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z07107-z03212 – Three cost effective technologies for creating nanocrystals via a gas-plasma, non-aqueous process are available to license. Gas phase production of these nanocrystals is faster, higher yield and more cost efficient than current processes. The technologies can be optioned for a six month trial period for a $10,000 Try fee to enable testing of the commercial viability of this process to... Read More
20160257 – Cell nanocoating is being used in a food safety application to detect and quantify total microbial content (e.g., bacteria, fungi, viruses, Archaea, protists and gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria). In this technology, a plasmonic nanomaterial interacts with a phylogenetic surface marker (PSM) on a microorganism to coat the microorganism. As the nanoparticles aggregate on the... Read More
20100245 – A simple, robust and scalable method of directed differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells, including embryonic stem (hES) cells and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, generates insulin-producing cells in vitro that have reversed diabetes in vivo and in diabetic mice. A simple, broadly applicable four-step process demonstrates that hES and human iPS cells from dermal fibroblast... Read More
20170198 – An MRI-compatible electrode array records brain physiological signals in animals and humans. The array is manufactured with carbon nanotubes or other nano-structured materials and will be tuned to have a magnetic susceptibility very close to that of brain tissue. Matching the magnetic susceptibilities of the electrode array and brain tissue will highly reduce—or even eliminate—magnetic... Read More
20160195 – The E-Wheel designed at St. Anthony Falls Laboratory (SAFL) is a vertical axis in-stream hydropower generation system that generates clean electricity from renewable sources with minimal impact on the environment. The hydrokinetic energy technology, designed specifically for small to medium sized open channel systems in both warm and cold-weather regions, focuses on single thread... Read More
20150219 – Cell-permeable iron can be used to increase effectiveness of cancer treatments. Whether used alone or when co-administered with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy, cell-permeable iron sensitizes solid tumor and/or leukemia cells to the therapy, increasing therapeutic effectiveness. Using these methods may decrease the amount of a chemotherapeutic agent needed, thus decreasing costs,... Read More
20150270 – A handheld device used in conjunction with a smartphone can measure three-dimensional angles of the scapula during arm movement. The device attaches to a smartphone with an adjustable mounting apparatus, and a custom smartphone application integrates the phone’s sensors and data recording ability to measure and record scapular angles during arm motion. By measuring all three angles of... Read More
20170123-20180038 – An algorithm and software package for automatic voxel positioning in single voxel magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) improves consistency of tissue coverage between subjects. The software tool quickly identifies the voxel of interest (VOI) in a given scan across a range of patients using an algorithm that maps a VOI from an atlas to a subject’s MR scan data using a nonlinear/non-rigid... Read More
20120049 – Steering Resonance over the Object (STEREO) is a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) pulse sequence with a frequency and amplitude modulated RF pulse applied in the presence of modulated gradients to excite signals in an entirely spatiotemporal manner. STEREO represents a substantial departure from conventional MRI in which spins contained in the sample, slab, or slice are excited... Read More
z04196 – A parity-bit coding strategy detects prescribed error events when detecting error events in code words detected from data signals. The error detection code corresponds to one or more dominant error events for the communication system, thus targeting specific error events. The code provides a substantial performance gain compared to conventional parity-based post processing methods, and... Read More
z01025 – A parallel concatenated parity check (PCPC) coding scheme concatenates, in parallel, multiple single bit parity check block codes for high areal density magnetic recording. The low-density generator matrix coding scheme, decoded as a low density parity check code, obtains results using a Lorentzian channel model (with and without transition noise) modeled as first order position jitter.... Read More
20170069 – An algorithm using particle swarm optimization (PSO) in programming electrodes in deep brain stimulation arrays (DBSAs) provides clinicians with an intuitive, semi-automated approach for programming multi-electrode neuromodulation systems. The system and methods optimize deep brain stimulation (DBS) therapy by producing a range of optimal electrode configuration solutions that can achieve... Read More
20150184 – A next-generation breast pump design offers nursing mothers increased convenience and privacy. The low profile, one piece device can be concealed within a bra and held in place with self-adhesive backing. It conforms to multiple breast sizes and fits comfortably and unobtrusively under clothing. Milk passes through a channel routed along the circumference of the breast into flexible,... Read More
