COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20140367094 | Method and Apparatus for Testing a Tubular Annular Seal - The present invention provides an apparatus and method for testing a wellbore, and to an apparatus and method to efficiently and effectively test the annular seal of a tubular string positioned within a wellbore. More specifically, the cement seal between a casing string and a wellbore is tested to assure there is no contamination of groundwater or between different geologic formations. An additional aspect of the present invention is to provide a testing assembly comprising a frangible body and a tool body, the tool body providing a passageway to the annular seal when the frangible body is drilled out. In one particular embodiment, the frangible body initially forms an encapsulated bore that aligns with the passageway. | 12-18-2014 |
20140321713 | WAVE-EQUATION MIGRATION VELOCITY ANALYSIS USING IMAGE WARPING - An objective function is disclosed that extracts the velocity error information directly in the image domain without computing common-image gathers. Because of the dimensionality of the problem, gradient-based methods (such as the conjugate-gradient algorithm) are used in the optimization procedure. In order to include the full complexity of the wavefield in the velocity estimation algorithm, a two-way (as opposed to one-way) wave operator is considered, where the imaging operator is not linearized with respect to the model parameters (as in linearized wave-equation migration velocity analysis), and the gradient of the objective function is determined using the adjoint-state method. The velocity estimation methodology is illustrated with a few synthetic examples. | 10-30-2014 |
20140290712 | Solar Thermoelectric Generator - Solar thermoelectric generators (STEGs) are solid state heat engines that generate electricity from concentrated sunlight. A novel detailed balance model for STEGs is provided and applied to both state-of-the-art and idealized materials. STEGs can produce electricity by using sunlight to heat one side of a thermoelectric generator. While concentrated sunlight can be used to achieve extremely high temperatures (and thus improved generator efficiency), the solar absorber also emits a significant amount of black body radiation. This emitted light is the dominant loss mechanism in these generators. In this invention, we propose a solution to this problem that eliminates virtually all of the emitted black body radiation. This enables solar thermoelectric generators to operate at higher efficiency and achieve said efficient with lower levels of optical concentration. The solution is suitable for both single and dual axis solar thermoelectric generators. | 10-02-2014 |
20140234750 | IMMOBILIZED HETEROPOLY ACIDS AND THE USE OF THE SAME FOR ELECTRODE STABILIZATION AND ENHANCEMENT - The use of fuel cells to produce electricity are known as an environmentally clean and reliable source of energy, and show promise as an automotive power source if the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell can be made less expensive, more durable, reduce or eliminate humidification of the reactive gases, and operate at temperatures encountered during automotive operating conditions. The use of an electro-catalyst formed from heteropoly acids immobilized by a conductive material, such as carbon or platinum black, and stabilizing a metallic black with the immobilized conductive material addressed these automotive fuel cell needs. Coating the fuel cell electrode, polymer electrolyte assembly with a nano-particle catalyst derived from a heteropoly acid provided anodic carbon monoxide tolerance at anodic overpotentials and an active cathodic oxygen reduction. The heteropoly acids can also function as supercapacitor electrode films. | 08-21-2014 |
20140212320 | LASER IGNITION OF REACTION SYNTHESIS SYSTEMS - The present invention provides a process of initiating a self-propagating reaction with a coherent radiation source, which comprises mixing the chemical reactants, and contacting the chemical reactants by the coherent radiation, more specifically, the coherent radiation source may be a laser. | 07-31-2014 |
20140209879 | PREPARATION AND PROPERTIES OF PERYLENE AND NAPHTHALENE POLYIMIDES AND OTHER RIGID CONJUGATED POLYMERS VIA SOLUBLE AMIDE-ESTER PRECURSOR - This invention relates to a method for making soluble precursors to imides, polyimides, and polymers containing imide groups, and a method of making thin films of the same by solution casting and then removing the solubilizing group to produce thermally stable and insoluble materials. | 07-31-2014 |
20140141089 | Nanoparticles, Compositions Thereof, and Methods of Use, and Methods of Making the Same - The disclosure is directed to a nanoparticle comprising a porous framework core including a porous framework material and a compound, and a lipid layer disposed on the surface of the porous framework core. | 05-22-2014 |
20140106336 | Detection of Magnetic-Field-Concentrated Analytes in a Lateral Flow Capillary - The present disclosure generally relates to systems, devices and methods for detecting magnetic-field-concentrated target analytes within a lateral flow capillary. | 04-17-2014 |
