Patents Assigned to Michigan Technological University
  • Patent number: 10345674
    Abstract: An electro-optic modulator coupled to an optical source providing an optical power and a radio frequency source providing a radio frequency power. The electro-optic modulator includes a waveguide to receive the optical power, a first ring resonator modulator, and a second ring resonator modulator. The first ring resonator modulator and the second ring resonator modulator receives the radio frequency power, and are coupled to the waveguide for modulating the optical power with the radio frequency power. The first ring resonator modulator and the second ring resonator modulator, with the waveguide, substantially suppress third order intermodulation distortion of a combined power. Also disclosed are a microwave photonic link having the electro-optic modulator and a method of communicating a signal with the electro-optic modulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: MICHIGAN TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Christopher T. Middlebrook, Arash Hosseinzadeh
  • Patent number: 10330090
    Abstract: An electrospray device for generating electrospray from a ferrofluid. The electrospray device includes an emitter, an extraction electrode, and a magnet. The emitter is configured to receive a ferrofluidic liquid. The extraction electrode includes an aperture and is positioned a first distance from the emitter. The magnet generates a magnetic field in a first direction toward the emitter. The magnetic field causes Rosensweig instability in the ferrofluidic liquid, and generates a ferrofluidic peak in the ferrofluidic liquid. The magnet is positioned a second distance from the emitter, and the emitter is positioned between the extraction electrode and the magnet. The ferrofluidic liquid is biased at a first electrical potential and the extraction electrode is biased at a second electrical potential. A difference between the first electrical potential and the second electrical potential is sufficient to generate an electric field at the ferrofluidic peak that generates electrospray from the ferrofluidic peak.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: MICHIGAN TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Lyon Bradley King
  • Patent number: 10289143
    Abstract: A system for predicting power and loads over a single, relatively short time horizon. More specifically, a system comprising a Storage Agent (S-agent) Cohort within a grid control society, wherein the system expands G and L intra-cohort protocols to allow the S-cohort to participate in power management of the grid by scheduling storage components in source or load roles as determined by the time-varying state of the power imbalance and by the risk-adjusting capacity margin relationship between the G and L cohorts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Michigan Technological University
    Inventor: Steven Goldsmith
  • Patent number: 10197040
    Abstract: A wave energy converter and method for extracting energy from water waves maximizes the energy extraction per cycle by estimating an excitation force of heave wave motion on the buoy, computing a control force from the estimated excitation force using a dynamic model, and applying the computed control force to the buoy to extract energy from the heave wave motion. Analysis and numerical simulations demonstrate that the optimal control of a heave wave energy converter is, in general, in the form of a bang-singular-bang control; in which the optimal control at a given time can be either in the singular arc mode or in the bang-bang mode. The excitation force and its derivatives at the current time can be obtained through an estimator, for example, using measurements of pressures on the surface of the buoy in addition to measurements of the buoy position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignees: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC, Michigan Technological University, South Dakota Board of Regents
    Inventors: Ossama Abdelkhalik, Rush D. Robinett, III, Shangyan Zou, Giorgio Bacelli, David G. Wilson, Umesh Korde
  • Patent number: 10090764
    Abstract: A Hamiltonian surface shaping power flow control (HSSPFC) method is used to analyze the meta-stability and adjust pulsed power loads on a DC electric power distribution network. Pulsed power loads are nonlinear, time-variant systems that cause nonlinear limit-cycles. During the on periods of a pulsed load, the system can be in an unstable state and is damped back to stability during the off state of the load. Therefore, over the entire period of the pulse the system may only be assessed as meta-stable. As shown through simulation, HIL and hardware results, the HSSPFC method is more accurate than the other small-signal approaches, such as Eigenvalues, Nyquist, and Floquet theory, and can reveal important details about the transient responses and performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignees: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC, Michigan Technological University
    Inventors: David G. Wilson, Wayne W. Weaver, Rush D. Robinett, III, Ronald Matthews, Steven F. Glover
  • Patent number: 10012613
