Main navigation | Main content
New technologies delivered to your inbox Subscribe
20160343 – A new process synthesizes multifunctional alcohols from bio-derived carboxylic acids. Starting with itaconic acid or mesoconic acid, this high-yield, two-step process uses heterogeneous catalysts in aqueous media as an efficient method of producing of lactones, diols and triols, where resulting alcohols such as 2-methyl butanediol and 3-methyl-1,5-pentanediol can be used to prepare... Read More
20150223 – A new catheter design allows for easy cannulation of multiple vascular branches at the same time. The system consists of a delivery sheath with an endovascular separator that keeps multiple wires separated. By preventing the wires from wrapping around each other, the device promotes atraumatic treatment of aortic diseases. Placed on a central shaft, four to six dividers—which can widen or... Read More
20150142 – A system using a combination of mathematical strategies, integrates residential rooftop solar cell installations and optimizes the performance of the power grid via dispatches (requests) from the grid to the solar cell installations. This optimization may provide a competitive advantage for supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) providers interested in enhancing remote... Read More
20160139 – An AC-powered liquid-plasma process offers sustainable biodiesel production from a feedstock mixture of oils/fats and alcohol. This continuous process uses recycled waste cooking oils and/or animal fats and is fast, cost effective and does not require catalysts or high temperatures. The high voltage energy associated with electric discharge in the feedstock mixture breaks down chemical... Read More
20160117 – An effective and nearly hands-free apparatus easily washes polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) and nitrocellulose membranes used for immunoblotting in research and clinical diagnostics labs. The device consists of three stacking reservoirs: The top reservoir is filled with wash buffer, the middle holds the immunoblot membrane(s) to be washed, and the bottom collects liquid waste. Wash buffer... Read More
20150063 – Modeling the mesoscale mechanics of nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes is of critical interest. A new framework, based on the Distinct Element Method (DEM), simulates mesoscale mechanics of nanostructures and nanostructured materials. The method uses distinct elements (rigid particles) to model elementary discrete cells (grains or representative elements) of nanostructures, including... Read More
20140348 – Genetically modified Azotobacter vinelandii (A. vinelandii) bacteria excrete greater amounts of extracellular nitrogen-containing compounds, such as ammonia or urea, than their wild-type counterparts. Such terminal products could be used effectively as biofertilizers. Unlike many nitrogen-producing bacteria that only function in anaerobic environments, the aerobic properties of A.... Read More
20140201 – The Center Glow Ninebark shrub is a multi-stemmed deciduous shrub ideal for either residential or commercial landscapes. It is available for licensing to nurseries to be propagated and commercially sold. These licensed nurseries are authorized to sell plants for propagation and resale. You must have a license from the University of Minnesota before purchasing plants for propagation. ... Read More
20170002 – CG-TARGET (Chemical-Genetic Translation via A Reference Genetic interaction nETwork) software is a pipeline that uses a genetic interaction network for predicting the molecular target of a compound/mode-of-action from chemical-genetic interaction profiles. Three input datasets (chemical-genetic interaction profiles, reference genetic interaction profiles, and a mapping from the query... Read More
20170001 – BEAN-counter (Barcoded Experiment Analysis from Next-generation sequencing) software is a pipeline for quantitative scoring of chemical-genetic interactions from sequencing-based chemical-genetic interaction screens. It provides a complete toolset for processing multiplexed sequencing data from barcoded mutant pools into chemical-genetic interaction profiles, based on these basic inputs:... Read More
20130180 – Isothermal vitrification technology provides stable, long-term room-temperature storage of liquid biospecimens such as blood or serum. A lyoprotectant cocktail, which includes excipients that protect and stabilize biomarkers, is electrospun into a non-woven adsorbing/dissolving matrix that readily and homogenously mixes with liquid biological samples. Vacuum drying the samples rapidly... Read More
20140016 – A low power, wide bandwidth phased array for wideband signal steering applications minimizes squinting and eliminates wideband signal blockers. The technology makes use of Charge Reuse Analog Fourier Transform (CRAFT) and features a switched capacitor based radio frequency (RF) front-end that delivers wider bandwidth, higher speed, a smaller footprint, scalability and an improved dynamic... Read More