20140104980 | VIRTUAL ELECTRODE CURRENT INJECTION USING SEISMIC FOCUSING AND SEISMOELECTRIC CONVERSION - The present invention relates to acoustic wavefields produced using sources appropriately delayed in time and focused at known positions and times in a heterogeneous medium. Seismoelectric conversion occurs if the acoustic focus point coincides with a discontinuity in electrical and hydrological medium properties, thus generating a current density. The current generates a potential difference, which can be observed at a distance by an array of monitoring electrodes. Since the acoustic wavefield is precisely located at a position and time, this electrical source behaves like a controlled virtual electrode whose properties depend on the strength of the acoustic wavefield and on the medium properties. This procedure can be used to increase the robustness and resolutions of electrical resistivity tomography and to identify hydrological parameters at various points in the medium by scanning the medium by changing the position of the acoustic focus. | 04-17-2014 |
20140103018 | Spatially chirped pulses for femtosecond laser ablation through transparent materials - Temporal focusing of spatially chirped femtosecond laser pulses overcomes previous limitations for ablating high aspect ratio features with low numerical aperture (NA) beams. Simultaneous spatial and temporal focusing reduces nonlinear interactions, such as self-focusing, prior to the focal plane so that deep (˜1 mm) features with parallel sidewalls are ablated at high material removal rates. | 04-17-2014 |
20140072702 | INKJET PRINTING OF DENSE AND POROUS CERAMIC LAYERS ONTO POROUS SUBSTRATES FOR MANUFACTURE OF CERAMIC ELECTROCHEMICAL DEVICES - The present invention relates to a segmented-in-series fuel cell and a method for making the same. The present invention uses an inkjet printer to apply layers of the fuel cell to a substrate, which allows for a controlled application of the fuel cell layers to the substrate. The present invention also discloses an ink material for use in the segmented-in-series fuel cells and a method for making the same. | 03-13-2014 |
20140041876 | Downhole Tools and Methods for Selectively Accessing a Tubular Annulus of a Wellbore - A downhole tool is provided that selectively opens and closes an axial/lateral bore of a tubular string positioned in a wellbore used to produce hydrocarbons or other fluids. When integrated into a tubular string, the downhole tool allows individual producing zones within a wellbore to be isolated between stimulation stages while simultaneously allowing a selected formation to be accessed. The downhole tools and methods can be used in vertical or directional wells, and additionally in cased or open-hole wellbores. | 02-13-2014 |
20130255667 | SOLID PARTICLE THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE DESIGN FOR A FLUIDIZED-BED CONCENTRATING SOLAR POWER PLANT - A fluidized-bed concentrating solar power plant comprises a particle receiver configured to contain solid state particles, wherein the particle receiver heats the solid state particles by transferring thermal energy from sunlight to the solid state particles. The plant also comprises a first silo configured to receive and store heated solid state particles from the particle receiver; a heat exchanger configured to receive the heated solid state particles from the first silo and generate a fluidized mixture comprising the heated solid state particles suspended in a gas; and a second silo configured to feed cooled solid state particles to the particle receiver, the cooled solid state particle extracted from the fluidized mixture. The first silo and the second silo each comprise a foundation comprising a base supported by a plurality of micropile units. Each micropile unit comprises a plurality of micropile columns coupled to a support block which supports the base. | 10-03-2013 |
20130235694 | GEOLOGICAL MEDIUM EXPLORATION - Systems and methods for geological medium exploration are provided herein. A method of geological medium exploration may include generating vibrations in a geological medium and recording wave-fields at a surface and in a borehole. Additionally, the method may include obtaining a wave field modification operator and applying the wave-field operator to a full range of seismic data to achieve a spectrally-modified wave field. | 09-12-2013 |
20130230879 | OPTICAL ALIGNMENT DEFORMATION SPECTROSCOPY - A microfluidic system, device, and method are disclosed. The microfluidic system may include a first microfluidic channel and a second microfluidic channel, each of which are carrying one or more objects. There is an intersection between the first and second microfluidic channels where one or more objects from the first microfluidic channel impact one or more objects from the second microfluidic channel under hydrodynamic forces. The impact causes the objects to deform and the deformation of objects can be analyzed to determine properties of the object. | 09-05-2013 |
20130120840 | Spectroscopic polarimeter - A spectroscopic polarimeter and methods of manufacturing the same are provided. The spectroscopic polarimeter is described as being fabricated by etching or patterning grooves into a substrate with a centrally smooth area, laying down an opaque thin layer of metal, etching out a central cavity from the metal, laying down a thin layer of dielectric material, and then laying down metal over the cavity. Optionally, before or after the dielectric layer is laid, a thicker metal barrier at the edge of the design can be laid as well. | 05-16-2013 |
