Patents by Inventor Markus Zahn

Markus Zahn 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: 9395317
    Abstract: A system and method for providing electromagnetic imaging through electroquasistatic sensing contains an electromagnetic sensor for imaging a sample. The electromagnetic sensor contains drive/sense electronics and a pixelated sensor array having an array of capacitive sensor electrodes that source electric fields that interact with the sample, and wherein the electrodes are individually drivable by the drive/sense electronics in a coordinated manner to establish a desired temporal and spatial pattern in which electrical properties of the electrodes are used to generate an image. Other components of the system include a precision motion controller, sensor head and associated electronics, and a computer for performing data acquisition and signal inversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Benjamin Louis Cannon, David L. Trumper, Jeffrey H. Lang, Markus Zahn
  • Patent number: 8945393
    Abstract: Method for oil removal. The method includes adding a magnetizable material, with or without appropriately selected surfactants, of order micron (having no net magnetization) or nanometer size to magnetize the oil or water phase by either making a ferrofluid, magnetorheological fluid, a magnetic Pickering emulsion (oil in water or water in oil emulsion), or any other process to magnetize either oil or water phases. The magnetized fluid is separated from the non-magnetic phase using novel or existing magnetic separation techniques or by permanent magnets or electromagnets thereby separating oil and water phases. The magnetized particles are separated from the magnetized phase using novel or existing magnetic separation techniques to recover and reuse the particles. The two magnetic separation steps can be repeated to further increase recovery efficiency of the liquid phases and the magnetizable particles reused in this continuous process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Markus Zahn, T. Alan Hatton, Shahriar Rohinton Khushrushahi
  • Publication number: 20140159748
    Abstract: A system and method for providing electromagnetic imaging through electroquasistatic sensing contains an electromagnetic sensor for imaging a sample. The electromagnetic sensor contains drive/sense electronics and a pixelated sensor array having an array of capacitive sensor electrodes that source electric fields that interact with the sample, and wherein the electrodes are individually drivable by the drive/sense electronics in a coordinated manner to establish a desired temporal and spatial pattern in which electrical properties of the electrodes are used to generate an image. Other components of the system include a precision motion controller, sensor head and associated electronics, and a computer for performing data acquisition and signal inversion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Massachusetts lnstitute of Technology
    Inventors: Benjamin Louis Cannon, David L. Trumper, Jeffrey H. Lang, Markus Zahn
  • Patent number: 8742770
    Abstract: A system for providing electromagnetic imaging through magnetoquasistatic sensing contains an electromagnetic sensor for imaging a sample. The electromagnetic sensor contains drive/sense electronics and a pixelated sensor array having an array of inductive loops that source magnetic fields that interact with the sample, wherein the inductive loops are individually drivable by the drive/sense electronics in a coordinated manner to establish a desired temporal and spatial pattern in which electrical properties of the inductive loops are used to generate an image. Other components of the system include a precision motion controller, sensor head and associated electronics, and a computer for performing data acquisition and signal inversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: David L. Trumper, Benjamin Louis Cannon, Jeffrey H. Lang, Markus Zahn
  • Patent number: 8669771
    Abstract: A system and method for providing electromagnetic imaging through electroquasistatic sensing contains an electromagnetic sensor for imaging a sample. The electromagnetic sensor contains drive/sense electronics and a pixelated sensor array having an array of capacitive sensor electrodes that source electric fields that interact with the sample, and wherein the electrodes are individually drivable by the drive/sense electronics in a coordinated manner to establish a desired temporal and spatial pattern in which electrical properties of the electrodes are used to generate an image. Other components of the system include a precision motion controller, sensor head and associated electronics, and a computer for performing data acquisition and signal inversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: David L. Trumper, Jeffrey H. Lang, Benjamin L. Cannon, Markus Zahn
  • Publication number: 20130327695
    Abstract: Magnet configuration. The configuration includes a magnet holder and at least one elongate magnet extending from the magnet holder so that less than one half of the magnet length extends from the holder, whereby a magnetic fluid adjacent the elongate magnet is attracted toward a top edge of the elongate magnet for subsequent removal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Markus Zahn, T. Alan Hatton, Shahriar Rohinton Khushrushahi
  • Publication number: 20130271123
