UNR-DRI Technologies

The University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) and DRI work collaboratively with industry and organizations focused on successfully transferring UNR-DRI technologies into the marketplace.  Our goal is to form long-term, strategic relationships with our corporate and community partners with the intent of commercializing innovative UNR-DRI technologies in a mutually beneficial manner. 

UNR and DRI pursue a wide variety of research topics and have made key discoveries in the renewable energy, engineered technology, life science, physical science and environmental science areas.

Research core competencies include:

• agricultural science
• atmospheric science
• biochemistry
• chemistry
• computer science
• earth and ecosystem sciences
• engineering
• environmental and conservation programs
• geological science
• health science
• high energy density science and technology
• hydrologic science
• medicine
• mining engineering
• molecular biosciences and biotechnology
• nanoscience / nanotechnology
• physics
• seismic engineering
• veterinary science

UNR Technologies Available for Licensing:

Renewable Energy
Nanotube Li-ion Battery Technology UNR ID #: UNR07-011 Title: Self-Ordered Nanotubes of Titanium Oxides and Titanium Alloy Oxides for Energy Storage and Battery Applications Dr. Manoranjan Misra Patent Pending UNR’s Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery with advanced titanium-manganese (TiMn) uses nanotube technology to produce a more stable, higher capacity battery with lower heat as compared with other Li-ion solutions.  Nanotubes, built around a Lithium separator, greatly enhance the surface conductivity area and promote greater flow of Lithium ions leading to a more efficient and productive battery.  Deposit build-up associated with carbon-based batteries has been virtually eliminated allowing for increased Lithium flow.  Initial capacity tests using TiMn reveal specific capacity ranges from 1200-1500 mAh/g.  Long-term capacity after stabilization has shown to be 1,000 mAh/g, more than tripling the industry standard of 300 mAh/g.  The application of nanotechnology to Li-ion development is providing the economies of scale to make Li-ion technology even more viable in the marketplace, especially for larger scale projects.  More Details
Coffee Biofuel UNR ID #: UNR08-002 Title: Methods, Systems, and Apparatus for Obtaining Biofuel from Coffee and Fuels Produced Therefrom Dr. Manoranjan Misra Patent Pending Spent coffee grounds are converted into biodiesel yielding 10-15% oil that can be used to make a high quality biodiesel.  Coffee biodiesel is stable and burns more quickly than vegetable oil based biodiesel.  The two-step extraction process is simple and more economical compared to standard processes.  This provides a low-cost, renewable source of biofuel helping to reduce the carbon footprint without borrowing from food stock.  It is estimated that 340 million gallons of biodiesel could be produced from coffee ground waste worldwide using 2008 data. The fuel stock is growing as well. World coffee production is estimated to increase 2 billion pounds in 2009 to 18.3 billion pounds, up from roughly 16.3 billion pounds.  After oil is extracted, coffee grounds and by-products have additional market uses.  The coffee grounds can be formed into fuel pellets or remain an effective composting agent.  In addition, glycerin by-products can be used in the manufacture of soap products. More Details
Titanium Dioxide Nanostructure Solar Cells – Dual Sided Feature UNR ID #: UNR09-013 Title: Titanium Dioxide Solar Cells Dr. Manoranjan Misra Patent Pending TiO2 (titanium dioxide) nanotube solar cells represent a breakthrough in the application of nano solar technology.  The DOE has set a target for solar technology of $1 per kilowatt output manufacturing cost.  The two sided feature of this solar technology offers prospects of beating this target by a substantial margin.  Cells have been successfully manufactured which allow light to pass through the nanotubes and onto a titanium substrate greatly increasing the surface conductivity and, therefore, overall capacity for theses nano solar cells.  Initial capacity tests have demonstrated a 13 mA/cm2 photocurrent.
