Simon Fraser University Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20160120256 | IMPACT DIVERTING MECHANISM - An impact diverting mechanism having a top layer and a bottom layer is provided. The two layers are connected such that the top layer is configured to move in relation to the bottom layer when impacted, and therefore is able to divert impact and reduce rotational and linear acceleration on the bottom layer. The impact diverting mechanism may be attached to, or configured to attach to, an object in need of protection, such as a helmet. | 05-05-2016 |
20150367127 | TRANSVASCULAR DIAPHRAGM PACING SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF USE - Transvascular diaphragm pacing systems (TOPS) and methods are disclosed for providing respiratory therapy to a patient. The TDPS can provide rapid insertion and deployment of endo vascular pacing electrodes in critically ill patients who require intubation and invasive PPMV in order to support the physiological requirements of she human ventilatory system. The systems and methods make best use of the contractile properties of the diaphragm muscle and prevent muscle disuse and muscle atrophy. This can be carried out by engaging the phrenic nerves using patterned functional electrical stimulation applied to endovascular electrodes that are temporarily and reversibly inserted in central veins of the patient, such as the left subclavian vein and the superior vena cava. The TDPS can be designed to seamlessly interface with any commercially available positive-pressure ventilatory assistance/support equipment such as is commonly in use in hospital intensive care units (ICU) for treating critically ill patients with breathing insufficiencies, pain, trauma, sepsis or neurological diseases or deficits. | 12-24-2015 |
20150306397 | TRANSVASCULAR NERVE STIMULATION APPARATUS AND METHODS - Electrode structures for transvascular nerve stimulation combine electrodes with an electrically-insulating backing layer. The backing layer increases the electrical impedance of electrical paths through blood in a lumen of a blood vessel and consequently increases the flow of electrical current through surrounding tissues. The electrode structures may be applied to stimulate nerves such as the phrenic, vagus, trigeminal, obturator or other nerves. | 10-29-2015 |
20150259371 | METHODS AND COMPOUNDS FOR INHIBITING GLYCOSYLTRANSFERASES - The invention provides, in part, compounds that are capable of inhibiting a glycosyltransferase, such as a uridine diphospho-N-acetylglucosamine:polypeptide β N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase, an N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase, a fucosyltransferase, a xylotransferase or a sialyltransferase. The invention also provides methods for using the compounds. | 09-17-2015 |
20150202448 | SYSTEMS AND RELATED METHODS FOR OPTIMIZATION OF MULTI-ELECTRODE NERVE PACING - This disclosure describes, among other embodiments, systems and related methods for selecting electrode combinations to be used during nerve pacing procedures. A first set of electrode combinations of a nerve pacing system, such as a phrenic nerve pacing system for diaphragm activation, may be mapped (or tested) to determine the location of the electrode combinations relative to a target nerve. Once the general location of the target nerve is known, a more localized second set of electrode combinations may be tested to determine the most suitable electrode combinations for nerve stimulation. At various stages of the mapping process, electrode combinations that are non-optimal may be discarded as candidates for use in a nerve pacing procedure. The systems and methods described herein may allow for the selection of electrode combinations that are most suitable for stimulation of the left and right phrenic nerves during diaphragm pacing. | 07-23-2015 |
20150148877 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR ASSISTED BREATHING BY TRANSVASCULAR NERVE STIMULATION - A catheter may include electrodes for transvascular nerve stimulation. The electrodes may be positioned within lumens of the catheter and aligned with apertures in the outer wall of the catheter. The electrodes may produce focused electrical fields for stimulation of one or more nerves. In one embodiment, the catheter may include a set of proximal electrodes and a set of distal electrodes, and the proximal electrodes may stimulate a patient's left phrenic nerve and the distal electrodes may stimulate a patient's right phrenic nerve. | 05-28-2015 |
20150073063 | ANION-CONDUCTING POLYMER - Disclosed herein are anion-conducting polymers that comprise a cationic benzimidazolium and imidazolium moieties. Methods of forming the polymers and membranes comprising the polymers are also provided. | 03-12-2015 |
