Patents by Inventor Steven Yamamoto

Steven Yamamoto 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: 12059703
    Abstract: A method is provided for coating a surface of a material with a film of porous coordination polymer. A first substrate having a first surface to be coated is positioned in a processing chamber such that the first surface is placed in an opposing relationship to a second surface. The second surface may be provided by a wall of the processing chamber, or in some cases the second surface may be provided by a second substrate to be coated. The first substrate is held such that a gap exists between the first and second surfaces, and the gap is filled with at least one reaction mixture comprising reagents sufficient to form the crystalline film on at least the first surface. A thin gap (e.g., less than 2 mm) between the first and second surfaces is effective for producing a high quality film having a thickness less than 100 ?m. Confining the volume of the reaction mixture to a thin layer adjacent the substrate surface significantly reduces problems with sedimentation and concentration control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: MATRIX SENSORS, INC.
    Inventors: David K Britt, Paul R Wilkinson, Steven Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 11946160
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for coating a surface of a material with a film of porous coordination polymer. A first substrate having a first surface to be coated is positioned in a processing chamber such that the first surface is placed in a substantially opposing relationship to a second surface. In some embodiments, the second surface is provided by a wall of the processing chamber, and in other embodiments the second surface is provided by a second substrate to be coated. The first substrate is held such that a gap exists between the first and second surfaces, and the gap is filled with at least one reaction mixture comprising reagents sufficient to form the crystalline film on at least the first surface. A thin gap (e.g., having a thickness less than 2 mm) between the first and second surfaces is effective for producing a high quality film having a thickness less than 100 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Matrix Sensors, Inc
    Inventors: David K Britt, Paul R Wilkinson, Steven Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20230279582
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for coating a surface of a material with a film of porous coordination polymer. A first substrate having a first surface to be coated is positioned in a processing chamber such that the first surface is placed in a substantially opposing relationship to a second surface. In some embodiments, the second surface is provided by a wall of the processing chamber, and in other embodiments the second surface is provided by a second substrate to be coated. The first substrate is held such that a gap exists between the first and second surfaces, and the gap is filled with at least one reaction mixture comprising reagents sufficient to form the crystalline film on at least the first surface. A thin gap (e.g., having a thickness less than 2 mm) between the first and second surfaces is effective for producing a high quality film having a thickness less than 100 ?m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Applicant: MATRIX SENSORS, INC.
    Inventors: David K Britt, Paul R Wilkinson, Steven Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 11714066
    Abstract: A sensor device comprises at least one transducer and a sensing material disposed on the transducer. The sensing material adsorbs or absorbs an amount of analyte (e.g., a target gas) that depends on a temperature of the sensing material and a concentration of the analyte. At least one detector is arranged to measure responses of the transducer to sorption or desorption of the analyte in the sensing material while the sensing material is heated and/or cooled according to at least one temperature profile. The device also comprises a humidity sensor that is arranged to detect a humidity level of the environment or sample containing the analyte. A processor or controller is programmed to determine the quantity (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: MATRIX SENSORS, INC
    Inventors: David K Britt, Paul R Wilkinson, Steven Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 11643751
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for coating a surface of a material with a film of porous coordination polymer. A first substrate having a first surface to be coated is positioned in a processing chamber such that the first surface is placed in a substantially opposing relationship to a second surface. In some embodiments, the second surface is provided by a wall of the processing chamber, and in other embodiments the second surface is provided by a second substrate to be coated. The first substrate is held such that a gap exists between the first and second surfaces, and the gap is filled with at least one reaction mixture comprising reagents sufficient to form the crystalline film on at least the first surface. A thin gap (e.g., having a thickness less than 2 mm) between the first and second surfaces is effective for producing a high quality film having a thickness less than 100 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: MATRIX SENSORS, INC.
    Inventors: David K Britt, Paul R Wilkinson, Steven Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20220082525
    Abstract: A sensor device comprises at least one transducer and a sensing material disposed on the transducer. The sensing material adsorbs or absorbs an amount of analyte (e.g., a target gas) that depends on a temperature of the sensing material and a concentration of the analyte. At least one detector is arranged to measure responses of the transducer to sorption or desorption of the analyte in the sensing material while the sensing material is heated and/or cooled according to at least one temperature profile. The device also comprises a humidity sensor that is arranged to detect a humidity level of the environment or sample containing the analyte. A processor or controller is programmed to determine the quantity (e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Applicant: MATRIX SENSORS, INC.
    Inventors: David K Britt, Paul R Wilkinson, Steven Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20220001414
    Abstract: A method is provided for coating a surface of a material with a film of porous coordination polymer. A first substrate having a first surface to be coated is positioned in a processing chamber such that the first surface is placed in an opposing relationship to a second surface. The second surface may be provided by a wall of the processing chamber, or in some cases the second surface may be provided by a second substrate to be coated. The first substrate is held such that a gap exists between the first and second surfaces, and the gap is filled with at least one reaction mixture comprising reagents sufficient to form the crystalline film on at least the first surface. A thin gap (e.g., less than 2 mm) between the first and second surfaces is effective for producing a high quality film having a thickness less than 100 ?m. Confining the volume of the reaction mixture to a thin layer adjacent the substrate surface significantly reduces problems with sedimentation and concentration control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Applicant: MATRIX SENSORS, INC.
