Browse university and national lab IP

A control manifold that is embedded in an LLM through supervised-finetuning. This manifold outputs dynamically feasible and semantically correct visual signals as drone trajectories. Through these signals the drone swarm can coordinate to find a target more accurately than baseline non-LLM approaches.

The development of pre-deployed underwater infrastructures to aid in autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) navigation, and landmarking is of keen interest, with the increased use of AUVs and general undersea operations. This IP introduces a class of passive underwater acoustic markers, termed acoustic identification (AID) tags, which are inexpensive to construct, simple to deploy, and reflect unique engineered acoustic signatures that can be detected by an AUV instrumented with high-frequency sonar systems. An AID tag is built of multi-layer shells or multi-layer rings with different acoustic properties and thicknesses to generate a unique acoustic signature, composed of the multiple reflections created by the layer interfaces, thus akin to an "acoustic barcode." AID tags can be used as geospatial markers to highlight checkpoints in AUV trajectories or mark areas of interest underwater. AID tags can be designed and detected for use with off-the-shelf SONAR (Sound Navigation and Ranging) systems and provide a means to generate encoded landmarks that convey simple instructions or information to the observing platform.

Proton-conducting reversible solid oxide cells (P-ReSOCs) represent a cutting-edge energy conversion technology for sustainable electricity generation and green hydrogen production. Their unique versatility enables operation in both fuel cell and electrolysis modes. In fuel cell mode, P-ReSOCs efficiently and cleanly convert the chemical energy stored in a wide range of fuels (hydrogen, methane, ethanol, etc.) into electric power. Conversely, they function as electrolyzers to produce green hydrogen or other clean fuels via water splitting or H2O and CO2 co-electrolysis. However, the widespread commercial application of P-ReSOCs is currently hindered by the limited electro-catalytic activity and durability of oxygen electrodes at lower temperatures. Here we present for the first time a family of novel oxygen electrodes BaCo0.9-x-yFe0.1Hf/Zr/SnxWy (BCFH/Zr/SnW, where x varies from 0 to 0.1 and y varies from 0 to 0.05), which exhibit superior electrochemical performance in proton conducting system, significantly outperforming the best-reported oxygen electrode materials. Additionally, single cells incorporating the optimal BaCo0.8Fe0.1Hf0.05W0.05 (BCFHW100505) oxygen electrode demonstrate exceptional performance and durability, exceeding current benchmarks in both fuel cell and electrolysis applications. The enhanced performance and durability significantly improve the efficiency and extend the lifespan of current P-ReSOCs. Specifically, the P-ReSOCs utilizing BCFHW100505 as oxygen electrode achieve recording-breaking peak power densities of 3.15 W cm-2 at 600 °C and 1.12 W cm-2 at 450 °C in fuel cell mode, as well as a current density of 3.16 A cm-2 at 1.3 V and 600 °C in electrolysis mode. More importantly, the cell shows outstanding stability at a current density of 1.0 A cm-2 at 600 °C in electrolysis mode with 30% steam for over 500 hours, achieving a degradation rate of less than 10 mV per 1000 hours. These results showcase state-of-the-art performance, highlighting the high potential for commercial applications.

Researchers at LSU have developed an integrated computer system that enables mobile robots, like Boston Dynamics’ Spot and DJI’s RoboMaster EP, to operate autonomously rather than relying on constant human control. This system features a graphical user interface that coordinates essential tool and function modules, allowing users to map environments, plan missions, and execute them without manual operation. By reducing the need for direct programming and enabling control of multiple robots, the invention boosts functionality, productivity, and overall value. It opens opportunities across industrial settings, inspections, safety patrols, surveillance, information gathering, and public safety applications.

Oklahoma State researchers have developed a novel approach to addressing the challenges of rising global food demand and limited CO2 assimilation by identifying EF-G as a master regulator in chloroplasts. EF-G controls the translation of key photosynthetic proteins, including RuBisCO subunits and activase. By overexpressing EF-G, plants exhibit increased CO2 assimilation, enhanced starch synthesis and mobilization, improved metabolic activity, and greater biomass and seed yield. This single-gene strategy simplifies genetic engineering compared to traditional multi-gene approaches and offers a promising solution for boosting crop productivity and biofuel production.

Additional Resources

• Patent WO2025250982A1

Methane and carbon dioxide are potent greenhouse gases emitted in massive quantities from agricultural, industrial, and natural sources, contributing heavily to global warming. Simultaneously, there is an escalating global demand for renewable liquid fuels, such as ethanol, to replace fossil fuels in the transportation and manufacturing industries. This biotechnological solution utilizes a genetically engineered strain of the archaeon Methanosarcina acetivorans to anaerobically convert methane and carbon dioxide into ethanol. The process is optimized using iron(III) as an external electron acceptor, humic acids for electron transfer, and high-density cell inoculums to maximize yields. Unlike conventional methods requiring complex operational units, this platform efficiently leverages a single microbial host's native metabolic machinery. The process is thermodynamically favorable, coupling the endergonic reduction of acetate with the highly exergonic oxidation of methane. By transforming a potent greenhouse gas into a high-value biochemical, this solution provides a sustainable, economically viable alternative for bioethanol manufacturing that is ideal for waste management and agricultural biogas applications.

