Rice Patents

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https://hdl.handle.net/1911/79705

This collection includes granted patents (not applications) by Rice faculty, students and staff that list Rice University as the original assignee (owner). For questions, please contact the Kelley Center for Government Information, Data and Geospatial Services by email at govhelp@rice.edu or by phone at 713-348-5483. If you are a Rice inventor and do not find your patent listed, please contact the Kelley Center to provide us with information about your patent.

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Now showing 1 - 20 of 618

Electrodeposition of Aluminum
(1948-08-03) Frank H. Hurley; Rice University; William Marsh Rice Institute for the Advancement of Literature, Science and Art, a Corporation of Texas; United States Patent and Trademark Office
This invention relates to the electrodeposition of aluminum., and particularly to a process involving the deposition of aluminum on a suitable cathode from an electrolyte comprising a fused or liquid mixture of a suitable aluminum salt with an N-alkyl pyridinium halide.
Electrodeposition of Aluminum
(1948-08-03) Thomas P. Wier, Jr.; Frank H. Hurley; Rice University; William Marsh Rice Institute for the Advancement of Literature, Science and Art, a Corporation of Texas; United States Patent and Trademark Office
This invention relates to the electrodeposition of aluminum from a liquid mixture of a nitrogen-substituted alkyl pyridinium chloride or bromide and aluminum chloride.
Electrodeposition of Aluminum
(1948-08-03) Thomas P. Wier, Jr.; Rice University; William Marsh Rice Institute for the Advancement of Literature, Science and Art, a Corporation of Texas; United States Patent and Trademark Office
This invention relates to a process for the electrodeposition of aluminum on dissimilar metals.
Device for generating RF energy from electromagnetic radiation of another form such as light
(1984-06-05) Freeman, John W. Jr.; Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
A device for generating RF energy from electromagnetic radiation of another form, such as light, includes an emitter responsive to the electromagnetic radiation for producing a beam of charged particles, an electrode spaced from the emitter to define a path for the charged particles, and a resonant structure for supporting RF oscillations and disposed with respect to the path to enable energy transfer between the charged particles and an RF field associated with the RF oscillations. When biased, the devices operate in a multi-pass mode, wherein the charged particles undergo multiple oscillations while remaining in phase with the RF field. When unbiased, the devices operate in a half-cycle mode to produce RF oscillations with no externally applied input power other than the electromagnetic radiation.
Process for synthesis of 5.alpha.-cholest-8(14)-en-3.beta.-ol-15-one and other 15-oxygenated sterols
(1990-01-30) Schroepfer, George J., Jr.; Wilson, William K.; Wang, Ker-shi; Kisic, Alemka; Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
A process for preparing 15-oxygenated sterols, such as 3β-hydroxy-5α-cholest-8(14)-ene-15 one, comprising converting 7-dehydrocholesterol to 3β-benzoyloxycholesta-5,7-diene, converting the 3β-benzoyloxycholesta-5,7-diene to a 3β-benzoyloxy-5-cholesta-7,14-diene, converting the 3β-benzoyloxy-5-cholesta-7,14-diene to a 3β-benzoyloxy-14α, 15α-epoxy-5-cholest-7-ene and converting the 3β-benzoyloxy-14α, 15α-epoxy-5-cholest-7-ene to a 15-oxygenated sterol. Preferably, the 3β-benzoyloxy-cholesta-5,7-diene is converted to a 3β-benzoyloxy-5-cholesta-7,14-diene by (i) contacting 3β-benzoyloxy-cholesta-5,7-diene, in a solvent at a temperature of at most about -55° C., with HCl at a concentration of at least about 2.0 M for a time sufficient to convert the 3β-benzoyloxycholesta-5,7-diene to a 3β-benzoyloxy-5-cholesta-7,14-diene; (ii) neutralizing the resultant reaction mixture with a base to prevent formation of a significant amount of 3β-benzoyloxy-5-cholesta-8,14-diene; and (iii) recovering the 3β-benzoyloxy-5-cholesta-7,14-diene.
