Description

PROBLEM BEING SOLVED

The invention aims to address the challenge of delivering therapeutic agents to the central nervous system (CNS) by designing transition metal complexes with high barrier permeability. Currently, the blood-brain barrier (BBB) restricts the entry of most drugs, limiting treatment options for CNS diseases like Alzheimer's and brain tumors. The lack of effective transport through the BBB hinders the translation of promising therapeutics from the lab to clinical use, highlighting the need for innovative solutions.

METHOD USED

The unique approach of the invention involves utilizing appropriately designed transition metal complexes to enhance BBB permeability for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in CNS diseases. By incorporating a cyclopentadienyl tricarbonyl metallic core, these complexes exhibit favorable properties such as low molecular weight, suitable lipophilicity, stability, and easy conjugation to bioactive molecules targeting amyloid plaques. Through chemical affinity tests, binding constant determination, and biodistribution experiments, the complexes show potential for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease and brain tumors with improved brain uptake.

ADVANTAGES

Compared to existing methods, the transition metal complexes developed in this invention offer significant advantages in CNS drug delivery. While traditional drugs struggle to cross the BBB, these complexes show promise in effectively penetrating the barrier and reaching the target sites in the brain. By enhancing brain uptake and providing a platform for specific targeting of amyloid plaques in diseases like Alzheimer's, the complexes represent a novel and potentially transformative approach to diagnosing and treating CNS disorders. Additionally, the use of widely available 99mTc as a radionuclide for imaging further enhances the practicality and accessibility of this innovative solution.

Description

PROBLEM BEING SOLVED

The invention aims to address the ineffectiveness of current infectious disease management approaches caused by widespread resistance of parasites to drugs and insect disease vectors to insecticides used in vector control programs. The lack of effective vaccines and the undesirable properties of existing synthetic mosquito repellents, such as DEET, Icaridine and IR3535, have further complicated disease control efforts. The need for new natural and synthetic compounds with mosquito repellent activity similar to DEET, Icaridine and IR3535 but without their drawbacks has become increasingly urgent.

METHOD USED

The invention discloses novel natural compounds and compositions for repelling arthropods, particularly insects and arachnid disease vectors, by targeting specific chemosensory proteins in the vectors. These repellent compounds were shown to bind to mosquito proteins called odorant binding proteins (OBPs), affect mosquito behavior and reduce interactions with human hosts. Compositions may include carvacrol, cumin, and cinnamate compounds, among others, to achieve mosquito repellence and prevent blood meals. Methods for reducing mosquito bites on individuals or infestations in specific locations involve applying the disclosed repellent compounds or compositions, offering a natural and effective alternative to existing synthetic repellents.

ADVANTAGES

The disclosed compounds and compositions offer a safer and more effective solution for controlling diseases transmitted by mosquitoes and arachnids. By targeting specific chemosensory proteins in mosquitoes, the invention provides a unique approach to repelling insects and arachnids that act as vectors for infectious pathogens. The use of essential oils and natural compounds derived from them as repellents presents advantages over synthetic repellents like DEET, Icaridine and IR3535, which have known health risks and environmental disadvantages. The invention's methods for identifying and screening essential oils and constituent compounds for repellent activity provide a promising avenue for disease prevention and vector control.

Description

PROBLEM BEING SOLVED

The invention addresses the problem of effectively fixing active ingredients to leather or fabric surfaces. Traditional methods often result in poor adhesion or uneven distribution of the active ingredients, reducing the coatings' effectiveness and durability. This invention seeks to provide a solution by utilizing hydrogels and xerogels made of silicas, dendritic compounds, and optional antimicrobial metallic nanoparticles to ensure a stable and uniform coating on the substrate. Moreover, inclusion protects active ingredients sensitive to environmental conditions such as oxidation from atmospheric oxygen or humidity. 

METHOD USED

The key method proposed by this invention involves using hydrogels and xerogels that form within the pores of the solid substrate, such as leather or fabric. This unique approach allows the active ingredients to be securely fixed onto the surface, ensuring better adhesion and distribution. By incorporating dendritic compounds and metallic nanoparticles into the gel matrix, the invention induces antimicrobial properties and enhances the stability and durability of the coating, resulting in a more effective and long-lasting solution for fixing active ingredients to substrates.

