Patents by Inventor R. Andrew McGill
R. Andrew McGill 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).
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Patent number: 8448532Abstract: An analyte collection system device includes an active area that includes a plurality of perforations extending therethrough. The plurality of perforations are arranged to permit passage of an analyte fluid flow through the microscale plate. A heating element is provided for heating the active area, and a thermal distribution layer is disposed over at least a portion of the active area. For cooling the active area at or below an ambient temperature, an active cooler is provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2009Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignees: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy, University of Louisville Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Michael Martin, Kevin Walsh, Julia Aebersold, R. Andrew McGill, Stanley V. Stepnowski
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Patent number: 8421017Abstract: A method for non-contact analyte detection by selectively exciting one or more analytes of interest using an IR source optionally operated to produce pulses of light and tuned to at least one specific absorption band without significantly decomposing organic analytes and determining if the analyte is present by comparing emitted photons with an IR detector signal collected one or more times before, during, or after, exciting the analyte. Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method for non-contact analyte detection by selectively exciting analytes of interest using one or more IR sources that are optionally operated to produce pulses of light and tuned to at least one specific wavelength without significantly decomposing organic analytes, wherein the analyte is excited sufficiently to increase the amount of analyte in the gas phase, and wherein the content of the gas is examined to detect the presence of the analyte.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2011Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: R Andrew McGill, Graham K Hubler, Michael Papantonakis, James S Horwitz, Chris Kendziora, Robert Furstenberg
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Publication number: 20120247230Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for non-contact or stand off chemical detection by selectively exciting one or more analytes of interest using an IR source tuned to at least one specific absorption band without significantly decomposing the analyte and determining if the analyte is present by comparing emitted photons with an IR detector signal made before and during or shortly after exciting the analyte. Another embodiment provides a method for non-contact or stand off chemical detection by selectively exciting one or more analytes of interest using an IR source tuned to at least one specific absorption band without significantly decomposing the analyte, wherein the analyte is excited sufficiently to generate a vapor plume, and wherein the plume is examined to detect the presence of the analyte. Additionally, the present invention provides for a system for non-contact or stand off chemical detection.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2012Publication date: October 4, 2012Inventors: R Andrew McGill, Chris Kendziora, Robert Furstenberg, Michael Papantonakis, James S. Horwitz, Graham K. Hubler
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Patent number: 8222604Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for non-contact or stand off chemical detection by selectively exciting one or more analytes of interest using an IR source tuned to at least one specific absorption band without significantly decomposing the analyte and determining if the analyte is present by comparing emitted photons with an IR detector signal made before and during or shortly after exciting the analyte. Another embodiment provides a method for non-contact or stand off chemical detection by selectively exciting one or more analytes of interest using an IR source tuned to at least one specific absorption band without significantly decomposing the analyte, wherein the analyte is excited sufficiently to generate a vapor plume, and wherein the plume is examined to detect the presence of the analyte. Additionally, the present invention provides for a system for non-contact or stand off chemical detection.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2011Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Inventors: R Andrew McGill, Chris Kendziora, Robert Furstenberg, Michael Papantonakis, James S Horwitz, Graham K Hubler
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Publication number: 20120091344Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for non-contact or stand off chemical detection by selectively exciting one or more analytes of interest using an IR source tuned to at least one specific absorption band without significantly decomposing the analyte and determining if the analyte is present by comparing emitted photons with an IR detector signal made before and during or shortly after exciting the analyte. Another embodiment provides a method for non-contact or stand off chemical detection by selectively exciting one or more analytes of interest using an IR source tuned to at least one specific absorption band without significantly decomposing the analyte, wherein the analyte is excited sufficiently to generate a vapor plume, and wherein the plume is examined to detect the presence of the analyte. Additionally, the present invention provides for a system for non-contact or stand off chemical detection.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2011Publication date: April 19, 2012Inventors: R. Andrew McGill, Chris Kendziora, Robert Furstenberg, Michael Papantonakis, James S. Horwitz, Graham K. Hubler
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Patent number: 8148161Abstract: Disclosed herein is a composition having: a polymer having a carbosilane or siloxane backbone and pendant hydrogen-bond acidic groups; and a filler material having polar groups. The polymer is not covalently bound to the filler material.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2009Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Bernadette A. Higgins, Duane L. Simonson, Viet Nguyen, Jennifer L. Stepnowski, R Andrew McGill
