Patents Assigned to United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Commerce
  • Optomechanical reference
    Patent number: 10352837
    Abstract: An optomechanical reference includes a basal member; a flexure that includes: a floating link; a first flexural member; and a second flexural member such that: the floating link is moveably disposed; a first stator; a second stator; a first cavity including: a first primary mirror; a first secondary mirror; a first optical coupler in optical communication with the first secondary mirror; and a first cavity length; and a second cavity including: a second primary mirror; a second secondary mirror; a second optical coupler; and a second cavity length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE
    Inventors: Gordon Shaw, Jacob Taylor, Ryan Wagner, Felipe Guzman
  • Coinage alloy and processing for making coinage alloy
    Patent number: 10344366
    Abstract: A coinage alloy for coinage includes nickel present in an amount from 13 wt. % to 16 wt. %, based on a total weight of the coinage alloy; zinc present in an amount from 25 wt. % to 32 wt. %, based on the total weight of the coinage alloy; manganese present in an amount from 1 wt. % to 4 wt. %, based on a total weight of the coinage alloy; copper; an electrical conductivity from 5% International Annealed Copper Standard (IACS) to 6% IACS; and a color comprising a yellowness vector b* that is from 5 to 10, based on a CIE L*a*b* color space and determined in accordance with ASTM Standard E308-15 (2015).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE
    Inventors: Eric A. Lass, Mark R. Stoudt, Carelyn Campbell, Tsineng Tony Ying
  • Spectrum adjuster and producing a pure analyte spectrum
    Patent number: 10345226
    Abstract: A spectrum adjuster produces a pure analyte spectrum and includes: a dynamic opacity optic that receives input light, receives an adjustment signal, produces primary adjusted light, and produces secondary adjusted light from the input light based on the adjustment signal; a light source in optical communication with the dynamic opacity optic; a detector in optical communication with the dynamic opacity optic and that receives transmitted light from the sample and produces a transmitted light signal based on an amount of transmitted light received; and an adjustment controller that receives the transmitted light signal, produces the adjustment signal, and communicates the adjustment signal to the dynamic opacity optic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE
    Inventor: Young Jong Lee
  • System for detecting and real time processing x-ray pulses from microcalorimeter detectors
    Patent number: 10345249
    Abstract: An x-ray spectrometer system includes: an excitation source that produces excitation particles and irradiates a sample with the excitation particles such that the sample produces x-rays; thermal detectors that: detect the x-rays from the sample; and produce digital x-ray data in response to detecting the x-rays from the sample, the x-ray data including x-ray pulses; and an analyzer that includes a multichannel receiver that receives, in parallel, the digital x-ray data from the thermal detectors and that: rejects pulse pileup in the digital x-ray data and produces pass data from the digital x-ray data; subjects the pass data to an optimal filter to produce filter data; determines a pulse height of x-ray pulses in the filter data to produce pulse data; combines the pulse data to produce combined data; and calibrates the combined data to produce calibrated data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE
    Inventors: Terrence J. Jach, Stephen M. Thurgate
  • Process for making a self-aligned waveguide
    Patent number: 10312568
    Abstract: A process for making a self-aligned waveguide includes: disposing a central conductor layer on a substrate; disposing a mask layer on the central conductor layer; forming a mask from the mask layer; removing a portion of the central conductor layer; forming an undercut interposed between substrate and the mask; forming a central conductor; disposing a ground conductor layer on the mask and the substrate; removing a portion of the ground conductor layer disposed on the mask; forming a ground plane conductor from the ground conductor layer in response to removing the portion of the ground conductor layer; and removing the mask to make the self-aligned waveguide in which the undercut provides self-alignment of each of the inner walls of the ground plane conductor to each of the sidewalls of the central conductor, and the ground plane conductor is electrically isolated from the central conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE
    Inventor: David P. Pappas
  • Vacuum compatible fluid sampler
    Patent number: 10265699
    Abstract: A fluid sampler includes: a sample cell that includes: a substrate comprising: a first port; a second port in fluid communication with the first port; a viewing reservoir in fluid communication with the first port and the second port and that receives the fluid from the first port and communicates the fluid to the second port, the viewing reservoir including: a first view membrane; a second view membrane; and a pillar interposed between the first view membrane and second view membrane, the pillar separating the first view membrane from the second view membrane at a substantially constant separation distance such that a volume of the viewing reservoir is substantially constant and invariable with respect to a temperature and invariable with respect to a pressure to which the sample cell is subjected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE
    Inventors: J. Alexander Liddle, Samuel M. Stavis, Glenn E. Holland
  • Photonic probe for atomic force microscopy
    Patent number: 10261106
    Abstract: A photonic probe for atomic force microscopy includes: a cantilever including: a tip; a wing in mechanical communication with the tip; an extension interposed between the tip and the wing to synchronously communicate motion of the tip with the wing; an optical resonator disposed proximate to the cantilever and that: receives input light; and produces output light, such that: the cantilever is spaced by a gap distance from the optical resonator, wherein the gap distance varies as the cantilever moves relative to the optical resonator, and the output light differs from the input light in response to movement of the cantilever relative to the optical resonator; an optical waveguide in optical communication with the optical resonator and that: provides the input light to the optical resonator; and receives the output light from the optical resonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE
