Patents by Inventor Ernest F. Guignon
Ernest F. Guignon 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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Patent number: 11845070Abstract: Plasmonically-enhanced catalytic surfaces and accompanying optics are described herein. These elements facilitate efficient coupling of light energy into a photocatalytic system by way of a surface plasmon. Various compatible optical configurations are presented, with an emphasis on the broadband coupling of light into a single plasmon mode. In an example embodiment, dispersive optics are used to direct polychromatic light onto a grating-embossed SPR-active surface. Dispersive optics allow resonance to be achieved at a wide range of incident wavelengths. Energy then transfers from the excited plasmon to an adjacent photocatalyst. The plasmon mode thus acts as a “funnel” of broadband light energy to the catalytic materials. High-efficiency incoupling and outcoupling from the plasmon mode suggest overall enhancement of catalytic activity, and broad applicability is anticipated due to the inherent flexibility of the system.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2018Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: Ciencia, Inc.Inventors: William D. Page, George N. Gibson, Stephen B. Cronin, Arturo O. Pilar, Ernest F. Guignon
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Publication number: 20210146347Abstract: Plasmonically-enhanced catalytic surfaces and accompanying optics are described herein. These elements facilitate efficient coupling of light energy into a photocatalytic system by way of a surface plasmon. Various compatible optical configurations are presented, with an emphasis on the broadband coupling of light into a single plasmon mode. In an example embodiment, dispersive optics are used to direct polychromatic light onto a grating-embossed SPR-active surface. Dispersive optics allow resonance to be achieved at a wide range of incident wavelengths. Energy then transfers from the excited plasmon to an adjacent photocatalyst. The plasmon mode thus acts as a “funnel” of broadband light energy to the catalytic materials. High-efficiency incoupling and outcoupling from the plasmon mode suggest overall enhancement of catalytic activity, and broad applicability is anticipated due to the inherent flexibility of the system.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2018Publication date: May 20, 2021Inventors: William D. Page, George N. Gibson, Stephen B. Cronin, Arturo O. Pilar, Ernest F. Guignon
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Patent number: 9535005Abstract: An instrument for measuring and analyzing surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and/or surface plasmon coupled emission on an electro-optic grating-coupled sensor surface is described herein. The sensor chip achieves SPR through a grating-coupled approach, with variations in the local dielectric constant at regions of interest (ROI) at the sensor surface detected as a function of the intensity of light reflecting from these ROI. Unlike other grating-based approaches, the metal surface is sufficiently thin that resonant conditions are sensitive to dielectric constant changes both above and below the metal surface (like the Kretschmann configuration). Dielectric constant shifts that occur as mass accumulates on the surface can be returned to reference intensities by applying voltage across the underlying electro-optic polymer.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2016Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: Ciencia, Inc.Inventors: William Page, George N. Gibson, Ernest F. Guignon
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Publication number: 20160313247Abstract: An instrument for measuring and analyzing surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and/or surface plasmon coupled emission on an electro-optic grating-coupled sensor surface is described herein. The sensor chip achieves SPR through a grating-coupled approach, with variations in the local dielectric constant at regions of interest (ROI) at the sensor surface detected as a function of the intensity of light reflecting from these ROI. Unlike other grating-based approaches, the metal surface is sufficiently thin that resonant conditions are sensitive to dielectric constant changes both above and below the metal surface (like the Kretschmann configuration). Dielectric constant shifts that occur as mass accumulates on the surface can be returned to reference intensities by applying voltage across the underlying electro-optic polymer.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2016Publication date: October 27, 2016Inventors: William Page, George N. Gibson, Ernest F. Guignon
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Patent number: 9383312Abstract: An instrument for measuring and analyzing surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and/or surface plasmon coupled emission on an electro-optic grating-coupled sensor surface is described herein. The sensor chip achieves SPR through a grating-coupled approach, with variations in the local dielectric constant at regions of interest (ROI) at the sensor surface detected as a function of the intensity of light reflecting from these ROI. Unlike other grating-based approaches, the metal surface is sufficiently thin that resonant conditions are sensitive to dielectric constant changes both above and below the metal surface (like the Kretschmann configuration). Dielectric constant shifts that occur as mass accumulates on the surface can be returned to reference intensities by applying voltage across the underlying electro-optic polymer.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2014Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Assignee: Ciencia, Inc.Inventors: William Page, George N. Gibson, Ernest F. Guignon
