Patents by Inventor Carl D. Meinhart
Carl D. Meinhart 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: 20170106113Abstract: Methods and apparatus for vaporizing liquid into the surrounding environment, including directing liquid from a liquid source through an inverse-opal wicking structure to a vaporization port where the vaporization port is formed by a through-hole in a structure connecting a first side of the structure to a second side, with all dimensions ranging from 10 um to 300 um, that is in fluid communication with the liquid source and the surrounding environment so that fluid is transported through the vaporization port between the first and the second side. The methods and apparatus includes plurality of heating elements that may be individually and/or selectively addressable by at least three electrode leads.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2016Publication date: April 20, 2017Applicant: Numerical Design, Inc.Inventors: Carl D. Meinhart, Brian Piorek, Nicholas B. Judy
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Publication number: 20170108210Abstract: Methods and apparatus for vaporizing liquid into the surrounding environment, including directing liquid from a liquid source through an inverse-opal wicking structure to a vaporization port where the vaporization port is formed by a through-hole in a structure connecting a first side of the structure to a second side, with all dimensions ranging from 10 um to 300 um, that is in fluid communication with the liquid source and the surrounding environment so that fluid is transported through the vaporization port between the first and the second side. The methods and apparatus includes plurality of heating elements that may be individually and/or selectively addressable by at least three electrode leads.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2016Publication date: April 20, 2017Applicant: Numerical Design, Inc.Inventors: Carl D. Meinhart, Brian Piorek, Nicholas B. Judy
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Publication number: 20160377353Abstract: A two-phase cooling device, including a predetermined amount of at least one working fluid, a cavity formed from at least one of a metal structure or a metal alloy structure, at least one opening formed in the structure, wherein said opening is configured as a port for partial filling of the cavity with the at least one working fluid, and at least one cover for said opening, wherein said cover is configured to be sealed to the opening, to prevent said working fluid from leaving the cavity, and to prevent contaminants and non-condensable gas from entering the cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2015Publication date: December 29, 2016Applicants: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, PIMEMS, INC.Inventors: Payam Bozorgi, Carl D. Meinhart
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Publication number: 20160205727Abstract: Methods and apparatus for vaporizing liquid into the surrounding environment, including directing liquid from a liquid source to a vaporization port where the vaporization port has lateral dimensions varying from 10 um to 300 um, by magnetically inductive heating a liquid in the vaporization port with an at least one inductive heating element located in thermal communication to the vaporization port, and releasing vaporized liquid from the vaporization port into the surrounding environment so that fluid is transported through the depth of the structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2015Publication date: July 14, 2016Applicant: Numerical Design, Inc.Inventors: Carl D. Meinhart, Brian Piorek, Nicholas B. Judy
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Publication number: 20160138795Abstract: Methods and apparatus for vaporizing liquid into the surrounding environment, including directing liquid from a liquid source to a vaporization port where the vaporization port has lateral dimensions varying from 10 um to 300 um, applying heat to the liquid in the vaporization port with an at least one heating element located in thermal communication to the vaporization port, and releasing vaporized liquid from the vaporization port into the surrounding environment so that fluid is transported through the depth of the structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2015Publication date: May 19, 2016Applicant: NUMERICAL DESIGN, INC.Inventors: Carl D. Meinhart, Brian Piorek, Nicholas B. Judy
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Publication number: 20160033415Abstract: Provided are methods, devices and systems that utilize free-surface fluidics and SERS for analyte detection with high sensitivity and specificity. The molecules can be airborne agents, including but not limited to explosives, narcotics, hazardous chemicals, or other chemical species. The free-surface fluidic architecture is created using an open microchannel, and exhibits a large surface to volume ratio. The free-surface fluidic interface can filter interferent molecules, while concentrating airborne analyte molecules. The microchannel flow enables controlled aggregation of SERS-active probe particles in the flow, thereby enhancing the detector's sensitivity.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2015Publication date: February 4, 2016Inventors: Carl D. Meinhart, Brian Piorek, Seung Joon Lee, Martin Moskovits, Sanjoy Banerjee, Juan Santiago
