Electrophoretic Or Electro-osmotic Apparatus Patents (Class 204/600)
  • Patent number: 11946783
    Abstract: The present application relates to a photon measuring and reading device, which belongs to the field of detection equipment, including a mounting seat and a photon counter. The photon counter can move up and down on the mounting seat. The mounting seat is provided with a vertically arranged sliding trough, and the photon counter is provided with a sliding rod slidably connected with the sliding trough. A double head motor is arranged on the mounting base, and a linkage mechanism is arranged between the output shaft at the tail end of the double head motor and the sliding rod. The bottom end of the photon counter is fixed with a box body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: SOPHONIX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kuiliang Han, Shiliang Zhou, Xiqiang Zhang, Yongcheng Sun, Haiyang Zhang
  • Patent number: 11927560
    Abstract: Described are methods and devices that can accelerate the process and quantify the parameters for bio/chemical material samples. In some embodiments, a QMAX (Q: quantification; M: magnifying; A: adding reagents; X: acceleration) device having two or more electrodes capable of accelerating the electrical measurement process of the samples. In addition, the electrical measurement technology of the QMAX device enables for extraction, separation, and purification of sample components, such as but not limited to nucleic acids. In some embodiments, the QMAX device includes a plate for hosting a small sensing chip to facilitate a bio/chemical sensing of the sensing chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Essenlix Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen Y. Chou, Wei Ding, Yufan Zhang
  • Patent number: 11927740
    Abstract: An active matrix electrowetting on dielectric (AM-EWoD) device including a substrate with thin-film transistors (TFT), a dielectric layer, and a spatially variable wettability layer covering the dielectric layer. As depicted herein, the spatially variable wettability layer may include a plurality of portions having different contact angles, one or more contact angle gradients, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Nuclera LTD
    Inventor: David Zhitomirsky
  • Patent number: 11927773
    Abstract: A liquid lens comprising: a lens body including a cavity, a control electrode, and a common electrode; a first liquid disposed within the cavity and in electrical communication with the common electrode; a second liquid disposed within the cavity; an insulating layer in contact with the first liquid and the second liquid and separating the first liquid and the second liquid from the control electrode; and a driver driving a voltage differential across the common electrode and the control electrode, with the first liquid resisting current flow between the common electrode and the control electrode and thereby raising a temperature of the first liquid from a current temperature to a predetermined temperature, which is higher than the current temperature. The driver raises the temperature of the first liquid from the current temperature to the predetermined temperature by increasing a frequency of a voltage waveform of the voltage differential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: CORNING INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Ian Armour McKay, Dragan Pikula, Dean Michael Thelen
  • Patent number: 11874216
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a biochemical detection instrument. The technical solution is an automatic reactive oxygen species content detection system suitable for a cell microenvironment that includes: a sample transmission reaction system and a detection system which are communicated in sequence through a light avoiding pipeline. A washing system is in communication with the sample transmission reaction system through a water pipeline, and a purge system is in communication with the sample transmission reaction system through a gas pipeline. The sample transmission reaction system further includes a sample injector and a DCFH supply bin which are communicated with a reaction bin through light avoiding pipelines after being connected in parallel. Sample injection valves are respectively configured between the sample injection valve and the reaction bin and between the DCFH supply bin and the reaction bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Yongdong Dai, Lulu Liu, Songying Zhang, Xiaomei Tong, Xiaona Lin, Xiang Lin, Yonghang Shen
  • Patent number: 11867208
    Abstract: A method is provided for producing a vortex ring in a liquid medium. The method includes concatenating pairs of insulated anode and cathode rings into a stack; inserting the stack into a vertically oriented chamber; disposing a cylindrical cavity below the chamber; inserting a piston into the cavity; connecting the chamber to the medium; and raising the piston to displace the medium while the stack produces an annular bubble that induces the vortex ring. In particular, the medium is water and the stack separates the medium into hydrogen and oxygen gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Christopher J. Weiland
  • Patent number: 11865543
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming a plurality of microdroplets from a droplet includes a substrate, a dielectric layer on the substrate and having a plurality of hydrophilic surface regions spaced apart from each other by a hydrophobic surface, and a plurality of electrodes covered by the dielectric layer. The electrodes are configured to form an electric field across the droplet in response to voltages provided by a control circuit to move the droplet across the dielectric layer in a lateral direction while leaving portions of the droplet on the hydrophilic surface regions to form the plurality of microdroplets on the hydrophilic surface regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: MGI Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jian Gong, Liang Wang, Yan-You Lin, Cheng Frank Zhong
