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).

  • Method for producing light-coloured polyisocyanates
    Patent number: 9279029
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing light-coloured polyisocyanates by phosgenation of mixtures comprising MDA and polycyclic aromatic polyamines that have o-phenylenediamine units incorporated via methylene bridges. The invention further relates to the polyisocyanate mixtures obtainable by this method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Bayer Intellectual Property GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Ernst Mueller, Christoph Guertler, Axel Scherer-Werke, Stefan Wershofen, Henning Vogt, Walter Leitner
  • SILICON PHOTONIC CRYSTAL NANOBEAM CAVITY WITHOUT SURFACE CLADDING AND INTEGRATED WITH MICRO-HEATER FOR SENSING APPLICATIONS
    Publication number: 20160025626
    Abstract: A silicon photonic crystal nanobeam cavity device is described, including a heater that can set a desired temperature on the cavity device in order to control its resonant wavelength. The device has no cladding, which is advantageous for sensing. Biosensing applications with temperature control can be carried out with the nanobeam cavity device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: William DOS SANTOS FEGADOLLI, Axel SCHERER
  • Sensor probe for bio-sensing and chemical-sensing applications
    Patent number: 9243277
    Abstract: The basic structure and functionality of a probe as disclosed herein allows for flexibly incorporating into the probe, various sensing elements for various sensing applications. Two example applications among these various sensing applications include bio-sensing and chemical-sensing applications. For bio-sensing applications the probe, which is fabricated upon a silicon substrate, includes a bio-sensing element such as a nano-pillar transistor, and for chemical-sensing applications the probe includes a sensing element that has a functionalized contact area whereby the sensing element generates a voltage when exposed to one or more chemicals of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Aditya Rajagopal, Axel Scherer, Michael D. Henry, Sameer Walavalkar, Thomas A. Tombrello, Andrew P. Homyk
  • APPARATUS FOR FILTRATION AND DESALINATION AND METHOD THEREFOR
    Publication number: 20160016119
    Abstract: A free-pass-through fluid-purification system is disclosed, wherein the system includes a pore-matrix membrane subtended between a pair of chambers of a manifold. The membrane includes a large open-fraction porous matrix that allows liquid to pass freely through; however, suspended matter having a physical cross-section larger than the size of the pores are blocked. In some embodiments, the cross-sections of the pores are made to be a small fraction of the cross-section of the suspended materials. In some embodiments, electrodes are included on the top and bottom surfaces of the membrane to enable deionization of the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Frank Thomas Hartley, Axel Scherer
  • Thermally controlled chamber with optical access for high-performance PCR
    Patent number: 9238833
    Abstract: Novel methods and systems for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are disclosed. A PCR device has a bottom heater layer, a central reacting layer, and a top heater layer. The central reacting layer has a PCR reacting chamber connected with fluidics channels. Photoluminescence of a DNA solution in the PCR reactive chamber is carried out through the transparent top layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Samson Chen, Aditya Rajagopal, Axel Scherer
  • Fluidic devices and fabrication methods for microfluidics
    Patent number: 9233369
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a fluidic device comprises providing a fluidic device including a body having a surface and one or more channels located in the body. Recesses are defined on said surface. The one or more channels can have respective boundaries. A layer of adhesive including one or more panel-shaped pieces having a pattern based on the pattern of boundaries of the channels can be formed and applied on the surface of the body. It is further controlled that the layer of adhesive has respective boundaries surrounding the boundaries of the one or more channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Imran R. Malik, Axel Scherer
  • Chemical sensing and/or measuring devices and methods
    Patent number: 9234872
    Abstract: Methods for fabricating silicon nanowire chemical sensing devices, devices thus obtained, and methods for utilizing devices for sensing and measuring chemical concentration of selected species in a fluid are described. Devices may comprise a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Andrew P. Homyk, Michael D. Henry, Axel Scherer, Sameer Walavalkar
  • METHODS FOR OPTICALLY POWERING TRANSDUCERS AND RELATED TRANSDUCERS
    Publication number: 20150380989
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method for optically powering transducers and related transducers with a photovoltaic collector. An optical fiber power delivery method and a free space power delivery method are also provided. A fabrication process for making an optically powered transducer is further described, together with an implantable transducer system based on optical power delivery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Axel SCHERER, Aditya RAJAGOPAL, Seheon KIM, Andrew P. HOMYK
  • Fluorescence detector, filter device and related methods
    Patent number: 9212994
    Abstract: A microfluidic filter is disclosed. The filter can be used with onchip fluid filtration such as whole blood filtration for microfluidic blood analysis. The filter is able to filter the necessary volume of fluid and in particular blood in an acceptable time frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: George Maltezos, John Kim Lee, Axel Scherer, Emil Kartalov
  • III-V photonic crystal microlaser bonded on silicon-on-insulator
    Patent number: 9214787
    Abstract: Novel methods and systems for miniaturized lasers are described. A photonic crystal is bonded to a silicon-on-insulator wafer. The photonic crystal includes air-holes and can include a waveguide which couples the laser output to a silicon waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Seheon Kim, William Dos Santos Fegadolli, Axel Scherer
  • TEMPERATURE CONTROL DEVICES AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20150321195
    Abstract: Temperature control devices and methods are described. The described temperature control devices and methods comprise optical emission and detection assemblies and can be used in PCR and qPCR applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: Imran R. MALIK, Axel SCHERER
  • Apparatus and methods for conducting assays and high throughput screening
    Patent number: 9176137
