Patents Represented by Attorney James M. Spicer
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Patent number: 7077800Abstract: In cancer brachytherapy treatment, a small californium-252 neutron source capsule is attached to a guide cable using a modified crimping technique. The guide cable has a solid cylindrical end, and the attachment employs circumferential grooves micromachined in the solid cable end. The attachment was designed and tested, and hardware fabricated for use inside a radioactive hot cell. A welding step typically required in other cable attachments is avoided.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2004Date of Patent: July 18, 2006Assignee: UT Battelle, LLCInventors: Ian G Gross, Larry A Pierce
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Patent number: 7033476Abstract: An apparatus for carrying out the separation, detection, and/or counting of single molecules at nanometer scale. Molecular separation is achieved by driving single molecules through a microfluidic or nanofluidic medium using programmable and coordinated electric fields. In various embodiments, the fluidic medium is a strip of hydrophilic material on nonconductive hydrophobic surface, a trough produced by parallel strips of hydrophobic nonconductive material on a hydrophilic base, or a covered passageway produced by parallel strips of hydrophobic nonconductive material on a hydrophilic base together with a nonconductive cover on the parallel strips of hydrophobic nonconductive material. The molecules are detected and counted using nanoelectrode-gated electron tunneling methods, dielectric monitoring, and other methods.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2002Date of Patent: April 25, 2006Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLCInventors: James W. Lee, Thomas G. Thundat
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Patent number: 7012419Abstract: A circuit card stripline Fast Faraday cup quantitatively measures the picosecond time structure of a charged particle beam. The stripline configuration maintains signal integrity, and stitching of the stripline increases the bandwidth. A calibration procedure ensures the measurement of the absolute charge and time structure of the charged particle beam.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2004Date of Patent: March 14, 2006Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLCInventor: Craig E. Deibele
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Patent number: 6972551Abstract: A widely used scanner device that rotates a single helically shaped wire probe in and out of a particle beam at different beamline positions to give a pair of mutually perpendicular beam profiles is modified by the addition of a second wire probe. As a result, a pair of mutually perpendicular beam profiles is obtained at a first beamline position, and a second pair of mutually perpendicular beam profiles is obtained at a second beamline position. The simple modification not only provides more accurate beam profiles, but also provides a measurement of the beam divergence and quality in a single compact device.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2003Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLCInventors: Charles C. Havener, Riad Al-Rejoub
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Patent number: 6905586Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing nucleic acid (DNA and/or RNA) sequencing on a single molecule. The genetic sequence information is obtained by probing through a DNA or RNA molecule base by base at nanometer scale as though looking through a strip of movie film. This DNA sequencing nanotechnology has the theoretical capability of performing DNA sequencing at a maximal rate of about 1,000,000 bases per second. This enhanced performance is made possible by a series of innovations including: novel applications of a fine-tuned nanometer gap for passage of a single DNA or RNA molecule; thin layer microfluidics for sample loading and delivery; and programmable electric fields for precise control of DNA or RNA movement. Detection methods include nanoelectrode-gated tunneling current measurements, dielectric molecular characterization, and atomic force microscopy/electrostatic force microscopy (AFM/EFM) probing for nanoscale reading of the nucleic acid sequences.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2002Date of Patent: June 14, 2005Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLCInventors: James W. Lee, Thomas G. Thundat
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Patent number: 6873921Abstract: An improved method for detecting the presence of humans or animals concealed within in a vehicle uses a combination of the continuous wavelet transform and a ratio-based energy calculation to determine whether the motion detected using seismic sensors placed on the vehicle is due to the presence of a heartbeat within the vehicle or is the result of motion caused by external factors such as the wind. The method performs well in the presence of light to moderate ambient wind levels, producing far fewer false alarm indications. The new method significantly improves the range of ambient environmental conditions under which human presence detection systems can reliably operate.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2003Date of Patent: March 29, 2005Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLCInventor: Raymond W. Tucker, Jr.
