Patents by Inventor Michael S. Freund

Michael S. Freund 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: 20220276197
    Abstract: Disclosed is an olfaction system based on integration of gas sensitive conducting polymers and Floating Gate Metal Oxide Semiconductor (FGMOS) sensors. A sensing polymer, polypyrrole for example, is electrochemically deposited onto sensor pads which are electrically connected to floating gate of the sensor. The response of these sensing polymers to any vapour analyte can be tailored using several techniques that include the use of different dopants, changing electrolyte concentrations or varying growth potential at the time of electrodeposition. Using an array of floating gate sensors, coupled to these chemically diverse polymers, this system will facilitate a signature-like response from the sensors in the array. Every sensor can be accessed and analysed individually using a specially designed addressing circuit. The response from the sensors is amplified through a trans-impedance amplifier and converted to 8-bit digital data for ease of analyte identification and quantification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2020
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Inventors: Douglas A. Buchanan, Michael S. Freund, Vaibhav Dubey
  • Patent number: 8883043
    Abstract: Poly(anilineboronic acid)/phosphate nanoparticle dispersions are produced in high yields using the reactivity of the boronic acid moiety with phosphate in the presence of fluoride. The poly(anilineboronic acid)/phosphate dispersions have been characterized using spectroscopic, microscopic and electrochemical techniques. According to 11B NMR studies, the formation of anionic tetrahedral boronate group in phosphoric acid in the presence of fluoride forms the basis of self-doped, stabilized PABA nanoparticle dispersion. Transmission electron microscope images show that 25-50 nm diameter PABA nanoparticles are formed under these conditions. UV-vis, FT-IR-ATR spectroscopic and cyclic voltammetric results confirm the formation of the conducting form of PABA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: University of Manitoba
    Inventors: Michael S. Freund, Bhavana A. Deore
  • Patent number: 8658759
    Abstract: A substituted polyaniline whose self-doped state can be controlled via complexation between boronic acid groups along the backbone with D-fructose in the presence of fluoride is described. For the first time, this allows the formation of a water-soluble, self-doped conducting polymer under the polymerization conditions. In turn this facilitates the growth of polyaniline over a wider pH range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: University of Manitoba
    Inventors: Bhavana A. Deore, Insun Yu, Michael S. Freund
  • Patent number: 8454819
    Abstract: The present invention includes sensors and systems that include a sensor. A sensor includes a sensor polymer, where the polymer includes a repeating unit having an anilineboronic acid-phosphate complex or an anilineboronic acid complexed with an alcohol or diol. The sensor polymer may be a copolymer, such as a random copolymer, a block copolymer, or an alternate copolymer. The present invention also provides methods for using the sensors described herein, including methods for detecting the presence of an analyte, such as CO2, in a fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: University of Manitoba
    Inventors: Sureshraja Neethirajan, Michael S. Freund, Digvir J. Jayas
  • Patent number: 8314445
    Abstract: A thin-film plasmonic device including a layer of a conductive material positioned over an array of electrodes of alternating polarity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: University of Manitoba
    Inventors: Sergei Rudenja, Michael S. Freund
  • Patent number: 8298443
    Abstract: A method for producing a polymer comprising reacting a fluoride and a monomer having a boronic acid moiety, or a salt thereof, in acidic aqueous solution and/or in an aliphatic alcohol. Polymerization occurs with the addition of an oxidizing agent. The method may further comprise the step of purification of the polymer by centrifugation with 0.5 M HCl and/or dispersion of the polymer in a solvent. The polymer has a morphology tunable by changing the solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: University of Manitoba
    Inventors: Michael S. Freund, Bhavana A. Deore, Insun Yu
  • Patent number: 8288507
    Abstract: Conducting polythiophene films are produced by the oxidation of bithiophene or terthiophene monomers using phosphomolybdic acid, wherein the reagents are first combined to form a metastable solution, the solution is then cast as a film, and polymerization ultimately initiated by evaporation of the solvent The equivalent formation of polypyrrole via the oxidation of pyrrole using phosphomolybdic acid has been previously demonstrated, but this approach cannot be applied directly to thiophene, which has too high an oxidation potential Bithiophene and terthiophene have lower oxidation potentials, close to that of pyrrole This work suggests the previously demonstrated method is suitable for general application, requiring only the proper matching of monomer and oxidant redox potentials, and the selection of a suitable solvent and starting concentration Smooth, spin-coated polythiophene films having thicknesses of 100 to 200 run and conductivities in the range 0.2 to 0.3 S-cm?1 have been prepared.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: University of Manitoba
