Patents Assigned to UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA CHARLOTTE
  • Patent number: 9841367
    Abstract: Microspheres are sorted by resonant light pressure effects. An evanescent optical field is generated when light is confined within the interior of an optical element such as a surface waveguide, a tapered microfiber, or a prism. Microspheres brought within vicinity of the surface are subjected to forces that result from a coupling of the evanescent field to whispering gallery modes (WGM) in the microspheres. Alternatively, a focused laser beam is directed close to the edge of the microspheres to exert resonant optical forces on microspheres. Alternatively, standing optical waves are excited in the optical element. Optical forces are resonantly enhanced when light frequencies match WGM frequencies in the microspheres. Those microspheres for which resonance is obtained are more affected by the evanescent field than microspheres for which resonance does not occur. Greater forces are applied to resonating microspheres, which are separated from a heterogeneous mixture according to size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: The University of North Carolina At Charlotte
    Inventor: Vasily N Astratov
  • Publication number: 20170324757
    Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting and defeating a low and slow application DDoS attack, comprising: computing the Entropy of a plurality of detectors, at least in part selected from a group Geo detector, a group response size detector, a group preference detector, and an individual client behavior detector, wherein the plurality of detectors each describe a feature of traffic affected by the DDoS attack; composing the plurality of detectors on one or more of a Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve basis and a correlation basis; and implementing a countermeasure to mitigate the DDoS attack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHARLOTTE
    Inventors: Ehab AL-SHAER, Qi DUAN
  • Patent number: 9812527
    Abstract: Graphene is used as an interfacial layer to grow Si and other semiconductors or crystalline materials including two-dimensional Si and other structures on any foreign substrate that can withstand the growth temperature without the limitation matching condition typically required for epitaxial growth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHARLOTTE
    Inventors: Yong Zhang, Raphael Tsu, Naili Yue
  • Patent number: 9797136
    Abstract: A construction panel comprising a rigid insulation layer having an interior surface and an exterior surface, an outer concrete wythe secured to the exterior surface of the insulation layer, an inner concrete wythe secured to the interior surface of the insulation layer, a grid system which ties the outer concrete wythe to the inner concrete wythe and a capillary tube system located within the construction panel wherein liquid is passed through the tubing in order to increase or decrease the temperature of the construction panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: University of North Carolina at Charlotte
    Inventors: Thomas A. Gentry, Brett Q. Tempest
  • Patent number: 9791265
    Abstract: In one aspect, methods of determining the shape of a sessile drop are described herein. In some embodiments, a method described herein comprises measuring a first shape parameter of a sessile drop to obtain a first shape parameter value, measuring a second shape parameter of the drop to obtain a second shape parameter value, and using the first and second shape parameter values to calculate a third shape parameter value of a third shape parameter of the drop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: University of North Carolina at Charlotte
    Inventors: Stuart T. Smith, Jacob W. Chesna, Tsing-Hua Her
  • Patent number: 9791618
    Abstract: A hollow-core waveguide structure for guiding an electromagnetic signal, comprising: a core material comprising a predetermined refractive index; and a cladding structure disposed about the core material, wherein the cladding structure has a refractive index that is less than unity; wherein the cladding structure comprises an Epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) metamaterial. The core material comprises air or the like. The cladding structure comprises one of substantially planar sheets disposed about the core material and a substantially tubular structure disposed about the core material. Optionally, the ENZ metamaterial comprises a plurality of nanostructures disposed in a host medium. The plurality of nanostructures comprise a transparent conducting oxide. Alternatively, the cladding structure is manufactured via a self-assembly method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: The University of North Carolina at Charlotte
    Inventors: Hossein Alisafaee, Michael Fiddy
  • Patent number: 9782769
    Abstract: A light beam guided liquid delivery device, including: a liquid delivery device; a light beam generator; and a bracket coupling the light beam generator to the liquid delivery device such that a beam of light is selectively delivered approximate to a tip of the liquid delivery device. The bracket couples the light beam generator to the liquid delivery device at a first attachment point. The bracket includes one or more hinges at the first attachment point for varying the orientation of the light beam generator. Optionally, the bracket also couples the light beam generator to the liquid delivery device at a second contact point. The bracket includes a support member at the second contact point for varying the orientation of the light beam generator. Optionally, the support member is translatable with respect to the one or more hinges along a length of the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: The University of North Carolina at Charlotte
