Patents Assigned to University of Waterloo
  • Patent number: 6287472
    Abstract: Groundwater, or other water contaminated with chlorinated organic contaminants, is passed through a permeable body of iron particles. The particles are coated with nickel, but the coating is incomplete, in that, in patches, the iron is directly exposed. The contaminants break down under prolonged proximity to the iron, the nickel enhancing the catalytic effect. The rate of breakdown is much faster than when bare iron particles were used. When the nickel is alloyed with phosphorus, or boron, even more rapid breakdown rates are achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: University of Waterloo
    Inventors: Robert W Gillham, Marek S Odziemkowski, Stephanie F O'Hannesin
  • Patent number: 6274048
    Abstract: Lenses of DNAPL suspended on clay strata in a sandy aquifer are treated with potassium permanganate. The solution is injected out into the aquifer from a port, and forms a horizontal disc of treatment liquid. The (heavy) liquid then gradually percolates down onto the DNAPL lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: University of Waterloo
    Inventors: Beth Louise Parker, Matthew David Nelson, John Anthony Cherry
  • Patent number: 6268448
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of complexes of transition metals having a ligand containing a phosphorus or arsenic atom bound to the transition metal through an oxygen atom, or an amido radical. The complexes may be activated with conventional activators and are useful in solution, slurry and gas phase polymerization of olefins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignees: University of Waterloo, Nova Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Scott Collins, Rainer Vollmerhaus, Qinyan Wang
  • Patent number: 6232848
    Abstract: An integrated radio frequency (RF) coupling scheme is provided for realizing low voltage RF integrated circuits. According to the invention, on-chip capacitively coupled resonant elements are used to DC isolate circuit block elements which are required to be connected in series and share a common DC current. The coupling scheme according to the present invention may be applied to several commonly used RF integrated circuit topologies such as low noise amplifiers and mixers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: The University of Waterloo
    Inventor: Tajinder Manku
  • Patent number: 6214229
    Abstract: A new method of forming mask ROM in the manufacture of an integrated circuit device has been achieved. A semiconductor substrate is provided with field oxide areas defined and a gate oxide layer overlying the semiconductor substrate. A gate electrode layer is deposited overlying the gate oxide layer. The gate electrode layer and the gate oxide layer are patterned to form gate electrodes. Ions are implanted to form source and drain junctions. A buffer layer is deposited overlying the gate electrodes, the source and drain junctions, and the field oxide areas. The buffer layer is etched down to expose the gate electrodes while leaving a protective thickness of the buffer layer overlying the source and drain junctions. Ions are implanted through the gate electrodes into the semiconductor substrate to selectively code the mask ROM devices and to complete the mask ROM devices in the manufacture of the semiconductor device. A coding mask controls the ion implantation to selectively code the mask ROM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: University of Waterloo
    Inventor: William Dean Robertson
  • Patent number: 6194343
    Abstract: The present invention provides a tethered bridged metallocene compound in which the tether typically comprises a segment of the formula —(R2)d—(CH2CH2)e(CH═CH)f wherein R2 is an alkylene or phenylene group, and d, e and f are 1 or 0. One end of the tether reacts with a silane bridged metallocene compound and the other reacts with the support. The activated metallocene compound is capable of producing a polymer having a narrow molecular weight distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: University of Waterloo
    Inventors: Scott Collins, Jun Tian
  • Patent number: 6184982
    Abstract: An in-torch vaporization sample introduction system for introducing a sample to be analyzed into a spectrometer, comprising sample holder means for carrying the sample to be analyzed, a modified Fassel-type torch having a plasma fed by inert gas through outer and intermediate feed channels in an enlarged gas tube, an inner axial tube having one end open adjacent the plasma and an opposite end open for receiving the sample holder means for feeding the sample to the plasma, the inner axial tube tapering to a reduced diameter adjacent the one end to form a well defined channel for feeding the sample to the plasma means for positioning the sample holder means in the inner axial tube a predetermined distance below the plasma, and means for sealing the opposite end of the inner axial tube and means for vaporizing the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: The University Of Waterloo
    Inventor: Vassili Karanassios
  • Patent number: 6114445
