Patents by Inventor Joshua T. Smith

Joshua T. Smith 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: 11180796
    Abstract: Techniques regarding screening for mutations using nanoscale deterministic arrays are provided. For example, one or more embodiments described herein can comprise a method, which can comprise cleaving a deoxyribonucleic acid segment hybridized with a molecular probe to form a sample fluid. The cleaving can occur at a first end and a second end of the molecular probe. Also, the cleaving can comprise a cleaving agent that targets base pair mismatches. The method can also comprise supplying the sample fluid to a nanoscale deterministic lateral displacement array to screen for a single nucleotide polymorphism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stacey Gifford, Benjamin Wunsch, Joshua T. Smith, Sung-Cheol Kim
  • Patent number: 11173486
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a fluidic device includes depositing a sacrificial material on a pillar array arranged on a substrate. The method also includes removing a portion of the sacrificial material. The method further includes depositing a sealing layer on the pillar array to form a sealed fluidic cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Evan Colgan, Joshua T. Smith, Benjamin Wunsch
  • Patent number: 11162950
    Abstract: A composition system which is a mixture of colloids forming a physical code is implanted into a product and later extracted and read to authenticate the product thus providing secure means to check the authenticity of the product against counterfeiting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Dirk Pfeiffer, Joshua T Smith, Benjamin H Wunsch
  • Patent number: 11164190
    Abstract: A method of preparing a complex microscopic colloidal mixture formulation and a method of authenticating a product containing a code attached thereto which code is a mixture of different hard bodied colloidal particles and polymeric particles having different properties, which are present in set ratios. The code is extracted from the product and is checked with data that was originally applied to the product to determine its authenticity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Dirk Pfeiffer, Joshua T Smith, Benjamin H Wunsch
  • Patent number: 11149298
    Abstract: Techniques regarding detecting one or more defined nucleic acid sequences are provided. For example, one or more embodiments described herein can comprise a method, which can comprise adding a molecular probe to a sample fluid comprising a first deoxyribonucleic acid segment and a second deoxyribonucleic acid segment. The molecular probe can have an affinity to bond to a defined nucleic acid sequence. The method can also comprise separating, via a nanoscale deterministic lateral displacement array, the first deoxyribonucleic acid segment from the second deoxyribonucleic acid segment based on a size of the first deoxyribonucleic acid segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stacey Gifford, Sung-Cheol Kim, Joshua T. Smith, Benjamin Wunsch
  • Publication number: 20210283611
    Abstract: A microfluidic device comprising a channel within a substrate and a condenser or a hydrodynamic focusing chamber along the channel, configured to focus a fluid containing particles of a plurality of sizes. A negative angle deterministic lateral displacement (DLD) array is configured to receive the focused fluid and separate the particles in the focused fluid into three sizes ranges. The negative angle DLD array comprises a plurality of rows of pillars, wherein the rows of pillars are positioned to repeat a pattern every N rows with a shift of M columns, N and M are relatively coprime, and N is greater than 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: Sung-Cheol Kim, Stacey Gifford, Benjamin Hardy Wunsch, Joshua T. Smith
  • Publication number: 20210260586
    Abstract: Techniques regarding integrated purification-detection devices for detecting one or more biomarkers are provided. For example, one or more embodiments described herein are directed to an apparatus, comprising a housing and a microfluidic chip contained within the housing. The microfluidic chip comprises a separation unit that separates, using one or more nano deterministic lateral displacement (nanoDLD) arrays, target biological entities having a defined size range from other biological entities included in a biological fluid sample. The microfluidic chip further comprises a detection unit that facilitates detecting presence of one or more biomarkers associated with the target biological entities using one or more detection molecules or macromolecules that chemically reacts with the one or more biomarkers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: Joshua T. Smith, Benjamin Wunsch, Stacey Gifford, Sung-Cheol Kim
  • Patent number: 11094683
