Patents Assigned to Sandia
  • Deployable telescope having a thin-film mirror and metering structure
    Patent number: 7782530
    Abstract: A deployable thin-film mirror telescope comprises a base structure and a metering structure. The base structure houses a thin-film mirror, which can be rolled for stowage and unrolled for deployment. The metering structure is coupled to the base structure and can be folded for stowage and unfolded for deployment. In the deployed state, the unrolled thin-film mirror forms a primary minor for the telescope and the unfolded metering structure positions a secondary minor for the telescope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Leslie J. Krumel, Jeffrey W. Martin
  • Small caliber guided projectile
    Patent number: 7781709
    Abstract: A non-spinning projectile that is self-guided to a laser designated target and is configured to be fired from a small caliber smooth bore gun barrel has an optical sensor mounted in the nose of the projectile, a counterbalancing mass portion near the fore end of the projectile and a hollow tapered body mounted aft of the counterbalancing mass. Stabilizing strakes are mounted to and extend outward from the tapered body with control fins located at the aft end of the strakes. Guidance and control electronics and electromagnetic actuators for operating the control fins are located within the tapered body section. Output from the optical sensor is processed by the guidance and control electronics to produce command signals for the electromagnetic actuators. A guidance control algorithm incorporating non-proportional, “bang-bang” control is used to steer the projectile to the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: James F. Jones, Brian A. Kast, Marc W. Kniskern, Scott E. Rose, Brandon R. Rohrer, James W. Woods, Ronald W. Greene
  • Wheeled hopping robot
    Patent number: 7775305
    Abstract: The present invention provides robotic vehicles having wheeled and hopping mobilities that are capable of traversing (e.g. by hopping over) obstacles that are large in size relative to the robot and, are capable of operation in unpredictable terrain over long range. The present invention further provides combustion powered linear actuators, which can include latching mechanisms to facilitate pressurized fueling of the actuators, as can be used to provide wheeled vehicles with a hopping mobility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventor: Gary J. Fischer
  • Vesicle-based method for collecting, manipulating, and chemically processing trace macromolecular species
    Patent number: 7776357
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for inserting one or several chemical or biological species into phospholipid containers that are controlled within a microfluidic network, wherein individual containers are tracked and manipulated by electric fields and wherein the contained species may be chemically processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Rafael V. Davalos, Christopher R. B. Ellis
  • Comparing range data across the slow-time dimension to correct motion measurement errors beyond the range resolution of a synthetic aperture radar
    Patent number: 7777665
    Abstract: Motion measurement errors that extend beyond the range resolution of a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) can be corrected by effectively decreasing the range resolution of the SAR in order to permit measurement of the error. Range profiles can be compared across the slow-time dimension of the input data in order to estimate the error. Once the error has been determined, appropriate frequency and phase correction can be applied to the uncompressed input data, after which range and azimuth compression can be performed to produce a desired SAR image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Armin W. Doerry, Freddie E. Heard, J. Thomas Cordaro
  • Ultrashort-pulse laser generated nanoparticles of energetic materials
    Patent number: 7767931
    Abstract: A process for generating nanoscale particles of energetic materials, such as explosive materials, using ultrashort-pulse laser irradiation. The use of ultrashort laser pulses in embodiments of this invention enables one to generate particles by laser ablation that retain the chemical identity of the starting material while avoiding ignition, deflagration, and detonation of the explosive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Eric J. Welle, Alexander S. Tappan, Jeremy A. Palmer
  • Metal nanoparticles as a conductive catalyst
    Patent number: 7767610
    Abstract: A metal nanocluster composite material for use as a conductive catalyst. The metal nanocluster composite material has metal nanoclusters on a carbon substrate formed within a porous zeolitic material, forming stable metal nanoclusters with a size distribution between 0.6-10 nm and, more particularly, nanoclusters with a size distribution in a range as low as 0.6-0.9 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventor: Eric N. Coker
