Patents by Inventor Eric McFarland

Eric McFarland has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20050087224
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for solar energy production comprises a multi-layer solid-state structure including a photosensitive layer, a thin conductor, a charge separation layer, and a back ohmic conductor, wherein light absorption occurs in a photosensitive layer and the charge carriers produced thereby are transported through the thin conductor through the adjacent potential energy barrier. The open circuit voltage of the solar cell can be manipulated by choosing from among a wide selection of materials making up the thin conductor, the charge separation layer, and the back ohmic layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Publication date: April 28, 2005
    Inventor: Eric McFarland
  • Publication number: 20050057027
    Abstract: An actuatable fastener (50) includes a body (80) including a head (82) and a shank (84). The body (80) includes an interior chamber (120) partially defined by a side wall (132) extending from the head (82) into the shank (84) and an end wall (138) positioned in the shank. A member (140) is disposed in the chamber (120). An initiator (160) is actuatable to produce combustion products in the chamber (120) that act on the member (140) to move the member in a first direction in the chamber to strike the end wall (138). The member (140) strikes the end wall (138) creating a fracture (222) in the shank (84) separating at least a portion of the shank from a remainder (220) of the shank. The combustion products moving the member (150) beyond the fracture (222) at least a predetermined distance (226) to move the portion of the shank (84) at least the predetermined distance from the remainder (220) of the shank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Publication date: March 17, 2005
    Inventors: Homer Fogle, Eric Mcfarland, Robert Debbs, Craig Fischer, John O'Loughlin, Halley Stevens, Keven Thomas
  • Patent number: 6864092
    Abstract: Devices and methods for controlling and monitoring the progress and properties of multiple reactions are disclosed. The method and apparatus are especially useful for synthesizing, screening, and characterizing combinatorial libraries, but also offer significant advantages over conventional experimental reactors as well. The apparatus generally includes multiple vessels for containing reaction mixtures, and systems for controlling the stirring rate and temperature of individual reaction mixtures or groups of reaction mixtures. In addition, the apparatus may include provisions for independently controlling pressure in each vessel, and a system for injecting liquids into the vessels at a pressure different than ambient pressure. In situ monitoring of individual reaction mixtures provides feedback for process controllers, and also provides data for determining reaction rates, product yields, and various properties of the reaction products, including viscosity and molecular weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard Turner, G. Cameron Dales, Lynn VanErden, Johannes A. M. VanBeek, Damian A. Hajduk, Ralph B. Nielsen, Paul Mansky, Leonid Matsiev, Pei Wang, Eric McFarland
  • Publication number: 20050009081
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for screening diverse arrays of materials are provided. In particular, techniques for rapidly characterizing compounds in arrays of materials in order to discover and/or optimize new materials with specific desired properties are provided The substrate can be screened for materials having useful properties, and/or the resulting materials can be ranked, or otherwise compared, for relative performance with respect to useful properties or other characterizations. In particular, systems and methods are provided for screening a library of magnetic materials for their bulk magnetization, saturation magnetizaton, and coercivity by imaging their individual optical Kerr rotation, screening a library of dielectric materials for their dielectric coefficients by imaging their individual electro-optical rotation and screening a library of luminescent materials by imaging their individual luminescent properties under a variety of excitation conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Publication date: January 13, 2005
    Inventors: Eric McFarland, Earl Danielson, William Archibald
  • Patent number: 6818110
    Abstract: An electrochemical deposition and testing system consisting of individually addressable electrode arrays, a fully automated deposition head, and a parallel screening apparatus is described. The system is capable of synthesizing and screening millions of new compositions at an unprecedented rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Warren, Robert C. Haushalter, Leonid Matsiev, Martin Devenney, Eric McFarland, Earl Danielson
  • Patent number: 6818183
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for carrying out and monitoring the progress and properties of multiple reactions is disclosed. The method and apparatus are especially useful for synthesizing, screening, and characterizing combinatorial libraries, but also offer significant advantages over conventional experimental reactors as well. The apparatus generally includes multiple vessels for containing reaction mixtures, and systems for controlling the stirring rate and temperature of individual reaction mixtures or groups of reaction mixtures. In addition, the apparatus may include provisions for independently controlling pressure in each vessel. In situ monitoring of individual reaction mixtures provides feedback for process controllers, and also provides data for determining reaction rates, product yields, and various properties of the reaction products, including viscosity and molecular weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Damian A. Hajduk, Ralph B. Nielsen, Adam Safir, Leonid Matsiev, Eric McFarland, Paul Mansky
  • Patent number: 6756195
