Patents by Inventor Steven Michael Durbin
Steven Michael Durbin 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: 12320949Abstract: A method for quantifying disorder and extracting a corresponding numerical value of an order parameter from contrast analysis applied to optical images acquired of the solar photosphere. Temporal variation of the order parameter may be utilized to predict events such as solar flares, which have the ability to disrupt both communication systems and satellite orbits. The degree of order of the photosphere may be monitored to predict solar flares and other solar events. The method may utilize a spin-based (Ising/Potts) model of disorder.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2022Date of Patent: June 3, 2025Assignee: Board of Trustees of Western Michigan UniversityInventors: Robert Allen Makin, III, Steven Michael Durbin
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Patent number: 12207935Abstract: A method of distinguishing benign and malignant skin conditions includes extracting a numerical value corresponding to an order parameter from an image of skin having a pigmented region. The numerical value of the order parameter may be utilized to assess the likelihood that a skin lesion is benign or malignant. The precise value may also be utilized to assess severity, which may include detecting changes in a skin lesion over time.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2022Date of Patent: January 28, 2025Inventors: Robert Allen Makin, III, Steven Michael Durbin
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Publication number: 20250006819Abstract: A method of fabricating a superconducting device includes determining a target transition temperature and utilizing a predefined quantitative relationship between superconducting transition temperature and an order parameter for at least one superconducting material composition is utilized to select a superconductor material composition that is capable of providing a target transition temperature. Process parameters may be controlled to form a superconductor device comprising at least one superconductor material having a material composition providing the target transition temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2024Publication date: January 2, 2025Inventors: Robert A. Makin, III, Steven Michael Durbin
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Patent number: 12113123Abstract: A method of fabricating a superconducting device includes determining a target transition temperature and utilizing a predefined quantitative relationship between superconducting transition temperature and an order parameter for at least one superconducting material composition is utilized to select a superconductor material composition that is capable of providing a target transition temperature. Process parameters may be controlled to form a superconductor device comprising at least one superconductor material having a material composition providing the target transition temperature.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2022Date of Patent: October 8, 2024Assignee: The Board of Trustees of Western Michigan UniversityInventors: Robert A. Makin, III, Steven Michael Durbin
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Publication number: 20240127618Abstract: A method of interpreting human-drawn images includes modifying a human-drawn image. A numerical value corresponding to an order parameter squared (S2) is extracted from the modified image. An artificial intelligence (AI) program characterizes the human-drawn image utilizing the human-drawn image and the numerical value of the order parameter. The disclosure further includes systems, computer readable media, programs capable of the same.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2023Publication date: April 18, 2024Inventors: Steven Michael Durbin, Robert Allen Makin, III
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Publication number: 20230395836Abstract: Some aspects of the present invention may include a method of fabricating an electrolyte suitable for a fuel cell or electrolyzer, comprising: determining one or more or two or more target material properties of the electrolyte or overall or overall system-level property of the fuel cell or electrolyzer; utilizing a predefined quantitative relationship between a material property and an order parameter involving one or more electrolyte components to determine at least one material ordering that has the target material property; and controlling process parameters to form at least one electrolyte material having the target material property. Some aspects of the present invention may include a method of fabricating an electrolyte suitable for a fuel cell or electrolyzer, to determine at least one or more material orderings that that provides the best overall performance for the device.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2023Publication date: December 7, 2023Inventors: Robert Allen Makin, III, Steven Michael Durbin
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Publication number: 20230394872Abstract: Some aspects of the present invention may include systems and methods of a detecting whether a first image contains a region that has been manipulated, methods comprising obtaining a second image, wherein the second image comprises at least a part of the first image, said at least a part of the first image containing the region suspected of being manipulated; determining a numerical value of an order parameter (S or S2) of the second image; determining a numerical value of an order parameter (S or S2) of a third image, the third image comprising the second image with the region suspected of being manipulated removed; and comparing the numerical value of the second image (S or S2) with the numerical value (S or S2) of the third image to determine if the first image has been altered, by reference to a predefined criteria indicative of a manipulated image.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2023Publication date: December 7, 2023Inventors: Robert Allen Makin, III, Steven Michael Durbin
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Publication number: 20230121423Abstract: A method of fabricating a superconducting device includes determining a target transition temperature and utilizing a predefined quantitative relationship between superconducting transition temperature and an order parameter for at least one superconducting material composition is utilized to select a superconductor material composition that is capable of providing a target transition temperature. Process parameters may be controlled to form a superconductor device comprising at least one superconductor material having a material composition providing the target transition temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2022Publication date: April 20, 2023Applicant: The Board of Trustees of Western Michigan UniversityInventors: Robert A. Makin, III, Steven Michael Durbin