    Inventors: Michael S. Freund, Elda Bravo-Grimaldo, Sarah Hachey
  • Publication number: 20120202039
    Abstract: Conducting poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) films are prepared upon solvent removal using an easily processable metastable solution of monomer and oxidant. This method allows the casting and spin-coating of films on conducting as well as insulating substrates with conductivities as well as optical and redox properties similar to those reported for chemically (vapor phase) and electrochemically synthesized thin films. Morphological characterization of spin coated poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) films suggest that they are smooth, uniform and free of pinholes on the micron scale. These films show conductivities in the range of 0.03 to 5 S/cm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA
    Inventors: Michael S. Freund, Nick Svenda, Bhavana A. Deore
  • Patent number: 8198393
    Abstract: Conducting polythiophene films are produced by the oxidation of bithiophene or terthiophene monomers using phosphomolybdic acid, wherein the reagents are first combined to form a metastable solution, the solution is then cast as a film, and polymerization ultimately initiated by evaporation of the solvent The equivalent formation of polypyrrole via the oxidation of pyrrole using phosphomolybdic acid has been previously demonstrated, but this approach cannot be applied directly to thiophene, which has too high an oxidation potential Bithiophene and terthiophene have lower oxidation potentials, close to that of pyrrole This work suggests the previously demonstrated method is suitable for general application, requiring only the proper matching of monomer and oxidant redox potentials, and the selection of a suitable solvent and starting concentration Smooth, spin-coated polythiophene films having thicknesses of 100 to 200 run and conductivities in the range 0.2 to 0.3 S-cm?1 have been prepared.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: University of Manitoba
    Inventors: Michael S. Freund, Elda Bravo-Grimaldo, Sarah Hachey
  • Publication number: 20120104288
    Abstract: A thin-film plasmonic device including a layer of a conductive material positioned over an array of electrodes of alternating polarity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Sergei Rudenja, Michael S. Freund
  • Publication number: 20110315932
    Abstract: Poly(anilineboronic acid)/phosphate nanoparticle dispersions are produced in high yields using the reactivity of the boronic acid moiety with phosphate in the presence of fluoride. The poly(anilineboronic acid)/phosphate dispersions have been characterized using spectroscopic, microscopic and electrochemical techniques. According to 11B NMR studies, the formation of anionic tetrahedral boronate group in phosphoric acid in the presence of fluoride forms the basis of self-doped, stabilized PABA nanoparticle dispersion. Transmission electron microscope images show that 25-50 nm diameter PABA nanoparticles are formed under these conditions. UV-vis, FT-IR-ATR spectroscopic and cyclic voltammetric results confirm the formation of the conducting form of PABA.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA
    Inventors: Michael S. Freund, Bhavana A. Deore
  • Publication number: 20110220814
    Abstract: A thin-film plasmonic device including a layer of a conductive material positioned over an array of electrodes of alternating polarity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventors: Sergei Rudenja, Michael S. Freund
  • Publication number: 20110056846
    Abstract: The present invention includes sensors and systems that include a sensor. A sensor includes a sensor polymer, where the polymer includes a repeating unit having an anilineboronic acid-phosphate complex or an anilineboronic acid complexed with an alcohol or diol. The sensor polymer may be a copolymer, such as a random copolymer, a block copolymer, or an alternate copolymer. The present invention also provides methods for using the sensors described herein, including methods for detecting the presence of an analyte, such as CO2, in a fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Inventors: Sureshraja Neethirajan, Michael S. Freund, Digvir J. Jayas
  • Publication number: 20100301321
    Abstract: Tunable diodes and methods of making.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventors: Michael S. Freund, Jun Hui Zhao, G.M. Aminur Rahman, Douglas J. Thomson
  • Publication number: 20100270507
    Abstract: A method for producing a polymer comprising reacting a fluoride and a monomer having a boronic acid moiety, or a salt thereof, in acidic aqueous solution and/or in an aliphatic alcohol. Polymerization occurs with the addition of an oxidizing agent. The method may further comprise the step of purification of the polymer by centrifugation with 0.5 M HCl and/or dispersion of the polymer in a solvent. The polymer has a morphology tunable by changing the solvent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventors: Michael S. Freund, Bhavana A. Deore, Insun Yu