20160058 – A new data collection and algorithm system automatically detects nitrogen stress on the leaves of corn plants. Small-scale unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) collect high resolution images in the visual (RGB) spectrum by hovering over stressed areas at a low altitude. Computer vision RGB image analysis algorithms eliminate the need of a control/reference plant by analyzing the color and... Read More
20170075 – A newly developed direct synthesis method creates zeolite nanosheets with nanometer thicknesses and a high aspect ratio. The process creates zeolite nanosheets with enhanced mass transport properties within their nanopores, favorable to applications such as catalysis and separation. The nanosheets feature many desirable characteristics: predominant thickness of 5nm (2.5 unit cells), 0.6... Read More
20130079 – A reconstruction algorithm improves separation of signals to generate images in multiband MRI, reducing artifacts that could hinder clinical acceptance due to readability issues. The method iteratively calibrates a reconstruction kernel for use in MRI, reconstructing images from k-space data acquired using accelerated MRI techniques, such as simultaneous multi-slice acquisitions using... Read More
20160259 – A deep brain stimulation (DBS) electrode system allows simultaneous neuromodulation and reception of the neuronal response. The method provides electromagnetic (EM) stimulation (using at least three probes for simultaneous modulation) in pulsed and/or continuous wave configuration with different wave forms. A multi-strip multichannel array electrode generates rotating electric fields, and... Read More
20140093 – A new method performs simultaneous multislice (SMS) MR imaging using multiband RF excitation, enabling generalized multiband slice accelerated imaging for any type of MR pulse sequence (e.g. SE, TSE, HASTE, GRASE, GRE, SSFP, etc.). This method acquires reference scan images and uses balanced gradients to realize CAIPIRINHA FOV (field-of-view) shift. Overlapped signals from simultaneously... Read More
20160374 – A lung biopsy tool features an endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) sensor, LED illumination, a camera chip, steering capabilities and a flexible biopsy needle. Unique aspects of the device are the integrated camera chip (1x1mm Naneye camera) and LED illumination. The device is less than 2 mm in diameter and can therefore be deployed through the tool port of a standard bronchoscope. While... Read More
20140302 – An approach for channel tracking and transmit beamforming with limited feedback exploits the spatial-temporal channel correlation. These methods considerably reduce computational burden and avoid the limitations of codebook-based feedback and Markov chain modeling. The transmitter periodically transmits a beamformed pilot signal in the downlink, while the receiver quantizes the... Read More
20170087 – A new technique manufactures conductive polymer composites (CPCs) using co-continuous polymer blends with interfacial graphene as the conductive filler. This technology combines two current CPC manufacturing methods with an innovative approach to create CPCs with superior electrical properties. The approach uses polylactic acid (PLA) and polystyrene (PS) co-continuous polymer blends as... Read More
20130170 – A new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) parallel transmission (pTx) pulse design targets RF homogenization in multiband (MB) excitation and refocusing and other spin manipulations while limiting the specific absorption rate (SAR). These pulses can significantly improve RF uniformity in each image slice while largely reducing global and local SAR. With full pTx hardware capable of... Read More
20160011 – An ultra-high density two-terminal integrated composite capacitor uses a parallel combination of metal oxide metal (MOM), metal oxide silicon (MOS) and metal insulator metal (MIM) capacitors physically laid over one another. This design both conserves area while providing capacitance density comparable to deep trench capacitors. The MOS capacitor, used in accumulation mode, offers high... Read More
20150323 – This technology improves upon a previous variable linkage variable displacement machine technology, the high efficiency variable displacement pump, which has a crankshaft-driven adjustable six-bar linkage to vary the displacement of a piston. This new technology is a cam-driven adjustable linkage that also varies the displacement of a piston. This highly efficient mechanism reaches true... Read More
20170018 – A high-voltage, fully-integrated neural stimulator chip for electrical microstimulation features a small chip area and high channel density. Using a feedback-assisted current mirror structure with resource sharing and an efficient chip layout achieves simultaneous high-voltage compliance, high output impedance and high channel count. A foreground current calibration uses a single external... Read More
20160413 – A miniature system on a chip (SoC) device enables continuous, full-duplex neural recording with simultaneous electrical microstimulation. The technology enables precise, closed-loop neuromodulation based on direct neuronal feedback. Scalable and with a small chip area and high channel density, this new design could suppress electrode noise and support high impedance electrodes, especially... Read More
20160323 – A neuro-muscular stimulator implanted inside the mouth stimulates the hypoglossal nerve and the genioglossus muscle to prevent obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) or breathing obstruction caused by inadequate motor tone of the tongue and/or pharyngeal wall muscles. The device consists of an implantable stimulator lead connected to an exposed part, positioned in the lower jaw, that acts as an... Read More
