Patents by Inventor Axel Scherer

Axel Scherer has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20180340826
    Abstract: A Fabry-Perot cavity-based spectral notch filter is disclosed, where the filter is operative for providing an output optical signal whose spectral content is spatially dispersed along at least one direction, while also controlling the spectral position and spectral range of the output light. In some embodiments, the spectral filter is integrated with a detector arrays to realize a compact, high-resolution spectrometer that can rapidly acquire the absorption spectrum of a sample with high sensitivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: Axel SCHERER, Taeyoon JEON
  • Publication number: 20180338681
    Abstract: A smart cage includes radiofrequency transceivers and tags attached to laboratory animals. The tags include sensors to detect monitorable conditions of the laboratory animals. The sensors include working electrodes, counter electrodes, reference electrodes, and potentiostats. The top surface of the electrodes is coated with ionophores or enzymes which detect the monitorable conditions of the laboratory animals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: Axel SCHERER, Peter A. PETILLO, Samson CHEN, Azita EMAMI
  • Publication number: 20180277329
    Abstract: Nanoscale field-emission devices are presented, wherein the devices include at least a pair of electrodes separated by a gap through which field emission of electrons from one electrode to the other occurs. The gap is dimensioned such that only a low voltage is required to induce field emission. As a result, the emitted electrons energy that is below the ionization potential of the gas or gasses that reside within the gap. In some embodiments, the gap is small enough that the distance between the electrodes is shorter than the mean-free path of electrons in air at atmospheric pressure. As a result, the field-emission devices do not require a vacuum environment for operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventors: Axel SCHERER, William M. JONES, Danil M. LUKIN, Sameer WALAVALKAR, Chieh-feng CHANG
  • Patent number: 10081844
    Abstract: Methods of detecting at least one genetic variation in a polynucleotide analyte in a sample. A fluorophore is attached to a first primer, a quencher is attached to a second primer, the first primer and the second primer are specific for the polynucleotide analyte. A signal generated by the fluorophore and quencher is measured. PCR is performed with the first primer and the second primer using the polynucleotide analyte as a template, thereby amplifying the template. A signal generated by the fluorophore and quencher from the PCR amplification product is measured. Comparison is made of the signals; and a determination is made of the presence or absence of the at least one genetic variation based i) on the change in signal as determined; and ii) by comparing said change to the change in signal observed upon PCR amplification for a corresponding polynucleotide analyte lacking the at least one genetic variation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Aditya Rajagopal, Mark D. Goldberg, Erika F. Garcia, Xiomara L. Madero, Thomas A. Tombrello, Axel Scherer
  • Publication number: 20180267012
    Abstract: A sensing chip attached to a bandage monitors the healing process of a wound by detecting growth factors, thrombin and fibrinogen. The complementary metal-oxide semiconductor includes a functionalized working electrode, functionalized counter electrode and functionalized reference electrode. The healing progress is stimulated by generating oxygen in the wound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventor: Axel SCHERER
  • Patent number: 10077475
    Abstract: FRET-based analytes detection and related methods and systems are described where a pair of FRET labeled primers and/or oligonucleotides are used that are specific for target sequences located at a distance up to four time the Förster distance of the FRET chromophores presented on the FRET labeled primers and/or oligonucleotides one with respect to the other in one or more polynucleotide analyte; in particular the pair of FRET labeled primers and/or oligonucleotides is combined with a sample and subjected to one or more polynucleotide amplification reactions before measuring FRET signals from at least one FRET chromophore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Emil P. Kartalov, Aditya Rajagopal, Axel Scherer, Mark D. Goldberg
  • Patent number: 10068051
    Abstract: This disclosure provides methods, systems, compositions, and kits for the multiplexed detection of a plurality of analytes in a sample. In some examples, this disclosure provides methods, systems, compositions, and kits wherein multiple analytes may be detected in a single sample volume by acquiring a cumulative measurement or measurements of at least one quantifiable component of a signal. In some cases, additional components of a signal, or additional signals (or components thereof) are also quantified. Each signal or component of a signal may be used to construct a coding scheme which can then be used to determine the presence or absence of any analyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Emil Kartalov, Aditya Rajagopal, Axel Scherer
  • Publication number: 20180243720
    Abstract: Methods and systems for nanopillar sensors are described. Nanopillars can be defined on a substrate, and metal deposited on the nanopillars. A thermal treatment can reflow the metal on the nanopillars forming metallic bulbs on the top end of the nanopillars. These structures can have enhanced optical detection when functionalized with biological agents, or can detect gases, particles and liquids through interaction with the metal layer on the nanopillars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventors: Sameer WALAVALKAR, Axel SCHERER
  • Publication number: 20180230524
    Abstract: A sensor incorporates one or more working electrodes, a counter electrode and a reference electrode. The sensor is inserted in a needle and connected to control electronics to detect the concentration of target molecules. The electrodes are arrays of nanostructures increasing the detection surface area. The nanostructures are functionalized with nucleic acids which bind to select target molecules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Meisam HONARVAR NAZARI, Muhammad MUJEEB-U-RAHMAN, Axel SCHERER
  • Patent number: 10006855