20140343632 | TRANSVASCULAR NERVE STIMULATION APPARATUS AND METHODS - Electrode structures for transvascular nerve stimulation combine electrodes with an electrically-insulating backing layer. The backing layer increases the electrical impedance of electrical paths through blood in a lumen of a blood vessel and consequently increases the flow of electrical current through surrounding tissues. The electrode structures may be applied to stimulate nerves such as the phrenic, vagus, trigeminal, obturator or other nerves. | 11-20-2014 |
20140189945 | IMPACT DIVERTING MECHANISM - An impact diverting mechanism comprising a top layer and a bottom layer is provided. The two layers are connected such that the top layer is configured to move in relation to the bottom layer when impacted, and therefore is able to divert impact and reduce rotational and linear acceleration on the bottom layer. The impact diverting mechanism may be attached to, or configured to attach to, an object in need of protection, such as a helmet. | 07-10-2014 |
20140051719 | Selective Glycosidase Inhibitors and Uses Thereof - The invention provides compounds of Formula (I) for selectively inhibiting glycosidases, prodrugs of the compounds, and pharmaceutical compositions including the compounds or prodrugs of the compounds. The invention also provides methods of treating diseases and disorders related to deficiency or overexpression of O-GlcNAcase, accumulation or deficiency of O-GlcNAc. | 02-20-2014 |
20140039286 | TRANSVASCULAR NERVE STIMULATION APPARATUS AND METHODS - Electrode structures for transvascular nerve stimulation combine electrodes with an electrically-insulating backing layer. The backing layer increases the electrical impedance of electrical paths through blood in a lumen of a blood vessel and consequently increases the flow of electrical current through surrounding tissues. The electrode structures may be applied to stimulate nerves such as the phrenic, vagus, trigeminal, obturator or other nerves. | 02-06-2014 |
20140035266 | INFLATION METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AN AIRBAG - An airbag device includes an airbag comprising foam bulk at least partially surrounded by a flexible membrane, the airbag compressible from a second volume to a first volume; a locking mechanism for maintaining the airbag compressed to the first volume; a one-way valve openable to deliver air to the airbag when the locking mechanism is released; and wherein when the locking mechanism is released, the airbag expands. | 02-06-2014 |
20130272042 | CONTROL TECHNIQUE FOR A THREE-PHASE BOOST CONVERTER TO ACHIEVE RESISTIVE INPUT BEHAVIOR - A three-phase boost converter is disclosed, as well as a related control technique. In certain embodiments, the provided boost converter enables efficient transfer of energy from an irregular input power source to a battery storage device or a DC link. To achieve maximum power absorption in such cases, the provided embodiments utilize a variable resistive behavior across each phase of the converter using feedback control. | 10-17-2013 |
20130219446 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MULTIPLEXING OF VARIABLE BIT-RATE VIDEO STREAMS IN MOBILE VIDEO SYSTEMS - A method of transmitting a live video stream and a pre-recorded video stream over a wireless network to a mobile device, the method including: receiving the live video stream and the pre-recorded video stream for a current scheduling window; dividing the live video stream and the pre-recorded video stream into segments in the current scheduling window, each segment including an aggregate data amount, a transmission start time and a transmission end time; determining a transmission schedule for the current scheduling window, said transmission schedule including the segments; locating slack time slots, the slack time slots being time slots for which no segment is allocated; and scheduling bursts associated with the pre-recorded video stream in the slack time slots. | 08-22-2013 |
20130131185 | Methods and Compositions for Control of Cabbage Looper, Trichoplusia ni - The invention provides in part dialkoxybenzene compounds for controlling infestation by a | 05-23-2013 |
20130110266 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CONTROL OF HUMAN LOCOMOTION | 05-02-2013 |
20130109735 | SALACINOL AND PONKORANOL HOMOLOGUES, DERIVATIVES THEREOF, AND METHODS OF SYNTHESIZING SAME | 05-02-2013 |
20120316207 | SELECTIVE GLYCOSIDASE INHIBITORS AND USES THEREOF - The invention provides compounds of formula (I) for selectively inhibiting glycosidases, prodrugs of the compounds, and pharmaceutical compositions including the compounds or prodrugs of the compounds. The invention also provides methods of treating diseases and disorders related to deficiency or overexpression of O-GlcNAcase, accumulation or deficiency of O-GlcNAc. | 12-13-2012 |