    Abstract: A method of producing a bonded chip stack is described. A first nanofluidic device chip having a first through-wafer via is formed. A second nanofluidic device chip having a second through-wafer via is formed. The first nanofluidic device chip and the second nanofluidic device chip are washed with a detergent solution. A first surface of the first nanofluidic device chip and a second surface of the second nanofluidic device chip are activated by treating the first surface and the second surface with an activation solution. The first nanofluidic device chip and the second nanofluidic device chip are arranged in a stack. The first through-wafer via is aligned with the second through-wafer via in a substantially straight line. The stack of first and second nanofluidic device chips is subjected to annealing conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Benjamin Wunsch, Joshua T. Smith, Stacey Gifford, Michael Albert Pereira
  • Patent number: 11084032
    Abstract: A microfluidic chip with a high volumetric flow rate is provided that includes at least two vertically stacked microfluidic channel layers, each microfluidic channel layer including an array of spaced apart pillars. Each microfluidic channel layer is interconnected by an inlet/outlet opening that extends through the microfluidic chip. The microfluidic chip is created without wafer to wafer bonding thus circumventing the cost and yield issues associated with microfluidic chips that are created by wafer bonding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Chi-Chun Liu, Yann Mignot, Joshua T. Smith, Bassem M. Hamieh, Nelson Felix, Robert L. Bruce
  • Publication number: 20210231543
    Abstract: Microscale and/or mesoscale condenser arrays that can facilitate microfluidic separation and/or purification of mesoscale and/or nanoscale particles and methods of operation are described herein. An apparatus comprises a condenser array comprising pillars arranged in a plurality of columns, wherein a pillar gap greater than or equal to about 0.5 micrometers is located between a first pillar of the pillars in a first column of the columns and a second pillar of the plurality of pillars in the first column, and wherein the first pillar is adjacent to the second pillar. The first ratio can be characterized by Dx/Dy is less than or equal to a first defined value, wherein Dx represents a first distance across the lattice in a first direction, wherein Dy represents a second distance across the lattice in a second direction, and wherein the first direction is orthogonal to the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: Benjamin H. Wunsch, Joshua T. Smith, Sung-Cheol Kim, Stacey M. Gifford
  • Patent number: 11033901
    Abstract: Techniques regarding integrated purification-detection devices for detecting one or more biomarkers are provided. For example, one or more embodiments described herein are directed to an apparatus, comprising a housing and a microfluidic chip contained within the housing. The microfluidic chip comprises a separation unit that separates, using one or more nano deterministic lateral displacement (nanoDLD) arrays, target biological entities having a defined size range from other biological entities included in a biological fluid sample. The microfluidic chip further comprises a detection unit that facilitates detecting presence of one or more biomarkers associated with the target biological entities using one or more detection molecules or macromolecules that chemically reacts with the one or more biomarkers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joshua T. Smith, Benjamin Wunsch, Stacey Gifford, Sung-Cheol Kim
  • Publication number: 20210166908
    Abstract: A technique relates to a semiconductor device. An emitter electrode and a collector electrode are formed in a dielectric layer such that a nanogap separates the emitter electrode and the collector electrode, a portion of the emitter electrode including layers. A channel is formed in the dielectric layer so as to traverse the nanogap. A top layer is formed over the channel so as to cover the channel and the nanogap without filling in the channel and the nanogap, thereby forming a vacuum channel transistor structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: Joshua T. Smith, Benjamin Wunsch
  • Publication number: 20210146355
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a fluidic device includes depositing a sacrificial material on a pillar array arranged on a substrate. The method also includes removing a portion of the sacrificial material. The method further includes depositing a sealing layer on the pillar array to form a sealed fluidic cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: Evan Colgan, Joshua T. Smith, Benjamin Wunsch
  • Patent number: 11008107
    Abstract: Described are thermoplastic composite parts (30, 110) made up of resin-based fiber composites for use in aircraft furnishings. The thermoplastic composite parts (30, 110) can be formed into various shapes including bends so as to be suitable for replacing heavier sheet-metal components (100), particularly in aircraft furnishings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Safran Seats USA LLC
    Inventors: Joshua T. Smith, Donald M. Lasell, Jean-marie Daout
  • Patent number: 11009464