Solar Conversion of Carbon Dioxide to Methanol UNR ID #: UNR09-014 Title: Nanostructure Array and Method of Use for Converting Carbon Dioxide to an Organic Compound Dr. Manoranjan Misra Patent Pending Solar nanotube technology is used to efficiently convert carbon dioxide to methanol and dimethyl ether (DME), a green fuel with numerous uses such as power production, fueling vehicles and in-home use. DME produces very low emissions, has high fuel economy and has been targeted as an excellent fuel for combustion engines and fuel cells. Utilities can use this technology to not only reduce CO2 levels and produce green fuels, but return heat to the power generation system.  It has also been approved as a fuel source for gas turbines by the major manufacturers in this market space.  A sizeable market exists with the U.S. producing roughly 25 percent of the world’s CO2 emissions.
Solar Electrolysis of Water for Hydrogen Production UNR ID #: UNR05-003 Title: Photoelectrochemical Cell for Hydrogen Generation using Titanium Oxide Nanotubes Dr. Manoranjan Misra Patent Pending Solar hydrogen generation has been achieved using TiO2 (titanium dioxide) nanotube solar arrays. The solar arrays are used for electrolysis, the separation of water into hydrogen and oxygen.  This provides a renewable way to produce hydrogen, greatly increasing the net energy gain and reducing green house gas emissions.  The 2003 U.S. Hydrogen Fuel Initiative placed an increased emphasis on hydrogen production and has helped promote hydrogen as a power source.  In 2008, the worldwide market for hydrogen was roughly $300 billion and projected to grow by 10% - 40% per year over the next decade.  Regarding production costs, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has set a cost target for hydrogen at $2.00–$3.00/kg for the transportation market.  The cost of electricity is the primary component of the cost to produce hydrogen and renewable energy sources, such as solar, provide a solution to reducing the cost and making it a viable alternative for the marketplace.
Nanostructure Boride Materials Manufacturing UNR ID #: UNR08-018 Title: Combustion Synthesis Method and Boron-Containing Materials Produced Therefrom Dr. Olivia Graeve Patent Pending Dr. Graeve's technology details the manufacture of lanthanum hexaboride (LaB6) and similar hexaboride powders.  These finely dispersed hexaboride particles prove superior for use in manufacturing since they are highly unagglomerated.  The manufacturing technology for hexaborides in this patent application are less expensive than other manufacturing methods and has potential market applications for both high temperature ceramics and energy efficient windows.  The fine dispersion of this material in ceramics will help avoid the incidence of cracking and the spread of cracks in high heat applications such as turbine engines.  Windows can be made to be much more energy efficient.  LaB6 blocks infrared light through windows, keeping homes warmer in winter and cooler in summer while not affecting visible light.  Applications also include solar voltaic cells. More Details
Life Sciences
Titanium Hydroxyapatite Materials for Bioceramic Implants UNR ID #: UNR04-035 Title: Coating Bioceramics on Titanium Based Implant Materials Dr. Manoranjan Misra Patent Pending This technology surrounds a process for growing hydroxyapatite inside titanium nanotubes for use in bioceramic implants. Hydroxyapatite is chemically similar to the mineral component of bones and hard tissues in mammals and is one of the few materials that will support bone growth. Of great interest is the ability for materials to promote increased tissue and bone growth and strength after implantation. The process of growing hydroxyapatite inside titanium nanotubes increases both tissue and bone growth upon implantation (orthopedic or dental) and promotes greater strength and durability surrounding these implants. It also has a lower failure rate due to higher tension strength, >60MPa. The coverage includes a nanoporous metal oxide surface and a bioceramic coating anchored into nanopores. In the U.S. there are over 200,000 Total Knee Replacement (TKR) surgeries and 100,000 Total Hip Replacement (THR) surgeries done each year. The worldwide orthopedic market is estimated at over $20B. Longer life expectancy, retiring baby boomers and rising popularity of extreme sports are leading to a growing market for orthopedic implants.