ADVANTAGES

This invention offers several advantages over previous methods. The use of hydrogels and xerogels ensures a more stable and uniform coating, reducing the risk of active ingredient loss or uneven distribution. The incorporation of dendritic compounds and metallic nanoparticles further enhances the coating's durability and effectiveness, making it more resistant to wear and environmental factors. Furthermore, employment of functionalized dendritic polymer may induce controlled protracted and/or stimuli-triggered release of the active ingredient(s) This invention provides a more reliable and long-lasting solution for fixing active ingredients to leather or fabric surfaces.

Description

PROBLEM BEING SOLVED

The invention aims to address the growing issue of antibiotic resistance, particularly in bacterial infections caused by pathogens producing metallo-beta-lactamases (MBLs). These enzymes hydrolyze the amide bond of antibiotics containing a β-lactam ring, leading to resistance against virtually all β-lactams, which are crucial for treating infections. The emergence of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CRE) poses a significant threat, as no new classes of antibiotics have been introduced in the last 25 years.

METHOD USED

The invention proposes the use of heptakis- and octakis-cyclodextrins (IDA = iminodiacetic acid) as potent inhibitors of bacterial MBLs. These cyclodextrins form complexes with lanthanide metal cations, allowing them to inhibit the activity of MBLs effectively. By combining these cyclodextrins with β-lactam antibiotics, the invention enables the potentiation and reactivation of antibiotics, making them effective against MBL-producing bacterial pathogens. Unlike other inhibitors, the IDACYDs exhibit no cytotoxicity, acute toxicity, or immune response, making them safe for use in treating severe bacterial infections.

ADVANTAGES

Compared to existing treatments, the invention offers a novel approach to combat antibiotic resistance by targeting MBL-producing pathogens. The IDACYDs provide a safe and effective solution for treating infections that are resistant to current antibiotics, without inducing harmful side effects. By utilizing cyclodextrins in combination with antibiotics, the invention opens up new possibilities for overcoming the limitations of existing treatments and offers a promising strategy for managing life-threatening infections caused by MBL-producing bacteria.

Description

PROBLEM BEING SOLVED

Traditional photonic chips used for label-free biomolecule detection rely on separate input and output light terminals, limiting sensitivity and preventing compact, integrated designs.

METHOD USED

This invention introduces a chip design with one-sided optical ports, using bifurcated optical fibers for both light input and output. A U-turn waveguide geometry enables real-time monitoring of resonance shifts from a single edge, allowing compact integration of multiple interferometers or resonators.

ADVANTAGES

The technology allows detection of biomolecules at picomolar levels with significantly improved sensitivity, reduced analysis time, and lower cost. It supports multi-analyte detection on a single chip, making it both scalable and practical.

Description

PROBLEM BEING SOLVED

Marine biofouling is a worldwide problem, costing billions of dollars per year in transportation. Traditional biocide-based marine antifouling coatings, although very effective, have severe negative impact on the environment due to the release of toxic biocides, while fail to comply with the future European and International regulations. Furthermore, the available 3rd generation fouling release paints based on crosslinked polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) exhibit low mechanical strength and scratch resistance, while in some cases they fail to prevent effectively at low operational speeds (8-10 knots). The proposed nanocomposite fouling release epoxy-based coatings addresses the challenges of environmental toxicity and mechanical weakness in antifouling coatings, providing effective fouling release and micro slime layer control properties, and compliance with regulations, while offering improved mechanical strength and fuel savings.

METHOD USED

The invention proposes new nanocomposite material with increased fouling release performance. Paints are prepared by simple, two component mixing: one epoxy resin and one appropriately modified commercially available hardener. Hardeners modified with hydrophobic functionalised nanoparticles based on symmetric or asymmetric hyperbranched dendrimers or hyperbranched dendritic polymer and inorganic nanoparticles refer to metal nanoparticles or metal oxide nanoparticles and their combinations. Both polymeric and inorganic nanoparticles are functionalized with appropriate lipophilic groups.

ADVANTAGES

Increased fouling release performance, easiness of the synthesis, improved mechanical performance and scratch resistance compared to current fouling release, decreased fuel consumption of about, improved durability (up to 3 years) and longer periods between cleaning/repainting.

Description

PROBLEM BEING SOLVED

The invention aims to address the need for atmospheric plasma sources capable of providing uniform, large area, fast plasma processing in a cost-effective manner, without the need for vacuum technologies. The main problem being solved is the development of a plasma processing method that allows for efficient material processing with low power and low Helium gas consumption, while ensuring fast and uniform plasma reactions over large areas.