20120150 – A switched capacitor based radio frequency (RF) front-end channelizer for software defined radios (SDR) and/or cognitive radios (CR) offers lower power, higher bandwidth channelization capabilities that may reduce the sample rate and dynamic range requirements for wide-band digitization in SDRs. The technology, based on Charge Reuse Analog Fourier Transform (CRAFT) design, offers longer... Read More
20100247 – Filtration techniques used in a new filter sensor can differentiate particles with different shapes. Using a combination of a differential mobility analyzer (DMA) with a uniform pore filter, nanoparticles with various mass-mobility fractal dimensions (Dfm) can be differentiated. The sensor is also able to measure mass mobility as well as the effective length (or maximum projected length)... Read More
20150160 – A unique algorithm quickly and accurately determines optimal stimulation settings for deep brain stimulation (DBS) electrode arrays. The algorithm generates a patient-specific “grid,” representing a target tissue to be activated, by compiling brain geometry and lead-specific geometry data. It then determines a maximum activation function value for each point on the grid and uses an... Read More
20150060-2 – A low-cost AC homopolar motor design combined with flywheel energy storage technology maximizes efficiency and energy density while reducing the self-discharge rate as well as the costs associated with such technology. The bearingless AC homopolar motor uses a single winding to provide torque and suspension without permanent magnets. The electric machine uses dual purpose no voltage... Read More
20160223 – The design of a bio-intensive gardening tool creates planting holes in a hexagonal pattern that accommodate 1 3/8-inch soil blocks. Ideal for 30-inch wide beds, the design is for two sizes: either 6-inch or 9-inch spacing between the holes in any direction. The tool creates two rows of holes in the soil, making planting much quicker, easier and more accurate. Each push of the tool digs... Read More
20160197 – Analysis of recent human clinical samples determined that patients with high levels of ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase 14 (USP14) were six times more likely to experience recurrence of endometrial cancer than patients with low levels. In addition, higher USP14 levels added predictive value even when disease grade was known. No biomarkers are currently available to assess the... Read More
20160019 – The disadvantages of liquid pistons can be overcome by using a ferrofluid as the volume displacing liquid along with a magnetic field. The ferrofluid is stabilized by applying an appropriately oriented magnetic field. This stabilizing force helps to prevent splashing and droplets and allows the machine to be operated at frequencies an order of magnitude faster than the operation with... Read More
20150048 – An inexpensive laparoscopic camera handling trainer (CHT) provides effective training for 30° laparoscopic camera navigation. The device consists of a transparent Plexiglas viewfinder, trocar support and a graphical path for users to navigate. The viewfinder is connected to a monitor that displays images from the camera and features a geometric shape indicates correct targeting of the... Read More
20130002 – A method has been developed that quantitatively evaluates neurological conditions, such as schizophrenia. Hypofunction of N-methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA) receptors in the brain have been demonstrated to be correlated with the presence of schizophrenia. Moreover, dysfunction in the central nervous system should be mirrored in the retinal synaptic systems. Visually evoked responses have... Read More
20150306 – A monomer has been created that can be used to synthesize hydroxy-telechelic poly(ethylene-co-isobutylene) (PEIB) and is an alternative to polyisobutylene (PIB) in thermoplastic polyurethanes. PIB offers advantageous traits such as chemical resistance, low permeability and excellent stability, and is biocompatible and approved for use in biomedical applications. However, PIB has been a... Read More
20120158 – The automatic jigsaw puzzle solving algorithm has potential uses in the reconstruction of shredded documents, assembly of broken artifacts in archeology and other assembly applications. The algorithm uses only the shapes of the pieces (not the picture itself formed by the puzzle) to solve the puzzle. No assumptions are made regarding the shapes or the overall layout and shape of the... Read More
20160154 – Gene editing nucleases can be used to disrupt normal T-cell receptor (TCR) expression, a desired effect when using T-cells as adoptive immunotherapy for cancer. This strategy targets the components of the TCR complex comprised of alpha and beta chains encoded by the TCRα (TRAC) or TCRb (TCRB) genes, respectively. Disrupting the gene sequence of either of these chains results in the... Read More
20150202 – A unique nozzle design improves upon flow blurring nozzle flow dynamics. The new design features a counterflowing atomization air stream that directs air upward into the liquid stream, breaking the liquid into small droplets as opposed splitting them at the outflow. Counterflowing the gas flow relative to the liquid flow generates a highly unstable velocity profile within the liquid flow... Read More
