CFD Research Corporation Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20150050566 | Enzyme Catalyzed Oxidation of Hydrocarbons - The present disclosure provides a method of generating electricity from a long chain hydrocarbon, said method comprising contacting the liquid non-polar substrate with a plurality of enzymes, wherein at least one enzyme is non-electric current/potential enzyme that functions as a catalyst for chemical reaction transforming a first substrate or byproduct to a second substance that can be used with an additional electric current/potential generating enzyme. | 02-19-2015 |
20140255971 | SYNTHETIC MICROFLUIDIC SYSTEMS FOR TUMOR METASTASIS - A method of assaying metastasis can include: providing a device of one of the embodiments; introducing the at least one cancer cell into the at least one internal chamber or at least one fluid channel; and studying metastasis of the at least one cancer cell. Optionally: introducing cancer cells into a first internal chamber; detecting escape of the cancer cell from the first internal chamber into the fluid channel; detecting migration of the cancer cell through the fluid channel; detecting adhesion of the cancer cell to a coating on the fluid channel; detecting invasion of the cancer cell into a second internal chamber from the fluid channel; or visualizing metastasis of the cancer cell with a visualization device. | 09-11-2014 |
20140255970 | SYNTHETIC MICROFLUIDIC SYSTEMS FOR HYPOXIA - A cell culture device can include: an internal chamber configured for an internal cell culture that has at least one port coupled to a perfusion modulating device capable of modulating perfusion in the internal chamber; at least one fluid channel bordering the internal chamber that is configured for a channel cell culture that has at least one port coupled to a perfusion modulating device capable of modulating perfusion in the fluid channel; and a wall separating the internal chamber and at least one fluid channel having gaps that fluidly couple the internal chamber with the at least one fluid channel, wherein the perfusion modulating device causes reduced fluid flow. The internal chamber can include a first cell type and the at least one fluid channel includes a second cell type. The first cell type has an ischemic zone in the middle, a non-ischemic zone adjacent with the at least one fluid channel, and a border zone between the ischemic zone and non-ischemic zone. In one aspect, the internal chamber and at least one fluid channel are modeled from physiological features. In one aspect, the internal chamber and at least one fluid channel are modeled from idealized features. | 09-11-2014 |
20140255961 | SYNTHETIC MICROFLUIDIC SYSTEMS FOR WOUND HEALING AND HEMOSTASIS - A method of assaying wound healing can include: growing cells on the matrix in the first flow channel; introducing an agent that removes the matrix from the junction; introducing a matrix material into the second flow channel so as to form the second matrix in the second flow channel and junction; and detecting cellular migration into the junction onto the second matrix. The agent that removes the matrix can include a biomolecule or chemical agent. The method can include removing cells in the matrix in the junction before introducing the matrix material into the second flow channel. A bioactive agent can be introduced into the junction to determine if it modulates cellular migration and/or clot formation into the intersection openings of tissue and vascular channels. | 09-11-2014 |
20140251813 | BIPOLAR ELECTRODE SAMPLE PREPARATION DEVICES - An analyte selection device can include: a body defining a fluid channel having a channel inlet and channel outlet; a bipolar electrode (BPE) between the inlet and outlet; one of an anode or cathode electrically coupled with the BPE on a channel inlet side of the BPE and the other of the anode or cathode electrically coupled with the BPE on a channel outlet side of the BPE; and an electronic system operably coupled with the anode and cathode so as to polarize the BPE. The fluid channel can have any shape or dimension. The channel inlet and channel outlet can be longitudinal or lateral with respect to the longitudinal axis of the channel. The BPE can be any metallic member, such as a flat plate on a wall or mesh as a barrier BPE. The anode and cathode can be located at a position that polarizes the BPE. | 09-11-2014 |
20140183416 | Electrically Conductive Ink and Uses Thereof - The present disclosure provides an aqueous based electrically conductive ink, which is essentially solvent free and includes a nano-scale conducting material; a binding agent; and an enzyme. In one embodiment, the ink includes at least one of a mediator, a cross-linking agent and a substrate as well. In one further embodiment, the present disclosure provides electrically conductive ink including a single walled, carboxylic acid functionalized carbon nanotube; 1-Ethyl-3-[3-dimethylaminopropyl]carbodiimide hydrochloride and N-hydroxy succinimide (NHS) ester; polyethyleneimine; an aqueous buffer; and glucose oxidase. | 07-03-2014 |
