Patents by Inventor Todd M. Alam

Todd M. Alam 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: 11215686
    Abstract: Electrochemical devices with metal casings have been considered incompatible with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy because the oscillating magnetic fields (“rf fields”) responsible for excitation and detection of NMR active nuclei do not penetrate metals. According to the present invention, rf fields can still efficiently penetrate into nonmetallic layers of electrochemical cells (such as a coin cell battery configuration) provided the magnetic field is oriented tangentially to the electrochemical cell electrodes in a “skimming” orientation. As an example, noninvasive high field in situ 7Li and 19F NMR of an unmodified commercial off-the-shelf rechargeable coin cell was demonstrated using a traditional external NMR coil setup. The in operando NMR measurements revealed that irreversible physical changes accumulate at the anode during electrochemical cycling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignees: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC, ABQMR, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Glenn Sorte, Mark S. Conradi, Brennan J. Walder, Todd M. Alam
  • Publication number: 20210318401
    Abstract: Electrochemical devices with metal casings have been considered incompatible with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy because the oscillating magnetic fields (“rf fields”) responsible for excitation and detection of NMR active nuclei do not penetrate metals. According to the present invention, rf fields can still efficiently penetrate into nonmetallic layers of electrochemical cells (such as a coin cell battery configuration) provided the magnetic field is oriented tangentially to the electrochemical cell electrodes in a “skimming” orientation. As an example, noninvasive high field in situ 7Li and 19F NMR of an unmodified commercial off-the-shelf rechargeable coin cell was demonstrated using a traditional external NMR coil setup. The in operando NMR measurements revealed that irreversible physical changes accumulate at the anode during electrochemical cycling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2021
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventors: Eric Glenn Sorte, Mark S. Conradi, Brennan J. Walder, Todd M. Alam
  • Patent number: 9958516
    Abstract: A biological detector includes a conduit for receiving a fluid containing one or more magnetic nanoparticle-labeled, biological objects to be detected and one or more permanent magnets or electromagnet for establishing a low magnetic field in which the conduit is disposed. A microcoil is disposed proximate the conduit for energization at a frequency that permits detection by NMR spectroscopy of whether the one or more magnetically-labeled biological objects is/are present in the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignees: ABQMR, Inc., Sandia Corporation, STC.UNM
    Inventors: Laurel Sillerud, Todd M. Alam, Andrew F. McDowell
  • Patent number: 9194921
    Abstract: A biological detector includes a conduit for receiving a fluid containing one or more magnetic nanoparticle-labeled, biological objects to be detected and one or more permanent magnets or electromagnet for establishing a low magnetic field in which the conduit is disposed. A microcoil is disposed proximate the conduit for energization at a frequency that permits detection by NMR spectroscopy of whether the one or more magnetically-labeled biological objects is/are present in the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignees: STC.UNM, Sandia Corporation, ABQMR, Inc.
    Inventors: Laurel Sillerud, Todd M. Alam, Andrew F. McDowell
  • Publication number: 20140295486
    Abstract: A biological detector includes a conduit for receiving a fluid containing one or more magnetic nanoparticle-labeled, biological objects to be detected and one or more permanent magnets or electromagnet for establishing a low magnetic field in which the conduit is disposed. A microcoil is disposed proximate the conduit for energization at a frequency that permits detection by NMR spectroscopy of whether the one or more magnetically-labeled biological objects is/are present in the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: STC.UNM
    Inventors: Laurel Sillerud, Todd M. Alam, Andrew F. McDowell
  • Patent number: 8698494
    Abstract: A biological detector includes a conduit for receiving a fluid containing one or more magnetic nanoparticle-labeled, biological objects to be detected and one or more permanent magnets or electromagnet for establishing a low magnetic field in which the conduit is disposed. A microcoil is disposed proximate the conduit for energization at a frequency that permits detection by NMR spectroscopy of whether the one or more magnetically-labeled biological objects is/are present in the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: STC.UNM
    Inventors: Laurel Sillerud, Todd M. Alam, Andrew F. McDowell
  • Patent number: 8384381
    Abstract: A biological detector includes a conduit for receiving a fluid containing one or more magnetic nanoparticle-labeled, biological objects to be detected and one or more permanent magnets or electromagnet for establishing a low magnetic field in which the conduit is disposed. A microcoil is disposed proximate the conduit for energization at a frequency that permits detection by NMR spectroscopy of whether the one or more magnetically-labeled biological objects is/are present in the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: STC . UNM
    Inventors: Laurel Sillerud, Todd M. Alam, Andrew F. McDowell
  • Patent number: 8339135
    Abstract: A biological detector includes a conduit for receiving a fluid containing one or more magnetic nanoparticle-labeled, biological objects to be detected and one or more permanent magnets or electromagnet for establishing a low magnetic field in which the conduit is disposed. A microcoil is disposed proximate the conduit for energization at a frequency that permits detection by NMR spectroscopy of whether the one or more magnetically-labeled biological objects is/are present in the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: STC.UNM
    Inventors: Laurel Sillerud, Todd M. Alam, Andrew F. McDowell
  • Publication number: 20100219824
    Abstract: A biological detector includes a conduit for receiving a fluid containing one or more magnetic nanoparticle-labeled, biological objects to be detected and one or more permanent magnets or electromagnet for establishing a low magnetic field in which the conduit is disposed. A microcoil is disposed proximate the conduit for energization at a frequency that permits detection by NMR spectroscopy of whether the one or more magnetically-labeled biological objects is/are present in the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: STC.UNM
    Inventors: Laurel Sillerud, Todd M. Alam, Andrew F. McDowell
  • Publication number: 20080204022
    Abstract: A biological detector includes a conduit for receiving a fluid containing one or more magnetic nanoparticle-labeled, biological objects to be detected and one or more permanent magnets or electromagnet for establishing a low magnetic field in which the conduit is disposed. A microcoil is disposed proximate the conduit for energization at a frequency that permits detection by NMR spectroscopy of whether the one or more magnetically-labeled biological objects is/are present in the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Laurel O. Sillerud, David P. Adams, John D. Williams, Todd M. Alam, Andrew F. McDowell, Natalie L. Adolphi