    Abstract: The hydrosilylation of terminal double bonds in polypropylene (PP) or other polymers is effected in the melt phase. The double bonds were created by peroxide initiated degradation of PP in an extruder or a batch mixer. A hydride terminated polydimethylsiloxane is employed as a model substance to investigate the feasibility of hydrosilylating the terminal double bonds of the degraded polypropylene. The reaction may be carried out in three different reactors, namely a hot press, a batch mixer and a screw extruder. Two different reaction mechanisms may be used to effect the hydrosilylation reaction, namely a radical chain addition mechanism and a platinum catalysed mechanism with a colloid forming catalyst, platinum divinyltetramethyldisiloxane (Karstedt's catalyst). Catalytic amounts of a peroxide initiator are able to initiate the addition of silanes to the double bonds of the degraded polypropylene. Both reactions, namely degradation and hydrosilylation, may be performed simultanously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: University of Waterloo
    Inventors: Costas Tzoganakis, Hauke Malz
  • Patent number: 6064871
    Abstract: A low power passive .SIGMA..DELTA. converter for baseband applications and with a built in mixer for direct conversion. For direct conversion, low power consumption is achieved by adopting a passive loop filter for the .SIGMA..DELTA. converter together with merging the sampling and mixing functions together utilizing a specially designed mixer. With a passive loop filter, the only gain element in the loop is a high gain, high speed, low noise comparator. The mixer can be located outside of the feedback loop, although according to one aspect of the present invention, the mixer is incorporated inside the feedback loop. For baseband applications, the same design is utilized with a simple sampling switch instead of a mixer for processing baseband signals with low power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: University Of Waterloo
    Inventor: Bosco Leung
  • Patent number: 6028454
    Abstract: A dynamic current mode circuit for low-voltage and high performance VLSI applications, comprising a MOS current mode logic block and dynamic circuitry for precharging the outputs of the MOS current mode logic block, cross-coupled latches for enhancing performance of the MOS current mode logic block during an evaluation phase thereof, and a dynamic current source for enhanced speed and low power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: The University of Waterloo
    Inventors: Mohamed Elmasry, Mohamed Allam
  • Patent number: 5999581
    Abstract: A direct digital frequency synthesizer for generating a digital sine or cosine function waveform receive digital input. Memory stores digital samples along portions of sine and cosine function waveforms. The memory outputs the digital samples in response to a first portion of the digital input. Control logic is responsive to the digital input and controls the output of the digital samples from the memory to allow digital samples along a complete cycle of the sine or cosine function waveform to be output even though only portions of the sine and cosine function waveforms are stored in the memory. A linear interpolator receives a second portion of the digital input and modifies digital samples output by the memory to generate intermediate digital samples between the digital samples stored in the memory to improve accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: University of Waterloo
    Inventors: Abdellatif Bellaouar, Michael S. Obrecht, Mohamed I. Elmasry
  • Patent number: 5990691
    Abstract: An integrated circuit is set forth including a plurality of circuit elements interconnected by conductors and at least one resistive element operably connected to a location within the circuit. Upon an event occurring at the location, such as the activation of a circuit element, current is passed through the resistive element thereby elevating the temperature of the resistive element to cause incandescence so as to permit optical detection of the event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: University of Waterloo
    Inventors: Werner Joerg, Arokia Nathan
  • Patent number: 5972679
    Abstract: A plurality of polypeptides derived from intercellular spaces of plant cells having frost tolerance. Some of the polypeptides are ice nucleators for developing ice crystals in extracellular spaces of plant tissue, some of the polypeptides are antifreeze components which control ice crystal growth in extracellular spaces and some of the polypeptides are enzymes which adapt plant cell walls to function differently during formation of ice crystals in plant intercellular spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: University of Waterloo
    Inventor: Marilyn Griffith
  • Patent number: 5957625
