Patents Assigned to Ecole Polytechnique
  • Patent number: 7491424
    Abstract: The present invention discloses methods and systems for printing by superposing a metallic ink and transparent inks. These methods and systems are useful for color separating images into superpositions of a metallic ink and transparent inks both for design purposes and for the creation and authentication of security documents, such as banknotes, checks, diploma, corporate documents, passports, identity cards, credit cards, product labels, optical disks, CDs, DVDs, packages of medical drugs, cosmetics, and alcoholic drink bottles. By combining a metallic ink and transparent inks, one may create printed images behaving dynamically: an image viewed under specular reflection may be considerably different from the same image viewed under non-specular reflection. Patterns which are either dark or hidden become highlighted under specular reflection, yielding interesting visual effects. Metallic inks allow therefore to create visually appealing dynamically changing color images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale De Lausanne (EPFL)
    Inventors: Roger David Hersch, Patrick Emmel, Fabien Collaud
  • Publication number: 20090035908
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for fabricating a vertical transistor structure. On a substrate (10), is a first conductive layer (11), providing the source or drain electrode function, and an upper conductive layer (17), providing the drain or source electrode function. The production of a membrane includes a stack of porous layers including a first insulating layer (20), a second conductive layer (12), providing the gate electrode function, and an upper insulating layer (13?) on the surface of the substrate covered with the first conductive layer (11) providing the drain or source electrode function. The porous layers having substantially stacked pores. The production of filaments made of a semiconductor material is inside some of the stacked pores of the porous layers. The production of the upper conductive layer provides the source or drain electrode function on the surface of the stack of porous layers filled with filaments made of semiconductor material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: Ecole Polytechnique
    Inventors: Didier Pribat, Costel-Sorin Cojocaru
  • Patent number: 7461261
    Abstract: The aim of the invention is to propose the generation, verification and denial of an undeniable signature which has a size smaller than the currently available undeniable signatures, i.e. less than 80 bits. This aim is achieved by the method to generate an undeniable signature (y1, . . . , yt) on a set of data, this method comprising the following steps: (1) transforming the set of data (m) to a sequence of a predetermined number (t) of blocks (x1, . . . , xt), these blocks being members of an Abelian group, this transformation being a one way function, and (2) applying to each block (xi) a group homomorphism (f) to obtain a resulting value(yi), in which the number of elements of the initial group (G) is larger than the number of elements (d) of the destination group (H).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPEL)
    Inventors: Serge Vaudenay, Jean Monnerat
  • Publication number: 20080259400
    Abstract: In the present invention, we propose a method of creating fluorescent color images visible under UV light. It relies on the new colorants that can be achieved by superposing ink dots, possibly at a reduced size, in order to avoid quenching effects. It also relies on juxtaposed halftoning, which ensures that colorants are printed side by side and do therefore not overlap, thereby preventing quenching effects. It also support the selection of a fluorescent set of inks which comprises at least one ink whose emission spectrum yields a color different from the standard red, green and blue colors, for example a yellow color emitting ink. The method comprises the following techniques: (a) creating new colorants by superposing carefully selected amounts of the fluorescent inks, (b) mapping the gamut of the image to be reproduced into the gamut of the resulting fluorescent colorants and (c) creating the target fluorescent color image by juxtaposed halftoning of the fluorescent colorants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL)
    Inventors: Roger D. Hersch, Philipp Donze, Sylvain Chosson
  • Patent number: 7430351
    Abstract: The invention relates to a non-linear optical filter capable of transmitting an electromagnetic pulse with a duration of less than about 1 picosecond, provided with means for generating an electromagnetic field E with a linear polarization from this pulse, and with a crystal C1 of cubic geometry capable of generating an electromagnetic field E?1 from E with a linear polarization orthogonal to that of E. It comprises means for generating at least one other electromagnetic field E?2 capable of producing constructive interferences with the electromagnetic field E?1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignees: Thales, Le Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Ecole Polytechnique, Ecole Nationale Superieure des Techniques Avancees
    Inventors: Olivier Albert, Jean Etchepare, Aurélie Jullien, Gilles Cheriaux, Nikolay Minkovski, Solomon Saltiel
  • Patent number: 7427410
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for coating surfaces with specially designed thioethers and amphiphilic thioethers that reduce protein adsorption and/or cell adhesion. This reduction may be achieved, for example, by controlling the spacing or length of pendant chains or hydrophilic blocks in an amphiphilic thioether. Techniques for determining spacing include adsorbing the thioether from a solution or a colloidal suspension, or controlling the degree of polymerization of the thioether. Techniques for controlling the length of the pendant chains include controlling the degree of polymerization of the pendant chains. Multiblock copolymers of poly(propylene sulfide) and poly(ethylene glycol) (“PPS-PEG”) represent an exemplary family of amphiphilic thioethers. Methods for coating surfaces with amphiphilic thioethers are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL)
