Patents Assigned to Sandia
  • Differential emitter geolocation
    Patent number: 9110147
    Abstract: An unknown location of a transmitter of interest is determined based on wireless signals transmitted by both the transmitter of interest and a reference transmitter positioned at a known location. The transmitted signals are received at a plurality of non-earthbound platforms each moving in a known manner, and phase measurements for each received signal are used to determine the unknown location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: John J. Mason, Louis A. Romero
  • Approximate circuits for increased reliability
    Patent number: 9112490
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention describe a Boolean circuit having a voter circuit and a plurality of approximate circuits each based, at least in part, on a reference circuit. The approximate circuits are each to generate one or more output signals based on values of received input signals. The voter circuit is to receive the one or more output signals generated by each of the approximate circuits, and is to output one or more signals corresponding to a majority value of the received signals. At least some of the approximate circuits are to generate an output value different than the reference circuit for one or more input signal values; however, for each possible input signal value, the majority values of the one or more output signals generated by the approximate circuits and received by the voter circuit correspond to output signal result values of the reference circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Jason R. Hamlet, Jackson R. Mayo
  • Method and apparatus of wide-angle optical beamsteering from a nanoantenna phased array
    Patent number: 9104086
    Abstract: An optical beam-steering apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes one or more optical waveguides and at least one row of metallic nanoantenna elements overlying and electromagnetically coupled to a respective waveguide. In each such row, individual nanoantenna elements are spaced apart along an optical propagation axis of the waveguide so that there is an optical propagation phase delay between successive pairs of nanoantenna elements along the row. The apparatus also includes a respective single electric heating element in thermal contact with each of the waveguides. Each heating element is arranged to heat, substantially uniformly, at least that portion of its waveguide that directly underlies the corresponding row of nanoantenna elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Davids, Christopher DeRose, Peter Thomas Rakich
  • Lignin nanoparticle synthesis
    Patent number: 9102801
    Abstract: A method including reducing a particle size of lignin particles to an average particle size less than 40 nanometers; after reducing the particle size, combining the lignin particles with a polymeric material; and forming a structure of the combination. A method including exposing lignin to a diazonium precursor including a functional group; modifying the lignin by introducing the functional group to the lignin; and combining the modified lignin with a polymeric material to form a composite. An apparatus including a composite of a polymer and lignin wherein the lignin has an average particle size less than 100 micrometers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignees: Sandia Corporation, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Shawn M. Dirk, Kirsten Nicole Cicotte, David R. Wheeler, David A. Benko
  • Tunable plasmonic crystal
    Patent number: 9105791
    Abstract: A tunable plasmonic crystal comprises several periods in a two-dimensional electron or hole gas plasmonic medium that is both extremely subwavelength (˜?/100) and tunable through the application of voltages to metal electrodes. Tuning of the plasmonic crystal band edges can be realized in materials such as semiconductors and graphene to actively control the plasmonic crystal dispersion in the terahertz and infrared spectral regions. The tunable plasmonic crystal provides a useful degree of freedom for applications in slow light devices, voltage-tunable waveguides, filters, ultra-sensitive direct and heterodyne THz detectors, and THz oscillators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignees: Sandia Corporation, The Research Foundation of the City University of New York
    Inventors: Gregory Conrad Dyer, Eric A. Shaner, John L. Reno, Gregory Aizin
  • Computation of glint, glare, and solar irradiance distribution
    Patent number: 9103719
    Abstract: Described herein are technologies pertaining to computing the solar irradiance distribution on a surface of a receiver in a concentrating solar power system or glint/glare emitted from a reflective entity. At least one camera captures images of the Sun and the entity of interest, wherein the images have pluralities of pixels having respective pluralities of intensity values. Based upon the intensity values of the pixels in the respective images, the solar irradiance distribution on the surface of the entity or glint/glare corresponding to the entity is computed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Clifford Kuofei Ho, Siri Sahib Singh Khalsa
  • Microfluidic device for acoustic cell lysis
    Patent number: 9096823
