For Crystallization From Liquid Or Supercritical State Patents (Class 117/206)
  • Patent number: 7402208
    Abstract: The invention provides a crystallizing method and an apparatus for producing a biopolymer capable of simplifying operations for taking out a produced crystal and mounting the crystal onto a crystal structure analyzer, thereby improving efficiency in the operations as well as reducing a labor burden. A crystallizing apparatus for producing a biopolymer crystal from a solution containing a biopolymer includes a crystal-growing chip 10 made of a material allowing electromagnetic waves to permeate through the chip, and in which a circular frame 16 is formed to retain a droplet 20 of a solution containing a biopolymer and a biopolymer crystal 28 produced in the droplet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignees: Protein Wave Corporation, Riken
    Inventors: Akira Sanjoh, Nobuo Kamiya, Takaaki Hikima
  • Publication number: 20080168942
    Abstract: A device for transporting liquids and supporting crystal growth comprises a hollow space (20) in a body (1) with a first side. The hollow space comprises at least a first orifice (9) and is being adapted for generating a directed capillary ascension effect towards the at least first orifice (9).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Inventor: Bernhard Dehmer
  • Publication number: 20080163815
    Abstract: This device for producing the growth of a semiconductor material, in particular of type II-VI, uses a melt of the said semiconductor placed in a sealed bulb under vacuum or under controlled atmosphere, the said bulb being subjected to a sufficient temperature gradient for first maintaining the melt in the liquid state, then causing its progressive crystallization from the surface towards the bottom. The said device further comprises an element (3) capable of floating on the surface of the said melt, and equipped with a substantially central bore (4), intended on the one hand for receiving a seed crystal (5) or for permitting the nucleation leading to the preparation of a seed crystal (5?), and also of supporting the said seed crystal (5, 5?) above the melt while maintaining it in contact with the said melt in order to permit the continued crystallization from the said seed crystal (5, 5?) by lowering the temperature gradient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: Societe Francaise de Detecteurs Infrarouges- Sofradir
    Inventor: Sylvain Paltrier
  • Publication number: 20080134963
    Abstract: A crystal forming apparatus and method for using the apparatus, the method including depositing a precipitant solution in a site, incubating the site, during which time volatile vapor evaporates from the precipitant solution and accumulates in the site, and pumping the accumulated volatile vapor away from the site. An exemplary apparatus includes a sealed site except for a vent on the sealed site. In one embodiment, the vent is a passive vent that inhibits vapor diffusion out of the site. In another embodiment, the vent is an active vent that opens in response to a pressure differential. The present invention accelerates and controls the crystal growth process by pumping volatile vapor away from the sealed site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2008
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventor: Richard H. Goodwin, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20080092804
    Abstract: There is provided a quartz glass article having a surface treated with novel coating materials which provides a reduced chemistry, wherein the quartz glass surface having a reduced chemistry upon exposure to melted silicon or similarly corrosive environments, forms crystalline structures covering at least 30% of the coated surface of the quartz glass crucible. Said crystalline covered surface provides a more stable surface of contact with the silicon melt and the growth of single crystal silicon. In one embodiment of the invention, the coating material comprises at least a methyl group for providing at least one of a hydrogenated and a methylated surface on the coated surface, forming rosette structures, or other crystalline morphologies covering at last 80% of the coated surface. In another embodiment of the invention, the coating material is selected from at least one of an amine, an organosilane halogen and mixtures thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Inventors: Richard Lee Hansen, Theodore P. Kircher, Narsi Devanathan
  • Patent number: 7361223
    Abstract: A method for eliminating a display defect in a liquid crystal display device includes disposing a liquid crystal panel adhered with a polarizer into a first buffer chamber, increasing pressure of the first buffer chamber, communicating the first buffer chamber with a reactor chamber having a predetermined pressure, transferring the liquid crystal panel from the first buffer chamber to the reactor chamber, increasing pressure of a second buffer chamber, communicating the second buffer chamber with the reactor chamber, and transferring the liquid crystal panel from the reactor chamber to the second buffer chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seung-Hee Her, Tai-Huem Om, Jin-Whal Kim, Min-Young Won, Kun-Jong Lee
  • Patent number: 7357835
    Abstract: A crystalline material sufficiently pure for use in pharmaceuticals may be made by forming a saturated solution of the material, changing the temperature of the solution so it becomes supersaturated, and subjecting the solution to irradiation by high intensity ultrasound, the frequency of the ultrasound being scanned over a range of frequencies. For example the ultrasound may be varied between 19.5 and 20.5 kHz, and this variation may be sinusoidal. Preferably the ultrasound is provided only briefly, say for less than 5 s, before allowing the solution to cool gradually without further irradiation. The ultrasound may be applied using a vessel with an array of ultrasonic transducers attached to a wall, so each transducer radiates no more than 3 W/cm2 yet the power dissipation within the vessel is between 25 and 150 W/litre. This method can reduce the metastable zone width to less than 10 K. It is applicable in particular to aspartame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Accentus PLC
