Patents Assigned to Sandia
  • Lithographically defined microporous carbon structures
    Patent number: 8349547
    Abstract: A lithographic method is used to fabricate porous carbon structures that can provide electrochemical electrodes having high surface area with uniform and controllable dimensions, providing enormous flexibility to tailor the electrodes toward specific applications. Metal nanoparticles deposited on the surface of the porous carbon electrodes exhibit ultra small dimensions with uniform size distribution. The resulting electrodes are rugged, electrically conductive and show excellent electrochemical behavior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: David Bruce Burckel, Cody M. Washburn, Ronen Polsky, Susan M. Brozik, David R. Wheeler
  • High reliability low jitter pulse generator
    Patent number: 8344553
    Abstract: A method and concomitant apparatus for generating pulses comprising providing a laser light source, disposing a voltage electrode between ground electrodes, generating laser sparks using the laser light source via laser spark gaps between the voltage electrode and the ground electrodes, and outputting pulses via one or more insulated ground connectors connected to the voltage electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Mark E. Savage, Brian S. Stoltzfus
  • Self-assembled software and method of overriding software execution
    Patent number: 8347270
    Abstract: A computer-implemented software self-assembled system and method for providing an external override and monitoring capability to dynamically self-assembling software containing machines that self-assemble execution sequences and data structures. The method provides an external override machine that can be introduced into a system of self-assembling machines while the machines are executing such that the functionality of the executing software can be changed or paused without stopping the code execution and modifying the existing code. Additionally, a monitoring machine can be introduced without stopping code execution that can monitor specified code execution functions by designated machines and communicate the status to an output device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Ann M. Bouchard, Gordon C. Osbourn
  • Passive hybrid sensing tag with flexible substrate saw device
    Patent number: 8339219
    Abstract: The integration of surface acoustic wave (SAW) filters, microfabricated transmission lines, and sensors onto polymer substrates in order to enable a passive wireless sensor platform is described herein. Incident microwave pulses on an integrated antenna are converted to an acoustic wave via a SAW filter and transmitted to an impedance based sensor, which for this work is a photodiode. Changes in the sensor state induce a corresponding change in the impedance of the sensor resulting in a reflectance profile. Data collected at a calibrated receiver is used to infer the state of the sensor. Based on this principal, light levels were passively and wirelessly demonstrated to be sensed at distances of up to about 12 feet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Jack L. Skinner, Eric Y Chu, Harvey Ho
  • Energy efficiency management system and method
    Patent number: 8340832
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the computerized management system for controlling energy consumption for energy consumers using a smart meter may include a database that contains contract provisions for energy consumers. Furthermore, exemplary embodiments of the system include a database interface adapted to allow the system to access the contract provisions to optimize energy consumption based upon available energy. The system may also include a managing data component that is adapted to manage data between the database and the smart meter. In exemplary embodiments, a communication network connecting the system to the database and the smart meter may be included. Additionally, some exemplary embodiments of the system include a protocol converting component that is adapted to act as an interface for application programming or protocol converting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignees: Liebert Corporation, Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Bradford M. Nacke, Jon VanDonkelaar, Daniel R. Borneo, Ted Justice, Mark Eiseman, Andrew Holtom, Craig E. Kasper
  • Method for improving the angular resolution of a neutron scatter camera
    Patent number: 8338795
    Abstract: An instrument that will directly image the fast fission neutrons from a special nuclear material source wherein the neutron detection efficiency is increased has been described. Instead of the previous technique that uses a time-of-flight (TOF) between 2 widely spaced fixed planes of neutron detectors to measure scatter neutron kinetic energy, we now use the recoil proton energy deposited in the second of the 2 scatter planes which can now be repositioned either much closer together or further apart. However, by doubling the separation distance between the 2 planes from 20 cm to a distance of 40 cm we improved the angular resolution of the detector from about 12° to about 10°. A further doubling of the separation distance to 80 cm provided an addition improvement in angular resolution of the detector to about 6° without adding additional detectors or ancillary electronics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas Mascarenhas, Peter Marleau, Mark Gerling, Robert Lee Cooper, Stanley Mrowka, James S. Brennan
  • Method of making nanostructured glass-ceramic waste forms
    Patent number: 8334421
    Abstract: A method of rendering hazardous materials less dangerous comprising trapping the hazardous material in nanopores of a nanoporous composite material, reacting the trapped hazardous material to render it less volatile/soluble, sealing the trapped hazardous material, and vitrifying the nanoporous material containing the less volatile/soluble hazardous material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Huizhen Gao, Yifeng Wang, Mark A. Rodriguez, Denise N. Bencoe
  • Recovery of sugars from ionic liquid biomass liquor by solvent extraction
    Publication number: 20120315695
    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: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicants: SANDIA CORPORATION, THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Timothy Charles R. Brennan, Bradley M. Holmes, Blake A. Simmons, Harvey W. Blanch
  • Method of Making Ceramic Articles with Multiple Distinct Regions of Distinct Density
    Publication number: 20120313279
    Abstract: A method for producing ceramic articles with multiple distinct regions of density by blending pore formers of different types or amounts with ceramic particles to create multiple pore former/ceramic particle mixtures. The mixtures are placed in a divided die cavity, divider removed and subjected to compaction under pressure to produce a compacted billet. The compacted billet is thermally processed to volatilize organics from the billet and sinter the billet, creating a cohesive billet of ceramic having two or more regions of density.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Roger H. Moore, Michae A. Hutchinson, Ted V. Montoya, Thomas L. Spindle, JR.