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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: 9097676Abstract: Provided are methods, devices and systems that utilize free-surface fluidics and SERS for analyte detection with high sensitivity and specificity. The molecules can be airborne agents, including but not limited to explosives, narcotics, hazardous chemicals, or other chemical species. The free-surface fluidic architecture is created using an open microchannel, and exhibits a large surface to volume ratio. The free-surface fluidic interface can filter interferent molecules, while concentrating airborne analyte molecules. The microchannel flow enables controlled aggregation of SERS-active probe particles in the flow, thereby enhancing the detector's sensitivity.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2013Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Assignees: The Regents of the University of California, Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior UniversityInventors: Carl D. Meinhart, Brian Piorek, Seung Joon Lee, Martin Moskovits, Sanjoy Banerjee, Juan Santiago
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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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Publication number: 20150184887Abstract: An apparatus for transmitting an electrical current through a treating vessel. The vessel may be under pressure. The treating vessel contains a series of electrically charged plates. An internal portion of the treating vessel contains a hydrocarbon liquid. The apparatus includes a housing having an inner portion, an electrical shaft positioned within the housing, and an insulated body casted within the inner portion of the housing. The electrode shaft is embedded within the insulated body. The insulated body may be formed of a polyurethane material.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2014Publication date: July 2, 2015Inventors: Carl D. Meinhart, Bjorn D. H. Simundson
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Publication number: 20150163858Abstract: A Joule heating apparatus with a housing having an internal cavity. The housing has an inlet portal for introducing fluid into the internal cavity and an outlet portal for discharging the fluid form the internal cavity. The internal cavity includes an internal heating section with at least one electrode assembly. The electrode assembly has a supply electrode, a ground electrode, and a space between the supply and ground electrodes. The space of the electrode assembly is in fluid communication with the housing's inlet and outlet portals. The electrode assembly is adapted to form an electric field to heat via Joule heating the fluid flowing through the annulus. A method for Joule heating of a fluid is provided that uses the aforesaid apparatus to heat the fluid by applying an electric field thereto.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2014Publication date: June 11, 2015Inventors: Carl D. Meinhart, Bjorn D. H. Simundson
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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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Publication number: 20140318946Abstract: An apparatus for reducing viscosity of a hydrocarbon liquid containing paraffin molecules or asphaltene molecules in suspension. The apparatus includes a conduit having an inner cavity dimensioned to accommodate a flow of the hydrocarbon liquid along a flow direction, and a series of electrically charged plates housed within the inner cavity with a longitudinal axis of each plate extending along the flow direction. A method of reducing viscosity of a hydrocarbon liquid containing paraffin molecules or asphaltene molecules in suspension, the method including flowing the hydrocarbon liquid through the inner cavity of a conduit and applying an electric field to the hydrocarbon liquid flowing through the inner cavity such that a plurality of paraffin molecules or a plurality of asphaltene molecules undergo a conformational change in microstructure to form a cluster of paraffin molecules or a cluster of asphaltene molecules, thereby reducing the viscosity of the hydrocarbon liquid.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2014Publication date: October 30, 2014Applicant: Save The World Air, Inc.Inventors: Bjorn D. H. Simundson, Carl D. Meinhart
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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: 20130327504Abstract: Titanium-based thermal ground planes are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2012Publication date: December 12, 2013Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIAInventors: Payam Bozorgi, Carl D. Meinhart, Marin Sigurdson, Noel C. MacDonald, David Bothman, Yu-Wei Liu
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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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Patent number: 8431409Abstract: Provided are methods, devices and systems that utilize free-surface fluidics and SERS for analyte detection with high sensitivity and specificity. The molecules can be airborne agents, including but not limited to explosives, narcotics, hazardous chemicals, or other chemical species. The free-surface fluidic architecture is created using an open microchannel, and exhibits a large surface to volume ratio. The free-surface fluidic interface can filter interferent molecules, while concentrating airborne analyte molecules. The microchannel flow enables controlled aggregation of SERS-active probe particles in the flow, thereby enhancing the detector's sensitivity.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2012Date of Patent: April 30, 2013Assignees: The Regents of the University of California, The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior UniversityInventors: Carl D. Meinhart, Brian Piorek, Seung Joon Lee, Martin Moskovits, Sanjoy Banerjee, Juan Santiago