Patents by Inventor Nathan S. Lewis

Nathan S. Lewis 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: 20030159927
    Abstract: Chemical sensors for detecting analytes in fluids comprising a plurality of alternating nonconductive regions (comprising a nonconductive material) and conductive regions (comprising a conductive material). In preferred embodiments, the conducting region comprises a nanoparticle. Variability in chemical sensitivity from sensor to sensor is provided by qualitatively or quantitatively varying the composition of the conductive and/or nonconductive regions. An electronic nose for detecting an analyte in a fluid may be constructed by using such arrays in conjunction with an electrical measuring device electrically connected to the conductive elements of each sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Applicant: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Nathan S. Lewis, Brett J. Doleman, Shawn Briglin, Erik J. Severin
  • Patent number: 6610367
    Abstract: Chemical sensors for detecting the activity of a molecule or analyte of interest is provided. The chemical sensors comprise and array or plurality of sensors that are capable of interacting with a molecule of interest, wherein the interaction provides a response fingerprint. The fingerprint can be associated with a library of similar molecules of interest to determine the molecule's activity and diffusion coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Nathan S. Lewis, Erik J. Severin, Michael Freund, Adam J. Matzger
  • Publication number: 20030136960
    Abstract: Techniques are used to detect and identify analytes. Techniques are used to fabricate and manufacture sensors to detect analytes. An analyte (810) is sensed by sensors (820) that output electrical signals in response to the analyte. The electrical signals may be preprocessed (830) by filtering and amplification. In one embodiment, a plurality of sensors are formed on a single integrated circuit. The sensors may have diverse compositions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventors: Rodney M. Goodman, Nathan S. Lewis, Robert H. Grubbs, Jeffery Dickson, Vincent F. Koosh, Richard S. Payne
  • Patent number: 6571603
    Abstract: A statistical metric, based on the magnitude and standard deviations along linear projections of clustered array response data, is utilized to facilitate an evaluation of the performance of detector arrays in various vapor classification tasks. This approach allows quantification of the ability of arrays of different types including carbon black-insulating polymer composite chemiresistor sensors, tin oxide sensors and bulk conducting organic polymer sensors to distinguish between analytes. The evaluation of questions such as the optimal number of detectors required for a specific task, whether improved performance is obtained by increasing the number of detectors in a detector array, and how to assess statistically the diversity of a collection of detectors in order to understand more fully which properties are underrepresented in a particular set of array elements, are addressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Brett J. Doleman, Erik J. Severin, Nathan S. Lewis
  • Patent number: 6537498
    Abstract: Chemical sensors for detecting analytes in fluids comprising a plurality of alternating nonconductive regions (comprising a nonconductive material) and conductive regions (comprising a conductive material). In preferred embodiments, the conducting region comprises a nanoparticle. Variability in chemical sensitivity from sensor to sensor is provided by qualitatively or quantitatively varying the composition of the conductive and/or nonconductive regions. An electronic nose for detecting an analyte in a fluid may be constructed by using such arrays in conjunction with an electrical measuring device electrically connected to the conductive elements of each sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Nathan S. Lewis, Brett J. Doleman, Shawn Briglin, Erik J. Severin
  • Publication number: 20020197390
    Abstract: Chemical sensors for detecting the activity of a molecule or analyte of interest is provided. The chemical sensors comprise and array or plurality of sensors that are capable of interacting with a molecule of interest, wherein the interaction provides a response fingerprint. The fingerprint can be associated with a library of similar molecules of interest to determine the molecule's activity and diffusion coefficient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Inventors: Nathan S. Lewis, Erik J. Severin, Michael Freund, Adam J. Matzger
  • Publication number: 20020192117
    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: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Applicant: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Nathan S. Lewis, Michael S. Freund, Shawn M. Briglin
  • Patent number: 6495892
    Abstract: Techniques are used to detect and identify analytes. Techniques are used to fabricate and manufacture sensors to detect analytes. An analyte (810) is sensed by sensors (820) that output electrical signals in response to the analyte. The electrical signals may be preprocessed (830) by filtering and amplification. In one embodiment, a plurality of sensors are formed on a single integrated circuit. The sensors may have diverse compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Rodney M. Goodman, Nathan S. Lewis, Robert H. Grubbs, Jeffery Dickson, Vincent Koosh, Richard S. Payne
  • Patent number: 6467333
    Abstract: The present invention provides a device for detecting the presence of an analyte, such as for example, a lightweight device, including: a sample chamber having a fluid inlet port for the influx of the analyte; a fluid concentrator in flow communication with the sample chamber wherein the fluid concentrator has an absorbent material capable of absorbing the analyte and capable of desorbing a concentrated analyte; and an array of sensors in fluid communication with the concentrated analyte to be released from the fluid concentrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Nathan S. Lewis, Erik J. Severin, Bernard Wong
  • Publication number: 20020142477
