Patents Assigned to National Institute of Standards of Technology
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Patent number: 10067118Abstract: A single molecule filter includes: a membrane including: a first surface; a second surface; and a membrane aperture disposed in the membrane and traversing the membrane from the first surface to the second surface, the membrane aperture provided to communicate a single molecule across the membrane; and a nanotube disposed on the membrane and including: a first end disposed on the first surface of the membrane; a second end disposed distal to the first surface; and a tubular aperture extending along the nanotube from the first end to the second end, the tubular aperture provided to communicate the single molecule from the second end of the nanotube to the membrane aperture.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2015Date of Patent: September 4, 2018Assignee: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGYInventors: John S. Suehle, John J. Kasianowicz, Arvind Balijepalli, Joseph W. Robertson, Jessica Benjamini
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Patent number: 9921174Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling the temperature of small volumes such as yoctoliter volumes, are described. The systems include one or more plasmonic nanostructures attached at or near a nanopore. Upon excitation of the plasmonic nanostructures, such as for example by exposure to laser light, the nanoparticles are rapidly heated thereby causing a change in the ionic conductance along the nanopore. The temperature change is determined from the ionic conductance. These temperature changes can be used to control rapid thermodynamic changes in molecular analytes as they interact with the nanopore.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2016Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignees: THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE, THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGYInventors: John J. Kasianowicz, Joseph E. Reiner, Arvind K. Balijepalli, III, Joseph W. Robertson, Daniel L. Burden, Lisa Burden
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Patent number: 9746399Abstract: A device and method for headspace sampling is disclosed herein. The headspace sampling device comprises a sample holding device configured to be sealed in a vial. The sample holding device has a pair of electrodes gap spaced from one another and a basket extending between the electrodes configured to hold a sample. The basket is configured to heat a sample held therewith and volatize at least a portion of the sample upon an electrical current being passed through the electrodes and the basket.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2013Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: The Unites States of America as represented by the Secretary of Commerce, The National Institute of Standards and TechnologyInventor: Thomas J. Bruno
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Patent number: 9688867Abstract: A flame retardant coating composition comprising poly(dopamine) and either tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane) or gaseous ammonia, as well as an article comprising a substrate and the flame retardant coating composition, is provided. In various embodiments, the poly(dopamine) is substantially water insoluble. The coating composition can further comprise at least one additional component selected from the group consisting of melamine, an anionic clay, a phosphorus-containing compound, an amine-containing compound, aluminosilicates, silicon oxides, and combinations thereof. Also provided are methods for forming the flame retardant coating composition and methods for increasing flame retardant properties of a substrate.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2014Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignees: AMERICAN UNIVERSITY, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE, THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGYInventors: Mauro Zammarano, Douglas Fox, Philipp Grützmacher, Rick Davis
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Patent number: 9660721Abstract: An optical detector for detecting radio frequency (RF) signals, the optical detector comprising a light source and a photodetector, and an electrical circuit comprising a position dependent capacitor and a bias voltage source adapted for providing a bias voltage for biasing the position dependent capacitor, the position dependent capacitor comprising an electrode and a membrane being displaceable in reaction to RF signals incident on the membrane, the membrane being metallized, has a thickness of less than 1 ?m and a quality factor, Qm, of at least 20,000, and the distance between the membrane and the electrode being less than 10 ?m.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2014Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignees: Kobenhavns Universitet, Danmarks Tekniske Universitet, National Institute of Standards and Technology, The United States Of America, as Represented by The Secretary Of CommerceInventors: Eugene Simon Polzik, Albert Schliesser, Silvan Schmid, Anders Sondberg Sorensen, Jacob M. Taylor, Koji Usami, Tolga Bagci, Anders Simonsen, Luis Guillermo Villanueva, Emil Zeuthen, Juergen Appel
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Patent number: 9627199Abstract: Methods of fabricating micro- and nanostructures comprise top-down etching of lithographically patterned GaN layer to form an array of micro- or nanopillar structures, followed by selective growth of GaN shells over the pillar structures via selective epitaxy. Also provided are methods of forming micro- and nanodisk structures and microstructures formed from thereby.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2014Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignees: University of Maryland, College Park, Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and TechnologyInventors: Abhishek Motayed, Sergiy Krylyuk, Albert V. Davydov, Matthew King, Jong-Yoon Ha
