Patents Assigned to Ecole Polytechnique
  • Patent number: 7782914
    Abstract: A device for generating a high-energy particle pulse is provided which comprises a laser system producing laser pulses with pulse length shorter than 100 fs (femtoseconds), and capable to be focused to peak intensities greater than 10A18 W/cmA2, preferred greater than 10A20 W/cmA2 (watts per centimeter squared), a device for shaping the temporal intensity profile accompanying said at least one laser pulse for increasing the laser contrast above 10^5, preferably above IL 0A7, especially 1OA10, and a target capable of releasing a high-energy particle pulse, particularly an electron or a proton pulse, upon irradiation with at least one of said laser pulses. A. corresponding method using the device is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignees: Centre National De La Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Ecole Nationale Superieure De Techniques Avancees, Ecole Polytechnique
    Inventors: Jérôme Faure, Jean Philippe Rousseau, Victor Malka, Jean-Paul Chambaret, Frédéric Burgy
  • Patent number: 7777880
    Abstract: Method and a polarimetric measurement device of a planar object carrying patterns repeated regularly and forming the lines of a grid. A first measurement is carried out at zero order, under an angle of incidence ?1 and for a first azimuthal angle ?1, a second measurement at least is carried out at zero order, under an angle of incidence ?2 and for a second azimuthal angle ?2, the polarization of the incident beam is modulated and the polarization of the reflected beam is analyzed for each measurement, theoretical polarimetric data is calculated for a model object of the real object, the model object including parameters adjustable using a formalism of electromagnetism. An iterative comparison of the measurements is conducted with the theoretical polarimetric data for different values of the adjustable parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignees: Ecole Polytechnique, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - CNRS
    Inventors: Antonello De Martino, Bernard Drevillon
  • Patent number: 7765690
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing electronic components consisting in carrying out a first anodization of a carrier material (1) for forming at least one first pore (3) extending in a first direction in said carrier material (1) and in carrying out a second anodization for forming at least one second pore (17) extending in the carrier material (1) in a second direction different from the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Ecole Polytechnique DGAR
    Inventors: Travis Wade, Jean-Eric Wegrowe
  • Patent number: 7759635
    Abstract: Apparatus for forming a single or a plurality of threedimensional optical traps, the apparatus comprising: a. A collimated light source that is directed onto an array of focalizing refractive or diffractive elements providing a single or a plurality of focal areas, and b. An array of reflective elements, placed opposite to the said focalizing elements described in a), which reflect back the light into the said focal area. The invention also relates to a method for using this apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL)
    Inventors: Gerben Boer, Fabrice Merenda, Guy Delacretaz, René Salathe
  • Publication number: 20100171569
    Abstract: The present invention exploits the combination of the amplification, provided by the integration of a FET (or any other active device with two or more terminals), with the signal modulation, provided by the MEM resonator, to build a MEM resonator with built-in transistor (hereafter called active MEM resonator). In these devices, a mechanical displacement is converted into a current modulation and depending on the active MEM resonator geometry, number of gates and bias conditions it is possible to selectively amplify an applied signal. This invention integrates proposes to integrate transistor and micro-electro-mechanical resonator operation in a device with a single body and multiple surrounding gates for improved performance, control and functionality. Moreover, under certain conditions, an active resonator can serve as DC-AC converter and provide at the output an AC signal corresponding to its mechanical resonance frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
    Inventors: Mihai Adrian IONESCU, Daniel GROGG
  • Patent number: 7751608
    Abstract: The present invention relies on a band moiré image layout model capable of predicting the band moiré image layer layout produced when superposing a base band grating layer of a given layout and revealing line grating layer of a given layout. The base band grating layer, the revealing line grating layer and the resulting band moiré image layout may have a rectilinear or a curvilinear layout. Thanks to the band moiré image layout model, one can choose the layout of two layers selected from the set of base band grating layer, revealing line grating layer and band moiré image layer and obtain the layout of the third layer by computation, i.e. automatically. The presented methods may be used for creating an individualized protection for various categories of documents (banknotes, identity documents, checks, diploma, travel documents, tickets) and valuable products (optical disks, medical drugs, products with affixed labels, watches).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL)
    Inventors: Roger D. Hersch, Sylvain Chosson
  • Publication number: 20100164491