By relying on digitalization and connectivity, modern manufacturing can leave production vulnerable to malware attacks, ones that can compromise the functionality of an additive manufacturing part by altering its geometry or by inserting small, hard-to-detect local defects. Creating geometric and process digital twins – virtual replicas of physical processes or systems – can help to ensure resilience in additive manufacturing against attacks that may damage parts and hobble production. The digital twin framework enables the rapid repair of attacked digital geometries without the challenges of repeated fabrication-printing-correction cycles, and disrupts formation of local defects, even when the attack and the alteration it makes is not known explicitly.

Additional Resources

• Journal of Manufacturing Systems Publication

This invention presents an innovative fabrication technique for modified graphene oxide membranes for industrial separation applications. ; Graphene oxide flakes are deposited onto a commercially available porous support forming hollow fibers, after which it is modified using molecular layer deposition (MLD). ; Varying the synthesis conditions generates pore sizes that can be modified for gas or liquid separations. ; Development of a proprietary set of growth conditions allows molecules to grow preferentially at the edges of the graphene oxide, preventing molecules from the MLD step from entering the stacked graphene oxide flakes but rather forcing them into the graphene oxide stacks. ; This accentuates the separation parameters and the tunability of the membranes for specific applications. ; The process is simple and solvent-free, so it is scalable and green.

Additional Resources

• Membranes Journal Publication
• Membranes Journal Publication
• Patent WO2025097182A1

The innovation addresses critical bottlenecks in high-performance sensing by enabling compact, lightweight, and high-resolution imaging across the full Visible to Short-Wave Infrared (VIS-SWIR) spectrum (400–1700nm). While traditional glass-based optics are heavy, expensive, and prone to chromatic aberration when imaging across such wide spectral bands, this technology uses simple reflective mirrors. To overcome the off-axis aberrations and field curvature inherent in simple mirrors, the framework employs a hardware-controlled sparse focal stack (capturing just 2–4 images) paired with SeidelConv, a physics-inspired computational backend that recovers sharp, all-in-focus imagery. The primary value addition is a high-aperture optical system that is significantly lighter (e.g., 60g vs. 400g+ for traditional lenses) and does not require wavelength-dependent refocusing. This creates vast market potential for enhanced autonomous navigation, material identification in extreme weather, and high-fidelity industrial inspection.

Additional Resources

• Electrical Engineering and Systems Science Journal Publication

Developed at the University of Cincinnati, this technology is a field-deployable fluorometric sensing platform for rapid detection of PFOA (a PFAS “forever chemical”) in water, addressing the limitations of conventional laboratory LC-MS methods that are slow, costly, and not suitable for onsite monitoring. The UC-developed nanoparticle-catalyzed fluorogenic assay (NCFA) enables ultrasensitive detection through a simple reaction sequence that leverages catalytic metal nanoparticles to generate a measurable fluorescent signal without requiring complex instrumentation. The system is envisioned as a portable kit consisting of a test strip, reagents, and a handheld reader, enabling rapid onsite use. From a commercialization perspective, UC’s platform can be positioned as a practical environmental monitoring tool for industrial users such as Chevron to support real-time screening of PFAS contamination in produced water, groundwater, and discharge streams, improving response time, compliance workflows, and distributed water quality management.

Additional Resources

• Patent WO2026044300A1

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have developed an autonomous UAV-based warehouse inspection system that enables accurate, real-time inventory tracking and anomaly detection in complex indoor environments. The platform combines advanced 3D localization, semantic scene understanding, motion-blur-resistant OCR, and real-time digital twin integration to provide continuous inventory monitoring and operational awareness without requiring extensive warehouse infrastructure.

An automated 3D printer uses a tool-changing mechanism and software-controlled extrusion to switch between concrete, polymer and silicone nozzles, managing flow, temperature and parking to prevent oozing and create integrated multi-material reinforced structures.

