公开(公告)号：US12049409B2

公开(公告)日：2024-07-30

申请号：US17547557

申请日：2021-12-10

Applicant: Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Inventor： Himanshu Tanvar ,  Brajendra Mishra

IPC: C01F7/0653 ,  C01F7/066

CPC classification number: C01F7/0653 ,  C01F7/066

Abstract: Bauxite residue recovery includes mixing a solution of hydrochloric acid (HCL) according to a predetermined concentration, and adding the HCL solution to a quantity of raw red mud recovered from industrial operations as waste material. The highly alkaline property of the bauxite residue, commonly known as red mud is at least partially neutralized from the HCL, and makes the resulting washed red mud more amenable to subsequent uses in various applications in fields such as construction, wastewater treatment, and metal recovery processes. The process recovers washed red mud from the red mud and HCL solution by filtering the raw red mud and HCL solution for generating a stream of leach liquor from the filtrate and the recovered washed red mud from the residue.

公开(公告)号：US12017410B1

公开(公告)日：2024-06-25

申请号：US18380500

申请日：2023-10-16

Applicant: Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Inventor： Ethan R. Wilke ,  Loris Fichera ,  Nicholas E. Pacheco

IPC: B33Y10/00 ,  B29C64/118 ,  B29C64/209 ,  B33Y30/00

CPC classification number: B29C64/209 ,  B29C64/118 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  B33Y30/00

Abstract: A nozzle apparatus for a 3D printer employs a center post or shape and extrudes a circumferential, tubular form having a central void. The nozzle includes a radial arrangement of prongs or supports around a center post, which provides space for molten print medium to flow in a 360° form around the center post. The nozzle extrudes a hollow tubular form around the post that can lay a tube shaped article on a perpendicular print bed, or can be used to deposit high resolution, hollow cylindrical segments for forming lightweight articles with less volume of print medium required due to the hollow extruded shape. A stream of air or gas may be emitted into the center of the extrusion for maintaining a tubular shape. Other suitable shapes may be employed by altering the contour of the center post and the bore.

公开(公告)号：US20240141528A1

公开(公告)日：2024-05-02

申请号：US18376216

申请日：2023-10-03

Applicant: Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Inventor： Adam C. Powell ,  David Dussault ,  Matthew Earlam ,  Aaron Tajima ,  Connor Raymes

IPC: C25C3/04 ,  C22B7/00 ,  C22B9/02 ,  C22B26/22 ,  C25C3/34

CPC classification number: C25C3/04 ,  C22B7/004 ,  C22B9/02 ,  C22B26/22 ,  C25C3/34

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for efficient metal distillation, and for related primary product process. Vertically stacked and gravity-driven evaporators and condensers are employed to distill metals, such metals having different volatilities. A multiple-effect thermal system of magnesium and other volatile metals is used to efficiently distill and separate metals from multiple metal alloys.

公开(公告)号：US20240090881A1

公开(公告)日：2024-03-21

申请号：US18519758

申请日：2023-11-27

Applicant: Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Inventor： Gregory S. Fischer ,  Hao Su

IPC: A61B10/02 ,  A61B34/00 ,  A61B34/30 ,  A61B34/37 ,  A61B90/11

CPC classification number: A61B10/0241 ,  A61B34/30 ,  A61B34/37 ,  A61B34/76 ,  A61B90/11 ,  A61B2090/064

Abstract: A system for MRI-guided interventional needle procedures comprises a master device providing haptic feedback to and receiving position commands from the operator, a robot controller receiving position commands and providing force information to said master device, a navigation component receiving images from an MRI scanner; said navigation component providing trajectory planning information to said robot controller, a slave robot driving a needle, the slave robot receiving control information from the robot controller, and a fiber optic sensor operatively connected to said slave robot. The fiber optic sensor provides data to the robot controller to provide force information to the master device. The master device, robot controller, navigation component, slave robot and sensor are compatible with an MRI environment and operate inside an MRI scanner room.

公开(公告)号：US11925594B2

公开(公告)日：2024-03-12

申请号：US16541414

申请日：2019-08-15

Applicant: Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Inventor： Marko Popovic ,  Cagdas Onal ,  Daniil Effraimidis ,  Brian Jennings ,  Gregory D. McCarthy ,  Nicholas Corso

IPC: A61H1/02 ,  A61H3/00 ,  F15B15/00 ,  F15B15/10 ,  A61F2/50 ,  A61F2/70 ,  A61F2/74 ,  A61F2/76

CPC classification number: A61H3/00 ,  A61H1/024 ,  A61H1/0277 ,  A61H1/0281 ,  F15B15/103 ,  A61F2002/5066 ,  A61F2002/704 ,  A61F2/74 ,  A61F2/748 ,  A61F2002/762 ,  A61F2002/7635 ,  A61H2201/1238 ,  A61H2201/1614 ,  A61H2201/1635 ,  A61H2201/164 ,  A61H2201/165 ,  A61H2201/5007 ,  A61H2201/5058 ,  A61H2201/5071 ,  A61H2201/5087

Abstract: Actuators and methods of use are provided. An actuator may include an inner member made from an elastic material and defining a compartment for receiving an actuating fluid, the inner member being moveable in a longitudinal direction from a relaxed state to an expanded state by introducing an actuating fluid into the inner member; and an outer member made from an inelastic material and being disposed around the elastic inner member to control expansion of the elastic inner member in a radial direction, the outer member being moveable from a folded relaxed configuration to an unfolded extended configuration as the inner member moves from the relaxed state to the expanded state, wherein the movement of the actuator between the relaxed state and the expanded state causes a movement of a structure to which the actuator is attached.