20170091 – A small-scale, hybrid unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) augments quad-rotor maneuverability with solar-powered fixed-wing energy collection and supply capabilities. Selecting an aerial platform often requires choosing between the flight time and long-range capabilities of a fixed-wing aircraft or the maneuverability and stationary characteristics of a multi-rotor platform. This reconfigurable... Read More
20120077 – A new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method for multiband imaging (MB), also known as Simultaneous Multi Slice (SMS) imaging, significantly reduces required peak power. The technology improves MB performance by time shifting the RF pulses of a multiband RF pulse. Normally, all of the multiband pulses (at different frequency bands) are applied at the same time. In this new method, the... Read More
20150170 – Target selectivity of neuromodulation, e.g., deep brain stimulation (DBS) therapy, is critical as the precise locus and pattern of the stimulation dictates the degree to which desired treatment responses are achieved and adverse side effects are avoided. A new concept for neuromodulation generates orientation selective and rotating electric fields that provide more precise and efficient... Read More
20160286 – An effective and economical electrochemical oxidation process for aqueous and gaseous sulfide removal can remove hydrogen sulfide (HS) directly from aqueous environments. The technology uses an electrode system where anodic oxidation directly or indirectly oxidizes sulfide or scavenges sulfide by anodically generated ferrous. By removing HS directly from both liquid (aqueous) and gas... Read More
20140063 – An optical interconnect can be used as the interconnect in spin-based computation and logic systems. The spin-optical interconnect scheme consists of a spin-to-optical transmitter and an optical-to-spin receiver, which are connected with multichannel, integrated optical waveguides or fibers. For data transmission, a spin-based signal is converted to an optical signal and transmitted via... Read More
20140289 – A non-toxic cryopreservative solution increases the safety and viability of preserved cells, for many applications, such as cell therapy. The multi-component, cell-optimized solutions contain no dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and have shown significantly higher (more than double) post-thaw recovery of human cells than DMSO. The solutions show promise in storing, preserving and recovering... Read More
20130219 – Computational-RAM (CRAM) technology featuring a low-power, non-volatile processor architecture produces very high computational performance. The technology conserves power by integrating computational elements into memory arrays so that data no longer needs to move to a separate location for processing. Since data does not have to be accessed sequentially through the interconnect network,... Read More
20160135 – Bordetella pertussis (Bp) is the bacterial agent of pertussis (whooping cough) in humans. Current acellular pertussis vaccines, which target only a narrow range of Bp virulence factors, lack efficacy in preventing respiratory tract colonization or disease transmission. Bp cell surface iron receptors are essential for the uptake of iron and are critical for growth in the host. New methods... Read More
20170369 – The One Health Systems Mapping and Analysis Resource Toolkit (OH-SMART) is an interactive process that fosters working across organizational and disciplinary lines when preparing or responding to disease outbreaks or addressing other complex One Health challenges. Although this mapping tool was initially developed to assist agencies in coordinating effective outbreak response planning,... Read More
20110093 – A new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology for multiband (MB), also known as Simultaneous Multi Slice (SMS), imaging uses multichannel transmit to overcome fundamental limitations in specific absorption rate (SAR). The approach uses multiple coils for radiofrequency (RF) transmit, in which each set of simultaneously excited slices are excited by an optimal combination of the... Read More
20110092 – A novel approach to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) significantly accelerates the acquisition of large volume images. The approach consists of two different stages: contrast preparation followed by image encoding. The contrast preparation step uses a common contrast preparation module, which is subsequently “stored” in the longitudinal axis (parallel to the static field of the magnet, B,... Read More
20170023 – An environmentally friendly process has been developed for the synthesis of isoprenecarboxylic esters and their corresponding polymers from a fermentation product of glucose: mevalonolactone. In this method, bio-renewable mevalonate is used to synthesize mevalonolactone, which can then be converted to anhydromevalonolactone. An eliminative opening of anhydromevalonolactone using a base... Read More
20150177 – A first-ever magnetic brain array can modulate (stimulate) neuron cells and other biological components sensitive to magnetic fields. The array offers low energy consumption and high density, and consists of magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) sensors for 3D mapping with potential for closed-loop operation. The technique generates magnetic fields for biomedical applications by rotating a... Read More
20170397 – The Vision-aided Inertial Navigation Systems (VINS) algorithm uses visual and inertial data for tracking in real time the 3D position and attitude of an IMU-camera pair. Please visit the Multiple Autonomous Robotic Systems laboratory website for more information.