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Publication number: 20230000426Abstract: A method of distinguishing benign and malignant skin conditions includes extracting a numerical value corresponding to an order parameter from an image of skin having a pigmented region. The numerical value of the order parameter may be utilized to assess the likelihood that a skin lesion is benign or malignant. The precise value may also be utilized to assess severity, which may include detecting changes in a skin lesion over time.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2022Publication date: January 5, 2023Inventors: Robert Allen Makin, III, Steven Michael Durbin
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Patent number: 11545563Abstract: A process of fabricating semiconductor devices includes determining a correlation between band gap and long range order parameter for one or more stoichiometries. Semiconductor materials having a preselected (target) band gap can be fabricated by controlling process parameters to form a material having a stoichiometry and long range order parameter having the target band gap.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2020Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: The Board of Trustees of Western Michigan UniversityInventors: Robert A. Makin, III, Steven Michael Durbin
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Publication number: 20220365243Abstract: A method for quantifying disorder and extracting a corresponding numerical value of an order parameter from contrast analysis applied to optical images acquired of the solar photosphere. Temporal variation of the order parameter may be utilized to predict events such as solar flares, which have the ability to disrupt both communication systems and satellite orbits. The degree of order of the photosphere may be monitored to predict solar flares and other solar events. The method may utilize a spin-based (Ising/Potts) model of disorder.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2022Publication date: November 17, 2022Inventors: Robert Allen Makin, III, Steven Michael Durbin
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Publication number: 20220347610Abstract: A process for predicting and adjusting particle removal efficiency of fiber-based filter media based on quantification of disorder. An order parameter may be extracted through Raman spectroscopy or scanning electron microscopy. Production processes may be adjusted to change (e.g., increase) the particle removal efficiency of fiber-based filter media utilizing a predefined correlation between order parameter and particle removal efficiency. The filter media may be utilized in masks, filters, and other applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2022Publication date: November 3, 2022Inventors: Robert Allen Makin, III, Steven Michael Durbin
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Publication number: 20210349093Abstract: Immunogenic potential of a virus-like particle (VLP) for use in developing a vaccine is predicted by comparing order parameters of the VLP and a target virus. The method may include determining a numerical value of an order parameter and relative composition of viral coat proteins of a target virion (virus). A numerical value of an order parameter and relative composition of the surface proteins of a VLP is also determined. The numerical value of the order parameter and relative composition of the viral coat proteins of the target virion (virus) are compared to the numerical value of the order parameter and relative composition of the VLP to determine if the VLP satisfies pre-defined matching criteria indicative of high immunogenic potential and corresponding vaccine efficacy.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2021Publication date: November 11, 2021Applicant: The Board of Trustees of Western Michigan UniversityInventors: Robert Allen Makin, III, Steven Michael Durbin
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Publication number: 20210066478Abstract: A process of fabricating semiconductor devices includes determining a correlation between band gap and long range order parameter for one or more stoichiometries. Semiconductor materials having a preselected (target) band gap can be fabricated by controlling process parameters to form a material having a stoichiometry and long range order parameter having the target band gap.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2020Publication date: March 4, 2021Applicant: The Board of Trustees of Western Michigan UniversityInventors: Robert A. Makin, III, Steven Michael Durbin
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Patent number: 8508015Abstract: The present invention provides Schottky-like and ohmic contacts comprising metal oxides on zinc oxide substrates and a method of forming such contacts. The metal oxide Schottky-like and ohmic contacts may be formed on zinc oxide substrates using various deposition and lift-off photolithographic techniques. The barrier heights of the metal oxide Schottky-like contacts are significantly higher than those for plain metals and their ideality factors are very close to the image force controlled limit. The contacts may have application in diodes, power electronics, FET transistors and related structures, and in various optoelectronic devices, such as UV photodetectors.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2008Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: Canterprise LimitedInventors: Martin Ward Allen, Steven Michael Durbin
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Publication number: 20100127255Abstract: The present invention provides Schottky-like and ohmic contacts comprising metal oxides on zinc oxide substrates and a method of forming such contacts. The metal oxide Schottky-like and ohmic contacts may be formed on zinc oxide substrates using various deposition and lift-off photolithographic techniques. The barrier heights of the metal oxide Schottky-like contacts are significantly higher than those for plain metals and their ideality factors are very close to the image force controlled limit. The contacts may have application in diodes, power electronics, FET transistors and related structures, and in various optoelectronic devices, such as UV photodetectors.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2008Publication date: May 27, 2010Inventors: Martin Ward Allen, Steven Michael Durbin