    Inventors: Linda Jane McCausland, John Patrick Perkins
  • Patent number: 7344596
    Abstract: To reduce the heat input to the bottom of the crucible and to control heat extraction independently of heat input, a shield can be raised between a heating element and a crucible at a controlled speed as the crystal grows. Other steps could include moving the crucible, but this process can avoid having to move the crucible. A temperature gradient is produced by shielding only a portion of the heating element; for example, the bottom portion of a cylindrical element can be shielded to cause heat transfer to be less in the bottom of the crucible than at the top, thereby causing a stabilizing temperature gradient in the crucible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Crystal Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick Schmid, Chandra P. Khattak, David B. Joyce
  • Patent number: 7335262
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an autoclave for preparing a supercritical solvent, a convection controller for establishing a convection flow, a dissolution zone where a feedstock is located above the convection controller and a crystallization zone where a seed is located below the convection controller are formed. A convection flow rate of the supercritical solution between the dissolution zone and the crystallization zone is determined by the degree of opening of the convection controller and the temperature difference between the dissolution zone and the crystallization zone. Accordingly, the supercritical solution, in which the nitride has a negative temperature coefficient of solubility, is supplied from the dissolution zone to the crystallization zone in which a seed is located through the convection controller so that nitride crystal is selectively grown on the seed by maintaining supersaturation of the supercritical solution with respect to the seed at a raised temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignees: Ammono Sp. z o.o., Nichia Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Dwilinski, Roman Doradzinski, Jerzy Garczynski, Leszek P. Sierzputowski, Yasuo Kanbara
  • Patent number: 7332029
    Abstract: A crystal forming apparatus and method for using the apparatus, the method including depositing a precipitant solution in a site, incubating the site, during which time volatile vapor evaporates from the precipitant solution and accumulates in the site, and pumping the accumulated volatile vapor away from the site. An exemplary apparatus includes a sealed site except for a vent on the sealed site. In one embodiment, the vent is a passive vent that inhibits vapor diffusion out of the site. In another embodiment, the vent is an active vent that opens in response to a pressure differential. The present invention accelerates and controls the crystal growth process by pumping volatile vapor away from the sealed site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Neuro Probe Incorporated
    Inventor: Richard H. Goodwin, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20070215034
    Abstract: In a crystal preparing device, a crucible holds a mixed molten metal containing alkali metal and group III metal. A container has a container space contacting the mixed molten metal and holds a molten alkali metal between the container space and an outside of the container, the molten alkali metal contacting the container space. A gas supply device supplies nitrogen gas to the container space. A heating device heats the crucible to a crystal growth temperature. The crystal preparing device is provided so that a vapor pressure of the alkali metal which evaporates from the molten alkali metal is substantially equal to a vapor pressure of the alkali metal which evaporates from the mixed molten metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Inventors: Hirokazu Iwata, Seiji Sarayama, Akihiro Fuse
  • Patent number: 7270706
    Abstract: A single roll crusher for comminuting high purity materials includes a roll with teeth spaced around the circumference of the roll. The roll is rotatably mounted inside a housing. The housing has a top with an entrance port, sides, and bottom with an exit port. The roll, teeth, and at least the inside surfaces of the top, sides, and bottom are fabricated from a material of construction that minimizes contamination of silicon. The material of construction may be tungsten carbide with a cobalt binder. The single roll crusher is used for processing polycrystalline silicon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Dow Corning Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas Andrejewski, Thomas Dubay, Terence Lee Horstman, Roger Dale Spencer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7258846
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and installation for the dry fractionation of edible oils and fats and related products, said method comprising the steps of: a) solidifying the product in a crystallizer comprising at least one cooling chamber that is provided with at least one wall permitting heat transfer, to form a solid block of crystallized material; b) discharging the chambers and collecting the block; c) crushing the block so that a pumpable paste is obtained; d) pumping this paste into a filter press; e) separating this paste into an olein fraction and a stearin fraction by filtration and collecting both fractions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: De Smet Engineering N.V.
