Patents by Inventor Peter Harms

Peter Harms 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: 20090121747
    Abstract: A system and method for maintaining circuit delay characteristics during power management mode. The method for maintaining circuit delay characteristics during power management mode continually toggles the clock distribution circuits at a frequency sufficiently low that it does not significantly impact chip power dissipation. The clock frequency used to toggle the clock distribution circuits is high enough to minimize the asymmetrical stress on the clock buffer transistors so that both P and N device characteristics equally change over time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2007
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventors: Sang Hoo Dhong, Peter Harm Hofstee, Mack Wayne Riley, James Douglas Warnock, Stephen Douglas Weitzel
  • Patent number: 7390462
    Abstract: The present invention provides ratiometric fluorescent pH sensors for non-invasive, continuous monitoring of pH in such applications as fermentation processes. The ratiometric fluorescent pH sensors comprise a fluorescent dye that exhibits a shift in excitation wavelength with a corresponding shift in pH in the local environment of said fluorescent dye. Ratiometric measurements of the emission intensities at dual excitation maxima correlate to pH. Also provided is a fluorescent dye 6-methacryloyl-8-hydroxy-1,3-pyrene disulfonic acid (MA-HPDS). Further provided are systems and methods to non-invasively and continuously monitor pH.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: The University of Maryland Baltimore County
    Inventors: Govind Rao, Iordan V. Kostov, Haley R. Kermis, Peter Harms
  • Patent number: 7041986
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods for determining fluorescence lifetime of a fluorophor or an optical sensor using frequency domain gated detection. The method comprises the steps of exciting the fluorophor with frequency modulated light from a pulsed light source, gating a photodetector during excitation of the fluorophore, detecting light emitted from the fluorophor with the photodetector, where the emission light exhibits a phase shift in frequency from that of the excitation light, converting the detected excitation light to an amplified electric signal, and evaluating the amplified electric signal as a measure of fluorescence lifetime of the fluorophor. Also provided is a device with which to use the methods disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: University of Maryland Baltimore County
    Inventors: Govind Rao, Peter Harms, Iordan V. Kostov
  • Publication number: 20050090014
    Abstract: The present invention provides ratiometric fluorescent pH sensors for non-invasive, continuous monitoring of pH in such applications as fermentation processes. The ratiometric fluorescent pH sensors comprise a fluorescent dye that exhibits a shift in excitation wavelength with a corresponding shift in pH in the local environment of said fluorescent dye. Ratiometric measurements of the emission intensities at dual excitation maxima correlate to pH. Also provided is a fluorescent dye 6-methacryloyl-8-hydroxy-1,3-pyrene disulfonic acid (MA-HPDS). Further provided are systems and methods to non-invasively and continuously monitor pH.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Publication date: April 28, 2005
    Inventors: Govind Rao, Iordan Kostov, Haley Kermis, Peter Harms
  • Publication number: 20030178578
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods for determining fluorescence lifetime of a fluorophor or an optical sensor using frequency domain gated detection. The method comprises the steps of exciting the fluorophor with frequency modulated light from a pulsed light source, gating a photodetector during excitation of the fluorophore, detecting light emitted from the fluorophor with the photodetector, where the emission light exhibits a phase shift in frequency from that of the excitation light, converting the detected excitation light to an amplified electric signal, and evaluating the amplified electric signal as a measure of fluorescence lifetime of the fluorophor. Also provided is a device with which to use the methods disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventors: Govind Rao, Peter Harms, Iordan V. Kostov
  • Patent number: 6426505
    Abstract: A low cost apparatus and method for measuring nanosecond luminescence lifetimes with a modulated LED light source that is driven by a lock-in amplifier. The lock-in amplifier provides both a DC bias and an AC signal used to modulate the intensity of an LED source light at a wavelength capable of exciting a photoluminescent species. Excitation of the photoluminescent species produces a corresponding emission. The emission, which can be detected in a variety of ways, was measured by a photomultiplier tube with the resulting signal being sent through a DC block back to the lock-in amplifier with no external signal processing or heterodyning required. The measuring process can be controlled by a computer through a GPIB, USB, serial or similar connection. The computer can also be used to correct for the most common sources of error, namely coherent pickup and stray ambient light. The apparatus without the computer has a component cost of less than US $10,000.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignees: University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute, University of Maryland Baltimore County
    Inventors: Govind Rao, Peter Harms