Electric arc process for making fullerenes
(1993-07-13) Smalley, Richard E.; Haufler, Robert E.; Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
This invention provides a method of generating fullerenes by vaporizing carbon with the heat from an electrical arc and then condensing a soot from which fullerenes may be recovered.
Digital computer register allocation and code spilling using interference graph coloring
(1993-09-28) Briggs, Preston P.; Cooper, Keith D.; Kennedy, Kenneth W. Jr.; Torczon, Linda M.; Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
A method is disclosed for allocating internal machine registers in a digital computer for use in storing values defined and referenced by a computer program. An allocator in accordance with the present invention constructs a interference graph having a node therein for the live range of each value defined by a computer program, and having an edge between every two nodes whose associated live ranges interfere with each other. The allocator models the register allocation process as a graph-coloring problem, such that for a computer having R registers, the allocator of the present invention iteratively attempts to R-color the interference graph. The interference graph is colored to the extent possible on each iteration before a determination is made that one or more live ranges must be spilled. After spill code has been added to the program to transform spilled live ranges into multiple smaller live ranges, the allocator constructs a new interference graph and the process is repeated.
Process for making fullerenes by the laser evaporation of carbon
(1994-04-05) Smalley, Richard E.; Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
Fullerenes are generated by vaporizing carbon with a laser beam and maintaining the vaporized carbon at conditions selected to promote fullerene growth and formation. This method of fullerene generation may be used to form new compounds including fullerenes surrounding one or more metal atoms, and fullerenes wherein one or more carbon atoms have been substituted with boron or nitrogen.
Side chain derivatized 15-oxygenated sterols- methods of using them and a process for preparing them
(1994-12-06) Schroepfer, George J., Jr.; Herz, Josef E.; Swaminathan, Shankar; Wilson, William K.; Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
Pharmaceutical compositions are provided for lowering the activity of HMG-CoA reductase and/or lowering serum cholesterol, comprising an amount effective to lower the activity of HMG-CoA reductase and/or lower serum cholesterol of a side chain derivatized 15-oxygenated sterol having the formula (I): ##STR1## the basic ring structure being saturated or unsaturated, wherein R1 is --OH, O, --OR7, ##STR2## a sulfate group, a sugar moiety, or a Mg, Na, or K salt of a sulfate group; R2 is --H, --OH, O, mono- or di-halogen, or a C1 to C6 alkyl group, which may be unsaturated or substituted with halogen; R3 is --H, --OH, halogen, or a C1 to C6 alkyl group, which may be unsaturated or substituted with halogen; R4 is nonexistent when there is a double bond between the 8 and 14 carbons or αH, βH, or an αC1 to C6 alkyl group; R5 is --OH, O, NOH, or ##STR3## R6 is --CH2 CH(CH3)2 or CH2 N(CH3)2, in which one or more of the hydrogen atoms is replaced by OH or halogen; R7 is a C1 to C6 alkyl group; R8 is a C1 to C20 aliphatic group, which may be substituted or unsubstituted, or a phenyl group; and n is an integer of from 2 to 6; andoptionally a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient, with the proviso that R6 is not --CH2 CH(CH3)(CH2 OH). Methods of using the pharmaceutical compositions containing the side chain derivatized 15-oxygenated sterols are also provided.A new process is also provided for preparing side chain derivatized 15-oxygenated sterols. This process includes oxidative cleavage of the saturated side chain of the sterol with trifluoroperacetic acid to give a side chain trifluoroacetate and subsequent hydrolysis of this ester. The resultant side chain alcohol is a valuable and advanced intermediate for the preparation of side chain derivatives of 15-oxygenated sterols.
