WOODS HOLE OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTITUTION Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20160015686 | Methods and Compositions for Increasing Antibiotic Activity - One aspect of the invention provides a method of inhibiting an efflux pump in a bacteria, the method comprising contacting the bacteria with 3,4-dibromopyrrole-2,5-dione, thereby inhibiting the efflux pump. Another aspect provides a method of inhibiting proliferation of a bacteria, the method comprising contacting the bacteria with 3,4-dibromopyrrole-2,5-dione and an antibiotic, thereby inhibiting the proliferation of the bacteria. Another aspect of the invention provides a method of increasing the efficacy of an antibiotic, the method comprising contacting a bacteria with 3,4-dibromopyrrole-2,5-dione and an antibiotic, thereby increasing the efficacy of the antibiotic. Another aspect provides a method of inhibiting development of antibiotic resistance in a bacteria, the method comprising contacting the bacteria with 3,4-dibromopyrrole-2,5-dione and an antibiotic, thereby inhibiting development of resistance to the antibiotic. Another aspect of the invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for treating a bacterial infection comprising an effective amount of 3,4-dibromopyrrole-2,5-dione in a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. | 01-21-2016 |
20140171608 | USE OF MARINE ALGAE FOR PRODUCING POLYMERS - In certain aspects, the disclosure provides methods for producing polymers from alkenone-producing algae, such as algae species of the | 06-19-2014 |
20140078584 | MARINE ENVIRONMENT ANTIFOULING SYSTEM AND METHODS - The present invention relates to systems and methods for reducing fouling of a surface of an optically transparent element with a light source. According to one aspect, the invention is a system including an LED for emitting UV-C radiation, a mount for directing emitted UV-C radiation toward the optically transparent element, and control circuitry for driving the LED. The system may be used to remove a desired amount of biofilm. | 03-20-2014 |
20130060477 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TOPOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS - The systems and methods described herein provide a scientific and analytical basis for the following: (a) collective interpretation of the entire spectrum of chromatographic data, e.g., GC×GC two-dimensional data, with capability of operating at multi-resolution over bigger or smaller sub-regions of the two-dimensional data, (b) given two or more samples that are from the same source, and some samples from clearly different sources, quantitatively estimate where the fingerprint of the source lies, (c) given a source signature template, an unknown sample can be compared to decide whether it is related to, and if so, to what degree, to this source, and (d) given two source signature templates, the templates can be compared to determine how related is one source to the other. | 03-07-2013 |
20130040515 | COMPLIANT OCEAN WAVE MITIGATION DEVICE AND METHOD TO ALLOW UNDERWATER SOUND DETECTION WITH OCEANOGRAPHIC BUOY MOORINGS - The systems and methods described herein relate to a device which enables oceanographic surface buoy mooring systems to detect and monitor underwater noise at most sea state and weather conditions. In particular, the systems and methods described herein provide mooring systems that can support a hydrophone or other underwater listening devices connected to a surface buoy located at a deep sea position. As will be more fully described below, the mooring includes an expandable tether cable/hose that reduces noise generated underwater when the buoy moves in response to wave and weather. | 02-14-2013 |
20120269037 | BROADBAND SOUND SOURCE FOR LONG DISTANCE UNDERWATER SOUND PROPAGATION - The systems described include a light-weight, low frequency (200 Hz-1000 Hz), broadband underwater sound sources that comprise an inner resonator tube with thin walls tuned to a certain frequency surrounded by a shorter, larger-diameter, lower frequency tuned outer resonator tube that has an acoustic source suspended off-center inside the inner resonator tube. | 10-25-2012 |
20120170935 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ESTABLISHING AN UNDERWATER OPTICAL COMMUNICATION NETWORK - The systems and methods described herein provide a reconfigurable, long-range, optical modem-based underwater communication network. In particular, the network provides a low power, low cost, and easy to deploy underwater optical communication system capable of being operated at long distances. Optical modem-based communication offer high data rate, omni-directional spatial communication in the visual spectrum. The omni-directional aspect of communication is advantageous because precise alignment of communication units may not be required. The optical modems may be deployed via unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) and physically connected by tethers. | 07-05-2012 |
20110129851 | Methods for Obtaining Bioactive Compounds from Phytoplankton - Phytoplankton represent a potential source of bioactive compounds. The present disclosure provides, inter alia, methods for identifying glycerolipids and apoptosis-inducing sphingosine-like lipids from virally-infected phytoplankton. | 06-02-2011 |
20110058814 | FIBER OPTIC OBSERVATORY LINK FOR MEDIUM BANDWIDTH DATA COMMUNICATION - Systems and methods for a reconfigurable, long-range, underwater data-communication network are described. The network provides a low cost, low power, lightweight, and easy to deploy underwater communication system capable of being operated at long distances. The network may include a cabled ocean observatory, which may be deployed underwater and connected to a surface buoy. The cabled ocean observatory may be connected to one or more removable underwater sensors via fiber optic cables. The underwater sensors may be disposed at underwater locations at long distances from the cabled ocean observatory. Fiber optic extension modules may be permanently connected to each end of the fiber optic cables. Each fiber optic extension module may include an optical transceiver, a power supply, and an inductive element for removably coupling an underwater sensor or the cabled ocean observatory to the fiber optic cable. | 03-10-2011 |