    Inventors: David K. Britt, Paul R. Wilkinson, Steven Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20210387161
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for coating a surface of a substrate with at least one film of porous coordination polymer. A body has an interior space for holding the substrate to be coated, at least one inlet, and at least one outlet in communication with the interior space to permit fluid to flow in a downstream direction from the inlet, across the surface of the substrate in the interior space, and through the outlet. A plurality of flow channels are arranged to flow a plurality of different reagent solutions from respective supply sources to the at least one inlet. The flow channels merge into at least one mixing region, positioned upstream of the interior space, to mix the solutions prior to the mixture contacting the surface of the substrate in the interior space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Applicant: Matrix Sensors, Inc.
    Inventors: David K. Britt, Paul R. Wilkinson, Steven Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20210285126
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for coating a surface of a material with a film of porous coordination polymer. A first substrate having a first surface to be coated is positioned in a processing chamber such that the first surface is placed in a substantially opposing relationship to a second surface. In some embodiments, the second surface is provided by a wall of the processing chamber, and in other embodiments the second surface is provided by a second substrate to be coated. The first substrate is held such that a gap exists between the first and second surfaces, and the gap is filled with at least one reaction mixture comprising reagents sufficient to form the crystalline film on at least the first surface. A thin gap (e.g., having a thickness less than 2 mm) between the first and second surfaces is effective for producing a high quality film having a thickness less than 100 ?m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Applicant: MATRIX SENSORS, INC.
    Inventors: David K. Britt, Paul R. Wilkinson, Steven Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 10605778
    Abstract: A gas sensor comprises at least one transducer and a sensing material (e.g., a metal-organic framework) disposed on the transducer. The sensing material has a temperature-dependent gas sorption behavior. A detector is arranged to detect responses of the transducer to sorption and/or desorption of a target gas in the sensing material and to output transducer measurement signals indicative of the transducer responses. At least one thermal element changes the temperature of the sensing material by heating and/or cooling, and at least one temperature sensor (which may be integral with the thermal element) is arranged to measure a temperature of the sensing material. At least one processor determines the quantity (e.g., concentration, partial pressure, or mass) of the target gas according to the temperature of the sensing material at which the transducer measurement signals satisfy a signal value condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: MATRIX SENSORS, INC.
    Inventors: David K Britt, Paul R Wilkinson, Steven Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 10436737
    Abstract: A device and method are provided for detecting analyte with correction for the effects of humidity. The device comprises a resonant sensor having an oscillating portion. A capacitor is positioned on the oscillating portion. The capacitor is formed by at least two electrodes and a sensing material positioned between the electrodes. A readout circuit is arranged to measure a response of the oscillating portion (e.g., frequency shift or change in resonance frequency, stiffness or strain) and a capacitance of the capacitor when substances are adsorbed or absorbed in the sensing material. This combination of measurements enables the device to distinguish between various types of adsorbed or absorbed molecules, especially distinguishing between an analyte of interest and water molecules that might interfere with the detection of the analyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: MATRIX SENSORS, INC.
    Inventors: Heinrich Sussner, Paul R Wilkinson, Steven Yamamoto, David K Britt
  • Publication number: 20190255510
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for coating a surface of a substrate with at least one film of porous coordination polymer. A body (e.g., a flow cell) has an interior space for holding the substrate to be coated, at least one inlet, and at least one outlet in communication with the interior space to permit fluid to flow in a downstream direction from the inlet, across the surface of the substrate in the interior space, and through the outlet. A plurality of flow channels are arranged to flow a plurality of different reagent solutions from respective supply sources to the at least one inlet. The flow channels merge into at least one mixing region, positioned upstream of the interior space, to mix the solutions prior to the mixture contacting the surface of the substrate in the interior space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Applicant: MATRIX SENSORS, INC.
    Inventors: David K. Britt, Paul R. Wilkinson, Steven Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20190072523
    Abstract: A gas sensor comprises at least one transducer and a sensing material (e.g., a metal-organic framework) disposed on the transducer. The sensing material has a temperature-dependent gas sorption behavior. A detector is arranged to detect responses of the transducer to sorption and/or desorption of a target gas in the sensing material and to output transducer measurement signals indicative of the transducer responses. At least one thermal element changes the temperature of the sensing material by heating and/or cooling, and at least one temperature sensor (which may be integral with the thermal element) is arranged to measure a temperature of the sensing material. At least one processor determines the quantity (e.g., concentration, partial pressure, or mass) of the target gas according to the temperature of the sensing material at which the transducer measurement signals satisfy a signal value condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Applicant: MATRIX SENSORS, INC.
