Patents by Inventor Kenneth A. Smith

Kenneth A. 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).

  • Publication number: 20080107586
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to a method for producing fullerene nanotube catalyst supports and compositions thereof. In one embodiment, fullerene nanotubes or fullerene nanotube structures can be employed as the support material. A transition metal catalyst is added to the fullerene nanotubes. In a preferred embodiment, the catalyst metal cluster is deposited on the open nanotube end by a docking process that insures optimum location for the subsequent growth reaction. The metal atoms may be subjected to reductive conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Applicant: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Richard E. Smalley, Daniel T. Colbert, Hongjie Dai, Jie Liu, Andrew G. Rinzler, Jason H. Hafner, Kenneth A. Smith, Ting Guo, Pavel Nikolaev, Andreas Thess
  • Patent number: 7368927
    Abstract: A probe head including an elastic membrane capable of exerting a restoring force when one of the surfaces of the elastic membrane is distorted. A conductive probe includes a beam having a first end and a second end, with a probe tip proximate the first end for contacting a device under test. A beam contact proximate the second end of the beam. The beam being movable to deform at least one surface of the elastic membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Cascade Microtech, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Smith, Michael Jolley, Victoria Van Syckel
  • Publication number: 20080102346
    Abstract: Disclosed is a new conductive current collector plate. The plate has alternating concentric ridges and channels on one side and a series of holes drilled perpendicular to and through the diameter of the concentric ridges. Two plates used in combination as the cathode and anode side of a typical proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell distribute fuel or oxidant evenly across the membrane and does not require the use of a manifold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventors: Kenneth Smith, Justin Loew, Roger Albertson
  • Publication number: 20080098604
    Abstract: A HIPPA compliance device used by an individual in the distribution of prescription medication having the ability to render labels, containing patient information, of used prescription containers illegible rendering the used prescription containers in compliance with HIPPA. The HIPPA compliance device comprises a tool that has means for rendering labels of prescription medication containers illegible in response to relative movement between the invention and the prescription container. Some embodiments include the means for rendering the labels illegible in the or connected to the handle of a spatula. In other embodiments, the means for rendering the labels illegible are independent of a spatula.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventors: Clark Levi, Kenneth Smith
  • Publication number: 20080089830
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to a fullerene nanotube composition. The fullerene nanotubes may be in the form of a felt, such as a bucky paper. Optionally, the fullerene nanotubes may be derivatized with one or more functional groups. Devices employing the fullerene nanotubes of this invention are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Applicant: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Richard E. Smalley, Daniel T. Colbert, Hongjie Dai, Jie Liu, Andrew G. Rinzler, Jason H. Hafner, Kenneth A. Smith, Ting Guo, Pavel Nikolaev, Andreas Thess
  • Patent number: 7357906
    Abstract: The invention relates generally to dispersing and fractionating single-wall carbon nanotubes, which can be derivatized to facilitate fractionation, for example, by adding solubilizing moieties to the nanotubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Daniel T. Colbert, Hongjie Dai, Jason H. Hafner, Andrew G. Rinzler, Richard E. Smalley, Jie Liu, Kenneth A. Smith, Ting Guo, Pavel Nikolaev, Andreas Thess
  • Patent number: 7355420
    Abstract: A membrane probing assembly includes a probe card with conductors supported thereon, wherein the conductors include at least a signal conductor located between a pair of spaced apart guard conductors. A membrane assembly includes a membrane with contacts thereon, and supporting at least a signal conductor located between a pair of spaced apart guard conductors. The guard conductors of the probe card are electrically interconnected proximate the interconnection between the probe card and the membrane assembly. The guard conductors of the membrane assembly are electrically interconnected proximate the interconnection between the probe card and the membrane assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Cascade Microtech, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Smith, Reed Gleason
  • Publication number: 20080074743
    Abstract: Prepared substrate comprising an array of cube corner cavities and protrusions interspersed between the cube corner cavities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventors: Gerald Benson, Kenneth Smith
  • Publication number: 20080076998
    Abstract: A breast electrode array and method of analysis for detecting and diagnosing diseases. In particular, the electrode array has a body, a plurality of flexible arms extending from the body, and a plurality of outer electrodes provided by the plurality of flexible arms, and a plurality of inner electrodes provided on at least one of the flexible arms and positioned partway between the body and the outer electrodes, and the outer electrodes and the inner electrodes are arranged on the arms to obtain impedance measurements between respective electrodes. Diagnostic methods based on homologous electrical difference analysis are also provided, utilizing the different topologies created by the inner and outer electrodes when taking impedance measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Applicant: Z-Tech (Canada) Inc.