20100273210 | Biofuel manufacturing methods and systems incorporating radiocarbon analysis techniques - The systems and methods described herein are directed toward the use of radiocarbon analysis techniques in the manufacture of biofuel products. Among other things, methods and systems for using measured fossil-fuel-derived carbon content in biofuel products to guide the design and modification of biofuel manufacturing systems are disclosed. | 10-28-2010 |
20100246331 | COMPLIANT OCEAN WAVE MITIGATION DEVICE AND METHOD TO ALLOW UNDERWATER SOUND DETECTION WITH OCEANOGRAPHIC BUOY MOORINGS - This systems and methods described herein relate to a device which enables oceanographic surface buoy mooring systems to detect and monitor underwater noise at most sea state and weather conditions. In particular, the systems and methods described herein provide mooring systems that can support a hydrophone or other underwater listening devices connected to a surface buoy located at a deep sea position. As will be more fully described below, the mooring includes an expandable tether cable/hose that reduces noise generated underwater when the buoy moves in response to wave and weather. | 09-30-2010 |
20100198547 | DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MEASURING HYDRAULIC PARAMETERS ACROSS SURFACE WATER-AQUIFER INTERFACES - The systems and methods described herein related to measuring hydraulic parameters across a surface water-aquifer interface. In particular, the systems include a pressure differential sensor within a watertight housing. The pressure differential sensor has two inlets, one of which is connected to a piezometer located in an aquifer, and the other of which is connected to a surface water body. A solenoid valve allows the systems to switch between a first, measurement configuration and a second, calibration configuration. A pump and a conductivity-temperature sensor enable a third and fourth configuration for measuring the electrical conductivity and temperature of surface water and groundwater. The collected data is then locally stored or transmitted wirelessly. The low-power components and calibration capabilities of the systems allow for long-term deployment, on the order of six months or more. | 08-05-2010 |
20100145084 | Methods for obtaining bioactive compounds from phytoplankton - Phytoplankton represent a potential source of bioactive compounds. The present disclosure provides, inter alia, methods for identifying glycerolipids and apoptosis-inducing sphingosine-like lipids from virally-infected phytoplankton. | 06-10-2010 |
20100101304 | GAS CHROMATOGRAPH-COMBUSTION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY - A gas chromatograph-combustion apparatus and method are disclosed in which the carrier gas type and flow rate is continuously exchanged to facilitate high speed, high sensitivity compound specific isotope analysis. Samples are injected into a gas chromatograph that uses H | 04-29-2010 |
20090241685 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INTERCEPTING SUBMARINE GROUNDWATER FOR DESALINATION - The systems and methods described herein allow for intercepting submarine groundwater discharge to be used as a supply source for desalination processes. In one practice a dye-dilution seepage meter is employed as a device for locating water sources. These meters can be placed in estuaries and other locations that may be candidate locations to test for flows of groundwater. In areas of suspected SGD, the meters can be deployed to quantify the potential yield and quality (e.g. salt content) of the resource. Regarding the water quality, it is important to note that even brackish water sources can greatly reduce the energy needed to achieve potable water by desalination. | 10-01-2009 |
20090007835 | Systems and methods for tethering underwater vehicles - Systems for tethering an underwater vehicles using a low strength optical fiber tether. The tether system includes, a mechanical fuse that prevents a high load from acting on and severing the tether that is attached to the underwater vehicle, thus allowing use of far smaller cables than typically used. Upon separation of the fuse, a cable payout system pays out an optical fiber that keeps the underwater vehicle, typically a robotic craft, in communication with the surface vessel. The relatively light weight glass fiber may be reinforced and extended to lengths greater than 40 km allowing deep-sea exploration at depths up to 11,000 m. | 01-08-2009 |
20080286822 | Systems and methods for detecting toxins in a sample - In one aspect the invention provides a system for detecting the presence of toxins in a sample that includes a plurality of chambers for culturing organisms and observing the organism's motility response when introduced into a sample containing a toxin. The toxicity measurement system may include an imaging module to monitor and track the movement of one or more organisms in the sample and identify abnormalities. In other aspects, the invention provides methods of culturing organisms and detecting the presence of toxins in the sample using the motility response of organisms in the sample. | 11-20-2008 |
20080196509 | Seepage meter for measuring submarine groundwater discharge - Automated seepage meters that can detect and quantify groundwater outflow and seawater infiltration. In addition to its capabilities in saltwater-influenced systems, the automated seepage meter can detect and quantify groundwater outflow and surface water infiltration in freshwater systems (e.g., aquatic, riverine, lacustrine environments). Based on a dye-dilution technique, this instrument provides high resolution time series data for submarine groundwater discharge to the coastal zone. The dye dilution method may employ two repeatable steps: the timed injection of a water-soluble dye into a dye mixing chamber mounted in series with a seepage or collection chamber and the subsequent timed measurements of the absorbance of the dyed solution. | 08-21-2008 |