Patents by Inventor Michael Durbin

Michael Durbin 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: 12320949
    Abstract: A method for quantifying disorder and extracting a corresponding numerical value of an order parameter from contrast analysis applied to optical images acquired of the solar photosphere. Temporal variation of the order parameter may be utilized to predict events such as solar flares, which have the ability to disrupt both communication systems and satellite orbits. The degree of order of the photosphere may be monitored to predict solar flares and other solar events. The method may utilize a spin-based (Ising/Potts) model of disorder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2025
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of Western Michigan University
    Inventors: Robert Allen Makin, III, Steven Michael Durbin
  • Patent number: 12207935
    Abstract: A method of distinguishing benign and malignant skin conditions includes extracting a numerical value corresponding to an order parameter from an image of skin having a pigmented region. The numerical value of the order parameter may be utilized to assess the likelihood that a skin lesion is benign or malignant. The precise value may also be utilized to assess severity, which may include detecting changes in a skin lesion over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Inventors: Robert Allen Makin, III, Steven Michael Durbin
  • Publication number: 20250006819
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a superconducting device includes determining a target transition temperature and utilizing a predefined quantitative relationship between superconducting transition temperature and an order parameter for at least one superconducting material composition is utilized to select a superconductor material composition that is capable of providing a target transition temperature. Process parameters may be controlled to form a superconductor device comprising at least one superconductor material having a material composition providing the target transition temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2024
    Publication date: January 2, 2025
    Inventors: Robert A. Makin, III, Steven Michael Durbin
  • Patent number: 12113123
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a superconducting device includes determining a target transition temperature and utilizing a predefined quantitative relationship between superconducting transition temperature and an order parameter for at least one superconducting material composition is utilized to select a superconductor material composition that is capable of providing a target transition temperature. Process parameters may be controlled to form a superconductor device comprising at least one superconductor material having a material composition providing the target transition temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of Western Michigan University
    Inventors: Robert A. Makin, III, Steven Michael Durbin
  • Publication number: 20240127618
    Abstract: A method of interpreting human-drawn images includes modifying a human-drawn image. A numerical value corresponding to an order parameter squared (S2) is extracted from the modified image. An artificial intelligence (AI) program characterizes the human-drawn image utilizing the human-drawn image and the numerical value of the order parameter. The disclosure further includes systems, computer readable media, programs capable of the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Steven Michael Durbin, Robert Allen Makin, III
  • Publication number: 20230395836
    Abstract: Some aspects of the present invention may include a method of fabricating an electrolyte suitable for a fuel cell or electrolyzer, comprising: determining one or more or two or more target material properties of the electrolyte or overall or overall system-level property of the fuel cell or electrolyzer; utilizing a predefined quantitative relationship between a material property and an order parameter involving one or more electrolyte components to determine at least one material ordering that has the target material property; and controlling process parameters to form at least one electrolyte material having the target material property. Some aspects of the present invention may include a method of fabricating an electrolyte suitable for a fuel cell or electrolyzer, to determine at least one or more material orderings that that provides the best overall performance for the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Robert Allen Makin, III, Steven Michael Durbin
  • Publication number: 20230394872
    Abstract: Some aspects of the present invention may include systems and methods of a detecting whether a first image contains a region that has been manipulated, methods comprising obtaining a second image, wherein the second image comprises at least a part of the first image, said at least a part of the first image containing the region suspected of being manipulated; determining a numerical value of an order parameter (S or S2) of the second image; determining a numerical value of an order parameter (S or S2) of a third image, the third image comprising the second image with the region suspected of being manipulated removed; and comparing the numerical value of the second image (S or S2) with the numerical value (S or S2) of the third image to determine if the first image has been altered, by reference to a predefined criteria indicative of a manipulated image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Robert Allen Makin, III, Steven Michael Durbin
  • Publication number: 20230121423
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a superconducting device includes determining a target transition temperature and utilizing a predefined quantitative relationship between superconducting transition temperature and an order parameter for at least one superconducting material composition is utilized to select a superconductor material composition that is capable of providing a target transition temperature. Process parameters may be controlled to form a superconductor device comprising at least one superconductor material having a material composition providing the target transition temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Applicant: The Board of Trustees of Western Michigan University
    Inventors: Robert A. Makin, III, Steven Michael Durbin
  • Publication number: 20230000426
    Abstract: A method of distinguishing benign and malignant skin conditions includes extracting a numerical value corresponding to an order parameter from an image of skin having a pigmented region. The numerical value of the order parameter may be utilized to assess the likelihood that a skin lesion is benign or malignant. The precise value may also be utilized to assess severity, which may include detecting changes in a skin lesion over time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: Robert Allen Makin, III, Steven Michael Durbin
  • Patent number: 11545563
    Abstract: A process of fabricating semiconductor devices includes determining a correlation between band gap and long range order parameter for one or more stoichiometries. Semiconductor materials having a preselected (target) band gap can be fabricated by controlling process parameters to form a material having a stoichiometry and long range order parameter having the target band gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of Western Michigan University
    Inventors: Robert A. Makin, III, Steven Michael Durbin
  • Publication number: 20220365243
