Patents by Inventor Gary W. Hunter
Gary W. Hunter 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).
-
Patent number: 11243159Abstract: A tunable colorimetric sensor/optical filter is based on a lithography-free, asymmetric Fabry-Perot cavity. The sensor has a thin-film structure formed by a lossy, porous nanoplasmonic top film deposited on an actively tunable spacer middle layer, and a reflective base layer (either a metal or semiconductor). The structure is fabricated using wafer-scale PVD processes, and the middle layer responds to the presence of a stimulus in the local environment, by expanding in thickness resulting in a shift in resonance wavelength and thus an obvious change in color of the sensor, which color change is detectable by the naked-eye. Such layered geometries exhibit vibrant, macroscopic structural coloration owing to the broadband optical absorption of the top film, enabling the change in spacer thickness to be transduced visually, circumventing the need for sophisticated optical equipment for signal readout to observe the presence of the environmental stimulus.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2020Date of Patent: February 8, 2022Inventors: Timothy J. Palinski, Gary W. Hunter, John Zhang
-
Patent number: 11192780Abstract: A microsensor and its method of manufacture are disclosed based on templated metal or metal oxide nanostructures. The microsensor includes an electrode that in one embodiment may be configured as a first sawtooth patterned electrode having a series of first peaks and first valleys and a second electrode that by be configured as a second sawtooth patterned electrode having a series of second peaks and second valleys where the second peaks generally align with the first peaks of the first electrode. A plurality of templated metal or metal oxide nanostructures connect on one side to the first electrode and on another side to the second electrode, where an electrical property of the microsensor changes in response to exposure to an environment to be monitored.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2019Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Azlin M. Biaggi-Labiosa, Gary W. Hunter
-
Patent number: 10732161Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with gas detecting sensors. According to one embodiment, a gas sensor includes a metal layer, a barrier interlayer, a substrate layer, a first insulating layer, a conduction path, a contact pad, and a second insulating layer. The conduction path connects the metal layer to the contact pad. The second insulating layer prevents diffusion through the contact pad, the conduction path, or the metal layer. The sensor includes a wire bonded electrical connection to the contact pad such that voltage can be determined and/or applied.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2018Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Jennifer Xu, Gary W. Hunter
-
Patent number: 10444180Abstract: A polymer electrolyte-based sensor is disclosed. The sensor includes a conductive polymer electrolyte film including water-retaining components. The water-retaining components facilitate operational conductivity of the conductive polymer electrolyte film in lower humidity environments than would be possible without the water-retaining components.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2012Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Gary W Hunter, Jennifer C Xu, Chung-Chiun Liu
-
Patent number: 10294099Abstract: A microsensor and its method of manufacture are disclosed based on templated metal or metal oxide nanostructures. The microsensor includes an electrode that in one embodiment may be configured as a first sawtooth patterned electrode having a series of first peaks and first valleys and a second electrode that by be configured as a second sawtooth patterned electrode having a series of second peaks and second valleys where the second peaks generally align with the first peaks of the first electrode. A plurality of templated metal or metal oxide nanostructures connect on one side to the first electrode and on another side to the second electrode, where an electrical property of the microsensor changes in response to exposure to an environment to be monitored.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2013Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Azlin M. Biaggi-Labiosa, Gary W. Hunter
-
Publication number: 20180321210Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with gas detecting sensors. According to one embodiment, a gas sensor includes a metal layer, a barrier interlayer, a substrate layer, a first insulating layer, a conduction path, a contact pad, and a second insulating layer. The conduction path connects the metal layer to the contact pad. The second insulating layer prevents diffusion through the contact pad, the conduction path, or the metal layer. The sensor includes a wire bonded electrical connection to the contact pad such that voltage can be determined and/or applied.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2018Publication date: November 8, 2018Inventors: Jennifer Xu, Gary W. Hunter
-
