Patents Represented by Attorney Carol I. Ashby
  • Patent number: 8349633
    Abstract: A denticulated Group III nitride structure that is useful for growing AlxGa1-xN to greater thicknesses without cracking and with a greatly reduced threading dislocation (TD) density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew A. Allerman, Mary H. Crawford, Stephen R. Lee
  • Patent number: 8324342
    Abstract: A porphyrin coordination polymer nanostructure comprising a network of pyridyl porphyrin molecules and coordinating metal ions coordinatively bound through the pyridyl groups. In some embodiments, the porphyrins are metalloporphyrins. A variety of nanostructures are formed by the network polymer, including nanospheres, polygonal nanostructures, nanorods, and nanofibers, depending on a variety of factors including coordination metal ion, porphyrin type, metal of the metalloporphyrin, and degree of agitation during nanostructure formation. Reduction of coordinating metal ions may be used to form metal nanoparticles on the coordination polymer nanostructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Zhongchun Wang, John A. Shelnutt, Craig J. Medforth
  • Patent number: 8304089
    Abstract: A metallic nanowire network synthesized using chemical reduction of a metal ion source by a reducing agent in the presence of a soft template comprising a tubular inverse micellar network. The network of interconnected polycrystalline nanowires has a very high surface-area/volume ratio, which makes it highly suitable for use in catalytic applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Yujiang Song, John A. Shelnutt
  • Patent number: 8291824
    Abstract: A monolithic exploding foil initiator (EFI) or slapper detonator and the method for making the monolithic EFI wherein the exploding bridge and the dielectric from which the flyer will be generated are integrated directly onto the header. In some embodiments, the barrel is directly integrated directly onto the header.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Eric J. Welle, Paul T. Vianco, Paul S. Headley, Jason A. Jarrell, J. Emmett Garrity, Keegan P. Shelton, Stephen K. Marley
  • Patent number: 8287832
    Abstract: A hydrothermal method of synthesis of a family of rare-earth Group 5 oxides, where the Group 5 oxide is a niobate or tantalate. The rare-earth Group 5 oxides can be doped with suitable emitter ions to form nanophosphors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: May D. Nyman, Lauren E. S. Rohwer, James E. Martin
  • Patent number: 8265870
    Abstract: A method for establishing a detection map of a dynamically configurable sensor network. This method determines an appropriate set of locations for a plurality of sensor units of a sensor network and establishes a detection map for the network of sensors while the network is being set up; the detection map includes the effects of the local terrain and individual sensor performance. Sensor performance is characterized during the placement of the sensor units, which enables dynamic adjustment or reconfiguration of the placement of individual elements of the sensor network during network set-up to accommodate variations in local terrain and individual sensor performance. The reconfiguration of the network during initial set-up to accommodate deviations from idealized individual sensor detection zones improves the effectiveness of the sensor network in detecting activities at a detection perimeter and can provide the desired sensor coverage of an area while minimizing unintentional gaps in coverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Hung D. Nguyen, Mark W. Koch, Casey Giron, Daniel M. Rondeau, John L. Russell
  • Patent number: 8131112
    Abstract: A method for distinguishing a normal cell from an abnormal cell, such as, for example a cancer cell or diseased cell, of the same tissue type using mitochondrial correlation microscopy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventor: Paul L. Gourley
  • Patent number: 8091479
    Abstract: A fluid blade disablement (FBD) tool that forms both a focused fluid projectile that resembles a blade, which can provide precision penetration of a barrier wall, and a broad fluid projectile that functions substantially like a hammer, which can produce general disruption of structures behind the barrier wall. Embodiments of the FBD tool comprise a container capable of holding fluid, an explosive assembly which is positioned within the container and which comprises an explosive holder and explosive, and a means for detonating. The container has a concavity on the side adjacent to the exposed surface of the explosive. The position of the concavity relative to the explosive and its construction of materials with thicknesses that facilitate inversion and/or rupture of the concavity wall enable the formation of a sharp and coherent blade of fluid advancing ahead of the detonation gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Juan-Carlos Jakaboski, Chance G. Hughs, Steven N. Todd
  • Patent number: 8075664
    Abstract: Metal nanostructures formed by photocatalytic interfacial synthesis using a porphyrin-stabilized emulsion template and the method for making the nanostructures. Catalyst-seeded emulsion droplets are employed as templates for hollow-nanoshell growth. The hollow metal nanospheres may be formed with or without inclusions of other materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Haorong Wang, Yujiang Song, John A. Shelnutt, Craig J. Medforth
  • Patent number: 8048242
    Abstract: A nanocomposite thermite ink for use in inkjet, screen, and gravure printing. Embodiments of this invention do not require separation of the fuel and oxidizer constituents prior to application of the ink to the printed substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander S. Tappan, Joseph Cesarano, III, John N. Stuecker
  • Patent number: 8037828
