Patents by Inventor Thomas G. Mason

Thomas G. Mason 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: 11890585
    Abstract: A biliquid material includes an emulsion having a continuous liquid phase, a dispersed liquid phase, and a surface-stabilizing material, wherein: the dispersed liquid phase is immiscible with the continuous liquid phase; the dispersed liquid phase is in the form of a plurality of droplets in the continuous liquid phase; the surface-stabilizing material is soluble in at least one of the continuous liquid phase and the dispersed liquid phase and preferentially adsorbs at the surfaces of the plurality of droplets, wherein the surface-stabilizing material imparts a repulsive interaction between the plurality of droplets that inhibits coalescence of the plurality of droplets; and the biliquid material has a structurally-colored droplets structure, wherein the structurally-colored droplets structure yields one or more structural colors when illuminated with broad-spectrum light wherein the one or more structural colors arise from diffraction of the broad-spectrum light by the plurality of droplets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Thomas G. Mason, Matthew Pagenkopp
  • Publication number: 20220062833
    Abstract: Described is composition containing a biliquid material, and methods and uses thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Thomas G. Mason, Matthew Pagenkopp
  • Publication number: 20220011236
    Abstract: An electrophoretic spectroscopic imaging device for real-time spatially-resolved spectroscopic imaging of reagents and reaction-products resulting from electrophoretic collisions of reagents includes an electrophoresis component; a pair of electrodes; an illumination source; a spectroscopic-imaging device; and a computing device. An electrophoretic gel includes a matrix of porous solid material; and an electrolyte solution disposed within pores of the matrix. A method of electrophoretically colliding reagents includes providing a matrix that is a porous solid material having continuously interconnected pore regions that are filled with an electrolyte solution; loading a first reagent; loading a second reagent; and applying an electric field to the matrix loaded with the first reagent and the second reagent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas G. Mason, Dimitri Athan Bikos
  • Patent number: 11052700
    Abstract: A method of producing preconfigured arrangements of mobile shape-designed particles. The method includes providing a composite structure comprising a substrate and a layer of particle material over a surface of the substrate; lithographically producing a plurality of shaped-designed particles from the layer of particle material such that the plurality of shaped-designed particles remain substantially in a layer proximate the substrate; and at least one of subsequent to or in conjunction with the lithographically producing, immersing the plurality of shaped-designed particles the substrate in a fluid material, at a preselected temperature. The fluid material comprises a depletion agent having particles having sizes and a volume fraction to provide depletion attraction between at least a portion of the shaped-designed particles and the substrate such that the shaped-designed particles remain substantially in the layer proximate the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Thomas G. Mason, Po-Yuan Wang
  • Patent number: 10317799
    Abstract: A system and a method of producing sub-millimeter scale particles are provided herein. The method includes providing a substrate that has a layer of photosensitive material thereon; exposing a portion of the layer to a structured beam of light that has a cross-sectional shape, and a cross-sectional size. The cross-sectional size of the structured beam of light at the layer of photosensitive material is smaller than a sub-millimeter scale particle. The method also includes moving the substrate or the beam of light relative to each other to follow a path for making additional exposures or continuous exposure to result in a discrete exposed pattern in the layer that corresponds to the particle being produced, and exposing the layer to the light; and processing the layer to remove unexposed material around the discrete exposed pattern and to separate the discrete exposed pattern from the layer to provide the sub-millimeter scale particle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Thomas G. Mason, Kenny Mayoral
  • Publication number: 20190160858
    Abstract: A method of producing preconfigured arrangements of mobile shape-designed particles. The method includes providing a composite structure comprising a substrate and a layer of particle material over a surface of the substrate; lithographically producing a plurality of shaped-designed particles from the layer of particle material such that the plurality of shaped-designed particles remain substantially in a layer proximate the substrate; and at least one of subsequent to or in conjunction with the lithographically producing, immersing the plurality of shaped-designed particles the substrate in a fluid material, at a preselected temperature. The fluid material comprises a depletion agent having particles having sizes and a volume fraction to provide depletion attraction between at least a portion of the shaped-designed particles and the substrate such that the shaped-designed particles remain substantially in the layer proximate the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Thomas G. Mason, Po-Yuan Wang
  • Patent number: 10302592
    Abstract: A device for measuring size distributions of particles and droplets includes a gel electrophoresis component that has a gel chamber that is suitable to receive a gel in which at least one of particles or droplets propagate in a liquid medium during operation; an illumination source arranged to illuminate said at least one of particles or droplets such that the at least one of particles or droplets absorbs, scatters or emits light; an imaging device configured to obtain image data from the absorbed, scattered, or emitted light from the at least one of particles or droplets while the at least one of particles or droplets propagate through the gel; and a computing device configured to receive and process the image data to provide information concerning a size distribution of the at least one of particles or droplets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Thomas G. Mason, Xiaoming Zhu