    Inventors: David A. Carr, Jennifer W. Weller
  • Publication number: 20170287353
    Abstract: An alcohol and drug intervention system and method, comprising: a server component; and a mobile application component wirelessly coupled to the server component; wherein the server component and the mobile application component are collectively operable for, in an interactive manner, receiving input from a user and presenting the user with output based on the input received from the user, wherein the input received from the user comprises one or more of personal information, activity information, and activity related to alcohol and/or drug use, and wherein the output presented to the user comprises one or more of coaching information and counseling information. Optionally, the system further comprises a testing device coupled to the mobile application component and adjusting one or more of the coaching and counseling information based on results obtained from the testing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHARLOTTE
    Inventors: Donna KAZEMI, Mohamed SHEHAB, Beau DOOLEY
  • Patent number: 9752983
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for determining the absorption coefficient and the optical density of a fluid as they relate to the wavelength of incident radiation. Specifically, ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (UV LEDs) or the like that emit ultraviolet (UV) radiation or the like are used as sources for irradiating the interior of an integrating chamber that is designed to increase the path length of the radiation through the fluid, thus enhancing the detection limits of the absorption coefficient and the optical density according to Beer's Law.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignees: AquiSense Technologies LLC, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte
    Inventors: Jennifer Godwin Pagan, Edward Brittain Stokes, Paolo Batoni
  • Patent number: 9750836
    Abstract: A system for disinfecting a fluid, including: a flow cell including one or more inlet ports and one or more outlet ports, wherein the flow cell is configured to communicate a fluid containing a biological contaminant from the one or more inlet ports to the one or more outlet portions through an interior portion thereof; and one or more point radiation sources disposed about the flow cell, wherein the one or more point radiation sources are operable for delivering radiation to the biological contaminant; wherein an interior surface of the flow cell is operable for reflecting the radiation delivered to the biological contaminant by the one or more point radiation sources; and wherein the interior surface of the flow cell is operable for reflecting the radiation delivered to the biological contaminant by the one or more point radiation sources such that a radiation intensity is uniform throughout the interior portion of the flow cell. In one exemplary embodiment, the flow cell is an integrating sphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignees: AquiSense Technologies LLC, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte
    Inventors: Edward Brittain Stokes, Jennifer Godwin Pagan, Thomas Andrew Schmedake
  • Publication number: 20170250624
    Abstract: Various examples are directed to systems and methods for a multi-level inverter to convert direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC). The inverter may comprise first, second and third capacitors electrically coupled in series between a positive DC rail and a negative DC rail. A first pole switch bank of the inverter may comprise a plurality of first pole switches. A first pole may be electrically coupled to the first pole switch bank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Applicant: The University of North Carolina at Charlotte
    Inventor: Madhav Manjrekar
  • Patent number: 9748735
    Abstract: Example photoconductive devices and example methods for using photoconductive devices are described. An example method may include providing a photoconductive device having a metal-semiconductor-metal structure. The method may also include controlling, based on a first input state, illumination of the photoconductive device by a first optical beam during a time period, and controlling, based on a second input state, illumination of the photoconductive device by a second optical beam during the time period. Further, the method may include detecting an amount of current produced by the photoconductive device during the time period, and based on the detected amount of current, providing an output indicative of the first input state and the second input state. The example devices can be used individually as discrete components or in integrated circuits for memory or logic applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: The University of North Carolina at Charlotte
    Inventors: Yong Zhang, Jason Kendrick Marmon
  • Patent number: 9726874
    Abstract: The present invention provides super-resolution optical imaging methods and systems, including: providing a sample to be optically imaged; providing a plurality of microstructures disposed substantially adjacent to a surface of the sample to be optically imaged; and providing a material disposed about the plurality of microstructures; wherein the plurality of microstructures have a first index of refraction; and wherein the material disposed about the plurality of microstructures has a second index of refraction that is substantially less than the first index of refraction of the plurality of microstructures. The plurality of microstructures include one of a plurality of microspheres and a plurality of microcylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: The University of North Carolina at Charlotte