    Inventors: Vladimir Aksyuk, Marcelo Davanco
  • Differential compensator to reduce uncertainty in determination of movement of a structural member
    Patent number: 10247536
    Abstract: A differential compensator reduces uncertainty in determination of movement of a structural member and includes: a first probe line to attach to the structural member and to provide a first combination of displacement of the structural member and a first expansion of the first probe line in response to movement of the structural member and expansion of the first probe line; and a second probe line having a coefficient of thermal expansion that is different than that of the first probe line, the second probe line to attach to the structural member at a position on the structural member proximate to a point of attachment of the first probe line to the structural member and to provide a second combination of displacement of the structural member and second expansion of the second probe line in response to movement of the structural member and expansion of the second probe line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE
    Inventors: Christopher M. Smith, Matthew S. Hoehler
  • Localized gap plasmon resonator
    Patent number: 10247860
    Abstract: A localized gap plasmon resonator includes: a pad including: a first plasmonic material to support a surface plasmon; and a first plasmon surface; a nanoelectromechanical (NEM) member disposed opposing the first plasmon surface of the pad and spaced apart from the pad by a plasmon gap, the plasmon gap supporting a plasmon resonance; and a plasmonic nanoprism disposed on the NEM member and including: a second plasmonic material to support a surface plasmon; and a second plasmon surface, such that: the second plasmon surface of the plasmonic nanoprism opposes the first plasmon surface of the pad; and the pad, the plasmonic nanoprism, and the plasmon gap support a localized gap plasmon (LGP) mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE
    Inventors: Vladimir A. Aksyuk, Brian J. Roxworthy, J. Alexander Liddle
  • Method of preparation of nanopore and uses thereof
    Patent number: 10246479
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems and methods for sequencing nucleic acids using nucleotide analogues and translocation of tags from incorporated nucleotide analogues through a nanopore. In aspects, this disclosure is related to composition, method, and system for sequencing a nucleic acid using tag molecules and detection of translocation through a nanopore of tags released from incorporation of the molecule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignees: THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE
    Inventors: Jingyue Ju, Shiv Kumar, Chuanjuan Tao, Minchen Chien, James J. Russo, John J. Kasianowicz, Joseph W. F. Robertson
  • Massively parallel wafer-level reliability system and process for massively parallel wafer-level reliability testing
    Patent number: 10241149
    Abstract: A massively parallel wafer-level reliability system to test a reliability of wafers includes: a test platform; stations disposed on the test platform, wherein an individual test station receives a wafer and includes: a chuck disposed on the test platform; a probe including contactors that electrically contact the wafer; and a temperature controller to control a temperature of the wafer; a control platform disposed among the test stations; and a system controller to independently control the test stations and that is in electrical communication with the temperature controller, wherein the reliability of the wafers is tested in parallel by the test stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE
    Inventor: Kin P. Cheung
  • Determining a location and size of a gas source with a spectrometer gas monitor
    Patent number: 10240998
    Abstract: A process for determining a location and size of a gas source within an area with a spectrometer gas monitor includes: providing the spectrometer gas monitor; performing fence line monitoring of the area with the spectrometer gas monitor; collecting spectroscopic data over multiple open paths around the area with the spectrometer gas monitor; measuring atmospheric conditions along gas inflows and gas outflows of the area; subtracting a background for a selected gas from the spectroscopic data; applying a boundary constraint to the spectroscopic data; determining an atmospheric concentration of air entering the area; applying bootstrapping to the spectroscopic data; applying zero minimum elimination to the spectroscopic data; and producing inversion data from the spectroscopic data to determine the location and size of the gas source within the area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignees: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Commerce, The Regents of the University of Colorado, a body corporate
    Inventors: Kuldeep Prasad, Caroline Alden, Gregory Brian Rieker, Robert James Wright, Sean Coburn
  • Thermal impedance amplifier
    Patent number: 10236433
    Abstract: A thermal impedance amplifier includes: a resistive layer including: a resistance member; a first electrode in electrical communication with the resistance member; and a second electrode in electrical communication with the resistance member; a switch layer opposing the resistive layer and including: a switch member; a first switch electrode in electrical communication with the switch member; and a second switch electrode in electrical communication with the switch member, the switch member: switching from a first resistance to a second resistance in response to receiving phonons from the resistance member, being superconductive at the first resistance, and producing an amplified voltage in response to being at the second resistance; and a thermal conductor interposed between the resistance member and the switch member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE
    Inventors: Adam McCaughan, Varun Verma, Sonia Buckley, Sae Woo Nam
  • Photon momentum sensor
    Patent number: 10234309
