Patents Assigned to Nanopore, Inc.
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Publication number: 20200179880Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming apertures in a solid state membrane using dielectric breakdown are provided. In one disclosed arrangement a plurality of apertures are formed. The membrane comprises a first surface area portion on one side of the membrane and a second surface area portion on the other side of the membrane. Each of a plurality of target regions comprises a recess or a fluidic passage opening out into the first or second surface area portion. The method comprises contacting all of the first surface area portion of the membrane with a first bath comprising ionic solution and all of the second surface area portion with a second bath comprising ionic solution. A voltage is applied across the membrane via first and second electrodes in respective contact with the first and second baths comprising ionic solutions to form an aperture at each of a plurality of the target regions in the membrane.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2020Publication date: June 11, 2020Applicant: Oxford Nanopore Inc.Inventors: Ping Xie, Ken Healy, Justin Millis
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Patent number: 10139035Abstract: High-efficiency thermal insulation products and methods for use thereof for insulating cylindrically-shaped and other non-planar objects such as pipes, tanks, and the like. One method includes heating a substantially gas-tight enclosure to render the gas-tight enclosure pliable, wrapping the inner surface of the gas-tight enclosure about at least a portion of a non-planar surface, and cooling the gas-tight enclosure to render the gas-tight enclosure substantially unpliable about the non-planar surface. The gas-tight enclosure may include a sealed interior portion having a pressure that is not greater than about 500 mbar at a temperature of about 20° C. before the heating step and/or after the cooling step. A ratio of a thickness of the gas-tight enclosure to a radius of curvature of the portion of the non-planar surface may be at least about 1 to 8.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2015Date of Patent: November 27, 2018Assignee: Nanopore, Inc.Inventor: Douglas M. Smith
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Publication number: 20180141007Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming apertures in a solid state membrane using dielectric breakdown are provided. In one disclosed arrangement a plurality of apertures are formed. The membrane comprises a first surface area portion on one side of the membrane and a second surface area portion on the other side of the membrane. Each of a plurality of target regions comprises a recess or a fluidic passage opening out into the first or second surface area portion. The method comprises contacting all of the first surface area portion of the membrane with a first bath comprising ionic solution and all of the second surface area portion with a second bath comprising ionic solution. A voltage is applied across the membrane via first and second electrodes in respective contact with the first and second baths comprising ionic solutions to form an aperture at each of a plurality of the target regions in the membrane.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2016Publication date: May 24, 2018Applicant: Oxford Nanopore, Inc.Inventors: Ping Xie, Ken Healy, Justin Millis
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Patent number: 9957099Abstract: An insulated container system and a temperature control insert that is configured to maintain a payload chamber temperature over a minimum length of time to enable goods within the payload chamber to be shipped over distances while being maintained within a desired temperature range.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2013Date of Patent: May 1, 2018Assignee: Nanopore, Inc.Inventors: Wendy White, Ronald Esparza, Douglas M. Smith
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Patent number: 9849405Abstract: Methods of making thermal insulation products that may be usable to provide insulation in high temperature applications. One method includes sealing a support material (e.g., a nanoporous core such as fumed silica, an aerogel powder, etc.) and at least one vapor within an interior portion of a substantially gas-impermeable envelope (e.g., a metallic and/or polymeric film), and then condensing at least a portion of the vapor after the sealing step to reduce the pressure within the gas-impermeable envelope from a first pressure before the condensing to a lower second pressure after the condensing. The disclosed methods limit or eliminate the need for pumping mechanisms to draw the vacuum within the products, drying of the core before the sealing, and the like.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2014Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: Nanopore, Inc.Inventor: Douglas M. Smith
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Patent number: 9598857Abstract: High-efficiency thermal insulation products and methods for use thereof for use in insulating buildings, residential homes, and other enclosed environments. In one arrangement, a thermal insulation product includes a substantially gas-impermeable envelope having first and second opposing surfaces and a sealed interior portion between the first and second opposing surfaces, a support material within the sealed interior portion of the gas-impermeable envelope, and at least about 2 grams of a liquid per liter of a total volume of the sealed interior portion within the sealed interior portion. At least a portion of the liquid is operable to cyclically evaporate from adjacent one of the first and second opposing surfaces and subsequently condense adjacent the other of the first and second opposing surfaces depending on temperature differences between the first and second opposing surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2014Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: Nanopore, Inc.Inventor: Douglas M. Smith
