Patents Assigned to Mass. Institute of Technology
  • Patent number: 7429735
    Abstract: The invention is directed to systems and methods of digital signal processing and in particular to systems and methods for measurements of thermoreflectance signals, even when they are smaller than the code width of a digital detector used for detection. For example, in some embodiments, the number of measurements done is selected to be sufficiently large so as to obtain an uncertainty less than the code width of the detector. This allows for obtaining images having an enhanced temperature resolution. The invention is also directed to methods for predicting the uncertainty in measurement of the signal based on one or more noise variables associated with the detection process and the number of measurement iterations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignees: Mass Institute of Technology (MIT), Mount Holyoke College
    Inventors: Dietrich Lueerssen, Rajeev J. Ram, Janice A. Hudgings, Peter M. Mayer
  • Publication number: 20080078366
    Abstract: A toy projectile launching device for launching toy projectiles includes a spring shaped as a hollow hemisphere that is capable of being at least partially inverted from a primary normally convex position to a secondary at least partially inverted loaded position. Upon release, the spring snaps back to the primary position, thereby launching the toy projectile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Applicant: Mass Institute of Technology
    Inventors: William James Fienup, Barry Kudrowitz, David Wallace
  • Patent number: 6311100
    Abstract: A technique is provided for utilizing a computer system to generate tool paths for the computed aided machining (CAM) in at least four axis of a selected workpiece or part, particularly a complex part having hidden surfaces. The technique involves storing in the computer system both a surface point representation of a workpiece, which representation contains a unique code for each surface point, and a representation of the tool for which the paths are to be generated. The workpiece surface is viewed from a discrete number of orientations and a map of surface points visible from each of the orientations is generated. The map is then used to obtain selected most promising access directions for access to voxels in the delta volume to be removed or for access to surface points for a finishing operation. Such most promising access directions may for example be obtained by thinning an access cone for the voxel/point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Mass. Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Sanjay E. Sarma, Putta Laxmiprasad, Mahadevan Balasubramaniam
  • Patent number: 5314524
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for improving metal production in ironmaking and steelmaking processes is disclosed. The use of an inert metallic conductor in the slag-containing crucible and the addition of a transition metal oxide to the slag are the disclosed process improvements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Assignee: MIT (Mass. Institute of Technology)
    Inventors: Uday B. Pal, Gopala K. M. Gazula, Ali Hasham
  • Patent number: 5223117
    Abstract: Self-assembly of a chemically insensitive redox material, such as ferrocenyl thiol, and a chemically sensitive redox material, such as a quinone thiol, onto microelectrodes forms the basis for a two-terminal, voltammetric microsensor having reference and sensor functions on the same electrode. Detection is based on measuring the potential difference of current peaks for oxidation and reduction of the reference (ferrocene) and indicator (quinone) in aqueous electrolyte in a two-terminal, linear sweep voltammogram using a counterelectrode of relatively large surface area. Use of microelectrodes modified with monolayer coverages of reference and indicator molecules minimizes the size of the counterelectrode and the perturbation of the solution interrogated. Key advantages are that the sensor requires no separate reference electrode and the sensor functions as long as current peaks can be located for reference and indicator molecules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignees: Mass. Institute of Technology, Pres. & Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Mark S. Wrighton, James J. Hickman, Paul E. Laibinis, David Ofer, Chad A. Mirkin, James R. Valentine, George M. Whitesides
  • Patent number: 4663281
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of enhancing expression of recombinant DNA in eucaryotic cells. A tissue specific enhancer element obtained from the genome of an organism and active in a selected tissue type is combined with a transcriptionally competent transcription unit comprising a promoter and exons encoding for the proteinaceous material of interest (or its precursor). This recombinant DNA is transfected into cells derived from the same tissue as the tissue in which the enhancer element normally functions to enhance expression of endogeneous DNA. The resulting transformants express the exons of the transcription unit at high levels as the enhancer element increases the copy number of mRNA. The enhancer element operates to increase transcription independent of its orientation and position provided it is located within an active region on the DNA, generally between about 1-10 kilobases (kb) from the 3' or 5' end of the transcription unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1987
    Assignee: Mass Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Stephen D. Gillies, Susumu Tonegawa
  • Patent number: 4636404
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reliably forming low resistance links between two aluminum conductors deposited on an insulating polysilicon or amorphous silicon layer, employ a laser to bridge a lateral gap between the conductors. The apparatus and method are ideally suited for implementing defect avoidance using redundancy in large random access memories and in complex VLSI circuits. Only a single level of metal is employed and leads to both higher density and lower capacitance in comparison to prior techniques. Resistances in the range of one to ten ohms can be achieved for gap widths of approximately two to three microns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1987
    Assignee: Mass. Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Jack I. Raffel, John A. Yasaitis, Glenn H. Chapman