Patents by Inventor Horacio Dante Espinosa

Horacio Dante Espinosa 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).

  • Publication number: 20220126292
    Abstract: A cell analysis system includes a multi-layer microfluidic device that includes a layer of microfluidic channels, a layer of microwells, a membrane with nanochannels, and a layer of extraction chambers. The microwells and the membrane are configured to allow culturing of cells that are adhered to the membrane or suspended in the microwells, and the membrane is configured to allow diffusion of substances across the membrane into the layer of extraction chambers. The cell analysis system includes a top conductive layer and a bottom conductive layer on the opposite sides of the multi-layer microfluidic device. The cell analysis system also includes a function generator configured to apply an electroporation pulse between the top conductive layer and the bottom conductive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Horacio Dante Espinosa, Milan Mrksich, Prithvijit Mukherjee, Eric Jason Berns, Cesar Andres Patino
  • Patent number: 9279753
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical device for electromechanical testing a specimen having a nano-scale dimension is formed on a multi-layered semiconductor substrate (chip) and includes an electrothermal or electrostatic actuator for applying a displacement load (force) to the specimen, a load sensor for sensing the load (force) experienced by the specimen. The specimen is disposed between first and second movable shuttles of the actuator and load sensor, which shuttles comprise electrically insulating layers so as to electrically isolate the shuttles and specimen from the actuator and the load sensor on the substrate. A four-terminal Kelvin array is provided to provide specimen electrical characterization measurements and includes first and second outer terminals connected to a current source and to opposite end locations of the specimen and first and second inner terminals connected to a high input impedance voltage meter and to the specimen at other locations between the first and second outer terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Northwestern University
    Inventors: Horacio Dante Espinosa, Rodrigo A. Bernal Montoya
  • Publication number: 20120297897
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical device for electromechanical testing a specimen having a nano-scale dimension is formed on a multi-layered semiconductor substrate (chip) and includes an electrothermal or electrostatic actuator for applying a displacement load (force) to the specimen, a load sensor for sensing the load (force) experienced by the specimen. The specimen is disposed between first and second movable shuttles of the actuator and load sensor, which shuttles comprise electrically insulating layers so as to electrically isolate the shuttles and specimen from the actuator and the load sensor on the substrate. A four-terminal Kelvin array is provided to provide specimen electrical characterization measurements and includes first and second outer terminals connected to a current source and to opposite end locations of the specimen and first and second inner terminals connected to a high input impedance voltage meter and to the specimen at other locations between the first and second outer terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: Horacio Dante Espinosa, Rodrigo A. Bernal Montoya
  • Patent number: 8176705
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel composite structure with enhanced toughness, which incorporates features mimicked from nacre (mother of pearl). The structure can be used in many industrial and clinical applications, including aeronautics (aircraft skin), the defense industry (armor materials); orthopedics and medical devices (tough, biocompatible coatings on prostheses) and micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS; increased reliability for critical components).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Northwestern University
    Inventors: Horacio Dante Espinosa, François Barthelat
  • Publication number: 20120067519
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel composite structure with enhanced toughness, which incorporates features mimicked from nacre (mother of pearl). The structure can be used in many industrial and clinical applications, including aeronautics (aircraft skin), the defense industry (armor materials); orthopedics and medical devices (tough, biocompatible coatings on prostheses) and micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS; increased reliability for critical components).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventors: Horacio Dante Espinosa, Francois Barthelat
  • Patent number: 8067078
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel composite structure with enhanced toughness, which incorporates features mimicked from nacre (mother of pearl). The structure can be used in many industrial and clinical applications, including aeronautics (aircraft skin), the defense industry (armor materials); orthopedics and medical devices (tough, biocompatible coatings on prostheses) and micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS; increased reliability for critical components).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Northwestern University
    Inventors: Horacio Dante Espinosa, François Barthelat