Patents by Inventor Stephen A. Morin
Stephen A. Morin 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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Publication number: 20230035197Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture to determine an impact of a source code change on a cloud infrastructure are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2022Publication date: February 2, 2023Inventors: Adam Schepis, Vikram Pillai, Taylor Bruce, Rob Curtis, Stephen Morin, Tammy Steffen
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TWO-DIMENSIONAL AND THREE-DIMENSIONAL MICROARRAY CELL CULTURES USING ELASTOMERIC ASSEMBLY SUBSTRATES
Publication number: 20230015901Abstract: The invention provides a method for preparing an ordered cell-containing microarray, and a system for preparing an ordered cell-containing microarray.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2022Publication date: January 19, 2023Inventors: Stephen Morin, Ruiguo Yang, Karla Perez-Toralla, Mark Rose, Angel Olivera-Torres, John Kapitan, Grayson Minnick -
Patent number: 10994413Abstract: Systems and methods for providing flexible robotic actuators are disclosed. Some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter include a soft robot capable of providing a radial deflection motions; a soft tentacle actuator capable of providing a variety of motions and providing transportation means for various types of materials; and a hybrid robotic system that retains desirable characteristics of both soft robots and hard robots. Some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter also include methods for operating the disclosed robotic systems.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2018Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: Stephen A. Morin, Robert F. Shepherd, Adam Stokes, Filip Ilievski, Ramses V. Martinez, Jamie L. Branch, Carina R. Fish, Lihua Jin, Rui M. D. Nunes, Zhigang Suo, George M. Whitesides
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Patent number: 10843336Abstract: Reconfigurable soft robotic actuators with hard components are described. Magnetic attraction is used to couple flexible molded bodies capable of actuation upon pressurization with other flexible molded bodies and/or with hard components (e.g., frames and connectors) to form a seal for fluidic communication and cooperative actuation. Pneumatic de-coupling chambers built into the hard components to de-couple the hard components from the magnetically-coupled soft molded bodies are described. The use of magnetic self-alignment coupling and pneumatic de-coupling allows for the remote assembly and disassembly of complex structures involving hard and soft components. The magnetic coupling allows for rapid, reversible reconfiguration of hybrid soft-hard robots for repair, testing new designs, and carrying out new tasks.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2018Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: Sen Wai Kwok, Stephen A. Morin, Bobak Mosadegh, Ju-Hee So, Robert F. Shepherd, George M. Whitesides
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Patent number: 10465723Abstract: A soft robotic device includes a flexible body having a width, a length and a thickness, wherein the thickness is at least 1 mm, the flexible body having at least one channel disposed within the flexible body, the channel defined by upper, lower and side walls, wherein at least one wall is strain limiting; and a pressurizing inlet in fluid communication with the at least one channel, the at least one channel positioned and arranged such that the wall opposite the strain limiting wall preferentially expands when the soft robotic device is pressurized through the inlet.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2016Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: Filip Ilievski, Xin Chen, Aaron D. Mazzeo, George M. Whitesides, Robert F. Shepherd, Ramses V. Martinez, Won Jae Choi, Sen Wai Kwok, Stephen A. Morin, Adam Stokes, Zhihong Nie
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Patent number: 10418145Abstract: An elastically-deformable, conductive composite using elastomers and conductive fibers and simple fabrication procedures is provided. Conductive elastomeric composites offer low resistance to electrical current and are elastic over large (>25%) extensional strains. They can be easily interfaced/built into structures fabricated from elastomeric polymers.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2015Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: Joshua Aaron Lessing, Stephen A. Morin, George M. Whitesides
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Patent number: 10406698Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for providing modular soft robots are disclosed. In particular, the disclosed modular soft robot can include a flexible actuator having a plurality of molded flexible units. Each molded flexible unit can include a mechanical connector configured to provide a physical coupling to another molded flexible unit, and the plurality of molded flexible units are arranged to form an embedded fluidic channel. The modular soft robot can also include an inlet coupled to the embedded fluidic channel, where the inlet is configured to receive pressurized or depressurized fluid to inflate or deflate a portion of the flexible actuator, thereby causing an actuation of the flexible actuator.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2013Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: Stephen A. Morin, Sen Wai Kwok, Robert F. Shepherd, George M. Whitesides
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Publication number: 20190091858Abstract: Systems and methods for providing flexible robotic actuators are disclosed. Some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter include a soft robot capable of providing a radial deflection motions; a soft tentacle actuator capable of providing a variety of motions and providing transportation means for various types of materials; and a hybrid robotic system that retains desirable characteristics of both soft robots and hard robots. Some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter also include methods for operating the disclosed robotic systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2018Publication date: March 28, 2019Inventors: Stephen A. MORIN, Robert F. SHEPHERD, Adam STOKES, Filip ILIEVSKI, Ramses V. MARTINEZ, Jamie L. BRANCH, Carina R. FISH, Lihua JIN, Rui M.D. NUNES, Zhigang SUO, George M. WHITESIDES
