Patents by Inventor Timothy J. Shepodd
Timothy J. Shepodd 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: 8802444Abstract: A “real time” method for detecting chemical agents generally and particularly electrophilic and nucleophilic species by employing tunable, precursor sensor materials that mimic the physiological interaction of these agents to form highly florescent berberine-type alkaloids that can be easily and rapidly detected. These novel precursor sensor materials can be tuned for reaction with both electrophilic (chemical species, toxins) and nucleophilic (proteins and other biological molecules) species. By bonding or otherwise attaching these precursor molecules to a surface or substrate they can be used in numerous applications.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2012Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: Sandia CorporationInventors: James R. McElhanon, Timothy J. Shepodd
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Patent number: 8247554Abstract: A “real time” method for detecting chemical agents generally and particularly electrophilic and nucleophilic species by employing tunable, precursor sensor materials that mimic the physiological interaction of these agents to form highly florescent berberine-type alkaloids that can be easily and rapidly detected. These novel precursor sensor materials can be tuned for reaction with both electrophilic (chemical species, toxins) and nucleophilic (proteins and other biological molecules) species. By bonding or otherwise attaching these precursor molecules to a surface or substrate they can be used in numerous applications.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2007Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Sandia CorporationInventors: James R. McElhanon, Timothy J. Shepodd
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Patent number: 7754077Abstract: Laser-induced phase-separation polymerization of a porous acrylate polymer is used for in-situ fabrication of dialysis membranes inside glass microchannels. A shaped 355 nm laser beam is used to produce a porous polymer membrane with a thickness of about 15 ?m, which bonds to the glass microchannel and forms a semi-permeable membrane. Differential permeation through a membrane formed with pentaerythritol triacrylate was observed and quantified by comparing the response of the membrane to fluorescein and fluorescently tagging 200 nm latex microspheres. Differential permeation was observed and quantified by comparing the response to rhodamine 560 and lactalbumin protein in a membrane formed with SPE-methylene bisacrylamide. The porous membranes illustrate the capability for the present technique to integrate sample cleanup into chip-based analysis systems.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2007Date of Patent: July 13, 2010Assignee: Sandia CorporationInventors: Anup K. Singh, Brian J. Kirby, Timothy J. Shepodd
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Patent number: 7625474Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrokinetic (EK) pump capable of creating high pressures electroosmotically, and capable of retaining high pressures. Both pressure creation and retention are accomplished without the need for moving parts. The EK pump uses a polymerizable fluid that creates the pressure-retaining seal within the EK pump when polymerization is initiated, typically by exposure to UV radiation. Weaklink devices are advantageously constructed including such a pressure-retaining EK pump since, among other advantages, the response of the weaklink device relies on predictable and reliable chemical polymerization reactions.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2008Date of Patent: December 1, 2009Assignee: Sandia CorporationInventors: Timothy J. Shepodd, Matthew P. Duncan
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Patent number: 7618524Abstract: A “cast-in-place” monolithic microporous polymer salt bridge for conducting electrical current in microfluidic devices, and methods for manufacture thereof is disclosed. Polymeric salt bridges are formed in place in capillaries or microchannels. Formulations are prepared with monomer, suitable cross-linkers, solvent, and a thermal or radiation responsive initiator. The formulation is placed in a desired location and then suitable radiation such as UV light is used to polymerize the salt bridge within a desired structural location. Embodiments are provided wherein the polymeric salt bridges have sufficient porosity to allow ionic migration without bulk flow of solvents therethrough. The salt bridges form barriers that seal against fluid pressures in excess of 5000 pounds per square inch. The salt bridges can be formulated for carriage of suitable amperage at a desired voltage, and thus microfluidic devices using such salt bridges can be specifically constructed to meet selected analytical requirements.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2004Date of Patent: November 17, 2009Assignee: Sandia CorporationInventors: Timothy J. Shepodd, Mark S. Tichenor, Alexander Artau