    Abstract: A magnetic field sensor for measuring a direction of a magnetic field in a plane comprises a sensing structure comprising a ring-shaped well, a plurality of contacts of equal size placed at equal distance from each other along the ring-shaped well, and an electronic circuit comprising a plurality of electronic switches associated with the contacts of the sensing structure, a logic block for controlling the electronic switches, at least one current source, a means for measuring a difference between a first voltage and a second voltage, a timing circuit providing a control signal for controlling the logic block and providing a reference signal, wherein the logic block is adapted to close and open the electronic switches under the control of the control signal according to a predetermined scheme such that a predetermined number of contacts of the plurality of contacts form a vertical Hall element that is supplied with current from the at least one current source and that has two contacts connected to the means f
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
    Inventors: Pavel Kejik, Radivoje Popovic, Serge Reymond
  • Patent number: 7742592
    Abstract: Acoustic echo control and noise suppression is an important part of any “handsfree” telecommunication system, such as telephony or audio or video conferencing systems. Bandwidth and computational complexity constraints have prevented that stereo or multi-channel telecommunication systems have been widely applied. The advantages are very low complexity, high robustness, scalability to multi-channel audio without a need for loudspeaker signal distortion, and efficient integration of echo and noise control in the same algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: (EPFL) Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne
    Inventor: Christof Faller
  • Publication number: 20100152418
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the manufacture of a peptidic folding precursor (Switch-Peptide) stable and soluble at physiological conditions, derived from a peptide having a potential for self-assembling and fibrillogenesis. Another object of the invention is to provide a tool for the quantitative, controlled in vitro study of fibrillogenesis and its inhibition of peptides involved in degenerative diseases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: EPFL ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE
    Inventors: Manfred Mutter, Gabriele Tuchscherer
  • Publication number: 20100140589
    Abstract: A Ferroelectric tunnel FET switch as ultra-steep (abrupt) switch with subthreshold swing better than the MOSFET limit of 60 mV/decade at room temperature combining two key principles: ferroelectric gate stack and band-to-band tunneling in gated p-i-n junction, wherein the ferroelectric material included in the gate stack creates, due to dipole polarization with increasing gate voltage, a positive feedback in the capacitive coupling that controls the band-to-band (BTB) tunneling at the source junction of a silicon p-i-n reversed bias structure, wherein the combined effect of BTB tunneling and ferroelectric negative capacitance offers more abrupt off-on and on-off transitions in the present proposed Ferroelectric tunnel FET than for any reported tunnel FET or any reported ferroelectric FET.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
    Inventor: Mihai Adrian IONESCU
  • Patent number: 7730766
    Abstract: A gas viscosity sensor comprises a signal processing circuit and a sensor element, including a gas pressure generating system and a differential pressure measuring system in fluid communication therewith, the differential pressure measuring system comprising a measuring chamber (14) bounded by a thin membrane (28), an inlet-outlet channel or orifice interconnecting the measuring chamber to a source of gas for which the viscosity is to be determined, the inlet-outlet channel or orifice having dimensions adapted to provide resistance to the outflow and inflow of gas in the measuring chamber, and a membrane displacement sensor (32) adapted to measure a time dependent displacement of the membrane due to pressure variations in the measuring cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne
    Inventors: Peter Ryser, Sigfrid Straessler
  • Publication number: 20100133636
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a photon avalanche detector in the semiconductor substrate. The photon avalanche detector includes an anode of a first conductivity type and a cathode of a second conductivity type. A guard ring is in the semiconductor substrate and at least partially surrounds the photon avalanche detector. A passivation layer of the first conductivity type is in contact with the guard ring to reduce an electric field at an edge of the photon avalanche detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicants: STMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited, The University Court of The University of Edinburgh, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne
    Inventors: Justin Richardson, Lindsay Grant, Marek Gersbach, Edoardo Charbon, Christiano Niclass, Robert Henderson
  • Patent number: 7727540
    Abstract: Endosseous implant to be applied to a human or animal bone, wherein the surface of the implant is made from titanium or a titanium alloy, said implant having a smooth or rough surface texture, which is characterized in that said surface has been treated with at least one selected organic phosphonate compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester or an amide thereof; process for producing said implants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignees: Universite de Geneve, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne
    Inventors: Pierre Descouts, Björn-Owe Aronsson, Michael Grätzel, Carine Viornery, Peter Péchy
  • Patent number: 7729043
    Abstract: Optical parametric oscillator including a semiconductor microcavity being configured to spatially localize polaritons of at least three quantized polariton energy levels to effect an optical parametric oscillation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
    Inventors: Ounsi El Daif, Augustin Baas, Benoît Deveaud-Plédran, François Morier-Genoud