    Inventors: Marc Hendrix, Marc Kellens
  • Patent number: 7252712
    Abstract: The present invention refers to an ammonobasic method for preparing a gallium-containing nitride crystal, in which gallium-containing feedstock is crystallized on at least one crystallization seed in the presence of an alkali metal-containing component in a supercritical nitrogen-containing solvent. The method can provide monocrystalline gallium-containing nitride crystals having a very high quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignees: Ammono Sp. z o.o., Nichia Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Tomasz Dwilinski, Roman Marek Doradzinski, Leszek Piotr Sierzfutowski, Jerzy Garczynski, Yasuo Kanbara
  • Patent number: 7217397
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a precious reagent container, including; a horizontally elongated body; a plurality of vertical, aligned reagent wells defined in the body, the reagent wells having a common depth; and a common vertical channel joining the vertical, aligned reagent wells, the common vertical channel having a depth equal to the common depth. A method of using the precious reagent container is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Inventor: Thomas W. Astle
  • Patent number: 7198673
    Abstract: A method of making below 250-nm UV light transmitting optical fluoride lithography crystals includes applying heat along a shortest path of conduction of a selected optical fluoride crystal, heating the optical fluoride crystal to an annealing temperature, holding the temperature of the optical fluoride crystal at the annealing temperature, and gradually cooling the optical fluoride crystal to provide a low-birefringence optical fluoride crystal for transmitting below 250-nm UV light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: John H. Brennan, Michael W. Price, Juergen Tinz, Liming Wang
  • Patent number: 7125453
    Abstract: A capsule for containing at least one reactant and a supercritical fluid in a substantially air-free environment under high pressure, high temperature processing conditions. The capsule includes a closed end, at least one wall adjoining the closed end and extending from the closed end; and a sealed end adjoining the at least one wall opposite the closed end. The at least one wall, closed end, and sealed end define a chamber therein for containing the reactant and a solvent that becomes a supercritical fluid at high temperatures and high pressures. The capsule is formed from a deformable material and is fluid impermeable and chemically inert with respect to the reactant and the supercritical fluid under processing conditions, which are generally above 5 kbar and 550° C. and, preferably, at pressures between 5 kbar and 80 kbar and temperatures between 550° C. and about 1500° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mark Philip D'Evelyn, Kristi Jean Narang, Robert Arthur Giddings, Steven Alfred Tysoe, John William Lucek, Suresh Shankarappa Vagarali, Robert Vincent Leonelli, Jr., Joel Rice Dysart
  • Patent number: 7118789
    Abstract: A silica glass crucible is manufactured by introducing into a rotating crucible mold bulk silica grain to form a bulky wall including a bottom wall and a side wall. After heating the interior of the mold to begin to fuse the bulk silica grains, an inner silica grain, doped with aluminum, is introduced. The heat at least partially melts the inner silica grain, allowing it to fuse to the wall to form an inner layer. The crucible is cooled, the fused silica grains forming nuclei of crystalline silica within the inner layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Heraeus Shin-Etsu America
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Kemmochi, Robert O. Mosier, Paul G. Spencer
  • Patent number: 7014711
    Abstract: A liquid-phase growth apparatus for growing a crystal on a substrate includes a crucible containing a solution that contains a raw material for forming the crystal, and a substrate holder for vertically holding the substrate. The substrate holder includes connectors, a receiving component, and a push component. The receiving component and the push component are opposite to each other and are connected by the connectors. The push component holds an upper portion of the substrate while the receiving component holds a lower portion of the substrate. The substrate holder containing the vertically held substrate is dipped into the solution. The receiving component ascends with buoyancy in the solution contained in the crucible, so that the substrate is now held securely and prevented from cracking due to thermal expansion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaki Mizutani, Katsumi Nakagawa, Takehito Yoshino, Shoji Nishida
  • Patent number: 7011708