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Patent number: 7534315Abstract: Laser-induced phase-separation polymerization of a porous acrylate polymer is used for in-situ fabrication of dialysis membranes inside glass microchannels. A shaped 355 nm laser beam is used to produce a porous polymer membrane with a thickness of about 15 ?m, which bonds to the glass microchannel and forms a semi-permeable membrane. Differential permeation through a membrane formed with pentaerythritol triacrylate was observed and quantified by comparing the response of the membrane to fluorescein and fluorescently tagging 200 nm latex microspheres. Differential permeation was observed and quantified by comparing the response to rhodamine 560 and lactalbumin protein in a membrane formed with SPE-methylene bisacrylamide. The porous membranes illustrate the capability for the present technique to integrate sample cleanup into chip-based analysis systems.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2007Date of Patent: May 19, 2009Assignee: Sandia CorporationInventors: Anup K. Singh, Brian J. Kirby, Timothy J. Shepodd
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Patent number: 7495145Abstract: The invention provides methods and a reactor for safely destroying containers having toxic chemical and biological materials contained therein. The reactor comprises a pressure vessel having an internal reaction chamber and at least one heater disposed on an exterior of the pressure vessel. A fragment-suppression system is also disposed within the internal reaction chamber. The fragment-suppression system is adapted to receive a container therein, such as an energetic chemical munition, and is adapted to receive a charge for opening the container. An injection port is also provided so that oxidants can be injected into said reaction chamber to neutralize the chemical and biological materials after the container has been opened.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2004Date of Patent: February 24, 2009Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventors: Edward F. Doyle, III, Brent L. Haroldsen, Timothy J. Shepodd, Benjamin C. Wu
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Patent number: 7488407Abstract: A polymer material useful as the porous dielectric medium for microfluidic devices generally and electrokinetic pumps in particular. The polymer material is produced from an inverse (water-in-oil) emulsion that creates a 3-dimensional network characterized by small pores and high internal volume, characteristics that are particularly desirable for the dielectric medium for electrokinetic pumps. Further, the material can be cast-to-shape inside a microchannel. The use of bifunctional monomers provides for charge density within the polymer structure sufficient to support electroosmotic flow. The 3-dimensional polymeric material can also be covalently bound to the channel walls thereby making it suitable for high-pressure applications.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2004Date of Patent: February 10, 2009Assignee: Sandia CorporationInventors: Timothy J. Shepodd, Leroy Whinnery, Jr., William R. Even, Jr.
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Patent number: 7485277Abstract: A composition for removing hydrogen from an atmosphere, comprising a mixture of a polyphenyl ether and a hydrogenation catalyst, preferably a precious metal catalyst, and most preferably platinum, is disclosed. This composition is stable in the presence of oxygen, will not polymerize or degrade upon exposure to temperatures in excess of 200° C., or prolonged exposure to temperatures in the range of 100-300° C. Moreover, these novel hydrogen getter materials can be used to efficiently remove hydrogen from mixtures of hydrogen/inert gas (e.g., He, Ar, N2), hydrogen/ammonia atmospheres, such as may be encountered in heat exchangers, and hydrogen/carbon dioxide atmospheres. Water vapor and common atmospheric gases have no adverse effect on the ability of these getter materials to absorb hydrogen.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2008Date of Patent: February 3, 2009Assignee: Sandia CorporationInventors: Timothy J. Shepodd, George M. Buffleben
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Patent number: 7449579Abstract: A “real time” method for detecting electrophilic and nucleophilic species generally by employing tunable, precursor sensor materials that mimic the physiological interaction of these agents to form highly florescent berberine-type alkaloids that can be easily and rapidly detected. These novel precursor sensor materials can be tuned for reaction with both electrophilic (chemical species, toxins) and nucleophilic (proteins and other biological molecules) species.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2006Date of Patent: November 11, 2008Assignee: Sandia CorporationInventors: James R. McElhanon, Timothy J. Shepodd
