Patents by Inventor Michael L. Simpson

Michael L. Simpson 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: 8993327
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for parallel macromolecular delivery and biochemical/electrochemical interface to whole cells employing carbon nanostructures including nanofibers and nanotubes. A method includes providing a first material on at least a first portion of a first surface of a first tip of a first elongated carbon nanostructure; providing a second material on at least a second portion of a second surface of a second tip of a second elongated carbon nanostructure, the second elongated carbon nanostructure coupled to, and substantially parallel to, the first elongated carbon nanostructure; and penetrating a boundary of a biological sample with at least one member selected from the group consisting of the first tip and the second tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy E. McKnight, Anatoli V. Melechko, Guy D. Griffin, Michael A. Guillorn, Vladimir L. Merkulov, Michael L. Simpson
  • Patent number: 8343766
    Abstract: A method for the transient transformation of a living biological cell having an intact cell membrane defining an intracellular domain, and an apparatus for the transient transformation of biological cells. The method and apparatus include introducing a compartmentalized extracellular component fixedly attached to a cellular penetrant structure to the intracellular domain of the cell, wherein the cell is fixed in a predetermined location and wherein the component is expressed within in the cell while being retained within the compartment and wherein the compartment restricts the mobility and interactions of the component within the cell and prevents transference of the component to the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: UT-Battle, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy E. McKnight, Anatoli V. Melechko, Michael L. Simpson
  • Patent number: 8142877
    Abstract: Methods, manufactures, machines and compositions are described for nanotransfer and nanoreplication using deterministically grown sacrificial nanotemplates. An apparatus, includes a substrate and a nanoconduit material coupled to a surface of the substrate. The substrate defines an aperture and the nanoconduit material defines a nanoconduit that is i) contiguous with the aperture and ii) aligned substantially non-parallel to a plane defined by the surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Anatoli V. Melechko, Timothy E. McKnight, Michael A. Guillorn, Bojan Ilic, Vladimir I. Merkulov, Mitchel J. Doktycz, Douglas H. Lowndes, Michael L. Simpson
  • Publication number: 20120070895
    Abstract: A method for the transient transformation of a living biological cell having an intact cell membrane defining an intracellular domain, and an apparatus for the transient transformation of biological cells. The method and apparatus include introducing a compartmentalized extracellular component fixedly attached to a cellular penetrant structure to the intracellular domain of the cell, wherein the cell is fixed in a predetermined location and wherein the component is expressed within in the cell while being retained within the compartment and wherein the compartment restricts the mobility and interactions of the component within the cell and prevents transference of the component to the cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy E. McKnight, Anatoli V. Melechko, Michael L. Simpson
  • Patent number: 8101388
    Abstract: The present invention in one embodiment provides a method for extracting molecular material including providing a probe comprising a penetration portion having a nanoscale surface for penetrating a biological compartment, a receptor present on the penetrating portion of the probe, wherein the receptor has an affinity for a target molecular material from the biological compartment; inserting the probe into the biological compartment, the receptor present on the penetrating portion of the probe engages the target molecular material; and extracting the probe and the target molecular material engaged to the inserting portion of the probe from the biological compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy E. McKnight, Anatoli V. Melechko, Michael L. Simpson
  • Patent number: 8076124
    Abstract: A method for the transient transformation of a living biological cell having an intact cell membrane defining an intracellular domain, and an apparatus for the transient transformation of biological cells. The method and apparatus include introducing a compartmentalized extracellular component fixedly attached to a cellular penetrant structure to the intracellular domain of the cell, wherein the cell is fixed in a predetermined location and wherein the component is expressed within in the cell while being retained within the compartment and wherein the compartment restricts the mobility and interactions of the component within the cell and prevents transference of the component to the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy E. McKnight, Anatoli V. Melechko, Michael L. Simpson
  • Patent number: 8003220
    Abstract: Methods, manufactures, machines and compositions are described for nanotransfer and nanoreplication using deterministically grown sacrificial nanotemplates. An apparatus, includes a substrate and a nanoreplicant structure coupled to a surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Anatoli V. Melechko, Timothy E. McKnight, Michael A. Guillorn, Bojan Ilic, Vladimir I. Merkulov, Mitchel J. Doktycz, Douglas H. Lowndes, Michael L. Simpson
