Patents Assigned to Sandia
  • Automatic tool alignment in a backscatter X-ray scanning system
    Patent number: 9186116
    Abstract: Technologies pertaining to backscatter x-ray scanning systems are described herein. The backscatter x-ray scanning system includes an x-ray source, which directs collimated x-rays along a plurality of output vectors towards a target. A detector detects diffusely reflected x-rays subsequent to respective collimated x-rays impacting the target, and outputs signals indicative of parameters of the detected x-rays. An image processing system generates an x-ray image based upon parameters of the detected x-rays, wherein each pixel in the image corresponds to a respective output vector. A user selects a particular portion of the image, and a medical device is positioned such that its directional axis is coincident with the output vector corresponding to at least one pixel in the portion of the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Justin Garretson, Clinton G. Hobart, Thomas S. Gladwell, Mark J. Monda
  • Photovoltaic cell with light trapping for enhanced efficiency
    Patent number: 9190542
    Abstract: The efficiency of a photovoltaic cell is enhanced by light trapping using Mie-scattering nanostructures. In one embodiment, an array of nanocylinders is formed on the front surface of a silicon film to enhance forward scattering into the film, and an array of nanocylinders is formed on the back surface to enhance backscattering so that more light is absorbed within the silicon film. In an alternate embodiment, a mirror layer is formed on the back surface of the silicon film to reflect light within the film back toward the front-surface nanocylinder array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Igal Brener, Nche Tumasang Fofang, Ting S. Luk
  • Tuning and synthesis of semiconductor nanostructures by mechanical compression
    Patent number: 9187646
    Abstract: A mechanical compression method can be used to tune semiconductor nanoparticle lattice structure and synthesize new semiconductor nanostructures including nanorods, nanowires, nanosheets, and other three-dimensional interconnected structures. II-VI or IV-VI compound semiconductor nanoparticle assemblies can be used as starting materials, including CdSe, CdTe, ZnSe, ZnS, PbSe, and PbS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Hongyou Fan, Binsong Li
  • Imaging doppler lidar for wind turbine wake profiling
    Patent number: 9188677
    Abstract: An imaging Doppler lidar (IDL) enables the measurement of the velocity distribution of a large volume, in parallel, and at high spatial resolution in the wake of a wind turbine. Because the IDL is non-scanning, it can be orders of magnitude faster than conventional coherent lidar approaches. Scattering can be obtained from naturally occurring aerosol particles. Furthermore, the wind velocity can be measured directly from Doppler shifts of the laser light, so the measurement can be accomplished at large standoff and at wide fields-of-view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventor: David J. Bossert
  • Microfluidic devices, systems, and methods for quantifying particles using centrifugal force
    Patent number: 9186668
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed toward microfluidic systems, apparatus, and methods for measuring a quantity of cells in a fluid. Examples include a differential white blood cell measurement using a centrifugal microfluidic system. A method may include introducing a fluid sample containing a quantity of cells into a microfluidic channel defined in part by a substrate. The quantity of cells may be transported toward a detection region defined in part by the substrate, wherein the detection region contains a density media, and wherein the density media has a density lower than a density of the cells and higher than a density of the fluid sample. The substrate may be spun such that at least a portion of the quantity of cells are transported through the density media. Signals may be detected from label moieties affixed to the cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Ulrich Y. Schaff, Gregory J. Sommer, Anup K. Singh
  • Power spectrum analysis for defect screening in integrated circuit devices
    Patent number: 9188622
    Abstract: A device sample is screened for defects using its power spectrum in response to a dynamic stimulus. The device sample receives a time-varying electrical signal. The power spectrum of the device sample is measured at one of the pins of the device sample. A defect in the device sample can be identified based on results of comparing the power spectrum with one or more power spectra of the device that have a known defect status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Paiboon Tangyunyong, Edward I. Cole, Jr., David J. Stein
  • Fabrication of small-scale structures with non-planar features
    Patent number: 9190736
    Abstract: The fabrication of small-scale structures is disclosed. A unit-cell of a small-scale structure with non-planar features is fabricated by forming a membrane on a suitable material. A pattern is formed in the membrane and a portion of the substrate underneath the membrane is removed to form a cavity. Resonators are then directionally deposited on the wall or sides of the cavity. The cavity may be rotated during deposition to form closed-loop resonators. The resonators may be non-planar. The unit-cells can be formed in a layer that includes an array of unit-cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: David B. Burckel, Gregory A. Ten Eyck