  • Decreasing range resolution of a SAR image to permit correction of motion measurement errors beyond the SAR range resolution
    Patent number: 7760128
    Abstract: Motion measurement errors that extend beyond the range resolution of a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) can be corrected by effectively decreasing the range resolution of the SAR in order to permit measurement of the error. Range profiles can be compared across the slow-time dimension of the input data in order to estimate the error. Once the error has been determined, appropriate frequency and phase correction can be applied to the uncompressed input data, after which range and azimuth compression can be performed to produce a desired SAR image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Armin W. Doerry, Freddie E. Heard, J. Thomas Cordaro
  • System and method for statistically monitoring and analyzing sensed conditions
    Patent number: 7756682
    Abstract: A system and method of monitoring and analyzing a plurality of attributes for an alarm condition is disclosed. The attributes are processed and/or unprocessed values of sensed conditions of a collection of a statistically significant number of statistically similar components subjected to varying environmental conditions. The attribute values are used to compute the normal behaviors of some of the attributes and also used to infer parameters of a set of models. Relative probabilities of some attribute values are then computed and used along with the set of models to determine whether an alarm condition is met. The alarm conditions are used to prevent or reduce the impact of impending failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Sandia Corporationed
    Inventors: Philippe P. Pebay, James M. Brandt, Ann C. Gentile, Youssef M. Marzouk, Darrian J. Hale, David C. Thompson
  • Dialysis membrane for separation on microchips
    Patent number: 7754077
    Abstract: Laser-induced phase-separation polymerization of a porous acrylate polymer is used for in-situ fabrication of dialysis membranes inside glass microchannels. A shaped 355 nm laser beam is used to produce a porous polymer membrane with a thickness of about 15 ?m, which bonds to the glass microchannel and forms a semi-permeable membrane. Differential permeation through a membrane formed with pentaerythritol triacrylate was observed and quantified by comparing the response of the membrane to fluorescein and fluorescently tagging 200 nm latex microspheres. Differential permeation was observed and quantified by comparing the response to rhodamine 560 and lactalbumin protein in a membrane formed with SPE-methylene bisacrylamide. The porous membranes illustrate the capability for the present technique to integrate sample cleanup into chip-based analysis systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Anup K. Singh, Brian J. Kirby, Timothy J. Shepodd
  • Strained-layer superlattice focal plane array having a planar structure
    Patent number: 7755079
    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: August 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Jin K. Kim, Malcolm S. Carroll, Aaron Gin, Phillip F. Marsh, Erik W. Young, Michael J. Cich
  • Real-time human collaboration monitoring and intervention
    Patent number: 7751878
    Abstract: A method of and apparatus for monitoring and intervening in, in real time, a collaboration between a plurality of subjects comprising measuring indicia of physiological and cognitive states of each of the plurality of subjects, communicating the indicia to a monitoring computer system, with the monitoring computer system, comparing the indicia with one or more models of previous collaborative performance of one or more of the plurality of subjects, and with the monitoring computer system, employing the results of the comparison to communicate commands or suggestions to one or more of the plurality of subjects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Peter B. Merkle, Curtis M. Johnson, Wendell B. Jones, Gerold Yonas, Adele B. Doser, David J. Warner
  • Kit systems for granulated decontamination formulations
    Patent number: 7750199
    Abstract: A decontamination formulation and method of making that neutralizes the adverse health effects of both chemical and biological compounds, especially chemical warfare (CW) and biological warfare (BW) agents, and toxic industrial chemicals. The formulation provides solubilizing compounds that serve to effectively render the chemical and biological compounds, particularly CW and BW compounds, susceptible to attack, and at least one reactive compound that serves to attack (and detoxify or kill) the compound. The formulation includes at least one solubilizing agent, a reactive compound, a sorbent additive, and water. A highly adsorbent sorbent additive (e.g., amorphous silica, sorbitol, mannitol, etc.) is used to “dry out” one or more liquid ingredients into a dry, free-flowing powder that has an extended shelf life, and is more convenient to handle and mix in the field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventor: Mark D. Tucker