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Patent number: 9133973Abstract: High-efficiency thermal insulation products and methods for use thereof for insulating cylindrically-shaped and other non-planar objects such as pipes, tanks, and the like. One method includes heating a substantially gas-tight enclosure to render the gas-tight enclosure pliable, wrapping the inner surface of the gas-tight enclosure about at least a portion of a non-planar surface, and cooling the gas-tight enclosure to render the gas-tight enclosure substantially unpliable about the non-planar surface. The gas-tight enclosure may include a sealed interior portion having a pressure that is not greater than about 500 mbar at a temperature of about 20° C. before the heating step and/or after the cooling step. A ratio of a thickness of the gas-tight enclosure to a radius of curvature of the portion of the non-planar surface may be at least about 1 to 8.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2014Date of Patent: September 15, 2015Assignee: Nanopore, Inc.Inventor: Douglas M. Smith
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Publication number: 20140366480Abstract: High-efficiency thermal insulation products and methods for use thereof for use in insulating buildings, residential homes, and other enclosed environments. In one arrangement, a thermal insulation product includes a substantially gas-impermeable envelope having first and second opposing surfaces and a sealed interior portion between the first and second opposing surfaces, a support material within the sealed interior portion of the gas-impermeable envelope, and at least about 2 grams of a liquid per liter of a total volume of the sealed interior portion within the sealed interior portion. At least a portion of the liquid is operable to cyclically evaporate from adjacent one of the first and second opposing surfaces and subsequently condense adjacent the other of the first and second opposing surfaces depending on temperature differences between the first and second opposing surfaces.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2014Publication date: December 18, 2014Applicant: Nanopore, Inc.Inventor: Douglas M. Smith
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Publication number: 20140367033Abstract: High-efficiency thermal insulation products and methods for use thereof for insulating cylindrically-shaped and other non-planar objects such as pipes, tanks, and the like. One method includes heating a substantially gas-tight enclosure to render the gas-tight enclosure pliable, wrapping the inner surface of the gas-tight enclosure about at least a portion of a non-planar surface, and cooling the gas-tight enclosure to render the gas-tight enclosure substantially unpliable about the non-planar surface. The gas-tight enclosure may include a sealed interior portion having a pressure that is not greater than about 500 mbar at a temperature of about 20° C. before the heating step and/or after the cooling step. A ratio of a thickness of the gas-tight enclosure to a radius of curvature of the portion of the non-planar surface may be at least about 1 to 8.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2014Publication date: December 18, 2014Applicant: Nanopore, Inc.Inventor: Douglas M. Smith
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Publication number: 20140360044Abstract: Methods of making thermal insulation products that may be usable to provide insulation in high temperature applications. One method includes sealing a support material (e.g., a nanoporous core such as fumed silica, an aerogel powder, etc.) and at least one vapor within an interior portion of a substantially gas-impermeable envelope (e.g., a metallic and/or polymeric film), and then condensing at least a portion of the vapor after the sealing step to reduce the pressure within the gas-impermeable envelope from a first pressure before the condensing to a lower second pressure after the condensing. The disclosed methods limit or eliminate the need for pumping mechanisms to draw the vacuum within the products, drying of the core before the sealing, and the like.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2014Publication date: December 11, 2014Applicant: Nanopore, Inc.Inventor: Douglas M. Smith
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Publication number: 20140196305Abstract: Methods of making thermal insulation products are provided, one method including the steps of sealing a support material (e.g., a nanoporous core such as fumed silica, an aerogel powder, etc.) and at least one vapor (e.g., steam) within an interior portion of a substantially gas-impermeable envelope (e.g., a metallic and/or polymeric film), and then condensing at least a portion of the vapor after the sealing step to reduce the pressure within the gas-impermeable envelope from a first pressure before the condensing to a lower second pressure after the condensing. The disclosed methods limit or eliminate the need for mechanism pumping mechanisms to drawing the vacuum within the products, drying of the core before the sealing, and the like.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2013Publication date: July 17, 2014Applicant: NANOPORE, INC.Inventor: Douglas M. Smith
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Publication number: 20140151382Abstract: An insulated container system and a temperature control insert that is configured to maintain a payload chamber temperature over a minimum length of time to enable goods within the payload chamber to be shipped over distances while being maintained within a desired temperature range.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2013Publication date: June 5, 2014Applicant: Nanopore, Inc.Inventors: Wendy White, Ronald Esparza, Douglas M. Smith
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Publication number: 20130152612Abstract: Sorption cooling systems and methods for using sorption cooling systems, particularly to control the interior climate of vehicles, buildings, appliances and other enclosed spaces. The sorption cooling systems may incorporate sorbent beds having a low thermal mass that are capable of rapid cycle times to increase the efficiency of the sorption cooling systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2012Publication date: June 20, 2013Applicant: Nanopore, Inc.Inventors: Douglas M. Smith, Stephen Wallace