Patent number: 9970914Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with gas detecting sensors. According to one embodiment, a gas sensor includes a metal layer, a barrier interlayer, a substrate layer, a first insulating layer, a conduction path, a contact pad, and a second insulating layer. The conduction path connects the metal layer to the contact pad. The second insulating layer prevents diffusion through the contact pad, the conduction path, or the metal layer. The sensor includes a wire bonded electrical connection to the contact pad such that voltage can be determined and/or applied.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2015Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Jennifer Xu, Gary W. Hunter
-
Publication number: 20180088077Abstract: Various embodiments of a gas sensor device and method of fabricating a gas sensor device are provided. In one embodiment a gas sensor device includes a base substrate, an electrolyte layer disposed on the base substrate and a plurality of potentiometric sensor units electrically coupled to the base substrate. Each potentiometric sensor unit includes an electrolyte layer disposed on the base substrate, a sensing electrode comprising tungsten oxide (WO3)and platinum (Pt), a reference electrode comprising Pt, and a plurality of connectors coupled to the plurality of potentiometric sensors to connect the plurality of potentiometric sensors in series.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2017Publication date: March 29, 2018Inventors: Gary W. Hunter, Carl W. Chang, Prabir K. Dutta, Suvra P. Mondal, Azlin M. Biaggi-Labiosa, Daniel Laskowski, Raed Dweik
-
Patent number: 8877636Abstract: Systems and methods that incorporate nanostructures into microdevices are discussed herein. These systems and methods can allow for standard microfabrication techniques to be extended to the field of nanotechnology. Sensors incorporating nanostructures can be fabricated as described herein, and can be used to reliably detect a range of gases with high response.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2011Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Adminstrator of National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Gary W Hunter, Jennifer C Xu, Laura J Evans, Michael H Kulis, Gordon M Berger, Randall L Vander Wal
-
Publication number: 20140262835Abstract: Various embodiments of a gas sensor device and method of fabricating a gas sensor device are provided. In one embodiment a gas sensor device includes a base substrate, an electrolyte layer disposed on the base substrate and a plurality of potentiometric sensor units electrically coupled to the base substrate. Each potentiometric sensor unit includes an electrolyte layer disposed on the base substrate, a sensing electrode comprising tungsten oxide (WO3) and platinum (Pt), a reference electrode comprising Pt, and a plurality of connectors coupled to the plurality of potentiometric sensors to connect the plurality of potentiometric sensors in series.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: THE CLEVELAND CLINIC FOUNDATIONInventors: Gary W. Hunter, Carl W. Chang, Prabir K. Dutta, Suvra P. Mondal, Azlin M. Biaggi-Labiosa
-
Patent number: 8702962Abstract: A gas sensor comprises a substrate layer; a pair of interdigitated metal electrodes, said electrodes include upper surfaces, the electrodes selected from the group consisting of Pt, Pd, Au, Ir, Ag, Ru, Rh, In, Os, and their alloys. A first layer of solid electrolyte staying in between electrode fingers and partially on said upper surfaces of said electrodes, said first layer selected from NASICON, LISICON, KSICON and ??-Alumina. A second layer of metal carbonate(s) as an auxiliary electrolyte engaging said upper surfaces of the electrodes and the first solid electrolyte. The metal carbonates selected from the group consisting of the following ions Na+, K+, Li+, Ag+, H+, Pb2+, Sr2+, Ba2+, and any combination thereof.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2008Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Gary W. Hunter, Jennifer C. Xu
-
Publication number: 20120263870Abstract: A gas sensor includes a substrate and a pair of interdigitated metal electrodes selected from the group consisting of Pt, Pd, Au, Ir, Ag, Ru, Rh, In, and Os. The electrodes each include an upper surface. A first solid electrolyte resides between the interdigitated electrodes and partially engages the upper surfaces of the electrodes. The first solid electrolyte is selected from the group consisting of NASICON, LISICON, KSICON, and ??-Alumina (beta prime-prime alumina in which when prepared as an electrolyte is complexed with a mobile ion selected from the group consisting of Na+, K+, Li+, Ag+, H+, Pb2+, Sr2+ or Ba2+). A second electrolyte partially engages the upper surfaces of the electrodes and engages the first solid electrolyte in at least one point. The second electrolyte is selected from the group of compounds consisting of Na+, K+, Li+, Ag+, H+, Pb2+, Sr2+ or Ba2+ ions or combinations thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2011Publication date: October 18, 2012Inventors: Gary W. Hunter, Jennifer C. Xu, Chung Chiun Liu, Benjamin C. Ward
-
Patent number: 8052854Abstract: A gas sensor includes a substrate and a pair of interdigitated metal electrodes selected from the group consisting of Pt, Pd, Au, Ir, Ag, Ru, Rh, In, and Os. The electrodes each include an upper surface. A first solid electrolyte resides between the interdigitated electrodes and partially engages the upper surfaces of the electrodes. The first solid electrolyte is selected from the group consisting of NASICON, LISICON, KSICON, and ??-Alumina (beta prime-prime alumina in which when prepared as an electrolyte is complexed with a mobile ion selected from the group consisting of Na+, K+, Li+, Ag+, H+, Pb2+, Sr2+ or Ba2+). A second electrolyte partially engages the upper surfaces of the electrodes and engages the first solid electrolyte in at least one point. The second electrolyte is selected from the group of compounds consisting of Na+, K+, Li+, Ag+, H+, Pb2+, Sr2+ or Ba2+ ions or combinations thereof.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2007Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Gary W. Hunter, Jennifer C. Xu, Chung Chiun Liu, Benjamin J. Ward
