Patents by Inventor George Whitesides
George Whitesides 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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Publication number: 20060063276Abstract: The present invention provides a series of methods, compositions, and articles for altering a property of a surface (for example, the cytophilicity and/or the hydrophilicity), by exposing at least a portion of the surface to a non-chemical, force-creating field and/or force, such as an electric field. The field/force may be created by any suitable technique. For instance, the field can be created by applying a voltage across the surface, by electrical induction, etc. In certain embodiments, the surface includes molecules attached thereto that can be detached when exposed to non-chemical, force-creating fields and/or forces, thereby altering the chemical composition of at least a portion of the surface. In one set of embodiments, the molecules attached to the surface may include molecules forming a self-assembled monolayer on the surface. In some embodiments, the molecules attached to the surface may include thiol moieties (e.g., as in an alkanethiol), by which the molecule can become attached to the surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2005Publication date: March 23, 2006Applicant: President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: Xingyu Jiang, Rosaria Ferrigno, George Whitesides
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Publication number: 20060040276Abstract: An article suitable for use as a biosensor includes a molecule of a formula X—R-Ch adhered to a surface of the article as part of a self-assembled monolayer. X is a functionality that adheres to the surface, R is a spacer moiety, and Ch is a chelating agent. A metal ion can be coordinated by the chelating agent, and a polyamino acid-tagged biological binding partner of a target biological molecule coordinated to the metal ion. A method of the invention involves bringing the article into contact with a medium containing or suspected of containing the target biological molecule and allowing the biological molecule to biologically bind to the binding partner. The article is useful particularly as a surface plasmon resonance chip.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2004Publication date: February 23, 2006Inventors: Cynthia Bamdad, George Sigal, Jack Strominger, George Whitesides
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Publication number: 20060019309Abstract: This invention describes self assembled monolayers (SAMs) manufactured by imprinting reactive peptides onto solid supports. The invention further relates to methods of preparing and using these improved SAMs.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2005Publication date: January 26, 2006Applicants: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Shuguang Zhang, Alexander Rich, Lin Yan, George Whitesides
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Publication number: 20050217750Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a fluid. A method for treating a fluid may include combining two or more separate streams into a common stream and then splitting the common stream into a new set of separate streams wherein the separate streams may possess different properties. The separate streams may be combined to produce a gradient, such as a concentration gradient or shear gradient. The apparatus of the invention may provide a network of fluidic channels that may be used to manipulate a fluid to produce, for example, a gradient or a series of solutions containing a substance at varying concentrations.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2005Publication date: October 6, 2005Applicant: President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: Noo Jeon, Stephan Dertinger, Daniel Chiu, Insung Choi, George Whitesides
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Publication number: 20050172476Abstract: A microfluidic method and device for focusing and/or forming discontinuous sections of similar or dissimilar size in a fluid is provided. The device can be fabricated simply from readily-available, inexpensive material using simple techniques.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2004Publication date: August 11, 2005Applicants: President and Fellows of Havard College, The Governing Council of the University of TorontoInventors: Howard Stone, Shelley Anna, Nathalie Bontoux, Darren Link, David Weitz, Irina Gitlin, Eugenia Kumacheva, Piotr Garstecki, Willow Diluzio, George Whitesides
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Publication number: 20050158880Abstract: The present invention provides a masking system for selectively applying cells to predetermined regions of a surface. A mask is positioned adjacent to a surface to cover some portions of the surface while allowing other portions of the surface to remain uncovered. Cells then are applied to uncovered portions of the surface and the mask removed. Alternatively, a cell-adhesion promoter is applied to uncovered portions of the surface, and then cells are applied to the surface before or after removal of the mask from the surface. The masking system can be pre-coated, at least on those surfaces which will come into contact with cells, with a cell-adhesion inhibitor to resist absorption of cells and thereby avoid cell damage when the mask is removed (if cells are deposited prior to removal of the mask). A polymeric elastomeric mask that comes into cohesive-conformal contact with a surface to be patterned can be used.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2005Publication date: July 21, 2005Applicant: President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: Emanuele Ostuni, Ravindra Kane, George Whitesides, Rebecca Jackman, David Duffy
