Patents Examined by Alexander S Noguerola
  • Patent number: 11280721
    Abstract: Methods and equipment for determining conditions of adhesion between a first and a second mechanical element are disclosed. The mechanical elements are attached respectively to a first and second support, which are immersed in an electrolyte together with a counter-electrode and a reference electrode to form an electrochemical cell. The second mechanical element is a working electrode being connected to an insulated electric wire that is also connected to the counter-electrode. A first uncovered face of the second element is pressed against the first element. A potential is applied to the second element of at least one predetermined value and/or a predetermined electrical current. The method can include detecting the electrical current that is transmitted through the electrolyte as a function of the potential applied and/or the potential that is established as a function of the predetermined current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: ITT Italia S.R.L.
    Inventors: Agustin Sin Xicola, Lorenzo Fedrizzi, Francesco Andreatta, Alessandro De Nicolo
  • Patent number: 11274329
    Abstract: Provided herein are plant/plant pathogen volatile compound electrochemical sensors, plant/plant pathogen volatile detection systems, and methods for detecting stress-induced plant volatile compounds and/or a plant-pathogen emitted volatile compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramaraja P. Ramasamy, Yi Fang
  • Patent number: 11275049
    Abstract: A gas sensor includes a structural body made from an oxygen ion conductive solid electrolyte, a gas introduction passage which is formed in the structural body and into which a gas to be measured is introduced, a main adjustment chamber that communicates with the gas introduction passage, and a measurement chamber that communicates with the main adjustment chamber. A buffer space that communicates with the gas introduction passage, and at least two diffusion rate control members that communicate with the buffer space, are provided between the gas introduction passage and the main adjustment chamber. The respective widths Wb1 and Wb2 of the diffusion rate control members are less than the respective widths Wa, Wc, and Wd of the gas introduction passage, the buffer space, and the main adjustment chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: NGK INSULATORS, LTD.
    Inventors: Yusuke Watanabe, Mika Kai, Shiho Iwai
  • Patent number: 11266864
    Abstract: A corrosion monitoring device includes a sensor assembly and a detector circuit. The sensor assembly includes at least one sensor portion disposed in an interior of a pipe in a fire sprinkler system for sensing corrosion of a wall of the pipe. The detector circuit transmits an electrical signal through the at least one sensor portion, monitors an electrical characteristic of the at least one sensor portion based on the electrical signal, compares at least one of the monitored electrical characteristic and a change in the electrical characteristic of the at least one sensor portion to at least one of a predetermined value and a previously monitored electrical characteristic, determines a corrosion status indicative of at least one of a corrosion level and a rate of corrosion of the pipe wall based on the comparison, and outputs an indication of the corrosion status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Tyco Fire Products LP
    Inventors: Jeremy Tyler Cogswell, Arash Agan, Cassandra Lyn DeNunzio
  • Patent number: 11262329
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of testing a corrosion resistance of a coated metal material including a surface treatment film on a metal substrate. The method includes: treatment of interposing a water-containing electrolyte material containing water, a supporting electrolyte, and a water penetration enhancer, between a surface of the surface treatment film of the coated metal material and an electrode; holding of the water-containing electrolyte material on the surface of the surface treatment film for one minute to one day; and electrical conduction from the electrode through the water-containing electrolyte material to the coated metal material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Teruaki Asada, Tsutomu Shigenaga
  • Patent number: 11255811
    Abstract: A sensor for the detection of lead includes a substrate, a working electrode formed on a surface of the substrate, a counter electrode formed on the surface of the substrate, a dielectric layer covering a portion of the working electrode and counter electrode and defining an aperture exposing other portions of the working electrode and counter electrode. The working electrode includes a metalized film with working surface and a monolayer (or bilayer) of bismuth deposited on the working surface by underpotential deposition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Chung Chiun Liu, Yifan Dai
  • Patent number: 11255805
    Abstract: Sensors having an advantageous design and methods for fabricating such sensors are generally provided. Some sensors described herein comprise pairs of electrodes having radial symmetry, pairs of nested electrodes, and/or nanowires. Some embodiments relate to fabricating electrodes by methods in which nanowires are deposited from a fluid contacted with a substrate in a manner such that it evaporates and is replenished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: NanoDX, Inc.
