Patents by Inventor Wei-Heng Shih
Wei-Heng 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).
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Publication number: 20160356769Abstract: A piezoelectric plate sensor comprising a piezoelectric layer; two electrodes; and an insulation layer. The insulation layer is produced by soaking the piezoelectric layer and two electrodes in a mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane solution with an amount of water from 0.1 v/v. % to about 1 v/v % and at pH from about 8 to about 150 for a period from about 8 to about 15 hours, and the mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane solution has a concentration of mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane from about 0.01 v/v % to about 0.5 v/v %. A method of detecting a biomolecule in a sample using the piezoelectric plate sensor in particular, that of detecting a genetic marker with PCR sensitivity and specificity without the need of DNA isolation or amplification is also provided. The piezoelectric plate sensor may be used to diagnose various diseases including breast cancer, myocardial infarction, diarrhea, Clostridium difficile infection, and hepatitis B infection.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2014Publication date: December 8, 2016Applicant: Drexel UniversityInventors: Wan Y. Shih, Wei Wu, Wei-Heng Shih, Mehmet Cagri Soylu, Haitao Guo, Suresh G. Joshi, Ceyhun Ekrim Kirimli, Ying-Hsiu Su
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Publication number: 20160331300Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the depth of an object below a surface or the thickness of the dermis. The apparatus and method use a plurality of piezoelectric fingers having probes with differently sized contact areas. A plurality of measurements is taken using each of the probes with differently sized contact areas in order to determine the depth of an object below a surface or the thickness of the dermis.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2015Publication date: November 17, 2016Applicant: Drexel UniversityInventors: Wan Y. Shih, Wei-Heng Shih, Xin Xu
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Patent number: 9488622Abstract: A method for enhancing the detection sensitivity of a piezoelectric microcantilever sensor. The method may involve providing a piezoelectric microcantilever and inducing a change in the Young's modulus during detection of a species of interest. The change in the Young's modulus may be induced or enhanced by the application of a DC bias electric field to the piezoelectric layer that enhances non-180° polarization domain switching of the piezoelectric layer. The change in the Young's modulus may also result from binding of the species of interest to the piezoelectric microcantilever sensor or a combination of binding and application of a DC bias electric field. Significantly enhanced detection sensitivity results from the changed Young's modulus of the piezoelectric layer.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2014Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: Drexel UniversityInventors: Wan Y. Shih, Wei-Heng Shih, Qing Zhu
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Patent number: 9472717Abstract: A novel quantum dot containing two different metals at non-toxic levels which is capable of narrow bandwidth near infrared emissions at wavelengths of 600-1100 nm. The quantum dot is fabricated via an aqueous method which forms a structure having an inner region of one composition and an outer region of a different composition, wherein the inner region contains at least a first metal and the outer region contains at least a second metal. The quantum dots may be enabled for bioconjugation and may be used in a method for tissue imaging and analyte detection.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2015Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: Drexel UniversityInventors: Wei-Heng Shih, Giang Au, Wan Y. Shih
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Publication number: 20160297839Abstract: An aqueous approach to synthesize capped SnS quantum dots (QDs) followed by optional capping molecule extension by attaching one or more extending molecules to the capping molecule via peptide bond formation at elevated temperature. The capped SnS QDs may have a capping molecule:Sn:S molar ratio of 16:3:1 to 16:12:1. A suspension of SnS QDs was heat-treated at 200° C. for 0.5-4 hrs. The obtained SnS QDs showed an NIR emission peak at 820-835 nm with an excitation wavelength at 690 nm. The as synthesized SnS QDs were found to have high positive zeta potential of ˜30 mV and thus were toxic to cells. By neutralizing the SnS QDs the cytotoxicity was reduced to an accepted level. The heat-treatment step can be obviated by adding a glycerol solution containing S2? anions and capping molecule to a glycerol solution of Sn2+ ions.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2016Publication date: October 13, 2016Applicant: Drexel UniversityInventors: Wei-Heng Shih, Wan Y. Shih, Song Han, Xiaomin Niu, Shi Fang
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Patent number: 9431598Abstract: A simple, economical sol-gel method was invented to produce thick and dense lead zirconate titanate (PZT) thin films that exhibit the stoichiometric chemical composition and unprecedented electrical and dielectric properties. The PZT films are the foundation of many microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS) for micro/nano sensors and actuators applications.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2007Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: Drexel UniversityInventors: Wei-Heng Shih, Wan Y. Shih, Zuyan Shen, Huidong Li, Xiaotong Gao