  • Patent number: 11854448
    Abstract: A method for driving electro-optic displays including electro-optic material disposed between a common electrode and a backplane. The backplane includes an array of pixel electrodes, each coupled to a transistor. A display controller applies waveforms to the pixel electrodes. The method includes applying first measurement waveforms to a first portion of the pixel electrodes. During each frame of the first measurement waveforms, the same time-dependent voltages are applied to each pixel electrode of the first portion of pixel electrodes. The method includes determining the impedance of the electro-optic material in proximity to the first portion of pixel electrodes based on a measurement of the current flowing through a current measurement circuit and the time-dependent voltages applied to each pixel electrode during the first measurement waveforms, and selecting driving waveforms based on the impedance of the electro-optic material in proximity to the first portion of pixel electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Karl Raymond Amundson, Teck Ping Sim, Michael D. McCreary, Yi Lu, Kosta Ladavac
  • Patent number: 11834650
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of transforming a cell by use of an acoustic transducer. In particular embodiments, the radiofrequency signal to the transducer can be tuned to provide optimal membrane disruption of the cell; and an agent, such as a nucleic acid, can then be delivered to the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Anne Ruffing, Darren W. Branch, Ronald P. Manginell
  • Patent number: 11806729
    Abstract: The present technology relates to improved device and methods of use of insulator-based dielectrophoresis. This device provides a multi-length scale element that provides enhanced resolution and separation. The device provides improved particle streamlines, trapping efficiency, and induces laterally similar environments. Also provided are methods of using the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS ON BEHALF OF ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Mark Hayes, Claire Crowther, Paul Jones
  • Patent number: 11779926
    Abstract: An electrowetting-based droplet actuator includes top and bottom substrates, a droplet-operation gap between the top and bottom substrates, the droplet-operation gap including a gradually-reduced gap height in a direction of droplet flow when in use, and spaced electrodes embedded in the bottom substrate spanning a region thereof corresponding to the gradually-reduced gap height. A method includes gradually reducing a gap height in section(s) of a droplet-operation gap between top and bottom substrates of an electrowetting-based droplet actuator, the gradually reducing being in a direction of droplet flow when in use from a large-gap inlet to a small-gap outlet (relative sizes), the large-gap inlet being larger in height, the bottom substrate including spaced electrodes embedded therein spanning a region of the bottom substrate corresponding to the gradually reduced gap height, and moving dispensed droplet(s) of liquid in the direction of droplet flow using the spaced electrodes and an applied voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: ILLUMINA, INC.
    Inventors: Jennifer Olivia Foley, Darren Segale, Cyril Delattre
  • Patent number: 11747796
    Abstract: The system and method described allow for real-time control over positioning of a micro-object. A movement of at least one micro-object suspended in a medium can be induced by a generation of one or more forces by electrodes proximate to the micro-object. Prior to inducing the movement, a simulation is used to develop a model describing a parameter of an interaction between each of the electrodes and the micro-object. A function describing the forces generated by an electrode and an extent of the movement induced due to the forces is generated using the model. The function is used to design closed loop policy control scheme for moving the micro-object towards a desired position. The position of the micro-object is tracked and taken into account when generating voltage patterns in the scheme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ion Matei, Jeng Ping Lu, Saigopal Nelaturi, Julie A. Bert, Lara S. Crawford, Armin R. Volkel, Eugene M. Chow
  • Patent number: 11732229
    Abstract: Fluidic multiwell bioreactors are provided as a microphysiological platform for in vitro investigation of multi-organ crosstalks for an extended period of time of at least weeks and months. The disclosed platform is featured with one or more improvements over existing bioreactors, including on-board pumping for pneumatically driven fluid flow, a redesigned spillway for self-leveling from source to sink, a non-contact built-in fluid level sensing device, precise control on fluid flow profile and partitioning, and facile reconfigurations such as daisy chaining and multilayer stacking. The platform supports the culture of multiple organs in a microphysiological, interacted systems, suitable for a wide range of biomedical applications including systemic toxicity studies and physiology-based pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic predictions. A process to fabricate the disclosed bioreactors is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Linda Griffith, David Trumper, Collin Edington, Gaurav Rohatgi, Duncan Freake, Luis Soenksen, Brij Mohan Bhushan