    Inventors: Leslie Organ, Reza Safaee-Rad, Milan Graovac, Kenneth Smith, Joel Ironstone
  • Publication number: 20080068713
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of making retroreflective sheeting and other articles prepared from casting a moldable synthetic resin onto a tool having a microstructured surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Inventor: Kenneth Smith
  • Publication number: 20080063585
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to a fullerene nanotube composition. The fullerene nanotubes may be in the form of a felt, such as a bucky paper. Optionally, the fullerene nanotubes may be derivatized with one or more functional groups. Devices employing the fullerene nanotubes of this invention are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventors: Richard Smalley, Daniel Colbert, Hongjie Dai, Jie Liu, Andrew Rinzler, Jason Hafner, Kenneth Smith, Ting Guo, Pavel Nikolaev, Andreas Thess
  • Publication number: 20080056932
    Abstract: A high strength aluminum alloy is suitable for ultra thick gauge wrought product. The alloy can have 6 to 8 wt % zinc, 1 to 2 wt % magnesium, and dispersoid forming elements such as Zr, Mn, Cr, Ti, and/or Sc with the balance made of aluminum and incidental elements and/or impurities. The alloy is suitable for many uses, including in moulds for injection-molded plastics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventors: Alex Cho, Kenneth Smith, Victor Dangerfield
  • Publication number: 20080049327
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to lamina(e) comprising cube corner elements, a tool comprising an assembly of laminae and replicas thereof. The invention further relates to retroreflective sheeting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventor: Kenneth Smith
  • Publication number: 20080003638
    Abstract: An article for holding a liquefied sample for the quantification of biological material in the sample includes a device having a reaction chamber enclosing a volume therein, the reaction chamber having an upper opening through which a liquefied sample can be poured and a plurality of discrete non-permeable compartments, each of the compartments having an upper rim and being configured and dimensioned to hold separate aliquots of a liquefied sample therein; and a gasket lid removably secured to the top of the device, the gasket lid being configured and dimensioned for sealing the upper rim of each compartment to prevent liquid communication between the compartments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Applicant: IDEXX LABORATORIES, INC.
    Inventors: Ross Goldman, David Townsend, Kenneth Smith, Kathleen McCarthy
  • Publication number: 20070296431
    Abstract: A membrane probing assembly includes a support element having an incompressible forward support tiltably coupled to a rearward base and a membrane assembly, formed of polyimide layers, with its central region interconnected to the support by an elastomeric layer. Flexible traces form data/signal lines to contacts on the central region. Each contact comprises a rigid beam and a bump located in off-centered location on the beam, which bump includes a contacting portion. After initial touchdown of these contacting portions, further over-travel of the pads causes each beam to independently tilt locally so that different portions of each beam move different distances relative to the support thus driving each contact into lateral scrubbing movement across the pad thereby clearing away oxide buildup. The elastomeric member backed by the incompressible support ensures sufficient scrub pressure and reliable tilt recovery of each contact without mechanical straining of the beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventors: K. Gleason, Kenneth Smith, Mike Bayne
  • Publication number: 20070290700
    Abstract: A probe station includes a fully guarded chuck assembly and connector mechanism for increasing sensitivity to low-level currents while reducing settling times. The chuck assembly includes a wafer-supporting first chuck element surrounded by a second chuck element having a lower component, skirting component and upper component each with a surface portion extending opposite the first element for guarding thereof. The connector mechanism is so connected to the second chuck element as to enable, during low-level current measurements, the potential on each component to follow that on the first chuck element as measured relative to an outer shielding enclosure surrounding each element. Leakage current from the first chuck element is thus reduced to virtually zero, hence enabling increased current sensitivity, and the reduced capacitance thus provided by the second chuck element decreases charging periods, hence reducing settling times.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Inventors: Randy Schwindt, Warren Harwood, Paul Tervo, Kenneth Smith, Richard Warner
  • Publication number: 20070283555
    Abstract: A substrate, preferably constructed of a ductile material and a tool having the desired shape of the resulting device for contacting contact pads on a test device is brought into contact with the substrate. The tool is preferably constructed of a material that is harder than the substrate so that a depression can be readily made therein. A dielectric (insulative) layer, that is preferably patterned, is supported by the substrate. A conductive material is located within the depressions and then preferably lapped to remove excess from the top surface of the dielectric layer and to provide a flat overall surface. A trace is patterned on the dielectric layer and the conductive material. A polyimide layer is then preferably patterned over the entire surface. The substrate is then removed by any suitable process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Inventors: Reed Gleason, Michael Bayne, Kenneth Smith, Timothy Lesher, Martin Koxxy
  • Publication number: 20070268582
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to lamina(e) comprising cube corner elements, a tool comprising an assembly of laminae and replicas thereof. The invention further relates to retroreflective sheeting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2007
    Publication date: November 22, 2007
    Inventor: Kenneth Smith
  • Publication number: 20070245536
    Abstract: A substrate, preferably constructed of a ductile material and a tool having the desired shape of the resulting device for contacting contact pads on a test device is brought into contact with the substrate. The tool is preferably constructed of a material that is harder than the substrate so that a depression can be readily made therein. A dielectric (insulative) layer, that is preferably patterned, is supported by the substrate. A conductive material is located within the depressions and then preferably lapped to remove excess from the top surface of the dielectric layer and to provide a flat overall surface. A trace is patterned on the dielectric layer and the conductive material. A polyimide layer is then preferably patterned over the entire surface. The substrate is then removed by any suitable process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Inventors: Reed Gleason, Michael Bayne, Kenneth Smith, Timothy Lesher, Martin Koxxy
  • Patent number: D565235
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Optronics Products Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth Smith