    Inventors: Farhad Khosravi, David Bastable, Sergey A. Dryga
  • Patent number: 11255834
    Abstract: Test sensors, methods, and systems are described that include a first electrode pair having either two active electrodes or an inactive working electrode paired with an active counter electrode. These active electrodes are different than having an electron transfer mediator on an inactive electrode because in addition to the structural differences between an electrode directly in contact with the conductors of the test sensor verses a reagent coating, there are chemical and functional differences. The active electrodes are formed from an electrode core material including an element that loses or acquires electrons during the analysis and directly participates in the electrochemical reaction of the sample. As the active electrodes are insoluble in the sample during the analysis, an electrochemically stable potential is provided by the active electrodes that can reliably operate at higher operating potentials than conventional electron transfer mediator reagents coated on an inactive electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Conductive Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew K. Musho, Christina A. Beaverson, Nicholas F. Szabo
  • Patent number: 11249044
    Abstract: A first leading-end protective layer surrounding a first range at least including a leading end surface of an element base is included on a side of one end portion. A single heat insulating space is interposed between the first layer and the element base in the first range. The element base further includes a second leading-end protective layer having a larger porosity than the first layer, and located on a whole side surface at least in the first range. An end portion of the first layer opposite the one end portion is a fixed portion to the second layer. A portion where the fixed portion is in contact with the second layer is 10% to 50%, in area, of the first range. The fixed portion and the second layer make an end portion angle of 5° to 15° in an end portion of the heat insulating space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: NGK INSULATORS, LTD.
    Inventors: Yusuke Watanabe, Mika Kai, Ryo Onishi, Saki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11249046
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for the detection, quantification, and/or monitoring of analytes in samples. The systems and methods can be used, for example, to track the deposition and electrochemical behavior of individual nanoparticles and nanoparticles clusters clusters in situ with high spatial and temporal resolution. The systems and methods can be used to track the deposition and oxidation of several hundreds to thousands of nanoparticles simultaneously and reconstruct their voltammetric curves at the single nanoparticle level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of The University of Alabama
    Inventors: Shanlin Pan, Caleb M. Hill
  • Patent number: 11243188
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices for detection of ion migration and binding, utilizing a nanopipette adapted for use in an electrochemical sensing circuit. The nanopipette may be functionalized on its interior bore with metal chelators for binding and sensing metal ions or other specific binding molecules such as boronic acid for binding and sensing glucose. Such a functionalized nanopipette is comprised in an electrical sensor that detects when the nanopipette selectively and reversibly binds ions or small molecules. Also disclosed is a nanoreactor, comprising a nanopipette, for controlling precipitation in aqueous solutions by voltage-directed ion migration, wherein ions may be directed out of the interior bore by a repulsing charge in the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Nader Pourmand, Boaz Vilozny, Paolo Actis, R. Adam Seger
  • Patent number: 11237127
    Abstract: An electrochemical sensor is provided wherein the sensor includes a nanocomposite comprising zinc oxide nanoparticles, graphene oxide, and PEDOT:PSS binder polymer, wherein the nanocomposite is deposited as a film on a glassy carbon electrode. The sensor may be included in an electrochemical cell useful for methods of detecting phenylhydrazine in a solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: KING ABDULAZIZ UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Mohammed Muzibur Rahman, Abdullah Mohamed Asiri, Muhammad Tariq Saeed Chani
  • Patent number: 11231385
    Abstract: A microbial sensor, system and method that can be used to determine the biochemical conditions of waters, saturated sediments, unsaturated soils, rhizosphere and other environments is disclosed. The flexibility of the microbial sensor design allows for the monitoring of surfaces (skin, ventilation conduits, etc.). An electrochemical microbial sensor system is composed of an indicator electrode(s) and a reference electrode. The reference electrode employs a hydrogen permeable membrane. The electrochemical system is interfaced into a signal/communication module allowing the manual or automated collection of data from field deployments and laboratory investigations. The data is transmitted using various communication technologies including Bluetooth™, cellular, satellite and radio telemetry to cloud-based data management systems. The stored data may be downloaded by users using open-source dashboard and visualization software to image the various environments and/or surfaces investigated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Burge Environmental, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott R. Burge, David A. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 11231391
    Abstract: A sensor element includes: a main pump cell constituted by an inner electrode provided to face a first inner space into which a measurement gas is introduced, an external electrode provided on an element surface, and a solid electrolyte therebetween; and a measurement pump cell constituted by a measurement electrode provided to face a second inner space communicated with the first inner space, an external electrode, and a solid electrolyte therebetween. A diffusion resistance from a gas inlet to the inner electrode is 200 to 1000 cm?1. For the first inner space and a unit electrode part of the inner electrode, a space length is 2.5 to 10 mm, a space thickness is 50 to 300 ?m, an electrode length/the space length is 0.5 to 1.0, and an electrode width/the space width is 0.5 to 1.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: NGK INSULATORS, LTD.