  • Patent number: 11713261
    Abstract: Self-cleaning electrochemical cells, systems including self-cleaning electrochemical cells, and methods of operating self-cleaning electrochemical cells are disclosed. The self-cleaning electrochemical cell can include a plurality of concentric electrodes disposed in a housing, for example, a cathode and an anode, a fluid channel defined between the concentric electrodes, a separator residing between the concentric electrodes, first and second end caps coupled to respective ends of the housing, and an inlet cone. The separators may be configured to localize the electrodes and dimensioned to minimize a zone of reduced velocity occurring downstream from the separator. The end caps and inlet cone may be dimensioned to maintain fully developed flow and minimize pressure drop across the electrochemical cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Evoqua Water Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Joshua Griffis, Andrew Green, Li-Shiang Liang, Paul Beddoes
  • Patent number: 11709155
    Abstract: A device for separating analytes is disclosed. The device has a sample injector, sample injection needle, sample reservoir container in communication with the sample injector, chromatography column downstream of the sample injector, and fluid conduits connecting the sample injector and the column. The interior surfaces of the fluid conduits, sample injector, sample reservoir container, and column form a flow path having wetted surfaces. A portion of the wetted surfaces of the flow path are coated with an alkylsilyl coating that is inert to at least one of the analytes. The alkylsilyl coating has the Formula I: R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 are each independently selected from (C1-C6)alkoxy, —NH(C1-C6)alkyl, —N((C1-C6)alkyl)2, OH, ORA, and halo. RA represents a point of attachment to the interior surfaces of the fluidic system. At least one of R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 is ORA. X is (C1-C20)alkyl, —O[(CH2)2O]1-20—, —(C1-C10)[NH(CO)NH(C1-C10)]1-20—, or —(C1-C10)[alkylphenyl(C1-C10)alkyl]1-20-.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Waters Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew A. Lauber, Mathew H. DeLano, Scott A. McCall, Jonathan L. Belanger, Theodore A. Dourdeville, Kerri M. Smith, Paul D. Rainville, Dimple D. Shah, Stephen J. Shiner, Catalin Doneanu, Michael Donegan
  • Patent number: 11691145
    Abstract: A platform and method for conducting multi-variable combinational interactions are provided. An array of multiplexing chambers in formed in a body. The body also includes a common well communicating with each multiplexing chamber of the array of multiplexing chambers and a plurality of variable wells. Each of variable wells communicates with at least one multiplexing chamber of the array of multiplexing chambers. The common well is loaded with a first variable and different variables are loaded in each of the plurality of variable wells. The interaction of the first variable with at least one of the different variables in each multiplexing chamber of the array of multiplexing chambers is observed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: David J. Beebe, Duane S. Juang, Jiaquan Yu, Jo Handelsman
  • Patent number: 11686705
    Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying DNA strand size and purifying the DNA based on strand size using electrophoresis. The methods include moving, via voltage, a plurality of DNA strands through a separation gel from an inlet of a capillary or passage to either a first outlet or a second outlet dependent on the DNA strand length. In some implementations, the system is a capillary electrophoresis system. In other implementations, the system is a microfluidic lab-on-a-chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Gemma Mendonsa, Tim Rausch, Riyan Alex Mendonsa
  • Patent number: 11660571
    Abstract: A microfluidic chip device for the purification of radiochemical compounds includes a chip having an injection channel and intersecting branch channels with a plurality of valves are located along the injection channel and branch channels and configured to retain a plug of solution containing the radiochemical compound. The chip further includes a serpentine channel segment (for separation) coupled to the output of the injection channel. A high voltage power source advances the plug of solution through the purification region and into the downstream fraction collection channel. The chip includes a downstream fraction collection channel coupled to the serpentine channel segment and having an optical and radiation detection regions. One or more branch fraction channels intersect with the fraction collection channel and include valves located therein so that the radiochemical compound that is detected using a radiation detector is directed into the desired branch fraction channel for subsequent use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: R. Michael van Dam, Noel S. Ha, Jason Jones, Jimmy Ly, Stephen Liu, Shilin Cheung
  • Patent number: 11649178