    Abstract: The present invention relates, inter alia, to methodologies for the synthesis, screening and characterization of organometallic compounds and catalysts (e.g., homogeneous catalysts). The methods of the present invention provide for the combinatorial synthesis, screening and characterization of libraries of supported and unsupported organometallic compounds and catalysts (e.g., homogeneous catalysts). The methods of the present invention can be applied to the preparation and screening of large numbers of organometallic compounds which can be used not only as catalysts (e.g., homogeneous catalysts), but also as additives and therapeutic agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Henry Weinberg, Eric McFarland, Isy Goldwasser, Thomas Boussie, Howard Turner, Johannes A. M. Van Beek, Vince Murphy, Timothy Powers
  • Publication number: 20040074303
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring properties of a liquid composition includes a mechanical resonator, such as a cantilever, connected to a measurement circuit. The mechanical resonator can be covered with a coating to impart additional special detection propertied to the resonator, and multiple resonators can be attached together as a single sensor to obtain multiple frequency responses. The invention is particularly suitable for combinatorial chemistry applications, which require rapid analysis of chemical properties for screening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Applicant: Symyx Technologies, Inc
    Inventors: Leonid Matsiev, James Bennett, Eric McFarland
  • Publication number: 20040074302
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring properties of a liquid composition includes a mechanical resonator, such as a cantilever, connected to a measurement circuit. The mechanical resonator can be covered with a coating to impart additional special detection propertied to the resonator, and multiple resonators can be attached together as a single sensor to obtain multiple frequency responses. The invention is particularly suitable for combinatorial chemistry applications, which require rapid analysis of chemical properties for screening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Applicant: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonid Matsiev, James Bennett, Eric McFarland
  • Patent number: 6713655
    Abstract: Alcohols, ethers, aldehydes, and olefins are manufactured from alkanes by mixing an alkane and a halogen selected from the group including chlorine, bromine, and iodine in a reactor to form alkyl halide and hydrogen halide. The alkyl halide only or the alkyl halide and the hydrogen halide are directed into contact with metal oxide to form an alcohol and/or an ether, or an olefin and metal halide. The metal halide is oxidized to form original metal oxide and halogen, both of which are recycled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Inventors: Aysen Yilmaz, Gurkan Atinc Yilmaz, Ivan M. Lorkovic, Galen D. Stucky, Peter C. Ford, Eric McFarland, Jeffrey H. Sherman
  • Patent number: 6670298
    Abstract: The present invention relates, inter alia, to methodologies for the synthesis, screening and characterization of organometallic compounds and catalysts (e.g., homogeneous catalysts). The methods of the present invention provide for the combinatorial synthesis, screening and characterization of libraries of supported and unsupported organometallic compounds and catalysts (e.g., homogeneous catalysts). The methods of the present invention can be applied to the preparation and screening of large numbers of organometallic compounds which can be used not only as catalysts (e.g., homogeneous catalysts), but also as additives and therapeutic agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Henry Weinberg, Eric McFarland, Isy Goldwasser, Thomas Boussie, Howard Turner, Johannes A. M. Van Beek, Vince Murphy, Timothy Powers
  • Publication number: 20030190755
    Abstract: Devices and methods for controlling and monitoring the progress and properties of multiple reactions are disclosed. The method and apparatus are especially useful for synthesizing, screening, and characterizing combinatorial libraries, but also offer significant advantages over conventional experimental reactors as well. The apparatus generally includes multiple vessels for containing reaction mixtures, and systems for controlling the stirring rate and temperature of individual reaction mixtures or groups of reaction mixtures. In addition, the apparatus may include provisions for independently controlling pressure in each vessel, and a system for injecting liquids into the vessels at a pressure different than ambient pressure. In situ monitoring of individual reaction mixtures provides feedback for process controllers, and also provides data for determining reaction rates, product yields, and various properties of the reaction products, including viscosity and molecular weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Applicant: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard Turner, G. Cameron Dales, Lynn VanErden, Johannes A.M. VanBeek, Damian A. Hajduk, Ralph B. Nielsen, Paul Mansky, Leonid Matsiev, Pei Wang, Eric McFarland
  • Publication number: 20030157721
    Abstract: Devices and methods for controlling and monitoring the progress and properties of multiple reactions are disclosed. The method and apparatus are especially useful for synthesizing, screening, and characterizing combinatorial libraries, but also offer significant advantages over conventional experimental reactors as well. The apparatus generally includes multiple vessels for containing reaction mixtures, and systems for controlling the stirring rate and temperature of individual reaction mixtures or groups of reaction mixtures. In addition, the apparatus may include provisions for independently controlling pressure in each vessel, and a system for injecting liquids into the vessels at a pressure different than ambient pressure. In situ monitoring of individual reaction mixtures provides feedback for process controllers, and also provides data for determining reaction rates, product yields, and various properties of the reaction products, including viscosity and molecular weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Applicant: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard Turner, G. Cameron Dales, Lynn vanErden, Johannes A.M. van Beek, Damian A. Hajduk, Ralph B. Nielsen, Paul Mansky, Leonid Matsiev, Pei Wang, Eric McFarland
