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

Adaptive power system
(2008-06-10) Frantz, Jeremy P.; Welsh, Erik J.; Ganier II, Carroll J.; Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
A power system having an extended life and a system and method for extending the life of a battery powered device. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing a plurality of power sources and an alternate energy source. The method also comprises measuring the voltage of the power sources and the alternate energy source. The method further comprises selecting a power source to provide voltage to the device, wherein the selected power source provides voltage to the device. In addition, the method comprises optionally charging any power source that is providing voltage to the device. Moreover, the method is repeated after a variable delay. Further embodiments include switching to providing the voltage to the device from a power source while charging another power source.
Additive manufacture-assisted method for making structural elements having controlled failure characteristics
(2023-08-15) Sajadi, Seyed Mohammad; Meiyazhagan, Ashokkumar; Boul, Peter; Rahman, Muhammad; Thaemlitz, Carl; Ajayan, Pulickel; Rice University; Saudi Arabian Oil Company; William Marsh Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
A process for making a layered multi-material structural element having controlled mechanical failure characteristics. The process includes the steps of: supplying a cementitious layer and forming a polymer layer on the cementitious layer by additive manufacture such that the polymer layer has a first thickness and the cementitious layer has a second thickness, wherein the polymer layer comprises a polymer and the cementitious layer comprises a cementitious material; and allowing the polymer from the polymer layer to suffuse into the cementitious layer for a period of time to obtain a suffused zone in the cementitious layer such that the suffused zone has a third thickness that is less than half the second thickness.
Additive manufacture-assisted method for making structural elements having controlled failure characteristics
(2024-06-18) Sajadi, Seyed Mohammad; Meiyazhagan, Ashok Kumar; Boul, Peter; Rahman, Muhammad; Thaemlitz, Carl; Ajayan, Pulickel; Rice University; Saudi Arabian Oil Company; United States Patent and Trademark Office
A process for making a layered multi-material structural element having controlled mechanical failure characteristics. The process includes the steps of: supplying a cementitious layer and forming a polymer layer on the cementitious layer by additive manufacture such that the polymer layer has a first thickness and the cementitious layer has a second thickness, wherein the polymer layer comprises a polymer and the cementitious layer comprises a cementitious material; and allowing the polymer from the polymer layer to suffuse into the cementitious layer for a period of time to obtain a suffused zone in the cementitious layer such that the suffused zone has a third thickness that is less than half the second thickness.
Additive manufacture-assisted method for making structural elements having controlled failure characteristics
(2024-05-28) Sajadi, Seyed Mohammad; Meiyazhagan, Ashok Kumar; Boul, Peter; Rahman, Muhammad; Thaemlitz, Carl; Ajayan, Pulickel; Rice University; Saudi Arabian Oil Company; United States Patent and Trademark Office
A process for making a layered multi-material structural element having controlled mechanical failure characteristics. The process includes the steps of: supplying a cementitious layer and forming a polymer layer on the cementitious layer by additive manufacture such that the polymer layer has a first thickness and the cementitious layer has a second thickness, wherein the polymer layer comprises a polymer and the cementitious layer comprises a cementitious material; and allowing the polymer from the polymer layer to suffuse into the cementitious layer for a period of time to obtain a suffused zone in the cementitious layer such that the suffused zone has a third thickness that is less than half the second thickness.
Additive manufacture-assisted method for making structural elements having controlled failure characteristics
(2024-05-28) Sajadi, Seyed Mohammad; Meiyazhagan, Ashok Kumar; Boul, Peter; Rahman, Muhammad; Thaemlitz, Carl; Ajayan, Pulickel; Rice University; Saudi Arabian Oil Company; United States Patent and Trademark Office
A process for making a layered multi-material structural element having controlled mechanical failure characteristics. The process includes the steps of: supplying a cementitious layer and forming a polymer layer on the cementitious layer by additive manufacture such that the polymer layer has a first thickness and the cementitious layer has a second thickness, wherein the polymer layer comprises a polymer and the cementitious layer comprises a cementitious material; and allowing the polymer from the polymer layer to suffuse into the cementitious layer for a period of time to obtain a suffused zone in the cementitious layer such that the suffused zone has a third thickness that is less than half the second thickness.