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Patent number: 8132443Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a microfabricated gas chromatograph column having two patterned substrates, each optionally having a stationary phase material coating, bonded together to provide a continuous flow channel. The flow channel can have a serpentine arrangement or a modified serpentine arrangement comprising alternating series of consecutive turns in one direction where each series has enough turns to move carrier gas and analyte molecules from the center of the column cross section to an outer wall of the channel or from one outer wall of the channel to the opposite outer wall. Different portions of the substrates can be coated with differing thicknesses of stationary phase material and/or with different stationary phase materials. The column can have a circular cross-section or a semi-circular cross-section where the flat portion of the cross-section has grooves. Also disclosed is the related method of making the microfabricated gas chromatograph column.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2009Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: R Andrew McGill, Rekha Pai, David R. Mott, Jennifer L Stepnowski, Viet Nguyen
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Patent number: 8101915Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for non-contact or stand off chemical detection by selectively exciting one or more analytes of interest using an IR source tuned to at least one specific absorption band without significantly decomposing the analyte and determining if the analyte is present by comparing emitted photons with an IR detector signal made before and during or shortly after exciting the analyte. Another embodiment provides a method for non-contact or stand off chemical detection by selectively exciting one or more analytes of interest using an IR source tuned to at least one specific absorption band without significantly decomposing the analyte, wherein the analyte is excited sufficiently to generate a vapor plume, and wherein the plume is examined to detect the presence of the analyte. Additionally, the present invention provides for a system for non-contact or stand off chemical detection.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2008Date of Patent: January 24, 2012Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: R Andrew McGill, Chris Kendziora, Robert Furstenberg, Michael Papantonakis, James S Horwitz, Graham K Hubler
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Publication number: 20110271738Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a method for non-contact analyte detection by selectively exciting one or more analytes of interest using an IR source optionally operated to produce pulses of light and tuned to at least one specific absorption band without significantly decomposing organic analytes and determining if the analyte is present by comparing emitted photons with an IR detector signal collected one or more times before, during, after, or any combination thereof exciting the analyte.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2011Publication date: November 10, 2011Inventors: R. Andrew McGill, Graham K. Hubler, Michael Papantonakis, James S. Horwitz, Chris Kendziora, Robert Furstenberg
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Patent number: 8051697Abstract: The present invention relates to chemical and bioanalytical sensors and sensor systems, particularly to systems incorporating a calibration device for sensors where the calibration device is comprised of an array of micromachined MEMS structures and materials for trapping and retaining calibrant or interferant materials until they are needed and released quantitatively using structure operatively associated with the array.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2008Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignees: The George Washington University, The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: David J. Nagel, R. Andrew McGill, Patrick M. Mills, Rekha Pai
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Publication number: 20100236341Abstract: An analyte collection system device includes an active area that includes a plurality of perforations extending therethrough. The plurality of perforations are arranged to permit passage of an analyte fluid flow through the microscale plate. A heating element is provided for heating the active area, and a thermal distribution layer is disposed over at least a portion of the active area. For cooling the active area at or below an ambient temperature, an active cooler is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2009Publication date: September 23, 2010Inventors: Michael Martin, Kevin Walsh, Julia Aebersold, R. Andrew McGill, Stanley V. Stepnowski
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Patent number: 7776269Abstract: A sensing device having: a bottom electrode, a dielectric on the bottom electrode, a grid of nanoelectrodes on the dielectric, and a top electrode in electrical contact with the grid. A method of chemical or biological sensing comprising: providing a grid of nanoelectrodes; exposing the grid to fluid suspected of containing a chemical or biological analyte; and measuring a change in the capacitance and conductance of the grid.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2005Date of Patent: August 17, 2010Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Eric S. Snow, F. Keith Perkins, Eric Houser, Stan V. Stepnowski, R. Andrew McGill
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Publication number: 20100139406Abstract: Micro-opto-mechanical chemical sensors and methods for simultaneously detecting and discriminating between a variety of vapor-phase analytes. One embodiment of the sensor is a photonic microharp chemical sensor with an array of closely spaced microbridges, each differing slightly in length and coated with a different sorbent polymer. The microbridges can be excited photothermally, and the microbridges can be optically interrogated using microcavity interferometry. Other actuation methods include piezoelectric, piezoresistive, electrothermal, and magnetic. Other read-out techniques include using a lever arm and other interferometric techniques.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2009Publication date: June 10, 2010Applicant: The Government of the US. as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Todd H. Stievater, William S. Rabinovich, Nicolas A. Papanicolaou, Robert Bass, Jennifer L. Stepnowski, R. Andrew McGill