20120108451 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR NANOPARTICLE-ASSISTED NUCLEIC ACID HYBRIDIZATION AND MICROARRAY ANALYSIS - The invention provides nucleic acid hybridization methods for detecting target nucleic acid sequences wherein complexes comprising nanoparticles non-covalently associated with single-stranded tartlet nucleic acid molecules are incubated with immobilized probe nucleic acid molecules. Because the nanoparticles function as competitors in the hybridization reaction between the target nucleic acid molecules and the probe nucleic acid molecules. The methods provide a high degree of discrimination between a perfectly matched target sequence and a sequence having at least a single-base-pair mismatch, even when the hybridization reaction is performed at room temperature. The invention also provides microarray methods and apparatus which incorporate the nanoparticle-assisted hybridization methods. | 05-03-2012 |
20120095033 | Selective Glycosidase Inhibitors and Uses Thereof - The invention provides compounds of Formula (I) for selectively inhibiting glycosidases, prodrugs of the compounds, and pharmaceutical compositions including the compounds or prodrugs of the compounds. The invention also provides methods of treating diseases and disorders related to deficiency or overexpression of O-GlcNAcase, accumulation or deficiency of O-GlcNAc. | 04-19-2012 |
20120058504 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DIELECTROPHORETIC SHUTTLING AND MEASUREMENT OF SINGLE CELLS OR OTHER PARTICLES IN MICROFLUIDIC CHIPS - The invention relates to a microfluidic device. The microfluidic device comprises a fluid chamber comprising a particle retention region for retaining at least one particle, such as a cell. The microfluidic device also comprises a plurality of electrodes extending into the particle retention region for applying a dielectrophoretic (DEP) force to controllably move the particle within the particle retention region. The invention also relates to methods of using the microfluidic device to controllably move the particle within the microfluidic device and to monitor, observe, or measure a parameter of the particle. The particle movement may be caused by a DEP force and/or a fluidic force. | 03-08-2012 |
20120010254 | COMPOUNDS AND METHODS FOR TREATMENT OF INFLUENZA - The present invention provides in part a compound of Formula (I) or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt or stereoisomer thereof: where R | 01-12-2012 |
20110268822 | METHODS FOR SYNTHESIZING KOTALANOL AND STEREOISOMERS AND ANALOGUES THEREOF, AND NOVEL COMPOUNDS PRODUCED THEREBY - Compounds having the general formula (I): wherein X is S, Se or NH, and stereoisomers thereof, and de-O-sulfonated analogues of all of the foregoing, but excluding naturally occurring kotalanol and de-O-sulfonated kotalanol, and methods for synthesizing same. The compounds are useful as glycosidase inhibitors, and may be used in the treatment of diabetes. The synthetic compounds may also be used as standards in the calibration or grading of natural or herbal remedies produced from natural sources of glycosidase inhibitors such as kotalanol. | 11-03-2011 |
20110237631 | Selective Glycosidase Inhibitors and Uses Thereof - The invention provides compounds of Formula (I) for selectively inhibiting glycosidases, prodrugs of the compounds, and pharmaceutical compositions including the compounds or prodrugs of the compounds. The invention also provides methods of treating diseases and disorders related to deficiency or overexpression of O-GlcNAcase, accumulation or deficiency of O-GlcN Ac. | 09-29-2011 |
20110151377 | Compositions Including Magnetic Materials - Compositions including hard magnetic photoresists, soft photoresists, hard magnetic elastomers and soft magnetic elastomers are provided. | 06-23-2011 |
20110116569 | WIRELESS DATA COMMUNICATION METHODS AND APPARATUS - A data communication system has a station that includes multiple antenna elements. The station communicates to the antenna elements by way of digital data channels. Each antenna is connected to an RF module that receives data by way of a corresponding digital data channel, encodes and transmits the data. Adaptive beamforming may be performed for interference mitigation. Embodiments use the strength of pilot signals and/or error vector magnitudes as cost functions for an adaptive beamforming alogorithm such as optimum combining. Unused sub-carriers may be applied to provide in-band communication to facilitate channel switching, data reallocation and other interference mitigation strategies. | 05-19-2011 |
20110103212 | METHODS FOR ASSESSING THE RESULTS OF DISC-BASED BIOASSAYS WITH STANDARD COMPUTER OPTICAL DRIVES - Methods and systems are described for assessing the results of a bioassay between probe biomolecules and target biomolecules using a conventional optical disc drive. Particular methods involve: bonding the probe biomolecules to a polycarbonate (PC) surface of an optical disc having digital data comprising error-detection redundancies recorded thereon; introducing the target biomolecules to the PC surface of the optical disc in a vicinity of the bonded probe biomolecules; processing the bioassay to alter a manner in which a read light from the optical disc drive interacts optically with the optical disc in a vicinity of positive bioassay results where the target biomolecules have bonded to the probe biomolecules; reading the digital data from the optical disc using the optical drive and using the error-detection redundancies to detect errors in the digital data read by the optical drive; mapping the detected errors to corresponding locations on the optical disc; and determining that positive bioassay results have occurred at the locations of the detected errors. | 05-05-2011 |