    Abstract: A device includes an agitation tank, a liquid circulation means for circulating a liquid along a tank wall of the agitation tank, and at least one auxiliary heat transfer means provided inside the agitation tank, wherein the auxiliary heat transfer means is constantly put in a wetted state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Kansai Chemical Engineering Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Noda, Hiroshi Ooshima, Takaya Inoue, Hiroaki Ueda
  • Patent number: 7005008
    Abstract: The invention relates to a reaction vessel (1) for producing a sample, in particular a crystal, from a substance in solution or in liquid form, having several reaction chambers (6) each forming a separate gas chamber, consisting of at least one housing part, and each reaction chamber (6) has a reservoir (7) and several reaction areas (8) co-operating therewith, connected to one another and to the reservoir (7) in order to exchange gas. The reservoirs and the reaction areas co-operating with them are disposed immediately adjacent to one another in rows, distributed in a predeterminable, identical manner, these rows running parallel with one another. Each row of reservoirs (7) therefore co-operates with at least one row of reaction areas (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignees: Greiner Bio-One GmbH, Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaft e.V.
    Inventors: Günther Knebel, Lajos Nyársik, Holger Friedrich Heinrich Eickhoff, Hans Lehrach
  • Patent number: 6994749
    Abstract: A microfluidic device is provided that comprises: a substrate; and a plurality of microvolumes at least partially defined by the substrate, each microvolume comprising a first submicrovolume and a second submicrovolume in fluid communication with the first submicrovolume when the device is rotated about a first rotational axis; wherein rotation of the device about the first rotational axis causes a fixed volume to be transported to each of the second submicrovolumes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: SYRRX, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter R. David
  • Patent number: 6953506
    Abstract: A wafer cassette comprises a holding member having a depression corresponding to the shape of the substrate, and a cover having an opening smaller than the surface size of the substrate. The substrate is to be held in the depression by means of the holding member and the cover, and the substrate is to be covered at its one-side surface, side and all peripheral region of the other-side surface, with the holding member at its depression and with the cover at the edge of its opening. Also disclosed are a liquid-phase growth system and a liquid-phase growth process which make use of the wafer cassette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaaki Iwane, Tetsuro Saito, Tatsumi Shoji, Makoto Iwakami, Takehito Yoshino, Shoji Nishida, Noritaka Ukiyo, Masaki Mizutani
  • Patent number: 6913732
    Abstract: The present invention includes a microplate for performing crystallography studies and methods for making and using such microplates. In particular, the microplate has a frame which includes a plurality of wells formed therein. Each well includes a first well and a second well. The first well includes a relatively small reservoir having a substantially concaved form capable of receiving a protein solution and a reagent solution. The second well includes a relatively large reservoir capable of receiving a reagent solution that has a higher concentration than the reagent solution within the first well, wherein the protein solution and the reagent solution within the first well interact with the reagent solution within the second well via a vapor diffusion process which enables the formation of protein crystals within the first well. The microplate may be sized so that it can be handled by a robotic handling system and/or a liquid handling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Ma Sha, Kathy Youngbear
  • Patent number: 6872248
    Abstract: A liquid-phase growth process comprising immersing a base substrate in a solution containing reactant species to be grown dissolved therein which is accommodated in a crucible and growing a crystal film on said substrate, characterized in that a capping member is kept afloat on the surface of said solution before said substrate is immersed in said solution and said capping member is subsided in said solution upon immersing said substrate in said solution. A liquid-phase growth apparatus suitable for practicing said liquid-phase growth process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaki Mizutani, Katsumi Nakagawa, Tetsuro Saito, Tatsumi Shoji, Takehito Yoshino, Shoji Nishida
  • Patent number: 6872250
    Abstract: A method for determining crystallization conditions for a material, the method comprising: taking a microfluidic device comprising one or more lumens having microvolume dimensions and a plurality of different crystallization samples within the one or more lumens, the plurality of crystallization samples comprising a material to be crystallized and crystallization conditions that vary among the plurality of crystallization samples; transporting the plurality of different crystallization samples within the lumens; and identifying a precipitate or crystal formed in the one or more lumens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Syrrx, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter R. David, Nathaniel E. David
