Harvard faculty George Whitesides, Kit Parker, Jose Halperin, Vahid Tarokh, and Roy Gordon are among the inventors issued U.S. patents during August 2016.

The innovations recognized are as follows:

Methods for fabricating and using nanowires
U.S. Patent 9,406,709 (August 2, 2016)

Kwanyong Seo, Paul Steinvurzel, Ethan Schonbrun, Munib Wober, and Kenneth B. Crozier

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, systems, and devices relating to fabricating one or more nanowires are disclosed. One method for fabricating a nanowire includes: selecting a particular wavelength of electromagnetic radiation for absorption for a nanowire; determining a diameter corresponding to the particular wavelength; and fabricating a nanowire having the determined diameter. According to another embodiment, one or more nanowires may be fabricated in an array, each having the same or different determined diameters. An image sensor and method of imaging using such an array are also disclosed.

Three dimensional assembly of diamagnetic materials using magnetic levitation
U.S. Patent 9,409,265 (August 9, 2016)

George M. Whitesides, Filip Ilievski, Audrey Ellerbee, Sergey S. Shevkoplyas, and Katherine A. Mirica

Abstract: The ability to assemble three-dimensional structures using diamagnetic particles suspended in solutions containing paramagnetic cations is described. The major advantages of this separation device are that: (i) it is a simple apparatus that does not require electric power (a set of permanent magnets and gravity are sufficient for the diamagnetic separation and collection system to work); ii) the assembled structures can be removed from the paramagnetic solution for further processing after fixing the structure; iii) the assembly is fast; and iv) it is small, portable.

Methods and devices for the fabrication of 3D polymeric fibers
U.S. Patent 9,410,267 (August 9, 2016)

Kevin Kit Parker, Mohammad Reza Badrossamay, and Josue Adrian Goss

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for the fabrication of 3D polymeric fibers having micron, sub-micron, and nanometer dimensions, as well as methods of use of these polymeric fibers.

Quality control bioassays for nutriceutical and medicinal products
U.S. Patent 9,410,946 (August 9, 2016)

Jose A. Halperin and Huseyin Aktas

Abstract: Bioassays for detecting the ability of one sample of a food substance, nutritional supplement, therapeutic agent and/or disease preventive agent relative to that of a second sample of such a substance, supplement and/or agent to inhibit, upregulate or otherwise modulate translation initiation, and thereby demonstrate a disease curative and/or preventive effect in a human and/or animal that consumes a such substance, supplement and/or agent or to whom a such substance, supplement and/or agent is administered are provided.

System, method, and computer-accessible medium for fabrication miniature endoscope using soft lithography
U.S. Patent 9,415,550 (August 16, 2016)

Guillermo J. Tearney, Brett Eugene Bouma, Dongkyun Kang, George M. Whitesides, and Rames Martinez

Abstract: Exemplary method and system can be implemented and/or used for providing a diffractive configuration in an optical arrangement can be provided. For example, an elastomeric material can be provided with at least one patterned surface. The elastomeric material can be connected with at least one portion of a waveguide arrangement using a pre-polymer adhesive composition. Further, the pre-polymer adhesive composition can be caused to polymerize so as to form the diffractive configuration which at least approximately replicate a structure or at least one feature of an elastomeric mold.

Surrogates of post-translationally modified proteins and uses thereof
U.S. Patent 9,417,248 (August 16, 2016)

Michael Chorev and Jose A. Halperin

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds that are surrogates of post-translationally modified proteins and uses thereof. Numerous diseases are associated with post-translationally modified proteins that are difficult to obtain in homogenous form and in quantities needed for immunization and use as convenient standards, calibrators, and/or reference compounds that facilitate the detection and analysis of endogenous post-translationally modified proteins. The surrogate compounds of the invention typically comprise antigenic epitopes (one of which carries a post-translational modification) that are tethered by a flexible and hydrophilic linker. The resulting compound behaves like a surrogate of the post-translationally modified protein because it preserves the character of the included antigens and allows recognition by specific antibodies targeting the individual antigens. The surrogate compounds may be prepared by covalently joining two or more polypeptide epitopes using one or more linkers, wherein at least one of the epitopes comprises a post-translational modification. In one aspect, the surrogate compounds of the invention comprise a C-terminal epitope and a glycated epitope of human CD59. The inventive methods allow quantification of the levels of glycated CD59 in the serum in human subjects, particularly those with diabetes or pre-diabetes. This technological platform of post-translationally modified protein surrogates can be applied to other diseases associated with post-translationally modified proteins (e.g., autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus). In another aspect, the invention provides antibodies that bind specifically to the compounds of the invention and methods for producing such antibodies.

Method and apparatus for detecting mode of motion with principal component analysis and hidden markov model
U.S. Patent 9,418,342 (August 16, 2016)

Saeed S. Ghassemzadeh, Lusheng Ji, Robert Raymond Miller II, Manish Gupta, and Vahid Tarokh

Abstract: A method, computer-readable storage device and apparatus for determining a mode of motion are disclosed. For example, a method receives training data comprising gait information associated with a plurality of different modes of motion. The method performs principal component analysis on the training data to extract principal components from the training data and generates a hidden markov model for each of a plurality of different modes of motion based upon the training data. The method receives testing data comprising gait information, transforms the testing data based upon the principal components and calculates a likelihood of the testing data based upon each hidden markov model for each of the plurality of different modes of motion. The method determines the mode of motion of the testing data, where the mode of motion is one of the plurality of different modes of motion for which a highest likelihood is calculated.

N,N'-diarylurea compounds and N,N'-diarylthiourea compounds as inhibitors of translation initiation
U.S. Patent 9,421,211 (August 23, 2016)

Bertal Huseyin Aktas, Jose A. Halperin, and Michael Chorev

Abstract: Compositions and methods for inhibiting translation initiation are provided. Compositions, methods and kits for treating (1) cellular proliferative disorders, (2) non-proliferative, degenerative disorders, (3) viral infections, and/or (4) disorders associated with viral infections, using N,N'-diarylureas and/or N,N'-diarylthiourea compounds are described.

Gas-phase functionalization of surfaces of microelectronic structures
U.S. Patent 9,425,406 (August 23, 2016)

Roy G. Gordon and Damon B. Farmer

Abstract: There are provided methods for functionalizing a planar surface of a microelectronic structure, by exposing the surface to at least one vapor including at least one functionalization species, such as NO₂ or CH₃ONO, that non-covalently bonds to the surface while providing a functionalization layer of chemically functional groups, to produce a functionalized surface. The functionalized surface is exposed to at least one vapor stabilization species that reacts with the functionalization layer to form a stabilization layer that stabilizes the functionalization layer against desorption from the planar microelectronic surface while providing chemically functional groups. The stabilized surface is exposed to at least one material layer precursor species that deposits a material layer on the stabilized planar microelectronic surface. The stabilized planar microelectronic surface can be annealed at a peak annealing temperature that is less than about 700° C.

Compounds for the treatment of malaria
U.S. Patent 9,428,507 (August 30, 2016)

Eamon Comer, Benito Munoz, Jennifer A. Beaudoin, Sebastian T. Le Quement, Christina Scherer, Jeremy Duvall, Nobutaka Kato, Micah Maetani, and Bertrand Braibant

Abstract: Provided herein are compounds of the formula (I): as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein the substituents are as those disclosed in the specification. These compounds, and the pharmaceutical compositions containing them, are useful for the treatment of malaria. [Structure]