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

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 present invention aims to address the high costs associated with the fabrication and sealing of microfluidic devices. Current methods involve lengthy thermal bonding processes, expensive master forms, and compatibility issues with lamination films, hindering mass production and practical use of microfluidic devices. The invention seeks to provide a more economical and efficient solution for manufacturing microfluidic devices with flexible network designs for various applications.

METHOD USED

The method proposed by the present invention involves ultrasonic welding of polymeric substrates without the need for energy directors. This unique approach allows for the rapid fabrication of closed microfluidic channels in just a few seconds, significantly reducing manufacturing time and costs. By utilizing a master form with rim protrusions, the invention enables the creation of microfluidic devices with enclosed channels between flexible and inflexible polymeric substrates, ensuring compatibility and efficient sealing without deformation or clogging of the channels.

ADVANTAGES

Compared to existing methods, the current invention offers several advantages. It allows for the fabrication of microfluidic devices with the same material at the top and bottom of the microfluidic channels, eliminating compatibility issues with lamination films. The ultrasonic welding process without energy directors provides a fast, reliable, and microscale accurate technology for manufacturing microfluidic devices with flexible network designs. By streamlining the fabrication process and reducing costs, this invention paves the way for widespread applications of microfluidic devices in various fields such as point of care analysis, environmental monitoring, drug discovery, and biological research, as well as cooling devices in electronics.

Description

PROBLEM BEING SOLVED

Current concrete material technologies face limitations such as cracks of cement material,  short service life of cencrete, safety concerns for their structure, timely crack repair concerns and their susceptability to biological attacks.. Other limitations for existing concrete self-healing solutions are high costs due to issues with water reactivity, time-consuming process inappropriate for routine and large scale applications of existing technologies, bacterial survival, uneven distribution of healing agent and mechanical properties, particularly with mineral admixtures, bacteria-based systems, glass-based capsules, polymeric tubes, and nano/microcapsules, where the correct dosage of the healing agent and its leakage cannot be controlled.  The proposed encapsulated system efficiently overcome these drawbacks and achieves extended lifespan of concrete structures, reduced maintenance costs, and improved mechanical properties by ensuring efficient activation and distribution of healing agents, enhancing the durability and sustainability of cement

METHOD USED

The proposed encapsulated system comprise a cement-based active core and a cement-based protective shell.  The capsules protect a drastic healing agent made of cement-DNA until crack appearance. Upon crack appearance, they activate and allow the healing agent to react with moisture for closing the crack and attributing to the concrete structure the initial performance and functionality.

ADVANTAGES

The solution overcomes above listed limitations and problems. The admixtures are easily incorporated in small dosages into cement or concrete mixtures during the preparation phase in a timely manner, without needing any particular expertise or effort.