  • Publication number: 20090299031
    Abstract: Conducting polythiophene films are produced by the oxidation of bithiophene or terthiophene monomers using phosphomolybdic acid, wherein the reagents are first combined to form a metastable solution, the solution is then cast as a film, and polymerisation ultimately initiated by evaporation of the solvent The equivalent formation of polypyrrole via the oxidation of pyrrole using phosphomolybdic acid has been previously demonstrated, but this approach cannot be applied directly to thiophene, which has too high an oxidation potential Bithiophene and terthiophene have lower oxidation potentials, close to that of pyrrole This work suggests the previously demonstrated method is suitable for general application, requiring only the proper matching of monomer and oxidant redox potentials, and the selection of a suitable solvent and starting concentration Smooth, spin-coated polythiophene films having thicknesses of 100 to 200 run and conductivities in the range 0.2 to 0.3 S-cm?1 have been prepared.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2006
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA
    Inventors: Michael S. Freund, Elda Bravo-Grimaldo, Sarah Hachey
  • Patent number: 7595023
    Abstract: Sensor arrays and sensor array systems for detecting analytes in fluids. Sensors configured to generate a response upon introduction of a fluid containing one or more analytes can be located on one or more surfaces relative to one or more fluid channels in an array. Fluid channels can take the form of pores or holes in a substrate material. Fluid channels can be formed between one or more substrate plates. Sensor can be fabricated with substantially optimized sensor volumes to generate a response having a substantially maximized signal to noise ratio upon introduction of a fluid containing one or more target analytes. Methods of fabricating and using such sensor arrays and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignees: The California Institute of Technology, University of Florida, Aerovironment, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan S. Lewis, Michael S. Freund, Shawn S. Briglin, Phillip Tokumaru, Charles R. Martin, David Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20090214762
    Abstract: Sensor arrays and sensor array systems for detecting analytes in fluids. Sensors configured to generate a response upon introduction of a fluid containing one or more analytes can be located on one or more surfaces relative to one or more fluid channels in an array. Fluid channels can take the form of pores or holes in a substrate material. Fluid channels can be formed between one or more substrate plates. Sensor can be fabricated with substantially optimized sensor volumes to generate a response having a substantially maximized signal to noise ratio upon introduction of a fluid containing one or more target analytes. Methods of fabricating and using such sensor arrays and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: The California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Nathan S. Lewis, Michael S. Freund, Shawn M. Briglin, Phil Tokumaru, Charles R. Martin, David T. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 7189353
    Abstract: Methods, systems and sensor arrays are provided implementing techniques for detecting an analyte in a fluid. The techniques include providing a sensor array including at least a first sensor and a second sensor in an arrangement having a defined fluid flow path, exposing the sensor array to a fluid including an analyte by introducing the fluid along the fluid flow path, measuring a response for the first sensor and the second sensor, and detecting the presence of the analyte in the fluid based on a spatio-temporal difference between the responses for the first and second sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: The California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Nathan S. Lewis, Michael S. Freund, Shawn M. Briglin
  • Patent number: 7122152
    Abstract: Sensor arrays and sensor array systems for detecting analytes in fluids. Sensors configured to generate a response upon introduction of a fluid containing one or more analytes can be located on one or more surfaces relative to one or more fluid channels in an array. Fluid channels can take the form of pores or holes in a substrate material. Fluid channels can be formed between one or more substrate plates. Sensor can be fabricated with substantially optimized sensor volumes to generate a response having a substantially maximized signal to noise ratio upon introduction of a fluid containing one or more target analytes. Methods of fabricating and using such sensor arrays and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignees: University of Florida, The California Institute of Technology, Aerovironment, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan S. Lewis, Michael S. Freund, Shawn M. Briglin, Phil Tokumaru, Charles R. Martin, David T. Mitchell