20130192462 | ELECTROSTATIC AEROSOL CONCENTRATOR - Disclosed is an electrostatic aerosol concentrator for the concentration of aerosol particles and their collection for subsequent analysis. The concentrator comprises an airflow chamber that includes alternately energized and grounded electrode elements that work in concert to impart radial inward motion to charged aerosol particles and focusing them toward an enriched aerosol outlet. If desired, filtered air inlets may be used to provide a sheath of aerosol-free air along the chamber periphery and prevent deposition of particles onto electrode surfaces. Aerosol particles entering the airflow chamber may carry a positive or negative charge naturally, or a charge may be induced on the particles using a charging section located upstream of the aerosol inlet. Natural or induced charges on the aerosol particles may be used to selectively concentrate subpopulations of aerosol particles from a mixture of particles. For example, bacterial spores or aerosolized viruses may be selectively enriched without concentrating other aerosol particles. The particles of interest are focused and collected at an aerosol rich outlet in a small air volume, while the majority of the airflow, stripped of particles of interest, is purged to the atmosphere through an aerosol lean outlet. | 08-01-2013 |
20130149735 | MICROFLUIDIC ASSAY IN IDEALIZED MICROVASCULAR NETWORK FOR CHARACTERIZATION OF LEUKOCYTE ADHESION CASCADE - Methods of assaying the leukocyte adhesion cascade (LAC) and monitoring leukocyte rolling, adhesion, and/or migration can be implemented with an apparatus that includes an idealized microvascular network (IMN) of one or more interconnected idealized flow channels in fluid communication through a porous wall with a tissue space (e.g., idealized tissue space). The methods of assaying the LAC can be implemented with means for quantifying modulation of the leukocyte adhesion cascade. Methods of assaying the LAC can be implemented with the device and one or more active agents to monitor leukocyte rolling, adhesion, and/or migration in the presence of absence of the active agent. Migration can be through the idealized flow channels, through the porous wall, and/or into the tissue space. | 06-13-2013 |
20130133242 | HIGH PERFORMANCE, LOW TOXICITY HYPERGOLIC FUEL - A group of tertiary amine azides are useful as hypergolic fuels for hypergolic bipropellant mixtures. The fuels provide higher density impulses than monomethyl hydrazine (MMH) but are less toxic and have lower vapor pressures that MMH. In addition, the fuels have shorter ignition delay times than dimethylaminoethylazide (DMAZ) and other potential reduced toxicity replacements for MMH. | 05-30-2013 |
20130101991 | MICROFLUIDIC ASSAY IN IDEALIZED MICROVASCULAR NETWORK FOR SELECTION AND OPTIMIZATION OF DRUG DELIVERY VEHICLES TO SIMULATED TUMORS - An apparatus for assaying a tumor drug delivery vehicle and or drug can include an idealized microvascular network (IMN) of one or more interconnected idealized flow channels in fluid communication through a porous wall with a tissue space (e.g., idealized tissue space) containing animal cells and means for quantifying drug delivery through the IMN to the animal cells. | 04-25-2013 |
20120168046 | High Performance, Low Toxicity Hypergolic Fuel - A group of tertiary amine azides are useful as hypergolic fuels for hypergolic bipropellant mixtures. The fuels provide higher density impulses than monomethyl hydrazine (MMH) but are less toxic and have lower vapor pressures that MMH. In addition, the fuels have shorter ignition delay times than dimethylaminoethylazide (DMAZ) and other potential reduced toxicity replacements for MMH. | 07-05-2012 |
20120073713 | High Energy, Low Temperature Gelled Bi-Propellant Formulation Preparation Method - A method for preparing a gelled liquid propane (GLP) composition comprises the introduction of liquid propane into an evacuated mixing vessel containing a gellant and mixing the liquid propane with the gellant. A bi-propellant system comprising GLP is particularly well-suited for outer planet missions greater than 3 AU from the sun and also functions in earth and near earth environments. Additives such as powders of boron, carbon, lithium, and/or aluminum can be added improve performance or enhance hypergolicity. The gelling agent can be silicon dioxide, clay, carbon, or organic or inorganic polymers. The bi-propellant system may be, but need not be, hypergolic. | 03-29-2012 |