  • Patent number: 6866714
    Abstract: A large semiconductor crystal has a diameter of at least 6 inches and a low dislocation density of not more than 1×104 cm?2. The crystal is preferably a single crystal of GaAs, or one of CdTe, InAs, GaSb, Si or Ge, and may have a positive boron concentration of not more than 1×1016 cm?3 and a carbon concentration of 0.5×1015 cm?3 to 1.5×1015 cm?3 with a uniform concentration throughout the crystal. Such a crystal can form a very thin wafer with a low dislocation density. A special method and apparatus for producing such a crystal is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Kawase, Katsushi Hashio, Shin-ichi Sawada, Masami Tatsumi
  • Patent number: 6841210
    Abstract: Disclosed is a multilayer structured quartz glass crucible, for pulling up silicon single crystal, whose structure has at least three layers comprising: a translucent outer layer made of naturally occurring quartz glass and having a large number of pores, a translucent intermediate layer, made of synthetic quartz glass and having a large number of pores, and a transparent inner layer substantially free from pores and made of a synthetic quartz glass. Thermal convection within the silicon melt is suppressed by use of the quartz glass crucible, thereby preventing oscillation on the surface of the silicon melt. A method for producing the quartz glas crucible is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignees: Heraeus Quarzglas GmbH & Co., KG, Shin-Etsu Quartz Products Co.
    Inventors: Yasuo Ohama, Hiroshi Matsui
  • Patent number: 6836532
    Abstract: A biological crystal formation screening apparatus uses an x-ray diffraction technique to analyze the sample containers of a sample tray for the presence of crystal formation. An x-ray source is directed toward a sample under investigation, and a two-dimensional x-ray detector is located to receive any diffracted x-ray energy. A positioning apparatus allows the different sample containers of a tray to be sequentially aligned with the source and detector, allowing each to be examined. The sample container is arranged such that a sample is located relative to the well solution so that the x-ray beam is directed to the sample without being incident on the well solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Bruker AXS, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger D. Durst, Bob Baoping He
  • Publication number: 20040244679
    Abstract: The device according to the present invention comprises a furnace (10) provided with heating means allowing said material to be crystallised to be rendered liquid, then to be cooled until it progressively solidifies. The device also comprises reception means (20) of the material (21) disposed in the furnace, fixed relative to the furnace and situated such that the material is in the intermediary zone. The heating means (11, 12, 13) supply three heating zones: a hot zone (16), an intermediary zone (15) and a cold zone (14). Thermally conductive means (17) are disposed between the reception means (20) and the heating means (11, 12, 13) and extend from the cold zone as far as the hot zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventor: Gerard Petroz
  • Patent number: 6824609
    Abstract: A liquid phase growth method is provided which comprises dipping a seed substrate in a solution in a vessel having a crystal raw material melted therein and growing a crystal on the substrate, wherein a fin is provided on a bottom of the vessel, for regulating a flow of the solution from a central portion outside in a radial direction in the vessel; a flow-regulating plate is provided in the vicinity of an inner sidewall of the vessel, for regulating a flow of the solution from the bottom upwardly; and the vessel is rotated while regulating a flow of the solution by an action of the fin and the flow-regulating plate to bring the solution into contact with the seed substrate. Thus, there is provided a liquid phase growth method and apparatus capable of providing a high growth rate and showing little difference in the growth rate among the substrates or within the same substrate even when a number of substrates are charged in one batch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuro Saito, Katsumi Nakagawa, Tatsumi Shoji, Takehito Yoshino, Shoji Nishida, Masaki Mizutani
  • Patent number: 6797056
    Abstract: A microfluidic method is provided that comprises: delivering first and second fluids to a lumen of a microfluidic device such that the first and second fluids flow adjacent to each other within the lumen without mixing except for diffusion at an interface between the first and second fluids, wherein the first fluid is different than the second fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Syrrx, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter R. David