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are provided where fluid, such as a blood sample, is entered into a microfluidic channel in a microchip where the microfluidic channel possesses a micro/nanopillar array for sorting molecules by size. When the fluid passes through the micro/nanopillar array it is separated into particles of interest or particles not of interest or both. When particles of interest are lit by a light source via a first waveguide in the microchip connecting the light source to the microfluidic channel, then lighted particles of interest can be detected by an optical detector via a second waveguide in the microchip connecting the optical detector to the microfluidic channel. The information from the optical detector can be analyzed further by connecting the microchip to a mobile computing device with its own processing abilities or abilities via the internet or cloud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Huan Hu, Oki Gunawan, Ning Li, Devendra K. Sadana, Joshua T. Smith, William T. Spratt, Yann Astier
  • Publication number: 20210121844
    Abstract: Methods of liquid-phase synthesis of polymers using polymer substrates and systems for facilitating such methods allow gating of a synthetic reaction into a binary (reacted or unreacted) readout. Polymer substrates are used as carriers for molecular reagents and act as separation tags that allow them to be purified using nanoscale deterministic lateral displacement. Two polymer substrates are linked together by a bond-forming reaction to form a longer polymer that includes a synthetic product. The synthetic product can be purified away from unreacted polymers/reagents using strand-length dependent lateral displacement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Inventors: Benjamin H. Wunsch, Stacey M. Gifford, Sung-Cheol Kim, Joshua T. Smith
  • Publication number: 20210114027
    Abstract: Techniques regarding nanofluidic chips with a plurality of inlets and/or outlets in fluid communication with one or more nanoDLD arrays are provided. For example, one or more embodiments described herein can comprise a nanoscale deterministic lateral displacement array between and in fluid communication with a global inlet and a global outlet. The nanoscale deterministic lateral displacement array can further be between and in fluid communication with a local inlet and a local outlet. Also, the nanoscale deterministic lateral displacement array can laterally displace a particle comprised within a sample fluid supplied from the global inlet to a collection region that directs the particle to the local outlet. An advantage of such an apparatus can be the expanded versatility of the nanoscale deterministic lateral displacement array for sample preparation applications involving nanoparticles not accessible to other higher throughput microscale microfluidic technologies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Inventors: Joshua T. Smith, Benjamin Wunsch, Stacey Gifford
  • Publication number: 20210114028
    Abstract: Microfluid chips that comprise one or more microscale and/or mesoscale condenser arrays, which can facilitate particle purification and/or fractionation, are described herein. In one embodiment, an apparatus can comprise a layer of a microfluidic chip. The layer can comprise an inlet that can receive fluid, an outlet that can output a purified version of the fluid, and a condenser array coupled between and in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet. The condenser array can comprise a plurality of pillars arranged in a plurality of columns. Also, a pillar gap sized to facilitate a throughput rate of the fluid of greater than or equal to about 1.0 nanoliter per hour can be located between a first pillar of the plurality of pillars in a first column of the plurality of columns and a second pillar of the plurality of pillars in the first column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Inventors: Joshua T. Smith, Stacey M. Gifford, Sung-Cheol Kim, Benjamin H. Wunsch
  • Patent number: 10967373
    Abstract: An apparatus for an electro-fluidic flow probe includes a body portion including an electro-fluidic bias tee for receiving (i) a fluid electrolyte and (ii) an electrical connection for providing an electrical potential to the fluid electrolyte; a first inlet including a tube extending from the first inlet to an outlet through the electro-fluidic bias tee; and a second inlet including the electrical connection having a wire that extends from the second inlet to the outlet through the electro-fluidic bias tee to transfer the electrical potential to a device under test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yann Andre Nicolas Astier, Jingwei Bai, Young Hoon Kwark, Stanislav Polonsky, Joshua T. Smith
  • Patent number: 10967376
    Abstract: A deterministic lateral displacement array that includes a channel, within a substrate, having a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a channel length. A condenser portion that includes an entry port and an exit port. A first array of pillars is disposed between the entry port and the exit port of the condenser portion along the channel length, the first array of pillars operative to drive a first material particle and a second material particle towards the first sidewall of the channel. A separator portion that includes an entry port and an exit port, and a second array of pillars disposed between the entry port and the exit port of the separator portion along the channel length, the pillars operative to drive the first material particle towards the second sidewall of the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Huan Hu, Sung Cheol Kim, Joshua T. Smith, Benjamin H. Wunsch