Mechanical & Industrial Engineering

  • Process of Forming a Composite Coating on a Substrate

    The invention describes a method of fabrication of composite (metal-matrix) coatings on substrates such as steel or aluminum.

    Inventors: Teiichi Ando, Charalabos C. Doumanidis
    US Patent No.: 6,936,118

  • Vibratory Powder Consolidation (VPC)

    The invention provides a method to convert powders to solid metal objects. These objects can be custom-made with desired properties.

    Inventors: Teiichi Ando, Ibrahim Endre Gunduz, Peter Y. Wong, Charalabos C. Doumanidis (Joint with Tufts University and the University of Cyprus)
    Patent Application No.: PCT/US2008/001259

  • Gating System for Continuous Pressure Infiltration Processes for the Production of Metal Matrix Composite Wires and Cables

    The gating system is applicable for continuous pressure infiltration processes for producing a wide variety of long pieces, such as wires, tapes, sheets, or tubes. Imperfections in the wire such as intermetallic phases, porosity as a result of shrinkage or internal gas voids, and particularly dry uncoated fiber, are known to decrease properties such as strength the of the wire. These imperfections can result from impurities in constituents such as, material of the metal matrix and the fiber incompatibility of constituents, as well as incomplete infiltration of the matrix material into the fibers. This method reduces these imperfections.

    Inventor: Joseph Blucher
    Patent numbers: 5,736,199 and 6,035,925

  • Reinforced Structural Elements Incorporating Fiber-Reinforced Metal Matrix Composite Wires and Methods of Producing Same

    A system using fiber reinforced metal matrix wire in castings increases the tensile strength of and/or the rigidity the resultant casting. Because the fiber reinforced metal matrix wire is formed by a method that limits the exposure of the fiber to excessive heat, the fiber retains its strength more than conventionally formed wires. This system is applicable to castings for preferential reinforcement—increasing tensile strength and rigidity, and to sandwich structures wherein the composite wires bracket and internal matrix or a metallic layer surrounds and is strengthened by a central composite wire.

    Inventor: Joseph Blucher
    Patent Application No.: 10/188,989

  • Three Dimensional Dielectrophoretic Assembly of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes for Integrated Circuit Interconnects

    and

    Three Dimensional Dielectrophoretic Assembly of Gold Nanoparticles for Nanodevices

    This method allows the assembly of nanostructures on a three-dimensional (3-D) surface in a highly energy-efficient way, which is compatible with batch fabrication.

    Inventors: Ahmed Busnaina, Mehmet Dokmeci, Nishant Khanduja, Selvapraba Selvarasah, Prashanth Makaram, Chia-Ling Chen
    Patent Application No.: PCT/US2007/023573

  • Bi-Stable Nanoswitch

    The invention device is a non-volatile bi-stable nano electromechanical switch employing single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT) as the actuation element.

    Inventors: Sivasubramanian Somu, Ahmed Busnaina, Nick McGruer, George Adams, Peter Ryan, Xugang Xiong
    Patent Application No.: PCT/US2008/04584

  • Directed Assembly of Carbon Nanotubes and Nanoparticles Using Nanotemplates with Nano-Trenches or Nanowires

    The invention is a technique that allows assembly of carbon nanotubes in a controlled and precise manner. The described nanotemplate is capable of guiding massive parallel assembly in order to fabricate three-dimensional nanostructures.

    Inventors: Ahmed Busnaina, Nicol McGruer
    Non-Provisional Patent Application No.: 12/085,883

  • Nanotechnology Available for Research Collaboration

    State of the art techniques for micro and nanoscale contaminant control, removal and characterization in manufacturing and fabrication processes to contribute to the competitiveness of the semiconductor, information technology, pharmaceutical, imaging, aerospace and other industries affected by contamination.

    Inventors: Ahmed Busnaina and colleagues

  • Diesel Engine Exhaust Gas Recirculation System for NOx Control Incorporating a Compressed Air Regenerative Particulate Control System

    and

    Flow-Through Particulate Incineration System Coupled to an Aerodynamically Regenerated Particulate Trap for Diesel Engine Exhaust Gas

    The technology contains a filter that cleans the exhaust of diesel engines.

    Inventor: Yiannis Levendis, Richard Abrams
    US Patent Nos.: 5,426,936 and 5,390,492

  • Multiple User Virtual Environment for Rehabilitation (MUVER)

    The invention is an inexpensive device that can be used to rehabilitate hand and finger movements of patients with neurological or orthopedic problems.

    Inventors: Mark Sivak, Constantinos Mavroidis, Maureen Holden
    Provisional Patent Application No.: 61/145,825

  • Robotic Cleaning Device for Photovoltaic Arrays

    The invention is a proof of concept robotic device that clearns photovoltaic arrays in an inexpensive, quick, and environmentally-friendly fashion.

    Inventors: Constantinos Mavroidis, Jeremy Hastie, Ashton Grandy, Mark Anderson, Andrew Sweezey, Yiannis Markopoulos
    Provisional Patent Application No.: 61/120,097

  • Gear Bearing Drive

    The invention relates to a compact actuator with high power density and precision. The novel drive system can also operate as a powered joint due to its unique internal structure, resulting in a broad range of potential applications for the technology.

    Inventors: Constantinos Mavroidis, Brian Weinberg, John Vranish
    Non-Provisional Patent Application No.: 11/821,095

  • Nanoloom for Controlling Polymer Assembly

    The invention is a device and method that recreate, or mimic, natural cell production of collagen. The invention covers the process of assembling collagen and other self assembling polymeric systems.

    Inventors: Jeffrey Ruberti, Gregory Kowalski, Daniel Burkey
    Patent Application No.: PCT/US2006/037681

  • Low Cost Portable Mechatronics Based Braille Writing Device for the Blind

    The invention is a writing device designed for a blind end-user population. The proposed invention fills a need for an easy-to-use, inexpensive, portable writing device.

    Inventors: Rifat Sipahi, Wei Qiao
    Provisional Patent Application No.: 61/155,205