20110011181 | ROTATION SENSING APPARATUS AND METHODS - Angular rate sensors cause a stream of fluid to flow by heating the fluid. A trajectory of the stream of fluid is deflected by Coriolis forces. Apparatus according to some embodiments provides two heaters spaced apart along a channel. A stream of gas can be made to flow along the channel by operating one of the heaters. The flow can be periodically reversed by alternating operation of the heaters. Temperature sensors may be applied to detect deflection of the flowing gas. Angular rate sensors may be fabricated inexpensively by micromachining techniques. | 01-20-2011 |
20100297059 | METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR CONTROL OF GYPSY MOTHS, LYMANRIA DISPAR - The invention provides in part dialkoxybenzene and eugenol compounds for controlling infestation by a | 11-25-2010 |
20100276944 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR HARVESTING BIOMECHANICAL ENERGY - Methods and apparatus are disclosed for harvesting energy from motion of one or more joints. Energy harvesters comprise: an energy converter for converting mechanical energy into corresponding electrical energy; one or more sensors for sensing one or more corresponding characteristics associated with motion of the one or more joints; and a controller connected to receive the one or more sensed characteristics and configured to assess, based at least in part on the one or more sensed characteristics, whether motion of the one or more joints is associated with mutualistic conditions or non-mutualistic conditions. If conditions are determined to be mutualistic, energy harvesting is engaged. If conditions ate determined to be non-mutualistic, energy harvesting is disengaged. | 11-04-2010 |
20100190865 | METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR CONTROL OF GYPSY MOTHS, Lymanria dispar - The invention provides in part dialkoxybenzene and eugenol compounds for controlling infestation by a | 07-29-2010 |
20100160451 | METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR CONTROL OF CABBAGE LOOPER, Trichoplusia ni - The invention provides in part dialkoxybenzene compounds for controlling infestation by a | 06-24-2010 |
20100042023 | CONTINUOUS PASSIVE AND ACTIVE MOTION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR HAND REHABILITATION - A hand rehabilitation device includes a hand support assembly and a drive mechanism. The hand support assembly being movable to flex and extend the metacarpophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joints of a user's hand independently. | 02-18-2010 |
20100041562 | MICROFLUIDIC MICROARRAY ASSEMBLIES AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURING AND USING - Microarray devices fabricated using microfluidic reagent distribution techniques are provided. As described herein, the invention encompasses microfluidic microarray assemblies (MMA) and subassemblies and methods for their manufacture and use. In one embodiment first and second channel plates are provided which may be sealed to a test chip in consecutive steps. Each channel plate includes microfluidic channels configured in a predetermined reagent distribution pattern. For example, the first channel plate may have a radial (linear) reagent distribution pattern and the second channel plate may have a spiral (curved) reagent distribution pattern, or vice versa. In one embodiment the first channel plate is connected to the test chip and at least one first reagent is distributed on the test chip in a first predetermined reagent pattern. The first reagent is then immobilized on the test chip. Next, the first channel plate is removed, the second channel plate is connected to the test chip and at least one second reagent is distributed on the test chip in a second predetermined reagent pattern. The first and second reagent patterns intersect to define a plurality of microarray test positions on the test chip. In one embodiment, the first reagent may comprise a plurality of separate probes each distributed to selected test position(s) of the microarray and the second reagent may comprise a plurality of test samples each distributed to selected test position(s) of the microarray. Positive or negative reactions between the probes (or other first reagent) and test samples (or other second reagent) may then be detected at the microarray test positions. For example, hybridization between selected nucleic acid probes and selected nucleic acid samples may be detected at particular test positions. The invention thus provides an efficient means to fabricate high density multi-probe, multi-sample microarrays. Preferably the test chips and channel plates are circular and centrifugal force is used to achieve fluid flow through the microfluidic channels, such as by rotating the MMA in a disc spinner. | 02-18-2010 |