公开(公告)号：US11887742B2

公开(公告)日：2024-01-30

申请号：US17579042

申请日：2022-01-19

Applicant: Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Inventor： Christopher J. Massar ,  Bryer C. Sousa ,  Danielle L. Cote

IPC: G21F1/02 ,  G21F1/10

CPC classification number: G21F1/026 ,  G21F1/106

Abstract: Radiation shield and methods for manufacturing a radiation shield are provided herein, the method includes identifying a substrate for the radiation shield; identifying at least one material for cold spraying on the substrate; applying by cold spray a coating of the at least one material on the substrate thereby obtaining a radiation shield. The radiation shield is lighter, thinner, and more efficient compared to conventional radiation shields.

公开(公告)号：US11877625B2

公开(公告)日：2024-01-23

申请号：US16568839

申请日：2019-09-12

Applicant: Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Inventor： Christopher A. Brown

IPC: A43C15/16 ,  A43C15/14 ,  A43B13/26

CPC classification number: A43C15/161 ,  A43B13/26 ,  A43C15/14 ,  A43C15/168

Abstract: A force absorbing device for a footwear appliance includes a shoe sole having a planar sole surface, such that the shoe sole is adapted to be disposed against a ground surface such as turf, grass or dirt. A ground interface member having a general appearance of a footwear cleat extends from the planar sole surface. Within the sole, the ground interface member couples to a force mitigation assembly for absorbing forces against the cleat. The force mitigation assembly includes an elastic field of a resilient, compressible material, and an inclined surface is disposed against the elastic field and oriented to compress the elastic field. A linkage or connecting surface transmits a displacement force for disposing the inclined surface across the elastic field, where the inclined surface compresses the elastic field as it moves across. In response, the elastic field exerts a counterforce against the ground interface member.

公开(公告)号：US11865702B2

公开(公告)日：2024-01-09

申请号：US17410719

申请日：2021-08-24

Applicant: Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Inventor： Cagdas D. Onal ,  Onder Ondemir ,  Weijia Tao

IPC: B25J15/10 ,  B25J15/12 ,  B25J9/10 ,  B25J9/00

CPC classification number: B25J15/12 ,  B25J9/0015 ,  B25J9/104 ,  B25J9/1075 ,  B25J15/10

Abstract: A soft bodied robotic member has the appearance of a finger and has a deformable rubber elongated body surrounding an array of rigid ribs interconnected by a perpendicular constraint. The plates form a series of parallel protrusions extending from opposed sides of the body and have a serrated, sawtooth or wavelike appearance. A tether runs through each row of protrusions and draws the corresponding protrusions together in a compressive manner to bend or dispose the finger toward the compressed side. Gaps between the protrusion allow movement of the protrusion towards adjacent protrusions to dispose the body in an arcuate shape. The constraint is a planar sheet that bends with the arc along its width, but resists lateral twisting, thus limiting movement outside a plane defined by the arc and the tether. Multiple finger members may be placed in close geometric proximity for gripping a common object.

公开(公告)号：US20230372673A1

公开(公告)日：2023-11-23

申请号：US18199236

申请日：2023-05-18

Applicant: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC. ,  WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE

Inventor： ANNE GU ,  HANNAH R. BAEZ ,  AVNISH SACHAR ,  JAMES WELDON ,  PARIS MARKS SAINT-PREUX ,  FARID TAVAKKOLMOGHADDAM ,  CHRISTOPHER J. NYCZ ,  ADITYA AMBANI

IPC: A61M25/01 ,  A61B1/005 ,  A61B34/30

CPC classification number: A61M25/0136 ,  A61B1/0052 ,  A61B34/30 ,  A61B2034/301

Abstract: Steerable medical devices display systems including a handle and an elongate shaft extending distally from the handle to a distal tip, a motor control assembly including a motor control housing configured to detachably interface with the handle, a first deflection mechanism disposed within the handle, the first deflection mechanism being configured to deflect the distal tip in a first plane, and a work station in electronic communication with the motor control assembly, the work station including at least a display screen. The work station may be configured to display a dashboard including visual information of a position of the distal tip.

公开(公告)号：US20230348792A1

公开(公告)日：2023-11-02

申请号：US18140275

申请日：2023-04-27

Applicant: Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Inventor： Michael Timko ,  Heather LeClerc ,  Geoffrey A. Tompsett ,  Alex R. Maag ,  Andrew R. Teixeira

IPC: C10G3/00

CPC classification number: C10G3/50 ,  C10G2300/1003 ,  C10G2300/1014 ,  C10G2300/1018 ,  C10G2400/06 ,  C10G2300/4006

Abstract: Methods for obtaining a biocrude intermediate by hydrothermal liquefaction of plant wastes are provided. Using a waste feed having a high cellulose content, the method involves grinding the waste feed to obtain a pulverized waste feed, and subjecting the pulverized waste feed to hydrothermal liquefaction at a temperature at or greater than at about 250° C. At this temperature or greater a catalyst is not necessary to obtain the biocrude. A lower temperature can be used, such as greater than about 150° C. in presence of a catalyst. The step of grinding the plant material, for example ball grinding, reduces particle size and crystallinity, and combined with the high temperature treatment improves the yield of biocrude. Biocrude can be upgraded to biofuel by high temperature hydrodeoxygenating in the presence of hydrogen. Plant wastes that would otherwise contribute green house gases are instead converted to fuels.