Patents by Inventor Sarah J. Toal

Sarah J. Toal 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: 8377713
    Abstract: A method of simultaneously detecting peroxide and nitrogen-based explosives includes the steps of applying a conversion reagent to a sample, the conversion reagent oxidizing in the presence of peroxide and inorganic nitrate explosives; applying a test reagent including a luminescent compound to the sample; exciting the luminescent compound with ultraviolet light; and simultaneously determining the presence of one or more explosives based on quenching, brightening or a shift in wavelength of the luminescence over time. Explosives may also be detected based on color changes of the sample. Optionally, phase transfer reagents, catalysts, colorimetric agents and zinc dust may be added to improve detection of explosives. Alternatively, an assay-type method may be utilized wherein a sample is added to the conversion and/or test reagents and the reagent is spotted on a substrate before exposure to ultraviolet light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Redxdefense, LLC
    Inventors: Dale R Miller, Sarah J Toal, Russell P Watson
  • Patent number: 7927881
    Abstract: A method for detecting an analyze that may be present in ambient air, bound to a surface or as part of complex aqueous media that includes providing a metallole-containing polymer or copolymer, exposing the polymer or copolymer to a suspected analyze or a system suspected of including the analyze, and measuring a quenching of photoluminescence of the metallole-containing polymer or copolymer exposed to the system. Also included is a solid state inorganic-organic polymer sensor for detecting nitroaromatic compounds that includes a substrate and a thin film of a metallole-containing polymer or copolymer deposited on said substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: William C. Trogler, Sara A Urbas, Sarah J. Toal, Jason Sanchez
  • Publication number: 20110081723
    Abstract: A method of simultaneously detecting peroxide and nitrogen-based explosives includes the steps of applying a conversion reagent to a sample, the conversion reagent oxidizing in the presence of peroxide and inorganic nitrate explosives; applying a test reagent including a luminescent compound to the sample; exciting the luminescent compound with ultraviolet light; and simultaneously determining the presence of one or more explosives based on quenching, brightening or a shift in wavelength of the luminescence over time. Explosives may also be detected based on color changes of the sample. Optionally, phase transfer reagents, catalysts, colorimetric agents and zinc dust may be added to improve detection of explosives. Alternatively, an assay-type method may be utilized wherein a sample is added to the conversion and/or test reagents and the reagent is spotted on a substrate before exposure to ultraviolet light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: REDXDEFENSE, LLC
    Inventors: Dale R Miller, Sarah J Toal, Russell P Watson, William C Trogler
  • Publication number: 20090137059
    Abstract: A method for detecting an analyze that may be present in ambient air, bound to a surface or as part of complex aqueous media that includes providing a metallole-containing polymer or copolymer, exposing the polymer or copolymer to a suspected analyze or a system suspected of including the analyze, and measuring a quenching of photoluminescence of the metallole-containing polymer or copolymer exposed to the system. Also included is a solid state inorganic-organic polymer sensor for detecting nitroaromatic compounds that includes a substrate and a thin film of a metallole-containing polymer or copolymer deposited on said substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2005
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventors: William C. Trogler, Sara A. Urbas, Sarah J. Toal, Jason Sanchez