Patents by Inventor Francisco E. Torres
Francisco E. Torres 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).
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Patent number: 7553669Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the presence or absence of reaction between a first and second material of interest by measuring osmotic pressure changes of reaction detector. The reaction detector is capable of measuring the small changes in pressure that occur due to osmotic pressure shifts during a catalytic or binding reaction at species concentrations down to approximately 10?7 M.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2003Date of Patent: June 30, 2009Assignee: Palo Alto Resaerch Center IncorporatedInventors: Francisco E. Torres, Eric Shrader, Karl Littau
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Patent number: 7473030Abstract: In thermal sensing devices, such as for calorimetry, a support layer or central layer can have a thermometer element or other thermal sensor on one side and a thermally conductive structure or component on the other. The thermally conductive structure can conduct temperature or other thermal input signals laterally across the support layer or central layer. The temperature or signals can then be provided to the thermometer element, such as by thermal contact through the support layer. An electrically conducting, thermally isolating anti-coupling layer, such as of gold or chromium, can reduce capacitive coupling between the thermally conductive structure and the thermometer element or other thermal sensor.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2005Date of Patent: January 6, 2009Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center IncorporatedInventors: Richard H. Bruce, Dirk De Bruyker, Francisco E. Torres, Michal V. Wolkin
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Publication number: 20080304541Abstract: Test and reference groups of samples can be provided and concurrently combined and output signals can be provided. Each sample can have a volume not exceeding approximately 100 microliters, and each group can be provided in a region, such as in a cell of an array calorimeter. Each test group can include at least one fragment sample and one target sample, and its reference group can include similar samples. The output signals can include information about heat of reaction due to combining the fragment and target samples. For each target type, the output signals can be used to rank fragment types. For example, a subset of fragment types that react with the target type can be identified; an equilibrium constant or ligand efficiency can be obtained for each such fragment type; or a rank ordering can be obtained of such fragment types.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2007Publication date: December 11, 2008Inventors: Michael I. Recht, Francisco E. Torres, Richard H. Bruce, Alan G. Bell
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Patent number: 7419835Abstract: A method for screening of compounds for binding differentiation at various drug target binding sites is used with a device measuring the enthalpy of reaction for the binding. The method includes merging test ligand with target compound and merging test ligand with target compound in the presence of at least one blocking agent. A first heat of reaction is detected for the merged test ligand and target compound solution and a second heat of reaction is detected for the merged test ligand and target compound solution in the presence of a blocking agent. The two heats of reaction are compared to determine whether a reaction has occurred.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2003Date of Patent: September 2, 2008Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center IncorporatedInventors: Francisco E. Torres, Richard H. Bruce, Rodney Turner
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Patent number: 7416897Abstract: A method is disclosed for high-throughput screening assay sample preparation and testing for the identification of binding between drug targets and library compounds, for use with a calorimetric device measuring the enthalpy of reaction for the binding. The method includes mixing a library compound with a specified solvent and mixing a target compound solution with a second specified solvent on a calorimetric device. The library compound/solvent is merged with the target compound/solvent solution and the library compound/solvent solution is also merged with a third solvent solution on the calorimetric device. The heats of reaction are detected for both merged solutions and are compared.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2003Date of Patent: August 26, 2008Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center IncorporatedInventors: Richard H. Bruce, Francisco E. Torres, Alan G. Bell, Eric Peeters
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Publication number: 20080118985Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the presence or absence of interaction between at least a first and second material of interest by measuring osmotic pressure changes in an osmotic cell. Changes in osmotic pressure are determined by measuring the amount of compression exhibited by a compressible, semi-permeable material positioned in the cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2007Publication date: May 22, 2008Applicant: PALO ALTO RESEARCH CENTER INCORPORATEDInventors: Francisco E. Torres, Jonathan S. Daniels, Meng H. Lean