Male Bovine Fertility SNP UNR ID #: UNR07-012 Title: Sire Early Selection for Male Fertility Using Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) of the DAZL Gene Dr. Wansheng Liu Patent Pending This technology surrounds a test detecting improved fertility of male bovine and can be used for both dairy and ranch cattle. Dairy cattle fertility declined steadily for both cows and sires from 1959 to 1995 and only started slowing in the late 1990s. With this, much attention has been focused on improving the Sire Conception Rate which documents confirmed pregnancies. Improving the 21-day pregnancy rate by even 1% has been shown to have the economic equivalence of improving milk yield by roughly 200 pounds per cow/year. Dr. Liu has discovered Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) genetic markers from Y-chromosome-related genes that allow animal breeders/producers to haplotype high fertility, low fertility and sub-/in-fertility bulls. This DNA-based technology will significantly improve the design of new marker-assisted selection (MAS) strategies using Y haplotypes as an aid in selecting sires at an earlier age prior to entering a breeding program and eliminate potential genetic defects associated with reduced fertility. This, in turn, has the potential to significantly reduce maintenance costs, prior to breeding either as yearlings or mature bulls. More Details
Physical Sciences
Electric Motor Random Pulse Width Modulation UNR ID #: UNR01-004 Title: Random Pulse Width Modulation Method and Device Dr. Andrej Trzynadlowski US patent no. 6,600,669 Operation of most power electronic converters, dc-to-ac inverters in particular, is based on the principle of pulse width modulation (PWM).  However, unwanted byproducts of this operation mode of the inverter generally include: (a) electro-magnetic interference (EMI) concentrated in narrow frequency bands at multiples of the switching frequency,  (b) annoying tonal acoustic noise, and (c) susceptibility to vibration if the switching frequency coincides with one of the natural resonance frequencies of the system fed from the converter, e.g., an electric drive. The Random Pulse Width Modulation method (RPWM) differs from the traditional PWM by dithering the switching periods.  As a result, the EMI spectrum is flattened, allowing easier compliance with the existing electromagnetic compatibility standards, the whining tonal sound becomes a shushed “static,” and susceptibility to vibration disappears. This RPWM device is a digital modulator, which realizes the random modulation using the voltage space-vector approach. Although switching periods vary in a random manner, the sampling frequency remains constant and equal to the reciprocal of the average switching period. This allows an easy replacement of the traditional PWM with the RPWM in any existing inverter. The same RPWM method and device can easily be adapted for control of any other pulse-width modulated power electronic converters, such as the dc-to-dc switching power supplies or ac-to-dc rectifiers. More Details
Magnetic Encryption for Security Documents and Smart Cards UNR ID #: UNR07-004 Title: Devices and Methods for Storing Data Dr. Jim Henson Patent Pending This technology provides a means of producing secure, encoded, tamper-proof, non-erasable media. In addition, it uses higher resolution, uses less space and has a greater life span than current media options. Potential markets include the secure card data and currency encryption/encoding markets. The secure card market alone is estimated at over $10 billion. The key feature includes the ability to orient magnetized, directional particles which will store highly encrypted data on various mediums, including: currency, paper tickets, financial cards, security cards and identification documents (passports, drivers’ license, social security card, etc.). Particles can be oriented in three dimensions offering much higher encryption as compared with current magnetic encryption standards and the data can be read using an industry standard MR (Magnetic Resistive) sensor.
Multi-Dimensional Real-Array Radar Antennas UNR ID #: UNR06-005 Title: Multi-Dimensional Real-Array Radar Antennas and Systems Steered and Focused Using Fast Fourier Transforms Dr. Jim Henson U.S. Patent #: 7,504,985 This technology relates to radar systems, radar-signal processing, and radar-antenna arrays that do not require individual electronically controlled phase-shifters to steer and/or focus the antenna array. More specifically, this invention covers radar antennas comprising multiple array elements that are driven sequentially and individually to steer the radio waves produced by the array. The array is quickly, easily, and inexpensively steered and mathematically focused using either one or two-dimensional Fourier transform. This can be accomplished using an inexpensive digital-signal processing (DSP) chip. The transform is applied to the complex range-resolved signal data associated with each antenna element in the physical array. Return-radar signals are received by the individual antenna elements, wherein each return-radar signal is received before a next antenna element transmits its respective radar signal. Benefits include lower cost and energy consumption and fewer electronic components as compared with standard phased-array radar systems. More Details