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Patent number: 9417240Abstract: One or more aqueous, near infrared emitting, high yield, highly photoluminescent, stable quantum dots conjugated to one or more biomarkers specific moieties. The conjugated quantum dots have an enhanced detection sensitivity and selectivity and may be formed using a novel and efficient method for conjugating one or more biomarker specific moieties to the quantum dots. The invention is further directed to a method for using the conjugated quantum dots for cancer detection in the margin of excised tissue.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2012Date of Patent: August 16, 2016Assignee: Drexel UniversityInventors: Wei-Heng Shih, Wan Y. Shih, Giang Au, Ari D. Brooks, Vanlila K. Swami
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Patent number: 9274087Abstract: A piezoelectric microcantilever for sensing compounds or molecules. The piezoelectric microcantilever, may include at least one electrode, an insulation layer, a receptor, an immobilization layer, a non-piezoelectric layer and a piezoelectric layer The sensor is capable of self actuation and detection. The piezoelectric layer may be constructed from a highly piezoelectric thin lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate film, a highly piezoelectric thin zirconate titanate film, a highly piezoelectric lead-free film. Methods of using the sensors and flow cells and arrays including the sensors are also described.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2014Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: Drexel UniversityInventors: Wan Y. Shih, Wei-Heng Shih, Zuyan Shen, John-Paul McGovern, Qing Zhu, Joseph Capobianco
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Publication number: 20150364673Abstract: A method to produce low-temperature sinterable powders which are then subsequently used to fabricate freestanding piezoelectric films with very large electric-field-enhanced piezoelectric response is provided. The ?d31 coefficient for PMN-PT layers can be as high as 2000 pm/V, larger than that of commercial single crystalline PMN-PT bulk materials, at 10 kV/cm (or 20 V over the 20-micron film thickness). In contrast to single crystals, the polycrystalline freestanding films are easy to fabricate and can be made into any size. The films are also easily miniaturized. The method can be applied to nearly any piezoelectric material.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2015Publication date: December 17, 2015Applicant: DREXEL UNIVERSITYInventor: Wei-Heng Shih
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Publication number: 20150311386Abstract: A novel quantum dot containing two different metals at non-toxic levels which is capable of narrow bandwidth near infrared emissions at wavelengths of 600-1100 nm. The quantum dot is fabricated via an aqueous method which forms a structure having an inner region of one composition and an outer region of a different composition, wherein the inner region contains at least a first metal and the outer region contains at least a second metal. The quantum dots may be enabled for bioconjugation and may be used in a method for tissue imaging and analyte detection.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2015Publication date: October 29, 2015Applicant: DREXEL UNIVERSITYInventors: Wei-Heng Shih, Giang Au, Wan Y. Shih
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Patent number: 9082918Abstract: A novel quantum dot containing two different metals at non-toxic levels which is capable of narrow bandwidth near infrared emissions at wavelengths of 600-1100 nm. The quantum dot is fabricated via an aqueous method which forms a structure having an inner region of one composition and an outer region of a different composition, wherein the inner region contains at least a first metal and the outer region contains at least a second metal. The quantum dots may be enabled for bioconjugation and may be used in a method for tissue imaging and analyte detection.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2011Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: Drexel UniversityInventors: Wei-Heng Shih, Giang Au, Wan Y. Shih
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Patent number: 9039921Abstract: A method to produce low-temperature sinterable powders which are then subsequently used to fabricate freestanding piezoelectric films with very large electric-field-enhanced piezoelectric response is provided. The ?d31 coefficient for PMN-PT layers can be as high as 2000 pm/V, larger than that of commercial single crystalline PMN-PT bulk materials, at 10 kV/cm (or 20 V over the 20-micron film thickness). In contrast to single crystals, the polycrystalline freestanding films are easy to fabricate and can be made into any size. The films are also easily miniaturized. The method can be applied to nearly any piezoelectric material.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2010Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: Drexel UniversityInventors: Wei-Heng Shih, Hongyu Luo, Christian Martorano, Wan Y. Shih
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Publication number: 20150105294Abstract: A piezoelectric microcantilever for sensing compounds or molecules. The piezoelectric microcantilever, may include at least one electrode, an insulation layer, a receptor, an immobilization layer, a non-piezoelectric layer and a piezoelectric layer The sensor is capable of self actuation and detection. The piezoelectric layer may be constructed from a highly piezoelectric thin lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate film, a highly piezoelectric thin zirconate titanate film, a highly piezoelectric lead-free film. Methods of using the sensors and flow cells and arrays including the sensors are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2014Publication date: April 16, 2015Applicant: DREXEL UNIVERSITYInventors: WAN Y. SHIH, WEI-HENG SHIH, ZUYAN SHEN, JOHN-PAUL MCGOVERN, QING ZHU, JOSEPH CAPOBIANCO