  • Three-dimensional stacked structured ASIC devices and methods of fabrication thereof
    Patent number: 9190392
    Abstract: A 3D stacked sASIC is provided that includes a plurality of 2D reconfigurable structured structured ASIC (sASIC) levels interconnected through hard-wired arrays of 3D vias. The 2D sASIC levels may contain logic, memory, analog functions, and device input/output pad circuitry. During fabrication, these 2D sASIC levels are stacked on top of each other and fused together with 3D metal vias. Such 3D vias may be fabricated as through-silicon vias (TSVs). They may connect to the back-side of the 2D sASIC level, or they may be connected to top metal pads on the front-side of the 2D sASIC level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Subhash L. Shinde, John Teifel, Richard S. Flores, Robert L. Jarecki, Jr., Todd Bauer
  • Solar photovoltaic reflective trough collection structure
    Patent number: 9190546
    Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) solar concentration structure having at least two troughs encapsulated in a rectangular parallelepiped optical plastic structure, with the troughs filled with an optical plastic material, the troughs each having a reflective internal surface and approximately parabolic geometry, and the troughs each including photovoltaic cells situated so that light impinging on the optical plastic material will be concentrated onto the photovoltaic cells. Multiple structures can be connected to provide a solar photovoltaic collection system that provides portable, efficient, low-cost electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Anderson, William C. Sweatt, Murat Okandan, Gregory N. Nielson
  • Passive absolute age and temperature history sensor
    Patent number: 9182436
    Abstract: A passive sensor for historic age and temperature sensing, including a first member formed of a first material, the first material being either a metal or a semiconductor material and a second member formed of a second material, the second material being either a metal or a semiconductor material. A surface of the second member is in contact with a surface of the first member such that, over time, the second material of the second member diffuses into the first material of the first member. The rate of diffusion for the second material to diffuse into the first material depends on a temperature of the passive sensor. One of the electrical conductance, the electrical capacitance, the electrical inductance, the optical transmission, the optical reflectance, or the crystalline structure of the passive sensor depends on the amount of the second material that has diffused into the first member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Alex Robinson, Paul T. Vianco
  • Tuning and synthesis of metallic nanostructures by mechanical compression
    Patent number: 9180420
    Abstract: The present invention provides a pressure-induced phase transformation process to engineer metal nanoparticle architectures and to fabricate new nanostructured materials. The reversible changes of the nanoparticle unit cell dimension under pressure allow precise control over interparticle separation in 2D or 3D nanoparticle assemblies, offering unique robustness for interrogation of both quantum and classic coupling interactions. Irreversible changes above a threshold pressure of about 8 GPa enables new nanostructures, such as nanorods, nanowires, or nanosheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Hongyou Fan, Binsong Li
  • Methods of capturing and immobilizing radioactive nuclei with metal fluorite-based inorganic materials
    Patent number: 9180428
    Abstract: Methods of capturing and immobilizing radioactive nuclei with metal fluorite-based inorganic materials are described. For example, a method of capturing and immobilizing radioactive nuclei includes flowing a gas stream through an exhaust apparatus. The exhaust apparatus includes a metal fluorite-based inorganic material. The gas stream includes a radioactive species. The radioactive species is removed from the gas stream by adsorbing the radioactive species to the metal fluorite-based inorganic material of the exhaust apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Yifeng Wang, Andy Miller, Charles R. Bryan, Jessica Nicole Kruichak
  • MASSIVELY PARALLEL DIFFUSE OPTICAL TOMOGRAPHY
    Publication number: 20150313470
    Abstract: Diffuse optical tomography systems and methods are described herein. In a general embodiment, the diffuse optical tomography system comprises a plurality of sensor heads, the plurality of sensor heads comprising respective optical emitter systems and respective sensor systems. A sensor head in the plurality of sensors heads is caused to act as an illuminator, such that its optical emitter system transmits a transillumination beam towards a portion of a sample. Other sensor heads in the plurality of sensor heads act as observers, detecting portions of the transillumination beam that radiate from the sample in the fields of view of the respective sensory systems of the other sensor heads. Thus, sensor heads in the plurality of sensors heads generate sensor data in parallel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Applicant: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: John V. Sandusky, Todd A. Pitts
  • Compact ion chamber based neutron detector
    Patent number: 9170340