20130102040 | USE OF ENDOGENOUS PROMOTERS IN GENETIC ENGINEERING OF NANNOCHLOROPSIS GADITANA - The present disclosure is directed to novel polynucleotide sequences for use in | 04-25-2013 |
20120329099 | Modified Algae for Improved Biofuel Productivity - Methods, processes, and systems for the production of lipids and starch from modified algae are disclosed. In one embodiment, the modified algae over-expresses isoamylase and accumulates much higher amounts of starch than unmodified algae. In some embodiments, the modified algae comprises one or more copies of an isoamylase expression construct. In one embodiment, the modified algae is a sta7 | 12-27-2012 |
20120261567 | METAL OXIDE LASER IONIZATION-MASS SPECTROMETRY - Disclosed herein are metal oxides, metal oxide surfaces, and methods of using metal oxides and metal oxide surfaces for matrix-free analysis, identification, and characterization of small molecular mass compounds. The disclosed compounds and methods may be used with laser desorption/ionization-mass spectrometry. The disclosed surfaces may aid in producing mass/charge spectra having low or no interference found with traditional matrices. In some aspects, the method may be used to produce molecular ions. The disclosed compounds, surfaces, and methods may be used to analyze complex mixtures including fuels, vegetable shortening, lipid extracts from a variety of organic sources such as animals, plants, bacteria, algae, viruses, etc | 10-18-2012 |
20120219102 | NUCLEAR BATTERY BASED ON HYDRIDE/THORIUM FUEL - Methods, processes, and systems of transportable nuclear batteries are provided. In one embodiment, the battery may comprise a sealed reactor shell, a reactor core, and a generator. In further embodiments, the transportable nuclear battery may comprise a nuclear fuel in the reactor core wherein the fuel comprises plutonium, carbon, hydrogen, zirconium and, thorium. In some embodiments, the fuel may comprise hydrogen-containing glass microspheres, wherein the glass microspheres, may be coated with a burnable poison, and other coating materials that may aid in keeping the hydrogen within the microsphere glass at relatively high temperature. The disclosed methods, processes and systems may aid in providing energy to remote areas. | 08-30-2012 |
20120128999 | SULFUR-RESISTANT COMPOSITE METAL MEMBRANES - The invention provides thin, hydrogen-permeable, sulfur-resistant membranes formed from palladium or palladium-alloy coatings on porous, ceramic or metal supports. Also disclosed are methods of making these membranes via sequential electroless plating techniques. | 05-24-2012 |
20120085642 | POLAROGRAPHIC INSTRUMENT SYSTEM FOR OXYGEN AND HYDROGEN MEASUREMENT - A system for measuring hydrogen (H | 04-12-2012 |
20120085548 | Downhole Tools and Methods for Selectively Accessing a Tubular Annulus of a Wellbore - A downhole tool is provided that selectively opens and closes an axial/lateral bore of a tubular string positioned in a wellbore used to produce hydrocarbons or other fluids. When integrated into a tubular string, the downhole tool allows individual producing zones within a wellbore to be isolated between stimulation stages while simultaneously allowing a selected formation to be accessed. The downhole tools and methods can be used in vertical or directional wells, and additionally in cased or open-hole wellbores. | 04-12-2012 |
20120037566 | OSMOTICALLY-ASSISTED DESALINATION METHOD AND SYSTEM - Systems and methods for osmotically assisted desalination include using a pressurized concentrate from a pressure desalination process to pressurize a feed to the desalination process. The depressurized concentrate thereby produced is used as a draw solution for a pressure-retarded osmosis process. The pressure-retarded osmosis unit produces a pressurized draw solution stream that is used to pressurize another feed to the desalination process. In one example, the feed to the pressure-retarded osmosis process is impaired water. | 02-16-2012 |
20120034700 | METHODS TO RADIOLABEL NATURAL ORGANIC MATTER BY REDUCTION WITH HYDROGEN LABELED REDUCING AGENTS - Methods to radiolabel natural organic matter by reduction with a hydrogen labeled reducing agent, and compositions, are provided. | 02-09-2012 |
20110227006 | ACIDIC ION EXCHANGE MEMBRANE AND METHOD FOR MAKING AND USING THE SAME - The invention relates generally to a polymeric composition and a method for making and using the polymeric composition, more specifically to a polymeric composition and a method for making and using the polymeric composition in the form of a membrane. | 09-22-2011 |
20110201076 | HARVESTING MICRO ALGAE - A reusable composite paramagnetic particle may comprise a paramagnetic core encased by a protective material to which is grafted a tendril layer comprising a plurality of polymeric chains. The polymeric chains may be designed to interact with a microorganism. The interaction between the microorganism and the polymeric chain may be electrostatic. The nanoparticle may be used in a method to isolate or recover microorganisms from solutions using an externally applied magnetic field. | 08-18-2011 |