20110277632 | Electrostatic Aerosol Concentrator - Disclosed is an electrostatic aerosol concentrator for the concentration of aerosol particles and their collection for subsequent analysis. The concentrator comprises an airflow chamber that includes alternately energized and grounded electrode elements that work in concert to impart radial inward motion to charged aerosol particles and focusing them toward an enriched aerosol outlet. If desired, filtered air inlets may be used to provide a sheath of aerosol-free air along the chamber periphery and prevent deposition of particles onto electrode surfaces. Aerosol particles entering the airflow chamber may carry a positive or negative charge naturally, or a charge may be induced on the particles using a charging section located upstream of the aerosol inlet. Natural or induced charges on the aerosol particles may be used to selectively concentrate subpopulations of aerosol particles from a mixture of particles. For example, bacterial spores or aerosolized viruses may be selectively enriched without concentrating other aerosol particles. The particles of interest are focused and collected at an aerosol rich outlet in a small air volume, while the majority of the airflow, stripped of particles of interest, is purged to the atmosphere through an aerosol lean outlet. | 11-17-2011 |
20110168559 | Nanoscale Surface Plasmonics Sensor with Nanofluidic Control - A microfluidically-controlled transmission mode nanoscal surface plasmonics sensor device comprises one or more arrays of aligned nanochannels in fluid communication with inflowing and outflowing fluid handling manifolds that control the flow of fluid through the array(s). Fluid comprising a sample for analysis is moved from an inlet manifold, through the nanochannel array, and out through an exit manifold. The fluid may also contain a reagent used to modify the interior surfaces of the nanochannels, and/or a reagent required for the detection of an analyte. | 07-14-2011 |
20110104658 | Synthetic Microfluidic Blood-Brain Barrier - An apparatus and method for assaying blood-brain barrier properties for drug and drug delivery vehicle screening comprising of a microfluidic apparatus with gaps separating lumen and tissue space enabling formation of tight junctions similar to in vivo conditions using endothelial cells and brain cells. | 05-05-2011 |
20110014368 | Carbon nanotube growth at reduced temperature via catalytic oxidation - The growth temperature of carbon nanotubes on a catalyst distributed on a substrate is reduced by controlling graphene layer formation on the catalyst and catalyst deactivation by catalytic oxidation. | 01-20-2011 |
20100319822 | Apparatus and Method for Gelling Liquefied Gasses - A method and apparatus for gelling liquid propane and other liquefied gasses includes a temperature controlled churn mixer, vacuum pump, liquefied gas transfer tank, and means for measuring amount of material entering the mixer. The apparatus and method are particularly useful for the production of high quality rocket fuels and propellants. | 12-23-2010 |
20100227312 | Particle Adhesion Assay for Microfluidic Bifurcations - A method for characterizing particle adhesion in microfluidic bifurcations and junctions comprises at least one idealized bifurcation or junction. Multiple bifurcations and/or junctions can be combined on a single microfluidic chip to create microfluidic networks configured for assays specifically to characterize particle interactions at junctions or to screen particles for desired interactions with microfluidic bifurcations and/or junctions. | 09-09-2010 |
20100226847 | Method for direct, chirality-selective synthesis of semiconducting or metallic single-walled carbon nanotubes - The present invention is a method comprising a direct chirality-selective nucleation and synthesis of single-walled carbon nanotubes from carbon-containing gases using catalytic nanoparticles of uniform size heated by ultra-short laser pulses of selected frequency to temperatures sufficient for carbon nanotube nucleation and synthesis. | 09-09-2010 |
20100112667 | Microfluidic Biological Extraction Chip - A microfluidic cartridge for isolating biological molecules having a capture chamber containing functionalized solid supports maintained in a fluidized state provides reduced pressure drops and bubble formation during microfluidic extraction. The cartridge may include an electric field lysis chamber and/or a chemical lysis chamber. The electric-field lysis chamber may comprise an electrically insulating structure arranged between two opposing planar electrodes. | 05-06-2010 |
20100112550 | Microfluidic Assay for Characterization of the Leukocyte Adhesion Cascade - An apparatus and method for identifying and screening for agents affecting the leukocyte adhesion cascade (LAC) encompassing rolling, adhesion and migration comprises an optically clear, plastic microfluidic chip comprising flow channels with diameters in the range of 10-500 μm. The flow channels are coated with endothelial cells and at least a portion of the flow channels contains 1-30 μm sized openings, optionally filled with a native or synthetic extracellular matrix, that allow leukocyte migration into one or more tissue spaces. | 05-06-2010 |