  • Patent number: 6780244
    Abstract: A large semiconductor crystal is produced by charging a raw material into a crucible in a reactor tube, sealing the reactor tube with a flange on an open end of the tube, pressurizing the interior of the tube to an elevated pressure with an inert gas, heating the tube with an externally arranged heater to melt the raw material to form a raw material melt in the crucible, and solidifying the raw material melt to grow the semiconductor crystal. A second raw material such as a group V element can be introduced as a vapor from a reservoir into the melt in the crucible to form a compound semiconductor material. The flange is sealed to the tube by an elastic seal member, of which the temperature is maintained below 400° C. throughout the process, to protect its elastic sealing properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Kawase, Katsushi Hashio, Shin-ichi Sawada, Masami Tatsumi
  • Patent number: 6761861
    Abstract: A protein crystal growth assembly including a crystal growth cell and further including a cell body having a top side and a bottom side and a first aperture defined therethrough, the cell body having opposing first and second sides and a second aperture defined therethrough. A cell barrel is disposed within the cell body, the cell barrel defining a cavity alignable with the first aperture of the cell body, the cell barrel being rotatable within the second aperture. A reservoir is coupled to the bottom side of the cell body and a cap having a top side is disposed on the top side of the cell body. The protein crystal growth assembly may be employed in methods including vapor diffusion crystallization, liquid to liquid crystallization, batch crystallization, and temperature induction batch mode crystallization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: UAB Research Foundation
    Inventors: Robyn Rouleau, Lawrence Delucas, Douglas Keith Hedden
  • Patent number: 6758901
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a device for supporting a crystal ingot while pulling a single crystal, in particular such a crystal composed of silicon, according to the Czochralski method. To this end, a crystal support is provided which engages with a specialized bead, which is formed on the neck of the single crystal ingot and which has the shape of a bicone, by means of bearings in a housing. A support of the crystal ingot is thus achieved which may be disengaged at any time, and which has no disruptive effects on crystal growth and which acts independently of the length of the grown crystal. The bearings are moved into the support position on the bicone by a central pulling element which can be independently displaced relative to a second pulling element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Crystal Growing Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Winfried Schulmann, Helmut Kaiser
  • Patent number: 6719840
    Abstract: A method is provided for determining crystallization conditions for a material, the method comprising: taking a plurality of different crystallization samples in an enclosed microvolume, the plurality of crystallization samples comprising a material to be crystallized and crystallization conditions which vary among the plurality of crystallization samples; allowing crystals of the material to form in plurality of crystallization samples; and identifying which of the plurality of crystallization samples form crystals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Syrrx, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter R. David, Nathaniel E. David
  • Publication number: 20040061063
    Abstract: Bulk Aluminum Antimonide (AlSb)-based single crystal materials have been prepared for use as ambient (room) temperature X-ray and Gamma-ray radiation detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: John W. Sherohman, Arthur W. Coombs, Jick H. Yee
  • Patent number: 6656267
    Abstract: A crystallization tray includes a plurality of crystallization cells, each cell having a reservoir adapted to receive an equilibrating solution, a shelf located adjacent to the reservoir and adapted for use as a temporary cryogenic holding area for a crystallized substance and/or a sample holding area, and a sample drop receptacle carried by the shelf and adapted to receive a sample drop including a crystallizable substance. A related method for forming macromolecular crystals includes dispensing an equilibrating solution in the reservoirs, dispensing a plurality of macromolecular solution droplets in the sample drop receptacles, covering the cells with a cover; and crystallizing the crystallizable substance by vapor diffusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Structural Genomix, Inc.