Additional Resources

• Moini Lab Research

Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a bio-inspired robot designed specifically for tubular construction inspection. The robot is outfitted with specialized frictional pads that allow it to climb and navigate a variety of tube surfaces, including those with difficult geometries like 90-degree bends, flanges, and both ferromagnetic and non-ferromagnetic materials. The robot's movement and attachment abilities are inspired by the movement and abilities of lizards. Additionally, the robot incorporates cutting-edge ultrasonic imaging methods—including Lamb waves and multi-helical ultrasonic imaging (MHUI)—to identify and describe damage like corrosion and cracks without using conventional contact procedures. It also contains passive acoustic monitoring and a dry couplant phased array to improve damage localization and assessment capabilities, providing a complete and effective solution for the inspection and maintenance of vital industrial components. This has been paired with a bio-inspired robotic device for detection and evaluation of crack and corrosion defects in tubes developed by researchers at Arizona State University and at New Mexico State University. ; The robotic device includes a pair of gripper blocks, each gripper block including a motor and a plurality of toes. ;Each of the plurality of toes includes a network of couplant-free ultrasound transducers for non-destructive testing of surfaces. ;In addition, each toe includes frictional pads that can be used for effective climbing of tubes or other surfaces. ;The pair of gripper blocks can be linked by a bendable “backbone” which is capable of elongation to allow the robot to maneuver along pipes and surfaces. ;The robotic device may also include a tail equipped with various transducers for further examination of tube surfaces. Note that the "Bio-Inspired Inspection Robot" IP currently has a utility filing, while the IP "Bio-Inspired Robot for Tube Inspection" has patent US11504854B2 issued.

Additional Resources

• US11504854B2 Patent Link
• Bio-Inspired Robot for Tube Inspection ASU Technology Link

Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a thermochemical energy storage reactor design, a Zigzag Flow Reactor (ZFR), ideally suited for thermochemical energy storage (TCES). ; The ZFR utilizes temperature and oxygen partial pressure dependent transition of continuous reduction states of non-stoichiometric metal oxide (MOx) particles. ; The ZFR has been designed to allow for flow of the MOx particles that are heated and reduced (emit O2) in the presence of a counterflowing inert sweep gas. ; The reduced particles are stored until the thermal energy is needed wherein the particles are exposed to O2, the MOx is then oxidized and the stored thermal energy is emitted. ; The process is reversable and repeatable and the ZFR is simple and scalable. ; Importantly, the ZFR design with counterflow sweep gas carefully controls and maximizes power density.

Researchers at Arizona State University, University of Pittsburgh, and University of California Irvine have developed a novel membrane contactor that can simultaneously remove CO2 from seawater and perform desalination. While current systems only desalinate the water, this technology integrates Direct Ocean Capture (DOC) with existing large-scale infrastructure via Seawater Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) plants, enabling the synergistic co-production of clean drinking water and CO2 for storage with a single membrane. This device enables carbon capture from seawater by electrochemically lowering the pH of water at the membrane surface, converting dissolved bicarbonate ions (HCO3-) to gaseous CO2. This CO2 can be extracted and stored elsewhere, providing an efficient and cost-effective alternative to direct air capture while simultaneously managing climate change and changing ocean pH levels.

Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a small (<50W) thermally integrated passive solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) that is lightweight and can achieve high electrical efficiency. ;This SOFC is 6 lbs. and can achieve over 20% electrical efficiency with an estimated specific energy exceeding 700 Wh/kg and power density exceeding 700 Wh/L for 72 consecutive hours. This technology incorporates key advances in reforming, heat recovery and robust design that are essential to creating the compact system which offers portable power applications, providing practicality especially for remote use.

"Researchers at Arizona State University have developed an untethered and unmanned amphibious submersible robot for maneuvering through irrigation pipes to locate and detect obstructions and infrastructure imperfections. The robot can traverse complex deformable terrain, dry and semi-wet media, as well as swim underwater. Onboard visual and sensors allow for self-navigation and self-extraction. Its four legged-wheels or “whegs” maximize traction and slippage when on land (e.g., granular, gravel, and rocky terrain) and wetland (e.g., saturated and muddy environments). As the robot transitions from dry to wet conditions, the two back propellers provide forward thrust. Since the robot is naturally buoyant, two additional propellers oriented vertically enable vertical propulsion in water. This allows the robot to easily maneuver in 3D space. The robot is capable of self-navigating and self-extracting through visual feedback provided by a front-mounted laser scanner and camera system. Additionally, the robot features a six-degree-of-motion robotic arm with a sonar image sensor at its end effector, allowing for localized analysis. Although the system has been designed for irrigation pipe inspection, its versatility can extend into other domains."

Additional Resources

• Patent US11499665B2

"Researchers at Arizona State University have designed a thermogalvanic power-generating brick that converts temperature differences across its width into useful power. Emphasis is placed on the engineering of thermal resistance to avoid counterproductive loading of any heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems used to maintain interior temperatures. In developing economies that may lack HVAC systems, naturally occurring temperature differences can still be exploited for energy generation. Structural integrity is provided largely by the brick’s internal periodic frame model, while a substance used as filling supports thermogalvanic electrochemical processes and provides thermal resistance. Much of the design can be 3D-printed using recycled plastics.In addition to exterior wall construction, the bricks can be used for partitioning areas within buildings, such as occupied and non-occupied spaces (e.g., attics, basements). This invention transforms conventionally passive structural elements into active sources of power, day and night."