    Abstract: The barrier is waterproof, and is used to contain contaminated groundwater within an enclosure. Steel elements are pile driven, the elements having rolled-over edge forms (5,6) which interengage. Upon interengagement, an enclosed hole (90) is created which extends from top to bottom of the piled elements. A scraper (19) on the junior element (8) cleans dirt out of the hole as the junior is driven down alongside the adjacent senior element (7). The hole may be cleaned out by inserting a hose pipe to the bottom of the hole (90) and flushing through with water. Then, a sealant is injected into the hole, using an injection tube in the hole. The interengagement of the edge forms (5,6) of the elements is such that the hole formed by the interengagement is constrained to its nominal size and shape throughout the whole height of the barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: University of Waterloo
    Inventor: Enoch Sam Vales
  • Patent number: 5911546
    Abstract: The barrier is waterproof, and is used to contain contaminated groundwater within an enclosure. Steel elements, are pile driven, the elements having rolled-over edge forms (5,6) which interengage. Upon interengagement, an enclosed hole (90) is created which extends from top to bottom of the piled elements. A scraper (19) on the junior element (8) cleans dirt out of the hole as the junior is driven down alongside the adjacent senior element (7). The hole may be cleaned out by inserting a hose pipe to the bottom of the hole (90) and flushing through with water. Then, a sealant is injected into the hole, using an injection tube in the hole. The interengagement of the edge forms (5,8) of the elements is such that the hole formed by the interengagement is constrained to its nominal size and shape throughout the whole height of the barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: University of Waterloo
    Inventor: Enoch Sam Vales
  • Patent number: 5876606
    Abstract: The metal oxide media includes oxides and hydroxides of iron, and other metals. The material is derived from basic-oxygen steel-making process, and includes a high calcium content. The oxide surfaces facilitate the adsorption of phosphorus, and the increased pH facilitates the precipitation of calcium and other phosphates. The oxides are a catalyst for converting organic phosphorus to inorganic form. Limestone may be added to the oxides, to ensure a long-term source of calcium, and to maintain high pH for long periods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: University of Waterloo
    Inventors: David William Blowes, Carol Jane Ptacek, Michael John Baker
  • Patent number: 5868941
    Abstract: Treatment of halogenated hydrocarbon contaminants in groundwater is accomplished by passing the water through a bed of granular iron (43). An electrical circuit (47) is promoted for providing electrons for reducing the contaminant. The circuit may be made using a DC supply, by configuring an electrolytic circuit, or by providing a layer of a second metal such as zinc placed next to the iron bed, thereby creating a galvenic circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: University of Waterloo
    Inventors: Robert W Gillham, Robert M Focht, Pascale M Bonin, Mark D Pritzker
  • Patent number: 5852172
    Abstract: A plurality of polypeptides derived from intercellular spaces of plant cells having frost tolerance. Some of the polypeptides are ice nucleators for developing ice crystals in extracellular spaces of plant tissue, some of the polypeptides are antifreeze components which control ice crystal growth in extracellular spaces and some of the polypeptides are enzymes which adapt plant cell walls to function differently during formation of ice crystals in plant intercellular spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: University of Waterloo
    Inventor: Marilyn Griffith
  • Patent number: 5825230
    Abstract: A switched-capacitor gain-boost network includes a bank of N-substantially identical sampling capacitors connectable to an output node. An integrating capacitor has one node connected to a low potential node and a second node connected to the output node. The integrating capacitor is connected to the bank of sampling capacitors in parallel when the bank of sampling capacitors is connected to the output node. Sampling period switches are actuable during a sampling period to connect the sampling capacitors of the bank in parallel and to connect the bank between an analog signal input node and a low potential node to charge the sampling capacitors. Integrating period switches are actuable during an integrating period to connect the sampling capacitors of the bank in series and to connect the bank between a low potential node and the output node to dump the charge stored by the sampling capacitors onto the integrating capacitor. A method of providing dc gain to an analog input signal is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: University of Waterloo
    Inventors: Feng Chen, Bosco Leung
  • Patent number: RE36553
    Abstract: In the conventional incineration of solid waste materials, flyash present in the combustion products gas stream catalyzes the formation of toxic dioxins from chlorinated organic materials. By providing a catalyst poison, such as carbon disulphide, in association with the flyash, typically by spraying onto the solid wastes prior to incineration, the catalytic effect is decreased, resulting in decreased dioxin formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: University of Waterloo
    Inventors: Francis W. Karasek, Leslie C. Dickson, Otto Hutzinger