    Inventor: Janet Newman
  • Patent number: 6623708
    Abstract: A protein crystal growth assembly including a crystal growth cell and further including a cell body having a top side and a bottom side and a first aperture defined therethrough, the cell body having opposing first and second sides and a second aperture defined therethrough. A cell barrel is disposed within the cell body, the cell barrel defining a cavity alignable with the first aperture of the cell body, the cell barrel being rotatable within the second aperture. A reservoir is coupled to the bottom side of the cell body and a cap having a top side is disposed on the top side of the cell body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: UAB Research Foundation
    Inventors: Lawrence Delucas, Robyn Rouleau, Kenneth Banasiewicz
  • Patent number: 6592824
    Abstract: A protein crystal growth assembly including a crystal growth cell and further including a cell body having a top side and a bottom side and a first aperture defined therethrough, the cell body having opposing first and second sides and a second aperture defined therethrough. A cell barrel is disposed within the cell body, the cell barrel defining a cavity alignable with the first aperture of the cell body, the cell barrel being rotatable within the second aperture. A reservoir is coupled to the bottom side of the cell body and a cap having a top side is disposed on the top side of the cell body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: UAB Research Foundation
    Inventors: Lawrence Delucas, Robyn Rouleau, Kenneth Banasiewicz
  • Patent number: 6572700
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of providing a large semiconductor crystal at a low cost are provided. The apparatus of producing a semiconductor crystal includes a reactor tube having an open end at least one end side, formed of any one material selected from the group consisting of silicon carbide, silicon nitride, aluminum nitride, and aluminum oxide, or of a composite material with any one material selected from the group consisting of silicon carbide, silicon nitride, aluminum nitride, boron nitride, aluminum oxide, magnesium oxide, mullite, and carbon as a base, and having an oxidation-proof or airtight film formed on the surface of the base, a kanthal heater arranged around the reactor tube in the atmosphere, a flange attached at the open end to seal the reactor tube, and a crucible mounted in the reactor tube to store material of a semiconductor crystal. The material stored in the crucible is heated and melted to form material melt. The material melt is solidified to grow a semiconductor crystal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Kawase, Katsushi Hashio, Shin-ichi Sawada, Masami Tatsumi
  • Patent number: 6540828
    Abstract: A simple and inexpensive method and apparatus for producing crystalline silicon comprising the steps of melting silicon in a mold, then cooling the bottom of the mold is cooled to create a positive temperature gradient from the bottom of the mold upward, thereby causing the molten silicon to crystallize from the inner bottom of the mold upward so that the solid-liquid phase boundary, separating the crystallized silicon from the molten silicon, moves upward as the molten silicon crystallizes. As the silicon crystallizes, an inert gas is blown onto the surface of the molten silicon from a position above the surface of the molten silicon, thereby vibrating the surface of the molten silicon in such a manner that cavities are formed in the surface of the molten silicon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Materials Corporation
    Inventors: Saburo Wakita, Yoshinobu Nakada, Junichi Sasaki, Yuji Ishiwari
  • Publication number: 20030003036
    Abstract: A protein crystal growth assembly including a crystal growth cell and further including a cell body having a top side and a bottom side and a first aperture defined therethrough, the cell body having opposing first and second sides and a second aperture defined therethrough. A cell barrel is disposed within the cell body, the cell barrel defining a cavity alignable with the first aperture of the cell body, the cell barrel being rotatable within the second aperture. A reservoir is coupled to the bottom side of the cell body and a cap having a top side is disposed on the top side of the cell body. The protein crystal growth assembly may be employed in methods including vapor diffusion crystallization, liquid to liquid crystallization, batch crystallization, and temperature induction batch mode crystallization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Applicant: UAB RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Robyn Rouleau, Lawrence Delucas, Douglas Keith Hedden
  • Publication number: 20020183487
    Abstract: A protein crystallization apparatus is comprised of a vessel supporting section and a rotating unit. A vessel is detachably fixed to the vessel supporting section. The rotating unit rotates the vessel supporting section around first and second rotation axes. The vessel is comprised of a vessel section having an opening; a sealing section which seals said opening of said vessel section; an absorption member which is provided in the vessel section and in which precipitant solution is absorbed; and a button provided apart from the absorption member to hold protein solution. Precipitant evaporates and diffuses in an inside of the vessel section while the vessel supporting section is rotated. The precipitant is absorbed by the protein solution and a protein crystal is precipitated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES LTD.
