Patents by Inventor Geoffrey Brent Johnston

Geoffrey Brent Johnston 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).

  • Inert apparatus for microfluidic motion using magnetic shape memory material
    Patent number: 11786897
    Abstract: A magnetic shape memory (MSM) microfluidic device may include a flexible membrane positioned between a channel and an MSM element. The MSM element may engage the flexible membrane to deform the channel at portions of the flexible membrane that are adjacent to non-contracted portions of the MSM element. The flexible membrane may prevent contact between a fluid within the channel and the MSM element. Magnetic field components may be applied to the MSM element and moved along the MSM element enable fluidic flow within the channel while. The device may include an upper portion including the flexible membrane and a lower portion including the MSM element. The upper portion may be interchangeable with additional upper portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Boise State University
    Inventors: Peter Mullner, Geoffrey Brent Johnston, Aaron Smith, Andrew Armstrong
  • INERT APPARATUS FOR MICROFLUIDIC MOTION USING MAGNETIC SHAPE MEMORY MATERIAL
    Publication number: 20220266246
    Abstract: A magnetic shape memory (MSM) microfluidic device may include a flexible membrane positioned between a channel and an MSM element. The MSM element may engage the flexible membrane to deform the channel at portions of the flexible membrane that are adjacent to non-contracted portions of the MSM element. The flexible membrane may prevent contact between a fluid within the channel and the MSM element. Magnetic field components may be applied to the MSM element and moved along the MSM element enable fluidic flow within the channel while. The device may include an upper portion including the flexible membrane and a lower portion including the MSM element. The upper portion may be interchangeable with additional upper portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Inventors: Peter Mullner, Geoffrey Brent Johnston, Aaron Smith, Andrew Armstrong