  • Patent number: 7947976
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for controlled alignment of catalytically grown nanostructures in a large-scale synthesis process. A method includes: generating an electric field proximate an edge of a protruding section of an electrode, the electric field defining a vector; and forming an elongated nanostructure located at a position on a surface of a substrate, the position on the surface of the substrate proximate the edge of the protruding section of the electrode, at least one tangent to the elongated nanostructure i) substantially parallel to the vector defined by the electric field and ii) substantially non-parallel to a normal defined by the surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Vladimir I. Merkulov, Anatoli V. Melechko, Michael A. Guillorn, Douglas H. Lowndes, Michael L. Simpson
  • Patent number: 7943196
    Abstract: Methods, manufactures, machines and compositions are described for nanotransfer and nanoreplication using deterministically grown sacrificial nanotemplates. A method includes depositing a catalyst particle on a surface of a substrate to define a deterministically located position; growing an aligned elongated nanostructure on the substrate, an end of the aligned elongated nanostructure coupled to the substrate at the deterministically located position; coating the aligned elongated nanostructure with a conduit material; removing a portion of the conduit material to expose the catalyst particle; removing the catalyst particle; and removing the elongated nanostructure to define a nanoconduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Anatoli V. Melechko, Timothy E. McKnight, Michael A. Guillorn, Bojan Ilic, Vladimir I. Merkulov, Mitchel J. Doktycz, Douglas H. Lowndes, Michael L. Simpson
  • Patent number: 7641863
    Abstract: A nanoengineered membrane for controlling material transport (e.g., molecular transport) is disclosed. The membrane includes a substrate, a cover defining a material transport channel between the substrate and the cover, and a plurality of fibers positioned in the channel and connected to and extending away from a surface of the substrate. The fibers are aligned perpendicular to the surface of the substrate, and have a width of 100 nanometers or less. The diffusion limits for material transport are controlled by the separation of the fibers. In one embodiment, chemical derivatization of carbon fibers may be undertaken to further affect the diffusion limits or affect selective permeability or facilitated transport. For example, a coating can be applied to at least a portion of the fibers. In another embodiment, individually addressable carbon nanofibers can be integrated with the membrane to provide an electrical driving force for material transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: UT-Battelle LLC
    Inventors: Mitchel J. Doktycz, Michael L. Simpson, Timothy E. McKnight, Anatoli V. Melechko, Douglas H. Lowndes, Michael A. Guillorn, Vladimir I. Merkulov
  • Publication number: 20090087899
    Abstract: The present invention in one embodiment provides a method for extracting molecular material including providing a probe comprising a penetration portion having a nanoscale surface for penetrating a biological compartment, a receptor present on the penetrating portion of the probe, wherein the receptor has an affinity for a target molecular material from the biological compartment; inserting the probe into the biological compartment, the receptor present on the penetrating portion of the probe engages the target molecular material; and extracting the probe and the target molecular material engaged to the inserting portion of the probe from the biological compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventors: Timothy E. McKnight, Anatoli V. Melechko, Michael L. Simpson
  • Publication number: 20090081415
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for controlled alignment of catalytically grown nanostructures in a large-scale synthesis process. A method includes: generating an electric field proximate an edge of a protruding section of an electrode, the electric field defining a vector; and forming an elongated nanostructure located at a position on a surface of a substrate, the position on the surface of the substrate proximate the edge of the protruding section of the electrode, at least one tangent to the elongated nanostructure i) substantially parallel to the vector defined by the electric field and ii) substantially non-parallel to a normal defined by the surface of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: Vladimir I. Merkulov, Anatoli V. Melechko, Michael A. Guillorn, Douglas H. Lowndes, Michael L. Simpson
  • Publication number: 20080290326
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for controlled alignment of catalytically grown nanostructures in a large-scale synthesis process. A method includes: generating an electric field proximate an edge of a protruding section of an electrode, the electric field defining a vector; and forming an elongated nanostructure located at a position on a surface of a substrate, the position on the surface of the substrate proximate the edge of the protruding section of the electrode, at least one tangent to the elongated nanostructure i) substantially parallel to the vector defined by the electric field and ii) substantially non-parallel to a normal defined by the surface of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventors: Vladimir I. Merkulov, Anatoli V. Melechko, Michael A. Guillorn, Douglas H. Lowndes, Michael L. Simpson