DRI Technologies Available for Licensing

Environmental Sciences
LORAX Vehicle Particulate Sensor System DRI ID #: DRI00-003 Title: Vehicle Particulate Sensor System Dr. Hans Moosmuller Dr. Robert E. Keislar US Patent 6,542,831 Remote sensing of vehicle exhaust has been shown to be an economical method to determine on-road emissions for thousands of vehicles per day and is an efficient way to comply with gross emitter laws.  Current remote sensing measurements are not capable of accurately measuring particulate matter (PM) emissions.  The Vehicle Particulate Sensor System can measure particulate levels from multiple vehicles in dense traffic while measuring both black carbon particles and organic carbon particles. This system utilizes two complementary technologies, an ultraviolet Lidar and transmissometer, for the measurement of PM mass column content behind a passing vehicle.  The analysis yields a fuel-based PM mass emission factor. The instrument has been used extensively in major air quality research.
Deep Well Vapor Sampling DRI ID #: DRI04-001 Title: Vapor Sampler - Device to Thermoelectrically Condense and Collect Soil Water for Sampling Soil Water Vapor for Chemical or Radiological Constituents Dr. Dave Decker Patent Pending Current procedures for sampling of groundwater wells to monitor radiation typically include installing a pump in a monitoring well and removing large volumes of liquid. This procedure is very complex, time consuming, expensive and requires handling potentially radioactive materials. In addition, it requires large amounts of power, limiting uses for remote, discrete or long-term radiological monitoring of a deep well site. The current invention overcomes these obstacles by sampling and analyzing subsurface without the removal of material. This technology relates to two features of a radiological monitoring system: the radiological sampler, and a vapor condenser allowing for the system to sample soil water vapors. Radiological Sampler: A complete “in situ” sample is collected, radiation activity analyzed and communications report submitted, all subsurface. No hazardous materials are pumped to the surface. In addition, the entire unit can be operated on a low wattage power system via solar panels and communications can be reported via cell/satellite phone. Prototype units can collect and analyze samples for 3 months before refurbishing and are scalable for greater sample numbers. Vapor Condenser: An attachment for the radiation monitoring instrument allows for sampling of the soil’s water vapor.  Current techniques involve pumping many cubic meters of air through a cryotrap in order to obtain enough water to sample.  Large uncertainties exist with this technique including uncertainty of air sources, which are overcome by this vapor condensation technology. The process requires no pumps, only uses 1 mL of water for sampling and can identify the source of radiation with far more certainty compared with current methods.
Deep Well Monitoring Technology DRI ID #: DRI08-006 Title: Sampling System and Method Dr. Dave Decker Patent Pending Current Bennett pumps can lift material from 800 feet beneath the earth’s surface, yet many wells requiring monitoring by the DOE and other organizations are in the range of 1,200 to 3,000 feet deep.  This intellectual property covers two improvements upon the Bennett pumping system: Bennett pump sectional staging and tubing clamp assembly. Bennett pump sectional staging: This invention covers the staging of multiple, off-the-shelf Bennett pumps in a series allowing these pumps to work together lifting water from far deeper than a single pump alone. Tubing clamp assembly: The second invention is a clamp that transfers the weight of the Bennett tubing bundle to a co-installed wireline, and is a critical component to successfully installing and recovering a multi-stage Bennett pump string. This feature helps avoid crushing of support tubing, especially during installation and removal of this tubing. The present inventions allow for deeper wells to be explored with improved deployment and retrieval of sample tubing from these deep wells, allowing for fewer time consuming and expensive repairs.
G-Meter for studying Climate Change DRI ID #: DRI06-004 Title: Instrument For Measuring The Aerosol Asymmetry Parameter (g) or G-Meter Dr. Hans Moosmuller Patent Pending The G-Meter offers a simple way to directly measure the aerosol contribution to climate change. Radiative transfer models are used to model the transfer of radiomagnetic radiation like sunlight in the atmosphere and are useful for understanding and modeling phenomena such as global climate change. One factor these models consider is how much light is absorbed or reflected by particles suspended in the atmosphere (aerosols) thereby contributing to radiative forcing. The angular distribution of light scattered by aerosols is useful in determining the aerosol contribution to radiative forcing. This angular distribution is commonly parameterized into a single value, the asymmetry parameter (g). No instrument for the direct measurement of the asymmetry parameter g is currently available.
Remote Image Analysis for Invasive Species DRI ID #: DRI07-001 Title: Image Analysis Process Dr. Ken McGwire Patent Pending Hyperspectral remote sensing began in the mid-1980's and has been used widely by geologists and ecologists for mapping minerals and vegetation.  One area of applied research for hyperspectral imagery attempts to identify invasive plant species that are causing serious economic and ecological harm.  However, current methods of hyperspectral analysis require a relatively high degree of specialized experience.  Dr. McGwire’s technology automates a sophisticated method of hyperspectral analysis in a simple point-and-click environment so that even a naïve user can provide results that match those of expert analysts.
Physical Sciences