20100036451 | TRANSVASCULAR NERVE STIMULATION APPARATUS AND METHODS - Electrode structures for transvascular nerve stimulation combine electrodes with an electrically-insulating backing layer. The backing layer increases the electrical impedance of electrical paths through blood in a lumen of a blood vessel and consequently increases the flow of electrical current through surrounding tissues. The electrode structures may be applied to stimulate nerves such as the phrenic, vagus, trigeminal, obturator or other nerves. | 02-11-2010 |
20090281190 | NOVEL ATTRACT AND KILL COMPOSITION FOR CONTROL OF PEST INSECTS - The invention relates to a composition and procedure to attract and kill insect pests. An insecticidal attract-and-kill composition comprising: an organic biodegradable matrix component from natural sources; an organic biodegradable ultraviolet light absorbent matrix component from natural sources; a biodegradable insecticidal or acaricidal compound; and a pheromonal or kairomonal attractant. | 11-12-2009 |
20090242882 | THREE-DIMENSIONAL MICROSTRUCTURES AND METHODS FOR MAKING SAME - Microstructures can be formed as patterned layers on a substrate and then erecting the microstructures out of the plane of the substrate. The microstructures may be formed over circuits in the substrate. In some embodiments the patterned layer provides resiliently-flexible members such as cantilevers or springs that can be buckled to permit an edge defined by the patterned layer to engage a surface of the substrate. In some embodiments deformation of the resiliently-flexible members results the edge being forced against the substrate. Such microstructures may be applied in a wide range of applications including supporting optical elements, sensors, antennas or the like out of the plane of a substrate. Examples of accelerometer structures are described. | 10-01-2009 |
20090242856 | BIREFRINGENT METAL-CONTAINING COORDINATION POLYMERS - This application relates to metal-containing coordination polymers having high birefringent values. For example, polymers having birefringent values within the range of 0.07 to 0.45 are described. The polymers may comprise units having the formula M(L) | 10-01-2009 |
20090130768 | VAPOCHROMIC COORDINATION POLYMERS FOR USE IN ANALYTE DETECTION - This application relates to vaprochromic coordination polymers useful for analyte detection. The vapochromism may be observed by visible color changes, changes in luminescence, and/or spectroscopic changes in the infrared (IR) signature. One or more of the above chromatic changes may be relied upon to identify a specific analyte, such as a volatile organic compound or a gas. The chromatic changes may be reversible to allow for successive analysis of different analytes using the same polymer. The polymer has the general formula M | 05-21-2009 |
20090076294 | CONTROLLED NUCLEATION OF SOLUTES IN SOLUTIONS HAVING NET CHARGE TO PROMOTE CRYSTAL GROWTH - This application is concerned with the controlled nucleation of solutes (i.e. dissolved solids) from solution. It has been found that the energy barrier for dissolved solids to nucleate is affected by the surface charge density of the reaction vessel (and hence the mass-to-charge ratio of vessel). The reaction vessel may, for example, comprise a levitated droplet of the solution having an “excess net charge”. That is, ions present in the vessel of a single polarity are in excess of the counterions of opposite polarity. An increase in the surface charge density of the vessel (and hence a reduction in the mass-to-charge ratio of the vessel) causes the barrier for nucleation to decrease. These findings can be exploited using instruments commonly used in wall-less sample preparation to elicit selective control over the induction of nucleation and subsequent crystallization of target solutes of interest in the condensed phase. The ion induced nucleation phenomenon, in reaction vessels having a desirable surface charge density, is likely to be general for all dissolved solids, ranging from inorganic compounds, to low and high molecular weight organic compounds, including proteins and other molecules. For example the present invention can be used to selectively crystallize a target solute or to separate different solutes from one another based on their propensity to nucleate at different reaction conditions. The different solutes could constitute different compounds or different stereochemical forms of same compound. The invention could also be exploited to controllably select or separate polymorphic forms of a compound (which may often have very different biological activity). The crystals derived from the process could be the subject of further analysis, characterization or manipulation, for example as a prepared sample for MALDI-TOF MS. | 03-19-2009 |