    Abstract: A system for identifying a particle. The system includes a microfluidic device; a microelectrode array including a plurality of electrodes, the microelectrode array disposed within the microfluidic device; a plurality of particles suspended in a solution and delivered to the microelectrode array using the microfluidic device; a signal generator operatively coupled to the microelectrode array; a particle detector adjacent to the microelectrode array; and a controller in operative communication with the signal generator and the particle detector. The controller is configured to apply an oscillating voltage signal to the microelectrode array between a low frequency and a high frequency at a sweep rate, wherein the sweep rate is no more than a maximum sweep rate, and determine a distribution of the plurality of particles relative to the microelectrode array at a plurality of frequency levels between the low frequency and the high frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Michigan Technological University
    Inventors: Adrienne Robyn Minerick, Jeana L. Collins, Kaela M. Leonard, Tayloria N.G. Adams
  • Patent number: 9884943
    Abstract: The present invention provides stable, photosensitive polymers that release NO response to intensity and wavelength of light, methods of making such polymers and methods using such polymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Michigan Technological University
    Inventors: Megan Cecelia Frost, Genevieve E. Romanowicz
  • Publication number: 20180031384
    Abstract: An augmented road line display system that includes one or more sensors installed on a vehicle, one or more external databases, and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to receive inputs from the one or more databases, sensors of the vehicle, and a sub-system of the vehicle, build and validate a road line model to detect or predict a road line based on the inputs received, determine environmental conditions based on the inputs from one or more of the databases, and a sub-system of the vehicle, assign weights to the inputs received based on the environmental conditions to generate weighted inputs, and execute the road line model to determine the road line based on the weighted inputs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicants: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC., MICHIGAN TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jae Seung LEE, Paul Donald SCHMALENBERG, Nikola Stevan SUBOTIC
  • Patent number: 9849003
    Abstract: A system and method for operating a prosthesis is provided. The system includes a socket configured to engage a residual limb of a subject and a shaft having a first end connected to the socket and an opposing second end. The system also includes a foot piece connected to the second end of the shaft. The foot piece includes an ankle plate and a sole piece configured to contact a surface. The system also includes at least one computer configured to detect a state of the foot piece and to transmit an indication of the state of the foot. The system further includes a motor assembly configured to receive the indication of the state of the foot and to control a position and impedance of the ankle plate based on the state of the foot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignees: Mayo Foundation For Medical Education And Research, Michigan Technological University
    Inventors: Mo Rastgaar, Evandro Ficanha, Kenton Kaufman
  • Patent number: 9825154
    Abstract: The tunneling channel of a field effect transistor comprising a plurality of tunneling elements contacting a channel substrate. Applying a source-drain voltage of greater than a turn-on voltage produces a source-drain current of greater than about 10 pA. Applying a source-drain voltage of less than a turn-on voltage produces a source-drain current of less than about 10 pA. The turn-on voltage at room temperature is between about 0.1V and about 40V.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Michigan Technological University
    Inventor: Yoke Khin Yap
  • Patent number: 9733287
    Abstract: The disclosed invention is a distributed control system for operating a DC bus fed by disparate DC power sources that service a known or unknown load. The voltage sources vary in v-i characteristics and have time-varying, maximum supply capacities. Each source is connected to the bus via a boost converter, which may have different dynamic characteristics and power transfer capacities, but are controlled through PWM. The invention tracks the time-varying power sources and apportions their power contribution while maintaining the DC bus voltage within the specifications. A central digital controller solves the steady-state system for the optimal duty cycle settings that achieve a desired power supply apportionment scheme for a known or predictable DC load. A distributed networked control system is derived from the central system that utilizes communications among controllers to compute a shared estimate of the unknown time-varying load through shared bus current measurements and bus voltage measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: MICHIGAN TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Steven Goldsmith
  • Patent number: 9623123
    Abstract: The present invention provides various fluorescent conjugated polymers with a BODIPY-based backbone. The invention also provides methods of using the polymers of the invention, such as for imaging and detection of cells, tumors, bacteria and viruses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: MICHIGAN TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Haiying Liu
  • Patent number: 9557146
    Abstract: A wire neutralizing system for use with a vehicle including a frame adapted to be hitched to a vehicle. At least one wheel supports the frame while a bottom of the wheel rolls over terrain having buried wires. The system also includes a blade movable between a stowed position in which the blade is above the bottom of the wheel and a deployed position in which the blade is below the bottom of the wheel, such that the blade plows through the terrain to disable buried wires when in the deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignees: MICHIGAN TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY, THE U.S. ARMY TANK AUTOMOTIVE RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND ENGINEERING CENTER (TARDEC)