    Abstract: A directional neutron detector has an ion chamber formed in a dielectric material; a signal electrode and a ground electrode formed in the ion chamber; a neutron absorbing material filling the ion chamber; readout circuitry which is electrically coupled to the signal and ground electrodes; and a signal processor electrically coupled to the readout circuitry. The ion chamber has a pair of substantially planar electrode surfaces. The chamber pressure of the neutron absorbing material is selected such that the reaction particle ion trail length for neutrons absorbed by the neutron absorbing material is equal to or less than the distance between the electrode surfaces. The signal processor is adapted to determine a path angle for each absorbed neutron based on the rise time of the corresponding pulse in a time-varying detector signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Mark S. Derzon, Paul C. Galambos, Ronald F. Renzi
  • Intelligent electrical outlet for collective load control
    Patent number: 9172245
    Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to an electrical outlet that autonomously manages loads in a microgrid. The electrical outlet can provide autonomous load control in response to variations in electrical power generation supply in the microgrid. The electrical outlet includes a receptacle, a sensor operably coupled to the receptacle, and an actuator configured to selectively actuate the receptacle. The sensor measures electrical parameters at the receptacle. Further, a processor autonomously controls the actuator based at least in part on the electrical parameters measured at the receptacle, electrical parameters from one or more disparate electrical outlets in the microgrid, and a supply of generated electric power in the microgrid at a given time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony L. Lentine, Justin R. Ford, Shannon V. Spires, Steven Y. Goldsmith
  • System and method for the capture and storage of waste
    Patent number: 9162914
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods that absorb waste into a metal-organic framework (MOF), and applying pressure to the MOF material's framework to crystallize or make amorphous the MOF material thereby changing the MOF's pore structure and sorption characteristics without collapsing the MOF framework.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Tina M. Nenoff, Dorina Florentina Sava Gallis, Karena Chapman, Peter Chupas
  • Recovery of sugars from ionic liquid biomass liquor by solvent extraction
    Patent number: 9157130
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a composition comprising a solution comprising (a) an ionic liquid (IL) or ionic liquid-aqueous (ILA) phase and (b) an organic phase, wherein the solution comprises a sugar and a boronic acid. The present invention also provides for a method of removing a sugar from a solution, comprising: (a) providing a solution comprising (i) an IL or ILA phase and (ii) an organic phase, wherein the solution comprises an IL, a sugar and a boronic acid; (b) contacting the sugar with the boronic acid to form a sugar-boronic acid complex, (c) separating the organic phase and the aqueous phase, wherein the organic phase contains the sugar-boronic acid complex, and optionally (d) separating the sugar from the organic phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignees: Sandia Corporation, The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Timothy Charles R. Brennan, Bradley M. Holmes, Blake A. Simmons, Harvey W. Blanch
  • Multifunctional thin film surface
    Patent number: 9157161
    Abstract: A thin film with multiple binding functionality can be prepared on an electrode surface via consecutive electroreduction of two or more aryl-onium salts with different functional groups. This versatile and simple method for forming multifunctional surfaces provides an effective means for immobilization of diverse molecules at close proximities. The multifunctional thin film has applications in bioelectronics, molecular electronics, clinical diagnostics, and chemical and biological sensing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Susan M. Brozik, Jason C. Harper, Ronen Polsky, David R. Wheeler, Dulce C. Arango, Shawn M. Dirk
  • Material identification based upon energy-dependent attenuation of neutrons
    Patent number: 9151852
    Abstract: Various technologies pertaining to identifying a material in a sample and imaging the sample are described herein. The material is identified by computing energy-dependent attenuation of neutrons that is caused by presence of the sample in travel paths of the neutrons. A mono-energetic neutron generator emits the neutron, which is downscattered in energy by a first detector unit. The neutron exits the first detector unit and is detected by a second detector unit subsequent to passing through the sample. Energy-dependent attenuation of neutrons passing through the sample is computed based upon a computed energy of the neutron, wherein such energy can be computed based upon 1) known positions of the neutron generator, the first detector unit, and the second detector unit; or 2) computed time of flight of neutrons between the first detector unit and the second detector unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventor: Peter Marleau
  • Metal-free magnetic conductor substrates for placement-immune antenna assemblies
    Patent number: 9147931
    Abstract: A magnetic conductor substrate produced for mounting to an antenna includes a sheet of dielectric lattice material having a length, a width and a thickness that is less than the length and less than the width. Within the sheet of dielectric lattice material is disposed an array of dielectric elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Travis Wayne Eubanks, Hung Loui, Jacob Jeremiah McDonald