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Patent number: 7422701Abstract: A composition for removing hydrogen from an atmosphere, comprising a mixture of a polyphenyl ether and a hydrogenation catalyst, preferably a precious metal catalyst, and most preferably Pt. This composition is stable in the presence of oxygen, will not polymerize or degrade upon exposure to temperatures in excess of 200° C., or prolonged exposure to temperatures in the range of 100-300° C. Moreover, these novel hydrogen getter materials can be used to efficiently removing hydrogen from mixtures of hydrogen/inert gas (e.g., He, Ar, N2), hydrogen/ammonia atmospheres, such as may be encountered in heat exchangers, and hydrogen/carbon dioxide atmospheres. Water vapor and common atmospheric gases have no adverse effect on the ability of these getter materials to absorb hydrogen.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2004Date of Patent: September 9, 2008Assignee: Sandia CorporationInventors: Timothy J. Shepodd, George M. Buffleben
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Patent number: 7264723Abstract: Laser-induced phase-separation polymerization of a porous acrylate polymer is used for in-situ fabrication of dialysis membranes inside glass microchannels. A shaped 355 nm laser beam is used to produce a porous polymer membrane with a thickness of about 15 ?m, which bonds to the glass microchannel and form a semi-permeable membrane. Differential permeation through a membrane formed with pentaerythritol triacrylate was observed and quantified by comparing the response of the membrane to fluorescein and fluorescently tagging 200 nm latex microspheres. Differential permeation was observed and quantified by comparing the response to rhodamine 560 and lactalbumin protein in a membrane formed with SPE-methylene bisacrylamide. The porous membranes illustrate the capability for the present technique to integrate sample cleanup into chip-based analysis systems.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2003Date of Patent: September 4, 2007Assignee: Sandia CorporationInventors: Anup K. Singh, Brian J. Kirby, Timothy J. Shepodd
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Patent number: 7052608Abstract: A three-dimensional microporous polymer network material, or monolith, cast-to-shape in a microchannel. The polymer monolith, produced by a phase separation process, is capable of trapping and retaining charged protein species from a mixture of charged and uncharged species under the influence of an applied electric field. The retained charged protein species are released from the porous polymer monolith by a pressure driven flow in the substantial absence of the electric field. The pressure driven flow is independent of direction and thus neither means to reverse fluid flow nor a multi-directional flow field is required, a single flow through the porous polymer monolith can be employed, in contrast to prior art systems. The monolithic polymer material produced by the invention can function as a chromatographic medium.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2004Date of Patent: May 30, 2006Assignee: Sandia National LaboratoriesInventors: Timothy J. Shepodd, Elizabeth Franklin, Zane T. Prickett, Alexander Artau
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Patent number: 7022381Abstract: A microvalve having a cast-in-place and lithographically shaped mobile, polymer monolith for fluid flow control in microfluidic devices and method of manufacture. The microvalve contains a porous fluorinated polymer monolithic element whose pores are filled with an electrically insulating, high dielectric strength fluid, typically a perfluorinated liquid. This combination provides a microvalve that combines high dielectric strength with extremely low electrical conductivity. These microvalves have been shown to have resistivities of at least 100 G? and are compatible with solvents such as water at a pH between 2.7 and 9.0, 1-1 propanol, acetonitrile, and acetone.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2003Date of Patent: April 4, 2006Assignee: Sandia National LaboratoriesInventors: Brian J. Kirby, David S. Reichmuth, Timothy J. Shepodd
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Patent number: 7001535Abstract: This invention describes a solution to the particular problem of liquid water formation in hydrogen getters exposed to quantities of oxygen. Water formation is usually desired because the recombination reaction removes hydrogen without affecting gettering capacity and the oxygen removal reduces the chances for a hydrogen explosion once free oxygen is essentially removed. The present invention describes a getter incorporating a polyacrylate compound that can absorb up to 500% of its own weight in liquid water without significantly affecting its hydrogen gettering/recombination properties, but that also is insensitive to water vapor.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2002Date of Patent: February 21, 2006Assignee: Sandia National LaboratoriesInventor: Timothy J. Shepodd