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Hubbell, Jane P. Bearinger, Alessandro Napoli, Marcus Textor, Nicola Tirelli
  • Patent number: 7423778
    Abstract: The present invention facilitates the calibration of printers and the color separation of input images into a set of inks by disclosing methods and systems for populating device-calibration lookup tables. The disclosed methods and systems rely on a comprehensive spectral prediction model predicting at a high accuracy the reflectance spectra of halftone ink patches. The spectral prediction model is composed of a first part predicting the reflection spectra as a function of physical (mechanical) surface coverages and of a second part comprising functions mapping nominal surface coverages to effective surface coverages for halftone patch wedges printed alone and halftone patch wedges printed in superposition with one or several solid inks. In addition, the disclosed methods and systems can be used to control printer actuation parameters in different types of printers e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Ecole Polytechnique Federale De Lausanne (EPFL)
    Inventors: Roger David Hersch, Patrick Emmel, Fabien Collaud
  • Publication number: 20080210987
    Abstract: In an array R of field-effect transistors for detecting analytes, each transistor of the array comprises a gate G, a semiconductor nanotube or nanowire element NT connected at one end to a source electrode S and at another end to a drain electrode D, in order to form, at each end, a junction J1, J2 with the channel. At least transistors FET1,1, FET1,2 of the array are differentiated by a different conducting material (m1, m2) of the source electrode S and/or drain electrode D.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicants: Thales, Ecole Polytechnique
    Inventors: Paolo Bondavalli, Pierre Legagneux, Pierre Le Barny, Didier Pribat, Julien Nagle
  • Publication number: 20080210864
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a spin-polarized electron injector using a semiconductor tip, in which tip the injected electrons are photocreated by a circularly polarized light excitation incident on the rear of the tip. This tip is supported by a transparent lever or cantilever and undergoes a surface treatment for the purpose of removing the surface oxide layer, to prevent said layer from reforming and to improve the proportion of injected electrons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: Ecole Polytechnique
    Inventors: Daniel Paget, Jacques Peretti, Alistair Rowe, Georges Lampel, Bruno Gerard, Shailendra Bansropun
  • Patent number: 7399804
    Abstract: Intercalates and exfoliates formed from layered materials and dendritic polymers are disclosed, together with the uses of these materials, e.g. in producing composite materials. The dispersion of layered materials in a dendritic polymer matrix (hyperbranched polymers, star shaped polymers or star branched polymers) or has not been disclosed in the prior art. The high number of end-groups per molecule of dendritic polymer combined with their unique globular architectures leads to large intergallery spacings when intercalated in layered silicates and particularly facile exfoliation in spite of the high molar mass of the dendritic polymer. The excellent processability and potential high reactivity of dendritic polymers makes them extremely promising for thermoset applications, and coatings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne
    Inventors: Christopher Plummer, Laszlo Garamszegi, Yves Leterrier, Marlene Rodlert, Jan-Anders E. Manson
  • Patent number: 7385709
    Abstract: A method and a microscopy imaging apparatus for generating an optically sectioned image of a specimen are provided. The method comprises the steps of: illuminating the specimen with a modulating, spatially periodic illumination pattern; imaging said specimen on a conjugate image plane; acquiring a plurality of signals at respective positions on said image plane, each signal corresponding to the incident light intensity at that position and having an oscillatory component caused by the modulation of the illumination pattern; and measuring a characteristic of the oscillatory component of each of the signals, whereby the measured characteristics when combined in their relative positions generate an optically sectioned image of the specimen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne
    Inventors: Karsten Plamann, Stéphane Bourquin, Mathieu Ducros, Jelena Mitic, Francois Vuille, Theo Lasser, Tiemo Anhut
  • Patent number: 7370019
    Abstract: A method for the genetic representation of a network (100), the network having one or more devices (20, 30, 70, 80), each device comprising at least one terminal (21, 22, 23; 71, 72) connected to at least one other terminal (21, 22, 23; 71, 72, 61) by a link with a value of interaction strength. The method includes associating with the devices terminal (21, 22, 23; 71, 72) a first sequence of characters (121, 122, 123; 171, 172), associating with the other terminal (21, 22, 23; 71, 72, 61) a second sequence of characters (121, 122, 123; 171, 172; 162), mapping at least part of the first sequence of characters (121, 122, 123; 171, 172) and at least part of the second sequence of characters (121, 122, 123; 171, 172; 161) to the value of interaction strength in order to determine the value of interaction strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Ecole Polytechnique Federal de Lausanne
    Inventors: Claudio Mattiussi, Dario Floreano
  • Publication number: 20080074664