METHOD USED

The invention proposes the use of dielectric barrier discharges (DBDs) as an atmospheric plasma source for material processing. By utilizing DBDs, the invention ensures that plasma reactions are fast and uniform over large areas, enabling large area processing without the formation of filaments that could potentially damage soft materials. The key inventive step of the invention lies in the configuration of the DBD setup, such as the use of a "curtain" configuration where the plasma is created as a perpendicular curtain between two horizontal electrode beams surrounded by a dielectric, allowing for efficient and uniform processing.

ADVANTAGES

Compared to previous inventions, the current invention offers several advantages. The use of DBDs in the proposed configurations allows for uniform, large area processing with low power consumption and low Helium gas usage. The "curtain" configuration of the DBD setup enables efficient material processing without the formation of filaments, reducing the risk of material damage. Additionally, the invention provides a cost-effective alternative to vacuum technologies, making it a promising solution for various material processing applications requiring atmospheric plasma processing.

Description

PROBLEM BEING SOLVED

Current plasma processing technologies struggle with controlling substrate roughness, as existing Faraday shields fail to fully manage sputtering, especially in RIE reactors, and lack flexibility for varying surface roughness needs. A new variable shield for both RIE and ICP systems is proposed, enabling complete control over sputtering, from elimination to maximum levels, and thus allowing precise control of roughness during plasma etching or deposition.

METHOD USED

 A grounded electrostatic shield with variable shielding for the substrate holder, clamping ring, electrode, or their combination in RIE, ICP, or other low-pressure (i.e. typically below 1Torr pressure) plasma etching systems is proposed. Roughness variation is achieved by adjusting the exposed polarized surface of these components, with the remaining surface covered by a grounded shield consisting of a metallic layer and optionally a dielectric layer. The use of Teflon or another dielectric layer between the top metallic layer and the substrate holder/electrode/ clamping ring or their combinations, confines the plasma to the processing area.

ADVANTAGES

The shield offers full control of sputtering, from complete elimination to maximum sputtering, enabling precise control of roughness formation. A variable shield with Teflon or other dielectric isolation is proposed to allow partial ion flux to reach and sputter specific areas of the substrate holder/electrode/clamping ring, creating controlled micro masking. This variable Faraday shield enables precise control of substrate roughness, reducing it to below 0.05 µm, while effectively managing micro masking and etching quality for various materials and processes.

Description

PROBLEM BEING SOLVED

The new microfluidic reactor can be manufactured in an economical and easy way which is readily and easily adaptable to the printed circuity industry. To facilitate mass production at low costs but at the same time maintaining its properties, the proposed microfluidic reactor utilize commonly known by manufacturers materials commercially available polyamide-based dry resins. The proposed microfluidic reactor is resistant to 100C and can withstand pressure drops at 1.65 at this temperature. At room temperature it can withstand a pressure drop of at least 8.3 bar.

METHOD USED

A new microfluidic reactor consisting of at least one channel/chamber  on printed circuit board or on a flexible printed circuit sheet sealed with polyamide film having an acrylic adhesive on the surface to be bonded, is proposed.  Additionally to that, a process of microfluidic reactor manufacture is proposed and its usage among others for carrying out biological reactions inside.

ADVANTAGES

Ease of manufacture and mass production at low costs, various geometries, conventional short-length channels, heating of micro channels possible for Polymerase Chain Reaction, ability to use very small quantities of reagents.

Description

PROBLEM BEING SOLVED

The invention addresses the need for complex event forecasting in data streams.  While existing systems can detect activity patterns upon event streams, the ability to forecast when such complex events might occur is lacking. This invention seeks to provide a method and system that allows users to define patterns for complex events and construct probabilistic models to forecast when these events are expected to happen in a stream of events.

METHOD USED

The method proposed by this invention involves receiving a pattern defining a complex event and an event stream with multiple events. A probabilistic model is then constructed to forecast the occurrence of the complex event within the stream. Key to this method is the use of an automaton derived from the pattern and a high-, variable-order Markov model to construct the probabilistic model. By utilizing these components, the system can accurately forecast complex events based on the received pattern, providing precise intervals within which the event is expected to occur. This unique approach allows for efficient and accurate forecasting of complex events in data streams.

ADVANTAGES

Compared to existing methods, this invention offers several advantages in complex event forecasting.  The use of a probabilistic model allows for a more nuanced understanding of event stream behavior, leading to more reliable forecasts. Additionally, the method can handle complex event definitions in a declarative manner, enabling users to define relationships among events in a stream more effectively. Overall, this invention represents a significant advancement in complex event forecasting, offering high accuracy and low latency in predicting the occurrence of complex events within data streams.