    Abstract: A microfluidic acoustic-based cell lysing device that can be integrated with on-chip nucleic acid extraction. Using a bulk acoustic wave (BAW) transducer array, acoustic waves can be coupled into microfluidic cartridges resulting in the lysis of cells contained therein by localized acoustic pressure. Cellular materials can then be extracted from the lysed cells. For example, nucleic acids can be extracted from the lysate using silica-based sol-gel filled microchannels, nucleic acid binding magnetic beads, or Nafion-coated electrodes. Integration of cell lysis and nucleic acid extraction on-chip enables a small, portable system that allows for rapid analysis in the field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Darren W. Branch, Erika Jane Cooley, Gennifer Tanabe Smith, Conrad D. James, Jaime L. McClain
  • Hydrothermal Synthesis of Bismuth Germanium Oxide
    Publication number: 20150210560
    Abstract: A method for the hydrothermal synthesis of bismuth germanium oxide comprises dissolving a bismuth precursor (e.g., bismuth nitrate pentahydrate) and a germanium precursor (e.g., germanium dioxide) in water and heating the aqueous solution to an elevated reaction temperature for a length of time sufficient to produce the eulytite phase of bismuth germanium oxide (E-BGO) with high yield. The E-BGO produced can be used as a scintillator material. For example, the air stability and radioluminescence response suggest that the E-BGO can be employed for medical applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Applicant: Sandia Corporation
    Inventor: Timothy J. Boyle
  • Photovoltaic power generation system free of bypass diodes
    Patent number: 9093586
    Abstract: A photovoltaic power generation system that includes a solar panel that is free of bypass diodes is described herein. The solar panel includes a plurality of photovoltaic sub-modules, wherein at least two of photovoltaic sub-modules in the plurality of photovoltaic sub-modules are electrically connected in parallel. A photovoltaic sub-module includes a plurality of groups of electrically connected photovoltaic cells, wherein at least two of the groups are electrically connected in series. A photovoltaic group includes a plurality of strings of photovoltaic cells, wherein a string of photovoltaic cells comprises a plurality of photovoltaic cells electrically connected in series. The strings of photovoltaic cells are electrically connected in parallel, and the photovoltaic cells are microsystem-enabled photovoltaic cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony L. Lentine, Murat Okandan, Gregory N. Nielson
  • Sparse sampling and reconstruction for electron and scanning probe microscope imaging
    Patent number: 9093249
    Abstract: Systems and methods for conducting electron or scanning probe microscopy are provided herein. In a general embodiment, the systems and methods for conducting electron or scanning probe microscopy with an undersampled data set include: driving an electron beam or probe to scan across a sample and visit a subset of pixel locations of the sample that are randomly or pseudo-randomly designated; determining actual pixel locations on the sample that are visited by the electron beam or probe; and processing data collected by detectors from the visits of the electron beam or probe at the actual pixel locations and recovering a reconstructed image of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Hyrum Anderson, Jovana Helms, Jason W. Wheeler, Kurt W. Larson, Brandon R. Rohrer
  • A METHOD FOR FABRICATING PIXELATED SILICON DEVICE CELLS
    Publication number: 20150207023
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for flexible, ultra-thin, and high efficiency pixelated silicon or other semiconductor photovoltaic solar cell array fabrication is disclosed. A structure and method of creation for a pixelated silicon or other semiconductor photovoltaic solar cell array with interconnects is described using a manufacturing method that is simplified compared to previous versions of pixelated silicon photovoltaic cells that require more microfabrication steps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2014
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Applicant: SANDIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gregory N. Nielson, Murat Okandan, Jose Luis Cruz-Campa, Jeffrey S. Nelson, Benjamin John Anderson
  • High data rate atom interferometric device
    Patent number: 9086429
    Abstract: A light-pulse atomic interferometry (LPAI) apparatus is provided. The LPAI apparatus comprises a vessel, two sets of magnetic coils configured to magnetically confine an atomic vapor in two respective magneto-optical traps (MOTs) within the vessel when activated, and an optical system configured to irradiate the atomic vapor within the vessel with laser radiation that, when suitably tuned, can launch atoms previously confined in each of the MOTs toward the other MOT. In embodiments, the magnetic coils are configured to produce a magnetic field that is non-zero at the midpoint between the traps. In embodiments, the time-of-flight of the launched atoms from one MOT to the other is 12 ms or less. In embodiments, the MOTs are situated approximately 36 mm apart. In embodiments, the apparatus is configured to activate the magnetic coils according to a particular temporal magnetic field gradient profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Grant Biedermann, Hayden James Evans McGuinness, Akash Rakholia
  • Electrically tunable infrared metamaterial devices
    Patent number: 9086510
