Abstract: A connector for providing both a fluidic and electrical connection is disclosed, said connector having a proximal end, a distal end and an elongated body in between, characterized in that the elongated body has an inner cavity spanning throughout its length, and the distal end comprises: a) an inner body portion comprising a first inner electrical contact and b) an outer body portion comprising a second outer electrical contact having a spring element. The connector is easily adaptable to many kind of fluidic actuators and particularly to pipette instruments usually found in laboratory practice and developed to adapt fluidic actuators and pipette instalments to work according to the Coulter principle in every working condition, in particular to adapt the electrical and fluidic connection between a sensing tip and an instrumented pipette.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 5, 2018
Date of Patent:
February 2, 2021
Assignee:
ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
Inventors:
David Vincent Bonzon, Jean-Pierre Bonzon, Georges Henri Muller, Jean-Baptiste Bureau, Yann Barrandon, Philippe Renaud, David Forchelet, Nicolas Uffer
Abstract: A retinal projector system, comprising a coupling means, a spacial light modulator, and a tapered optical waveguide having an input side surface and an output side surface, whereby the input side surface is larger than the output side surface, the coupling means being configured to couple coherent light into the spatial light modulator, the spacial light modulator being configured to receive the coherent light and output modulated light modulated in 2 dimensions towards the input side surface, the tapered optical waveguide being configured to guide the modulated light received at the input side surface and reduce a size of the tapered optical waveguide towards the output side surface, without losing any information from the modulated light at the output side surface such to allow an image formation.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 17, 2019
Date of Patent:
February 2, 2021
Assignee:
ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FÉDÉRALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
Abstract: The present invention concerns a membrane-less electrolyzer comprising a fluidic channel for receiving an electrolyte fluid; a first electrode and a second electrode located inside the fluidic channel, the first and second electrode permitting to extract a first gas and a second gas inside the fluidic channel from the electrolyte fluid, the first electrode and second electrode being separated by solely a surrounding fluid in the fluidic channel or the electrolyte; and a first fluidic transport channel for transporting the first gas to a first outlet and a second fluidic transport channel for transporting the second gas to a second outlet.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 19, 2015
Date of Patent:
February 2, 2021
Assignee:
ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
Inventors:
Seyyed Mohammad Hosseini Hashemi, Jae-Woo Choi, Demetri Psaltis, Miguel Antonio Modestino
Abstract: Disclosed are methods of synthesis of an oxidized nickel foam electrode incorporating iron including the step of subjecting a nickel foam electrode to repetitive cyclic voltammetric scans in a basic solution containing iron. Also disclosed is an oxidized nickel foam electrode the oxidized nickel foam incorporating iron, and use of such an electrode as a catalyst for oxygen evolution reaction. Also disclosed is a water splitting device such as an electrolyzer including such an electrode.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 14, 2017
Date of Patent:
February 2, 2021
Assignee:
ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
Abstract: The present invention describes methods and apparatuses for creating superposition shape images by superposed base and revealing layers of lenslet gratings. The superposition shape images form a message recognizable by a human observer or by an image acquisition and computing device such as a smartphone. The superposition shape images may be created by different superposition techniques ranging from 1D moiré, 2D moiré and level-line moiré superposition techniques to lenticular image and phase shift superposition techniques. Moiré superposition techniques enable creating superposition shape images at different apparent depth levels. Applications comprise the protection of documents and valuable articles against counterfeits, the creation of eye-catching advertisements as well as the decoration of buildings and exhibitions.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 31, 2016
Date of Patent:
January 26, 2021
Assignee:
ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
Inventors:
Roger David Hersch, Thomas Walger, Valentin Flauraud, Juergen Brugger, Theophane Besson
Abstract: Ionic polymers (IP) are made of anions and a polymeric backbone containing cations. The ionic polymers are incorporated in membranes or attached to solid supports and use of the ionic polymers in processing of biomass.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 16, 2017
Date of Patent:
January 19, 2021
Assignee:
ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
Inventors:
Paul Dyson, Zhaofu Fei, Sviatlana Siankevich, Georgios Savoglidis
Abstract: The present invention concerns a geosynthetic element for a geotechnical engineering application. The geosynthetic element comprises: bacteria carriers for carrying bacteria arranged to be propagated from the geosynthetic element to a surrounding geomaterial; and a flow network comprising openings on its surface to allow a reactant to escape the flow network to the surrounding geomaterial along the flow network to produce solid calcium carbonate when in contact with the bacteria. The reactant flow network further comprises a set of inlets for feeding the reactant into the flow network, and a set of outlets for recovering at least a part of the reactant from the reactant flow network.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 30, 2017
Date of Patent:
January 19, 2021
Assignee:
ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
Abstract: The present relates to a Metal hydride compressor control method for generating a variable output pressure P_desired_outPut, comprising a first step of inflowing gaseous hydrogen into a metal hydride compartment at a constant temperature and then stopping the gaseous hydrogen inflow, a second step of heating the metal hydride to a predetermined temperature which corresponds to a temperature which passes through the ?+? phase at the desired output pressure P_desired_output, a third step of opening the output connection of the compressor and keeping it at a constant pressure by regulating the temperature to keep a constant output pressure P_desired_outPut until the system completely leaves the ?+? phase.