    Abstract: An explosive device that can generate a projectile from the opposite side of a wall from the side where the explosive device is detonated. The projectile can be generated without breaching the wall of the structure or container. The device can optionally open an aperture in a solid wall of a structure or a container and form a high-kinetic-energy projectile from the portion of the wall removed to create the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Juan-Carlos Jakaboski, Chance G. Hughs, Steven N. Todd
  • Patent number: 8009356
    Abstract: A tunable extraordinary optical transmission (EOT) device wherein the tunability derives from controlled variation of the dielectric constant of a semiconducting material (semiconductor) in evanescent-field contact with a metallic array of sub-wavelength apertures. The surface plasmon resonance wavelength can be changed by changing the dielectric constant of the dielectric material. In embodiments of this invention, the dielectric material is a semiconducting material. The dielectric constant of the semiconducting material in the metal/semiconductor interfacial region is controllably adjusted by adjusting one or more of the semiconductor plasma frequency, the concentration and effective mass of free carriers, and the background high-frequency dielectric constant in the interfacial region. Thermal heating and/or voltage-gated carrier-concentration changes may be used to variably adjust the value of the semiconductor dielectric constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Eric A. Shaner, Daniel Wasserman
  • Patent number: 7998239
    Abstract: A method of forming stable nanoparticles comprising substantially uniform alloys of metals. A high dose of ionizing radiation is used to generate high concentrations of solvated electrons and optionally radical reducing species that rapidly reduce a mixture of metal ion source species to form alloy nanoparticles. The method can make uniform alloy nanoparticles from normally immiscible metals by overcoming the thermodynamic limitations that would preferentially produce core-shell nanoparticles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Tina M. Nenoff, Dana A. Powers, Zhenyuan Zhang
  • Patent number: 7947397
    Abstract: A battery component structure employing inorganic-silicate binders. In some embodiments, casting or coating of components may be performed using aqueous slurries of silicates and electrode materials or separator materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Frank M. Delnick, Frederick W. Reinhardt, Judy G. Odinek
  • Patent number: 7942097
    Abstract: A slapper detonator which integrally incorporates an optical wavequide structure for determining whether there has been degradation of the explosive in the explosive device that is to be initiated by the detonator. Embodiments of this invention take advantage of the barrel-like character of a typical slapper detonator design. The barrel assembly, being in direct contact with the energetic material, incorporates an optical diagnostic device into the barrel assembly whereby one can monitor the state of the explosive material. Such monitoring can be beneficial because the chemical degradation of the explosive plays an important in achieving proper functioning of a detonator/initiator device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: M. Kathleen Alam, Randal L. Schmitt, Eric J. Welle, Sean P. Madden
  • Patent number: 7943116
    Abstract: A method for forming non-agglomerated brookite TiO2 nanoparticles without the use of expensive organic surfactants or high temperature processing. Embodiments of this invention use titanium isopropoxide as the titanium precursor and isopropanol as both the solvent and ligand for ligand-stabilized brookite-phase titania. Isopropanol molecules serve as the ligands interacting with the titania surfaces that stabilize the titania nanoparticles. The isopropanol ligands can be exchanged with other alcohols and other ligands during or after the nanoparticle formation reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Dale L. Huber, Todd C. Monson
  • Patent number: 7940377
    Abstract: A method for passive background correction during spatially or angularly resolved detection of emission that is based on the simultaneous acquisition of both the passive background spectrum and the spectrum of the target of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Randal L. Schmitt, Philip J. Hargis, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7913534
    Abstract: A microfabricated field calibration assembly for use in calibrating analytical instruments and sensor systems. The assembly comprises a circuit board comprising one or more resistively heatable microbridge elements, an interface device that enables addressable heating of the microbridge elements, and, in some embodiments, a means for positioning the circuit board within an inlet structure of an analytical instrument or sensor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Alex L. Robinson, Ronald P. Manginell, Matthew W. Moorman, Philip J. Rodacy, Robert J. Simonson
  • Patent number: 7915626
    Abstract: A denticulated Group III nitride structure that is useful for growing AlxGa1-xN to greater thicknesses without cracking and with a greatly reduced threading dislocation (TD) density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew A. Allerman, Mary H. Crawford, Daniel D. Koleske, Stephen R. Lee
  • Patent number: 7908970
    Abstract: A Dual Initiation Strip Charge (DISC) apparatus is initiated by a single initiation source and detonates a strip of explosive charge at two separate contacts. The reflection of explosively induced stresses meet and create a fracture and breach a target along a generally single fracture contour and produce generally fragment-free scattering and no spallation. Methods for making and implementing a DISC apparatus provide numerous advantages over previous methods of creating explosive charges by utilizing steps for rapid prototyping; by implementing efficient steps and designs for metering consistent, repeatable, and controlled amount of high explosive; and by utilizing readily available materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Juan-Carlos Jakaboski, Steven N. Todd, Stephen Polisar, Chance Hughs