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Publication number: 20050154567Abstract: The present invention relates to three-dimensional microstructures and methods for making these microstructures, particularly microstructures having integral features less than about 1 mm. Examples of these microstructures include trusses. The microstructures can be prepared from two-dimensional structures having a deformable portion. Thus, by applying a deformation along these deformable portions, e.g. bending, a third-dimension can be created. The deformable portions can comprise thinner dimensions than more rigid portions to allow facile deformation to a predetermined angle or orientation. Electroplating at least a portion of the three-dimensional microstructure with a metal coating allows the formation of integral features in addition to covering any defects formed by the deformation and/or strengthening any thin components. The initial two-dimensional microstructure can be prepared by various patterning methods such as soft lithographic methods.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2004Publication date: July 14, 2005Applicant: President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: Rebecca Jackman, Scott Brittain, Olivier Schueller, Allan Adams, Hongkai Wu, Sue Hays Whitesides, George Whitesides, Mara Prentiss
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Publication number: 20050133741Abstract: A system is provided for positioning separate portions of a sample in elongate, parallel channels of a sample chamber and for irradiating a sample in the chamber to create a diffraction pattern where the sample and chamber differ in refractive index. The system also can measure absorption of electromagnetic radiation by a sample in the chamber, and can measure the absorption simultaneously with measurement of diffraction by the sample.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2004Publication date: June 23, 2005Applicant: PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGEInventors: Olivier Schueller, David Duffy, John Rogers, Scott Brittain, George Whitesides
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Publication number: 20040020774Abstract: A process directed to preparing surfactant-polycrystalline inorganic nanostructured materials having designed microscopic patterns. The process includes forming a polycrystalline inorganic substrate having a flat surface and placing in contact with the flat surface of the substrate a surface having a predetermined microscopic pattern. An acidified aqueous reacting solution is then placed in contact with an edge of the surface having the predetermined microscopic pattern. The solution wicks into the microscopic pattern by capillary action. The reacting solution has an effective amount of a silica source and an effective amount of a surfactant to produce a mesoscopic silica film upon contact of the reacting solution with the flat surface of the polycrystalline inorganic substrate and absorption of the surfactant into the surface. Subsequently an electric field is applied tangentially directed to the surface within the microscopic pattern.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2003Publication date: February 5, 2004Inventors: Ilhan A. Aksay, Mathias Trau, Srinivas Manne, Itaru Honma, George Whitesides
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Publication number: 20040023414Abstract: This invention describes self assembled monolayers (SAMs) manufactured by imprinting reactive peptides onto solid supports. The invention further relates to methods of preparing and using these improved SAMs.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2002Publication date: February 5, 2004Applicants: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: Shuguang Zhang, Alexander Rich, Lin Yan, George Whitesides
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Patent number: 6547940Abstract: A process directed to preparing surfactant-polycrystalline inorganic nanostructured materials having designed microscopic patterns. The process includes forming a polycrystalline inorganic substrate having a flat surface and placing in contact with the flat surface of the substrate a surface having a predetermined microscopic pattern. An acidified aqueous reacting solution is then placed in contact with an edge of the surface having the predetermined microscopic pattern. The solution wicks into the microscopic pattern by capillary action. The reacting solution has an effective amount of a silica source and an effective amount of a surfactant to produce a mesoscopic silica film upon contact of the reacting solution with the flat surface of the polycrystalline inorganic substrate and absorption of the surfactant into the surface. Subsequently an electric field is applied tangentially directed to the surface within the microscopic pattern.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2001Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: The Trustees of Princeton UniversityInventors: Ilhan A. Aksay, Mathias Trau, Srinivas Manne, Itaru Honma, George Whitesides
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Publication number: 20020072074Abstract: This invention describes self assembled monolayers (SAMs) manufactured by imprinting reactive peptides onto solid supports. The invention further relates to methods of preparing and using these improved SAMs.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2002Publication date: June 13, 2002Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Shuguang Zhang, Alexander Rich, Lin Yan, George Whitesides