    Abstract: A system for producing steam includes a source of superheated water with superheated water output; a membrane filtration system in fluid communication with the superheated water output and including a membrane filter with a permeate side and an opposing retentate side. The membrane filter includes a separation membrane constructed to reject organic molecules. The system may be used for removing organic compounds, such as anti-corrosion agents or contaminants, from superheated water to produce steam. A method for producing steam includes directing a cross-flow of heated pressurized water including a first concentration of an organic compound across a membrane filter. The membrane filter includes a separation membrane constructed to reject the organic compound; and one or more support layers adjacent the separation membrane. A steam permeate including a second concentration of the organic compound is collected, where the second concentration is lower than the first.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew P. Goertz, Jonathan G. Parsons
  • Patent number: 11614809
    Abstract: A magneto-electrophoretic medium that can be globally and locally addressed and erased. The medium provides a writeable display with no perceivable lag and the ability to write and erase with only minimal power requirements. In particular, the magneto-electrophoretic medium can be erased by providing a subthreshold electric stimulus and supplementing a second non-electric stimulus that disturbs the written state and allows the magneto-electrophoretic particles to return to their original state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Crystal Nguyen, Evan Griffith, Seth J. Bishop, Stephen J. Telfer, Kosta Ladavac, Andrew A. Drabek, Sunil Krishna Sainis, Richard J. Paolini, Jr., Samantha Morrill
  • Patent number: 11611293
    Abstract: An artificial muscle that includes a first end plate opposite a second end plate, a flexible enclosure extending from the first end plate to the second end plate and housing a dielectric fluid, and a reciprocating electrode stack housed within the flexible enclosure and coupled to and extending between the first end plate and the second end plate. The reciprocating electrode stack includes one or more electrode pairs, each electrode pair having a positive electrode and a negative electrode physically coupled to one another along a first edge portion of the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The artificial muscle also includes a plurality of electrode leads electrically coupled to the reciprocating electrode stack. Each individual electrode lead of the plurality of electrode leads extends from an individual electrode of the reciprocating electrode stack to the first end plate or the second end plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. Rowe, Shardul Panwar
  • Patent number: 11602722
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a novel method of producing monodisperse aqueous droplets, as well as a novel microfluidic droplet generator. In some examples, the method comprises flowing an aqueous solution through a microchannel and into a sample reservoir of the microfluidic droplet generator, wherein monodisperse droplets of the aqueous solution form by step-emulsification at a step change in height at an intersection of a reservoir end of the microchannel and a sidewall of the sample reservoir. In some examples, the aqueous solution is a hydrogel precursor solution and monodisperse droplets of the hydrogel precursor solution form by step-emulsification at the step change in height at the intersection of the reservoir end of the microchannel and the sidewall of the sample reservoir. In some examples, the monodisperse droplets of the hydrogel precursor solution are incubated under conditions suitable for gelation to form hydrogel beads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: ILLUMINA, INC.
    Inventors: Tarun Kumar Khurana, Foad Mashayekhi, Hei Ka Patrick Tam
  • Patent number: 11597898
    Abstract: A number analyzing method, a number analyzing device, and a storage medium for number analysis are disclosed, which enable, with high accuracy, analysis of the number or number distribution of particulate or molecular analytes according to the kinds of the analytes. A computer control program is executed on the basis of a data group of particle-passage detection signals which are detected by a nanopore device in accordance with passage of subject particles through a through-hole. Also, a particle type distribution estimating program is executed, to estimate probability density on the basis of a data group based on feature values indicating feature of the waveforms of pulse signals which correspond to the passage of particles and which are obtained as the particle-passage detection signals. Thus, the number of particles can be derived for each particle type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: AIPORE INC.
    Inventors: Takashi Washio, Tomoji Kawai, Masateru Taniguchi, Makusu Tsutsui, Kazumichi Yokota, Akira Ishii, Takeshi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 11554375
    Abstract: A microfluidic device comprising: (a) a plate comprising a substrate, a plurality of electrodes, and a first layer of hydrophobic material applied over the plurality of electrodes; (b) a processing unit operably programmed to perform a method of pinning an aqueous droplet within the microfluidic device; and (c) a controller operably connected to a power source, the processing unit, and the plurality of electrodes. The method of pinning an aqueous droplet comprises: applying an electric field of a first polarity to an aqueous droplet located on the surface of the layer of hydrophobic material and having a first contact angle, to cause the droplet to maintain a second contact angle in the absence of the electric field, wherein the aqueous droplet contains a surfactant and the second contact angle is less than the first contact angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Nuclera Nucleics Ltd.
