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20150315 – A high-speed three-way crank-slider valve can be used in switch-mode hydraulic circuits. Its unique drive mechanism features two valve spools axially driven by crank-slider mechanisms. By phase shifting the two crank links, which are on a common crankshaft, the duty cycle of the valve is adjusted. The two spools split and re-combine flow such that two switching cycles occur per revolution... Read More
20170036 – An innovative annuloplasty ring, used in conjunction with an annuloplasty procedure in large animal models, creates consistent, reproducible models of aortic stenosis for long-term evaluation of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) devices. The Calcified Annulus Model (CAM) annuloplasty ring is flexible, circular, planar in shape and covered with a fabric sheath secured to... Read More
20150061 – A new method using parallel transmission radiofrequency (RF) pulses for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) under strict temperature rise constraints is expected to provide safer and more powerful MRI exams. The method compresses a model for a subject to be scanned by the MRI system into voxel clusters. Each voxel cluster defines a virtual observation point with peak sensitivity to the local... Read More
20150103 – FreeBee, a cross-technology framework implemented in software, can enable communication between Wi-Fi Access Points (APs), ZigBee devices and Bluetooth devices. With no required changes to the air-to-air physical layer Wi-Fi standard, it uses pulse-position modulation (PPM) to encode data in mandatory beacons. The communication comes from the network and therefore does not use any... Read More
20160412 – A bicycle-based collision prevention system provides timely and effective alerts to both the motorist and bicyclist about impending rear and/or cross-traffic collisions. The system uses a combination of sensors, intelligent algorithms, human-computer interfaces and a display/notification system to predict and prevent rear and side crashes at intersections. The device is mounted on the... Read More
20170037-1 – A new process uses a novel catalyst to synthesize butadiene in high yields from biomass-derived tetrahydrofuran (THF). Butadiene is made by contacting THF (or a THF derivative or combination thereof) with a heterogeneous acid catalyst to yield a diene. This new P-based heterogeneous catalyst, which is highly efficient at converting furans to dienes, performs dehydro-decyclization of... Read More
20170032 – A novel imaging sequence offers motion-robust quantification of the transmit field amplitude (B mapping) in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The technique acquires images with two off-resonance shifts, using an interleaved Bloch-Siegert scheme along with an off-resonance insensitive B sensitization to allow for motion-robust quantification of the RF transmit field for cardiac scans in a... Read More
20160395 – A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequence, which allows for complete blood suppression during quantitative imaging, can improve the robustness of quantitative myocardial tissue characterization. The technique, which can be used in commercially available MRI scanners with no additional hardware, improves diagnostic capabilities by suppressing blood signals from quantitative maps. The... Read More
20160229 – A novel alternating flow (AF) hydraulic pump combines the flow from pairs of oscillating pistons. By phase shifting the motion between the piston pairs, the combined flowrate of the pump is varied. This variable pump technology can be realized with a number of pump architectures include inline, axial piston, or radial piston. In the radial piston architecture, a common shaft drives two... Read More
20160373 – A new pressure sensor can determine the density and bulk modulus of a moving fluid by measuring the sonic velocity in two separate pipes. As fluid moves through pipes of differing wall thicknesses and/or different materials, the time it takes a pressure wave to travel through the pipes can be measured. The measurements and corresponding relationships can then be used to calculate the... Read More
20170082 – A novel spin-transfer torque operated magnetic tunnel junction (STT-MTJ) thermal sensor device fulfills thermal detection and overheat protection on integrated circuits at a significantly smaller scale. The sensor features a lower cost of calibration and a much faster (more than tenfold) thermal transit response speed over traditional CMOS thermal sensors. The MTJ sensor shows potential... Read More
20170148 – A new series of phosphorous-containing solid catalysts produces ultra-high yields of p-xylene by suppressing competing side reactions. Among them, phosphorous-containing BEA zeolite (P-BEA) with 12 membered-ring (12 MR) structures and phosphorous-containing self-pillared pentasil (P-SPP) zeolite nanosheets with 10 MR exhibit exceptional activities up to 97% yield of p-xylene at 99%... Read More