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Patent number: 7172712Abstract: A method of making a multichromal sphere includes the steps of preparing a composition of at least (1) a matrix material and (2) at least two sets of particles, each of the sets of particles having a color different from at least one of another of the sets of particles and a segregation (e.g., an electrical or magnetic) property different from at least one of another of the sets of particles, encapsulating the composition within a shell to form an encapsulated sphere, immobilizing the encapsulated sphere in a manner to restrict at least rotation of the encapsulated sphere, subjecting the immobilized encapsulated sphere to an external field associated with the segregation property different among the sets of particles, under conditions in which the sets of particles are able to migrate within the matrix material, thereby producing color segregation in the immobilized encapsulated sphere, and solidifying the matrix material while substantially maintaining the color segregation.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2003Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Peter M. Kazmaier, Barkev Keoshkerian, George Liebermann, Naveen Chopra, Hadi K. Mahabadi, Jaan Noolandi, Francisco E. Torres
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Patent number: 7147763Abstract: A device for effecting motion of liquid droplets on a surface through the use of electrostatic field force includes a single substrate on which are disposed a plurality of spaced-apart electrodes. A dielectric material surrounds the electrodes on the substrate. The surface on which the liquid droplets are deposited is fabricated from a material that facilitates motion of the liquid droplets.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2002Date of Patent: December 12, 2006Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center IncorporatedInventors: Scott A. Elrod, Eric Peeters, Francisco E. Torres, David K. Biegelsen, John L. Dunec, Alan G. Bell
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Patent number: 7141210Abstract: A nanocalorimeter array for detecting chemical reactions includes at least one thermal isolation region residing on a substrate. Each thermal isolation region includes at least one thermal equilibration region, within which resides a thermal measurement device connected to detection electronics.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2002Date of Patent: November 28, 2006Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center IncorporatedInventors: Alan G. Bell, Richard H. Bruce, Scott A. Elrod, Eric Peeters, Francisco E. Torres
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Patent number: 7126134Abstract: A sample manipulator that utilizes electrostatic traveling waves to selectively displace one or more samples deposited on its face is disclosed. The sample manipulator enables an operator to perform a wide variety of processes upon the deposited samples. Also disclosed are strategies for separating two or more samples, focusing a sample, and passing a reagent through a sample, all conducted on the face of the sample manipulator.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2004Date of Patent: October 24, 2006Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center IncorporatedInventors: Meng H. Lean, Francisco E. Torres, Huangpin Ben Hsieh, Armin R. Völkel, Bryan Preas, Scott A. Elrod, John S. Fitch, Richard H. Bruce
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Patent number: 6894677Abstract: The present invention comprises an electromagnetophoretic ink material for use as electronic and magnetic display elements. In particular, the present invention relates to the preparation and use of microencapsulated aspect elements having both an electrostatic layer and a magnetic layer, and that can be addressed to produce a display aspect by the application of external electric fields and external magnetic fields.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2004Date of Patent: May 17, 2005Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Peter M. Kazmaier, Hadi Mahabadi, Jaan Noolandi, James Sharp, Francisco E. Torres
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Patent number: 6847347Abstract: The present invention comprises an electromagnetophoretic ink material for use as electronic and magnetic display elements. In particular, the present invention relates to the preparation and use of microencapsulated aspect elements having both an electrostatic layer and a magnetic layer, and that can be addressed to produce a display aspect by the application of external electric fields and external magnetic fields.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2000Date of Patent: January 25, 2005Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Peter M. Kazmaier, Hadi Mahabadi, Jaan Noolandi, James Sharp, Francisco E. Torres
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Publication number: 20040202862Abstract: A method of making a multichromal sphere includes the steps of preparing a composition of at least (1) a matrix material and (2) at least two sets of particles, each of the sets of particles having a color different from at least one of another of the sets of particles and a segregation (e.g., an electrical or magnetic) property different from at least one of another of the sets of particles, encapsulating the composition within a shell to form an encapsulated sphere, immobilizing the encapsulated sphere in a manner to restrict at least rotation of the encapsulated sphere, subjecting the immobilized encapsulated sphere to an external field associated with the segregation property different among the sets of particles, under conditions in which the sets of particles are able to migrate within the matrix material, thereby producing color segregation in the immobilized encapsulated sphere, and solidifying the matrix material while substantially maintaining the color segregation.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2003Publication date: October 14, 2004Inventors: Peter M. KAZMAIER, Barkev KEOSHKERIAN, George LIEBERMANN, Naveen CHOPRA, Hadi K. MAHABADI, Jaan NOOLANDI, Francisco E. TORRES