20100294670 | SYNTHESIS OF BORON USING MOLTEN SALT ELECTROLYSIS - The invention relates generally to elemental boron, particularly to elemental boron having a high purity level and to a method of recovering elemental boron by the electrolysis of a molten boron-containing electrolyte. | 11-25-2010 |
20100283496 | TRANSMISSION-MODULATED PHOTOCONDUCTIVE DECAY MEASUREMENT SYSTEM - A system and method for measuring recombination lifetime of a photoconductor or semiconductor material in real time and without physically contacting the material involving positioning the sample material between a transmitter and a receiver so that electromagnetic signals, preferably radio frequency signals, traveling from the transmitter to the receiver pass through the sample material. The electromagnetic signals are modulated as they pass through the sample material depending on the carrier density and conductivity of the sample material. The modulated electromagnetic signals received by the receiver are then analyzed to determine the carrier recombination lifetime of the sample material. | 11-11-2010 |
20100014808 | Hybrid dielectric/surface plasmon polariton waveguide with grating coupling - The present invention provides a hybrid dielectric/SPP waveguide that can form either a single mode, single polarization waveguide, or a multi-mode waveguide. When multi-mode, this invention effectively transfers energy back and forth between the dielectric waveguide and metal surface. This improves on standard SPP modes, yielding longer range propagation along with high intensity near the metal surface at decisive locations. When single-mode, this hybrid waveguide allows for control of propagation and confinement for applications such as telecommunications optics integrated on silicon microchips. Gratings may be patterned in the metal for coupling light into and out of the modes or for use as mirrors in the mode. For areas where very long ranges are required, a metal grating may be used to couple light into the mode, but then the metal may be removed in other regions and make the range of the mode virtually infinite (limited by surface roughness). | 01-21-2010 |
20100003082 | Method and Compositions for Treatment of Subsurface Contaminants - Compositions and methods are provided for oxidizing subsurface contaminants. Compositions include compatible combinations of surfactants, cosolvents and chemical oxidants. Compositions have been identified that provide compatible combinations of surfactants and chemical oxidants that maximize oxidant productivity on solubilized contaminants. The compositions and methods are especially effective on the treatment of dense non-aqueous phase liquids or DNAPLs. | 01-07-2010 |
20090292046 | HIGH MODULUS POLYMER COMPOSITES AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME - The invention provides methods of producing composite polymers by combining fillers with polymers in the presence of pre-formed high molecular weight polymer. Monomer polymerization can be initiated through the addition of initiators or by reactive chemical groups on the surface of the fibers. The composite materials formed possess superior mechanical properties compared to similar polymer composites made by either purely mechanical mixing or solely polymerization of monomers in the presence of the fillers. | 11-26-2009 |
20090258341 | Compositions and Methods for Detecting Bacteria - Genetically modified bacteriophage and methods of using the same to detect bacterial types of interest are provided. | 10-15-2009 |
20090246753 | Detection of Phage Amplification by SERS Nanoparticles - A phage specific antibody presenting particle, devices and methods related to detection of phage amplification are provided. | 10-01-2009 |
20090208809 | POLYMER ELECTROLYTES INCLUDING HETEROPOLYACIDS - This disclosure provides polymer electrolytes, polymer electrolyte membranes (PEM's) and membrane electrode assemblies (MEA's) such as may be useful in fuel cells which contain or comprise polyoxometalates (POM's) or heteropolyacids (HPA's). In some embodiments the polyoxometalate, it's counterions or both may comprise Mn and/or Ce. In some embodiments the polymer electrolyte is fluorinated. In some embodiments the polymer electrolyte comprises a second acidic functional group other than a polyoxometalate. In another aspect, the present disclosure provides methods of making polymer electrolytes including methods which comprising a step of copolymerizing monomers comprising a covalently bound polyoxometalates and methods which comprise a step of covalently attaching a polyoxometalate to the polymer. | 08-20-2009 |
20090188795 | Cell sorting device and method of manufacturing the same - A system, method and apparatus employing the laminar nature of fluid flows in microfluidic flow devices in separating, sorting or filtering colloidal and/or cellular particles from a suspension in a microfluidic flow device is disclosed. The microfluidic flow device provides for separating a particle within a suspension flow in a microfluidic flow chamber. The chamber includes a microfluidic channel comprising at least one inlet port for receiving a suspension flow under laminar conditions, a first outlet port and a second outlet port. The chamber further includes an interface for translating a particle within the channel. The first outlet port receives a first portion of the suspension exiting the said channel and the second outlet port receives the particle in a second portion of the suspension exiting the channel. | 07-30-2009 |
