(19)

(11)

EP 1 072 085 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 31.01.2001 Bulletin 2001/05 (21) Application number: 99912868.9 (22) Date of filing: 24.03.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: H02M 7/515, A23L 3/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US9906/407 (87) International publication number: WO 9949/561 (30.09.1999 Gazette 1999/39)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE ES FR GB IT LI NL SE (30) Priority: 24.03.1998 US 79214 P (71) Applicant: THE OHIO STATE RESEARCH FOUNDATION Columbus, OH 43210-1063 (US)	(72) Inventors: ZHANG, Qinghua, Howard Columbus, OH 43235 (US) QUI, Xiangxiao 100 W. 6th Avenue,Columbus, OH 43201 (US) (74) Representative: Stuart, Ian Alexander  MEWBURN ELLISYork House23 Kingsway London WC2B 6HP London WC2B 6HP (GB)