Addressable SiOX memory array with incorporated diodes
(2016-07-05) Tour, James M.; Yao, Jun; Lin, Jian; Wang, Gunuk; Palem, Krishna; Rice University; Nanyang Technological University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
Various embodiments of the resistive memory cells and arrays discussed herein comprise: (1) a first electrode; (2) a second electrode; (3) resistive memory material; and (4) a diode. The resistive memory material is selected from the group consisting of SiOx, SiOxH, SiOxNy, SiOxNyH, SiOxCz, SiOxCzH, and combinations thereof, wherein each of x, y and z are equal to or greater than 1 and equal to or less than 2. The diode may be any suitable diode, such as n-p diodes, p-n diodes, and Schottky diodes.
Adjustable-volume liquid dispensing pump
(2012-09-11) Oden, Maria; Schutze, Gordon E.; Bennett, Kimberly A.; Schwab, Brian D.; Ginnings, Charles A.; Jeans, Megan E.; Ambrose, Catherine G.; Rice University; Baylor College of Medicine; Board of Regents of the University of Texas System; United States Patent and Trademark Office
An adjustable-volume liquid dispenser is disclosed. In one embodiment, an adjustable-volume liquid dispenser includes a spout and a plunger secured to the spout. The dispenser further includes a plunger lock moveable lengthwise along the plunger. The plunger lock is securable to the plunger at a plurality of positions on the plunger to adjust a volume of liquid to be dispensed. The dispenser also includes a spring in contact with the plunger. In addition, the dispenser includes a chamber comprising an interior for containing liquid. The plunger is slidably arranged with the chamber. A portion of the plunger is disposed within the chamber. Moreover, the dispenser includes a chamber cap secured to the chamber, and a valve disposed within the chamber. The dispenser also includes a shaft secured to the chamber.
Aerobic succinate production in bacteria
(2007-07-17) San, Ka-Yiu; Bennett, George N.; Lin, Henry; Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
Methods of increasing yields of succinate using aerobic culture methods and a multi-mutant E. coli strain are provided. Also provided is a mutant strain of E. coli that produces high amounts of succinic acid.
Aerobic succinate production in bacteria
(2011-05-03) San, Ka-Yiu; Bennett, George N.; Lin, Henry; Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
Methods of increasing yields of succinate using aerobic culture methods and a multi-mutant E. coli strain are provided. Also provided is a mutant strain of E. coli that produces high amounts of succinic acid.
Aerobic succinate production in bacteria
(2007-08-28) San, Ka-Yiu; Bennett, George N.; Lin, Henry; Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
Methods of increasing yields of succinate using aerobic culture methods and a multi-mutant E. coli strain are provided. Also provided is a mutant strain of E. coli that produces high amounts of succinic acid.
Aliphatic amine based nanocarbons for the absorption of carbon dioxide
(2015-05-19) Barron, Andrew R.; Dillon, Eoghan; Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
A composition of matter, and method to make same, for a nano-based material including a nanocarbon support to which is attached an aliphatic amine. In particular, the composition of matter is an aliphatic amine-nanocarbon material that includes a nanocarbon (NC) support, such as C60, nano-graphite, graphene, nanocarbon ribbons, graphite intercalation compounds, graphite oxide, nano-coal, nanohorns, and combinations thereof, and further includes an aliphatic amine, such as polyethyleneimine (PEI).
Aliphatic amine based nanocarbons for the absorption of carbon dioxide
(2014-01-28) Barron, Andrew R.; Dillon, Eoghan; Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
A composition of matter, and method to make same, for a nano-based material including a nanocarbon support to which is attached an aliphatic amine. In particular, the composition of matter is an aliphatic amine-nanocarbon material that includes a nanocarbon (NC) support, such as C60, nano-graphite, graphene, nanocarbon ribbons, graphite intercalation compounds, graphite oxide, nano-coal, nanohorns, and combinations thereof, and further includes an aliphatic amine, such as polyethyleneimine (PEI).
Alkali-metal anode with alloy coating applied by friction
(2024-05-14) Tour, James M.; Salvatierra, Rodrigo Villegas; Luong, Duy Xuan; Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
An electrochemical cell with a lithium-metal anode that suppresses dendrite formation and can be fabricated using a simple, inexpensive, and solvent-free process. The anode is coated with a layer of disordered nanomaterial, saturated with lithium ions, that suppresses dendrite formation during charging. The dendrite-suppression coating can be applied simply using a dry, abrasive technique in which the lithium-metal anode is alternately abraded to roughen the surface and polished using a polishing powder of a material that alloys with the lithium.