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Patent number: 9558907Abstract: A cold cathode field emission electron source capable of emission at levels comparable to thermal sources is described. Emission in excess of 6 A/cm2 at 7.5 V/?m is demonstrated in a macroscopic emitter array. The emitter has a monolithic and rigid porous semiconductor nanostructure with uniformly distributed emission sites, and is fabricated through a room temperature process which allows for control of emission properties. These electron sources can be used in a wide range of applications, including microwave electronics and x-ray imaging for medicine and security.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2016Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignees: THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE, THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF MARYLANDInventors: Fred Sharifi, Henry Lezec, Myung-Gyu Kang
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Patent number: 9557219Abstract: A method of comb-based spectroscopy for measuring a CW source at time-bandwidth limited resolution by using frequency combs with a high degree of mutual coherence (<1 radian phase noise).Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2013Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and TechnologyInventors: Nathan R. Newbury, Ian Coddington, William C. Swann
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Patent number: 9548092Abstract: A spin transport channel includes a dielectric layer contacting a conductive layer. The dielectric layer includes at least one of a tantalum oxide, hafnium oxide, titanium oxide, and nickel oxide. An intermediate spin layer contacts the dielectric layer. The intermediate spin layer includes at least one of copper and silver. The conductive layer is more electrochemically inert than the intermediate spin layer. A polarizer layer contacts the intermediate spin layer. The polarizer layer includes one of a nickel-iron based material, iron, and cobalt based material. The conductive layer and intermediate layer are disposed on opposite sides of the dielectric layer. The dielectric layer and the polarizer layer are disposed on opposite sides of the intermediate spin layer. The intermediate spin layer is arranged to form a conducting path through the dielectric layer configured to transport a plurality of electrons. Each of the plurality of electrons maintains a polarized electron spin.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2012Date of Patent: January 17, 2017Assignee: The National Institute of Standards and Technology, The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of CommerceInventors: Curt Andrew Richter, Hyuk-Jae Jang
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Patent number: 9507993Abstract: A contactless, three-dimensional fingerprint scanner apparatus, method, and system are described. The contactless fingerprint scanner can provide either, or both, topographical contrast of three-dimensional fingerprint features and optical contrast of a three-dimensional fingerprint surface. Data captured from scanning of a target with known geometric features mimicking fingerprint features can be examined as images or surface plots and analyzed for fidelity against the known target feature specifications to evaluate or validate device capture performance as well as interoperability. The target can be used by scanner vendors and designers to validate their devices, as well as to perform type certification.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2016Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Commerce, The National Institute of Standards and TechnologyInventors: Shahram Orandi, Fred Byers, Stephen Harvey, Michael D. Garris, Stephen S. Wood, John M. Libert, Jin Chu Wu
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Patent number: 9500610Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling the temperature of small volumes such as yoctoliter volumes, are described. The systems include one or more plasmonic nanostructures attached at or near a nanopore. Upon excitation of the plasmonic nanostructures, such as for example by exposure to laser light, the nanoparticles are rapidly heated thereby causing a change in the ionic conductance along the nanopore. The temperature change is determined from the ionic conductance. These temperature changes can be used to control rapid thermodynamic changes in molecular analytes as they interact with the nanopore.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2013Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE, THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGYInventors: John J. Kasianowicz, Joseph E. Reiner, Arvind K. Balijepalli, Joseph W. Robertson, Daniel L. Burden, Lisa Burden
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Patent number: 9486179Abstract: A multilayered optical tissue phantom fabrication approach and inherently produced test target structure which address the issues of of optical conformity known in the art by controlling the formation of micrometer scale monolayers embedded with light-scattering microspheres.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2013Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Commerce The National Institute of Standards and TechnologyInventors: Jeeseong Hwang, Christopher Stafford, Robert Chang
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Patent number: 9476862Abstract: A nanostructure sensing device comprises a semiconductor nanostructure having an outer surface, and at least one of metal or metal-oxide nanoparticle clusters functionalizing the outer surface of the nanostructure and forming a photoconductive nanostructure/nanocluster hybrid sensor enabling light-assisted sensing of a target analyte.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2013Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignees: University of Maryland, College Park, The United States of America, as Represented by the Secretary of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology, George Mason University, The George Washington UniversityInventors: Abhishek Motayed, Geetha Aluri, Albert V. Davydov, Mulpuri V. Rao, Vladimir P. Oleshko, Ritu Bajpai, Mona E. Zaghloul
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Patent number: 9450673Abstract: A microwave-frequency source at frequency fM comprises: a dual optical-frequency reference source, an electro-optic sideband generator, an optical bandpass filter, an optical detector, a reference oscillator, an electrical circuit, and a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO). The sideband generator modulates dual optical reference signals at v2 and v1 to generate sideband signals at v1±n1fM and v2±n2fM. The bandpass filter transmits sideband signals at v1+N1fM and v2?N2fM. The optical detector generates a beat note at (v2?N2fM)?(v1+N1fM). The beat note and a reference oscillator signal are processed by the circuit to generate a loop-filtered error signal to input to the VCO. Output of the VCO at fM drives the sideband generator and forms the microwave-frequency output signal. The resultant frequency division results in reduced phase noise on the microwave-frequency signal.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2015Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignees: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE, THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGYInventors: Kerry Vahala, Scott Diddams, Jiang Li, Xu Yi, Hansuek Lee
