Patents by Inventor Carl Hansen
Carl Hansen 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: 20070209574Abstract: The present invention relates to microfluidic devices and methods facilitating the growth and analysis of crystallized materials such as proteins. In accordance with one embodiment, a crystal growth architecture is separated by a permeable membrane from an adjacent well having a much larger volume. The well may be configured to contain a fluid having an identity and concentration similar to the solvent and crystallizing agent employed in crystal growth, with diffusion across the membrane stabilizing that process. Alternatively, the well may be configured to contain a fluid having an identity calculated to affect the crystallization process. In accordance with the still other embodiment, the well may be configured to contain a material such as a cryo-protectant, which is useful in protecting the crystalline material once formed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2007Publication date: September 13, 2007Applicants: California Institute of Technology, The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Carl Hansen, Stephen Quake, James Berger
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Publication number: 20070204365Abstract: The present invention pertains to novel cocoa polypeptides having a molecular weight of about 10 and 14 kDa and being derived from a 69 kDa precursor. In particular, the present invention relates to the production of the polypeptides via recombinant means and the use of the polypeptides or fragments thereof for the production of cocoa/chocolate flavor.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2007Publication date: August 30, 2007Applicant: Nestec S.A.Inventors: Sunil Kochhar, Carl Hansen, Marcel Juillerat
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Publication number: 20070183934Abstract: Microfluidic systems are disclosed, including microfluidic devices and methods, useful for simultaneously analyzing multiple analytes in each of a plurality of distinct nanoliter-volume samples.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2006Publication date: August 9, 2007Applicant: Institute for Systems BiologyInventors: Alan Diercks, Adrian Ozinsky, Carl Hansen, Alan Aderem
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Publication number: 20070169686Abstract: High throughput screening of crystallization of a target material is accomplished by simultaneously introducing a solution of the target material into a plurality of chambers of a microfabricated fluidic device. The microfabricated fluidic device is then manipulated to vary the solution condition in the chambers, thereby simultaneously providing a large number of crystallization environments. Control over changed solution conditions may result from a variety of techniques, including but not limited to metering volumes of crystallizing agent into the chamber by volume exclusion, by entrapment of volumes of crystallizing agent determined by the dimensions of the microfabricated structure, or by cross-channel injection of sample and crystallizing agent into an array of junctions defined by intersecting orthogonal flow channels.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2007Publication date: July 26, 2007Applicants: California Institute of Technology, The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Stephen Quake, Carl Hansen, James Berger
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Patent number: 7216671Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 10, 2005Date of Patent: May 15, 2007Assignee: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Marc Unger, Hou-Pu Chou, Todd Thorsen, Axel Scherer, Stephen Quake, Markus Enzelberger, Mark Adams, Carl Hansen
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Publication number: 20070012044Abstract: A method for estimating a trend in exhaust gas temperature in a turbine engine includes sampling exhaust gas temperature and a plurality of variables associated with the exhaust gas temperature over a set of observation times for a turbine engine to acquire exhaust gas temperature data. A trend in the exhaust gas temperature for the specific turbine engine is identified by removing the effect of the plurality of variables on the exhaust gas temperature data.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2005Publication date: January 18, 2007Inventors: Brock Osborn, John Hershey, Michael Fullington, James Dockendorff, William Herron, Carl Hansen
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Publication number: 20060218325Abstract: A method and system for configuring a device for multiple users. The method includes receiving identification information about a user and then configuring a device based on the received identification information. The device is capable of being used by multiple users, and once configured, is capable of providing the user with access to a block of a resource that is not accessible by any of the other multiple users.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2005Publication date: September 28, 2006Inventor: Carl Hansen