  • Patent number: 7408186
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for controlled alignment of catalyticaly grown nanostructures in a large-scale synthesis process. A composition includes an elongated nanostructure including a first segment defining a first axis and a second segment coupled to the first segment, the second segment defining a second axis that is substantially nonparallel to the first axis. A method includes: generating an electric field proximate an edge of a protruding section of an electrode, the electric field defining a vector; and forming an elongated nanostructure located at a position on a surface of a substrate, the position on the surface of the substrate proximate the edge of the protruding section of the electrode, at least one tangent to the elongated nanostructure i) substantially parallel to the vector defined by the electric field and ii) substantially non-parallel to a normal defined by the surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: UT-Battelle LLC
    Inventors: Vladimir I. Merkulov, Anatoli V. Melechko, Michael A. Guillorn, Douglas H. Lowndes, Michael L. Simpson
  • Publication number: 20080182068
    Abstract: Methods, manufactures, machines and compositions are described for nanotransfer and nanoreplication using deterministically grown sacrificial nanotemplates. An apparatus, includes a substrate and a nanoreplicant structure coupled to a surface of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventors: Anatoli V. Melechko, Timothy E. McKnight, Michael A. Guillorn, Bojan Ilic, Vladimir L. Merkulov, Mitchel J. Doktycz, Douglas H. Lowndes, Michael L. Simpson
  • Publication number: 20080171386
    Abstract: A method for the transient transformation of a living biological cell having an intact cell membrane defining an intracellular domain, and an apparatus for the transient transformation of biological cells. The method and apparatus include introducing a compartmentalized extracellular component fixedly attached to a cellular penetrant structure to the intracellular domain of the cell, wherein the cell is fixed in a predetermined location and wherein the component is expressed within in the cell while being retained within the compartment and wherein the compartment restricts the mobility and interactions of the component within the cell and prevents transference of the component to the cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Inventors: Timothy E. McKnight, Anatoli V. Melechko, Michael L. Simpson
  • Patent number: 7371538
    Abstract: An integrated microluminometer includes an integrated circuit chip having at least one n-well/p-substrate junction photodetector for converting light received into a photocurrent, and a detector on the chip for processing the photocurrent. A distributed electrode configuration including a plurality of spaced apart electrodes disposed on an active region of the photodetector is preferably used to raise efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Michael L. Simpson, Michael J. Paulus, Gary S. Sayler, Bruce M. Applegate, Steven A. Ripp
  • Patent number: 7245068
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for controlled alignment of catalyticaly grown nanostructures in a large-scale synthesis process. An apparatus includes an electrode including: a protruding section defining an edge; and a nonprotruding section coupled to the protruding section, where the edge is adapted to deflect an electric field generated with the electrode and at least one section selected from the group consisting of the protruding section and the nonprotruding section is adapted to support a substrate for the growth of elongated nanostructures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Vladimir I. Merkulov, Anatoli V. Melechko, Michael A. Guillorn, Douglas H. Lowndes, Michael L. Simpson
  • Patent number: 7229692
    Abstract: Methods, manufactures, machines and compositions are described for nanotransfer and nanoreplication using deterministically grown sacrificial nanotemplates. An apparatus includes a substrate and a nanoconduit material coupled to a surface of the substrate, where the substrate defines an aperture and the nanoconduit material defines a nanoconduit that is i) contiguous with the aperture and ii) aligned substantially non-parallel to a plane defined by the surface of the substrate. An apparatus includes a substrate and a nanoreplicant structure coupled to a surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: UT-Battelle LLC
    Inventors: Anatoli V. Melechko, Timothy E. McKnight, Michael A. Guillorn, Bojan Ilic, Vladimir I. Merkulov, Mitchel J. Doktycz, Douglas H. Lowndes, Michael L. Simpson
  • Patent number: 7208286
    Abstract: Monolithic bioelectronic devices for the detection of ammonia includes a microorganism that metabolizes ammonia and which harbors a lux gene fused with a heterologous promoter gene stably incorporated into the chromosome of the microorganism and an Optical Application Specific Integrated Circuit (OASIC). The microorganism is generally a bacterium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: UT-Battelle LLC
    Inventors: Michael L. Simpson, Michael J. Paulus, Gary S. Sayler, Bruce M. Applegate, Steven A. Ripp