Patents by Inventor Brian D. Piorek
Brian D. Piorek 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).
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Publication number: 20200025462Abstract: Titanium-based thermal ground planes are described. A thermal ground plane in accordance with the present invention comprises a titanium substrate comprising a plurality of pillars, wherein the plurality of Ti pillars can be optionally oxidized to form nanostructured titania coated pillars, and a vapor cavity, in communication with the plurality of titanium pillars, for transporting thermal energy from one region of the thermal ground plane to another region of the thermal ground plane.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2019Publication date: January 23, 2020Applicant: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Noel C. MacDonald, Carl D. Meinhart, Changsong Ding, Payam Bozorgi, Gaurav Soni, Brian D. Piorek
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Patent number: 10309728Abstract: Titanium-based thermal ground planes are described. A thermal ground plane in accordance with the present invention comprises a titanium substrate comprising a plurality of pillars, wherein the plurality of Ti pillars can be optionally oxidized to form nanostructured titania coated pillars, and a vapor cavity, in communication with the plurality of titanium pillars, for transporting thermal energy from one region of the thermal ground plane to another region of the thermal ground plane.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2014Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Noel C. MacDonald, Carl D. Meinhart, Changsong Ding, Payam Bozorgi, Gaurav Soni, Brian D. Piorek
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Patent number: 9134248Abstract: This disclosure provides a system component and method for analysis of airborne analytes by absorbing the analytes into a liquid and interrogating the liquid with an analytical instrument. In some examples, a cartridge with a microfluidic chip contains a vessel of a colloidal solution of nanostructured particles in a liquid. The vessel is broken, releasing the solution into microfluidic containers on the chip. Air having analytes is passed over the chip leading to absorption of airborne analytes into the solution. The analytes bind with the nanostructures and are detected optically. Techniques are disclosed for filling the vessel in a way that maintains the efficacy of the solution until it is needed for measurement.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2012Date of Patent: September 15, 2015Assignee: OndaVia, Inc.Inventors: Carl D. Meinhart, Brian D. Piorek, T.J. Reed, Ian Cutler, Philip Strong
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Patent number: 9091656Abstract: Solid-type SERS-active substrates (e.g., noble metallic nanostructured powders or noble metallic nanoparticle-coatings on beads, microbeads, particles, etc.) are contained within optically-transparent modules. The modules allow for the controlled introduction of analyte-bearing fluid(s) into SERS-active substrates. The modules also allow for the monitoring of SERS signals emanating from analyte(s) which have accumulated on the confined SERS-active substrates. These SERS signals may be monitored over time by direct readout of the SERS substrates through the optically transparent module for chemical analysis and chemical detection applications.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2010Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignee: OndaVia, Inc.Inventors: Seung Joon Lee, Brian D. Piorek, Carl D. Meinhart, Casey Hare, Norman Douglas Bradley
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Patent number: 9036144Abstract: For a rapid and real-time SERS detection of organic chemicals in the air and the interfaces of air/solids, colloidal silver and/or gold nanoparticles solution is sprayed, in the form of nano-/micro-sized droplets, at the desired target area where the analytes of interest are present, e.g., in the air or onto certain organic/inorganic interfaces.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2011Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: OndaVia, Inc.Inventors: Seung Joon Lee, Brian D. Piorek, Carl D. Meinhart
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Patent number: 8917389Abstract: SERS-active materials are delivered to a remote zone, then optically interrogated to detect and analyze from a safe distance the presence of explosives or other materials which may or may not be hazardous. Delivery methods include deploying projectiles comprising SERS-active material(s) which distribute their contents upon deployment to a target zone.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2010Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: OndaVia, Inc.Inventors: Brian D. Piorek, Carl D. Meinhart, Seung Joon Lee
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Publication number: 20140332187Abstract: Titanium-based thermal ground planes are described. A thermal ground plane in accordance with the present invention comprises a titanium substrate comprising a plurality of pillars, wherein the plurality of Ti pillars can be optionally oxidized to form nanostructured titania coated pillars, and a vapor cavity, in communication with the plurality of titanium pillars, for transporting thermal energy from one region of the thermal ground plane to another region of the thermal ground plane.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2014Publication date: November 13, 2014Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIAInventors: Noel C. MacDonald, Carl D. Meinhart, Changsong Ding, Payam Bozorgi, Gaurav Soni, Brian D. Piorek
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Patent number: 8807203Abstract: Titanium-based thermal ground planes are described. A thermal ground plane in accordance with the present invention comprises a titanium substrate comprising a plurality of pillars, wherein the plurality of Ti pillars can be optionally oxidized to form nanostructured titania coated pillars, and a vapor cavity, in communication with the plurality of titanium pillars, for transporting thermal energy from one region of the thermal ground plane to another region of the thermal ground plane.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2009Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Noel C. MacDonald, Carl D. Meinhart, Changsong Ding, Payam Bozorgi, Gaurav Soni, Brian D. Piorek