20170037 – A new process uses a novel catalyst to synthesize isoprene in high yields. Isoprene is made by contacting 3-methyltetrahydrofuran (3-MTHF) with a heterogeneous acid catalyst (other than alumina, or Al2O3). This catalytic process dehydrates MTHF to isoprene via several combinations of temperatures, pressures, and space velocities (reactant volumetric flow rate per volume of catalyst) and... Read More
20160418 – A novel method synthesizes low-cost, polymeric valerolactones with tunable mechanical properties and low glass transition temperatures. Chemically crosslinked poly(β-methyl-δ-valerolactone) (PMVL) elastomers are created from high molar mass PMVL homopolymers that can be chemically converted back to recover the monomer in high purity. In addition, the crosslinked PMVL materials are highly... Read More
20160397 – An innovative gas-phase method uses a modified plasma reactor to generate core/shell nanocrystals in nonthermal plasmas by afterglow PECVD shell growth. The technology uses afterglow to react a secondary shell onto a primary (core) particle to synthesize group IV nanocrystals that could be used in a variety of applications such as biological imaging, photovoltaics, and energy... Read More
garwood – Dr. Garwood and the researchers in his lab focus on developing cutting-edge MRI and MR spectroscopy techniques and exploiting them in studies of tissue function, metabolism, and microstructure. The Garwood group has made a significant advancement in the way MRI is performed - a technique called SWIFT. This technique improves the capability to track and quantify targeted contrast agents and... Read More
20160119 – A method of preparing zeolite nanosheets creates nanosheets with open pores, free from organic surface contaminants. This method has successfully prepared large lateral sized zeolite nanosheets with organic molecules removed from the pores. Organic molecules were removed from the micropores by using a piranha solution (sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide) as a strong oxidizing solution.... Read More
20150274 – Durable, thermoluminescent particles or films can record thermal history of manufacturing processes over the temperature range of 100°C to 500°C. Days or months before they are needed, the materials are irradiated with a deep ultraviolet or ionizing radiation source to fill their charge carrier traps. At any time afterwards, the irradiated particles may be either incorporated directly... Read More
bischof – John Bischof’s research focuses on the thermophysical and biological changes within biomaterials after thermal manipulations. Current projects include: Dr. Bischof is a Distinguished McKnight University Professor and the Carl and Janet Kuhrmeyer Chair in Mechanical Engineering. He is also the Associate Director for Development in the Institute for Engineering in Medicine. Dr. Bischof... Read More
20160069 – A novel back-sampling circuit increases target chain sensitivity towards soft errors without compromising measurement accuracy. Current technologies suffer from low sensitivity (most strikes go undetected) or large distortion (pulse width information is inaccurate). The new circuit has skew in the direction that favors lowering the switching threshold, which in turn enhances the... Read More
20160384 – A systematic control method can significantly improve the efficiency of fluid power sources. The algorithm calculates piston trajectory for hydraulic free piston engine (FPE) operation based on the associated hydraulic force and combustion force. This desired piston trajectory is then used as a reference signal for piston motion tracking control so that the load pressure and output flow... Read More
20160100 – A genetically engineered microbe can be used as a process control strain to accurately determine concentrations of common pathogenic microbes in a water sample. This method begins by adding known amount of a process control strain of genetically-modified, non-pathogenic Pseudogulbenkiania bacteria to an environmental (e.g., water) or clinical sample. Primers and probe sequences are also... Read More
20160222 – Piezoelectric flow control valves offer revolutionary savings in actuation power, as they require near zero power to hold the actuator in any static position from fully closed to fully open. Nevertheless, few piezoelectric valves have made it to market due to challenges in manufacturing them. An innovative design for proportional flow control valves overcomes those challenges. Its three... Read More
20160093 – A highly hydrophobic dental surface coats teeth tissues (enamel, dentin, and cementum) to prepare them for esthetic dental restorations. The anti-microbial coating, created from amphiphilic molecules, acts as an interface between etched dentin and/or enamel and dental composite and protects dental restorations against degradation from water, acid, and enzymes. In addition, it offers... Read More
vince – Dr. Vince came to the University of Minnesota is 1967 after receiving his PhD in Medicinal Chemistry from the University of Buffalo. His research included the characterization of carbocyclic nucleoside analogues, which appeared to have promising anticancer and antiviral activity. This led to the development of abacavir, which Glaxo licensed and released as Ziagen. Dr. Vince established the... Read More