20130212 – A new discrete piston pump/motor yields an unprecedented combination of simplicity, efficiency and versatility. This new pump/motor, which can be used as a pump, motor, or combination of a pump and motor, varies displacement by changing the axial position of a single novel rotary valve. It improves efficiency by discrete piston displacement that applies high pressure to pistons for only a... Read More
20120076 – A robust yet flexible nanoporous filtration membrane can be produced from block copolymer. The process begins by synthesizing a nanoporous cross-linked polystyrene-polyisoprene-polystyrene-polylactide tetrablock terpolymer that displays good tensile and elongation properties. Then the polylactide is removed via hydrolysis or reactive ion etching, resulting in a tough, self-assembling ABAC... Read More
20160095 – An innovative method produces hematopoietic stem cells (HSPCs) from human pluripotent stem cells (hESCs and iPSCs). Inducing hematopoietic differentiation of stem cells and treating them with an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) antagonist promotes early human hematoendothelial development and may improve HSPC production from hESCs and iPSCs for clinical applications. In addition to AHR... Read More
20160174 – Using peptides to recruit T cells and antibodies to tumor sites could change the landscape of cancer immunotherapy. A new technology uses antigenic peptides to stimulate the natural “sensing and alarm” function of resident memory T cells (TRM) at tumor sites in order to promote an immunostimulatory and effector environment. These activated TRM cells enhance the effect of current cancer... Read More
20160147 – A new wall and ceiling panel design can transform hard-surfaced spaces into quieter areas. Echoes and feedback from hard surfaces can be softened with an innovative vacuum formed topographical surface panel. This variable vacuum formed wall creates a customized acoustic environment by diffusing and dispersing sound along its length and even absorbing sound in specific locations. By... Read More
20160083 – Analyzing the microbiome of colon cancer microenvironments can detect colorectal cancer (CRC) and even predict specific types of mutations present in a tumor. This new, non-invasive method was developed by analyzing fecal swabs from tumor microenvironment microbial communities and found that specific tumor mutations were associated with specific gut bacteria. In fact, results found a... Read More
20160001 – A microRNA-based platform that generates live attenuated viruses could lead to safe and effective vaccines across species. Up until now it has been challenging to produce microRNA targeted influenza virus vaccines that are simultaneously attenuated in both mammalian and avian species. However, this method engineers a cell line with cells deficient in microRNAs abundantly expressed in both... Read More
20110246 – A principal components analysis (PCA) algorithm has been created which is more robust to outliers and data corruption than those in current usage. PCA is one of the most useful and widely used algorithms for data analysis and is useful in areas of data mining and machine learning, but is very sensitive to outliers and corruption. The developed alternative PCA algorithm is not only much... Read More
20150326-1 – Selenium nanospheres are synthesized quickly and inexpensively by combining aqueous solutions of selenous acid and a reducing agent in the presence of a surface capable of providing nucleation sites under conditions effective to form selenium nanomaterials. The process produces selenium particles that are either bound or unbound, and the properties of the selenium layer can be modified... Read More
20150326 – A regular, store-bought sponge coated with a nanolayer of selenium can remove over 99.9 percent of mercury from lakes, rivers, storm water ponds, wetlands and wastewater. The selenium nanomaterials are permanently bound to the sponge surface via a unique process. Treating mercury-contaminated water with the sponge binds the mercury into permanent biologically inert, non-toxic complexes,... Read More
z07107 – A novel gas phase method and apparatus effectively grafts organic molecules onto silicon nanocrystals to form a passivation layer. The process produces grafted Group IV nanoparticles quickly, at room temperature and with minimal particle aggregation and diffusional losses. The plasma-treated particles are readily soluble in various nonpolar solvents. In the first step of the... Read More
z03212 – A single-step continuous flow non-thermal plasma process produces luminescent silicon nanocrystals. The nanocrystals, which range between 2 and 8 nm, can be produced within milliseconds. The process involves passing an argon-silane (SiH) precursor gas mixture through a quartz reactor tube upon which radio-frequency power is applied through copper ring electrodes, generating a... Read More