    Inventors: David K. Britt, Paul R. Wilkinson, Steven Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 10036730
    Abstract: A sensor array comprises resonant sensors and porous receptor materials arranged on the resonant sensors to absorb or adsorb one or more analytes. The average pore size of the porous receptor materials on the sensors increases systematically from one sensor to the next in the array. At least one detector is arranged to detect responses of the resonant sensors when the array is exposed to a sample potentially containing one or more of the analytes. In some embodiments, a processor is programmed to determine from the sensor responses the presence, amount or relative concentration of target molecules in the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: MATRIX SENSORS, INC.
    Inventors: Paul R Wilkinson, Steven Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20180202961
    Abstract: A device and method are provided for detecting analyte with correction for the effects of humidity. The device comprises a resonant sensor having an oscillating portion. A capacitor is positioned on the oscillating portion. The capacitor is formed by at least two electrodes and a sensing material positioned between the electrodes. A readout circuit is arranged to measure a response of the oscillating portion (e.g., frequency shift or change in resonance frequency, stiffness or strain) and a capacitance of the capacitor when substances are adsorbed or absorbed in the sensing material. This combination of measurements enables the device to distinguish between various types of adsorbed or absorbed molecules, especially distinguishing between an analyte of interest and water molecules that might interfere with the detection of the analyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Applicant: MATRIX SENSORS, INC.
    Inventors: Heinrich Sussner, Paul R. Wilkinson, Steven Yamamoto, David K. Britt
  • Patent number: 9857243
    Abstract: An array of resonant sensors self-corrects measured values for the effects of environmental conditions, such as operating temperature, pressure or humidity. The resonant sensors have varied frequency responses to N environmental parameters and M chemical parameters. Each of the sensors has a different, non-zero frequency response to at least two of the parameters. The device also comprises at least one detector for detecting frequency responses of the resonant sensors. Individual parameter values are determined for each of the N environmental parameters and M chemical parameters according to the detected frequency responses and a system of equations using calibration terms that relate the frequency responses to the individual parameter values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Matrix Sensors, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul R. Wilkinson, Steven Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20170173623
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for coating a surface of a material with at least one film of porous coordination polymer. A body (e.g., a flow cell) has an interior space for holding the material to be coated, at least one inlet, and at least one outlet in communication with the interior space to permit fluid to flow in a downstream direction from the inlet, across the surface of the material in the interior space, and through the outlet. A plurality of flow channels are arranged to flow a plurality of different reagent solutions from respective supply sources to the at least one inlet. The flow channels merge into at least one mixing region, positioned upstream of the interior space, to mix the solutions prior to the mixture contacting the surface of the material in the interior space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Applicant: MATRIX SENSORS, INC.
    Inventors: David K. Britt, Paul R Wilkinson, Steven Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20170023511
    Abstract: An array of resonant sensors self-corrects measured values for the effects of environmental conditions, such as operating temperature, pressure or humidity. The resonant sensors have varied frequency responses to N environmental parameters and M chemical parameters. Each of the sensors has a different, non-zero frequency response to at least two of the parameters. The device also comprises at least one detector for detecting frequency responses of the resonant sensors. Individual parameter values are determined for each of the N environmental parameters and M chemical parameters according to the detected frequency responses and a system of equations using calibration terms that relate the frequency responses to the individual parameter values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Applicant: MATRIX SENSORS, INC.
    Inventors: Paul R. Wilkinson, Steven Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20160282312
    Abstract: Surface modifications to sensors in an array give the sensors different functionalities for adsorbing or binding molecules. A method for modifying surfaces of resonant sensors comprises depositing and patterning a first pre-coating material such that the first pre-coating material coats a first one of the resonant sensors and does not coat a second one of the resonant sensors. Both the first and second resonant sensors are then coated with a receptor material. The first resonant sensor that is coated with a combination of the first pre-coating material and the receptor material has a different ability to adsorb or bind a mass of at least one analyte than does the second resonant sensor that is coated with the receptor material without the first pre-coating material. In some examples, an array of sensors is fabricated with N sensors having up to N different pre-coating materials underlying a coating of the same receptor material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: MATRIX SENSORS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael D Cable, Heinrich Sussner, Steven Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9366651
    Abstract: Surface modifications to sensors in an array give the sensors different functionalities for adsorbing or binding molecules. A first sensor in the array includes a first resonating member having a first surface comprising a receptor material coated over a first underlying material. A second sensor includes a second resonating member having a second surface comprising the receptor material coated over a second underlying material that is different than the first underlying material. The first underlying material, the second underlying material, and the receptor material are selected such that the first resonating member, having a combination of the receptor material and the first underlying material, has a different ability to adsorb or bind a mass of one or more analytes than does the second resonating member having a combination of the receptor material with the second underlying material. Methods for fabricating sensors with surface modifications are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: MATRIX SENSORS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael D Cable, Heinrich Sussner, Steven Yamamoto