  • Microfluidic device having an immobilized pH gradient and PAGE gels for protein separation and analysis
    Patent number: 8329016
    Abstract: Disclosed is a novel microfluidic device enabling on-chip implementation of a two-dimensional separation methodology. Previously disclosed microscale immobilized pH gradients (IPG) are combined with perpendicular polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) microchannels to achieve orthogonal separations of biological samples. Device modifications enable inclusion of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) in the second dimension. The device can be fabricated to use either continuous IPG gels, or the microscale isoelectric fractionation membranes we have also previously disclosed, for the first dimension. The invention represents the first all-gel two-dimensional separation microdevice, with significantly higher resolution power over existing devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory J. Sommer, Anson V. Hatch, Anup K. Singh, Ying-Chih Wang
  • Photovoltaic solar concentrator
    Patent number: 8329503
    Abstract: A photovoltaic solar concentrator is disclosed with one or more transverse-junction solar cells (also termed point contact solar cells) and a lens located above each solar cell to concentrate sunlight onto the solar cell to generate electricity. Piezoelectric actuators tilt or translate each lens to track the sun using a feedback-control circuit which senses the electricity generated by one or more of the solar cells. The piezoelectric actuators can be coupled through a displacement-multiplier linkage to provide an increased range of movement of each lens. Each lens in the solar concentrator can be supported on a frame (also termed a tilt plate) having three legs, with the movement of the legs being controlled by the piezoelectric actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory N. Nielson, Murat Okandan, Paul J. Resnick, Jose Luis Cruz-Campa
  • Porphyrin coordination polymer nanospheres and nanorods
    Patent number: 8324342
    Abstract: A porphyrin coordination polymer nanostructure comprising a network of pyridyl porphyrin molecules and coordinating metal ions coordinatively bound through the pyridyl groups. In some embodiments, the porphyrins are metalloporphyrins. A variety of nanostructures are formed by the network polymer, including nanospheres, polygonal nanostructures, nanorods, and nanofibers, depending on a variety of factors including coordination metal ion, porphyrin type, metal of the metalloporphyrin, and degree of agitation during nanostructure formation. Reduction of coordinating metal ions may be used to form metal nanoparticles on the coordination polymer nanostructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Zhongchun Wang, John A. Shelnutt, Craig J. Medforth
  • Micromachined patch-clamp apparatus
    Patent number: 8323955
    Abstract: A micromachined patch-clamp apparatus is disclosed for holding one or more cells and providing electrical, chemical, or mechanical stimulation to the cells during analysis with the patch-clamp technique for studying ion channels in cell membranes. The apparatus formed on a silicon substrate utilizes a lower chamber formed from silicon nitride using surface micromachining and an upper chamber formed from a molded polymer material. An opening in a common wall between the chambers is used to trap and hold a cell for analysis using the patch-clamp technique with sensing electrodes on each side of the cell. Some embodiments of the present invention utilize one or more electrostatic actuators formed on the substrate to provide mechanical stimulation to the cell being analyzed, or to provide information about mechanical movement of the cell in response to electrical or chemical stimulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventor: Murat Okandan
  • Novel method of acid hydrolysis of biomass and the recovery of sugars thereof by solvent extraction
    Publication number: 20120301948
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a method of hydrolyzing a cellulose, hemicellulose, or ligno-cellulose comprising: (a) contacting (i) an ionic liquid (IL) or ionic liquid-aqueous (ILA) phase comprising cellulose, hemicellulose, or ligno-cellulose, or a mixture thereof, and (ii) an acid, such that the cellulose, hemicellulose, or ligno-cellulose is hydrolyzed into sugar, and (b) optionally adding water to the IL or ILA phase wherein the proportion of water in the IL or ILA phase does not exceed about 60% by weight. The present invention also provides for a method of recovering a sugar comprising contacting an IL or ILA phase and an organic phase comprising an organic acid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicants: SANDIA CORPORATION, THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Timothy Charles R. Brennan, Bradley M. Holmes, Blake A. Simmons, Harvey W. Blanch
