| National Institute of Standards and Technology Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
|---|
| 20120106024 | ELECTROSTATICALLY-ASSISTED CENTRIFUGATION APPARATUS AND RELATED METHODS - A particle transfer apparatus and system are described. The apparatus and system enable convenient transfer of particle populations from one substrate to another substrate. The particle transfer system includes components for centrifuging and establishing electrical charges on certain components of the transfer apparatus. The apparatus and system are well suited for transfer of particles from a fibrous matrix to a smooth substrate for subsequent analysis. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120009694 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MONITORING PRECURSOR FLUX - An apparatus and method for monitoring precursor flux is disclosed herein. The apparatus comprises an optical cell configured for electromagnetic radiation spectroscopy and has a precursor reservoir or deposition chamber configured to provide a flow of a vapor deposition precursor therethrough, a first inner window sealing a first optical opening in the precursor reservoir or deposition chamber, a first outer window in optical communication with the first inner window, a first vacuum chamber disposed between the first inner window and the first outer window, a second inner window sealing a second optical opening in the precursor reservoir or deposition chamber, a second outer window in optical communication with the second inner window, a second vacuum chamber disposed between the second inner window and the second outer window. Each window being disposed to be in optical communication with one another, a electromagnetic radiation or light source, and an optical detector. A method of monitoring precursor flux comprises directing electromagnetic radiation through an outer window, a vacuum chamber, a first inner window, a volume within a cell body, and out of the cell body through a second inner window; and receiving the electromagnetic radiation from the second inner window with a sensor and sensing at least one parameter of a gas within the cell body. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20110287559 | METHOD OF CHARACTERIZING GLYCANS ATTACHED TO GLYCOPROTEINS - A method of characterizing glycans attached to glycoproteins is disclosed herein. The method comprises a first step of immobilizing the glycoproteins on colloidal particles forming glycoprotein/colloidal particles. The glycans on the glycoproteins may then be characterized, for example the composition and/or structure of glycans may be characterized or the glycans attached to proteins may be identified. Characterization may be accomplished by either binding the glycoprotein/colloidal particles with one or more binding agents and assessing the aggregation of the glycoprotein/colloidal particles or by cleaving glycans from the glycoprotein/colloidal particles with a cleaving agent and analyzing the glycans. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110180150 | FLUID DELIVERY SYSTEM - A fluid delivery system is described which provides stable flow rates over a range of different flow rates and while multiple fluids are being concurrently delivered. The delivery system includes one or more reservoirs each containing a respective fluid to be transferred. The reservoir(s) are positioned within a secondary fluid selected such that the reservoir(s) and their contents, i.e. the fluids to be transferred, float within the secondary fluid. One end of a flow conduit is submerged in each fluid to be transferred. A pressure differential is then induced in the flow conduit whereby fluid flow therein occurs. | 07-28-2011 |
| 20110041899 | Three Dimensionally Structured Thin Film Photovoltaic Devices with Self-Aligned Back Contacts - A process for producing three dimensionally structured thin film photovoltaic devices with self-aligned back contacts. The photovoltaic device is constructed using electrodeposition on micrometer-scale interdigitated electrodes on an insulating substrate. During fabrication, these interdigitated electrodes serve as the active electrodes for deposition of materials including semiconductors. After fabrication, these interdigitated electrodes serve as back contacts for carrier collection when the device is in use. The process can be used to fabricate homojunction, heterojunction and multijunction photovoltaic devices. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20100322826 | MAGNETIC CONNECTORS FOR MICROFLUIDIC APPLICATIONS - A magnetic connector assembly for microfluidic devices comprises a first magnetic connector with at least one orifice extending therethrough and a second magnetic connector. The first and second connectors are configured to magnetically attract each other. In one aspect, the first magnetic connector is configured to sealingly engage a surface of a microfluidic chip with the second magnetic connector disposed on an opposite side of the microfluidic chip. The first magnetic connector is configured to seal with the microfluidic chip about a channel opening in the microfluidic chip and provide flow communication between the channel opening and the orifice in the first magnetic connector. In at least one other aspect, the first magnetic connector and second magnetic connector each have at least one orifice and are configured to change a flow communication therebetween upon a rotation of the first or second magnetic connector with respect to the other magnetic connector. | 12-23-2010 |
| 20090320560 | RECIRCULATING TEMPERATURE WAVE FOCUSING CHROMATOGRAPHY - Systems and methods for performing chromatography separations or analyses are disclosed. The methods are based upon an equilibrium gradient focusing mode in contrast to conventional transient migration-based modes. By matching the migration speed of one or more analyte(s) of interest to the wave speed of a thermal gradient induced to travel along a region in which chromatographic partitioning occurs, significant improvements in detection limits are achieved. In particular, a temperature gradient focusing strategy is described in which analyte(s) of interest are circulated around a continuous chromatography system in order to focus the analyte(s). Also described are various devices and systems that can be used in the methods described herein. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20080296483 | MAGNETO-OPTICAL TRAP ION SOURCE - A system and method are disclosed for producing a source of ions, and particularly, a focused ion beam. The system and method use a magneto-optical trap (MOT) to produce a population of neutral atoms. A laser is then utilized to ionize atoms and produce a population of ions. An extraction element is then used to transfer the ions so that they can be used in a wide array of applications. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080290007 | CENTRIFUGAL LENGTH SEPARATION OF CARBON NANOTUBES - Processes for separating carbon nanotubes according to their length are described. The processes involve forming highly dispersed systems of the nanotubes followed by creating an array of layers in a centrifugation vessel. Each layer contains dispersed nanotubes with varying proportions of a density adjusting agent. The vessel array includes a first layer containing the nanotubes to be separated, and one or more layers of lesser density disposed above the first layer. Upon centrifuging for a sufficient period of time, a series of liquid fractions form in the vessel. The average length of nanotubes in a respective fraction is different than the average length of nanotubes in the other fractions. | 11-27-2008 |