All optical nanoscale sensor
(2011-10-25) Halas, Nancy J.; Johnson, Don H.; Bishnoi, Sandra Whaley; Levin, Carly S.; Rozell, Christopher John; Johnson, Bruce R.; Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
A composition comprising a nanoparticle and at least one adsorbate associated with the nanoparticle, wherein the adsorbate displays at least one chemically responsive optical property. A method comprising associating an adsorbate with a nanoparticle, wherein the nanoparticle comprises a shell surrounding a core material with a lower conductivity than the shell material and the adsorbate displays at least one chemically responsive optical property, and engineering the nanoparticle to enhance the optical property of the adsorbate. A method comprising determining an optical response of an adsorbate associated with a nanoparticle as a function of a chemical parameter, and parameterizing the optical response to produce a one-dimensional representation of at least a portion of a spectral window of the optical response in a high dimensional vector space.
Alpha omega bifunctional fatty acids
(2020-09-15) San, Ka-yiu; Wang, Dan; Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
The present disclosure describes an engineered microorganism for producing alpha omega bifunctional C6-16 fatty acids from renewable carbon sources.
Amination and hydroxylation of arylmetal compounds
(2019-12-03) Gao, Hongyin; Zhou, Zhe; Kurti, Laszlo; Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
In one aspect, the present disclosure provides methods of preparing a primary or secondary amine and hydroxylated aromatic compounds. In some embodiments, the aromatic compound may be unsubstituted, substituted, or contain one or more heteroatoms within the rings of the aromatic compound. The methods described herein may be carried out without the need for transition metal catalysts or harsh reaction conditions.
Amplification of carbon nanotubes via seeded-growth methods
(2013-10-22) Smalley, Richard E.; Hauge, Robert H.; Barron, Andrew R.; Tour, James M.; Schmidt, Howard K.; Billups, Edward W.; Dyke, Christopher A.; Moore, Valerie C.; Whitsitt, Elizabeth Anne; Anderson, Robin E.; Colorado Jr., Ramon; Stewart, Michael P.; Ogrin, Douglas C.; Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
The present invention is directed towards methods (processes) of providing large quantities of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) of defined diameter and chirality (i.e., precise populations). In such processes, CNT seeds of a pre-selected diameter and chirality are grown to many (e.g., hundreds) times their original length. This is optionally followed by cycling some of the newly grown material back as seed material for regrowth. Thus, the present invention provides for the large-scale production of precise populations of CNTs, the precise composition of such populations capable of being optimized for a particular application (e.g., hydrogen storage). The present invention is also directed to complexes of CNTs and transition metal catalyst precurors, such complexes typically being formed en route to forming CNT seeds.
Anaerobic fermentation of glycerol
(2012-03-06) Gonzalez, Ramon; Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
The invention relates to the development of appropriate cultivation conditions for a bacteria to grow anaerobically (fermentatively) on a glycerol substrate. The method requires culturing bacteria having a functional 1,2-propanediol pathway and a functional type II glycerol dehydrogenase-dihydroxyacetone kinase pathway in a culture medium containing high concentrations of glycerol, a neutral to mildly acidic pH, low levels of potassium and phosphate, and high levels of CO2, such that glycerol is thus converted into a desirable product, such as ethanol, hydrogen, formate, succinate, or 1,2-propanediol.
Anaerobic fermentation of glycerol
(2012-12-18) Gonzalez, Ramon; Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
The invention relates to the development of appropriate cultivation conditions for a bacteria to grow anaerobically (fermentatively) on a glycerol substrate. The method requires culturing bacteria having a functional 1,2-propanediol pathway and a functional type II glycerol dehydrogenase-dihydroxyacetone kinase pathway in a culture medium containing high concentrations of glycerol, a neutral to mildly acidic pII, low levels of potassium and phosphate, and high levels of CO2, such that glycerol is thus converted into a desirable product, such as ethanol, hydrogen, formate, succinate, or 1,2-propanediol.
Analog system for computing sparse codes
(2010-08-24) Rozell, Christopher John; Johnson, Don H.; Baraniuk, Richard G.; Olshausen, Bruno A.; Ortman, Robert Lowell; Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
A parallel dynamical system for computing sparse representations of data, i.e., where the data can be fully represented in terms of a small number of non-zero code elements, and for reconstructing compressively sensed images. The system is based on the principles of thresholding and local competition that solves a family of sparse approximation problems corresponding to various sparsity metrics. The system utilizes Locally Competitive Algorithms (LCAs), nodes in a population continually compete with neighboring units using (usually one-way) lateral inhibition to calculate coefficients representing an input in an over complete dictionary.

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