Additional Resources

• Patent US11346103B2

The current disclosure presents an unrealized opportunity for high performance CO2 capture applications, such as cement, steel, power plant flue gases, etc. Here we disclose membranes with high CO2 permeance with high CO2/N2 selectivity based on a specific structure involving 6FDA-DAM:DABA functionalized with Polyethylene glycol. Beyond the specific structure reviewed here, it would be obvious to one skilled in the art that the DABA functionalized polyethylene glycol (PEG) polyimides revealed here can be tuned for many CO2 capture applications, and all of these composition of matter and applications are claimed in this disclosure.

Researchers at LSU have developed an integrated computer system that enables mobile robots—like Boston Dynamics’ Spot and DJI’s RoboMaster EP—to operate autonomously rather than relying on constant human control. This system features a graphical user interface that coordinates essential tool and function modules, allowing users to map environments, plan missions, and execute them without manual operation. By reducing the need for direct programming and enabling control of multiple robots, the invention boosts functionality, productivity, and overall value. It opens opportunities across industrial settings, inspections, safety patrols, surveillance, information gathering, and public safety applications.

"Researchers at Texas Tech University have developed a novel class of ultrawide bandgap (UWBG) semiconductor materials designed for use in photoconductive semiconductor switches (PCSS). These materials offer the potential to overcome current limitations in high-power switching applications by enabling simultaneous high-voltage and high-current operation, a capability not currently achievable with existing UWBG technologies.In addition, while semiconductor neutron detectors (SNDs) have emerged as the best candidate for detecting thermal neutrons in low-mass, low-power and harsh environment applications, most existing SNDs use a thin neutron conversion layer of 6Li or 10B, which limit their detection efficiency and result in poor energy resolution.

Additional Resources

• Applied Physics Letters Publication
• APL Materials Publication

Traditional TPUs rely on carcinogenic diisocyanates from fossil feedstocks. This invention uses lignin-derived bisguaiacols/bissyringols to create non-isocyanate polyurethanes (NIPUs) that are safer, sustainable, and more processable. The polymers demonstrate higher elongation-at-break and toughness without sacrificing tensile strength or thermal stability, outperforming petroleum analogues.

A catalytic hydroconversion process converts polypropylene waste into high-value lubricant base-oils under mild conditions. The approach uses bifunctional catalysts to break C–C bonds efficiently while limiting undesired cracking, resulting in controlled molecular-weight hydrocarbons suitable for lubricant applications.

Additional Resources

• Patent US12403455B2

The Near-critical Liquefaction-Extraction (NILE) process transforms biomass and biowastes into high-quality hydrocarbon oils using supercritical CO₂ in a high-pressure reactor operating between 150–400 °C and 100–400 bar. It efficiently extracts and fractionates oils, separating them from water and solids while minimizing metal and oxygenated compounds. Energy-efficient dewatering is achieved through supercritical CO₂, which is recycled along with co-solvents. Advanced heating methods ensure rapid, uniform heating, enhancing oil yields and quality for biofuel production with reduced environmental impact.

"A new waste remediation process converts scum from waste water treatment plants (WWTPs) into ASTM compliant biodiesel. The six-step method begins with a filtration step that separates water/oil/solid while converting soap to free fatty acid (FFA). A combination of acid washing and acid catalyzed esterification with glycerin removes soap and impurities while converting FFA to glycerol esters, and glycerol washing separates biodiesel and glycerin after base catalyzed transesterification with methanol. After producing fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) and glycerol, FAME/glycerol/methanol will be separated and FAME recovered. The crude FAME is then distilled to produce high quality biodiesel that can be used directly in transportation vehicles. This method has high conversion rate (it has converted 70% of dried and filtered scum to biodiesel), low material cost, low energy input and low waste discharge. Additional Publication: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2015.01.081

Additional Resources

• Bioresource Technology Journal Publication
• Patent US9745530B2

Powder River Basin coal and byproducts are low-value and costly to manage, while the U.S. relies on imported rare earth elements (REEs) and advanced carbon materials. This platform uses recyclable ionic liquids in aqueous media to selectively depolymerize coal, enrich REEs in the residue, and convert coal-derived tars into carbon-fiber precursors via electrospinning. Bench-scale validation on real PRB feedstocks suggests a low-waste route to higher-value coal-derived products.

Additional Resources

• Patent US11761058B2

This invention provides a scalable method to make large, thin, defect-free films of γ-graphyne, a graphene-like carbon network expanded with extra acetylene links, by driving polymerization at a liquid–liquid interface and tuning edge chemistry. The result is uniform, high-purity sheets ready for electronics, energy storage, and advanced materials.

Additional Resources

• Patent PCT/US2024/035259