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Semi-transparent solar panel for Greenhouses

Executive Summary Greenhouses are commonly used to grow fruits and vegetables in controlled indoor environments. One challenge with operating greenhouses is that they can get very hot and potentially damaging to the growing plants. This requires costly temperature controls to maintain optimum growing conditions. Researchers at Michigan State University...
Published: 8/25/2025   |   Inventor(s): Xu Tan, Mahyar Abedi, Andre Benard, James Klausner
Keywords(s): Near Infrared Light, Plants, Vegetables Category(s): Environmental, Materials

Magnetic Field-Assisted Finishing Composition

Executive Summary Magnetic field-assisted finishing (MAF) is a machining process which utilizes a magnet, ferrous materials, abrasive materials, and an oil to create a ‘brush’ for polishing operations. The process allows automation of surface finishing without the need for manual polishing. However, the quality of the finishing is highly...
Published: 8/15/2025   |   Inventor(s): Haseung Chung duplicate record, Patrick Kwon
Keywords(s): Graphite Nanoplatelets, Nanoplatelet Category(s): Manufacturing Equipment, Materials

Hybrid Lithium-Ion / Lithium-Metal Battery Electrolyte for Fast Charging and High Energy Density

Executive Summary Lithium ion batteries are currently ubiquitous in numerous applications while lithium metal batteries are becoming closer to commercialization. For all batteries, there is a continuous need for higher energy density and fast charging and discharging due to growing applications such as e-vehicles. One limitation of lithium based batteries...
Published: 8/15/2025   |   Inventor(s): Chengcheng Fang, Robert Kuphal
Keywords(s): Lithium Batteries Category(s): Energy, Materials, Mobility

Process for Stereocomplex PLA and Compostable Laminate Film for Food

Executive Summary Consumers, companies, and governments are increasingly favoring compostable materials over fossil-based alternatives, as waste from traditional materials has escalated significantly in recent decades. However, a key challenge with compostable materials is their inferior oxygen and moisture barrier properties compared to non-compostable...
Published: 6/10/2025   |   Inventor(s): James Macnamara, Rafael Auras, Maria Rubino, Matthew Daum, Ajay Kathuria
Keywords(s):   Category(s): Materials, Packaging

Biobased Films with Improved Oxygen Barrier

Executive Summary Biobased materials such as polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), polyglycolic acid (PGA) and polybutylene succinate (PBS) are attractive materials for packaging films due to their positive sustainability aspects including biodegradability. However, their oxygen barrier properties limit the use of these materials to certain applications....
Published: 6/9/2025   |   Inventor(s): Muhammad Rabnawaz, Mohamed Abdelwahab
Keywords(s):   Category(s): Environment, Materials, Packaging, Recycling

Biodegradable Barrier Coating for Paper

Executive Summary Coated paper is used in a variety of packaging applications including fresh produce, cheeses, confectionary, frozen fish and fast food. To achieve sufficient barrier properties, the paper is often coated with petroleum based waxes or polyfluorinated substances (PFAS). However, these coatings are not environmentally attractive and...
Published: 6/5/2025   |   Inventor(s): Muhammad Rabnawaz, Hazem Elkholy, Syeda Shamila Hamdani, Ajmir Khan, Sarla Yadav, Ganapathi Anurag, Gurjot Singh
Keywords(s):   Category(s): Environment, Materials, Packaging, Recycling

Topologically Controlled Composite Materials with High Energy Absorption Capability

Executive Summary Composite materials are a well-established technology in applications requiring high-performance such as sports, aerospace, or defense. However, conventional fiber reinforced composites are prone to severe delamination, cracking, and fiber breakage upon projectile impact. This lack of toughness is a critical limitation on the possible...
Published: 11/22/2023   |   Inventor(s): Dahsin Liu, Peter Schulz
Keywords(s): Composite Materials, Fiber Composite, Fiber Reinforced, Impact Resistant Category(s): Materials

Machining Lubricant Containing Exfoliated Graphite

Executive Summary Machining processes in high production environment usually adopt flood cooling with water-based lubricants and various chemicals. In order to minimize the lubricant use and waste (which also eliminate centralized pumping stations), minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) techniques have been adopted, which generate mist of oil droplets....
Published: 6/16/2023   |   Inventor(s): Patrick Kwon, Lawrence Drzal
Keywords(s):   Category(s): Nanotechnology, Chemicals, Materials

Process for Depolymerizing Recycled Polystyrenes

­Executive Summary Each year, billions of lbs of polystyrene and styrene copolymers are discarded as waste and very little is recycled. While some technologies have attempted pyrolysis in fluidized bed reactors or solvent processes to convert the polystyrene back to monomer, high costs, long process times and a myriad of reaction products have...
Published: 4/22/2025   |   Inventor(s): Muhammad Rabnawaz, Ajmir Khan, Vikash Kumar
Keywords(s):   Category(s): Chemicals, Environment, Materials

Rapid Process for Depolymerizing Recycled PET

­Executive Summary Each year, billions of lbs of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) are discarded as waste. While some of the material is separated, recycled and incorporated into new materials, the degradation of the polymers back to their original monomers (a.k.a. chemical recycling) remains prohibitive...
Published: 4/22/2025   |   Inventor(s): Muhammad Rabnawaz, Ajmir Khan
Keywords(s):   Category(s): Chemicals, Environment, Materials
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