    Inventors: Scott A. Bradley, Jason M. Wiitanen, Timothy B. Smigowski, John T. Niemeyer, Andrew Culkin
  • Patent number: 9412949
    Abstract: The present invention provides various fluorescent conjugated polymers with a BODIPY-based backbone. The invention also provides methods of using the polymers of the invention, such as for imaging and detection of cells, tumors, bacteria and viruses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: MICHIGAN TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Haiying Liu
  • Patent number: 9376759
    Abstract: A method for modifying a surface by generating nanotubes at one or more selected sites on the surface, the surface including a first metal. The method includes the steps of positioning at least one cathode and at least one anode relative to the surface in an electrolyte solution including a fluoride salt of a second metal, and applying a voltage between the at least one anode and the at least one cathode sufficient to generate nanotubes at one or more selected sites on the surface and to inhibit nanotube formation at one or more of the other selected sites, wherein the nanotubes include the first metal and the second metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Michigan Technological University
    Inventors: Craig Richard Friedrich, Tolou Shokuhfar
  • Patent number: 9243023
    Abstract: This invention provides a method for purifying synthetic oligonucleotides comprising capping, polymerizing and separating any failure sequences produced during oligonucleotide synthesis. The invention also provides a method for purifying synthetic oligonucleotides comprising reacting a full length oligonucleotide with a compound to attach a polymerizable functional group to an end of the full length oligonucleotide, polymerizing the full length oligonucleotides and removing the failure sequences, and recovering the full length oligonucleotides. The invention also provides novel capping agents having a polymerizable functional group, and kits comprising at least one composition of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: MICHIGAN TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Shiyue Fang
  • Publication number: 20160010631
    Abstract: An electrospray device for generating electrospray from a ferrofluid. The electrospray device includes an emitter, an extraction electrode, and a magnet. The emitter is configured to receive a ferrofluidic liquid. The extraction electrode includes an aperture and is positioned a first distance from the emitter. The magnet generates a magnetic field in a first direction toward the emitter. The magnetic field causes Rosensweig instability in the ferrofluidic liquid, and generates a ferrofluidic peak in the ferrofluidic liquid. The magnet is positioned a second distance from the emitter, and the emitter is positioned between the extraction electrode and the magnet. The ferrofluidic liquid is biased at a first electrical potential and the extraction electrode is biased at a second electrical potential. A difference between the first electrical potential and the second electrical potential is sufficient to generate an electric field at the ferrofluidic peak that generates electrospray from the ferrofluidic peak.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Applicant: MICHIGAN TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Lyon Bradley King
  • Patent number: 9116242
    Abstract: A dedicated short range radar system is provided for use with a GPS system. The radar system includes a transmitter which transmits a microwave radio signal. A receiver is coupled to a horizontally scanning receiver antenna array which receives an echo, if present, from the radio signal transmitted by the transmitter. The radio receiver then generates an output signal representative of the echo. A control circuit then receives the output signal from the antenna array as well as the output signal from the GPS system. The control circuit then varies the mode of operation of the receiver and/or the transmitter as a function of the type of roadway for optimal radar performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Michigan Technological University
    Inventors: Jae Seung Lee, Nikola Stevan Subotic, James Paul Ebling, Helen Kourous Harrigan
  • Patent number: 9063225
    Abstract: An example radar apparatus has a transmission frequency modulated by a chirp waveform having three chirp segments, including increasing, decreasing, and a constant frequency segments. The chirp waveform may extend over the full revisit time of the radar beam. The frequency difference between the transmitted and echo signals are determined at least once per chirp segment. Example apparatus include a Doppler radar for vehicle use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Michigan Technological University
    Inventors: Jae Seung Lee, Paul Donald Schmalenberg, James Paul Ebling, Nikola Stevan Subotic
  • Publication number: 20150097193
    Abstract: The tunneling channel of a field effect transistor comprising a plurality of tunneling elements contacting a channel substrate. Applying a source-drain voltage of greater than a turn-on voltage produces a source-drain current of greater than about 10 pA. Applying a source-drain voltage of less than a turn-on voltage produces a source-drain current of less than about 10 pA. The turn-on voltage at room temperature is between about 0.1V and about 40V.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: Michigan Technological University
    Inventor: Yoke Khin Yap