20150218 – An intra-cremator device captures dental mercury (DHgS) from dental amalgam fillings during cremation. The device uses nanometer-scale particles and ceramic substrates in a strategically placed filter system that incorporates nanoparticle sorbent agglomerates that capture vapor phase mercury contaminants at high temperatures. The porous filter allows body combustion to proceed and... Read More
20130335a – A new modular multilevel converter (MMC) can reach twice the voltage levels as conventional electrical energy transmission topologies. The modular structure of this MMC enables it to reach three voltage levels by adding a bidirectional switch with half the voltage stress, resulting in low switching frequency and near sinusoidal voltage waveforms. Benefits of these submodule topologies... Read More
20150060-1 – A novel AC homopolar motor topology is extremely efficient, and with minimal maintenance required, it drives down operating costs. The motor comes with an optional outer-rotor/inner-stator, as well as a single set of windings that provide both torque and magnetic suspension without using rare-earth permanent magnets or a separate set of armature coils. The design enables a predictive,... Read More
20170355 – A dual-incentive peer mentoring model, Positive Peer-Pressured Productivity (PQUAD), shows promising results in increasing academic productivity of early-career faculty and trainees. PQUAD is a virtual scholarship leaderboard which combines an increased awareness of peers’ academic work with a weighted lottery for which tickets are earned on the basis of academic output. The incentive... Read More
20150366 – This low-cost, model-based simulation software with hardware integration for real-time controller implementation allows users to model electro-mechanical prototype devices. This solution provides both simple and complex control algorithms that users with no prior knowledge of programming or microcontrollers can easily implement. The hardware controller is built around TI Delfino... Read More
20160317 – A new method develops distributed feedback controllers that continuously drive the power set points of inverter-interfaced devices to solutions of AC optimal power flow (OPF) problems. Leveraging online optimization techniques for the synthesis of the controllers thus achieves network-level performance metrics in real time while voltages are regulated within given limits. The controllers... Read More
20110144 – A new architecture for organic photodetectors uses multiple layers to provide a tunable response specific to the wavelength of interest. The single-device design, which uses multiple organic photodetector subcells in a stacked/tandem architecture, uses organic semiconductors with complementary optical absorption for broadband optical response. The device permits a tunable spectral... Read More
z04142 – A particle-detecting integrated circuit that contains a device with a pair of conductive lines positioned in a vacuum environment can detect particles in real time in a semiconductor vacuum environment. The conductive lines are spaced at a critical pitch corresponding to diameters of particles of interest. An impedance measurement system linked to the circuit detects a change in an... Read More
z02058 – A solid immersion tunneling ellipsometer can accurately measure properties of thin and ultra-thin films (e.g., less than 100 Angstroms thick). A solid immersion apparatus (e.g., a prism or an objective lens in combination with the solid immersion lens) facilitates optical tunneling and provides information to determine characteristics (e.g., thickness or index of refraction) of samples... Read More