20090110010 | FIBER-FOCUSED DIODE-BAR OPTICAL TRAPPING FOR MICROFLUIDIC MANIPULATION - The direct integration of light and optical control into microfluidic systems presents a significant hurdle to the development of portable optical trapping-based devices. A simple, inexpensive fiber-based approach is provided that allows for easy implementation of diode-bars for optical particle separations within flowing microfluidic systems. Models have also been developed that demonstrate the advantages of manipulating particles within flow using linear geometries as opposed to individually focused point traps as traditionally employed in optical-trapping micromanipulation. | 04-30-2009 |
20090062828 | MAGNETIC FIELD-BASED COLLOIDAL ATHERECTOMY - Methods, devices, and systems for performing a non-invasive form of angioplasty are provided. The device may include one or many magnetically controlled colloidal particles that can be used to scrub the interior walls of arteries or the like. The colloidal particles may be organized in any number of configurations and may also be moved in any number of ways in an effort to maximize the amount of plaque removed from the artery. | 03-05-2009 |
20090052827 | Silicon-Compatible Surface Plasmon Optical Elements - This invention provides fundamental science and novel device architectures for surface plasmon (SP)-based, complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS)-compatible, optical elements such as modulators, couplers, and switches. The primary focus of the work is on waveguides based on an ultra-long-range surface plasmon (ULRSP) waveguide mode recently discovered by our team. This mode exists at the metal-dielectric interfaces in a silicon-oxide-metal-silicon layer structure. While initial work focuses on noble metals to support the ULRSP, our analysis shows Si processing-compatible metals such as Cu and Al can also be used. Our modeling has also shown that variation in the thickness of the oxide layer can be used to give unprecedented propagation lengths in such structures. Electrically-induced free carrier modulation of the dielectric constant in the Si adjacent to the oxide can modulate the waveguide properties allowing novel Si-compatible electro-optic devices to be created. These waveguides function as the “wiring” in new classes of optical chips. This invention also provides integration of ULRSP waveguides and switches with other optical elements to create entirely new classes of hybrid optoelectronic technologies for defense applications. These range from chip-based chemical agent detection to extremely high performance processors and even all-optical computations. | 02-26-2009 |
20090026387 | OPTICAL-BASED CELL DEFORMABILITY - A system, method, and device for re-orienting and/or deforming cells and other objects is provided. The system, method, and device may include a high-throughput setup that facilitates the ability to orient, deform, analyze, measure, and/or tag objects at a substantially higher rate than was previously possible. A relatively large number of cells and other objects can be deformed, by optical forces for example, as the cells and other objects a flowed through the system. | 01-29-2009 |
20080250863 | PIEZOELECTRIC SENSOR BASED SMART-DIE STRUCTURE FOR PREDICTING THE ONSET OF FAILURE DURING DIE CASTING OPERATIONS - An in-situ apparatus is provided for monitoring the state of stress/strain and cracking in a die surface. The apparatus may also be used to facilitate the prudent removal of the die from the surface so that it may be repaired before catastrophic failure occurs. Accordingly, the yield of a process used to generate die cast structures may be greatly increased. | 10-16-2008 |
20080245147 | SYSTEM FOR AND METHOD OF MONITORING PROPERTIES OF A FLUID FLOWING THROUGH A PIPE - A system and method for determining a fluid property for a fluid flowing in a pipe may include sensing baseline vibrations when test fluids with known values for a fluid property (e.g., fluid density or fluid viscosity) flow through the pipe, or computer modeling the baseline vibrations. The baseline vibrations are analyzed via cross-correlation and/or deconvolution to separate the fluid filled pipe's baseline combined structural response from excitation and base coupling effects. During field or other operations, sensors may take vibrational readings along the pipe when an operational fluid (e.g., drilling fluid) flows through the pipe. The operational vibrations may be analyzed via cross-correlation and/or deconvolution to separate the operational combined structural response of the fluid filled pipe from excitation and base coupling effects. The baseline and operational structural responses may compared. Similarities or differences in the structural responses may be used to determine fluid properties of the operational fluid. | 10-09-2008 |
20080199632 | Self-Limiting Thin Film Synthesis Achieved by Pulsed Plasma-Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition | 08-21-2008 |