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Publication number: 20150025418Abstract: A sensor system for measuring an elastic modulus and a shear modulus and a method for evaluating a tissue. The invention pertains to a method for determining the presence of and/or characterizing abnormal growths, using a piezoelectric finger sensor (PEFS) system. The PEFS system may be particularly useful for screening for tumors and various forms of cancer. Additionally, the PEFS system may be useful for various dermatological applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2014Publication date: January 22, 2015Applicants: DREXEL UNIVERSITY, PHILADELPHIA HEALTH & EDUCATION CORPORATION d/b/a DREXEL UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF MEDICINEInventors: Wan Y. SHIH, Wei-Heng SHIH, Hakki YEGINGIL, Ari D. BROOKS
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Publication number: 20150024408Abstract: A novel quantum dot capable of near infrared emissions at wavelengths of 750-1100 is made by forming solid solutions of metal sulfide, metal selenide or metal sulfide selenide by incorporating a suitable amount of an additional metallic element or elements to provide an emission wavelength in the range of 750 nm to 1100 nm. The quantum dots may be enabled for bioconjugation and may be used in a method for tissue imaging and analyte detection.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2014Publication date: January 22, 2015Applicant: DREXEL UNIVERSITYInventors: WEI-HENG SHIH, WAN Y. SHIH, HUI LI, IAN MCDONALD, ANDREW KOPEK, RYAN O'MALLEY, YU-CHIEH LU
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Patent number: 8927259Abstract: A piezoelectric microcantilever for sensing compounds or molecules. The piezoelectric microcantilever, may include at least one electrode, an insulation layer, a receptor, an immobilization layer, a non-piezoelectric layer and a piezoelectric layer. The sensor is capable of self actuation and detection. The piezoelectric layer may be constructed from a highly piezoelectric thin lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate film, a highly piezoelectric thin zirconate titanate film, a highly piezoelectric lead-free film. Methods of using the sensors and flow cells and arrays including the sensors are also described.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2007Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Drexel UniversityInventors: Wan Y. Shih, Wei-Heng Shih, Zuyan Shen, John-Paul Mcgovern, Qing Zhu, Joseph Capobianco
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Publication number: 20140352448Abstract: A PEFS (Piezoelectric Finger Sensor) acts as an “electronic finger” capable of accurately and non-destructively measuring both the Young's compression modulus and shear modulus of tissues with gentle touches to the surface. The PEFS measures both the Young's compression modulus and shear modulus variations in tissue generating a less than one-millimeter spatial resolution up to a depth of several centimeters. This offers great potential for in-vivo early detection of diseases. A portable hand-held device is also disclosed. The PEF offers superior sensitivity.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2014Publication date: December 4, 2014Applicant: DREXEL UNIVERSITYInventors: WAN Y. SHIH, WEI-HENG SHIH, ANNA MARKIDOU, STEVEN T. SZWECZYK, HAKKI YEGINGIL
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Publication number: 20140315284Abstract: A method for enhancing the detection sensitivity of a piezoelectric microcantilever sensor. The method may involve providing a piezoelectric microcantilever and inducing a change in the Young's modulus during detection of a species of interest. The change in the Young's modulus may be induced or enhanced by the application of a DC bias electric field to the piezoelectric layer that enhances non-180° polarization domain switching of the piezoelectric layer. The change in the Young's modulus may also result from binding of the species of interest to the piezelectric microcantilever sensor or a combination of binding and application of a DC bias electric field. Significantly enhanced detection sensitity results from the changed Young's modulus of the piezoelectric layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2014Publication date: October 23, 2014Applicant: DREXEL UNIVERSITYInventors: WAN Y. SHIH, WEI-HENG SHIH, QING ZHU
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Patent number: 8865477Abstract: A novel quantum dot capable of near infrared emissions at wavelengths of 750-1100 is made by forming solid solutions of metal sulfide, metal selenide or metal sulfide selenide by incorporating a suitable amount of an additional metallic element or elements to provide an emission wavelength in the range of 750 nm to 1100 nm. The quantum dots may be enabled for bioconjugation and may be used in a method for tissue imaging and analyte detection.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2009Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Drexel UniversityInventors: Wei-Heng Shih, Wan Y. Shih, Hui Li, Ian McDonald, Andrew Kopek, Ryan O'Malley, Yu-Chieh Lu
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Patent number: 8857248Abstract: The invention is direct to a piezoelectric microcantilever for static contact and dynamic noncontact atomic force microscopy which may be carried out in solution. The piezoelectric microcantilever, which includes a piezoelectric layer and a non-piezoelectric layer is capable of self actuation and detection. The piezoelectric layer may be constructed from a lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate (Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3)0.65—(PbTiO3)0.35(PMN0.65-PT0.35) (PMN-PT), zirconate titanate (PZT)/SiO2 or from any lead-free piezoelectric materials such as doped sodium-potassium niobate-lithium niobate. The piezoelectric layers of the microcantilevers may have dielectric constants of from 1600-3000 and thicknesses below 10 ?m. Also disclosed are methods for fabricating microcantilever sensors and methods for atomic force microscopy employing the microcantilevers.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2011Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: Drexel UniversityInventors: Wan Y. Shih, Wei-Heng Shih, Zuyan Shen, Qing Zhu