Biodegradable bone templates
(1996-06-04) Mikos, Antonios G.; Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
A biodegradable, bioresorbable, three-dimensional template for repair and replacement of diseased or injured bone which provides mechanical strength to bone while also providing a guide for growth of bone tissue. Preferably, the template is formed of biodegradable materials, for example, poly(L-lactic acid), poly(D, L-lactic acid), poly (D, L-lactic-co-glycolic acid), poly (glycolic acid), poly (ε-caprolactone), polyortho esters, and polyanhydrides, and has the capacity of being rendered porous, either in vitro or in vivo. A pore-forming component, which may or may not be a polymeric material, is mixed within a continuous matrix formed of a biodegradable material, the pore-forming component having a rate of degradation which exceeds that of the matrix. Differential dissolution or biodegradation provides porosity to the template.
Microorganisms and methods for their use
(1996-08-13) Gustin, Michael C.; Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
A novel group of mutant yeasts and novel methods for selecting and using the mutant microorganisms are set out. A novel process for using the mutant yeasts to produce fermentation products with a lower than usual glycerol content is also disclosed. Novel beverages, including beers, wines, ales, and sake, and novel low glycerol baked goods are also possible using the novel mutants of the invention. The mutant yeasts are of the genus Saccharomyces or genus Torulaspora. The mutants are also used to isolate DNA which can be inserted into yeasts to produce transformed yeasts having either greater or smaller glycerol production. The transformed yeasts may also be used to produce novel beverages, baked goods, or glycerol.
Solar process for making fullerenes
(1996-09-17) Smalley, Richard E.; Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
This invention provides an improved process and apparatus for making fullerenes by vaporizing carbon and conducting the resulting carbon vapor to a dark zone for fullerene growth and annealing. In one embodiment concentrated solar energy is used to vaporize carbon. In a further embodiment, concentrated solar energy may be used to improve fullerene yields by vaporizing carbon and further to prevent carbon cluster formation until the carbon vapor passes into a dark zone for fullerene growth and annealing. The invention provides an improvement to increase the yield of any known process wherein carbon is vaporized under high light conditions, the improvement comprising providing a dark zone for fullerene growth and annealing.
Halogen-activated chemical vapor deposition of diamond
(1996-12-31) Hauge, Robert H.; Pan, Chenyu; Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
The present invention is directed to a method of producing diamond films through the thermal dissociation of molecular chlorine into atomic chlorine in a heated graphite heat exchanger at temperatures of from about 1,100° C. to about 1,800° C. The atomic chlorine is subsequently rapidly mixed with molecular hydrogen and carbon-containing species downstream. Atomic hydrogen and the carbon precursors are produced through rapid hydrogen abstraction reactions of atomic chlorine with molecular hydrogen and hydrocarbons at the point where they mix. The mixed gases then flow across a heated substrate, where diamond is deposited as a film. Diamond deposits have been confirmed by Raman spectroscopy.
Process for making fullerene fibers
(1997-01-07) Smalley, Richard E.; Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
This invention provides a method and apparatus for producing fullerene fibers by establishing an electric field between a needle electrode and an opposing electrode in the presence of carbon and a heat source. Carbon is directed by the electric field to the needle electrode and heated by the heat source to form a carbon-carbon bonded fullerene network. The needle electrode may be moved to lengthen the fullerene network into a fullerene fiber. Fullerene fibers of 0.5 cm or longer may be produced by this method.
Method of making poly(propylene fumarate-coethylene oxide)
(1997-07-01) Suggs, Laura J.; Payne, Richard G.; Yaszemski, Michael J.; Mikos, Antonios G.; Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
A biodegradable block copolymer made from the transesterfication of a poly(propylene fumarate) prepolymer and a poly(ethylene oxide) prepolymer. The block copolymer poly(propylene fumarate -co- ethylene oxide) is capable of crosslinking at body temperature. Crosslinking requires an appropriate crosslinking monomer and an initiator. The biodegradable block copolymer has utility as a vascular implant became it can be injected as a fluid into the vascular system and crosslinked in situ.