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Patent number: 9437923Abstract: A system and method for imaging and aligning antennas that includes an overlay imaging aligner composed of two or more antennas in association with a polarization gate, a polarization beam splitter, a non-polarizing beam splitter, a beam dump, one or more imaging lens and a common detector array. The overlay imaging aligner aligns the antennas by overlaying simultaneous digital images associated with the antennas on the common detector array. The antennas can be, for example, mm Wave antennas, waveguides, etc. The detector array generates real-time digital images the antennas. Such an approach of simultaneous imaging leverages the spatial resolution of digital optical imaging to aligning antenna components.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2012Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Commerce, The National Institute of Standards and TechnologyInventor: Joshua A. Gordon
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Patent number: 9401448Abstract: A photon detector article includes a photon detector configured to receive a primary waveform, the photon detector includes a multiplication region; a photon absorption region; a punch through voltage range; and a breakdown voltage; a source in electrical communication with the photon detector and configured to provide the primary waveform that includes a first voltage that is: less than a maximum value of the punch through voltage range, or effective to maintain a charge carrier in the absorption region; and a second voltage that is greater than the breakdown voltage; and a reference member in electrical communication with the source and configured to provide a reference waveform in response to receiving the primary waveform.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2014Date of Patent: July 26, 2016Assignees: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY, CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARKInventors: Joshua C. Bienfang, Alan Migdall, Alessandro Restelli, William H. Farr
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Patent number: 9349033Abstract: A contactless, three-dimensional fingerprint scanner apparatus, method, and system are described. The contactless fingerprint scanner can provide either, or both, topographical contrast of three-dimensional fingerprint features and optical contrast of a three-dimensional fingerprint surface. Data captured from scanning of a target with known geometric features mimicking fingerprint features can be examined as images or surface plots and analyzed for fidelity against the known target feature specifications to evaluate or validate device capture performance as well as interoperability. The target can be used by scanner vendors and designers to validate their devices, as well as to perform type certification.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2012Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Commerce, The National Institute of Standards and TechnologyInventors: Shahram Orandi, Fred Byers, Stephen Harvey, Michael D. Garris, Stephen S. Wood, John M. Libert, Jin Chu Wu
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Patent number: 9341781Abstract: An apparatus and technique are used to fabricate optical microresonators. A fabrication chamber contains all fabrication materials and devices. The microresonators are fabricated from a glass preform mounted on a motorized spindle. A laser is focused onto the preform to partly or fully impinge on the preform. The laser's focus position is controlled by changing the positioning of a lens mounted on a translation stage. Piezoelectric control elements may be mounted to finished microresonators to control of nonlinear parametric oscillation and four-wave mixing effects of the microresonator, control of nonlinear optical stimulated Brillouin scattering and Raman effects of said microresonator and wideband tuning of the frequency spacing between the output modes of a nonlinear-Kerr-effect optical frequency comb generated with said microresonator.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2013Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Commerce The National Institute of Standards & TechnologyInventors: Scott Diddams, Scott Papp, Pascal Del'Haye
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Publication number: 20160118214Abstract: A cold cathode field emission electron source capable of emission at levels comparable to thermal sources is described. Emission in excess of 6 A/cm2 at 7.5 V/?m is demonstrated in a macroscopic emitter array. The emitter has a monolithic and rigid porous semiconductor nanostructure with uniformly distributed emission sites, and is fabricated through a room temperature process which allows for control of emission properties. These electron sources can be used in a wide range of applications, including microwave electronics and x-ray imaging for medicine and security.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2016Publication date: April 28, 2016Applicants: THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF MARYLANDInventors: Fred Sharifi, Henry Lezec, Myung-Gyu Kang
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Patent number: 9324534Abstract: A cold cathode field emission electron source capable of emission at levels comparable to thermal sources is described. Emission in excess of 6 A/cm2 at 7.5 V/?m is demonstrated in a macroscopic emitter array. The emitter has a monolithic and rigid porous semiconductor nanostructure with uniformly distributed emission sites, and is fabricated through a room temperature process which allows for control of emission properties. These electron sources can be used in a wide range of applications, including microwave electronics and x-ray imaging for medicine and security.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2014Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE, THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGYInventors: Fred Sharifi, Myung-Gyu Kang, Henri Lezec