Patents by Inventor Michael Peter Macdonald

Michael Peter Macdonald 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).

  • Fractionation of particles
    Patent number: 9815058
    Abstract: A fractionation system comprising means for forming a three dimensional optical lattice that is operable to separate particles that have different physical characteristics. Preferably, the wells of the optical lattice are interlinked. For example, the wells may be linked in such a manner as to provide deflection greater than or equal to 15 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: The University Court of the University of St Andrews
    Inventors: Michael Peter MacDonald, Kishan Dholakia, Steven Leonard Neale, Gabriel Cooper Spalding
  • Apparatus for optically rotating microscopic objects
    Patent number: 7173711
    Abstract: Apparatus for and a method of rotating microscopic objects uses a beam of electromagnetic radiation. A microscopic, non-circularly symmetric distribution of electro-magnetic radiation is projected on to a region containing an object to be rotated so as to cause photons in the beam to refract around the objects. Rotating means then rotate that distribution and so rotate the objects. The distribution may be formed on the interference pattern between a beam having a Laguerre-Gaussian wave fronts and either a plane wave or a further Laguerre-Gaussian beam of opposite helicity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: University Court of the University of St. Andrews
    Inventors: Kishan Dholakia, Michael Peter Macdonald, Jochen Arlt
  • Optical rotation of microscopic particles
    Publication number: 20040090632
    Abstract: Apparatus for and a method of rotating microscopic objects uses a beam of electromagnetic radiation. A microscopic, non-circularly symmetric distribution of electro-magnetic radiation is projected on to a region containing an object to be rotated so as to cause photons in the beam to refract around the objects. Rotating means then rotate that distribution and so rotate the objects. The distribution may be formed on the interference pattern between a beam having a Laguerre-Gaussian wave fronts and either a plane wave or a further Laguerre-Gaussian beam of opposite helicity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventors: Kishan Dholakia, Michael Peter Macdonald, Jochen Arlt