    Inventors: Yusuke Watanabe, Takayuki Sekiya, Shota Kageyama
  • Patent number: 11230727
    Abstract: Detection reagents, multi-analyte test elements, test systems, and multi-analyte measuring methods are provided. In particular, multi-analyte test elements have (1) a first working electrode and first counter electrode pair covered with a first analyte-specific reagent that includes an enzyme, a coenzyme and a first mediator and have (2) a second working electrode covered with a second analyte-specific reagent that includes an enzyme, a coenzyme and a second mediator, where the second mediator is different than the first mediator. The single counter electrode can be used as the counter electrode for both the first and second analyte measurements at their respective working electrodes. Moreover, the mediator concentrations, measurement ranges, and applied potential differences are not the same for each analyte-specific measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Roche Diabetes Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Harvey Buck, Terry A. Beaty, Stacy Hunt DuVall
  • Patent number: 11215579
    Abstract: A method for cleaning, conditioning, calibration, adjustment and conditioning of an amperometric sensor of a measuring device includes generating a conditioning agent in the measuring device, wherein either an oxidising agent which is reduced at the working electrode or a reducing agent which is oxidised at the working electrode is used as conditioning agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: ProMinent GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Koppert, Holger Schopf, Thomas Winkler
  • Patent number: 11193907
    Abstract: A nitrous oxide concentration detector includes a control unit. In the control unit, a first control section controls a voltage application section and a heater to achieve a first state in which nitric oxide undergoes electrolysis and nitrous oxide does not undergo electrolysis. A second control section controls the voltage application section and the heater to achieve a second state in which nitric oxide and nitrous oxide undergo electrolysis. An estimation section estimates an estimated current that flows between a first electrode and a second electrode due to electrolysis of nitric oxide in the second state based on a first current detected by a current detector in the first state. A calculation section calculates a nitrous oxide concentration based on a third current obtained by subtracting the estimated current estimated by the estimation section from a second current detected by the current detector in the second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hao Wu, Shota Hagino, Hiroki Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 11192107
    Abstract: A microfluidic apparatus can comprise a dielectrophoresis (DEP) configured section for holding a first liquid medium and selectively inducing net DEP forces in the first liquid medium. The microfluidic apparatus can also comprise an electrowetting (EW) configured section for holding a second liquid medium on an electrowetting surface and selectively changing an effective wetting property of the electrowetting surface. The DEP configured section can be utilized to select and move a micro-object in the first liquid medium. The EW configured section can be utilized to pull a droplet of the first liquid medium into the second liquid medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Berkeley Lights, Inc.
    Inventors: Igor Y. Khandros, J. Tanner Nevill, Steven W. Short, Ming C. Wu
  • Patent number: 11174285
    Abstract: A method of collecting one or more target macromolecules in a capture membrane by gel electrophoresis is disclosed, as well as a kit for macromolecule isolation and recovery including: a preformed gel; a capture device; an insertion guide; and optionally, a migration gauge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Princeton Separations, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul T. Nix, Marcus J. Horn
  • Patent number: 11169114
    Abstract: The current application discloses methods and systems to analyze on-site and in real-time or quasi real-time the composition of the well fluid before or during use or disposition. The method is based on capillary electrophoresis (CE) and does not require the addition of tracers into the well fluid or additive. Based on the significance of each additive on the well fluid properties, it can be decided to determine the concentration of all additives or only one or a limited number of the additives present in the fluid, and the concentrations can be adjusted as needed to reach the desired target concentration(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sharath Chandra Mahavadi, Simon Ivar Andersen, Olivier Porcherie, Isabelle Couillet