Patents Examined by Luan V. Van
  • Electro-kinectic device for species exchange
    Patent number: 10710079
    Abstract: A scanning micro-fluid device for an exchange of species with a surface and with an intermediate immersion liquid is disclosed. The device comprises a first and a second micro-channel comprising a fluid. The first micro-channel comprises a first aperture and the second micro-channel comprises a second aperture. They have a distance to each other in an apex area in proximity of the surface of a substrate. The surface, the apex area is immersed with the intermediate immersion liquid. The device also comprises a first electrode reaching into the fluid on the first micro-channel and a second electrode reaching into the fluid on the second micro-channel, and an apex electrode. Different voltage levels are applicable to the first, the second and the apex electrode such that species are interacting at surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignees: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION, Technion Research and Development Foundation Ltd.
    Inventors: Govind Kaigala, Nadya Ostromohov, Moran Bercovici
  • Chemical sensor for heavy metal detection
    Patent number: 10690647
    Abstract: A chemical sensor for heavy metal detection is provided. The chemical sensor includes an inlet, a chamber in fluid communication with the inlet, and an outlet in fluid communication with the chamber. A working electrode is provided in the chamber. The working electrode includes a plurality of protrusions extending into a fluid flow path in the chamber beyond a boundary layer of the fluid flow path. The chemical sensor also includes a reference electrode, a counter electrode, and a plurality of contact pads electrically connected to respective ones of the working electrode, the reference electrode and the counter electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignees: NANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY, MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Nan Wang, Jianmin Miao, Michael S. Triantafyllou
  • Sensor element for detecting at least one property of a measuring gas in a measuring gas chamber
    Patent number: 10690621
    Abstract: A sensor element for detecting at least one property of a measuring gas in a measuring gas chamber, in particular for detecting a proportion of a gas component in the measuring gas or a temperature of the measuring gas, includes a ceramic layer construction that includes at least one electrochemical cell, the electrochemical cell having at least one first electrode, a second electrode, and at least one solid electrolyte connecting the first electrode and the second electrode. The second electrode is situated in the layer construction facing an electrode cavity that is in the layer construction. The second electrode has at least one outer diameter that is greater than a corresponding outer diameter of the electrode cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Lothar Diehl, Gaetan Deromelaere, Michael Piwonski, Peter Raffelstetter, Thilo Lehre, Thorsten Sahm
  • Ion sensitive field effect transistor (ISFET) having higher sensitivity in response to dynamic biasing
    Patent number: 10684251
    Abstract: A dual gate ion sensitive field effect transistor (ISFET) includes a first bias voltage node coupled to a back gate of the ISFET and a second bias voltage node coupled to a control gate of the ISFET. A bias voltage generator circuit is configured to generate a back gate voltage having a first magnitude and a first polarity for application to the first bias voltage node. The bias voltage generator circuit is further configured to generate a control gate voltage having a second magnitude and a second polarity for application to the second bias voltage node. The second polarity is opposite the first polarity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Crolles 2) SAS
    Inventors: Getenet Tesega Ayele, Stephane Monfray
  • Gas sensor
    Patent number: 10684248
    Abstract: An NOx sensor includes a gas sensor element, a body member made of metal, and a protector made of metal. The body member is formed into a tubular shape extending in an axial direction and accommodates a gas sensor element internally of the same. The NOx sensor is formed into a tubular shape extending in the axial direction and includes an attachment member disposed such that a space extending in the axial direction is formed between the attachment member and the body member. The gas sensor element includes an oxygen concentration detection cell having an oxygen ion-conductive solid electrolyte layer and a detection electrode and a reference electrode formed on the solid electrolyte layer and forming a pair, and a heater for heating the oxygen concentration detection cell to a predetermined temperature. The oxygen concentration detection cell is disposed in the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., LTD.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Furuta, Masaki Nakagawa
  • Gas detection device
    Patent number: 10677750
    Abstract: A gas detection device includes a temperature control part configured to detect an element impedance by applying a high frequency voltage to an element part, and to control an electric power to be supplied to a heating part based on the detected element impedance. The temperature control part is configured, when the applied voltage control for SOx detection is being performed and at least a voltage decrease sweep is being performed, to perform a second element temperature control to stop detecting the element impedance to set the electric power to be supplied to the heating part to a predetermined electric power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Keiichiro Aoki
  • Gas detection device
    Patent number: 10677749