    Abstract: A system for providing electromagnetic imaging through magnetoquasistatic sensing contains an electromagnetic sensor for imaging a sample. The electromagnetic sensor contains drive/sense electronics and a pixelated sensor array having an array of inductive loops that source magnetic fields that interact with the sample, wherein the inductive loops are individually drivable by the drive/sense electronics in a coordinated manner to establish a desired temporal and spatial pattern in which electrical properties of the inductive loops are used to generate an image. Other components of the system include a precision motion controller, sensor head and associated electronics, and a computer for performing data acquisition and signal inversion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: David L. Trumper, Benjamin Louis Cannon, Jeffrey H. Lang, Markus Zahn
  • Patent number: 8482300
    Abstract: A system for providing electromagnetic imaging through magnetoquasistatic sensing contains an electromagnetic sensor for imaging a sample. The electromagnetic sensor contains drive/sense electronics and a pixelated sensor array having an array of inductive loops that source magnetic fields that interact with the sample, wherein the inductive loops are individually drivable by the drive/sense electronics in a coordinated manner to establish a desired temporal and spatial pattern in which electrical properties of the inductive loops are used to generate an image. Other components of the system include a precision motion controller, sensor head and associated electronics, and a computer for performing data acquisition and signal inversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: David L. Trumper, Jeffrey H. Lang, Benjamin L. Cannon, Markus Zahn
  • Publication number: 20120211428
    Abstract: Method for oil removal. The method includes adding a magnetizable material, with or without appropriately selected surfactants, of order micron (having no net magnetization) or nanometer size to magnetize the oil or water phase by either making a ferrofluid, magnetorheological fluid, a magnetic Pickering emulsion (oil in water or water in oil emulsion), or any other process to magnetize either oil or water phases. The magnetized fluid is separated from the non-magnetic phase using novel or existing magnetic separation techniques or by permanent magnets or electromagnets thereby separating oil and water phases. The magnetized particles are separated from the magnetized phase using novel or existing magnetic separation techniques to recover and reuse the particles. The two magnetic separation steps can be repeated to further increase recovery efficiency of the liquid phases and the magnetizable particles reused in this continuous process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Markus Zahn, T. Alan Hatton, Shahriar Rohinton Khushrushahi
  • Patent number: 8093896
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a spherical design for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) coil to provide a compact and light-weight highly uniform magnetic field for a variety of medical imaging applications. A preferred embodiment of the invention provides a transportable MRI system in which the spherical electromagnet can be worn like a helmet by patients for diagnosis and assessment of traumatic brain injuries, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventor: Markus Zahn
  • Publication number: 20110232940
    Abstract: Insulating liquid. The liquid includes an ester liquid and an additive to the ester liquid having a lower ionization potential than the ionization potential of the ester liquid. In one aspect, conductive nanoparticles are also added.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Jae-Won George Hwang, Jeffrey H. Lang, Markus Zahn
  • Patent number: 7956382
    Abstract: A wafer having heterostructure therein is formed using a substrate with recesses formed within a dielectric layer. A magnetized magnetic layer or a polarized electret material is formed at the bottom of each recess. The magnetized magnetic layer or a polarized electret material provides a predetermined magnetic or electrical field pattern. A plurality of heterostructures is formed from on an epitaxial wafer wherein each heterostructure has formed thereon a non-magnetized magnetic layer that is attracted to the magnetized magnetic layer formed at the bottom of each recess or dielectric layer that is attracted to the polarized electret material formed at the bottom of each recess. The plurality of heterostructures is etched from the epitaxial wafer to form a plurality of heterostructure pills.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Clifton G. Fonstad, Jr., Markus Zahn
  • Publication number: 20100259259
    Abstract: Systems and methods for imaging include preparing a ferrofluid including magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) in a liquid carrier, positioning the ferrofluid in a field region of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, and actuating a spin velocity or linear velocity of the magnetic nanoparticles to alter the scalar or tensor complex magnetic susceptibility (CMS) of the ferrofluid. Additional activation magnetic field generating apparatus can tune the magnetic field to change particle spin velocity or linear velocity. The method provides, inter alia, for using the spinning MNPs to: heat or cool a region of interest; acquire an improved image of the nanoparticles within a region of interest; alter local effective viscosity, diffusion coefficient, magnetic field, and/or other electromagnetic and/or physicochemical properties; cause local mixing; and enhance diffusion in drug delivery. Parallel methods with dielectric nanoparticles and electric fields are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventors: Markus Zahn, Elfar Adalsteinsson