hubel – Allison Hubel is a recognized global leader and innovator in cell and tissue preservation. A Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of MN, Dr. Hubel has almost 20 years of experience spanning basic studies of preservation and preservation injury, development of protocols for preservation and education and training of individuals in preservation through professional short... Read More
20160281 – An innovative needle design uses electrical impedance to indicate when a lumbar puncture or epidural needle has reached its desired target. Because electrical properties of various biological tissues, bone or fluids differ, measuring their electrical conductivity and electrical permittivity properties can differentiate between them. The needle features electrodes that sense the electrical... Read More
20150133 – Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) image quality is improved by introducing gradient modulation (GM) to Pointwise Encoding Time Reduction with Radial Acquisition (PETRA) after excitation. PETRA faces limitations in specific absorption rate (SAR) and radiofrequency (RF) pulse peak power when using higher bandwidths in human measurements. The GM-PETRA pulse sequence dynamically provides... Read More
20140281 – Harmless, common bacteria have been engineered to destroy antibiotic-resistant microbial biofilms such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections (associated with cystic fibrosis, burn wounds, prosthetic implants, pneumonia, cellulitis, and sepsis). This technology uses a strain of Lactococcus lactis, a common probiotic bacterium found in many fermented foods as well as the human body. The... Read More
20170216 – The Gender Affirmative Lifespan Approach (GALA™) team has developed a set of measures to assist clinicians and researchers in exploring aspects of healthy gender identity. The measures are adapted from existing protocols but have been revised to reflect the core principles of GALA; this includes the underlying philosophical values of being trans affirmative, intersectional,... Read More
20150264 – The digital inline holographic particle tracking velocimetry (DIH-PTV) processing package enables high-fidelity flow measurements for a wide range of applications ranging from microfluidics to turbulent channel flows. The 3D PTV technology provides accurate, cost effective, full 3D measurement of particle concentration and velocity for gaseous and liquid flows with minimal human... Read More
20160144 – A nanowire based single ring resonator (SRR) bio microsensor significantly enhances quality factor (Q-factor) and sensitivity. The proposed nanowire-based SRR employs a displacement current that flows through nano dielectric gaps between metallic nanowires of the SRR, resulting in minimized dissipative heating and eddy current generation as well as maximized energy storage. Small gaps in... Read More
20160143 – A new method builds microscale, free-standing, three-dimensional (3D), hollow, graphene-based structures using an origami-like self-assembly approach. This method allows for the fabrication of a hollow 3D graphene-based structure that incorporates the tunable optical properties of multilayered 2D graphene oxide (GO) into 3D geometry. The approach fabricates a 3D structure with both... Read More
20160141 – A new self-assembly approach produces functionalized three-dimensional (3D) micro cubic devices using lithographic methods. These methods fabricate functionalized microscale structures that are free-standing, hollow, 3D and large scale, and feature metal electric device patterning on the surface. Metal patterns (arrays of split ring resonators, or SRRs) acting as metamaterials are defined... Read More
20150123 – An easy, scalable method extracts high yields of purified, marketable phytate from ethanol waste streams. Phytate, a coproduct of ethanol production that is not digestible by many livestock, increases phosphate pollution from livestock waste. The efficient phytate extraction process is selective and improves livestock feed properties of dry distillers grains (DDGS) by removing... Read More
20160145 – Vertically oriented semiconductor nanowires are created on a metal substrate by a fabrication method that combines photoresist and etching. The simplified photolithography process simplifies nanowire creation and improves precision/control of nanowire density by forming high aspect ratio porous structures with improved side wall quality and high yield. After a developer creates resist... Read More
20160342 – CD44 receptors, abundant on cancer cell surfaces, promote cell adhesion, metastasis and tumor growth. Selective antagonists of the CD44-HA (hyaluronic acid) interaction could help distinguish CD44-specific effects from interactions between HA and other receptors and prove valuable in cancer treatment and atherosclerotic research. While 5- or 8-amino-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines (5a- or... Read More