20100099136 | Microfluidic Assay for Selection and Optimization of Drug Delivery Vehicles to Tumors - An apparatus and method for assaying a tumor drug delivery vehicle comprises a synthetic microvascular network of interconnected flow channels in fluid communication through a porous wall with a tissue space containing animal cells and means for quantifying drug delivery from the microvascular network to the animal cells. | 04-22-2010 |
20100008183 | Self-Cleaning and Mixing Microfluidic Elements - Apparatus and methods are disclosed for mixing and self-cleaning elements in microfluidic systems based on electrothermally induced fluid flow. The apparatus and methods provide for the control of fluid flow in and between components in a microfluidic system to cause the removal of unwanted liquids and particulates or mixing of liquids. The geometry and position of electrodes is adjusted to generate a temperature gradient in the liquid, thereby causing a non-uniform distribution of dielectric properties within the liquid. The dielectric non-uniformity produces a body force and flow in the solution, which is controlled by element and electrode geometries, electrode placement, and the frequency and waveform of the applied voltage. | 01-14-2010 |
20090311445 | Synthesis of Carbon Nanotubes by Selectively Heating Catalyst - A catalytic chemical vapor deposition method and apparatus for synthesizing carbon nanotubes and/or carbon nanofibers (CNTs) on a substrate involves selectively heating a catalyst for CNT synthesis on or near the surface of the substrate. Selective heating of the catalyst is achieved using inductive heating from a radio frequency source. Selective heating of the catalyst prevents heating of the substrate and enables the synthesis of CNTs on temperature sensitive substrates. | 12-17-2009 |
20090292480 | Synthetic Microfluidic Microvasculature Network - A synthetic microfluidic microvasculature network and associated methods mimic the structure, fluid flow characteristics, and physiological behavior of physiological microvasculature networks. Computational methods for simulating flow and particle adherence in synthetic and physiological microvascular systems and methods for determining parameters influencing particle adhesion and drug delivery are described with applications in the optimization of drug delivery and microvascular treatments and in describing disease mechanisms that affect the microvasculature. | 11-26-2009 |
20090120843 | Filtration Apparatus and Method - A filtration apparatus is disclosed for the removal of metals from jet fuel at high flow rates and limited pressure drops. The filter comprises a monolayer of immobilized chelating agent on packed silica gel. The filtration apparatus is particularly useful for the removal of copper from jet fuel. | 05-14-2009 |
20080238325 | Advanced Multipurpose Pseudospark Switch - The present invention provides a pseudospark switch that overcomes the aforementioned limitations of existing pseudospark switches and proved e-beams for applications such as FELs, pulsed lasers, X-ray machines, and radar. The improvement in e-beam quality is obtained by inductively ionizing gas inside the hollow cathode chamber (HCC), prior to main gap breadkown using a HCC that incorporates a spiral induction coil. The gas in the hollow cathode chamber is ionized by the discharge of an auxiliary capacitor bank through the spiral coil that forms the back surface of the HCC. | 10-02-2008 |
20080213631 | Hybrid Power Strip - The present invention is a flexible hybrid biofuel cell power strip for use in low power applications (less than one Watt) such as trickle charging to extend the charge of conventional batteries or to power devices such as microsensors, micropumps and miniaturized medial devices. The power strip anode comprises carbon nanotubes (CNTs) that transfer electrons directly from the active center of an oxidation-reduction (redox) enzyme to a flexible, conductive anode substrate. This allows the building of surface architectures with pore structures customized for specific applications and enzyme substrate-containing media. The cathode comprises a catalytic layer of transition metal nanoparticle catalyst in contact with air or other source of oxygen. The flexibility of the power strip allows it to be shaped into a wide variety of conformations and applications, including attachment to or implantation within living organisms. | 09-04-2008 |
20080202655 | High Performance, Low Toxicity Hypergolic Fuel - Disclosed is a group of tertiary amine azides useful as hypergolic fuels for hypergolic bipropellant mixtures. The fuels provide higher density impulses than monomethyl hydrazine (MMH) but are less toxic and have lower vapor pressures that MMH. In addition, the fuels have shorter ignition delay times than dimethylaminoethylazide (DMAZ) and other potential reduced toxicity replacements for MMH. | 08-28-2008 |