    Abstract: A gas detection device includes a temperature control part configured to control an amount of energization to a heater so that an impedance of an element part matches a target impedance, to thereby control a temperature of the heater. The temperature control part is configured to set a first target impedance as the target impedance while performing application voltage control for air-fuel ratio detection, and set a second target impedance as the target impedance while performing application voltage control for SOx detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Keiichiro Aoki
  • Gas detection device
    Patent number: 10605765
    Abstract: A gas detection device includes a voltage applying unit configured to apply a voltage across a first electrode and a second electrode of an electrochemical cell and a measurement control unit configured to perform a first application voltage sweep and a second application voltage sweep which have different sweeping voltage ranges, to acquire a first parameter based on the output current of the first application voltage sweep, to acquire a second parameter based on the output current of the second application voltage sweep, to calculate a SOx detection parameter which is a difference or a ratio between the first parameter and the second parameter, and to perform determination of whether sulfur oxides with a predetermined concentration or higher are contained in an exhaust gas or detection of a concentration of sulfur oxides in the exhaust gas based on the SOx detection parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keiichiro Aoki, Kazuhiro Wakao, Kazuhisa Matsuda
  • Method of reducing output degradation of gas sensor
    Patent number: 10605763
    Abstract: A gas sensor includes a sensor element made of an oxygen-ion conductive solid electrolyte, at least one electrode provided to the sensor element so as to contact a measurement gas, and a controller configured to control the gas sensor. The sensor element is heated, by a heater provided to the sensor element, at a temperature higher than an operating temperature set in advance for a predetermined time period at start of the gas sensor, and then the temperature of the sensor element is decreased to the operating temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Taku Okamoto, Noriko Hirata, Yuki Nakayama
  • One-step capillary isoelectric focusing and mobilization of analytes
    Patent number: 10578580
    Abstract: The invention provides a capillary isoelectric focusing (cIEF) system based on a sandwich injection method for automated chemical mobilization. This system was coupled with an electrokinetically pumped nanoelectrospray interface to a mass spectrometer. The nanoelectrospray emitter employed an acidic sheath electrolyte. To realize automated focusing and mobilization, a plug of ammonium hydroxide was first injected into the capillary, followed by a section of mixed sample and ampholyte. As focusing progressed, the NH3H2O section was titrated to lower pH buffer by the acidic sheath buffer. Chemical mobilization started automatically once the ammonium hydroxide was consumed by the acidic sheath flow electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: University of Notre Dame du Lac
    Inventors: Norman Dovichi, Guijie Zhu, Liangliang Sun
  • Nano dipole sensors
    Patent number: 10545116
    Abstract: A bipolar junction transistor is provided; the transistor has an emitter, a base, and a collector. The base is coupled to a sensing electrode. The sensing electrode is immersed in a fluid to be analyzed. The bipolar junction transistor is biased into the active region. An AC excitation of one of the emitter and the base is caused. A measurement is carried out on a collector current resulting from the AC excitation, to analyze the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Minhua Lu, Sufi Zafar
  • pH control for analyte detection
    Patent number: 10532356
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a pH control device. The device comprises a substrate, on which is defined a flow path adapted to receive a liquid. The device further comprises a set of electrodes, which includes a pH sensing electrode and pH generation electrodes. The electrodes are arranged along the flow path. The pH sensing electrode is arranged so as to be subjected to a change in pH of a portion of the liquid on the flow path, as caused by the pH generation electrodes. In addition, the device includes a controller, which is configured to apply a voltage across the pH generation electrodes, based on a signal obtained via the pH sensing electrode and a reference electrode. This enables local control a pH of the liquid portion. The device may further be embodied as a sensor, additionally comprising a detection electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Neil Ebejer, Patrick Ruch
  • Electrophoresis device
    Patent number: 10502709
    Abstract: The electrophoresis method includes the following steps: electrically injecting a sample into an electrophoresis flow path through one end thereof; subjecting the injected sample to electrophoresis to be separated by applying a voltage to both ends of the electrophoresis flow path; detecting the separated sample component at a detection position of the electrophoresis flow path; obtaining a peak area of the detected sample component; and correcting the obtained peak area on the basis of an injection rate of each sample component. Correction based on the injection rate includes, a correction based on a relative mobility of the sample component and at least one of: a correction based on the linear velocity at the time of sample injection for each sample component and a correction based on the current integral value at the time of sample injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akihiro Arai
