Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090034359 | STOPPED FLOW, QUENCHED FLOW AND CONTINUOUS FLOW REACTION METHOD AND APPARATUS - Microscale or nanoscale apparatus for stopped-flow, quenched flow or continuous flow reaction apparatus where fluids or gases are mixed in a device composed of parallel or serial assembly of the basic fluid-containing cell having a longitudinal axis, a cross-sectional area generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and at least one connected crossing cell having a longitudinal axis, a cross-sectional area generally perpendicular to said longitudinal axis and a fluid motivating force interacting transversally with the fluids flow. | 02-05-2009 |
20100210029 | DEVICE AND METHODS OF DETECTION OF AIRBORNE AGENTS - Provided are methods, devices and systems that utilize free-surface fluidics and SERS for analyte detection with high sensitivity and specificity. The molecules can be airborne agents, including but not limited to explosives, narcotics, hazardous chemicals, or other chemical species. The free-surface fluidic architecture is created using an open microchannel, and exhibits a large surface to volume ratio. The free-surface fluidic interface can filter interferent molecules, while concentrating airborne analyte molecules. The microchannel flow enables controlled aggregation of SERS-active probe particles in the flow, thereby enhancing the detector's sensitivity. | 08-19-2010 |
20110120674 | TITANIUM-BASED THERMAL GROUND PLANE - Titanium-based thermal ground planes are described. A thermal ground plane in accordance with the present invention comprises a titanium substrate comprising a plurality of pillars, wherein the plurality of Ti pillars can be optionally oxidized to form nanostructured titania coated pillars, and a vapor cavity, in communication with the plurality of titanium pillars, for transporting thermal energy from one region of the thermal ground plane to another region of the thermal ground plane. | 05-26-2011 |
20120127465 | Methods and Apparatus for Transport of Airborne Molecules Using an Active Cyclical Vapor/Liquid Exchange - Methods and apparatus for detection and/or analysis of gas phase analytes and chemical compounds. The apparatus can be formed with microfluidic cells containing a selected fluid that interacts with the analyte(s), wherein the fluid can selectively transition between a vapor phase and a liquid phase. During condensation of the fluid, the population of analytes present within the vapor phase region of the fluid can be transported into the liquid phase region of the fluid within the microfluidic cells. During evaporation of the fluid, the analytes can be substantially retained within liquid phase region of the fluid and within the cells. Repetitive cycling of this vapor/liquid exchange can provide a build-up of the analytes within the microfluidic cells where they can be detected/analyzed. | 05-24-2012 |
20120225493 | Electronic-Chemometric Controlled System and Process for the Analysis of Analytes - A series of electronic-chemometric control processes to enhance the selectivity, concentration, analysis, and detec tion of chemical species (analytes) in the gas phase, such as when using SERS-based techniques. Controls consist variously of: 1) feedback of electronic signals corresponding to changes of static and variable parameters in targeted chemical species that vary according to a reduction, increase, maximization, linearization, or improved confidence in one or more chemometric output parameters; 2) methods for spatially locating the source of an analyte species; and, 3) variable duty cycling to save power and materials according to altered physical and environmental conditions within a monitored zone. | 09-06-2012 |
20120236304 | SERS-ACTIVE ABSORBERS FOR THE ANALYSIS OF ANALYTES - Solid-type SERS-active substrates (e.g., noble metallic nanostructured powders or noble metallic nanoparticle-coatings on beads, microbeads, particles, etc.) are contained within optically-transparent modules. The modules allow for the controlled introduction of analyte-bearing fluid(s) into SERS-active substrates. The modules also allow for the monitoring of SERS signals emanating from analyte(s) which have accumulated on the confined SERS-active substrates. These SERS signals may be monitored over time by direct readout of the SERS substrates through the optically transparent module for chemical analysis and chemical detection applications. | 09-20-2012 |
20120281210 | Nano-/Micro-Droplets for the Detection of Analytes - For a rapid and real-time SERS detection of organic chemicals in the air and the interfaces of air/solids, colloidal silver and/or gold nanoparticles solution is sprayed, in the form of nano-/micro-sized droplets, at the desired target area where the analytes of interest are present, e.g., in the air or onto certain organic/inorganic interfaces. | 11-08-2012 |
20130244337 | Systems and Methods for Analyte Detection - This disclosure provides a system component and method for analysis of airborne analytes by absorbing the analytes into a liquid and interrogating the liquid with an analytical instrument. In some examples, a cartridge with a microfluidic chip contains a vessel of a colloidal solution of nanostructured particles in a liquid. The vessel is broken, releasing the solution into microfluidic containers on the chip. Air having analytes is passed over the chip leading to absorption of airborne analytes into the solution. The analytes bind with the nanostructures and are detected optically. Techniques are disclosed for filling the vessel in a way that maintains the efficacy of the solution until it is needed for measurement. | 09-19-2013 |
20130327504 | TITANIUM-BASED THERMAL GROUND PLANE - Titanium-based thermal ground planes are described. A thermal ground plane in accordance with the present invention comprises a titanium substrate comprising a plurality of channels, wherein the channels are oxidized to form nanostructured titania (NST) coated on the surfaces of the channels, and a vapor cavity, in communication with the plurality of titanium channels, for transporting thermal energy from one region of the thermal ground plane to another region of the thermal ground plane | 12-12-2013 |
20140318946 | Apparatus and Method for Reducing Viscosity - An apparatus for reducing viscosity of a hydrocarbon liquid containing paraffin molecules or asphaltene molecules in suspension. The apparatus includes a conduit having an inner cavity dimensioned to accommodate a flow of the hydrocarbon liquid along a flow direction, and a series of electrically charged plates housed within the inner cavity with a longitudinal axis of each plate extending along the flow direction. A method of reducing viscosity of a hydrocarbon liquid containing paraffin molecules or asphaltene molecules in suspension, the method including flowing the hydrocarbon liquid through the inner cavity of a conduit and applying an electric field to the hydrocarbon liquid flowing through the inner cavity such that a plurality of paraffin molecules or a plurality of asphaltene molecules undergo a conformational change in microstructure to form a cluster of paraffin molecules or a cluster of asphaltene molecules, thereby reducing the viscosity of the hydrocarbon liquid. | 10-30-2014 |
20140332187 | TITANIUM-BASED THERMAL GROUND PLANE - Titanium-based thermal ground planes are described. A thermal ground plane in accordance with the present invention comprises a titanium substrate comprising a plurality of pillars, wherein the plurality of Ti pillars can be optionally oxidized to form nanostructured titania coated pillars, and a vapor cavity, in communication with the plurality of titanium pillars, for transporting thermal energy from one region of the thermal ground plane to another region of the thermal ground plane. | 11-13-2014 |