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Publication number: 20020050220Abstract: A deformable stamp for patterning a surface. The stamp can be placed in contact with an entire 3-dimensional object, such as a rod, in a single step. The stamp can also be used to pattern the inside of a tube or rolled over a surface to form a continuous pattern. The stamp may also be used for fluidic patterning by flowing material through channels defined by raised and recessed portions in the surface of the stamp as it contacts the substrate. The stamp may be used to deposit self-assembled monolayers, biological materials, metals, polymers, ceramics, or a variety of other materials. The patterned substrates may be used in a variety of engineering and medical applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2001Publication date: May 2, 2002Inventors: Olivier Schueller, Enoch Kim, George Whitesides
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Patent number: 6368877Abstract: This invention describes self assembled monolayers (SAMs) manufactured by imprinting reactive peptides onto solid supports. The invention further relates to methods of preparing and using these improved SAMs.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 1997Date of Patent: April 9, 2002Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: Shuguang Zhang, Alexander Rich, Lin Yan, George Whitesides
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Publication number: 20010023024Abstract: A process directed to preparing surfactant-polycrystalline inorganic nanostructured materials having designed microscopic patterns. The process includes forming a polycrystalline inorganic substrate having a flat surface and placing in contact with the flat surface of the substrate a surface having a predetermined microscopic pattern. An acidified aqueous reacting solution is then placed in contact with an edge of the surface having the predetermined microscopic pattern. The solution wicks into the microscopic pattern by capillary action. The reacting solution has an effective amount of a silica source and an effective amount of a surfactant to produce a mesoscopic silica film upon contact of the reacting solution with the flat surface of the polycrystalline inorganic substrate and absorption of the surfactant into the surface. Subsequently an electric field is applied tangentially directed to the surface within the microscopic pattern.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2001Publication date: September 20, 2001Inventors: Ilhan A. Aksay, Mathias Trau, Srinivas Manne, Itaru Honma, George Whitesides
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Patent number: 6228248Abstract: A process directed to preparing surfactant-polycrystalline inorganic nanostructured materials having designed microscopic patterns. The process includes forming a polycrystalline inorganic substrate having a flat surface and placing in contact with the flat surface of the substrate a surface having a predetermined microscopic pattern. An acidified aqueous reacting solution is then placed in contact with an edge of the surface having the predetermined microscopic pattern. The solution wicks into the microscopic pattern by capillary action. The reacting solution has an effective amount of a silica source and an effective amount of a surfactant to produce a mesoscopic silica film upon contact of the reacting solution with the flat surface of the polycrystalline inorganic substrate and absorption of the surfactant into the surface. Subsequently an electric field is applied tangentially directed to the surface within the microscopic pattern.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 1999Date of Patent: May 8, 2001Assignee: The Trustees of Princeton UniversityInventors: Ilhan A. Aksay, Mathias Trau, Srinivas Manne, Itaru Honma, George Whitesides
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Patent number: 6004444Abstract: A process directed to preparing surfactant-polycrystalline inorganic nanostructured materials having designed microscopic patterns. The process includes forming a polycrystalline inorganic substrate having a flat surface and placing in contact with the flat surface of the substrate a surface having a predetermined microscopic pattern. An acidified aqueous reacting solution is then placed in contact with an edge of the surface having the predetermined microscopic pattern. The solution wicks into the microscopic pattern by capillary action. The reacting solution has an effective amount of a silica source and an effective amount of a surfactant to produce a mesoscopic silica film upon contact of the reacting solution with the flat surface of the polycrystalline inorganic substrate and absorption of the surfactant into the surface. Subsequently an electric field is applied tangentially directed to the surface within the microscopic pattern.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 1997Date of Patent: December 21, 1999Assignee: The Trustees of Princeton UniversityInventors: Ilhan A. Aksay, Mathias Trau, Srinivas Manne, Itaru Honma, George Whitesides
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Patent number: 4411995Abstract: Nicotinamide cofactors are prepared in a process of reacting ribose -5- phosphate with a basic material selected from the group consisting of ammonia, primary and secondary amines in a polar non-aqueous solvent, reacting the resultant 1-ribosylamine -5- phosphate with a pyridinium salt and reacting the resultant nicotinamide mononucleotide with adenosine triphosphate in the presence of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide pyrophosphorase to produce nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide which can be used directly in crude form without further purification in co-factor - requiring enzymatic reactions. The nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide pyrophosphorase may be immobilized on a solid support.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 1981Date of Patent: October 25, 1983Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: George Whitesides, Davis R. Walt