    Inventors: Vasily N. Astratov, Arash Darafsheh
  • Patent number: 9715953
    Abstract: A metamaterial simultaneously exhibiting a relative effective permeability and a relative effective permittivity below unity over a wide bandwidth, including: one of a two-dimensional and a three-dimensional arrangement of unit cells, wherein each of the unit cells has a magnetic dipole moment and an electric dipole moment that are dependent upon one or more of an incident magnetic field and an incident electric field; and a coupling mechanism operable for coupling one or more of the incident magnetic field and the incident electric field to one or more devices. Optionally, the coupling mechanism includes one or more of a split ring and a pair of parallel plates coupled by one of a rod and a wire. The one or more devices are non-Foster elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: The University of North Carolina at Charlotte
    Inventors: Thomas P. Weldon, Ryan S. Adams, Konrad Miehle
  • Publication number: 20170194437
    Abstract: Graphene is used as an interfacial layer to grow Si and other semiconductors or crystalline materials including two-dimensional Si and other structures on any foreign substrate that can withstand the growth temperature without the limitation matching condition typically required for epitaxial growth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Applicant: THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHARLOTTE
    Inventors: Yong ZHANG, Raphael TSU, Naili YUE
  • Publication number: 20170168278
    Abstract: The present invention provides super-resolution optical imaging methods and systems, including: providing a sample to be optically imaged; providing a plurality of microstructures disposed substantially adjacent to a surface of the sample to be optically imaged; and providing a material disposed about the plurality of microstructures; wherein the plurality of microstructures have a first index of refraction; and wherein the material disposed about the plurality of microstructures has a second index of refraction that is substantially less than the first index of refraction of the plurality of microstructures. The plurality of microstructures include one of a plurality of microspheres and a plurality of microcylinders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHARLOTTE
    Inventors: Vasily N. ASTRATOV, Arash DARAFSHEH
  • Patent number: 9664721
    Abstract: An electric-field sensor is provided that includes a voltage-controlled capacitor and generator circuitry. The voltage-controlled capacitor is influenceable by an electric field created by a target located a distance from the solid-state electric-field sensor. The generator circuitry is configured to generate a modulated voltage for driving the voltage-controlled capacitor to produce a modulated capacitance as the voltage-controlled capacitor is influenced by the electric field to enable measurement of the electric field. In this regard, the voltage-controlled capacitor and generator circuitry are configured such that, in operation, an electric field of the target causes a change in the modulated capacitance and a current flow through the voltage-controlled capacitor. An electric potential of the target, then, is measurable as a function of the change in magnitude of the current flow through the voltage-controlled capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: The University of North Carolina at Charlotte
    Inventor: Maciej Artur Noras
  • Patent number: 9643835
    Abstract: In one aspect, single-sided microfluidic devices are described herein. In some embodiments, a single-sided microfluidic device comprises a substrate, a photoconductive layer positioned over the substrate, electrical contacts in electrical communication with the photoconductive layer, and a dielectric assembly positioned over the photoconductive layer. The dielectric assembly comprises a hydrophobic surface for receiving a liquid. In some embodiments, the dielectric assembly has an effective capacitance of about 10 ?F/m2 to about 10,000 ?F/m2 and/or an average thickness between about 20 nm and about 2000 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: University of North Carolina at Charlotte
    Inventors: Srinivas Akella, Vasanthsekar Shekar
  • Publication number: 20170121473
    Abstract: Novel structural materials composed of industrial hemp fiber with recycled high density polyethylene (HDPE) as well as methods for the production of the same are disclosed. The material's mechanical strength outperforms that of conventional lumber and could compete with glass fiber reinforced composites, particularly in tensile strength. In addition, this material offers many other significant advantages including insect free, high moisture resistance, no harmful chemical treatments, and no rapid corrosion in water environments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Applicant: University of North Carolina at Charlotte
    Inventors: Na Lu, Ralph Robert Johnson
  • Patent number: 9641059
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a flux focusing magnetic gear assembly using ferrite magnets or the like. The present invention also relates generally to a flux focusing magnetic gear assembly using ferrite magnets or the like that incorporates an outer stator assembly that converts a variable input to a constant output. The present invention further relates generally to an axially aligned flux focusing magnetic gear assembly using ferrite magnets or the like. The improved flux focusing magnetic gear assemblies of the present invention find applicability in traction, wind, and ocean power generation, among other applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: The University of North Carolina at Charlotte
    Inventor: Jonathan Bird