    Inventor: Luke M. Slominski
  • Patent number: 11542157
    Abstract: Provided is a microchip that can achieve a favorable bonding state in the bonding portion between first and second substrates even if the microchip is large in size. A microchip includes a first substrate made of a resin and a second substrate made of a resin, the first substrate and the second substrates being bonded to each other, and a channel surrounded by a bonding portion between the first substrate and the second substrate is formed by a channel forming step formed at least in the first substrate. Further, a noncontact portion is formed to surround the bonding portion, and an angle ?1 formed between a side wall surface of the channel forming step and a bonding surface continuous therewith satisfies ?1>90°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Ushio Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenichi Hirose, Makoto Yamanaka, Shinji Suzuki, Kenji Hatakeyama
  • Patent number: 11534757
    Abstract: An electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD) microfluidic device comprises at least one integrated electrochemical sensor, the electrochemical sensor comprising: a reference electrode; a sensing electrode; and an analyte-selective layer positioned over the sensing electrode. In some embodiments, the electrochemical sensor measures a concentration of an analyte in a fluid sample exposed to the electrochemical sensor based on a potential difference between the reference electrode and the sensing electrode. The first analyte and the second analyte can be selected from a group consisting of K+, Na+, Ca2+, Cl?, HCO3?, Mg2+, H+, Ba2+, Pb2+, Cu2+, I?, NH4+, (SO4)2?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Hyejin Moon, Ali Farzbod
  • Patent number: 11524297
    Abstract: A microfluidic system and related methods of operating an electrowetting on dielectric (EWOD) device operate to concentrate particles within a liquid droplet dispensed onto an element array of the EWOD device. The method includes the steps of providing a non-polar liquid onto the element array of the EWOD device; providing a polar liquid droplet onto the element array of the EWOD device within the non-polar liquid, wherein the polar liquid droplet includes particles; and applying an actuation cycle comprising a plurality of actuation patterns, wherein at least one of the actuation patterns includes actuating one or more array element electrodes within a perimeter of the polar liquid droplet, and the particles migrate within the polar liquid droplet to become concentrated within a portion of the liquid droplet at one or more array element electrodes corresponding to one of the plurality of actuation patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Sharp Life Science (EU) Limited
    Inventors: Simon M. Bryant, Benjamin J. Hadwen, Christopher J. Brown, Sally Anderson
  • Patent number: 11517902
    Abstract: A microfluidic device comprises upper and lower spaced apart substrates defining a fluid chamber therebetween; an aperture for introducing fluid into the fluid chamber; a plurality of independently addressable array elements, each array element defining a respective region of the fluid chamber; and control means for addressing the array elements. The control means are configured to: determine that a working fluid has been introduced into a first region of the fluid chamber; and provide an output to a user to indicate that the working fluid is present in the first region. Once the working fluid is in the first region, the fluid applicator used to dispense the fluid can be removed without any risk of accidentally withdrawing dispensed working fluid from the microfluidic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Sharp Life Science (EU) Limited
    Inventors: Emma Jayne Walton, Lesley Anne Parry-Jones
  • Patent number: 11511229
    Abstract: A nanocarbon separation method includes: a step of preparing a plurality of liquids with different specific gravities in which at least one of the plurality of liquids is a dispersion liquid in which a mixture of nanocarbons with different properties is dispersed; a step of sequentially injecting the plurality of liquids into an electrophoresis tank so that the specific gravities of the liquids decrease from a bottom to a top of the liquids in a direction of gravitational force; and a step of separating the mixture of the nanocarbons by moving a part of the mixture toward an electrode side disposed in an upper part of the electrophoresis tank and moving a remainder of the mixture toward an electrode side disposed in a lower part of the electrophoresis tank by applying a direct current voltage to the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Fumiyuki Nihey, Hideaki Numata, Yuki Kuwahara, Takeshi Saito, Fusako Sasaki
  • Patent number: 11479804
    Abstract: Methods of detecting the presence of toxins in a sample using electrophoretic separations and of performing electrophoretic separation of complex samples are provided. The method of detecting the presence of toxins includes reacting a sample and a substrate with a signaling enzyme which converts the substrate to the product in a reaction medium, introducing a run buffer into a separation channel having an inlet end, selectively introducing at least one of the substrate and the product of the reaction medium into the inlet end of the separation channel, electrophoretically separating the substrate and the product, and determining the rate of conversion of the substrate to the product, wherein a change in the rate of conversion is indicative of the presence of toxins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Research Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Alyssa Catharyn Henry, David Judson Ross
  • Patent number: 11465161
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of improving accuracy of droplet metering using at least one on-actuator reservoir as the fluid input. In some embodiments, the on-actuator reservoir that is used for metering droplets includes a loading port, a liquid storage zone, a droplet metering zone, and a droplet dispensing zone. The on-actuator reservoirs are designed to prevent liquid flow-back into the loading port and to prevent liquid from flooding into the droplet operations gap in the dispensing zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: ADVANCED LIQUID LOGIC, INC.