20140254-20160024 – A new generation of lignin plastics feature very high lignin content and exhibit comparable—or even superior—properties compared to conventional PMMA and polystyrene. These innovative polymeric materials contain at least 80% lignin and are predominantly comprised of methylated or non-methylated ligninsulfonate. These plastics show promising tensile strength, and plasticizers or other... Read More
20170140 – A new, versatile optimization technique enables microstructure imaging of crossing white matter fibers. Microstructure Imaging of Crossing (MIX) White Matter Fibers is a novel regression method that can characterize tissue microstructure in the brain white matter from diffusion MRI (dMRI) data. The technique is robust, versatile and utilizes the Variable Separation Method (VSM) to fit... Read More
20160163 – Glucose, a widely available and inexpensive sugar molecule derived from corn, can be modified to produce a new, sustainable polymer for use in thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) and pressure sensitive adhesives (PSAs). In a simple two-step synthesis, the glucose-based monomer GATA (glucose-6-acrylate-1,2,3,4-tetraacetate) produces diblock and ABA triblock copolymers via Reversible... Read More
20160238 – Biobased and chemically recyclable polyurethane (PU) offers a greener alternative to petroleum derived polyols used in the synthesis of thermoplastic polyurethanes, flexible foams and elastomers. A new technique uses renewable and degradable β-methyl-δ-valerolactone (MVL), to create a bio-based PMVL (poly β-methyl-δ-valerolactone) polyol with similar mechanical properties and performance... Read More
20150118 – Non-immunoglobulin based fibronectin protein scaffolds that bind specifically to hepatocyte growth factor receptor (MET) can be used for molecular tumor imaging and targeted therapy. The non-naturally occurring protein scaffold includes a stable framework and loop region engineered to specifically bind MET. Its small size (94 amino acids) enables improved distribution and tissue and/or... Read More
20160256 – A new reaction path has been discovered to make metastable lactone acid in high yield (94%) by simple mixing of a 1:1 blend of corn-based chemicals - itaconic anhydride and furfuryl alcohol – at room temperature. In addition, multiple reaction pathways have also been demonstrated for conversion of itaconic anhydride and furans into derivatives amenable to novel polymer or chemical... Read More
20160116 – The University of Minnesota’s Bee Squad has developed a safe and effective varroa mite testing kit for beekeepers. The kit, based on the University of Nebraska's non-destructive testing method called the “powdered sugar roll,” monitors varroa mite levels in honey bee colonies and supports beekeepers in regular mite monitoring to better manage their colonies based on mite levels. The... Read More
20160392 – Colloid imprinted mesoporous (CIM) carbon offers many benefits as an interlayer to interface the ion-selective layer to the underlying electron conductor. In this technology, the electrochemical sensor is prepared by interfacing the ion-sensing layer to a CIM carbon modified with a redox buffer, which could also be developed into a printable ink. The explicit use of well-defined redox... Read More
20150324 – Surface-enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) can selectively detect toxic saccharide-binding proteins (lectins) such as Ricin B Chain (RBC). The technology first attaches glycopolymers to gold-coated nanoparticles as the capture matrix, and then performs SERS to detect any lectins attached to the glycopolymers. These methods could be used for ricin detection, for screening and/or monitoring... Read More
20150106 – A next generation HIV integrase strand transfer (INST) inhibitor selectively targets and potently inhibits HIV integrase. The drug features a distinct pharmacophore and shows great promise in reducing resistance. Biochemical testing and molecular modeling strongly corroborate the inhibition of INST as the antiviral mechanism of action. Furthermore, selected antiviral analogues also... Read More
20170064 – A software program based on Fourier transform methods (FTM) provides accurate image-based fiber orientation and alignment data in tissue samples. FTM surpassed other methods in delivering accurate results, findings confirmed by applying FTM to SEM micrographs of fibrin tissue analogs. The code may also be used to characterize fiber orientation or other microstructural features in a... Read More
z01074 – Schizachyrium scoparium 'MinnBlueA' little bluestem "Blue Heaven™" is a unique form of little bluestem, a native prairie grass known for its tolerance of sites with dry soil and full sun. It is a great plant for low maintenance sustainable landscapes. Several characteristics make this carefully selected variety attractive through all seasons. It has a taller, more upright form (40-48... Read More
20160252 – New chemical structures capable of emitting saturated blue light can be easily synthesized. These compounds hold promising emissive properties, especially of blue light, in both a solid state as well as in solution. Potential applications include organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices, and/or organic field effect transistors (OFETs). In addition, the... Read More