  • Patent number: 10285940
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to emulsions with a plurality of droplets dispersed in a continuous liquid medium. These droplets can contain at least a first droplet liquid and a second droplet liquid and can have an ensemble-average maximal spatial dimension that is less than 1 micrometer. The invention includes preparation, uses and compositions containing emulsions. Solute materials can also be dissolved in the droplet liquids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Thomas G. Mason, Michael M. Fryd
  • Publication number: 20190105440
    Abstract: A system for treating an acidotic patient includes an intravenous-fluid supply system, an automated fluid mixer and dispenser connected to the intravenous-fluid supply system to receive at least one supply fluid therefrom, an electronic control system configured to communicate with the automated fluid mixer and dispenser, and an intravenous line fluidly connected to the automated fluid mixer and dispenser. The intravenous line includes an intravenous connecter configured for injecting intravenous fluid dispensed from the automated fluid mixer and dispenser intravenously into the acidotic patient. The electronic control system is configured to control at least one of a total volume or a flow rate of the intravenous fluid to be injected into the acidotic patient's blood based on at least a measured pH of the acidotic patient's blood and based on a composition of the at least on supply fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Applicants: The United States Government Represented by the Department of Veterans Affairs
    Inventors: Thomas G. Mason, Jeffrey K. Kraut
  • Publication number: 20170315435
    Abstract: A system and a method of producing sub-millimeter scale particles are provided herein. The method includes providing a substrate that has a layer of photosensitive material thereon; exposing a portion of the layer to a structured beam of light that has a cross-sectional shape, and a cross-sectional size. The cross-sectional size of the structured beam of light at the layer of photosensitive material is smaller than a sub-millimeter scale particle. The method also includes moving the substrate or the beam of light relative to each other to follow a path for making additional exposures or continuous exposure to result in a discrete exposed pattern in the layer that corresponds to the particle being produced, and exposing the layer to the light; and processing the layer to remove unexposed material around the discrete exposed pattern and to separate the discrete exposed pattern from the layer to provide the sub-millimeter scale particle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Thomas G. Mason, Kenny Mayoral
  • Publication number: 20160235670
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to emulsions with a plurality of droplets dispersed in a continuous liquid medium. These droplets can contain at least a first droplet liquid and a second droplet liquid and can have an ensemble-average maximal spatial dimension that is less than 1 micrometer. The invention includes preparation, uses and compositions containing emulsions. Solute materials can also be dissolved in the droplet liquids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Thomas G. MASON, Michael M. FRYD
  • Publication number: 20160123924
    Abstract: A device for measuring size distributions of particles and droplets includes a gel electrophoresis component that has a gel chamber that is suitable to receive a gel in which at least one of particles or droplets propagate in a liquid medium during operation; an illumination source arranged to illuminate said at least one of particles or droplets such that the at least one of particles or droplets absorbs, scatters or emits light; an imaging device configured to obtain image data from the absorbed, scattered, or emitted light from the at least one of particles or droplets while the at least one of particles or droplets propagate through the gel; and a computing device configured to receive and process the image data to provide information concerning a size distribution of the at least one of particles or droplets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas G. Mason, Xiaoming Zhu
  • Patent number: 9090860
    Abstract: A method for producing particles includes providing a relief template having a surface relief pattern adapted to impart structure to a plurality of particles while they are under production; depositing a radiation-sensitive material on the relief template; exposing portions of the radiation-sensitive material on the relief template using a beam of spatially patterned radiation; removing portions of the radiation-sensitive material after the exposing to reveal at least portions of surfaces of the plurality of particles; and separating at least a portion of the plurality of particles from the relief template. At least a portion of a structure of each of the plurality of particles is defined by a combination of the surface relief pattern and the spatially patterned radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventor: Thomas G. Mason
  • Publication number: 20150196708
    Abstract: A system for treating an acidotic patient includes an intravenous-fluid supply system, an automated fluid mixer and dispenser connected to the intravenous-fluid supply system to receive at least one supply fluid therefrom, an electronic control system configured to communicate with the automated fluid mixer and dispenser, and an intravenous line fluidly connected to the automated fluid mixer and dispenser. The intravenous line includes an intravenous connecter configured for injecting intravenous fluid dispensed from the automated fluid mixer and dispenser intravenously into the acidotic patient. The electronic control system is configured to control at least one of a total volume or a flow rate of the intravenous fluid to be injected into the acidotic patient's blood based on at least a measured pH of the acidotic patient's blood and based on a composition of the at least one supply fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas G. Mason, Jeffrey A. Kraut