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Publication number: 20060196409Abstract: High throughput screening of crystallization of a target material is accomplished by simultaneously introducing a solution of the target material into a plurality of chambers of a microfabricated fluidic device. The microfabricated fluidic device is then manipulated to vary the solution condition in the chambers, thereby simultaneously providing a large number of crystallization environments. Control over changed solution conditions may result from a variety of techniques, including but not limited to metering volumes of crystallizing agent into the chamber by volume exclusion, by entrapment of volumes of crystallizing agent determined by the dimensions of the microfabricated structure, or by cross-channel injection of sample and crystallizing agent into an array of junctions defined by intersecting orthogonal flow channels.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2006Publication date: September 7, 2006Applicants: California Institute of Technology, The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Stephen Quake, Carl Hansen, James Berger
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Publication number: 20060065593Abstract: An induced sludge bed anaerobic reactor includes a vessel in which a septum or other partition is positioned to maintain solids in wastewater being treated toward a lower zone in the reactor. A gas trap, which may also comprise an overpressure protection device, may be arranged at an outlet of the vessel. A distribution plate may be located at an inlet. A central aperture is formed in the septum into which a plug control mechanism, such as an auger, may be positioned to force solids to the lower zone of the reactor or, alternatively, pull solids up above the septum so that they can be removed from the vessel, if desired. A mixer may be utilized in connection with the bioreactor to mix the contents and prevent a crust from forming at the top of the bioreactor. Still further, a wall may be positioned to extend above the septum around its perimeter to assist in separating solids from the wastewater.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2005Publication date: March 30, 2006Inventors: Conly Hansen, Carl Hansen, Edward Watts, Kevin Pack
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Publication number: 20060054228Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2005Publication date: March 16, 2006Applicant: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Marc Unger, Hou-Pu Chou, Todd Thorsen, Axel Scherer, Stephen Quake, Jian Liu, Mark Adams, Carl Hansen
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Publication number: 20060057270Abstract: The invention relates to a flour based food product comprising a thermostable ?-amylase and in-situ modified starch, as well as to a process comprising the steps of making a batter by mixing at least flour, water and a thermo-resistant ?-amylase and cooking the batter on at least one hot surface, to the use of thermostable ?-amylase to manipulate textural attributes of flour based food products, and to a method for modifying starch in a wafer without increasing batter viscosity. Preferred flour based food products are wafers, biscuits and crackers.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2003Publication date: March 16, 2006Inventors: Pierre Nicolas, Carl Hansen
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Publication number: 20060003145Abstract: Devices having ultra-smooth pores useful in patch clamping experiments, and methods for fabricating thereof are provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2005Publication date: January 5, 2006Inventors: Carl Hansen, Tobias Kippenberg
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Publication number: 20050230308Abstract: An induced sludge bed anaerobic reactor includes a vessel in which a septum or other partition is positioned to maintain solids in wastewater being treated toward a lower zone in the reactor. A central aperture is formed in the septum into which a sludge blanket control mechanism, such as an auger, is positioned to force solids to the lower zone of the reactor or, alternatively, pull solids up above the septum so that they can be removed from the vessel, if desired. A mixer may be utilized in connection with the bioreactor to mix the contents and prevent a crust from forming at the top of the bioreactor. Still further, a wall may be positioned to extend above the septum around its perimeter to assist in separating solids from the wastewater. The various types of bacteria used in the anaerobic process may also be separated, according to the present invention, in either a single vessel or multiple vessels so that the conditions of each respective vessel can be altered as desired.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2005Publication date: October 20, 2005Inventors: Conly Hansen, Carl Hansen
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Publication number: 20050229839Abstract: High throughput screening of crystallization of a target material is accomplished by simultaneously introducing a solution of the target material into a plurality of chambers of a microfabricated fluidic device. The microfabricated fluidic device is then manipulated to vary the solution condition in the chambers, thereby simultaneously providing a large number of crystallization environments. Control over changed solution conditions may result from a variety of techniques, including but not limited to metering volumes of crystallizing agent into the chamber by volume exclusion, by entrapment of volumes of crystallizing agent determined by the dimensions of the microfabricated structure, or by cross-channel injection of sample and crystallizing agent into an array of junctions defined by intersecting orthogonal flow channels.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2005Publication date: October 20, 2005Applicants: California Institute of Technology, The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Stephen Quake, Carl Hansen, James Berger
