Patents by Inventor Wei-Chuan Shih

Wei-Chuan Shih 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).

  • Publication number: 20240147661
    Abstract: A zoned heat dissipation control system for a water cooling radiator and a water cooling heat dissipation system having the zoned heat dissipation control system includes a plurality of fans, a plurality of heat dissipation zones defined on the water cooling radiator, a thermal detector, and a control unit. At least one of the fans is disposed within each of the heat dissipation zones. The thermal detector is disposed within at least one of the heat dissipation zones and configured to detect the temperature of the water cooling radiator. The control unit is electrically connected to the fans and the thermal detector and configured to modulate the rotational speed of the fan within each of the heat dissipation zones based on the detected data from the thermal detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2023
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventors: SHUN-CHIH HUANG, TAI-CHUAN MAO, PO-SHENG CHIU, WEI-EN SHIH, CHIH-CHIA LIN
  • Publication number: 20230375541
    Abstract: Ultra near-field index modulated plasmonic nano-aperture label-free imaging methods and techniques are useful for imaging and detection of biological microparticles and nanoparticles such as circulating tumor exosomes (CTEs), bacteria and vimses. The methods and techniques utilize a high-density array of gold, silver, or gold/silver alloy nanodisks, in some cases on an undercut or invisible substrate. Given the relatively large nanodisk dimensions, the nanodisk array may feature a significantly blue-shifted LSPR extinction peak due to both far-field plasmonic coupling and substrate undercut. The ultra near-field imaging methods have the ability to image nanoparticles as small as 25 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2021
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Applicants: University of Houston System, Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Wei-Chuan Shih, Nareg Ohannesian, Steven H. Lin
  • Patent number: 11549189
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an electroplating method, comprising providing an electroplating solution, wherein the electroplating solution includes an effective microorganisms aqueous solution and metal chloride; disposing a workpiece, wherein at least a part of the workpiece is in contact with the electroplating solution; and performing an electroplating process to electroplate metal of the metal chloride onto the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Ming Chi University of Technology
    Inventors: Kun-Cheng Peng, Wei-Chuan Shih, Cheng-Rong He, Ting-Han Chen, Dong-Qing Su, Jian-Rong Chen
  • Patent number: 11231523
    Abstract: A lithography-free, mold-free method of fabricating high quality optical material by curing polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) droplets in or on pre-heated substrates allows lenses with different focal lengths to be made by varying the volume and surface temperature, as well as the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM
    Inventors: Wei-Chuan Shih, Yu-Lung Sung
  • Patent number: 11124449
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the fabrication and characterization of an optical fiber capable of firing light virtually from any point along its circumferential surface. The optical fiber is preferably prepared by laser micromachining. In preferred embodiments, laser radiation is focused onto a multimode optical fiber axis, forming a conical-shaped cavity (side window) in the fiber core. Because of the total internal reflection when the laser beam reaches the side window-outside medium interface, the beam is reflected to the side of the optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: University of Houston System
    Inventor: Wei-Chuan Shih
  • Patent number: 10961564
    Abstract: A methodology for assays and diagnostics utilizes a nanoporous or corrugated metal-containing surface, fiber or particle which enhances or suppresses the optical detectability of a label. The resulting optical, electromagnetic, or imaging signal signals the presence of a pathogen or analyte of interest. Preferred embodiments pertain to label-free, in situ monitoring of individual DNA hybridization in microfluidics using molecular sentinel probes immobilized on nanoporous gold disks. By immobilizing molecular sentinel probes on nanoporous gold disks, single-molecule sensitivity is demonstrated via surface-enhanced Raman scattering which provides robust signals. The described methodology is generally applicable to most amplification independent assays and molecular diagnostics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM
    Inventors: Wei-Chuan Shih, Richard Willson
  • Patent number: 10822689
    Abstract: A nanoporous metal can be formed by projecting laser patterns using a spatial light modulator (SLM) onto a gold/silver alloy film immersed in diluted nitric acid solutions. Heat accumulation induced by the photothermal effect enables localized dealloying in dilute nitric acid. NPG micropatterns can be formed at the irradiated spots while the surrounding alloy remains intact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM
    Inventors: Wei-Chuan Shih, Fusheng Zhao, Jingting Li
  • Patent number: 10806358
    Abstract: An optrode may provide a cylindrical substrate with two or more electrodes deposited on said cylindrical substrate. The cylindrical substrate and electrodes may be coated by an insulating layer with openings or vias over certain portions of the electrodes that may provide a contact for the neural probe or may be utilized to connect lead lines. Manufacturing of an optrode may utilize a jig that secures a cylindrical substrate coated by a conductive material and a resist. A first mask may be positioned in an opening provided by the jig, and the cylindrical substrate may expose ions or neutral particles to define one or more electrode patterns. After regions of the resist and conductive material are removed to form the electrodes, a second mask may be utilized to define via regions in which portions of the electrodes are exposed and uncoated by an insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignees: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM, VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: John C. Wolfe, Mufaddal Gheewala, Wei-Chuan Shih, Gopathy Purushothaman
  • Patent number: 10661347
    Abstract: A nanoporous gold disk (NPGD) as a novel surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrate. NPGD has SERS enhancement factor similar to that of gold nanoshells, but allows, for example, at least three times more benzenethiol molecules to be attached to its surface due to large surface-to-volume ratio. The high capacity enables the rapid detection of attomole-level benzenethiol molecules with relatively high detector temperatures. Additionally, a fabrication process to make NPGD with controlled size and highly reproducible SERS activities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM
    Inventor: Wei-Chuan Shih
  • Publication number: 20200150312