    Abstract: MIR spectroscopy systems comprising hierarchical spectral dispersion that enables fine spectral resolution and high sensitivity spectroscopy are disclosed. Hierarchical spectral dispersion is derived by employing at least two diffractive lens arrays, located on either side of a test sample, each receiving input radiation having an input spectral range and distributing the input radiation into a plurality of output signals, each having a fraction of the spectral range of the input radiation. As a result, the signal multiplication factor of the two arrays is multiplied in a manner that mitigates the propagation of wavelength harmonics through the system. In some embodiments, an emitter array comprising a plurality of spectrally selective emitters provides the input MIR radiation to a spectroscopy system. In some embodiments, spectrally selective detectors are used to detect narrow spectral components in the radiation after they have passed through the test sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Axel Scherer, Frank T. Hartley
  • Patent number: 9993185
    Abstract: Methods and systems for nanopillar sensors are described. Nanopillars can be defined on a substrate, and metal deposited on the nanopillars. A thermal treatment can reflow the metal on the nanopillars forming metallic bulbs on the top end of the nanopillars. These structures can have enhanced optical detection when functionalized with biological agents, or can detect gases, particles and liquids through interaction with the metal layer on the nanopillars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Sameer Walavalkar, Chieh-feng Chang, Axel Scherer
  • Publication number: 20180155819
    Abstract: A multilayer structure can selectively bind certain molecules, due to reentrant spaces having an appropriate size. The multilayers can be fabricated by alternating layers of two different materials having different etching rate. The layers of the material having a higher etching rate form reentrant spaces which can protect molecules from further chemical interactions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: Axel Scherer, Peter A. Petillo
  • Patent number: 9987609
    Abstract: Methods and systems for nanopillar sensors are described. Nanopillars can be defined on a substrate, and metal deposited on the nanopillars. A thermal treatment can reflow the metal on the nanopillars forming metallic bulbs on the top end of the nanopillars. These structures can have enhanced optical detection when functionalized with biological agents, or can detect gases, particles and liquids through interaction with the metal layer on the nanopillars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Sameer Walavalkar, Axel Scherer
  • Patent number: 9966443
    Abstract: Systems and methods for molecular sensing are described. Molecular sensors are described which are based on field-effect or bipolar junction transistors. These transistors have a nanopillar with a functionalized layer contacted to either the base or the gate electrode. The functional layer can bind molecules, which causes an electrical signal in the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignees: California Institute of Technology, SANOFI
    Inventors: Aditya Rajagopal, Chieh-feng Chang, Oliver Plettenburg, Stefan Petry, Axel Scherer, Charles L. Tschirhart
  • Patent number: 9960238
    Abstract: Systems and methods for molecular sensing are described. Molecular sensors are described which are based on field-effect or bipolar junction transistors. These transistors have a nanopillar with a functionalized layer contacted to either the base or the gate electrode. The functional layer can bind molecules, which causes an electrical signal in the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignees: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, SANOFI
    Inventors: Aditya Rajagopal, Chieh-feng Chang, Oliver Plettenburg, Stefan Petry, Axel Scherer, Charles L. Tschirhart
  • Patent number: 9913603
    Abstract: Methods and systems for nanopillar sensors are described. Nanopillars can be defined on a substrate, and metal deposited on the nanopillars. A thermal treatment can reflow the metal on the nanopillars forming metallic bulbs on the top end of the nanopillars. These structures can have enhanced optical detection when functionalized with biological agents, or can detect gases, particles and liquids through interaction with the metal layer on the nanopillars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignees: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Sameer Walavalkar, Chieh-feng Chang, Axel Scherer, Brandon Marin, Scott E. Fraser, Andrea R. Tao
  • Publication number: 20180052110
    Abstract: Methods and algorithms for a multiplexed single detection channel amplification process and quantification of generated amplicons is presented. Various mathematical approaches for quantifying and verifying the amplicons in a reaction are presented. Usage of such methods and approaches allow upgrading of existing single and multiple channel instruments for further multiplexing capabilities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Inventors: Imran R. MALIK, Xiomara Linnette MADERO, Erika F. GARCIA, Sheel Mukesh SHAH, Axel SCHERER
  • Publication number: 20180030551
    Abstract: This disclosure provides methods, compositions and kits for the detection of a plurality of analytes in a sample. In some examples, this disclosure provides methods, compositions, and kits for detecting analytes, genetic variations, monitoring reaction process, and monitoring analyte-analyte interactions by measuring signals. In some examples, the presence of signals or changes in signals may be used to construct signal profiles which can be used to detect analytes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Aditya Rajagopal, Mark D. Goldberg, Erika F. Garcia, Xiomara L. Madero, Thomas A. Tombrello, Axel Scherer
  • Patent number: 9846125
    Abstract: Methods and systems for nanopillar sensors are described. Nanopillars can be defined on a substrate, and metal deposited on the nanopillars. A thermal treatment can reflow the metal on the nanopillars forming metallic bulbs on the top end of the nanopillars. These structures can have enhanced optical detection when functionalized with biological agents, or can detect gases, particles and liquids through interaction with the metal layer on the nanopillars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Sameer Walavalkar, Axel Scherer, Thomas A. Tombrello
  • Publication number: 20170336340
    Abstract: A cycle of positive and negative voltage pulses applied to an electrode sensor removes passivation of an electrode surface. The conditioned sensors have improved sensitivity to concentrations for analytes of interest. The electrode surfaces can also be passivated on purpose to reduce sensitivity. The voltages applied are varied according to the solution present.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Samson CHEN, Axel SCHERER, Muhammad M. JILANI