  • Patent number: 9073022
    Abstract: A system for producing emulsions includes a liquid supply system, an emulsification system in liquid connection with the liquid supply system to receive a first liquid and a second liquid from the liquid supply system while in operation to be used to produce an emulsion therefrom, and a surfactant recovery system connected to the emulsification system to receive the emulsion when produced from the first and second liquids. The second liquid is immiscible with the first liquid, and the surfactant recovery system recovers at least a portion of surfactant from the emulsion when the emulsion is received from the emulsification system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: Thomas G. Mason
  • Patent number: 9051176
    Abstract: Producing composite structures includes dispersing a first plurality of objects, a second plurality of objects, and a third plurality of objects in a fluid, the third and second plurality of objects having an average maximum dimension that is smaller than the first plurality of objects The first plurality of objects comprise a first, a second, a third and a forth object, each having mating surface regions The first and second objects' mating surfaces are complimentary and the third and forth objects' mating surfaces are complementary The first and second object aggregate together in response to the dispersing of the second plurality of objects in the fluid due to a depletion attraction between the first and the second object The third and forth object aggregate together in response to dispersing the third plurality of objects in the fluid due to a depletion attraction between the third and the fourth object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventor: Thomas G. Mason
  • Patent number: 9000053
    Abstract: A method of producing an emulsion includes preparing a droplet solution comprising first and second molecular species, the droplet solution being in a fluid phase, wherein the first molecular species is soluble in the second molecular species; forming a plurality of droplets from the droplet solution in a bulk fluid to create a first emulsion, the plurality of droplets having a first ensemble average radius in the bulk fluid, wherein the first molecular species of the droplet solution is at least partially soluble in the bulk fluid and the droplet solution is at least partially immiscible in the bulk fluid; and allowing molecules of the first molecular species to migrate from the plurality of fluid droplets to the bulk fluid due to a higher concentration of the first molecular species in the droplet solution than the bulk fluid to result in the plurality of droplets having a second ensemble average radius that is smaller than the first ensemble average radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Thomas G. Mason, Michael M. Fryd
  • Publication number: 20140158943
    Abstract: A method of producing at least one of microscopic and submicroscopic particles includes providing a template that has a plurality of discrete surface portions, each discrete surface portion having a surface geometry selected to impart a desired geometrical property to a particle while being produced; depositing a constituent material of the at least one of microscopic and submicroscopic particles being produced onto the plurality of discrete surface portions of the template to form at least portions of the particles; separating the at least one of microscopic and submicroscopic particles comprising the constituent material from the template into a fluid material, the particles being separate from each other at respective discrete surface portions of the template; and processing the template for subsequent use in producing additional at least one of microscopic and submicroscopic particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: Thomas G. Mason
  • Patent number: 8617798
    Abstract: A method of producing particles includes providing a substrate structure that comprises a solid substrate; forming a target structure on said substrate structure, said target structure comprising a radiation-reactive material; forming a spatially patterned beam of radiation using a patterned mask; exposing at least a portion of the target structure to the spatially patterned beam of radiation to which the radiation-reactive material reacts while leaving other portions of the target structure unexposed to the radiation; removing substantially all of one of the exposed or the unexposed patterned portions of the target structure to provide a plurality of non-contiguous structures that include at least a portion of the radiation-reactive material; and separating the plurality of non-contiguous structures comprising the radiation-reactive material from the substrate structure into a fluid material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Thomas G. Mason, Carlos J. Hernandez
  • Patent number: 8562892
    Abstract: A method for producing particles includes providing a first patterned surface having a first surface relief pattern adapted to impart structure to a plurality of particles while they are under production; providing a second patterned surface having a second surface relief pattern adapted to impart structure to a plurality of particles while they are under production; depositing a particle material in contact with at least one of the first patterned surface and the second patterned surface; aligning the first surface relief pattern on the first patterned surface with respect to the second surface relief pattern on the second patterned surface; contacting at least a portion of the first patterned surface with at least a portion of the second patterned surface; solidifying at least a portion of the particle material to form a plurality of particles; and separating at least a portion of the plurality of particles from at least one of the first patterned surface and the second patterned surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: Thomas G. Mason