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Publication number: 20100083736Abstract: A device having: one or more substrates in an enclosure having an inlet and an outlet; a template directed molecular imprinted material on the substrates; and a heater to heat the material. A method of: providing the above device including a sensor coupled to the outlet; flowing a gas though the device; heating the material; and flowing any vapor evolved from the material into the sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2008Publication date: April 8, 2010Applicant: The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Michael A. Markowitz, Mazyar Zeinali, R. Andrew McGill, Anne W. Kusterbeck, Jennifer L. Stepnowski
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Patent number: 7673517Abstract: A sensor and a method for sensing a change in mass of a reflective microbeam in a sensor, the sensor having a reflective layer disposed on a substrate and spaced apart from the reflective microbeam. The microbeam receives amplitude modulated laser energy at a first wavelength and is photothermally excited into resonance at the frequency of amplitude modulation, the reflective microbridge and the reflective layer receive optical energy at a second wavelength and reflect the optical energy toward a receiver. A change in reflectivity of the microbeam at different frequencies is determined. A change in reflectivity indicates a change in resonant frequency of the microbeam. Mass of the microbeam changes when a chemoselective material on the microbeam sorbs a target chemical.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2006Date of Patent: March 9, 2010Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Todd H. Stievater, William S Rabinovich, Eric J Houser, Stanley V. Stepnowski, R Andrew McGill
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Publication number: 20100044570Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a method for non-contact or stand off chemical detection that may be eye-safe by selectively exciting one ore more analytes of interest using an IR source tuned to at least one specific absorption band without significantly decomposing the analyte and determining if the analyte is present by comparing emitted photons with an IR detector signal made before and during or shortly after exciting the analyte. Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method for non-contact or stand off chemical detection that may be eye-safe by selectively exciting one or more analytes of interest using an IR source tuned to at least one specific absorption band without significantly decomposing the analyte, wherein the analyte is excited sufficiently to generate a vapor plume, and wherein the plume is examined to detect the presence of the analyte.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2008Publication date: February 25, 2010Inventors: R. Andrew McGill, Chris Kendziora, Robert Furstenberg, Michael Papantonakis, James S. Horwitz, Graham K. Hubler
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Publication number: 20100029884Abstract: Disclosed herein is a composition having a plurality of particles of a filler material and crosslinking units having the formula —(SiR—CH2—CH2—CH2)—. The silicon atom in the crosslinking unit is directly or indirectly bound to the filler material. Each R is alkyl, alkenyl, phenyl, methyl, ethyl, allyl, halogen, chloro, or bromo. Also disclosed herein is a filler material having the silicon atom of a silacyclobutane group is directly or indirectly bound thereto. Also disclosed herein is a method of crosslinking silacyclobutane groups bound to a plurality of particles of a filler material. The silicon atom of the silacyclobutane group is directly or indirectly bound to the filler material. Also disclosed herein is a composition including a plurality of fibers of a polymer having reactive oxygen atoms and siloxane groups. Coordination bonds are formed between the oxygen atoms and the silicon atoms of the siloxane groups of separate fibers.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2009Publication date: February 4, 2010Applicant: The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Duane L. Simonson, R. Andrew McGill, Bernadette A. Higgins, Michael Papantonakis
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Publication number: 20090301169Abstract: Disclosed herein is a composition having: a polymer having a carbosilane or siloxane backbone and pendant hydrogen-bond acidic groups; and a filler material having polar groups. The polymer is not covalently bound to the filler material.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2009Publication date: December 10, 2009Applicant: Naval Research LaboratoryInventors: Bernadette A. Higgins, Duane L. Simonson, Viet Nguyen, Jennifer L. Stepnowski, R. Andrew McGill
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Publication number: 20090272270Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a microfabricated gas chromatograph column having two patterned substrates, each optionally having a stationary phase material coating, bonded together to provide a continuous flow channel. The flow channel can have a serpentine arrangement or a modified serpentine arrangement comprising alternating series of consecutive turns in one direction where each series has enough turns to move carrier gas and analyte molecules from the center of the column cross section to an outer wall of the channel or from one outer wall of the channel to the opposite outer wall. Different portions of the substrates can be coated with differing thicknesses of stationary phase material and/or with different stationary phase materials. The column can have a circular cross-section or a semi-circular cross-section where the flat portion of the cross-section has grooves. Also disclosed is the related method of making the microfabricated gas chromatograph column.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2009Publication date: November 5, 2009Inventors: R Andrew McGill, Rekha Pai, David R. Mott, Jennifer L. Stepnowski, Viet Nguyen
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Publication number: 20090205398Abstract: The present invention relates to chemical and bioanalytical sensors and sensor systems, particularly to systems incorporating a calibration device for sensors where the calibration device is composed of structures and materials for trapping and retaining calibrant materials until they are needed and released quantitatively.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2008Publication date: August 20, 2009Inventors: David Nagel, R. Andrew McGill, Patrick Mills, Rekha Pai