methods for making transgenic plants capable of expressing secondary cell wall cellulose synthases and methods of enhancing expression of secondary cell wall cellulose synthases in plants. Also described are plants produced by the methods. Plants comprising at least three exogenous polynucleotides encoding secondary cell wall cellulose synthases are also provided.
Self-regenerating nanotips for low-power electric propulsion (EP) cathodes

Lyon Bradley King

Spindt-type field-emission cathodes for use in electric propulsion (EP) systems having self-assembling nanostructures that can repeatedly regenerate damaged cathode emitter nanotips. A nanotip is created by applying a negative potential near the surface of a liquefied base metal to create a Taylor cone converging to a nanotip, and solidifying the Taylor cone for use as a field-emission cathode. When the nanotip of the Taylor cone becomes sufficiently blunted or damaged to affect its utility, the base metal is re-liquefied by application of a heat source, a negative potential is reapplied to the surface of the base metal to recreate the Taylor cone, and a new nanotip is generated by solidifying the base metal.