US Patent 7919012 - Multi-shell dual-emitting nanocrystals

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7919012.html

This patent from the University of Arkansas is based on a finding that certain by using multiple shells for quantum dot nanocrystals an improvement in the photoluminescence quantum yield can be achieved (from 20% to 50%). Claim 1 reads:

1. A composition comprising core/shell/shell dual-emitting nanocrystals, wherein:

the nanocrystals comprise a core material, a first shell material overcoating the core material, and a second shell material overcoating the first shell material, each of which is independently selected from a II/VI compound or a III/V compound;

the band gap of the first shell material is greater than the band gap of the core material and greater than the band gap of the second shell material; and

the as-prepared dual-emitting nanocrystals exhibit a photoluminescence comprising two bandgap emission peaks.

US Patent 7608240 - Cancer treatment with boron nitride nanotubes

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7608240.html

Subjecting boron atoms to low energy neutrons has been found to disintegrate malignant cells. This patent from the University of Arkansas teaches the use of boron nitride nanotubes to achieve this effect for cancer treatment. Claim 1 reads:

1. A method for treating cancer, said method comprising:

a) attaching a first antibody species to nanovessels to form a nanovessel-antibody composite species;

b) introducing said nanovessel-antibody composite species into a mammal such that said nanovessel-antibody composite species selectively targets at least one type of cancerous cell; and

c) exploding said nanovessels using at least one frequency of ultrasonic waves; wherein said at least one frequency of ultrasonic waves is adjusted to be absorbed by said nanovessels;

d) attaching a second antibody species to BN nanostructures to form a BN nanostructure-antibody composite species, wherein said first antibody species and said second antibody species are selected from the group consisting of the same antibody species, different antibody species, and combinations thereof;

e) administering said BN nano structure-antibody composite species to said mammal such that said BN nanostructure-antibody composite species selectively targets at least one tumor within said mammal; and

f) activating at least some of the boron atoms in said BN nanostructure-antibody composite species.

US Patent 7531149 - Metal oxide nanoparticle size control

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7531149.html

In order to produce predictable behavior from nanostructured materials it is often important to have well regulated distributions of sizes and/or shapes. This patent from the University of Arkansas teaches a method of achieving uniformity for metal oxide nanoparticle fabrication. Claim 1 reads:

1. A method of making nanometer-scale metal oxide particles, comprising:

a. combining a metal fatty acid salt, a fatty acid, and a hydrocarbon solvent to form an admixture thereof; and

b. heating the admixture to a temperature of at least 300° C. until the metal oxide particles are formed.

US Patent 7456551 - Submersible marine microsensor module

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7456551.html

Most sensors used in underwater exploration can be bulky and have limited maneuverability and sample size requirements. This patent based on a collaboration between the University of Florida and the University of Arkansas teaches using piezoelectric microsensors to facilitate miniaturize of the exploration equipment in use. Claim 1 reads:

1. A submersible marine micro-sensor module comprising:

a main body housing an intelligence module;

at least one piezoelectric shaker coupled to the main body;

a communication port coupled to the main body and in communication with the intelligence module;

at least one marine micro-sensor coupled to the main body and in communication with the intelligence module; and

a battery module to supply power to the intelligence module, the piezoelectric shaker, the communication port and the at least one micro marine-sensor.

US Patent 7273904 - Manufacture of dendron box

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7273904.html

Dendrons are fractal-like branched molecular component with applications in drug delivery and optoelectronics. This patent from the Univesity of Arkansas teaches the use of nanocrystals to stabilize the groth of dendrons and form a dendron box which may be more stable than conventional dendrimers. Claim 1 reads:

1. A method of forming a dendron box comprising: contacting a solid nanoparticle core between about 1 nm and about 100 nm in diameter with a plurality of cross-linkable dendron ligands to form a dendron-nanoparticle; cross-linking the dendron ligands to form a box-nanoparticle; and removing the solid nanoparticle core from the box-nanoparticle to form the dendron box.