Patents Assigned to Sandia
  • Apparatus, method and system for imaging and utilization of SEM charged particles
    Patent number: 10770262
    Abstract: A scanning electron microscope (SEM) system includes an SEM objective that emits an electron beam toward a sample, causing emission of charged particles including secondary electrons, Auger electrons, backscattered electrons, anions and cations. The SEM system includes electron optics elements that are configured to establish electric fields around the sample that accelerate charged particles toward a detector. A two-dimensional distribution of locations of incidence of the charged particles on the detector is indicative of energies of the charged particles and their emission angles from the sample. A three-dimensional spatial distribution of charged particles emitted from the sample is recovered by performing an Abel transform over the distribution on the detector. The energies and emission angles of the charged particles are then determined from the three-dimensional spatial distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: David W. Chandler, Kimberlee Chiyoko Celio
  • Non-intrusive data authentication systems and methods
    Patent number: 10769286
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that create a separate digital and cryptographically secure signal “branch” to a secondary observer from a primary signal path of an information system. The information system may be a measurement system. The secure signal branch is creating without interfering with the primary signal path. In such a manner, the secondary observer may authenticate reported data while not interfering with the signal of the information system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Maikael A. Thomas, Ross W. Hymel, George T. Baldwin
  • Magnetically-recoverable catalysts for depolymerization
    Patent number: 10767027
    Abstract: The present invention relates, in part, to methods for depolymerizing a polymer, in which the method includes use of a magnetic catalyst. The magnetic catalyst can include, e.g., a ore-shell particle, such as a particle having a magnetic core and a shell including a metal-organic framework.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignees: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC, The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Jian Sun, Blake A. Simmons, Seema Singh
  • Fluid-powered linear motor with rotary pistons and motion rectifier
    Patent number: 10767670
    Abstract: A fluid-powered linear motor with rotary pistons is disclosed. An application is for a downhole motor but it could be used in other applications. Rotational pistons provide increased torque generation as the torque generated is proportional to motor length. Since downhole drills are long (generally up to a maximum length of 30 ft.), a high-torque motor can be produced using this method. A pressurized fluid is used to drive the piston assemblies to produce bit shaft power. This concept employs rotary pistons and a mechanical rectifier to convert the rotational reciprocation produced by a reciprocating rotational piston into continuous rotary motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventor: David W. Raymond
  • Nanostructured polyelectrolytes for ion-selective membranes
    Patent number: 10766005
    Abstract: Nanostructured polyelectrolyte bilayers deposited by Layer-by-Layer deposition on nanoporous membranes can be selectively crosslinked to modify the polyelectrolyte charge density and control ionic selectivity independent of ionic conductivity. For example, the polyelectrolyte bilayer can comprise a cationic polymer layer, such as poly(ethyleneimine), and an anionic polymer layer, such as poly(acrylic acid). Increasing the number of bilayers increases the cation selectivity when the poly(ethyleneimine) layer is crosslinked with glutaraldehyde. Crosslinking the membranes also increases the chemical and mechanical strength of the polyelectrolyte films. This controllable and inexpensive method can be used to create ion-selective and mechanically robust membranes on porous supports for a wide range of applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Leo J. Small, Stephen Percival, Erik David Spoerke
  • Simulating current flow through a well casing and an induced fracture
    Patent number: 10767465
    Abstract: A system includes a receiver component that receives a model of a well system, the model comprising a representation of an electrically energized well casing and/or a fracture as a transmission line that leaks electric current as the current traverses the well casing and/or fracture. The receiver component also receives a value that indicates an amount of the current that is applied to the well casing and a location of a source of the current on the well casing. The system further includes an electromagnetic field calculator component that calculates an estimated electromagnetic field at at least one location on the surface of the earth based at least in part upon the representation of the electrically energized well casing and/or fracture, the value that indicates the amount of current that is applied to the well casing, and the location of the source of the current on the well casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventor: Lewis C. Bartel
  • Retinal-inspired method and system for improved detection
    Patent number: 10765864
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and device for filtering sensor data. Signals from an array of sensor pixels are received and checked for changes in pixel values. Motion is detected based on the changes in pixel values, and motion output signals are transmitted to a processing station. If the sum of correlated changes in pixel values across a predetermined field of view exceeds a predetermined value, indicating sensor jitter, the motion output signals are suppressed. If a sum of motion values within a defined subsection of the field of view exceeds a predetermined threshold, indicating the presence of a large object of no interest, the motion output signals are suppressed for that subsection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Frances S. Chance, Christina E. Warrender
  • Computer processing through distance-based quality score method in geospatial-temporal semantic graphs
    Patent number: 10769158
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of improving processing of overhead image data by a processor using a distance-based quality score in a geospatial-temporal semantic graph. An allowable range for each attribute in the subgraph search template is defined. For each match in a comparison, attribute values of each match element are compared against the preferred range and the allowable range to compute a corresponding distance of each match attribute from the subgraph search template. A corresponding overall match quality score is determined for each match from the subgraph search template, wherein determining the corresponding overall match qualities is performed using a corresponding required quality score and a corresponding optional quality score. All corresponding overall match quality scores are sorted into an ordered list and then displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions od Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Randolph Brost, Diane Woodbridge
  • Stable nanocrystalline metal alloy coatings with ultra-low wear
    Patent number: 10763000