Type:
Application
Filed:
November 16, 2018
Publication date:
January 14, 2021
Applicant:
Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL)
Abstract: A method for producing a three-dimensional object comprising computing a sequence of back-projections describing the three-dimensional object to be formed from different orientation angles of the object, defining a sequence of patterns of light using the back-projections, and irradiating with each of the patterns of light at the respective corresponding orientation angle. According to the defined sequence, a photoresponsive material is capable of altering its material phase, upon irradiation by light, thereby creating a three-dimensional distribution of alterations within the photoresponsive medium which physically reproduces the three-dimensional object, thereby creating the three-dimensional object.
Type:
Application
Filed:
August 23, 2018
Publication date:
December 10, 2020
Applicant:
Ecole PolyTechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL)
Inventors:
Damien LOTERIE, Paul DELROT, Christophe MOSER
Abstract: A system for interacting with a remote object comprising a wearable jacket for a user, two actuators for supporting arms of the user, motors for causing movements to at least one of a torso and the arms of the user, and sensors for measuring at least one of a force applied to the user and a position of the user, and a controller and data transmission device for communicating with the remote object.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 8, 2017
Date of Patent:
December 8, 2020
Assignee:
ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FÉDÉRALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
Inventors:
Dario Floreano, Carine Rognon, Stefano Mintchev, Alice Concordel, David Atienza Alonso, Fabio Isidoro Tiberio Dell'Agnola
Abstract: A method for a structural characterization of polysaccharides, comprising steps of characterizing a polysaccharide by physical measurements comprising a determination of a mass of the polysaccharide by means of mass spectrometry, a further determination of a rotationally averaged cross section of the polysaccharide by means of ion mobility spectrometry, and an infrared spectrum of the polysaccharide by means of cryogenic, messenger-tagging IR spectroscopy.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 29, 2017
Date of Patent:
November 24, 2020
Assignees:
ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL), INDIANA UNIVERSITY RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
Inventors:
Thomas Rizzo, Chiara Masellis, Michael Zachary Kamrath, David Clemmer, Neelam Khanal
Abstract: The present invention relates to a bicistronic expression vector for silencing a gene specifically in astrocytes and neurons, comprising two expression cassettes comprising a first and a second silencer sequence, respectively, wherein the expression of said first silencer sequence within astrocytes is regulated by an astrocyte-specific promoter and the expression of said second silencer sequence within neurons is regulated by a neuron-specific promoter. In a preferred embodiment, said first and second silencer sequences are SOD1 silencer sequences. Pharmaceutical composition comprising said bicistronic vector and the use of the same in the treatment of motoneuron diseases are further described.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 22, 2016
Date of Patent:
November 17, 2020
Assignee:
Ecole Polytechnique Federale De Lausanne (EPFL)
Inventors:
Julianne Aebischer, Bernard Schneider, Cylia Rochat
Abstract: A method for manufacturing an electrical conductor includes: depositing a solid metal conductive layer or film on a substrate 30; depositing a liquid metal on the solid layer; and allowing the liquid metal and the solid layer 40 to alloy by diffusion of the liquid metal into the solid layer or film so as to form a solid conductive layer or film of the alloy; as well as allowing the liquid metal to further infiltrate the alloy so as to form percolating paths and/or droplets of the liquid metal in the the solid conductive layer or film, thus forming a biphasic conductive layer.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 28, 2016
Date of Patent:
November 10, 2020
Assignee:
ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
Inventors:
Arthur Hirsch, Hadrien Michaud, Ivan Rusev Minev, Stephanie P. Lacour