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Patent number: 8792095Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detection and/or analysis of gas phase analytes and chemical compounds. The apparatus can be formed with microfluidic cells containing a selected fluid that interacts with the analyte(s), wherein the fluid can selectively transition between a vapor phase and a liquid phase. During condensation of the fluid, the population of analytes present within the vapor phase region of the fluid can be transported into the liquid phase region of the fluid within the microfluidic cells. During evaporation of the fluid, the analytes can be substantially retained within liquid phase region of the fluid and within the cells. Repetitive cycling of this vapor/liquid exchange can provide a build-up of the analytes within the microfluidic cells where they can be detected/analyzed.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2010Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: OndaVia, Inc.Inventors: Brian D. Piorek, Carl D. Meinhart, Seung Joon Lee
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Publication number: 20130244337Abstract: This disclosure provides a system component and method for analysis of airborne analytes by absorbing the analytes into a liquid and interrogating the liquid with an analytical instrument. In some examples, a cartridge with a microfluidic chip contains a vessel of a colloidal solution of nanostructured particles in a liquid. The vessel is broken, releasing the solution into microfluidic containers on the chip. Air having analytes is passed over the chip leading to absorption of airborne analytes into the solution. The analytes bind with the nanostructures and are detected optically. Techniques are disclosed for filling the vessel in a way that maintains the efficacy of the solution until it is needed for measurement.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2012Publication date: September 19, 2013Inventors: Carl D. Meinhart, Brian D. Piorek, T.J. Reed, Ian Cutler, Philip Strong
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Publication number: 20130003056Abstract: SERS-active materials are delivered to a remote zone, then optically interrogated to detect and analyze from a safe distance the presence of explosives or other materials which may or may not be hazardous. Delivery methods include deploying projectiles comprising SERS-active material(s) which distribute their contents upon deployment to a target zone.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2010Publication date: January 3, 2013Applicant: SpectraFluidics, Inc.Inventors: Brian D. Piorek, Carl B. Meinhart, Seung Joon Lee
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Publication number: 20120281210Abstract: For a rapid and real-time SERS detection of organic chemicals in the air and the interfaces of air/solids, colloidal silver and/or gold nanoparticles solution is sprayed, in the form of nano-/micro-sized droplets, at the desired target area where the analytes of interest are present, e.g., in the air or onto certain organic/inorganic interfaces.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2011Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: SpectraFluidics, Inc.Inventors: Seung Joon Lee, Brian D. Piorek, Carl D. Meinhart
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Publication number: 20120236304Abstract: Solid-type SERS-active substrates (e.g., noble metallic nanostructured powders or noble metallic nanoparticle-coatings on beads, microbeads, particles, etc.) are contained within optically-transparent modules. The modules allow for the controlled introduction of analyte-bearing fluid(s) into SERS-active substrates. The modules also allow for the monitoring of SERS signals emanating from analyte(s) which have accumulated on the confined SERS-active substrates. These SERS signals may be monitored over time by direct readout of the SERS substrates through the optically transparent module for chemical analysis and chemical detection applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2010Publication date: September 20, 2012Applicant: SpectraFuidics, Inc.Inventors: Seung Joon Lee, Brian D. Piorek, Carl D. Meinhart, Casey Hare, Norman Douglas Bradley
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Publication number: 20120225493Abstract: A series of electronic-chemometric control processes to enhance the selectivity, concentration, analysis, and detec tion of chemical species (analytes) in the gas phase, such as when using SERS-based techniques. Controls consist variously of: 1) feedback of electronic signals corresponding to changes of static and variable parameters in targeted chemical species that vary according to a reduction, increase, maximization, linearization, or improved confidence in one or more chemometric output parameters; 2) methods for spatially locating the source of an analyte species; and, 3) variable duty cycling to save power and materials according to altered physical and environmental conditions within a monitored zone.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2010Publication date: September 6, 2012Applicant: SpectraFluidics, Inc.Inventors: Brian D. Piorek, Carl D. Meinhart, Seung Joon Lee, Casey Hare, Norman Douglas Bradley
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Publication number: 20120127465Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detection and/or analysis of gas phase analytes and chemical compounds. The apparatus can be formed with microfluidic cells containing a selected fluid that interacts with the analyte(s), wherein the fluid can selectively transition between a vapor phase and a liquid phase. During condensation of the fluid, the population of analytes present within the vapor phase region of the fluid can be transported into the liquid phase region of the fluid within the microfluidic cells. During evaporation of the fluid, the analytes can be substantially retained within liquid phase region of the fluid and within the cells. Repetitive cycling of this vapor/liquid exchange can provide a build-up of the analytes within the microfluidic cells where they can be detected/analyzed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2010Publication date: May 24, 2012Applicant: SpectraFluidics, Inc.Inventors: Brian D. Piorek, Carl D. Meinhart, Seung Joon Lee
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Publication number: 20110120674Abstract: Titanium-based thermal ground planes are described. A thermal ground plane in accordance with the present invention comprises a titanium substrate comprising a plurality of pillars, wherein the plurality of Ti pillars can be optionally oxidized to form nanostructured titania coated pillars, and a vapor cavity, in communication with the plurality of titanium pillars, for transporting thermal energy from one region of the thermal ground plane to another region of the thermal ground plane.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2009Publication date: May 26, 2011Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIAInventors: Noel C. MacDonald, Carl D. Meinhart, Changsong Ding, Payam Bozorgi, Gaurav Soni, Brian D. Piorek