Patents by Inventor Nicol McGruer

Nicol McGruer 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: 9787340
    Abstract: A zero power radio frequency (RF) activated wake up device is provided. The device is based on a high-Q MEMS demodulator that filters an amplitude-modulated RF tone of interest from the entire spectrum while producing a much higher voltage signal suitable to trigger a high-Q MEMS resonant switch tuned to the modulation frequency of the RF tone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignees: Northeastern University, The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventors: Matteo Rinaldi, Nicol McGruer, Amy Duwel, Marc S. Weinberg, Robert Egri, Cristian Cassella
  • Publication number: 20170126263
    Abstract: A zero power radio frequency (RF) activated wake up device is provided. The device is based on a high-Q MEMS demodulator that filters an amplitude-modulated RF tone of interest from the entire spectrum while producing a much higher voltage signal suitable to trigger a high-Q MEMS resonant switch tuned to the modulation frequency of the RF tone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Matteo RINALDI, Nicol McGRUER, Amy DUWEL, Marc S. WEINBERG, Robert EGRI, Cristian CASSELLA
  • Patent number: 9117601
    Abstract: A non-volatile bistable nano-electromechanical switch is provided for use in memory devices and microprocessors. The switch employs carbon nanotubes as the actuation element. A method has been developed for fabricating nanoswitches having one single-walled carbon nanotube as the actuator. The actuation of two different states can be achieved using the same low voltage for each state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Northeastern University
    Inventors: Sivasubramanian Somu, Ahmed Busnaina, Nicol McGruer, Peter Ryan, George G. Adams, Xugang Xiong, Taehoon Kim
  • Publication number: 20140202860
    Abstract: A non-volatile bistable nano-electromechanical switch is provided for use in memory devices and microprocessors. The switch employs carbon nanotubes as the actuation element. A method has been developed for fabricating nanoswitches having one single-walled carbon nanotube as the actuator. The actuation of two different states can be achieved using the same low voltage for each state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: Northeastern University
    Inventors: Sivasubramanian Somu, Ahmed Busnaina, Nicol McGruer, Peter Ryan, George G. Adams, Xugang Xiong, Taehoon Kim
  • Patent number: 8637356
    Abstract: A non-volatile bistable nano-electromechanical switch is provided for use in memory devices and microprocessors. The switch employs carbon nanotubes as the actuation element. A method has been developed for fabricating nanoswitches having one single-walled carbon nanotube as the actuator. The actuation of two different states can be achieved using the same low voltage for each state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Northeastern University
    Inventors: Sivasubramanian Somu, Ahmed Busnaina, Nicol McGruer, Peter Ryan, George G. Adams, Xugang Xiong, Taehoon Kim
  • Publication number: 20120267223
    Abstract: A non-volatile bistable nano-electromechanical switch is provided for use in memory devices and microprocessors. The switch employs carbon nanotubes as the actuation element. A method has been developed for fabricating nanoswitches having one single-walled carbon nanotube as the actuator. The actuation of two different states can be achieved using the same low voltage for each state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Sivasubramanian Somu, Ahmed Busnaina, Nicol McGruer, Peter Ryan, George G. Adams, Xugang Xiong, Taehoon Kim
  • Patent number: 8211765
    Abstract: A non-volatile bistable nano-electromechanical switch is provided for use in memory devices and microprocessors. The switch employs carbon nanotubes as the actuation element. A method has been developed for fabricating nanoswitches having one single-walled carbon nanotube as the actuator. The actuation of two different states can be achieved using the same low voltage for each state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Northeastern University
    Inventors: Sivasubramanian Somu, Ahmed Busnaina, Nicol McGruer, Peter Ryan, George G. Adams, Xugang Xiong, Taehoon Kim
  • Publication number: 20120052649
    Abstract: A non-volatile bistable nano-electromechanical switch is provided for use in memory devices and microprocessors. The switch employs carbon nanotubes as the actuation element. A method has been developed for fabricating nanoswitches having one single-walled carbon nanotube as the actuator. The actuation of two different states can be achieved using the same low voltage for each state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Sivasubramanian Somu, Ahmed Busnaina, Nicol McGruer, Peter Ryan, George G. Adams, Xugang Xiong, Taehoon Kim
  • Patent number: 8031514
    Abstract: A non-volatile bistable nano-electromechanical switch is provided for use in memory devices and microprocessors. The switch employs carbon nanotubes as the actuation element. A method has been developed for fabricating nanoswitches having one single-walled carbon nanotube as the actuator. The actuation of two different states can be achieved using the same low voltage for each state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Northeastern University