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Publication number: 20050221373Abstract: The present invention provides microfluidic devices and methods using the same in various types of thermal cycling reactions. Certaom devices include a rotary microfluidic channel and a plurality of temperature regions at different locations along the rotary microfluidic channel at which temperature is regulated. Solution can be repeatedly passed through the temperature regions such that the solution is exposed to different temperatures. Other microfluidic devices include an array of reaction chambers formed by intersecting vertical and horizontal flow channels, with the ability to regulate temperature at the reaction chambers. The microfluidic devices can be used to conduct a number of different analyses, including various primer extension reactions and nucleic acid amplification reactions.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2005Publication date: October 6, 2005Applicant: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Markus Enzelberger, Carl Hansen, Jian Liu, Stephen Quake, Chiem Ma
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Publication number: 20050205005Abstract: The use of microfluidic structures enables high throughput screening of protein crystallization. In one embodiment, an integrated combinatoric mixing chip allows for precise metering of reagents to rapidly create a large number of potential crystallization conditions, with possible crystal formations observed on chip. In an alternative embodiment, the microfluidic structures may be utilized to explore phase space conditions of a particular protein crystallizing agent combination, thereby identifying promising conditions and allowing for subsequent focused attempts to obtain crystal growth.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2004Publication date: September 22, 2005Applicant: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Carl Hansen, Morten Sommer, Stephen Quake
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Publication number: 20050178317Abstract: High throughput screening of crystallization of a target material is accomplished by simultaneously introducing a solution of the target material into a plurality of chambers of a microfabricated fluidic device. The microfabricated fluidic device is then manipulated to vary the solution condition in the chambers, thereby simultaneously providing a large number of crystallization environments. Control over changed solution conditions may result from a variety of techniques, including but not limited to metering volumes of crystallizing agent into the chamber by volume exclusion, by entrapment of volumes of crystallizing agent determined by the dimensions of the microfabricated structure, or by cross-channel injection of sample and crystallizing agent into an array of junctions defined by intersecting orthogonal flow channels.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2005Publication date: August 18, 2005Inventors: Stephen Quake, Carl Hansen, James Berger
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Publication number: 20050166980Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2005Publication date: August 4, 2005Applicant: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Marc Unger, Hou-Pu Chou, Todd Thorsen, Axel Scherer, Stephen Quake, Markus Enzelberger, Mark Adams, Carl Hansen
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Publication number: 20050164376Abstract: A chemostat that includes a growth chamber having a plurality of compartments, where each of the compartments may be fluidly isolated from the rest of the growth chamber by one or more actuatable valves. The chemostat may also include a nutrient supply-line to supply growth medium to the growth chamber, and an output port to remove fluids from the growth chamber. Also, a method of preventing biofilm formation in a growth chamber of a chemostat. The method may include the steps of adding a lysis agent to a isolated portion of the growth chamber, and reuniting the isolated portion with the rest of the growth chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2004Publication date: July 28, 2005Applicant: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Frederick Balagadde, Carl Hansen, Emil Kartalov, Stephen Quake
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Publication number: 20050062196Abstract: The present invention relates to microfluidic devices and methods facilitating the growth and analysis of crystallized materials such as proteins. In accordance with one embodiment, a crystal growth architecture is separated by a permeable membrane from an adjacent well having a much larger volume. The well may be configured to contain a fluid having an identity and concentration similar to the solvent and crystallizing agent employed in crystal growth, with diffusion across the membrane stabilizing that process. Alternatively, the well may be configured to contain a fluid having an identity calculated to affect the crystallization process. In accordance with the still other embodiment, the well may be configured to contain a material such as a cryo-protectant, which is useful in protecting the crystalline material once formed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2004Publication date: March 24, 2005Applicants: California Institute of Technology, The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Carl Hansen, Stephen Quake, James Berger