  • Publication number: 20030125585
    Abstract: Alcohols, ethers, aldehydes, and olefins are manufactured from alkanes by mixing an alkane and a halogen selected from the group including chlorine, bromine, and iodine in a reactor to form alkyl halide and hydrogen halide. The alkyl halide only or the alkyl halide and the hydrogen halide are directed into contact with metal oxide to form an alcohol and/or an ether, or an olefin and metal halide. The metal halide is oxidized to form original metal oxide and halogen, both of which are recycled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventors: Aysen Yilmaz, Gurkan Atinc Yilmaz, Ivan M. Lorkovic, Galen D. Stucky, Peter C. Ford, Eric McFarland, Jeffrey H. Sherman
  • Publication number: 20030120121
    Abstract: A reactant selected from the group consisting of alkanes, alkenes, and aromatics is reacted with a metal halide to form the halide of the reactant and reduced metal. The reduced metal is oxidized to form metal oxide. The metal oxide is reacted with the halide of the reactant to produce the alcohol and/or the ether corresponding to the reactant and the original metal halide which is recycled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Applicant: GRT, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey H. Sherman, Eric McFarland
  • Publication number: 20030104481
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for the preparation of a substrate having an array of diverse materials, the materials being deposited at spatially addressable, predefined regions. In particular, potential masking systems are provided which generate spatially and temporally varying electric, magnetic and chemical potentials across a substrate. These varying potentials are used to deposit components of source materials onto a substrate in a combinatorial fashion, thus creating arrays of materials that differ slightly in chemical composition, concentration, stoichiometry, and/or thickness. The diverse materials may be organized in discrete arrays, or they may vary continuously over the surface of the substrate. The shape of the potential allows the determination of the composition of the resulting materials at all locations on the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Applicant: SYMYX TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventors: Eric McFarland, Earl Danielson, Martin Devenney, Christopher J. Warren
  • Publication number: 20030100119
    Abstract: The present invention relates, inter alia, to methodologies for the synthesis, screening and characterization of organometallic compounds and catalysts (e.g., homogeneous catalysts). The methods of the present invention provide for the combinatorial synthesis, screening and characterization of libraries of supported and unsupported organometallic compounds and catalysts (e.g., homogeneous catalysts). The methods of the present invention can be applied to the preparation and screening of large numbers of organometallic compounds which can be used not only as catalysts (e.g., homogeneous catalysts), but also as additives and therapeutic agents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Applicant: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Henry Weinberg, Eric McFarland, Isy Goldwasser, Thomas Boussie, Howard Turner, Johannes A.M. Van Beek, Vince Murphy, Tim Powers
  • Publication number: 20030078456
    Abstract: Alcohols, ethers, aldehydes, and olefins are manufactured from alkanes by mixing an alkane and a halogen selected from the group including chlorine, bromine, and iodine in a reactor to form alkyl halide and hydrogen halide. The alkyl halide only or the alkyl halide and the hydrogen halide are directed into contact with metal oxide to form an alcohol and/or an ether, or an olefin and metal halide. The metal halide is oxidized to form original metal oxide and halogen, both of which are recycled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventors: Aysen Yilmaz, Gurkan Atinc Yilmaz, Ivan M. Lorkovic, Galen D. Stucky, Peter C. Ford, Eric McFarland, Jeffrey H. Sherman
  • Publication number: 20030069452
    Abstract: A reactant selected from the group consisting of alkanes, alkenes, and aromatics is reacted with a metal halide to form the halide of the reactant and reduced metal. The reduced metal is oxidized to form metal oxide. The metal oxide is reacted with the halide of the reactant to produce the alcohol and/or the ether corresponding to the reactant and the original metal halide which is recycled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventors: Jeffrey H. Sherman, Eric McFarland
  • Publication number: 20030041653
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring properties of a liquid composition includes a mechanical resonator, such as a thickness shear mode resonator or a tuning fork resonator, connected to a measurement circuit. The measurement circuit provides a variable frequency input signal to the tuning fork, causing the mechanical resonator to oscillate. To test the properties of a liquid composition, the mechanical resonator is placed inside a sample well containing a small amount of the liquid. The input signal is then sent to the mechanical resonator and swept over a selected frequency range, preferably less than 1 MHz to prevent the liquid being tested from exhibiting gel-like characteristics and causing false readings. The mechanical resonator's response over the frequency range depends on various characteristics of the liquid being tested, such as the temperature, viscosity, and other physical properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonid Matsiev, James Bennett, Eric McFarland