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Publication number: 20150124254Abstract: An instrument for measuring and analyzing surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and/or surface plasmon coupled emission on an electro-optic grating-coupled sensor surface is described herein. The sensor chip achieves SPR through a grating-coupled approach, with variations in the local dielectric constant at regions of interest (ROI) at the sensor surface detected as a function of the intensity of light reflecting from these ROI. Unlike other grating-based approaches, the metal surface is sufficiently thin that resonant conditions are sensitive to dielectric constant changes both above and below the metal surface (like the Kretschmann configuration). Dielectric constant shifts that occur as mass accumulates on the surface can be returned to reference intensities by applying voltage across the underlying electro-optic polymer.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2014Publication date: May 7, 2015Inventors: William Page, George N. Gibson, Ernest F. Guignon
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Patent number: 8526001Abstract: An instrument for measuring and analyzing surface plasmon resonance on a sensor surface has a polarized light source optically connected to the sensor surface by a plurality of optical elements, including in one embodiment an optical telescope that transfers light from a rotatable reflecting surface to the sensor surface. Selective positioning of a cylindrical lens into a first position within the path of light transforms collimated light to a rectangular wedge that is incident upon the sensor surface at numerous angles. In another embodiment, the light source is operated as a laser to excite fluorescence on the sensor surface and the fluorescence is selectively directed to a detector by appropriate optical elements positioned in specific configurations.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2013Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: Ciencia, Inc.Inventors: George N. Gibson, Ernest F. Guignon, Michael T. Reilly
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Patent number: 8368897Abstract: An instrument for measuring and analyzing surface plasmon resonance on a sensor surface has a polarized light source optically connected to the sensor surface by a plurality of optical elements, including in one embodiment an optical telescope that transfers light from a rotatable reflecting surface to the sensor surface. Selective positioning of a cylindrical lens into a first position within the path of light transforms collimated light to a rectangular wedge that is incident upon the sensor surface at numerous angles. In another embodiment, the light source is operated as a laser to excite fluorescence on the sensor surface and the fluorescence is selectively directed to a detector by appropriate optical elements positioned in specific configurations.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2009Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: Ciencia, Inc.Inventors: Michael T. Reilly, Ernest F. Guignon, George N. Gibson
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Publication number: 20100078575Abstract: An instrument for measuring and analyzing surface plasmon resonance on a sensor surface has a polarized light source optically connected to the sensor surface by a plurality of optical elements, including in one embodiment an optical telescope that transfers light from a rotatable reflecting surface to the sensor surface. Selective positioning of a cylindrical lens into a first position within the path of light transforms collimated light to a rectangular wedge that is incident upon the sensor surface at numerous angles. In another embodiment, the light source is operated as a laser to excite fluorescence on the sensor surface and the fluorescence is selectively directed to a detector by appropriate optical elements positioned in specific configurations.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2009Publication date: April 1, 2010Inventors: Michael T. Reilly, Ernest F. Guignon, George N. Gibson
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Publication number: 20030062485Abstract: The present invention is a compact instrument capable of operating as a steady-state fluorimeter or as a phase fluorometer, and thus it is able to measure steady-state fluorescence intensity and fluorescence lifetime from a fluorescent sample. The light source provides four user-selectable excitation wavelengths generated by light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and has an autocalibration feature and a means to compensate for phase measurement errors due to phase-amplitude crosstalk in the detection electronics.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2002Publication date: April 3, 2003Inventors: Salvador M. Fernandez, Ernest F. Guignon, Ernest St. Louis
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Patent number: 4923819Abstract: Fluorescence immunoassay for determining single or multiple analytes based upon a single measurement of fluorescence are described.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 1987Date of Patent: May 8, 1990Assignee: Chimerix CorporationInventors: Salvador M. Fernandez, Hann-Ping Wang, Yong-Sheng Chao, Ernest F. Guignon
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Patent number: 4855930Abstract: A method and apparatus for time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy is described in which laser light from a single pulse is used to excite fluorescent photons in a sample, which fluorescence is detected by a PMT optimized for linearity and response time to produce photoelectrons which generate a current at the PMT anode. This current is discharged through an R/C network to produce a voltage amplitude waveform which is converted to an optical image, intensified, stored and digitized. The digitized version of the optical image is processed in a data processor to calculate the true fluorescence impulse response.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 1987Date of Patent: August 8, 1989Assignee: Chimerix CorporationInventors: Yong-Sheng Chao, Salvador M. Fernandez, Ernest F. Guignon