Category Archives: Engineering

A Gas-Assisted Resin Injection Technique for Bonding and Surface Modification of Microfluidic Devices

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Summary:

Polymer-based microfluidic systems have great potential for use in BioMEMS applications, because many polymers are low cost, biocompatible, and have good processibility as compared to silicon and ceramic materials. Packaging (e.g., sealing a platform with a lid) and surface modification (e.g., hydrophilicity, protein absorption, electric conductivity for electrokinetics), however, are challenging issues in the fabrication of polymer microfluidic platforms.

We recently developed a gas-assisted resin injection technique in our lab, which can achieve bonding and surface modification on microfluidic devices.

Potential Applications:

BioMEMS applications

Advantages:

Achieve bonding and surface modification on microfluidic devices

Chiral Bis (benzimidazole) Diamides for Asymmetric catalysis and Recognition

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Summary:

The invention concerns the synthesis of highly non-planar, saddle-shaped chiral macrocyclic ligands and their transition-metal complexes as catalysts for asymmetric transformations and tools for chiral recognition. In particular, the unique topology of such complexes should make them attractive catalyst candidates capable of discriminating between enantiotopic faces of (E)-olefins, especially if a reaction mechanism calls for a side-on approach of the substrate towards the metal center. In this respect, highly enantioselective epoxidation of unfunctionalized (E)-olefins could potentially be feasible with appropriately designed complexes of this class. These chiral complexes can be resolved by enantioselective normal-phase HPLC and their optical antipodes used as catalysts for asymmetric transformations.

Potential Applications:

Enantioselective epoxidation of (E)-olefins and other asymmetric reactions

Advantages:

Able to discriminate between enantiotopic faces of (E)-olefins

Novel Processing of Gas Sensors: Oxidation of Metallic Precursors

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Summary:

Researchers at the Ohio State University have discovered a novel processing method of gas sensors by the oxidation of metallic precursors. Gas sensors are present in automobiles and industrial operations in order to monitor levels of harmful gases that may be present. The operation and effectiveness of these gas sensors depend heavily on how much contact the gases make with the sensors, so it is desirable to make sensors with a large surface area.

We have discovered a method to manufacture free-standing, porous rutile foils having an open structure. This design greatly increases the available surface area for the gas sensors and allows more accurate and stable detection of gas levels. These ceramic bodies may also be able to filter out a species of liquids or solid particles in a fluid.

Potential Applications:

  • Automobile emission systems
  • Industry

Advantages:

  • Able to catalyze reactions
  • Freestanding
  • Can survive harsh environments

Electrolysis Apparatus and Methods Using Urania In Electrodes and Methods of Producing Reduced Substances from Oxidized Substances Including the Electrowinning of Alumin

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Summary:

A number of industrial processes require the use of high temperature, corrosion-resistant electrodes. Examples include the Hall-Heroult process for producing aluminum from alumina-bearing ores, and electric arc furnaces for the manufacture of steel and for the melting of refractory metals and ceramics. It is known to produce aluminum by molten salt electrolysis of aluminum oxide dissolved in a bath of cryolite, by using a carbon anode. During such a process, the carbon anode is oxidized and consumed by about 400 to 450 kg per ton of aluminum due to oxygen produced through the decomposition of aluminum oxide. This requires the continuous adjustment of the electrode and the replacing of the anode with a new one before it is completely consumed. Scientists at OSU have discovered a novel use for a known high-melting ceramic compound. An electrode of the ceramic compound can be produced for replacement of the carbon anode in the aluminum production process. The compound is highly chemically inert (e.g. no stable compounds form between the compound and Al2O3, MgO, SiO2 or other acidic, basic and neutral oxide compounds). The ceramic compound melts at a temperature greater than 2800 C. This compound fulfills all of the requirements for effective replacement of carbon as the anode in the Al making process:

  • It is thermally stable beyond 1000 C
  • The specific electrical resistivity is lower that that of the carbon anode so that the voltage drop in the anode is at a minimum; further, the specific resistivity is independent of temperature so the voltage drop in the anode remains as constant as possible even with temperature changes
  • The compound is resistant to oxidation
  • The anode is insoluble in a fluoride or oxide melt
  • The compound has adequate resistance to damage from temperature changes
  • Anode corrosion with the compound is negligible
  • The anode is stable in contact with the liquid electrolyte and has no influence on the purity of the Al obtained
  • The compound has adequate mechanical strength
  • The compound is resistant to dissolution by cyolite-based melts and reduction by molten Al