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Publication number: 20040189766Abstract: The present invention comprises an electromagnetophoretic ink material for use as electronic and magnetic display elements. In particular, the present invention relates to the preparation and use of microencapsulated aspect elements having both an electrostatic layer and a magnetic layer, and that can be addressed to produce a display aspect by the application of external electric fields and external magnetic fields.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2004Publication date: September 30, 2004Applicant: Xerox CorporationInventors: Peter M. Kazmaier, Hadi Mahabadi, Jaan Noolandi, James Sharp, Francisco E. Torres
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Patent number: 6699570Abstract: A dynamic reimageable document or electric paper can be formed from ordinary substrates such as paper, transparencies or fabric by printing of microencapsulated Gyricon beads onto one or more discrete surface areas of the substrate. The substrate can include both fixed print regions formed by conventional fixed ink processes and dynamic reimageable regions formed by the Gyricon beads. The Gyricon beads are preferably bichromal and of contrasting colors, such as black/white so as to be changeable to display two states by selective application of electromagnetic force to the beads. By providing bichromal beads in differing color combinations, such as red/white and black/white, a multi-colored document can be achieved in which various fields of the document, representing text, images or graphics, may be in differing colors. Moreover, operations to perform both imaging or erasure can act on the discrete reimageable regions so that the versatility of the electric paper can be enhanced.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2001Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Naveen Chopra, Steven Georges, Peter M. Kazmaier, Sammy Y.H. Ro, Man C. Tam, Francisco E. Torres, Sophie V. Vandebroek
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Publication number: 20030183525Abstract: A device for effecting motion of liquid droplets on a surface through the use of electrostatic field force includes a single substrate on which are disposed a plurality of spaced-apart electrodes. A dielectric material surrounds the electrodes on the substrate. The surface on which the liquid droplets are deposited is fabricated from a material that facilitates motion of the liquid droplets.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2002Publication date: October 2, 2003Applicant: Xerox CorporationInventors: Scott A. Elrod, Eric Peeters, Francisco E. Torres, David K. Biegelsen, John L. Dunec, Alan G. Bell
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Publication number: 20030186453Abstract: A nanocalorimeter array for detecting chemical reactions includes at least one thermal isolation region residing on a substrate. Each thermal isolation region includes at least one thermal equilibration region, within which resides a thermal measurement device connected to detection electronics.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2002Publication date: October 2, 2003Applicant: Xerox CorporationInventors: Alan G. Bell, Richard H. Bruce, Scott A. Elrod, Eric Peeters, Francisco E. Torres
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Publication number: 20030087068Abstract: A dynamic reimageable document or electric paper can be formed from ordinary substrates such as paper, transparencies or fabric by printing of microencapsulated Gyricon beads onto one or more discrete surface areas of the substrate. The substrate can include both fixed print regions formed by conventional fixed ink processes and dynamic reimageable regions formed by the Gyricon beads. The Gyricon beads are preferably bichromal and of contrasting colors, such as black/white so as to be changeable to display two states by selective application of electromagnetic force to the beads. By providing bichromal beads in differing color combinations, such as red/white and black/white, a multi-colored document can be achieved in which various fields of the document, representing text, images or graphics, may be in differing colors. Moreover, operations to perform both imaging or erasure can act on the discrete reimageable regions so that the versatility of the electric paper can be enhanced.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2001Publication date: May 8, 2003Applicant: XEROX CORPORATIONInventors: Naveen Chopra, Steven Georges, Peter M. Kazmaier, Sammy Y.H. Ro, Man C. Tam, Francisco E. Torres, Sophie V. Vandebroek
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Patent number: 6492025Abstract: A composition including: a plurality of microcapsules each including one to five particles in a liquid droplet, and a complex coacervation induced shell encapsulating the liquid droplet and the one to five particles.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2000Date of Patent: December 10, 2002Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Naveen Chopra, Peter M. Kazmaier, Francisco E. Torres
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Patent number: 6472485Abstract: A process for the preparation of a thermoplastic resin, or thermoplastic resins comprising: forming, or providing a miniemulsion comprised of a mixture of an oligomeric compound of the formula R-SFR, wherein R is an oligomeric compound comprised of from about 1 to about 30 monomer units and optionally a covalently bonded free radical initiator compound, -SFR is a covalently bound stable free radical end group, and at least one free radical polymerizable monomer compound, and a surfactant; and heating the miniemulsion wherein there results a latex thermoplastic resin or a latex of thermoplastic resins with a high monomer to polymer conversion of about 85 to about 100 percent and a narrow polydispersity of from about 1.1 to about 2.0.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2001Date of Patent: October 29, 2002Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Paula J. MacLeod, Peter G. Odell, Francisco E. Torres, Michael K. Georges