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Publication number: 20090179541Abstract: Vacuum insulation panels and methods for making vacuum insulation panels. The panels include first and second spaced-apart sidewalls, where at least one of the sidewalls has a very smooth surface. The panels are particularly useful as insulation in applications where a smooth and aesthetically acceptable surface is required, such as in a refrigeration appliance. A method for making a vacuum insulation panel can include placing an insulative core material and a liner within a barrier envelope defining an enclosure, evacuating the enclosure, and sealing the envelope to form the vacuum insulation panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2008Publication date: July 16, 2009Applicant: NANOPORE, INC.Inventors: Douglas M. Smith, Stephen Wallace
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Publication number: 20090000312Abstract: A method and apparatus for the rapid cooling of a container and its contents, such as a beverage container. A heat transfer fluid is thermally contacted with the beverage container, where the heat transfer fluid has a temperature of less than 0° C. The heat transfer fluid can be physically separated from the container, such as by flowing the heat transfer fluid through a heat exchanger that surrounds the container. The cooling parameters can be controlled such that the container and its contents are rapidly cooled without freezing of the contents.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2008Publication date: January 1, 2009Applicant: NANOPORE, INC.Inventors: Douglas M. Smith, Brian Farnworth, Kevin H. Roderick, Peter L. Campbell
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Publication number: 20090001086Abstract: A container insert for providing a thermally insulated enclosure. The container insert includes a bottom panel, side panels and end panels that are interconnected by a plastic backing sheet. The side panels and end panels can be pivoted upwardly to form side walls and end walls. The plastic backing sheet covers the seams between adjacent insulation panels to provide a moisture barrier. The plastic backing sheet can also urge adjacent panels together to reduce the gap between adjacent panels and improve thermal performance.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2008Publication date: January 1, 2009Applicant: Nanopore, Inc.Inventors: Kevin H. Roderick, Brian Glover, Douglas M. Smith
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Publication number: 20080014435Abstract: Methods of making vacuum insulation products are provided. One method includes providing an insulative mixture comprising an insulative material, such as silica, with a radiation absorbent material, such as carbon black, and applying electromagnetic radiation such as microwave radiation to the insulative mixture to dry the insulative mixture. The insulative mixture can then be placed into an enclosure and sealed within the enclosure. The enclosure can be evacuated before sealing to reduce the pressure within the enclosure to below atmospheric pressure. The use of radiation such as microwave radiation to dry the insulative mixture advantageously reduces the time required to fabricate the vacuum insulation product and can reduce the pressure that is obtained in the vacuum insulation product, thereby increasing thermal performance of the product.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2007Publication date: January 17, 2008Applicant: NANOPORE, INC.Inventors: Douglas Smith, Kevin Roderick, Brian Glover
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Patent number: 7143589Abstract: A sorption cooling system for providing cooled air to the cabin of a vehicle. The sorption cooling system includes an evaporator, a condenser adapted to fluidly communication with the evaporator, and a plurality of adsorbent beds adapted for fluid communication with the condenser and the evaporator. Each adsorbent bed includes a fluid impermeable casing, desiccant sheets having apertures therethrough, a refrigerant flow path for flowing a refrigerant proximal to a first side of the desiccant sheets, and a coolant flow path for flowing a coolant fluid proximal to a second side of the desiccant sheets. The apertures are a portion of one of the refrigerant and coolant flow paths.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2005Date of Patent: December 5, 2006Assignee: Nanopore, Inc.Inventors: Douglas M. Smith, Kevin Roderick, Peter L. Campbell
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Patent number: 6968711Abstract: Novel sorption cooling devices capable of providing cooling over an extended period of time are disclosed. The sorption cooling devices are particularly useful for temperature-controlled shipping containers that are required to maintain a temperature below ambient for a time sufficient to complete delivery of the container and its contents. The shipping containers can be utilized to cost-effectively transport temperature-sensitive products.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2002Date of Patent: November 29, 2005Assignee: Nanopore, Inc.Inventors: Douglas M. Smith, Tamara L. O'Brien, Kevin H. Roderick, Lois X. Warren, Richard G. Perkes, Vanessa Sinclair, Quentin Shrimpton
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Patent number: 6960243Abstract: A method and apparatus for the extraction of water from a gas stream, such as atmospheric air. The method includes contacting the gas stream with a porous adsorbent material having a surface modifying agent adsorbed on the surface of a porous support. The surface modifying agent creates a hydrophilic surface for the adsorption of the water. After the water is adsorbed into the pores, the surface modifying agent is selectively desorbed from the surface. The water then evaporates from the pore and can be collected in a condenser. The method and apparatus of the present invention advantageously operate in a substantially isothermal manner, thereby reducing the size and power consumption of the device. The device can advantageously be used to extract potable drinking water from atmospheric air.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2003Date of Patent: November 1, 2005Assignee: Nanopore, Inc.Inventors: Douglas M. Smith, James S. Dusenbury, William L. Warren