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Patent number: 10233910Abstract: Some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter includes a laminated robotic actuator. The laminated robotic actuator includes a strain-limiting layer comprising a flexible, non-extensible material in the form of a sheet or thin film, a flexible inflatable layer in the form of a thin film or sheet in facing relationship with the strain-limiting layer, wherein the inflatable layer is selectively adhered to the strain-limiting layer, and wherein a portion of an un-adhered region between the strain-limiting layer and the inflatable layer defines a pressurizable channel, and at least one fluid inlet in fluid communication with the pressurizable channel. The first flexible non-extensible material has a stiffness that is greater than the stiffness of the second flexible elastomeric material and the flexible elastomer is non-extensible under actuation conditions.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2016Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: Aaron D. Mazzeo, Stephen A. Morin, Robert F. Shepherd, George M. Whitesides, William B. Kalb
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Publication number: 20180363683Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a soft robot is provided. In one system, a robotic device includes a flexible body having a fluid chamber, where a portion of the flexible body includes an elastically extensible material and a portion of the flexible body is strain limiting relative to the elastically extensible material. The robotic device can further include a pressurizing inlet in fluid communication with the fluid chamber, and a pressurizing device in fluid communication with the pressurizing inlet, the pressurizing device including a reaction chamber configured to accommodate a gas-producing chemical reaction for providing pressurized gas to the pressurizing inlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2018Publication date: December 20, 2018Inventors: Robert F. SHEPHERD, Adam STOKES, Stephen A. MORIN, Ludovico CADEMARTIRI, Jacob FREAKE, Rui NUNES, Xin CHEN, George M. WHITESIDES
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Publication number: 20180326578Abstract: Reconfigurable soft robotic actuators with hard components are described. Magnetic attraction is used to couple flexible molded bodies capable of actuation upon pressurization with other flexible molded bodies and/or with hard components (e.g., frames and connectors) to form a seal for fluidic communication and cooperative actuation. Pneumatic de-coupling chambers built into the hard components to de-couple the hard components from the magnetically-coupled soft molded bodies are described. The use of magnetic self-alignment coupling and pneumatic de-coupling allows for the remote assembly and disassembly of complex structures involving hard and soft components. The magnetic coupling allows for rapid, reversible reconfiguration of hybrid soft-hard robots for repair, testing new designs, and carrying out new tasks.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2018Publication date: November 15, 2018Inventors: Sen Wai KWOK, Stephen A. MORIN, Bobak MOSADEGH, Ju-Hee SO, Robert F. SHEPHERD, George M. WHITESIDES
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Patent number: 9981377Abstract: Systems and methods for providing flexible robotic actuators are disclosed. Some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter include a soft robot capable of providing a radial deflection motions; a soft tentacle actuator capable of providing a variety of motions and providing transportation means for various types of materials; and a hybrid robotic system that retains desirable characteristics of both soft robots and hard robots. Some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter also include methods for operating the disclosed robotic systems.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2014Date of Patent: May 29, 2018Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: Stephen A. Morin, Robert F. Shepherd, Adam Stokes, Filip Ilievski, Ramses V. Martinez, Jamie L. Branch, Carina R. Fish, Lihua Jin, Rui M. D. Nunes, Zhigang Suo, George M. Whitesides
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Patent number: 9962832Abstract: Reconfigurable soft robotic actuators with hard components are described. Magnetic attraction is used to couple flexible molded bodies capable of actuation upon pressurization with other flexible molded bodies and/or with hard components (e.g., frames and connectors) to form a seal for fluidic communication and cooperative actuation. Pneumatic de-coupling chambers built into the hard components to de-couple the hard components from the magnetically-coupled soft molded bodies are described. The use of magnetic self-alignment coupling and pneumatic de-coupling allows for the remote assembly and disassembly of complex structures involving hard and soft components. The magnetic coupling allows for rapid, reversible reconfiguration of hybrid soft-hard robots for repair, testing new designs, and carrying out new tasks.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2014Date of Patent: May 8, 2018Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: Sen Wai Kwok, Stephen A. Morin, Bobak Mosadegh, Ju-Hee So, Robert F. Shepherd, George M. Whitesides
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Patent number: 9945397Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a soft robot is provided. In one system, a robotic device includes a flexible body having a fluid chamber, where a portion of the flexible body includes an elastically extensible material and a portion of the flexible body is strain limiting relative to the elastically extensible material. The robotic device can further include a pressurizing inlet in fluid communication with the fluid chamber, and a pressurizing device in fluid communication with the pressurizing inlet, the pressurizing device including a reaction chamber configured to accommodate a gas-producing chemical reaction for providing pressurized gas to the pressurizing inlet.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2014Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: Robert F. Shepherd, Adam Stokes, Stephen A. Morin, Ludovico Cademartiri, Jacob Freake, Rui Nunes, Xin Chen, George M. Whitesides