    Abstract: A wavelength-tunable, depletion-type infrared metamaterial optical device is provided. The device includes a thin, highly doped epilayer whose electrical permittivity can become negative at some infrared wavelengths. This highly-doped buried layer optically couples with a metamaterial layer. Changes in the transmission spectrum of the device can be induced via the electrical control of this optical coupling. An embodiment includes a contact layer of semiconductor material that is sufficiently doped for operation as a contact layer and that is effectively transparent to an operating range of infrared wavelengths, a thin, highly doped buried layer of epitaxially grown semiconductor material that overlies the contact layer, and a metallized layer overlying the buried layer and patterned as a resonant metamaterial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Igal Brener, Young Chul Jun
  • Silicon photonic heater-modulator
    Patent number: 9081215
    Abstract: Photonic modulators, methods of forming photonic modulators and methods of modulating an input optical signal are provided. A photonic modulator includes a disk resonator having a central axis extending along a thickness direction of the disk resonator. The disk resonator includes a modulator portion and a heater portion. The modulator portion extends in an arc around the central axis. A PN junction of the modulator portion is substantially normal to the central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: William A. Zortman, Douglas Chandler Trotter, Michael R. Watts
  • Methods and devices for optimizing the operation of a semiconductor optical modulator
    Patent number: 9083460
    Abstract: A semiconductor-based optical modulator includes a control loop to control and optimize the modulator's operation for relatively high data rates (above 1 GHz) and/or relatively high voltage levels. Both the amplitude of the modulator's driving voltage and the bias of the driving voltage may be adjusted using the control loop. Such adjustments help to optimize the operation of the modulator by reducing the number of errors present in a modulated data stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventor: William A. Zortman
  • Methods and devices for maintaining a resonant wavelength of a photonic microresonator
    Patent number: 9081135
    Abstract: A photonic microresonator incorporates a localized heater element within a section of an optical bus waveguide that is in proximity to the resonator structure. The application of an adjustable control voltage to the heater element provides a localized change in the refractive index value of the bus waveguide, compensating for temperature-induced wavelength drift and maintaining a stabilized value of the microresonator's resonant wavelength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Adam Jones, William A. Zortman
  • Cross-band broadcasting
    Patent number: 9065716
    Abstract: A radio communications device has a modulator that modulates each of a number of different carrier signals with the same message. A combiner combines the modulated carrier signals into a single combined output signal. A radio transmitter receives the single combined output signal and in response simultaneously transmits the modulated carrier signals over the air. Other embodiments are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Leo Bynum, Mark R. Gramann, Larry D. Bacon
  • Passive thermo-optic feedback for robust athermal photonic systems
    Patent number: 9063354
    Abstract: Thermal control devices, photonic systems and methods of stabilizing a temperature of a photonic system are provided. A thermal control device thermally coupled to a substrate includes a waveguide for receiving light, an absorption element optically coupled to the waveguide for converting the received light to heat and an optical filter. The optical filter is optically coupled to the waveguide and thermally coupled to the absorption element. An operating point of the optical filter is tuned responsive to the heat from the absorption element. When the operating point is less than a predetermined temperature, the received light is passed to the absorption element via the optical filter. When the operating point is greater than or equal to the predetermined temperature, the received light is transmitted out of the thermal control device via the optical filter, without being passed to the absorption element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Peter T. Rakich, Michael R. Watts, Gregory N. Nielson
  • Automatic tool alignment in a backscatter x-ray scanning system
    Patent number: 9055886
    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 tool 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: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Justin Garretson, Clinton G. Hobart, Thomas S. Gladwell, Mark J. Monda
  • Laterally injected light-emitting diode and laser diode
    Patent number: 9059356
    Abstract: A p-type superlattice is used to laterally inject holes into an III-nitride multiple quantum well active layer, enabling efficient light extraction from the active area. Laterally-injected light-emitting diodes and laser diodes can enable brighter, more efficient devices that impact a wide range of wavelengths and applications. For UV wavelengths, applications include fluorescence-based biological sensing, epoxy curing, and water purification. For visible devices, applications include solid state lighting and projection systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Mary A. Miller, Mary H. Crawford, Andrew A. Allerman