    Abstract: A method for quantifying disorder and extracting a corresponding numerical value of an order parameter from contrast analysis applied to optical images acquired of the solar photosphere. Temporal variation of the order parameter may be utilized to predict events such as solar flares, which have the ability to disrupt both communication systems and satellite orbits. The degree of order of the photosphere may be monitored to predict solar flares and other solar events. The method may utilize a spin-based (Ising/Potts) model of disorder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Robert Allen Makin, III, Steven Michael Durbin
  • Publication number: 20220347610
    Abstract: A process for predicting and adjusting particle removal efficiency of fiber-based filter media based on quantification of disorder. An order parameter may be extracted through Raman spectroscopy or scanning electron microscopy. Production processes may be adjusted to change (e.g., increase) the particle removal efficiency of fiber-based filter media utilizing a predefined correlation between order parameter and particle removal efficiency. The filter media may be utilized in masks, filters, and other applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Robert Allen Makin, III, Steven Michael Durbin
  • Patent number: 11350656
    Abstract: A whippable food product has less than 5% by weight fat and includes about 0.5% to about 30% by weight of a dietary fiber; about 50% to about 95% by weight of water; up to about 5% by weight of a protein; up to about 5% by weight of a food starch; up to about 5% by weight of an emulsifier; and up to about 5% by weight of a hydrocolloid. The total amount of the protein, food starch, emulsifier, and hydrocolloid is within the range of about 0.25% to about 20% by weight. In certain embodiments, the whippable food product is substantially free of emulsifier. Such a whippable food product can be capable of being aerated, for example, to a stable foam having an overrun in the range of 100%-700%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: TATE & LYLE CUSTOM INGREDIENTS LLC
    Inventors: Jacob Michael Durbin, David Leonard Hoyda
  • Publication number: 20210349093
    Abstract: Immunogenic potential of a virus-like particle (VLP) for use in developing a vaccine is predicted by comparing order parameters of the VLP and a target virus. The method may include determining a numerical value of an order parameter and relative composition of viral coat proteins of a target virion (virus). A numerical value of an order parameter and relative composition of the surface proteins of a VLP is also determined. The numerical value of the order parameter and relative composition of the viral coat proteins of the target virion (virus) are compared to the numerical value of the order parameter and relative composition of the VLP to determine if the VLP satisfies pre-defined matching criteria indicative of high immunogenic potential and corresponding vaccine efficacy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Applicant: The Board of Trustees of Western Michigan University
    Inventors: Robert Allen Makin, III, Steven Michael Durbin
  • Publication number: 20210066478
    Abstract: A process of fabricating semiconductor devices includes determining a correlation between band gap and long range order parameter for one or more stoichiometries. Semiconductor materials having a preselected (target) band gap can be fabricated by controlling process parameters to form a material having a stoichiometry and long range order parameter having the target band gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Applicant: The Board of Trustees of Western Michigan University
    Inventors: Robert A. Makin, III, Steven Michael Durbin
  • Publication number: 20170295835
    Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to whippable food products and methods for making the whippable food products and for making whipped food products therefrom. In one embodiment, a whippable food product has less than 5% by weight fat and includes about 0.5% to about 30% by weight of a dietary fiber; about 50% to about 95% by weight of water; up to about 5% by weight of a protein; up to about 5% by weight of a food starch; up to about 5% by weight of an emulsifier; and up to about 5% by weight of a hydrocolloid. The total amount of the protein, food starch, emulsifier, and hydrocolloid is within the range of about 0.25% to about 20% by weight. In certain embodiments, the whippable food product is substantially free of emulsifier. Such a whippable food product can be capable of being aerated, for example, to a stable foam having an overrun in the range of 100%-700%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: Jacob Michael Durbin, David Leonard Hoyda
  • Patent number: 9267018
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for making a epoxy composite. In the process an epoxy prepolymer, a curing agent and a particulate filler are combined to form a curable mixture. The mixture is then agitated under a non-air atmosphere to render it substantially homogeneous, and pressure is applied to the mixture to reduce or eliminate gas pockets in the mixture and is maintained until the curable mixture is cured to form the epoxy composite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: ACHERON PRODUCT PTY LTD.
    Inventors: Ronald Charles Allum, Philip Michael Durbin
  • Patent number: 8508015
    Abstract: The present invention provides Schottky-like and ohmic contacts comprising metal oxides on zinc oxide substrates and a method of forming such contacts. The metal oxide Schottky-like and ohmic contacts may be formed on zinc oxide substrates using various deposition and lift-off photolithographic techniques. The barrier heights of the metal oxide Schottky-like contacts are significantly higher than those for plain metals and their ideality factors are very close to the image force controlled limit. The contacts may have application in diodes, power electronics, FET transistors and related structures, and in various optoelectronic devices, such as UV photodetectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Canterprise Limited
    Inventors: Martin Ward Allen, Steven Michael Durbin
  • Publication number: 20130172448
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for making a epoxy composite. In the process an epoxy prepolymer, a curing agent and a particulate filler are combined to form a curable mixture. The mixture is then agitated under a non-air atmosphere to render it substantially homogeneous, and pressure is applied to the mixture to reduce or eliminate gas pockets in the mixture and is maintained until the curable mixture is cured to form the epoxy composite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: ACHERON PRODUCT PTY LTD.
    Inventors: Ronald Charles Allum, Philip Michael Durbin
  • Patent number: 8359112
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to process control systems and devices and, more particularly, to an apparatus for and a method of implementing redundant controller synchronization for bump-less failover during normal and mismatch conditions at the redundant controllers. The redundant controllers are configured to transmit state information of the process control areas of the primary controller to the backup controller that is necessary for synchronizing the redundant controllers but is not typically transmitted to other devices during the performance of process control functions. Synchronization messages are transmitted from the primary controller to the backup controller each time one of the control areas executes to perform process control functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Emerson Process Management Power & Water Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. Kephart, Kimberly Costlow, Michael Durbin, Xu Cheng, Richard Brown