    Abstract: Light dispersing device comprising a slit element having a slit for exposure to electromagnetic radiation, wherein the slit element is configured and disposed for turning the slit between at least two positions. The light dispersing device is used together with a streak camera, whereby in a first position the slit is adjusted to influence the temporal resolution of the streak camera and in a second postion the slit is adjusted to influence the spectral resolution of the streak camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Applicant: Ecole Polytechnique federale de lausanne
    Inventor: Jean-Daniel Ganiere
  • Patent number: 7348361
    Abstract: The invention concerns a 5-aminolevulinic acid ester (E-ALA) solution for producing a pharmaceutical preparation useful for diagnosing and/or treating tissue and/or cell pathologies by local radiation exposure using radiation emitted by a light source energy followed, in the case diagnosis, by detection of fluorescent protoporphyrin IX (Pp1X). The E-ALA concentration in the solution is less than 1% and ranges between 0.01% and 0.5%. The low E-ALA concentration in the solution increases Pp1X synthesis and homogenises its distribution in the cell layers while highly reducing the secondary toxicity for the treated cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne
    Inventors: Alexandre Marti, Norbert Lange, Matthieu Zellweger, Georges Wagnieres, Hubert Van Den Bergh, Patrice Jichlinski, Pavel Kucera
  • Publication number: 20080055355
    Abstract: A method and computing system are proposed for deducing ink thickness variations from solid-state multi-sensor measurements performed online on a printing press or printer. The computed ink thickness variations enable controlling the ink deposition and therefore the color accuracy. Ink thickness variations are expressed as ink thickness variation factors incorporated into an ink thickness variation and sensor response enhanced spectral prediction model. The ink thickness variation computing system comprises multi-channel sensor devices (e.g. red, green, blue, near infra-red), a processing module, and a computing system. The multi-channel sensor devices are replicated over the width of the print sheet. Preferably embodied by Single Photon Avalanche Diodes (SPADs), due to their high-speed acquisition capabilities, they provide responses according to the reflectance of small area segments within a print sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Applicant: Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL)
    Inventors: Roger Hersch, Edoardo Charbon, Thomas Bugnon, Patrick Emmel
  • Patent number: 7326464
    Abstract: The invention concerns microgranules produced from calcium phosphate materials. The invention also concerns a method for producing said microgranules. The inventive microgranules are characterized by a very narrow particle size distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
    Inventors: Jacques Lemaitre, Stephane Terrazzoni
  • Patent number: 7323843
    Abstract: It is possible to determine the types and values of stator and rotor errors in magnetic circuits in a synchronous machine by measuring the induced voltage (ui) for the terminals of measurement loops which can capture an image of the induction in the measurement gap, then by treating said signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Ecole Polytechnique Federale De Lausanne (EPFL)
    Inventors: Xuan Main Tu, Jean-Jacques Simond
  • Publication number: 20080010272
    Abstract: Methods of inferring user preferences using ontologies use ontology structure based similarity and an inference mechanism in defining ontology filtering (OF). Items are recommended to users by identifying items that the users may prefer, but may not have been aware of. This is performed by computing personalized scores for concepts and selecting an instance having a highest score.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Applicant: Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne
    Inventors: Vincent Schickel-Zuber, Boi Faltings
  • Publication number: 20070298551
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods for manufacturing semiconductor devices. Processes are disclosed for implementing suspended single crystal silicon nano wires (NWs) using a combination of anisotropic and isotropic etches and spacer creation for sidewall protection. The core dimensions of the NWs are adjustable with the integration sequences: they can be triangular, rectangular, quasi-circular, or an alternative polygonal shape. Depending on the length of the NWs, going from the sub-micron to millimeter range, the NWs may utilize support from anchors to the side, during certain processing steps. By changing the lithographic dimensions of the anchors compared to the NWs, the anchors may be reduced or eliminated during processing. The method covers, among other things, the integration of Gate-All-Around NW (GAA-NW) MOSFETs on a bulk semiconductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Applicant: Ecole Polytechnique Federale De Lausanne (EPFL)
    Inventors: Didier Bouvet, Kirsten Moselund, Mihai Ionescu
  • Patent number: 7309439
    Abstract: A device for transporting magnetic or magnetizable microbeads (25) in a capillary chamber (14) comprises a permanent magnet (10) or an electromagnet (11) for subjecting the capillary chamber to a substantially uniform magnetic field, to apply a permanent magnetic moment to the microbeads (25). At least one planar coil (22) and preferably an array of overlapping coils are located adjacent to the capillary chamber (14) for applying a complementary magnetic field on the microbeads parallel or antiparallel to said substantially uniform magnetic field, to drive the microbeads. An arrangement is provided for switching the current applied to the coil(s) (22) to invert the field produced thereby, to selectively apply an attractive or repulsive driving force on the microbeads (25). The device is usable to transport microbeads for performing chemical and biochemical reactions or assay, as is done for instance in clinical chemistry assays for medical diagnostic purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL)
    Inventors: Victor Fernandez, Amar Rida, Martin Gijs