    Inventors: Uichong B. Yi, Vijay Srinivasan
  • Patent number: 11460390
    Abstract: In order to permit a robust, energy-efficient and precise moisture sensor, the invention relates to a moisture sensor element (10) for a moisture sensor (12) for measuring a moisture content in a gas, comprising at least one vibrating element (14) and at least one material (16, 18) on the vibrating element (14), wherein the at least one material (16, 18) is designed in such a way that the mass thereof changes rapidly with moisture changing over a moisture value. The invention also relates to a moisture-measuring method for measuring a moisture in a gas, comprising: using a moisture sensor element (10), wherein the course of the measurement signal thereof has at least one non-linearity according to the moisture; and determining a reference value based on the at least one non-linearity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Trafag AG
    Inventor: Wendelin J. Stark
  • Patent number: 11440025
    Abstract: A nanocarbon separation device includes a separation tank that is configured to accommodate a dispersion liquid including nanocarbons, a first electrode that is provided at an upper part in the separation tank, a second electrode that is provided at a lower part in the separation tank, an evaluation unit that is configured to evaluate a physical state or a chemical state of the dispersion liquid, and a fractionation unit that is configured to fractionate the dispersion liquid based on the physical state or the chemical state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazuki Ihara
  • Patent number: 11407663
    Abstract: Disclosed here is a capacitive deionization device for removing ions from a target solution. The capacitive deionization device includes a first porous electrode, a second porous electrode, a first header plate, a second header plate, and a sealant. The second porous electrode is disposed below and spaced from the first porous electrode. The first header plate is disposed on the first porous electrode. The first header plate defines an input flow channel that is in fluidic communication with the first porous electrode. The second header plate is disposed below the second porous electrode. The second header plate defines an output flow channel that is in fluidic communication with the second porous electrode. The sealant is disposed between the first header plate and the second header plate and surrounds the first porous electrode and the second porous electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick G. Campbell, Jennifer M. Knipe, Michael Stadermann
  • Patent number: 11300533
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for cleaning glass used in cars or cameras are disclosed. Said cleaning apparatus comprises glass, multiple electrodes placed in series on top of said glass, a dielectric layer stacked on top of said electrodes, and a hydrophobic layer stacked on top of said dielectric layer and on whose surface a droplet forms. Here, said droplet moves towards the outer edge of said glass by application of differing direct current voltages to several of said electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: MYONGJI UNIVERSITY INDUSTRY AND ACADEMIA COOPERATION FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Sang Kug Chung, Kang Yong Lee, Dae Young Lee
  • Patent number: 11278887
    Abstract: A microfluidic device is provided that includes a substrate and microfluidic sub-chips embedded in the substrate. An electric field is applied between an adjacent pair microfluidic sub-chips to move a fluid droplet from one of the adjacent pair of microfluidic sub-chips to another of the adjacent pair microfluidic sub-chips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Viktor Shkolnikov, Michael W. Cumbie, Chien-Hua Chen
  • Patent number: 11250794
    Abstract: A dielectrophoretic display is shifted from a low frequency closed state to a high frequency open state via at least one, and preferably several, intermediate frequency states; the use of such multiple frequency steps reduces flicker during the transition. A second type of dielectrophoretic display has a light-transmissive electrode through which the dielectrophoretic medium can be viewed and a conductor connected to the light-transmissive electrode at several points to reduce voltage variations within the light-transmissive electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: George G. Harris, Richard J. Paolini, Jr., Thomas H. Whitesides, Michael D. McCreary, Charles Howie Honeyman
  • Patent number: 11249100
    Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering fluid to a microfluidic device is provided. The system includes a multi-well plate having a plurality of wells and an inlet tube having a first end being in communication with the one or more wells of the multi-well plate and a second end being in communication with a microfluidic device. The first end of the inlet tube is moveable between the plurality of wells of the multi-well plate to deliver fluid to the microfluidic device from the plurality of wells of the multi-well plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Worcester Polytechnic Institute
    Inventors: Dirk Albrecht, Ross Lagoy
  • Patent number: 11187674
    Abstract: An analytical tool is provided for analysis of a sample by capillary electrophoresis. The analytical tool includes an inlet reservoir into which a sample is introduced, a capillary tube in communication with the inlet reservoir, a filter through which a liquid from the inlet reservoir passes, an enlarged portion undergoing a sudden increase in a cross-sectional area and being in communication with the inlet reservoir and the capillary tube, and a pressure fluctuation reducer for preventing pressure fluctuation at the enlarge portion from affecting a liquid in the capillary tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: ARKRAY, Inc.