  • Patent number: 7713779
    Abstract: The invention concerns a photoactive nanocomposite (3) comprising at least one donor-acceptor couple of semiconductor elements. One of the elements is made of doped nanowires (7) with sp3 structure, and the other of the elements is an organic compound (8). The elements are supported by a device substrate (1). The invention also concerns a production method. According to a first embodiment, after their growth, the nanowires (7) are retrieved, functionalised and solubilised in the organic component (8). The mixture is deposited by coating on a device substrate. According to a second embodiment, the nanowires (7) are formed on a growth substrate (5) which is also the device substrate. The organic component (8) is combined with the nanowires (7) so as to form an active layer (3). Such a photoactive nanocomposite (3) allows production of a photovoltaic cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignees: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique, Ecole Polytechnique, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
    Inventors: Muriel Firon, Bernard Drevillon, Anna Fontcuberta I Morral, Serge Palacin, Pere Roca i Cabarrocas
  • Patent number: 7710551
    Abstract: A band moiré image layout model enables predicting the band moiré image layer layout produced when superposing a base band grating and revealing line grating of given rectilinear or curvilinear layouts. Thanks to the band moiré image layout model, one can choose the layout of two layers selected from the set of base band grating, revealing line grating and band moiré image and obtain the layout of the third layer by computation, i.e. automatically. A composed layer made of a base band grating and of a revealing line grating separated by a small gap yields thanks to the parallax effect, when tilting the composed layer, dynamically moving moiré shapes. The presented methods can be used for protecting various categories of documents (banknotes, identity documents, checks, diploma, travel documents, tickets) and valuable products (optical disks, medical drugs, products with affixed labels, watches).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL)
    Inventors: Roger D. Hersch, Sylvain Chosson
  • Publication number: 20100105195
    Abstract: An apparatus is described for depositing a film on a substrate from a plasma. The apparatus comprises an enclosure, a plurality of plasma generator elements disposed within the enclosure, and means, also within the enclosure, for supporting the substrate. Each plasma generator element comprises a microwave antenna having an end from which microwaves are emitted, a magnet disposed in the region of the said antenna end and defining therewith an electron cyclotron resonance region in which a plasma can be generated, and a gas entry element having an outlet for a film precursor gas or a plasma gas. The outlet is arranged to direct gas towards a film deposition area situated beyond the magnet, as considered from the microwave antenna, the outlet being located in, or above, the hot electron confinement envelope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicants: DOW CORNING CORPORATION, ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE
    Inventors: Pere Roca I Cabarrocas, Pavel Bulkin, Dmitri Daineka, Patrick Leempoel, Pierre Descamps, Thibault Kervyn De Meerendre
  • Publication number: 20100090105
    Abstract: A plate for matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry comprising an electrically conductive substrate (1) covered with a light sensitive matrix (2), the matrix (2) comprising a light absorber, a charge carrier, a probe molecule and a photo-sensitizer (3) arranged to oxidise the probe molecule when irradiated with light (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE
    Inventors: Qiao Liang, Pengyuan Yang, Baohong Liu, Niels Lion, Christophe Roussel, Hubert Hugues Girault
  • Patent number: 7697796
    Abstract: An optical waveguide sensing method and device in which a waveguide layer receives an optical signal and propagates the optical signal in accordance with a predetermined optical waveguide propagation mode. A testing medium surface in communication with the waveguide layer is responsive to a testing medium for modifying at least one characteristic of the propagated optical signal in relation to a given parameter of the testing medium. In this manner, the modified characteristic of the propagated optical signal can be measured in view of determining the given parameter of the testing medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Corporation De L'Ecole Polytechnique De Montreal
    Inventors: Raman Kashyap, Vincent Treanton, Lutfu Celebi Ozcan
  • Publication number: 20100080124
    Abstract: A method to provide reliability, power management and load balancing support for multicore systems based on Networks-on-Chip (NoCs) and to efficiently implement architectural support for this method by introducing complex packet handling mechanisms is achieved by modifying the basic network interfaces attached to the cores of multicore computation systems. It also proposes policies to leverage the proposed hardware extensions. This aim is achieved with a method to manage the load of peripheral elements within a multicore system comprising several processing units accessing peripheral elements through a NoC, each processing unit and peripheral element attached to a Network Interface in charge of formatting and driving the packets sent to or received from the NoC, wherein, while considering at least two peripheral elements having a similar function, the Network Interface dedicated to a first peripheral element reroutes the incoming packets to a second Network Interface dedicated to a second peripheral element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
    Inventors: Federico Angiolini, David Atienza Alonso, Giovanni De Micheli