20150203 – Using a liquid piston that’s inverted solves some of the traditional problems prone to mechanical gas compressors. This new invention uses liquid as a static piston and moves the gas chamber relative to the liquid, thus eliminating mechanical sliding seals and subsequent gas leakage found in typical mechanical compressors. Moving the cylinder relative to the stationary liquid piston... Read More
20160047 – FRAME is an interactive, online training software package that provides comprehensive, standardized training with measurable results for any type of organization, discipline or career path. Its online framework ensures consistency, as the same training is accessible to any worker, anytime, anywhere in the world. The software features a matrix whereby workers are trained in user-defined... Read More
20160234-4 – A 4-mm punch biopsy was acquired from a 44-yr old Caucasian male, fixed and vertically sectioned into 200-micron sections. Sections were multi-stained with antibodies to visualize nerves (PGP9.5, blue) and melanocytes (MEL1, yellow) of the hair bulb and the epidermis. This image was captured using laser scanning confocal microscopy at 200X magnification and is a projection... Read More
20160234-3 – A 4-mm punch biopsy was acquired from a 34-yr old Caucasian male, fixed and vertically sectioned into 200-micron thick sections. The sample was stained with antibodies to visualize nerves (PGP9.5, green) and with the plant lectin, Ulex europeaous-FITC (red) which binds to follicular keratinocytes. This image was captured using laser scanning confocal microscopy at 200X... Read More
20160234-2 – A 4-mm punch biopsy was acquired from a healthy Caucasian subject, fixed and vertically sectioned into 200-micron-thick sections. Sections were stained with the plant lectin, Ulex europeaous conjugated to FITC (yellow). This lectin binds to l-fucose moieties, a carbohydrate abundant in human blood vessels. This image was captured using laser scanning confocal microscopy at... Read More
20160234 – The Ericson Lab at the University of Minnesota has been examining, imaging and quantifying biomarkers in skin and other organs using laser scanning microscopy and three-dimensional analysis since 1996. The lab has successfully administered and secured funding for several collaborative projects (including staffing, research protections, budgets and experimental plans) and produced several... Read More
20160234-1 – A 4-mm punch biopsy was acquired from a healthy 44-yr old Caucasian male, fixed and vertically sectioned into 200-micron-thick sections. Sections were multi-stained with antibodies to the neuropeptide calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP, green), nerves (PGP9.5, red), and vasculature (Ulex europeaous-FITC, blue). This image was captured using laser scanning confocal... Read More
20150024 – Daynamica is an innovative smartphone application that tracks and collects highly-detailed user activity and travel data. Using real-time data mining of raw sensor data with smartphone GPS and accelerometer data, the app automatically detects and classifies daily activity and travel. By allowing users to view and edit/customize the information, the software can collect more detailed data... Read More
20150314 – A series of new, powerful thiourea catalysts show significant improvement in activity over Schreiner’s thiourea, the industry standard, in carrying out organic transformations. Higher activity allows for lower catalyst loadings, lower reaction temperatures, higher selectivities and the ability to induce transformations that less reactive catalysts cannot. These metal-free mono-charged... Read More
20150079 – Nebula is a dispersed cloud infrastructure that uses volunteer edge resources for both computation and data storage. Nebula provides lightweight architecture that enables distributed data-intensive computing through a number of optimizations, including location-aware data and computation placement, replication, and recovery. Since each voluntary edge resource can join, leave and fail at... Read More
20140298 – Portable, label-free detection of molecules such as DNA, proteins, antibodies and more is possible with a new potentiometric technology employing an electrolyte-gated transistor (EGT) in conjunction with a floating-gate electrode. The presence of bound target molecules on the surface of the floating gate changes the measured electrical properties of the device. The sensor relies on an EGT... Read More
z01152 – An unexpected discovery led to a patented technology to synthesize new kappa receptor agonist and delta receptor antagonist therapeutic compounds. Moving the 5'-substituent on naltrindole compounds, which are kappa receptor antagonists, converts the compound into either a kappa receptor agonist or a delta receptor antagonist, depending on where the substituent is moved. These new... Read More
20120080 – CoreSHIELD is an online collaboration and information sharing tool that allows professionals to identify and securely communicate with their counterparts in similar positions in other organizations, anywhere in the nation. Users maintain detailed profiles identifying their roles, making it easy to search for and connect with functional counterparts despite geographic, organizational or... Read More