    Abstract: The present invention provides microfluidic devices and methods for using the same. In particular, microfluidic devices of the present invention are useful in conducting a variety of assays and high throughput screening. Microfluidic devices of the present invention include elastomeric components and comprise a main flow channel; a plurality of branch flow channels; a plurality of control channels; and a plurality of valves. Preferably, each of the valves comprises one of the control channels and an elastomeric segment that is deflectable into or retractable from the main or branch flow channel upon which the valve operates in response to an actuation force applied to the control channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Stephen R. Quake, Marc A. Unger, Hou-Pu Chou, Todd A. Thorsen, Axel Scherer
  • Three-dimensional high surface area electrodes
    Patent number: 9177933
    Abstract: Three dimensional high surface electrodes are described. The electrodes are fabricated by methods including the steps: designing the pillars; selecting a material for the formation of the pillars; patterning the material; transferring the pattern to form the pillars; insulating the pillars and providing a metal layer for increased conductivity. Alternative methods for fabrication of the electrodes and fabrication of the electrodes using CMOS are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Muhammad Mujeeb-U-Rahman, Axel Scherer
  • Fabrication of implantable fully integrated electrochemical sensors
    Patent number: 9173605
    Abstract: A fully integrated small size implantable sensing device is described, which can include a sensor and an electronic circuit to interface with the sensor and communicate with an external device. Various fabrication methods for the sensing device are described, including provision of wells, created using same fabrication technology as the electronic circuit, to contain electrodes of the sensor and corresponding functionalization chemicals. Such implantable sensing device can be used for a variety of electrochemical measuring applications within a living body as well as actuation by injecting a current into the living body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Muhammad Mujeeb-U-Rahman, Meisam Honarvar Nazari, Mehmet Sencan, Axel Scherer
  • Point-of-collection sample preparation device and method
    Patent number: 9169521
    Abstract: A device and method for analyte detection is provided. In an embodiment, the device includes a multi-layer filter configured to receive a fluid-borne sample including at least one analyte in combination with one or more non-analyte components. The multi-layer filter includes a sample preparation layer configured to dissolve upon receiving a portion of the fluid-borne sample to produce a solution including at least a portion of the fluid-borne sample. The device also includes an analysis cartridge for determining a presence and/or a concentration of the analyte in the solution. The device may be configured as a wearable mask or as a part of a ventilation system. In some embodiments, the analyte is detected using a polymerase chain reaction and a detectable marker. The device and method may be used to quickly detect the presence of an analyte in real-time and on-location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignees: The Boeing Company, California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Aditya Rajagopal, Axel Scherer, Leora Peltz
  • SENSOR PROBE FOR BIO-SENSING AND CHEMICAL-SENSING APPLICATIONS
    Publication number: 20150299757
    Abstract: The basic structure and functionality of a probe as disclosed herein allows for flexibly incorporating into the probe, various sensing elements for various sensing applications. Two example applications among these various sensing applications include bio-sensing and chemical-sensing applications. For bio-sensing applications the probe, which is fabricated upon a silicon substrate, includes a bio-sensing element such as a nano-pillar transistor, and for chemical-sensing applications the probe includes a sensing element that has a functionalized contact area whereby the sensing element generates a voltage when exposed to one or more chemicals of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Inventors: Aditya RAJAGOPAL, Axel SCHERER, Michael D. HENRY, Sameer WALAVALKAR, Thomas A. TOMBRELLO, Andrew P. HOMYK
  • PARTICULATE NANOSORTING STACK
    Publication number: 20150283513
    Abstract: Methods and devices for isolating and sorting nanoparticles are disclosed herein. Nanopores of a desired size can be formed in silicon dioxide membranes and used as filters to separate nanoparticles. Devices are also provided herein for sorting nanoparticles with multiple filters having various sized nanopores.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventors: SAMEER WALAVALKAR, ADITYA RAJAGOPAL, AXEL SCHERER, THOMAS A. TOMBRELLO
  • Systems and methods for optically powering transducers and related transducers
    Patent number: 9154235
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes an optically powered transducer with a photovoltaic collector. An optical fiber power delivery method and system and a free space power delivery method are also provided. A fabrication process for making an optically powered transducer is further described, together with an implantable transducer system based on optical power delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Axel Scherer, Aditya Rajagopal, Seheon Kim, Andrew P. Homyk
  • Microfluidic fluid separator and related methods
    Patent number: 9149805
    Abstract: A microfluidic fluid separator for separating target components of a fluid by filtration is described. Methods for separating target components of a fluid by filtration and methods for processing blood on a large scale with the microfluidic fluid separator are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignees: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, APIC CORPORATION, CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Emil P. Kartalov, Axel Scherer, Koichi Sayano
  • MICROFABRICATED ELASTOMERIC VALVE AND PUMP SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20150276089
    Abstract: A method of fabricating an elastomeric structure, comprising: forming a first elastomeric layer on top of a first micromachined mold, the first micromachined mold having a first raised protrusion which forms a first recess extending along a bottom surface of the first elastomeric layer; forming a second elastomeric layer on top of a second micromachined mold, the second micromachined mold having a second raised protrusion which forms a second recess extending along a bottom surface of the second elastomeric layer; bonding the bottom surface of the second elastomeric layer onto a top surface of the first elastomeric layer such that a control channel forms in the second recess between the first and second elastomeric layers; and positioning the first elastomeric layer on top of a planar substrate such that a flow channel forms in the first recess between the first elastomeric layer and the planar substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Applicant: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Marc Alexander Unger, Hou-Pu Chou, Todd A. Thorsen, Axel Scherer, Stephen R. Quake, Markus Enzelberger, Mark L. Adams, Carl L. Hansen