20080293160 | DNA AND RNA CONFORMATIONAL SWITCHES AS SENSITIVE ELECTRONIC SENSORS OF ANALYTES - The electrical conductivity of DNA and other oligonucleotide constructs is dependent on its conformational state. Such a dependence may be harnessed for the electronic sensing of external analytes, for instance, adenosine or thrombin. Such a DNA sensor incorporates an analyte receptor, whose altered conformation in the presence of bound analyte switches the conformation, and hence, the conductive path between two oligonucleotide stems, such as double-helical DNA. Two distinct designs for such sensors are described that permit significant electrical conduction through a first or “detector” double-helical stem only in the presence of the bound analyte. In the first design, current flows through the analyte receptor itself whereas, in the second, current flows in a path adjacent to the receptor. The former design may be especially suitable for certain categories of analytes, including heterocycle-containing compounds such as adenosine, whereas the latter design should be generally applicable to the detection of any molecular analyte, large or small, such as the protein thrombin. Since analyte detection in these DNA sensors is electronic, the sensors may be used in rapid and automated chip-based detection of small molecules as well as of proteins and other macromolecules. | 11-27-2008 |
20080287375 | Selective Glycosidase Inhibitors, Methods of Making Inhibitors, and Uses Thereof - The invention comprises compounds for selectively inhibiting glycosidases, prodrugs of the compounds, and pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds or prodrugs of the compounds. The invention also comprises animal models and methods of making the animal models for studying diseases and disorders related to deficiency or overexpression of O-GlcNAcase, accumulation or deficiency of O-GlcNAc, and treatment of such diseases and disorders. The invention also comprises methods of treating such diseases and disorders. The invention also comprises methods of making the compounds, and methods of making selective glycosidase inhibitors. | 11-20-2008 |
20080274917 | Surface activation methods for polymeric substrates to provide biochip platforms and methods for detection of biomolecules thereon - A surface activation method is provided to convert polycarbonate (PC) substrates, e.g., plastic bases of optical discs, to biochip platforms. Such surface activation methods comprise providing an ozone enriched environment in a vicinity of the surface and irradiating the surface with UV radiation. Once activated, the surfaces can be used for DNA probe immobilization and target detection or other bioassays. | 11-06-2008 |
20080259182 | High Gain Digital Imaging System - The present invention provides digital imaging architectures comprising detectors coupled to readout circuitry, wherein the readout circuitry is capable of providing large amplification to small, noise sensitive input signals to improve their noise immunity, as well as capable of providing a fast pixel readout time. The readout circuitry comprises an on-pixel amplification transistor as well as additional transistors used to read out the amplified signal and/or to reset the amplified output signal stored by a portion of the circuit prior to reading a subsequent signal. The present invention also provides readout circuitry that is capable of providing large amplification and thus additional noise immunity to the input signal from the detector by implementing another amplification stage within the readout circuitry. The readout circuitry can function in particular modes, the use of which can depend on characteristics of the input signals transferred to the readout circuitry from the detectors, or can depend on the characteristics of the output signal required from the readout circuitry. | 10-23-2008 |
20080258113 | Phosphonium Ionic Liquids as Recyclable Solvents for Solution Phase Chemistry - This application relates to the use of phosphonium-based ionic liquids as recyclable solvents for solution phase chemistry. The ionic liquids may be used, for example, as solvents for reactions involving Grignard reagents, hydridic reagents, metallic and non-metallic reducing agents, and strong bases, including nucleophilic carbenes and Wittig reagents. In one embodiment the invention may comprise homogeneous mixtures of strong bases/nucleophiles/reducing agents and tetrahydrocarbylphosphonium salt ionic liquids. The invention also relates to chemical processes that may proceed in either minimally flammable solvent, or a complete absence of flammable solvent, including systems containing strong reducing agents such as alkali and alkaline metals or metal and non-metal hydrides. Methods for generating anions and nucleophililic carbenes (imidazol-2-ylidenes) (and complexes derived from them) in phosphonium-based ionic liquids are also described. The invention demonstrates the feasibility of using phosphonium-based ionic liquids as a reliable reaction media for a wide variety of basic reagents. The problems associated with C—H activation in imidazolium-based ionic liquids by highly reactive bases are not observed for phosphonium-based ionic liquids. | 10-23-2008 |