    Inventor: Masaru Uemura
  • Publication number: 20020139297
    Abstract: A simple and inexpensive method and apparatus for producing crystalline silicon comprising the steps of melting silicon in a mold, then cooling the bottom of the mold is cooled to create a positive temperature gradient from the bottom of the mold upward, thereby causing the molten silicon to crystallize from the inner bottom of the mold upward so that the solid-liquid phase boundary, separating the crystallized silicon from the molten silicon, moves upward as the molten silicon crystallizes. As the silicon crystallizes, an inert gas is blown onto the surface of the molten silicon from a position above the surface of the molten silicon, thereby vibrating the surface of the molten silicon in such a manner that cavities are formed in the surface of the molten silicon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI MATERIALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Saburo Wakita, Yoshinobu Nakada, Junichi Sasaki, Yuji Ishiwari
  • Patent number: 6447726
    Abstract: A protein crystal growth assembly including a crystal growth cell and further including a cell body having a top side and a bottom side and a first aperture defined therethrough, the cell body having opposing first and second sides and a second aperture defined therethrough. A cell barrel is disposed within the cell body, the cell barrel defining a cavity alignable with the first aperture of the cell body, the cell barrel being rotatable within the second aperture. A reservoir is coupled to the bottom side of the cell body and a cap having a top side is disposed on the top side of the cell body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: UAB Research Foundation
    Inventors: Lawrence Delucas, Robyn Rouleau, Kenneth Banasiewicz, Helen Powell, Barbara Williams, James Wayland, Todd Rentfrow
  • Publication number: 20020106318
    Abstract: A protein crystal growth assembly including a crystal growth cell and further including a cell body having a top side and a bottom side and a first aperture defined therethrough, the cell body having opposing first and second sides and a second aperture defined therethrough. A cell barrel is disposed within the cell body, the cell barrel defining a cavity alignable with the first aperture of the cell body, the cell barrel being rotatable within the second aperture. A reservoir is coupled to the bottom side of the cell body and a cap having a top side is disposed on the top side of the cell body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Applicant: UAB RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Lawrence Delucas, Robyn Rouleau, Kenneth Banasiewicz
  • Patent number: 6417007
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the method and apparatus for the robotic harvesting of solids from liquids as exemplified by harvesting protein crystals. Further, the present invention is directed to a fluid/solid management system in a chamber that automates the task of solid harvesting. The fluid/solid management system includes two supporting structures for at least one pipette on one structure and a second pipette on the other structure, the two pipettes in tip-to-tip alignment. The pipettes each having a drop of liquid at the end thereof are moved apart to form a liquid bridge in which the solid crystal is isolated. A robotic arm has a device on the end thereof for the harvesting of the solid at the working point between the tips of the pipettes. The system has a flash freezing system in the chamber for the safe storage of the harvested solid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Oceaneering International Inc.
    Inventors: Mark M. Gittleman, Rick C. Hunter, Norman L. Smith, Alistair P. Johnston
  • Patent number: 6409832
    Abstract: A device for promoting protein crystal growth (PCG) using microfluidic channels. A protein sample and a solvent solution are combined within a microfluidic channel having laminar flow characteristics which forms diffusion zones, providing for a well defined crystallization. Protein crystals can then be harvested from the device. The device is particularly suited for microgravity conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Micronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernhard H. Weigl, Jurgen Sygusch
  • Publication number: 20020062784
    Abstract: For producing ultra pure materials a first station has a porous gas distributor. A material supply supplies material to the porous gas distributor. A gas source supplies gas to the distributor and through the distributor to the material in contact with the distributor. A heater adjacent the porous gas distributor heats and melts the material as gas is passed through the material. Dopant and a treatment liquid is or solid supplied to the material. Treated material is discharged from the first station into a second station. A second porous gas distributor in the second station distributes gas through the material in the second station. A crucible receives molten material from the second station for casting, crystal growing in the crucible or for refilling other casting or crystal growth crucibles. The material and the porous gas distributor move with respect to each other. One porous gas distributor is cylindrical and is tipped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Inventor: Kiril A. Pandelisev