  • Hydrogen fuel quality analyzer with self-humidifying electrochemical cell and methods of testing fuel quality
    Patent number: 10490833
    Abstract: A fuel quality analyzer for detecting contaminants in a fuel supply includes an anode flow field plate defining a first fuel flow field channel and a fuel inlet port, a cathode flow field plate defining a second fuel flow field channel and a fuel outlet port, a polymer electrolyte membrane between the anode and cathode flow field plates, a first electrode between the anode flow field plate and the polymer electrolyte membrane, and a second electrode between the cathode flow field plate and the polymer electrolyte membrane. The second electrode has a higher platinum loading than the first electrode. A reservoir volume is defined by the anode and cathode flow field plates. At least a portion of the polymer electrolyte membrane extends into the reservoir volume. The reservoir volume is configured to retain water to humidify the polymer electrolyte membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: TRIAD NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC
    Inventors: Eric L. Brosha, Tommy Rockward, Christopher J. Romero, Mahlon S. Wilson, Cortney R. Kreller, Rangachary Mukundan
  • Porous protective layer for gas sensor, method for producing same, and gas sensor comprising same
    Patent number: 10473615
    Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing a porous protective layer for a gas sensor. The porous protective layer according to one Example of the present invention is manufactured by a method of manufacturing a porous protective layer for a gas sensor including (1) a step of introducing a composition for forming a porous protective layer including a pore former and a ceramic powder, which includes particles having a degree of deformation of 1.5 or more expressed by the following Relational Formula 1 according to the present invention, onto a sensing electrode for a gas sensor, and (2) a step of sintering the introduced composition for forming a porous protective layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: AMOTECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yeon-Soo Chung, Kil Jin Park, Sung-Jin Hong, Soo-Min Oh, Eun-Ji Kim
  • Membrane-electrode assembly for water electrolysis
    Patent number: 10468700
    Abstract: A membrane-electrode assembly for water electrolysis including a proton-exchange membrane, a first catalyst layer, a second catalyst layer, a first gas diffusion layer, a second gas diffusion layer and a first sensor chip. The proton-exchange membrane is disposed between an inner side of the first catalyst layer and an inner side of the second catalyst layer. The first gas diffusion layer is disposed on an outer side of the first catalyst layer. The second gas diffusion layer is disposed on an outer side of the second catalyst layer. The first sensor chip is sandwiched between the first catalyst layer and the first gas diffusion layer to sense an environmental change where water electrolysis takes place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignees: YUAN ZE UNIVERSITY, HOMYTECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chi-Yuan Lee, Chia-Hung Chen, Guo-Bin Jung, Yu-Chun Chiang, Chin-Lung Hsieh, Yun-Min Liu
  • Electrochemical production of metal hydroxide using metal silicates
    Patent number: 10113407
    Abstract: Systems are described for dissolving metal silicates to: produce metal hydroxide; remove carbon dioxide or other acid gases from the atmosphere or other gas mixture by reacting such gases with the metal hydroxide; penetrate or excavate metal silicates; extract metals or silicon-containing compounds from metal silicates; and produce hydrogen and oxygen or other gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventor: Gregory Hudson Rau
  • Devices and methods for contactless dielectrophoresis for cell or particle manipulation
    Patent number: 10078066
    Abstract: Devices and methods for performing dielectrophoresis are described. The devices contain sample channel which is separated by physical barriers from electrode channels which receive electrodes. The devices and methods may be used for the separation and analysis of particles in solution, including the separation and isolation of cells of a specific type. As the electrodes do not make contact with the sample, electrode fouling is avoided and sample integrity is better maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Rafael V. Davalos, Hadi Shafiee, Michael Benjamin Sano, John L. Caldwell
  • Method and apparatus for electrochemical reduction of a solid feedstock
    Patent number: 10066309
    Abstract: The method, apparatus and product relate to the electrochemical reduction of a solid feedstock (20) to produce a product. A container (2) is filled with a fused salt (6), and one or more anodes (14) contact the fused salt. A cathode (18) is loaded with feedstock and engages with a transport apparatus (22, 36, 40) which locates and moves the cathode past the anodes(s), while the cathode and the feedstock contact the fused salt. As the cathode moves past the anodes(s), a voltage applied between the cathode and the anode(s) electrochemically reduces the solid feedstock to form the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: METALYSIS LIMITED
    Inventor: Allen Richard Wright
  • Static equilibrium path for measurements of dynamic flows
    Patent number: 10060896
    Abstract: A meter is adapted for measuring concentrations of a chemical in a flowing solution. The meter has a barrier that shields a sensor from the high turbulence of the solution flow. One or more membranes can be employed to selectively filter out various ions or other chemicals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: SENTIENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Frederick Quincy Johnson