Abstract: A method including the steps of exposing a substrate to focused laser irradiation at a preselected series of locations that trace a subset of the substrate volume that is connected to the surface of the substrate, removing the substrate material from the exposed preselected series of locations to create within the substrate at least one cavity that is connected to the surface of the substrate, immersing the cavity-containing substrate in an appropriate atmosphere such as a selected gas or vacuum and, within this atmosphere, contacting the substrate surface with the molten castable material surface at locations where the cavity or cavities emerges from the substrate, applying pressure to the castable material to cause it to infiltrate the substrate cavities, and solidifying the castable material within the cavities.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 10, 2016
Date of Patent:
November 3, 2020
Assignee:
ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
Inventors:
Andreas Mortensen, Yves Bellouard, Raphaël Charvet, Cyril Dénéréaz
Abstract: Nanoparticles and method for producing uniform silicate-based nanoparticles are disclosed. The method comprises a step of injecting into tubular branched elements comprising static mixers a first aqueous solution comprising a water-soluble silicate compound and a second aqueous solution comprising a water-soluble compound releasing cationic species in solution, and allowing the reaction between the first and the second aqueous solutions in a micro-mixing regime, the method being characterized in that the overall mixing time is kept below 10?5 s. A further step of allowing the solution obtained in the micro-mixing regime to mix in a macromixing regime. Nanoparticles obtained through the present method are also disclosed.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 27, 2017
Date of Patent:
October 27, 2020
Assignee:
ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
Abstract: A charge sensing device for sensing charge variations in a charge storage area includes: a TFET having at least one sense gate; and a capacitive coupling for coupling the charge storage area with the sense gate.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 27, 2018
Date of Patent:
October 27, 2020
Assignee:
ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
Inventors:
Cem Alper, Mihai Adrian Ionescu, Teodor Rosca
Abstract: An osmotic power generator comprising an active membrane supported in a housing, at least a first chamber portion disposed on a first side of the active membrane for receiving a first electrolyte liquid and a second chamber portion disposed on a second side of the active membrane for receiving a second electrolyte liquid, a generator circuit comprising at least a first electrode electrically coupled to said first chamber, and at least a second electrode electrically coupled to said second chamber, the first and second electrodes configured to be connected together through a generator load receiving electrical power generated by a difference in potential and an ionic current between the first and second electrodes.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 27, 2017
Date of Patent:
October 13, 2020
Assignee:
ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
Abstract: Peptides that specifically bind erythrocytes are described. These are provided as peptidic ligands having sequences that specifically bind, or as antibodies or fragments thereof that provide specific binding, to erythrocytes. The peptides may be prepared as molecular fusions with therapeutic agents, tolerizing antigens, or targeting peptides. Immunotolerance may be created by use of the fusions and choice of an antigen on a substance for which tolerance is desired.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 21, 2017
Date of Patent:
October 13, 2020
Assignee:
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
Inventors:
Jeffrey A. Hubbell, Stephan Kontos, Karen Y. Dane
Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the preparation of a coating comprising at least one coating layer on a substrate, the method comprising the steps of a. providing monomers of the type R—(N)x-(L)m-(C?C)n-(L?)o-(N?)y—R?, wherein R is a head moiety, R? is a tail moiety, (C?C)n is an oligoyne moiety, L and L? are linker moieties, N and N? independently are branched or unbranched optionally substituted C1-C25 alkyl moieties optionally containing 1 to 5 heteroatoms, x, m, o, and y are independently 0 or 1, n is 4 to 12, and wherein the head moiety allows for an interaction with the surface of the substrate; b. bringing the monomers into contact with the substrate wherein the interaction of the head moieties of the monomers with the surface of the substrate induces at least a part of the monomers to align in a defined manner thereby forming a film on the surface and bringing the oligoyne moieties of the monomers into close contact with each other; c.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 2, 2016
Date of Patent:
September 29, 2020
Assignee:
ÉCOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FÉDÉRALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL) EPFL-TTO
Inventors:
Holger Frauenrath, Stephen Schrettl, Bjoern Schulte, Yves Leterrier