Potential Applications:

  • Aluminum manufacturing
  • Steel manufacturing
  • Melting of refractory metals and ceramics

Advantages:

  • Reduction of Materials Costs – Through the use of the above compound, the anode will not have to be replaced as the carbon anode is currently
  • Lower Emissions and Lower Energy Costs – The compound is inert in the aluminum decomposition process. Thus, there will be less waste gases expelled from the Al making process. The gases can be more easily collected and will lower energy costs

s-Triazine Degrading Bacterial isolate

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Summary:

Researchers at the Ohio State University have isolated a pure bacterial culture, designated herein as M91-3, which rapidly degrades certain s-triazines, particularly halogenated s-triazines. S-triazines are compounds are a family of herbicides that is extensively used for weed control in corn and other crops, but the widespread use of s-triazines has resulted in contamination of water resources above safe levels. S-triazine has been targeted for removal at sites that exceed EPA guidelines, but traditional methods of treatment involve either spreading thin layer of contaminated soil on top of a large area of healthy soil, which limits the use of the existing healthy soil, or costly excavation and incineration of contaminated soil. As a result, an inexpensive and fast method of safely degrading s-triazines in-situ is highly desirable.

The M91-3 degrades s-triazines, particularly atrazine, beyond the point of ring cleavage, leading to complete mineralization of the atrazine. The ability of M91-3 to completely degrade atrazine appears to be unique among bacteria. The M91-3 is capable of degrading s-triazine in solution and in presence of soil or sediment. The invention also relates to a method for degrading s-triazines, particularly atrazine.

Potential Applications:

Treatment of sites with high s-triazine levels

Advantages:

  • Fast
  • Inexpensive; doesn’t involve excavation
  • Does not use up currently healthy soil

The Application of Activated High Surface Area Char Containing Alkali/Alkaline Earth Metals for the Reduction of Nox from Flue Gas

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Summary:

Researchers at the Ohio State University have developed a method to reduce nitric oxide (NO) using alkali impregnated activated carbon in the presence of oxygen. Coal fired power plants are faced with increasing emissions regulations and therefore it is necessary to minimize the amount of NO released into the environment. This method of NO reduction makes use of a carbon catalyst to reduce NO which has the inherent advantages of being a ubiquitous, low cost, benign catalyst with a wide range of operating temperatures that does not require an external reducing agent. This method has been shown to be experimentally effective and is a promising new technology to allow coal fired power plants to meet emissions regulations.

Potential Applications:

For use in the reduction of nitric oxide in coal fired power plants.

Advantages:

This method makes use of carbon which is a ubiquitous, low cost, benign catalyst with a wide range of operating temperatures that does not require an external reducing agent.

NOx Sensor with Improved Selectivity and Parts-Per-Billion Sensitivity

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Summary:

Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) present a host of environmental and health problems, including acid rain, urban smog, acidification of lakes and streams, and damage of forest soils.  The major source of NOx is from the combustion of fossil fuels, and NOx sensors are employed in the development of internal combustion engines in order to optimize combustion and minimize emissions.  Nitric Oxide is also an important biological molecule and its level in human breath is also an indication of many diseased states, including asthma.

Resistance-based electrochemical NOx sensors, while exhibiting good sensitivity, often react to many different gases, and selectivity suffers.  Potentiometric sensors offer a promising approach for NOx measurements in harsh environments, but often suffer from interference with other gases.

Researchers at The Ohio State University have developed a novel potentiometric NOx sensor that overcomes the interference limitations of previous potentiometric sensors.  This sensor is extremely selective to NOx in the presence of other gas species, and sensitivities have been confirmed in the parts-per-billion range!  The sensor is ideal for incredibly precise NOx measurements in environments as diverse as engines and for breath monitoring.