    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: April 24, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventors: Nathan S. Lewis, Michael S. Freund, Shawn M. Briglin, Phil Tokumaru, Charles R. Martin, David T. Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20020141901
    Abstract: Chemical sensors for detecting the activity of a molecule or analyte of interest is provided. The chemical sensors comprise and array or plurality of sensors that are capable of interacting with a molecule of interest, wherein the interaction provides a response fingerprint. The fingerprint can be associated with a library of similar molecules of interest to determine the molecule's activity and diffusion coefficient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventors: Nathan S. Lewis, Erik J. Severin, Michael Freund, Adam J. Matzger
  • Publication number: 20020139975
    Abstract: Electrical structures and devices may be formed and include an organic passivating layer that is chemically bonded to a silicon-containing semiconductor material to improve the electrical properties of electrical devices. In different embodiments, the organic passivating layer may remain within finished devices to reduce dangling bonds, improve carrier lifetimes, decrease surface recombination velocities, increase electronic efficiencies, or the like. In other embodiments, the organic passivating layer may be used as a protective sacrificial layer and reduce contact resistance or reduce resistance of doped regions. The organic passivation layer may be formed without the need for high-temperature processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventors: Nathan S. Lewis, William Royea
  • Patent number: 6455319
    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: May 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Nathan S. Lewis, Michael S. Freund, Shawn M. Briglin
  • Publication number: 20020081232
    Abstract: C-hemical sensors for detecting the activity of a molecule or analyte of interest is provided. The chemical sensors comprise and array or plurality of chemically-sensitive resistors that are capable of interacting with the molecule of interest, wherein the interaction provides a resistance fingerprint. The fingerprint can be associated with a library of similar molecules of interest to determine the molecule's activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Applicant: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Nathan S. Lewis, Thomas P. Vaid
  • Patent number: 6387329
    Abstract: Chemical sensors for detecting the activity of a molecule or analyte of interest is provided. The chemical sensors comprise and array or plurality of sensors that are capable of interacting with a molecule of interest, wherein the interaction provides a response fingerprint. The fingerprint can be associated with a library of similar molecules of interest to determine the molecule's activity and diffusion coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Nathan S. Lewis, Erik J. Severin, Michael Freund, Adam J. Matzger
  • Patent number: 6350369
    Abstract: Chemical sensors for detecting the activity of a molecule or analyte of interest is provided. The chemical sensors comprise and array or plurality of chemically-sensitive resistors that are capable of interacting with the molecule of interest, wherein the interaction provides a resistance fingerprint. The fingerprint can be associated with a library of similar molecules of interest to determine the molecule's activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Nathan S. Lewis, Thomas P. Vaid
  • Publication number: 20020017125
    Abstract: The present invention provides a device for detecting the presence of an analyte, including: a sample chamber having a fluid inlet port for the influx of the analyte; a fluid concentrator in flow communication with the sample chamber wherein the fluid concentrator has an absorbent material capable of absorbing the analyte and capable of desorbing a concentrated analyte; and an array of sensors in fluid communication with the concentrated analyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Inventors: Nathan S. Lewis, Erik J. Severin, Bernard Wong
  • Publication number: 20020005580
    Abstract: Techniques are used to detect and identify analytes. Techniques are used to fabricate and manufacture sensors to detect analytes. An analyte (810) is sensed by sensors (820) that output electrical signals in response to the analyte. The electrical signals may be preprocessed (830) by filtering and amplification. In one embodiment, a plurality of sensors are formed on a single integrated circuit. The sensors may have diverse compositions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 1999
    Publication date: January 17, 2002
    Inventors: RODNEY M. GOODMAN, NATHAN S. LEWIS, ROBERT H. GRUBBS, JEFFERY DICKSON, VINCENT F. KOOSH, RICHARD S. PAYNE
  • Patent number: 6331244
    Abstract: Chemical sensors for detecting analytes in fluids comprise first and second conductive elements (e.g., electrical leads) electrically coupled to and separated by a chemically sensitive resistor which provides an electrical path between the conductive elements. The resistor comprises a plurality of alternating nonconductive regions (comprising a nonconductive organic polymer) and conductive regions (comprising a conductive material) transverse to the electrical path. The resistor provides a difference in resistance between the conductive elements when contacted with a fluid comprising a chemical analyte at a first concentration, than when contacted with a fluid comprising the chemical analyte at a second different concentration. Arrays of such sensors are constructed with at least two sensors having different chemically sensitive resistors providing dissimilar such differences in resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Nathan S. Lewis, Erik Severin
  • Patent number: 6319724
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods for detecting the presence of an analyte indicative of various medical conditions, including halitosis, periodontal disease and other diseases are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignees: Cyrano Sciences, Inc., California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Nathan S. Lewis, Erik J. Severin, Bernard Wong, David M. Kelso, Beth C. Munoz