Integrating Sphere Nephelometer DRI ID #: DRI03-003 Title: Low Truncation Loss, Non-Reciprocal Nephelometer with Integrating Sphere Dr. Hans Moosmüller Dr. W. Patrick Arnott U.S. Patent 7,173,697 Nephelometers are used for measuring the total scattering by suspended particulates in a liquid or gas and have common applications for environmental monitoring. The Integrating Sphere Nephelometer more accurately measures the scattering of suspended particles in the atmosphere integrated over direction and polarization through use of a targeted light beam. This novel and unique reciprocal nephelometer uses an integrating sphere with attached truncation-reduction tubes to contain the sample volume and to integrate the scattered light. Its main advantage over current integrating nephelometers is the seven (7) fold reduction in truncation angle that reduces errors in measuring scattering from large particles. Additional features include the improved ability to sample large particles and the well-defined operating wavelength. This instrument is superior to conventional integrating nephelometers if large particles (diameter > 2.5 µm) cause substantial scattering. Applications include; visibility research and short wave radiative transfer component of climate change research.
T-Probe (Ice and Liquid Sensor System for Airborne Vehicles) DRI ID #: DRI04-004 Title: Sensor System to Distinguish Frozen and Non-Frozen Liquid Particulates Dr. John Hallett USPTO #: 7,191,643 Ice formation on aircraft reduces aircraft handling and has been blamed for a multitude of fatal crashes, especially when allowed to accumulate. Even a 1mm thick layer of ice is reportedly enough to destabilize an airplane. Most available aircraft atmospheric sensors make only an “ice/no ice” reading, failing to provide quantifiable data regarding the combined ice and water content of the atmosphere. The T-Probe collects and evaporates both water and ice particles from the atmosphere, then sends detailed, accurate measurements regarding the content of both back to the pilot every tenth of a second. The collected data includes a measurement of the atmospheric ice and water content separately. The T-Probe technology is especially valuable for understanding icing conditions in “mixed phase clouds.” This allows the pilot to more accurately assess the atmospheric conditions and the safety of the airplane. More Details
Electrostatic Classification for Select Nanoparticles DRI ID#: DRI07-002 Title: Methodology to Morphology-Select Nanoparticles Using Electrostatic Classifiers Dr. Rajan K. Chakrabarty Dr. Hans Moosmüller Dr. W. Patrick Arnott Patent Pending Morphology of particles (such as being spherical or linear shaped) is of key importance for the bulk manufacture of nanomaterials, including the process of aerosol synthesis.  Certain control of nanomaterials during application can lead to greatly enhanced physical properties for the end product.  Conversely, the inability to control these nanoparticles during manufacture can lead to a compromised end product.  The invention provides a method for separating particles having different morphologies based on their flow properties, such as electrical mobility.  Control of these properties allows for manipulation of which nanoparticles are used in certain nanomanufacturing processes.  Applications include: 1) pharmaceutical synthesis and processing, where the ability to control the size and shape of agglomerates can influence their behavior in the human body; 2) synthesis of printer toners, tires, paints, and fillers products where nanopowder morphology influences optical and mechanical properties.
Mixed-Phase Cloud Simulation DRI ID#: DRI08-004 Title: Mixed-Phase Generator And Use Thereof Dr. John Hallett Patent Pending The mixed-phase cloud simulation technology covers a method for a creating and controlling a mixed-phase cloud environment. These mixed-phase clouds include both super-cooled water and ice particles that have been implicated in a higher incidence of lightening and aviation icing. Understanding of mixed-phase clouds provides quantifiable data concerning the combined ice crystal and water droplet content in the atmosphere allowing for a deeper understanding of atmospheric conditions. Applications include atmospheric research and aviation design and safety.
FracMAP Aggregate Simulation DRI ID #: DRI08-011 Title: Simulation and Orientation-Specific Morphology Analysis of Solid Nano-Agglomerates Dr. Rajan K. Chakrabarty Dr. Hans Moosmüller Mr. Mark A. Garro Dr. Chris Herald Patent Pending Analysis of electron micrographs involves extraction of three dimensional (3-d) structural and geometrical properties of nanoparticles, which are commonly unknown, from their two dimensional (2-d) projected images. Studies so far have tried to formulate generalized recipes to help infer 3-d properties from the particle’s 2-d projected properties. These empirical findings, however, did not take into account the orientation effects of the particles collected on a filter medium for electron microscopy. Additionally, a FracMAP software package has been developed which numerically simulates the aggregation of primary monomers into monodispersive nanoparticles in 3-d space using the Monte Carlo method. Making use of a highly efficient algorithm, the code generates all the possible projections (similar to that of electron-microscopy) of the 3-d nanoparticle onto a 2-d plane by restricting them to stable orientations. Resulting 2-d images are analyzed for their projected morphological properties.
Morphology Engineering of Combustion-Generated Aerosols Using Electric Forces DRI ID #: DRI09-003 Title: Morphology Engineering of Combustion-Generated Aerosols Using Electric Forces Dr. Rajan K. Chakrabarty Dr. Hans Moosmüller Patent Pending Aerosol flame synthesis is a widely used method for bulk production of nanomaterials. Fractal-like aggregates (FA) are formed when following this process.  The morphology of these aggregates plays a very important role in many industrial applications including printer toners, tires, paints, fillers, carbon nanotubes, and pharmaceuticals.  Presently, there exists no well accepted, scalable technique to engineer the morphology of aerosols from a combustion system.  The present invention covers two novel approaches overcoming these current nano-manufacturing limitations.  The first is an application of an external electric field. The second covers a reduced flame temperature process.  This process allows for the engineering of fractal-like aggregates with low fractal dimension and near-linear shape from a flame combustion system.

We are eager to discuss IP licensing opportunities surrounding UNR-DRI discoveries that meet your technology needs.  If you have interest in a specific technology area, please contact us regarding your area of interest so we can explore possible opportunities with you.