Ribonucleotide preparations and uses thereof
(1998-01-27) Kulkarni, Anil D.; Van Buren, Charles T.; Rudolph, Frederick B.; Board of Regents of the University of Texas System; Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
The present invention comprises compositions and preparations for the promotion of wound healing in an animal. Methods for preparing the compositions as well as methods for using the compositions to achieve the promotion of wound healing are also provided. Methods for enhancing collagen production at a wound site are also disclosed. The composition may comprise a dietary regimen or a therapeutic agent. These compositions include a wound healing promoting concentration of ribonucleotides in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier solution. By way of example, such ribonucleotides may comprise RNA, adenine, uracil or a mixture thereof. The compositions can be prepared as suitable for oral, parenteral, intravenous or topical administration. Methods for using the preparation as a treatment to enhance the healing of an already existing wound or for use as a pretreatment regimen for animals in anticipation of surgery, are also disclosed.
System and method for performing optical code division multiple access communication using bipolar codes
(1998-06-02) Young, James F.; Aazhang, Behnaam; Nguyen, Lim; Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
An optical encoding and decoding system which performs code-division multiple access (CDMA) communication in the incoherent, or direct detection, optical domain using bipolar +1/-1 codes. The present invention uses code modulation and detection principles that permit all-optical implementation of the bipolar, +1/-1, code and correlation detection that have been developed for the radio frequency (RF) systems. This is possible in spite of the non-negative, or unipolar, +1/0, nature of the incoherent optical system that only detects and processes the signal intensity. The unipolar optical system of the present invention is equivalent to the bipolar RF system in that the correlation properties of the bipolar codes is completely preserved. The optical CDMA system can be realized both in time or frequency domain encoding with all-optical components.
Longitudinal electromagnetic levitator
(1999-03-23) Bayazitoglu, Yildiz; Shampine, Rod W.; Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
An electromagnetic levitator is disclosed, comprising: a plurality of longitudinal sections formed from a conducting material and arranged around a longitudinal axis. The longitudinal sections are connected to a power source such that when the levitator is in operation, current flowing through adjacent longitudinal sections creates opposing magnetic fields. The levitator has first and second ends defining a levitation zone therebetween. When alternating current is passed through the conductors, a levitation tunnel is formed in the levitation zone, with the levitation tunnel having zero magnetic flux density along its center and non-zero magnetic flux density at all other points.
Electrostatic adhesion tester for thin film conductors
(1999-12-14) Griffin, Alfred J., Jr.; Brotzen, Franz R.; Callahan, Daniel L.; Yang, Haining S.; Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
A electrostatic adhesion tester for thin film conductors. In one embodiment, a device is provided for testing the adhesion strength of a thin film conductor that has been formed upon a substrate. The device includes an adhesion tester that is primarily comprised of a conducting portion. The conducting portion is applied to the thin film conductor so that it does not physically contact the thin film conductor, but leaves a small space there between. A power supply may further be provided for coupling to either the adhesion tester, the thin film conductor, or both in order to create a potential difference between the conducting portion and the thin film conductor. The potential difference creates an electric field between the conducting portion and the thin film conductor that induces stress in the thin film conductor. A measuring device may also be provided for coupling to the adhesion tester and the thin film conductor in order to measure an electrical parameter of the electric field, which is indicative of the adhesion strength.
Hemoglobin mutants that reduce heme loss
(2000-09-05) Olson, John S.; Whitaker, Timothy L.; Hargrove, Mark S.; Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
The present invention relates to methods of reducing heme loss in hemoglobins to produce stability and improve expression yield of hemoglobins, particularly recombinant hemoglobins. Such methods are accomplished by introducing mutations in the alpha or beta subunits of hemoglobins to increase heme affinity. The present invention further relates to novel mutations that reduce such heme loss.

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