  • Microfluidic device for the assembly and transport of microparticles
    Patent number: 7744737
    Abstract: A microfluidic device comprising independently addressable arrays of interdigitated electrodes can be used to assembly and transport large-scale microparticle structures. The device and method uses collective phenomena in a negatively polarized suspension exposed to a high-gradient strong ac electric field to assemble the particles into predetermined locations and then transport them collectively to a work area for final assembly by sequentially energizing the electrode arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Conrad D. James, Anil Kumar, Boris Khusid, Andreas Acrivos
  • Highly aligned vertical GaN nanowires using submonolayer metal catalysts
    Patent number: 7745315
    Abstract: A method for forming vertically oriented, crystallographically aligned nanowires (nanocolumns) using monolayer or submonolayer quantities of metal atoms to form uniformly sized metal islands that serve as catalysts for MOCVD growth of Group III nitride nanowires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: George T. Wang, Qiming Li, J. Randall Creighton
  • Water-soluble titanium alkoxide material
    Patent number: 7741486
    Abstract: A water soluble, water stable, titanium alkoxide composition represented by the chemical formula (OC6H6N)2Ti(OC6H2(CH2N(CH3)2)3-2,4,6)2 with a theoretical molecular weight of 792.8 and an elemental composition of 63.6% C, 8.1% H, 14.1% N, 8.1% O and 6.0% Ti.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventor: Timothy J Boyle
  • Reduction of background clutter in structured lighting systems
    Patent number: 7742640
    Abstract: Methods for segmenting the reflected light of an illumination source having a characteristic wavelength from background illumination (i.e. clutter) in structured lighting systems can comprise pulsing the light source used to illuminate a scene, pulsing the light source synchronously with the opening of a shutter in an imaging device, estimating the contribution of background clutter by interpolation of images of the scene collected at multiple spectral bands not including the characteristic wavelength and subtracting the estimated background contribution from an image of the scene comprising the wavelength of the light source and, placing a polarizing filter between the imaging device and the scene, where the illumination source can be polarized in the same orientation as the polarizing filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Carlson, Michael K. Giles, Denise D. Padilla, Patrick A. Davidson, Jr., David K. Novick, Christopher W. Wilson
  • Neutron scatter camera
    Patent number: 7741613
    Abstract: An instrument that will directly image the fast fission neutrons from a special nuclear material source has been described. This instrument can improve the signal to background compared to non imaging neutron detection techniques by a factor given by ratio of the angular resolution window to 4?. In addition to being a neutron imager, this instrument will also be an excellent neutron spectrometer, and will be able to differentiate between different types of neutron sources (e.g. fission, alpha-n, cosmic ray, and D-D or D-T fusion). Moreover, the instrument is able to pinpoint the source location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas Mascarenhas, Peter Marleau, James S. Brennan, Kevin D. Krenz
  • Microfabricated bulk wave acoustic bandgap device
    Patent number: 7733198
    Abstract: A microfabricated bulk wave acoustic bandgap device comprises a periodic two-dimensional array of scatterers embedded within the matrix material membrane, wherein the scatterer material has a density and/or elastic constant that is different than the matrix material and wherein the periodicity of the array causes destructive interference of the acoustic wave within an acoustic bandgap. The membrane can be suspended above a substrate by an air or vacuum gap to provide acoustic isolation from the substrate. The device can be fabricated using microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technologies. Such microfabricated bulk wave phononic bandgap devices are useful for acoustic isolation in the ultrasonic, VHF, or UHF regime (i.e., frequencies of order 1 MHz to 10 GHz and higher, and lattice constants of order 100 ?m or less).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Roy H. Olsson, Ihab F. El-Kady, Frederick McCormick, James G. Fleming, Carol Fleming, legal representative
  • Computer network control plane tampering monitor
    Patent number: 7733788
    Abstract: A computer network control plane tampering monitor that detects unauthorized alteration of a label-switched path setup for an information packet intended for transmission through a computer network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: John T. Michalski, Thomas D. Tarman, Stephen P. Black, Mark D. Torgerson