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Patent number: 6635871Abstract: An entrance grid is positioned in the incident beam path of a DC beam positron lifetime spectrometer. The electrical potential difference between the sample and the entrance grid provides simultaneous acceleration of both the primary positrons and the secondary electrons. The result is a reduction in the time spread induced by the energy distribution of the secondary electrons. In addition, the sample, sample holder, entrance grid, and entrance face of the multichannel plate electron detector assembly are made parallel to each other, and are arranged at a tilt angle to the axis of the positron beam to effectively separate the path of the secondary electrons from the path of the incident positrons.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2001Date of Patent: October 21, 2003Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLCInventors: Jun Xu, Jeremy Moxom
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Patent number: 6614730Abstract: Surface-enhanced Raman optical data storage (SERODS) systems having increased reading and writing speeds, that is, increased data transfer rates, are disclosed. In the various SERODS read and write systems, the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) data is written and read using a two-dimensional process called parallel signal transfer (PST). The various embodiments utilize laser light beam excitation of the SERODS medium, optical filtering, beam imaging, and two-dimensional light detection. Two- and three-dimensional SERODS media are utilized. The SERODS write systems employ either a different laser or a different level of laser power.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2001Date of Patent: September 2, 2003Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLCInventor: Tuan Vo-Dinh
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Patent number: 6598407Abstract: A liquid CO2 injection system produces a negatively buoyant consolidated stream of liquid CO2, CO2 hydrate, and water that sinks upon release at ocean depths in the range of 700-1500 m. In this approach, seawater at a predetermined ocean depth is mixed with the liquid CO2 stream before release into the ocean. Because mixing is conducted at depths where pressures and temperatures are suitable for CO2 hydrate formation, the consolidated stream issuing from the injector is negatively buoyant, and comprises mixed CO2-hydrate/CO2-liquid/water phases. The “sinking” characteristic of the produced stream will prolong the metastability of CO2 ocean sequestration by reducing the CO2 dissolution rate into water. Furthermore, the deeper the CO2 hydrate stream sinks after injection, the more stable it becomes internally, the deeper it is dissolved, and the more dispersed is the resulting CO2 plume.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2001Date of Patent: July 29, 2003Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLCInventors: Olivia R. West, Constantinos Tsouris, Liyuan Liang
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Patent number: 6588283Abstract: A method for determining fracture toughness KIC of materials ranging from metallic alloys, brittle ceramics and their composites, and weldments. A cylindrical specimen having a helical V-groove with a 45° pitch is subjected to pure torsion. This loading configuration creates a uniform tensile-stress crack-opening mode, and a transverse plane-strain state along the helical groove. The full length of the spiral groove is equivalent to the thickness of a conventional compact-type specimen. KIC values are determined from the fracture torque and crack length measured from the test specimen using a 3-D finite element program (TOR3D-KIC) developed for the purpose. In addition, a mixed mode (combined tensile and shear stress mode) fracture toughness value can be determined by varying the pitch of the helical groove. Since the key information needed for determining the KIC value is condensed in the vicinity of the crack tip, the specimen can be significantly miniaturized without the loss of generality.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2001Date of Patent: July 8, 2003Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLCInventors: Jy-An Wang, Kenneth C. Liu
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Patent number: 6583397Abstract: Surface-enhanced Raman optical data storage (SERODS) systems having increased reading and writing speeds, that is, increased data transfer rates, are disclosed. In the various SERODS read and write systems, the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) data is written and read using a two-dimensional process called parallel signal transfer (PST). The various embodiments utilize laser light beam excitation of the SERODS medium, optical filtering, beam imaging, and two-dimensional light detection. Two- and three-dimensional SERODS media are utilized. The SERODS write systems employ either a different laser or a different level of laser power.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2001Date of Patent: June 24, 2003Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLCInventor: Tuan Vo-Dinh
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Patent number: 6456899Abstract: Automatic detection of defects during the fabrication of semiconductor wafers is largely automated, but the classification of those defects is still performed manually by technicians. This invention includes novel digital image analysis techniques that generate unique feature vector descriptions of semiconductor defects as well as classifiers that use these descriptions to automatically categorize the defects into one of a set of pre-defined classes. Feature extraction techniques based on multiple-focus images, multiple-defect mask images, and segmented semiconductor wafer images are used to create unique feature-based descriptions of the semiconductor defects. These feature-based defect descriptions are subsequently classified by a defect classifier into categories that depend on defect characteristics and defect contextual information, that is, the semiconductor process layer(s) with which the defect comes in contact.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 1999Date of Patent: September 24, 2002Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLCInventors: Shaun S. Gleason, Martin A. Hunt, Hamed Sari-Sarraf
