Professors Joanna Aizenberg, Matthew Shair, Stuart Schreiber, Andy Myers, David Mooney, Roberto Kolter, Scott Weiss and Eric Mazur were among the faculty members issued U.S. patents this September. The patents include:

Compounds and methods for the treatment of isocitrate dehydrogenase related diseases
U.S. Patent 9,120,810 (September 1, 2015)

Mahmud Hussain, Daisuke Ito, Jason Law, Matthias Leiendecker, Ke Liu, Benito Munoz, Stuart Schreiber, Alykhan Shamji, and Andrew Stern

Abstract: The invention relates to compounds of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester or prodrug thereof: [structure].

Slippery surfaces with high pressure stability, optical transparency, and self-healing characteristics
U.S. Patents 9,121,306 and 9,121,307 (September 1, 2015)

Joanna Aizenberg, Michael Aizenberg, Sung Hoon Kang, Tak Sing Wong, and Philseok Kim

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a strategy to create self-healing, slippery liquid-infused porous surfaces (SLIPS). Roughened (e.g., porous) surfaces can be utilized to lock in place a lubricating fluid, referred to herein as Liquid B to repel a wide range of materials, referred to herein as Object A (Solid A or Liquid A). SLIPS outperforms other conventional surfaces in its capability to repel various simple and complex liquids (water, hydrocarbons, crude oil and blood), maintain low-contact-angle hysteresis (<2.5.degree.), quickly restore liquid-repellency after physical damage (within 0.1-1 s), resist ice, microorganisms and insects adhesion, and function at high pressures (up to at least 690 atm). Some exemplary application where SLIPS will be useful include energy-efficient fluid handling and transportation, optical sensing, medicine, and as self-cleaning, and anti-fouling materials operating in extreme environments.

Adaptive shading, display and color control
U.S. Patent 9,122,055 (September 1, 2015)

Joanna Aizenberg, Philseok Kim, and Jack Alvarenga

Abstract: A substrate having a second material on a surface of the substrate or embedded as a layer within the substrate are described. The second material has a different index of refraction and/or stiffness than the substrate so that stretching and unstretching of the substrate and the second material can induce wrinkles in the second material that interacts with light thereby allowing reversible change from a transparent state to an opaque or iridescent state, and vice versa. The present disclosure is useful as a shading system and/or displays.

Cortistatin analogues and synthesis thereof
U.S. Patent 9,127,019 (September 8, 2015)

Alec Nathanson Flyer, Hong Myung Lee, Andrew G. Myers, Cristina Monserrat Nieto-Oberhuber, Matthew D. Shair, and Chong Si

Abstract: The present invention relates to analogs of cortistatin A, J, K, and L, having the general formula: I and salts thereof, wherein R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, n, and m are as defined herein; processes for preparing such compounds and intermediates thereto; pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds; methods for treating a proliferative disease; methods for treating a disease associated with aberrant angiogenesis; methods for inhibiting angiogenesis; and processes for preparing cortistatin A, J, K, and L, and analogs thereof. [structure]

Roseobacticides and uses thereof
U.S. Patent 9,131,687 (September 15, 2015)

Roberto Kolter, Rebecca Case, Jon Clardy, and Mohammad Seyedsayamdost

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to compounds and methods for controlling algal growth, for example, in bodies of water or surfaces exposed to algae. Provided are compounds having algicidal activities and methods of use of these compounds as well as formulations and compositions comprising the compound having algicidal activities.

Scaffolds for cell transplantation
U.S. Patent 9,132,210 (September 15, 2015)

David J. Mooney, Omar Abdel-Rahman Ali, Eduardo Alexandre Barros E Silva, Hyun Joon Kong, Elliot Earl Hill, Jr., and Tanyarut Boontheekul

Abstract: A device that includes a scaffold composition and a bioactive composition with the bioactive composition being incorporated into or coated onto the scaffold composition such that the scaffold composition and/or a bioactive composition controls egress of a resident cell or progeny thereof. The devices mediate active recruitment, modification, and release of host cells from the material.

Method for determining predisposition to pulmonary infection
U.S. Patent 9,133,518 (September 15, 2015)

Hara Levy, Craig Gerard, Gerald Pier, Scott Weiss, and Christophe Lange

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and materials for diagnosing a subject's predisposition for pulmonary infection in a CF subject by detecting a pulmonary infection genetic marker. Pulmonary infection markers have been identified in the IL-1 gene cluster and may be useful in predicting CF disease progression and assessing a CF subject's response to therapy.

Femtosecond laser-induced formation of submicrometer spikes on a semiconductor substrate
U.S. Patent 9,136,146 (September 15, 2015)

Eric Mazur and Mengyan Shen

Abstract: The present invention generally provides semiconductor substrates having submicronsized surface features generated by irradiating the surface with ultra short laser pulses. In one aspect, a method of processing a semiconductor substrate is disclosed that includes placing at least a portion of a surface of the substrate in contact with a fluid, and exposing that surface portion to one or more femtosecond pulses so as to modify the topography of that portion. The modification can include, e.g., generating a plurality of submicron-sized spikes in an upper layer of the surface.

Sub-diffraction limit image resolution in three dimensions
U.S. Patent 9,137,516 (September 15, 2015)

Xiaowei Zhuang, Bo Huang, Wilfred M. Bates, and Wenqin Wang

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to sub-diffraction limit image resolution and other imaging techniques, including imaging in three dimensions. In one aspect, the invention is directed to determining and/or imaging light from two or more entities separated by a distance less than the diffraction limit of the incident light. In some cases, the position of the entities can be determined in all three spatial dimensions (i.e., in the x, y, and z directions), and in certain cases, the position in all three dimensions can be determined to an accuracy of less than about 1000 nm. In some cases, the z positions may be determined using one of a variety of techniques that uses intensity information or focal information (e.g., a lack of focus) to determine the z position. Non-limiting examples of such techniques include astigmatism imaging, off-focus imaging, or multi-focal plane imaging.

Heterodyne off-axis integrated cavity output spectroscopy
U.S. Patent 9,140,606 (September 22, 2015)

Mark Francis Witinski, Pietro Malara, and Gianluca Gagliardi

Abstract: An absorption spectroscopy instrument with a light source for providing a beam of light, a modulator to produce a modulated beam of light, a high finesse optical cavity, means for injecting the modulated beam of light off-axis into the high finesse optical cavity and a detector positioned to receive and measure light exiting through said optical cavity. The detector may be a highly sensitive and high bandwidth detector. The modulator may be a one or two-tone modulator having means, such as a plurality of RF synthesizers, for modulating the light source by one or two tones. If one tone of applied modulation is used, the frequency is larger than the absorption bandwidth of the target chemical. In the case where two tones are used, the first frequency is larger than the absorption bandwidth of the target chemical and the second frequency is small relative to the first frequency.