    Abstract: A lithography-free, mold-free method of fabricating high quality optical material by curing polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) droplets in or on pre-heated substrates allows lenses with different focal lengths to be made by varying the volume and surface temperature, as well as the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Applicant: University of Houston System
    Inventors: Wei-Chuan Shih, Yu-Lung Sung
  • Patent number: 10634820
    Abstract: A lithography-free, mold-free method of fabricating high quality optical material by curing polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) droplets in or on pre-heated substrates allows lenses with different focal lengths to be made by varying the volume and surface temperature, as well as the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Wei-Chuan Shih, Yu-Lung Sung
  • Publication number: 20200123053
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the fabrication and characterization of an optical fiber capable of firing light virtually from any point along its circumferential surface. The optical fiber is preferably prepared by laser micromachining. In preferred embodiments, laser radiation is focused onto a multimode optical fiber axis, forming a conical-shaped cavity (side window) in the fiber core. Because of the total internal reflection when the laser beam reaches the side window-outside medium interface, the beam is reflected to the side of the optical fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Applicant: University of Houston System
    Inventor: Wei-Chuan Shih
  • Publication number: 20200017954
    Abstract: A nanoporous metal can be formed by projecting laser patterns using a spatial light modulator (SLM) onto a gold/silver alloy film immersed in diluted nitric acid solutions. Heat accumulation induced by the photothermal effect enables localized dealloying in dilute nitric acid. NPG micropatterns can be formed at the irradiated spots while the surrounding alloy remains intact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Applicant: University of Houston System
    Inventors: Wei-Chuan SHIH, Fusheng ZHAO, Jingting LI
  • Publication number: 20180325379
    Abstract: An optrode may provide a cylindrical substrate two or more electrodes deposited said cylindrical substrate. The cylindrical substrate and electrodes may be coated by an insulating layer with openings or vias over certain portions of the electrodes that may provide a contact for the neural probe or may be utilized to connect lead lines. Manufacturing of an optrode may utilize a jig that secures a cylindrical substrate coated by a conductive material and a resist. A first mask may be positioned in an opening provided by the jig, and the cylindrical substrate may be exposed ions or neutral particles to define one or more electrode patterns. After regions of the resist and conductive material are removed to form the electrodes, a second mask may be utilized to define vias regions in which portions of the electrodes are exposed and uncoated by an insulating layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Applicants: University of Houston System, Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: John C. Wolfe, Mufaddal Gheewala, Wei-Chuan Shih, Gopathy Purushothaman
  • Publication number: 20180267208
    Abstract: A lithography-free, mold-free method of fabricating high quality optical material by curing polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) droplets in or on pre-heated substrates allows lenses with different focal lengths to be made by varying the volume and surface temperature, as well as the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Applicant: University of Houston System
    Inventors: Wei-Chuan Shih, Yu-Lung Sung
  • Patent number: 9995851
    Abstract: A lithography-free, mold-free, single-step method of fabricating high quality optical lenses by curing polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) droplets on a pre-heated smooth surface allows lenses with different focal lengths to be made by varying the droplet volume and surface temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM
    Inventors: Wei-Chuan Shih, Yu-Lung Sung
  • Publication number: 20180154450
    Abstract: A nanoporous gold disk (NPGD) as a novel surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrate. NPGD has SERS enhancement factor similar to that of gold nanoshells, but allows, for example, at least three times more benzenethiol molecules to be attached to its surface due to large surface-to-volume ratio. The high capacity enables the rapid detection of attomole-level benzenethiol molecules with relatively high detector temperatures. Additionally, a fabrication process to make NPGD with controlled size and highly reproducible SERS activities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Applicant: University of Houston System
    Inventor: Wei-Chuan Shih
  • Patent number: 9986914
    Abstract: An optrode may provide a cylindrical substrate two or more electrodes deposited said cylindrical substrate. The cylindrical substrate and electrodes may be coated by an insulating layer with openings or vias over certain portions of the electrodes that may provide a contact for the neural probe or may be utilized to connect lead lines. Manufacturing of an optrode may utilize a jig that secures a cylindrical substrate coated by a conductive material and a resist. A first mask may be positioned in an opening provided by the jig, and the cylindrical substrate may be exposed ions or neutral particles to define one or more electrode patterns. After regions of the resist and conductive material are removed to form the electrodes, a second mask may be utilized to define vias regions in which portions of the electrodes are exposed and uncoated by an insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignees: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM, VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: John C. Wolfe, Mufaddal Gheewala, Wei-Chuan Shih, Gopathy Purushothaman
  • Patent number: 9873152
    Abstract: A nanoporous gold disk (NPGD) as a novel surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrate. NPGD has SERS enhancement factor similar to that of gold nanoshells, but allows, for example, at least three times more benzenethiol molecules to be attached to its surface due to large surface-to-volume ratio. The high capacity enables the rapid detection of attomole-level benzenethiol molecules with relatively high detector temperatures. Additionally, a fabrication process to make NPGD with controlled size and highly reproducible SERS activities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM
    Inventor: Wei-Chuan Shih
  • Publication number: 20170281059
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for the measurement of analytes such as glucose. Raman and reflectance spectroscopy are used to measure a volume, of material such as a blood sample or tissue within a subject and determine a concentration of a blood analyte based thereon. The present invention further relates to a calibration method, constrained regularization (CR), and demonstrates its use for analyzing spectra including, for example, the measurement glucose concentrations using transcutaneous Raman spectroscopy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Kate Bechtel, Wei-Chuan Shih, Michael Feld