Potential Applications:

  • Medical diagnostics
  • Combustion optimization
  • Environmental NOx monitoring

Advantages:

  • Ridiculously high sensitivity (ppb range!)
  • Excellent selectivity
  • Will withstand extreme environments
  • Cost effective as potentiometric output does not require sophisticated support electronics

Reactivation and Recycling of Partially Utilized Sorbent Using a Novel OSU Process

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Summary:

Researchers at the Ohio State University have developed a novel process for reactivation of partially utilized calcium-based sorbents for increased SO2 removal and sorbent utilization from coal-fired boilers/combustors. Limestone or hydrated lime used in pulverized or fluidized bed combustors for SO2 removal suffer from low reactivity and under-utilization as typically less than one-half of the available calcium is converted to a calcium sulfate product. The partially utilized sorbent is rendered ineffective for any further SO2 removal and is either disposed of or partially reactivated by hydration. Therefore, despite being economical and easily retrofittable in existing utility units, dry sorbent processes are less competitive with other more expensive SO2 control technologies due to their poor SO2 removal efficiency and low sorbent utilization. The increased sorbent utilization obtained by this reactivation process could significantly improve the sorbent-based flue gas desulfurization technology.

Potential Applications:

Treatment of individuals with viral infections, microbial contaminant or patients that have undergone a transplant.

Advantages:

Use of psoralens that have proven effective without the harmful side effects from breakdown products or mutagenesis.

Chromium-Free Welding Consumables

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Summary:

Filler materials containing chromium are often used in the welding of stainless steel components in order to prevent corrosion.  The evaporation and oxidation of material from molten weld pools results in the generation of various compounds and metallic species in the fumes, including carcinogenic hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)), which is an environmental and health hazard.  In fact, OSHA has recently set new standards for the maximum permissible exposure of Cr(VI) in the workplace.  Solutions such as alternative welding methods, ventilation systems, protective equipment, and medical monitoring can all help to reduce a worker’s exposure to Cr(VI), but these methods can be costly in terms of both direct and productivity costs.

To address this need, researchers at The Ohio State University have developed Chromium-free (and Manganese-free) welding consumables that are cost-effective and will help meet regulatory requirements without sacrificing the quality and corrosion-resistance of stainless steel welds, particularly type 304 steel.  As the consumable filler material is typically the major source of welding fumes, this solution is a very attractive and cost-effective way to meet regulatory requirements and help to ensure worker safety.

Potential Applications:

  • Welding consumables

    Advantages:

    • Cost effective
    • Excellent strength and corrosion resistance properties
    • Greatly reduces the amount of Cr(VI) found in welding fumes
    • Particularly suited for type 304 steel

      IP Status:

      Patent pending

      Technique for Single Sensor Differential Thermal Analysis

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      Summary:

      Researchers at The Ohio State University have developed a technique for single sensor differential thermal analysis (SS-DTA) that determines the solid-liquid and solid-state phase transformations during the actual processing of metals and alloys. The SS-DTA technique is based on single sensor temperature measurement and computerized acquisition of the thermal history in particular locations of the processed metal. The heat of reaction and temperatures of the phase transformation are measured by software that processes the thermal data. This new technique was verified by direct comparison to the classic differential thermal analysis (DTA) as well as dilatometry. It has been successfully applied for in-situ determining the solidification ranges and solid-state phase transformation temperatures in welded joints of various alloy steels, non-ferrous alloys and Ni-base superalloys, and for development of continuous cooling transformation diagrams. In addition, phase transformation behavior during weldability testing, post-weld heat treatment, and casting has also been measured. It has been successfully applied with a thermo-mechanical simulator. The SS-DTA technique is performed utilizing a device for the investigation of phase transformations (DIPT) that was also developed by The Ohio State University.

      Potential Applications:

      • Development of new alloys and welding consumables.
      • Investigation of microstructure evolution under actual processing conditions of thermal and thermo-mechanical processing.
      • Study of microstructure-property relationships and material fabricability.
      • Development and testing of procedures for thermal and thermo-mechanical processing of metals and alloys.

      Advantages:

      • Applicable at non-equilibrium heating and cooling rates and in actual processing conditions.
      • Applicable and highly sensitive to the entire range of solid-liquid and solid-state phase transformations in metal and alloys and to the magnetic transformation (in ferrous alloys).
      • Fast, simple and cost-effective; Applicable as a more sensitive and accurate alternative or back up to dilatometry in simulation equipment.
      • Potential for measuring precipitation and recrystallization reactions and for quantifying the volume fraction of formed phases.

      IP Status:

      US pending