    Inventors: Sivasubramanian Somu, Ahmed Busnaina, Nicol McGruer, Peter Ryan, George G. Adams, Xugang Xiong, Taehoon Kim
  • Publication number: 20100116631
    Abstract: A non-volatile bistable nano-electromechanical switch is provided for use in memory devices and microprocessors. The switch employs carbon nanotubes as the actuation element. A method has been developed for fabricating nanoswitches having one single-walled carbon nanotube as the actuator. The actuation of two different states can be achieved using the same low voltage for each state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Sivasubramanian Somu, Ahmed Busnaina, Nicol McGruer, Peter Ryan, George G. Adams, Xugang Xiong, Taehoon Kim
  • Publication number: 20100001355
    Abstract: An RF MEMS switch having a beam composed of a material having a high resistivity and a large Young's modulus may provide a large restoring force, a large electrostatic force at a low actuation voltage, and good isolation between signal input and output. RF MEMS switch reliability may be improved by reducing failures due to stiction by providing a large restoring force. A reliable contact may be provided with a large electrostatic force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicants: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Andrzej Peczalski, James F. Detry, Paul E. Bauhahn, Nicol McGruer
  • Publication number: 20050249605
    Abstract: A miniature pump has at least one controllable expansion-and-contraction chamber, and associated pair of tiny ducts interconnecting a fluid source and destination. The ducts communicate with the chamber(s); an linking tunnel links the ducts. Valves interact with fluid pressures due to expansion and contraction, imposing directionality on flow in the ducts and tunnel. Preferences: making the valve a passive flapper, implanting the pump in a creature, making the source a medication reservoir for supplying the creature; making the source a fuel tank and destination a tiny engine; making the source provide a specimen for assay and destination an observation slide; human or automatic examination of the slide under a microscope (e. g. electron microscope); making the source a reagent and destination a process stream; making the source a colorant and destination a colorant application system. Preferably included is an optical channel with intersecting fluid duct for optically monitoring pumped fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Publication date: November 10, 2005
    Inventors: David Kane, Nicol McGruer
  • Patent number: 6856718
    Abstract: A gap in an optical guideway is occupied, when the switch is in its diverting condition, by a quantity of air or other gas. To change the switch to its through condition, an actuator forces a column of liquid against the gas to compress (and thereby displace) the gas in the gap with the liquid. The actuator includes a preferably wide reservoir of the liquid and a diaphragm which is flexed to force the liquid up the column against the gas. When the actuator is deactivated the compressed gas forces the column of liquid out of the gap to return the switch to the diverting condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Arete′ Associates
    Inventors: David Kane, Nicol McGruer
  • Publication number: 20030081302
    Abstract: A gap in an optical guideway is occupied, when the switch is in its diverting condition, by a quantity of air or other gas. To change the switch to its through condition, an actuator forces a column of liquid against the gas to compress (and thereby displace) the gas in the gap with the liquid. The actuator includes a preferably wide reservoir of the liquid and a diaphragm which is flexed to force the liquid up the column against the gas. When the actuator is deactivated the compressed gas forces the column of liquid out of the gap to return the switch to the diverting condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventors: David Kane, Nicol McGruer
  • Patent number: 5872010
    Abstract: A microscale fluid handling system that permits the efficient transfer of nanoliter to picoliter quantities of a fluid sample from the spatially concentrated environment of a microfabricated chip to "off-chip" analytical or collection devices for further off-chip sample manipulation and analysis is disclosed. The fluid handling system is fabricated in the form of one or more channels, in any suitable format, provided in a microchip body or substrate of silica, polymer or other suitable non-conductive material, or of stainless steel, noble metal, silicon or other suitable conductive or semi-conductive material. The microchip fluid handling system includes one or more exit ports integral with the end of one or more of the channels for consecutive or simultaneous off-chip analysis or collection of the sample. The exit port or ports may be configured, for example, as an electrospray interface for transfer of a fluid sample to a mass spectrometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Northeastern University
    Inventors: Barry L. Karger, Frantisek Foret, Paul M. Zavracky, E. Nicol McGruer, Qifeng Xue, Yuriy M. Dunayevskiy