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Patent number: 6988402Abstract: A cast-in-place and lithographically shaped mobile, monolithic polymer element for fluid flow control in microfluidic devices and method of manufacture. Microfluid flow control devices, or microvalves that provide for control of fluid or ionic current flow can be made incorporating a cast-in-place, mobile monolithic polymer element, disposed within a microchannel, and driven by fluid pressure (either liquid or gas) against a retaining or sealing surface. The polymer elements are made by the application of lithographic methods to monomer mixtures formulated in such a way that the polymer will not bond to microchannel walls. The polymer elements can seal against pressures greater than 5000 psi, and have a response time on the order of milliseconds. By the use of energetic radiation it is possible to depolymerize selected regions of the polymer element to form shapes that cannot be produced by conventional lithographic patterning and would be impossible to machine.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2003Date of Patent: January 24, 2006Assignee: Sandia National LaboratoriesInventors: Ernest F. Hasselbrink, Jr., Jason E. Rehm, Timothy J. Shepodd, Brian J. Kirby
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Patent number: 6952962Abstract: A cast-in-place and lithographically shaped mobile, monolithic polymer element for fluid flow control in microfluidic devices and method of manufacture. Microfluid flow control devices, or microvalves that provide for control of fluid or ionic current flow can be made incorporating a cast-in-place, mobile monolithic polymer element, disposed within a microchannel, and driven by fluid pressure (either liquid or gas) against a retaining or sealing surface. The polymer elements are made by the application of lithographic methods to monomer mixtures formulated in such a way that the polymer will not bond to microchannel walls. The polymer elements can seal against pressures greater than 5000 psi, and have a response time on the order of milliseconds. By the use of energetic radiation it is possible to depolymerize selected regions of the polymer element to form shapes that cannot be produced by conventional lithographic patterning and would be impossible to machine.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2002Date of Patent: October 11, 2005Assignee: Sandia National LaboratoriesInventors: Ernest F. Hasselbrink, Jr., Jason E. Rehm, Timothy J. Shepodd, Brian J. Kirby
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Patent number: 6881383Abstract: An explosive destruction system and method for safely destroying explosively configured chemical munitions. The system comprises a sealable, gas-tight explosive containment vessel, a fragment suppression system positioned in said vessel, and shaped charge means for accessing the interior of the munition when the munition is placed within the vessel and fragment suppression system. Also provided is a means for treatment and neutralization of the munition's chemical fills, and means for heating and agitating the contents of the vessel. The system is portable, rapidly deployable and provides the capability of explosively destroying and detoxifying chemical munitions within a gas-tight enclosure so that there is no venting of toxic or hazardous chemicals during detonation.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2001Date of Patent: April 19, 2005Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventors: Kenneth L. Tschritter, Brent L. Haroldsen, Timothy J. Shepodd, Jerome H. Stofleth, Raymond A. DiBerardo
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Patent number: 6846399Abstract: A polymer material useful as the porous dielectric medium for microfluidic devices generally and electrokinetic pumps in particular. The polymer material is produced from an inverse (water-in-oil) emulsion that creates a 3-dimensional network characterized by small pores and high internal volume, characteristics that are particularly desirable for the dielectric medium for electrokinetic pumps. Further, the material can be cast-to-shape inside a microchannel. The use of bifunctional monomers provides for charge density within the polymer structure sufficient to support electroosmotic flow. The 3-dimensional polymeric material can also be covalently bound to the channel walls thereby making it suitable for high-pressure applications.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2001Date of Patent: January 25, 2005Assignee: Sandia National LaboratoriesInventors: Timothy J. Shepodd, Leroy Whinnery, Jr., William R. Even, Jr.
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Publication number: 20040251205Abstract: A three-dimensional microporous polymer network material, or monolith, cast-to-shape in a microchannel. The polymer monolith, produced by a phase separation process, is capable of trapping and retaining charged protein species from a mixture of charged and uncharged species under the influence of an applied electric field. The retained charged protein species are released from the porous polymer monolith by a pressure driven flow in the substantial absence of the electric field. The pressure driven flow is independent of direction and thus neither means to reverse fluid flow nor a multi-directional flow field is required, a single flow through the porous polymer monolith can be employed, in contrast to prior art systems. The monolithic polymer material produced by the invention can function as a chromatographic medium.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2004Publication date: December 16, 2004Inventors: Timothy J. Shepodd, Elizabeth Franklin, Zane T. Prickett, Alexander Artau