    Abstract: A photon momentum sensor includes: a reflector plate that includes: a central disk including a mirror; an annular member; a plurality of spring legs interposed between the central disk and the annular member, such that: the spring legs are interleaved; neighboring spring legs are spaced apart; and the spring legs individually are arranged in an Archimedean spiral that provides orthogonal motion of the central disk relative to the plane of the annular member; and a bias plate disposed opposing the reflector plate such that: the central disk of the reflector plate moves orthogonally to a plane of the bias plate in response to reflection of laser light, and the central disk and the bias plate are arranged spaced apart as a capacitive structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE
    Inventors: Alexandra Artusio-Glimpse, John Lehman, Michelle Stephens, Nathan Tomlin, Paul Williams, Ivan Ryger
  • Hub and spoke system for detecting and locating gas leaks
    Patent number: 10228490
    Abstract: A system for detecting gas leaks and determining their location and size. A data gathering portion of the system utilizes a hub and spoke configuration to collect path-integrated spectroscopic data over multiple open paths around an area. A processing portion of the system applies a high resolution transport model together with meteorological data of the area to generate an influence function of possible leak locations on gas detector measurement paths, and applies an inversion model to the influence function and the spectroscopic data to generate gas source size and location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignees: The United States of America, As Represented by the Secretary of Commerce, The Regents of the University of Colorado, A Body Corporate
    Inventors: Gregory B Rieker, Ian Coddington, Nathan R Newbury, Kuldeep Prasad, Anna Karion
  • Magnetic microstructures for magnetic resonance imaging
    Patent number: 10220103
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a magnetic resonance structure with a cavity or a reserved space that provides contrast and the additional ability to frequency-shift the spectral signature of the NMR-susceptible nuclei such as water protons by a discrete and controllable characteristic frequency shift that is unique to each MRS design. The invention also relates to nearly uniform solid magnetic resonance T2* contrast agents that have a significantly higher magnetic moment compared to similarly-sized existing MRI contrast agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignees: The United States of America, as Represented by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services, The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Commerce
    Inventors: Gary Zabow, Stephen Dodd, Alan Koretsky, John Moreland
  • Magnetic microstructures for magnetic resonance imaging
    Patent number: 10215825
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a magnetic resonance structure with a cavity or a reserved space that provides contrast and the additional ability to frequency-shift the spectral signature of the NMR-susceptible nuclei such as water protons by a discrete and controllable characteristic frequency shift that is unique to each MRS design. The invention also relates to nearly uniform solid magnetic resonance T2* contrast agents that have a significantly higher magnetic moment compared to similarly-sized existing MRI contrast agents. The invention also relates to a magnetic resonance sensor that alters it shape in response to a condition of an environment such that the condition may be detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignees: The United States of America, as Represented by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services, The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Commerce
    Inventors: Gary Zabow, Stephen Dodd, Alan Koretsky, John M Moreland
  • Magnetic microstructures for magnetic resonance imaging
    Patent number: 10188755
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a magnetic resonance structure with a cavity or a reserved space that provides contrast and the additional ability to frequency-shift the spectral signature of the NMR-susceptible nuclei such as water protons by a discrete and controllable characteristic frequency shift that is unique to each MRS design. The invention also relates to nearly uniform solid magnetic resonance T2* contrast agents that have a significantly higher magnetic moment compared to similarly-sized existing MRI contrast agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignees: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services, The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Commerce
    Inventors: Gary Zabow, Stephen Dodd, Alan Koretsky, John Moreland
  • Resistance compensator to reduce uncertainty in determination of movement of a structural member
    Patent number: 10175150
    Abstract: A resistance compensator includes: a first probe line to attach to a structural member and to provide a first combination of displacement of the structural member and an expansion of the first probe line; a second probe line connected to the first probe line and in electrical communication with the first probe line; a resistance probe in electrical communication with the first probe line and the second probe line to provide a probe signal, wherein the resistance probe is connected to the first probe line at a probe junction; a displacement member in mechanical communication with the first probe line, the displacement member to: receive the first combination from the first probe line; and produce a displacement signal comprising the displacement of the structural member, the expansion of the first probe line, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE
    Inventors: Christopher M. Smith, Matthew S. Hoehler
  • Microfabricated optical probe
    Patent number: 10161961
    Abstract: A microfabricated optical probe includes: a cantilever; an optical waveguide disposed at a periphery of the cantilever and including an optical loop, the optical loop being disposed coplanar with the cantilever; a mechanical support interposed between and interconnecting the cantilever and the optical waveguide with the mechanical support such that the cantilever and optical waveguide move together; and a substrate on which the cantilever is disposed and from which the cantilever and the optical loop protrude, wherein the cantilever and the optical waveguide flex independently of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE
    Inventors: Vladimir A. Aksyuk, Kartik Srinivasan, Thomas Michels