    Abstract: The present invention relates to metal coatings and methods thereof. In certain embodiments, the invention relates to ultra-low wear noble metal alloys, such as for use in electrical contact coatings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Nicolas Argibay, Michael E. Chandross, David P. Adams, Michael T. Dugger, Blythe G. Clark, Brad L. Boyce, Ping Lu
  • Modular low cost trackerless spectral sensor
    Patent number: 10760972
    Abstract: A photodiode sensor device and systems. The photodiode sensor device includes a housing portion. The housing portion includes a cylindrical enclosure. A window is disposed at a first end of the housing portion. A filter wheel is within the housing portion. A motor positioned within the housing is adjacent the filter wheel opposite the window. The motor is attached to the filter wheel. A photodiode sensor within the housing portion intermediate the first photodiode sensor and the window. The first photodiode sensor receives filtered light incident on the window and transmit a signal associated with sensed parameters of the filtered light. Also, a hemispherical dome for diffusing the light to a collimating lens has a grating, a focusing lens, and a linear detector array. An exit port transmits light to the collimating lens. The sensor array is opposite the grating for sensing the diffused light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Armijo, Julius Yellowhair, Richard K. Harrison
  • De-tuning tolerant loop antenna
    Patent number: 10756434
    Abstract: A loop antenna is described herein that is suitable for operation in free space or in proximity to a ground plane. The loop antenna comprises a looped conductive element with a gap formed therein and a tab extending toward the gap. A length of the tab of the loop antenna is selected such that a detuning loss of the loop antenna from operation in free space to operation in proximity to a ground plane is low. In an exemplary embodiment, the length of the tab is selected such that a reactance of the loop antenna in free space is within a threshold level of a reactance of the loop antenna when the antenna is in proximity to a ground plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventor: John Joseph Borchardt
  • Jitter minimization flexure pointing system
    Patent number: 10739609
    Abstract: The illustrative embodiments provide for a telescope. The telescope includes a housing; an optical assembly disposed inside the housing and configured to gather light from a distant object; and a jitter reduction system connected to the housing. The jitter reduction system includes a first flexure assembly comprising a first base to which is attached to a first armature connected to a first linear motor winding configured to push out a first flexure connected to the first armature and to push out a second flexure connected to the first armature opposite the first flexure, wherein the first flexure and the second flexure have a first normal axis pointing through a center of mass of the optical assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Peter G. Stromberg, Patrick S. Barney
  • Microfluidic platform for multiplexed detection in single cells and methods thereof
    Patent number: 10731205
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a microfluidic device and platform configured to conduct multiplexed analysis within the device. In particular, the device allows multiple targets to be detected on a single-cell level. Also provided are methods of performing multiplexed analyses to detect one or more target nucleic acids, proteins, and post-translational modifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Meiye Wu, Anup K. Singh
  • Hydrothermal aging-resistant plastic scintillator formulations
    Patent number: 10732304
    Abstract: A plastic scintillator includes an anti-fog additive or comonomer. The plastic scintillator is formulated to resist the development of hydrothermally-induced aging defects (e.g. discoloration and “fogging”) while maintaining scintillation light output and other desirable physical properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas Myllenbeck, Patrick L. Feng, Rakia Dhaoui
  • Endpoint detection of amplified nucleic acids
    Patent number: 10724091
    Abstract: The present invention relates to probes and primers beneficial for conducting amplification assays, such as those including loop-mediated isothermal amplification reactions. Also described herein are methods for detecting targets using such probes and/or primers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Meagher, Chung-Yan Koh, Yooli Kim Light, Cameron Scott Ball
  • Cast thermal battery electrodes and separators using a salt binder
    Patent number: 10727474
    Abstract: Cast components can improve the effectiveness of current state-of-the-art in thermal battery processing technology in terms of cost, labor, materials usage, and flexibility. Cast components can include cast cathodes, anodes, and separators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Allcorn, Ganesan Nagasubramanian, Christopher A. Apblett
  • Rapid synthesis of gallium alloys
    Patent number: 10724120
    Abstract: The ability to generate complex gallium alloys using metal amides, Ga(NR2)3 and M(NR2)n, is easily accomplished by heating the two metal amides in predetermined ratios. The product can be isolated as GaxMy where x and y can vary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy J. Boyle, LaRico Juan Treadwell
  • Method for the preparation of uniform triaminotrinitrobenzene microparticles
    Patent number: 10723671
    Abstract: A new, rapid and inexpensive synthesis method for monodispersed triaminotrinitrobenzene (TATB) microparticles based on micelle-confined precipitation that enables control of microscopic morphology. The morphology of the TATB microparticles can be tuned between quasi-spherical and faceted by controlling the speed of recrystallization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Hongyou Fan, Kaifu Bian, David Rosenberg, Leanne Julia Alarid
  • Superparamagnetic nanoparticles and nanocomposites
    Patent number: 10720269
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the syntheses of superparamagnetic nanoparticles and the incorporation of the nanoparticles as the magnetic component to form a strongly magnetic nanocomposite. The superparamagnetic nanoparticles possess no hysteresis and are too small to support eddy currents. The invention uses a ligand exchange procedure to produce aminated nanoparticles that are then cross-linked using epoxy chemistry. The result is a magnetic nanoparticle component that is covalently linked and well separated. By using this ‘matrix-free’ approach, it is possible to substantially increase the magnetic nanoparticle fraction, while still maintaining good separation, leading to a superparamagnetic nanocomposite with strong magnetic properties and low magnetic losses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Dale L. Huber, John Daniel Watt, Jessica Anne Bierner
  • Microfluidic package and method of making the same
    Patent number: 10717079
    Abstract: The present invention relates to encapsulated microfluidic packages and methods thereof. In particular embodiments, the package includes a device, a cradle configured to support the device, and a lid having a bonding surface configured to provide a fluidic seal between itself and the device and/or cradle. Other package configurations, as well as methods for making such fluidic seals, are described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Darren W. Branch, Philip R. Miller, Thayne L. Edwards, David R. Wheeler