  • Publication number: 20100253332
    Abstract: A system for providing electromagnetic imaging through magnetoquasistatic sensing contains an electromagnetic sensor for imaging a sample. The electromagnetic sensor contains drive/sense electronics and a pixelated sensor array having an array of inductive loops that source magnetic fields that interact with the sample, wherein the inductive loops are individually drivable by the drive/sense electronics in a coordinated manner to establish a desired temporal and spatial pattern in which electrical properties of the inductive loops are used to generate an image. Other components of the system include a precision motion controller, sensor head and associated electronics, and a computer for performing data acquisition and signal inversion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: David L. Trumper, Jeffrey H. Lang, Benjamin L. Cannon, Markus Zahn
  • Publication number: 20100194374
    Abstract: A system and method for providing electromagnetic imaging through electroquasistatic sensing contains an electromagnetic sensor for imaging a sample. The electromagnetic sensor contains drive/sense electronics and a pixelated sensor array having an array of capacitive sensor electrodes that source electric fields that interact with the sample, and wherein the electrodes are individually drivable by the drive/sense electronics in a coordinated manner to establish a desired temporal and spatial pattern in which electrical properties of the electrodes are used to generate an image. Other components of the system include a precision motion controller, sensor head and associated electronics, and a computer for performing data acquisition and signal inversion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: David L. Trumper, Jeffrey H. Lang, Benjamin L. Cannon, Markus Zahn
  • Publication number: 20100019764
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a spherical design for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) coil to provide a compact and light-weight highly uniform magnetic field for a variety of medical imaging applications. A preferred embodiment of the invention provides a transportable MRI system in which the spherical electromagnet can be worn like a helmet by patients for diagnosis and assessment of traumatic brain injuries, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventor: Markus Zahn
  • Patent number: 7547879
    Abstract: An asymmetric field ion mobility spectrometer for filtering ions via an asymmetric electric field, an ion flow generator propulsing ions to the filter via a propulsion field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventors: Raanan A. Miller, Markus Zahn
  • Patent number: 7456390
    Abstract: An asymmetric field ion mobility spectrometer for filtering ions via an asyretric electric field, an ion flow generator propulsing ions to the filter via a propulsion field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventors: Raanan A. Miller, Markus Zahn
  • Patent number: 7323757
    Abstract: A wafer having heterostructure therein is formed using a substrate with recesses formed within a dielectric layer. A magnetized magnetic layer or a polarized electret material is formed at the bottom of each recess. The magnetized magnetic layer or a polarized electret material provides a predetermined magnetic or electrical field pattern. A plurality of heterostructures is formed from on an epitaxial wafer wherein each heterostructure has formed thereon a non-magnetized magnetic layer that is attracted to the magnetized magnetic layer formed at the bottom of each recess or dielectric layer that is attracted to the polarized electret material formed at the bottom of each recess. The plurality of heterostructures is etched from the epitaxial wafer to form a plurality of heterostructure pills.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Clifton G. Fonstad, Jr., Markus Zahn
  • Publication number: 20060265155
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for processing, optimization, calibration, and display of measured dielectrometry signals. A property estimator is coupled by way of instrumentation to an electrode structure and translates sensed electromagnetic responses into estimates of one or more preselected properties or dimensions of the material, such as dielectric permittivity and ohmic conductivity, layer thickness, or other physical properties that affect dielectric properties, or presence of other lossy dielectric or metallic objects. A dielectrometry sensor is disclosed which can be connected in various ways to have different effective penetration depths of electric fields but with all configurations having the same air-gap, fluid gap, or shim lift-off height, thereby greatly improving the performance of the property estimators by decreasing the number of unknowns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Publication date: November 23, 2006
    Inventors: Neil Goldfine, Markus Zahn, Alexander Mamishey, Darrell Schlicker, Andrew Washabaugh