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Publication number: 20170314538Abstract: Some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter includes a laminated robotic actuator. The laminated robotic actuator includes a strain-limiting layer comprising a flexible, non-extensible material in the form of a sheet or thin film, a flexible inflatable layer in the form of a thin film or sheet in facing relationship with the strain-limiting layer, wherein the inflatable layer is selectively adhered to the strain-limiting layer, and wherein a portion of an un-adhered region between the strain-limiting layer and the inflatable layer defines a pressurizable channel, and at least one fluid inlet in fluid communication with the pressurizable channel. The first flexible non-extensible material has a stiffness that is greater than the stiffness of the second flexible elastomeric material and the flexible elastomer is non-extensible under actuation conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2016Publication date: November 2, 2017Inventors: Aaron D. MAZZEO, Stephen A. MORIN, Robert F. SHEPHERD, George M. WHITESIDES, William B. KALB
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Publication number: 20170097021Abstract: A soft robotic device includes a flexible body having a width, a length and a thickness, wherein the thickness is at least 1 mm, the flexible body having at least one channel disposed within the flexible body, the channel defined by upper, lower and side walls, wherein at least one wall is strain limiting; and a pressurizing inlet in fluid communication with the at least one channel, the at least one channel positioned and arranged such that the wall opposite the strain limiting wall preferentially expands when the soft robotic device is pressurized through the inlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2016Publication date: April 6, 2017Inventors: Filip ILIEVSKI, Xin CHEN, Aaron D. MAZZEO, George M. WHITESIDES, Robert F. SHEPHERD, Ramses V. MARTINEZ, Won Jae CHOI, Sen Wai KWOK, Stephen A. MORIN, Adam STOKES, Zhihong NIE
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Publication number: 20170030381Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a soft robot is provided. In one system, a robotic device includes a flexible body having a fluid chamber, where a portion of the flexible body includes an elastically extensible material and a portion of the flexible body is strain limiting relative to the elastically extensible material. The robotic device can further include a pressurizing inlet in fluid communication with the fluid chamber, and a pressurizing device in fluid communication with the pressurizing inlet, the pressurizing device including a reaction chamber configured to accommodate a gas-producing chemical reaction for providing pressurized gas to the pressurizing inlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2014Publication date: February 2, 2017Applicant: President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: Robert F. SHEPHERD, Adam STOKES, Stephen A. MORIN, Ludovico CADEMARTIRI, Jacob FREAKE, Rui NUNES, Xin CHEN, George M. WHITESIDES
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Patent number: 9506455Abstract: Some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter includes a laminated robotic actuator. The laminated robotic actuator includes a strain-limiting layer comprising a flexible, non-extensible material in the form of a sheet or thin film, a flexible inflatable layer in the form of a thin film or sheet in facing relationship with the strain-limiting layer, wherein the inflatable layer is selectively adhered to the strain-limiting layer, and wherein a portion of an un-adhered region between the strain-limiting layer and the inflatable layer defines a pressurizable channel, and at least one fluid inlet in fluid communication with the pressurizable channel. The first flexible non-extensible material has a stiffness that is greater than the stiffness of the second flexible elastomeric material and the flexible elastomer is non-extensible under actuation conditions.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2014Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: Aaron D. Mazzeo, Stephen A. Morin, Robert F. Shepherd, George M. Whitesides, William B. Kalb
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Patent number: 9464642Abstract: A soft robotic device includes a flexible body having a width, a length and a thickness, wherein the thickness is at least 1 mm, the flexible body having at least one channel disposed within the flexible body, the channel defined by upper, lower and side walls, wherein at least one wall is strain limiting; and a pressurizing inlet in fluid communication with the at least one channel, the at least one channel positioned and arranged such that the wall opposite the strain limiting wall preferentially expands when the soft robotic device is pressurized through the inlet.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2011Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: Filip Ilievski, Xin Chen, Aaron D. Mazzeo, George M. Whitesides, Robert F. Shepherd, Ramses V. Martinez, Won Jae Choi, Sen W. Kwok, Stephen Morin, Adam Stokes, Zhihong Nie
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Publication number: 20160001444Abstract: Reconfigurable soft robotic actuators with hard components are described. Magnetic attraction is used to couple flexible molded bodies capable of actuation upon pressurization with other flexible molded bodies and/or with hard components (e.g., frames and connectors) to form a seal for fluidic communication and cooperative actuation. Pneumatic de-coupling chambers built into the hard components to de-couple the hard components from the magnetically-coupled soft molded bodies are described. The use of magnetic self-alignment coupling and pneumatic de-coupling allows for the remote assembly and disassembly of complex structures involving hard and soft components. The magnetic coupling allows for rapid, reversible reconfiguration of hybrid soft-hard robots for repair, testing new designs, and carrying out new tasks.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2014Publication date: January 7, 2016Inventors: Sen Wai KWOK, Stephen A. MORIN, Bobak MOSADEGH, Ju-Hee SO, Robert F. SHEPHERD, George M. WHITESIDES