-
Patent number: 8001828Abstract: A miniaturized Schottky diode hydrogen and hydrocarbon sensor and the method of making same is disclosed and claimed. The sensor comprises a catalytic metal layer, such as palladium, a silicon carbide substrate layer and a thin barrier layer in between the catalytic and substrate layers made of palladium oxide (PdOx ). This highly stable device provides sensitive gas detection at temperatures ranging from at least 450 to 600° C. The barrier layer prevents reactions between the catalytic metal layer and the substrate layer. Conventional semiconductor fabrication techniques are used to fabricate the small-sized sensors. The use of a thicker palladium oxide barrier layer for other semiconductor structures such as a capacitor and transistor structures is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2008Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Gary W. Hunter, Jennifer C. Xu, Dorothy Lukco
-
Publication number: 20090113992Abstract: A miniaturized Schottky diode hydrogen and hydrocarbon sensor and the method of making same is disclosed and claimed. The sensor comprises a catalytic metal layer, such as palladium, a silicon carbide substrate layer and a thin barrier layer in between the catalytic and substrate layers made of palladium oxide (PdOx). This highly stable device provides sensitive gas detection at temperatures ranging from at least 450 to 600° C. The barrier layer prevents reactions between the catalytic metal layer and the substrate layer. Conventional semiconductor fabrication techniques are used to fabricate the small-sized sensors. The use of a thicker palladium oxide barrier layer for other semiconductor structures such as a capacitor and transistor structures is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2008Publication date: May 7, 2009Inventors: Gary W. Hunter, Jennifer C. Xu, Dorothy Lukco
-
Patent number: 7389675Abstract: A miniaturized Schottky diode hydrogen and hydrocarbon sensor and the method of making same is disclosed and claimed. The sensor comprises a catalytic metal layer, such as palladium, a silicon carbide substrate layer and a thin barrier layer in between the catalytic and substrate layers made of palladium oxide (PdOx). This highly stable device provides sensitive gas detection at temperatures ranging from at least 450 to 600° C. The barrier layer prevents reactions between the catalytic metal layer and the substrate layer. Conventional semiconductor fabrication techniques are used to fabricate the small-sized sensors. The use of a thicker palladium oxide barrier layer for other semiconductor structures such as a capacitor and transistor structures is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2006Date of Patent: June 24, 2008Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Gary W. Hunter, Jennifer C. Xu, Dorothy Lukco
-
Patent number: 6763699Abstract: Gas sensor devices are provided having an atomically flat silicon carbide top surface that, in turn, provides for a uniform, and reproducible surface thereof.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2003Date of Patent: July 20, 2004Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of Natural Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Gary W. Hunter, Philip G. Neudeck
-
Patent number: 5668301Abstract: A hydrogen sensitive metal alloy contains palladium and titanium to provide a larger change in electrical resistance when exposed to the presence of hydrogen. The alloy is deposited on a substrate and a thin film and connected across electrical circuitry to provide a sensor device that can be used for improved sensitivity and accuracy of hydrogen detection.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 1996Date of Patent: September 16, 1997Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventor: Gary W. Hunter
-
Patent number: 5520753Abstract: A hydrogen sensitive metal alloy contains palladium and titanium to provide a larger change in electrical resistance when exposed to the presence of hydrogen. The alloy can be used for improved hydrogen detection.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1994Date of Patent: May 28, 1996Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventor: Gary W. Hunter
-
Patent number: 5067729Abstract: A game apparatus including a plurality of block members, wherein each block member is defined by an equal predetermined length. The block members are defined by a trapezoidal cross-sectional configuration, wherein both sides are of differing lengths. An elongate slot is directed through a plurality of the side walls arranged parallel to the remaining side walls. The game permits stacking of the blocks until a player effects a tumbling of the formed stack upon which a point total is awarded to a preceding opposing player.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 1990Date of Patent: November 26, 1991Inventors: Gary W. Hunter, Robert L. Leeper