• Spinnaker Networks LLC, for "Method and apparatus for data storage using striping , No. 7,454,567." Inventors were Michael L. Kazar, Pittsburgh, and Richard N. Sanzi Jr., Wexford. The present invention is related to the storage of data using striping with NFS servers. More specifically, the present invention is related to the storage of data using striping with NFS servers where ranges of attributes including modification times and change times are taken into account.

• University of Pittsburgh, for "Surface plasmon-enhanced nano-optic devices and methods of making same, No. 7,456,383." Inventors were Hong Koo Kim, Zhijun Sun and Yun Suk Jung, all of Pittsburgh. The present invention is directed generally to optical devices and more particularly to nanostructured optical devices and methods of making the devices.

• MEDRAD Inc., for "System and method for automated benchmarking for the recognition of best medical practices and products and for establishing standards for medical procedures, No. 7,457,804." Inventors were Arthur E. Uber III and John P. Friel, both of Pittsburgh. The present invention concerns a system and method that facilitates the derivation and establishment of medical standards and best medical practices and assists in the evaluation of medical equipment.

• Helen of Troy Limited, for "Ergonomic handle for scissors and other tools, No. 7,458,160." Inventors were Juan Carlos Escobar, New York; and Justin John Adelff and Dino Anthony Mariano, both of Pittsburgh. The present invention relates generally to an ergonomic handle for tools, more specifically, to an ergonomic handle for tools having a scissoring action, such as, for example, scissors.

• Bombardier Transportation GmbH, for "Semi-enclosed AC motor, No. 7,459,817." Inventors were Robert V. VanLuik and Eric Prosser, both of Pittsburgh; and Edward T. Deitt, Orlando, Fla. The present invention relates to traction motors used in the railway industry and, more specifically, to a semi- or partially enclosed motor in which the rotor assembly is cooled by a fan drawing air into the rotor and a stator assembly that is molded into and totally enclosed by a stator housing.