  • PREPARATION OF ASYMMETRIC POROUS MATERIALS
    Publication number: 20120301697
    Abstract: As asymmetric porous film structure formed by depositing a porous material film on a flexible substrate, and applying an anisotropic stress to the porous media on the flexible substrate, where the anisotropic stress results from a stress such as an applied mechanical force, a thermal gradient, and an applied voltage, to form an asymmetric porous material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: Sandia Corporation
    Inventor: Eric N. Coker
  • Rotary mechanical latch
    Patent number: 8308203
    Abstract: A rotary mechanical latch for positive latching and unlatching of a rotary device with a latchable rotating assembly having a latching gear that can be driven to latched and unlatched states by a drive mechanism such as an electric motor. A cam arm affixed to the latching gear interfaces with leading and trailing latch cams affixed to a flange within the drive mechanism. The interaction of the cam arm with leading and trailing latch cams prevents rotation of the rotating assembly by external forces such as those due to vibration or tampering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Barry L. Spletzer, Michael A. Martinez, Lisa C. Marron
  • Metallic nanowire networks
    Patent number: 8304089
    Abstract: A metallic nanowire network synthesized using chemical reduction of a metal ion source by a reducing agent in the presence of a soft template comprising a tubular inverse micellar network. The network of interconnected polycrystalline nanowires has a very high surface-area/volume ratio, which makes it highly suitable for use in catalytic applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Yujiang Song, John A. Shelnutt
  • Microfabricated thermionic detector
    Patent number: 8298488
    Abstract: A microfabricated TID comprises a microhotplate and a thermionic source disposed on the microhotplate. The microfabricated TID can provide high sensitivity and selectivity to nitrogen- and phosphorous-containing compounds and other compounds containing electronegative function groups. The microfabricated TID can be microfabricated with semiconductor-based materials. The microfabricated TID can be combined with a microfabricated separation column and used in microanalytical system for the rapid on-site detection of pesticides, chemical warfare agents, explosives, pharmaceuticals, and other organic compounds that contain nitrogen or phosphorus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick R. Lewis, Ronald P. Manginell, David R. Wheeler, Daniel E. Trudell
  • Near-infrared photodetector with reduced dark current
    Patent number: 8299497
    Abstract: A photodetector is disclosed for the detection of near-infrared light with a wavelength in the range of about 0.9-1.7 microns. The photodetector, which can be formed as either an nBp device or a pBn device on an InP substrate, includes an InGaAs light-absorbing layer, an InAlGaAs graded layer, an InAlAs or InP barrier layer, and an InGaAs contact layer. The photodetector can detect near-infrared light with or without the use of an applied reverse-bias voltage and is useful as an individual photodetector, or to form a focal plane array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: John F. Klem, Jin K. Kim
  • Strained layer superlattice focal plane array having a planar structure
    Patent number: 8293566
    Abstract: An infrared focal plane array (FPA) is disclosed which utilizes a strained-layer superlattice (SLS) formed of alternating layers of InAs and InxGa1-xSb with 0?x?0.5 epitaxially grown on a GaSb substrate. The FPA avoids the use of a mesa structure to isolate each photodetector element and instead uses impurity-doped regions formed in or about each photodetector for electrical isolation. This results in a substantially-planar structure in which the SLS is unbroken across the entire width of a 2-D array of the photodetector elements which are capped with an epitaxially-grown passivation layer to reduce or eliminate surface recombination. The FPA has applications for use in the wavelength range of 3-25 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Jin K. Kim, Malcolm S. Carroll, Aaron Gin, Phillip F. Marsh, Erik W. Young, Michael J. Cich