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Patent number: 6370223Abstract: At least two linear arrays of x-ray detectors are placed below a conveyor belt in a poultry processing plant. Multiple-energy x-ray sources illuminate the poultry and are detected by the detectors. Laser profilometry is used to measure the poultry thickness as the x-ray data is acquired. The detector readout is processed in real time to detect the presence of small highly attenuating fragments in the poultry, i.e., bone, metal, and cartilage.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2001Date of Patent: April 9, 2002Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLCInventors: Shaun S. Gleason, Michael J. Paulus, James A. Mullens
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Patent number: 5956147Abstract: A two-modulator generalized ellipsometer (2-MGE) comprising two polarizer-photoelastic modulator (PEM) pairs, an optical light source, an optical detection system, and associated data processing and control electronics, where the PEMs are free-running. The input light passes through the first polarizer-PEM pair, reflects off the sample surface or passes through the sample, passes through the second PEM-polarizer pair, and is detected. Each PEM is free running and operates at a different resonant frequency, e.g., 50 and 60 kHz. The resulting time-dependent waveform of the light intensity is a complicated function of time, and depends upon the exact operating frequency and phase of each PEM, the sample, and the azimuthal angles of the polarizer-PEM pairs, but can be resolved into a dc component and eight periodic components.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 1997Date of Patent: September 21, 1999Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy Research CorporationInventors: Gerald E. Jellison, Jr., Frank A. Modine
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Patent number: 5886445Abstract: The rotor cage of a motor is extended, a second stator is coupled to this extended rotor cage, and the windings have the same number of poles. The motor torque and speed can be controlled by either injecting energy into or extracting energy out from the rotor cage. The motor produces less harmonics than existing doubly-fed motors. Consequently, a new type of low cost, high efficiency drive is produced.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 1997Date of Patent: March 23, 1999Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy Research CorporationInventor: John S. Hsu
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Patent number: 5877008Abstract: An electromechanical device for driving the tip of a microinjection cannula, or needle, through the outer barrier of a blastocyst, cell, or cell nucleus for the injection of cells or other bioactive materials. Either a flexible frame or a ram moving within a base member is employed. Cannula motion is achieved by means of a piezoelectric stack and spring return system. The thrust motion over a predetermined microscopic distance is achieved without cannula setback prior to the thrust movement. Instead of specially prepared beveled and tipped needles, standard unimproved cannulas or needles can be used.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 1997Date of Patent: March 2, 1999Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy Research CorporationInventors: Carl J. Remenyik, Richard P. Woychik, David R. Patek, James A. Hawk, John C. Turner
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Patent number: 5862170Abstract: A method and apparatus for temperature measurement especially suited for low cost, low power, moderate accuracy implementation. It uses a sensor whose resistance varies in a known manner, either linearly or nonlinearly, with temperature, and produces a digital output which is proportional to the temperature of the sensor. The method is based on performing a zero-crossing time measurement of a step input signal that is double differentiated using two differentiators functioning as respective first and second time constants; one temperature stable, and the other varying with the sensor temperature.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 1996Date of Patent: January 19, 1999Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy Research CorporationInventors: Charles L. Britton, Jr., M. Nance Ericson
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Patent number: 5841237Abstract: Microwave injection methods for enhancing the performance of existing electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) ion sources. The methods are based on the use of high-power diverse frequency microwaves, including variable-frequency, multiple-discrete-frequency, and broadband microwaves. The methods effect large resonant "volume" ECR regions in the ion sources. The creation of these large ECR plasma volumes permits coupling of more microwave power into the plasma, resulting in the heating of a much larger electron population to higher energies, the effect of which is to produce higher charge state distributions and much higher intensities within a particular charge state than possible in present ECR ion sources.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 1997Date of Patent: November 24, 1998Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy Research CorporationInventor: Gerald D. Alton
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Patent number: 5786666Abstract: In a microwave tube, an improved collector surface coating comprises a porous carbon composite material, preferably a carbon-bonded carbon fiber composite having a bulk density less than about 2 g/cc. Installation of the coating is readily adaptable as part of the tube manufacturing process.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 1996Date of Patent: July 28, 1998Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy Systems, Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Lauf, April D. McMillan, Arvid C. Johnson, Arthur J. Moorhead
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Patent number: 5742211Abstract: A billet of low-density carbon-bonded carbon fiber (CBCF) composite is machined into a desired attenuator or load element shape (usually tapering). The CBCF composite is used as a free-standing load element or, preferably, brazed to the copper, brass or aluminum components of coaxial transmission lines or microwave waveguides. A novel braze method was developed for the brazing step. The resulting attenuator and/or load devices are robust, relatively inexpensive, more easily fabricated, and have improved performance over conventional graded-coating loads.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 1996Date of Patent: April 21, 1998Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy Systems, Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Lauf, April D. McMillan, Arvid C. Johnson, Carl A. Everleigh, Arthur J. Moorhead