    Inventors: Takanari Shigemitsu, Naotsugu Onuma
  • Patent number: 11169109
    Abstract: An electrochemical detection chip includes a first substrate and a second substrate opposite to each other, a plurality of driving electrodes, first detection electrodes and second detection electrodes. The plurality of driving electrodes are arranged on a side of the first substrate facing toward the second substrate and are arranged independently. The first detection electrodes and the second detection electrodes are arranged at a plurality of positions on a side of the second substrate facing toward the first substrate that are directly opposite at least a part of the plurality of driving electrodes, and are spaced apart from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignees: BEIJING BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Fengchun Pang, Peizhi Cai, Yue Geng, Le Gu, Chuncheng Che
  • Patent number: 11136624
    Abstract: A DNA sequencing device, and related methods, include a nanochannel sized to receive a DNA strand, a first electrode member exposed within the nanochannel, and a second electrode member exposed within the nanochannel and spaced apart from the first electrode to form an electrode gap. The second electrode member has a wedge shaped profile, and the first and second electrode members are operable to detect a change in electronic signal as the DNA strand passes through the electrode gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Kim Yang Lee, David S. Kuo, Thomas Young Chang, Xiaomin Yang, ShuaiGang Xiao, Koichi Wago
  • Patent number: 11078324
    Abstract: A seal material composition according to the present invention includes: an epoxy compound including an epoxy group; and a polymerizable epoxy curing agent including a polymerizable functional group configured for cross-linking the epoxy groups and for radical polymerization in a single molecule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masanobu Mizusaki, Tadashi Ohtake
  • Patent number: 11001071
    Abstract: A liquid ejection head includes a pair of electrodes disposed on a first surface of a substrate forming part of a flow path for a liquid. The electrodes of the pair of electrodes are adjacent to each other in a transverse direction of the electrodes, and the liquid moves in the transverse direction upon application of a voltage across the electrodes. The electrodes each include a ridge portion disposed on the first surface and an electrode wiring line connected to a power source for applying the voltage. The electrode wiring line covers an upper surface of the ridge portion and side surfaces of the ridge portion and extends from parts covering the side surfaces of the ridge portion to a downstream side and an upstream side with respect to a direction in which the liquid moves, so as to cover the first surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Sugawara, Masafumi Morisue, Yoshiyuki Nakagawa, Kazuhiro Yamada, Takuro Yamazaki, Ryo Kasai, Tomoko Kudo
  • Patent number: 10987854
    Abstract: In an apparatus for manufacturing a micro-channel and a method for manufacturing a micro-channel, the apparatus includes a base member and a holding chamber. The base member includes a first base member having a concave portion and a convex portion, and a second base member covering the concave portion to form a channel. The holding chamber holds the base member thereinside, to form a space uniformly applying a pressure on a surface of the base member. Accordingly, the pressure is uniformly applied on an entire surface of the base member and thus the micro-channel may be manufactured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: KOREA INSTITUTE OF MACHINERY & MATERIALS
    Inventors: Yeong-eun Yoo, Sung-hwan Chang, Jung-yup Kim, Kyung-ho Lee
  • Patent number: 10981168
    Abstract: A method of operating an active matrix electro-wetting on dielectric (AM-EWOD) device provides for enhanced mutual capacitance sensing using integrated impedance sensing circuitry. Array element circuitry of each array element includes actuation circuitry configured to apply actuation voltages to the array element electrode for actuating the array element, and impedance sensor circuitry integrated into the array element circuitry and configured to sense impedance at the array element electrode. The method of operating includes the steps of: perturbing a voltage applied to the array element electrode of a first array element; coupling the voltage perturbation to the array element electrode of a second array element different from the first array element; and measuring the output current from the sensor readout transistor of the second array element for sensing in response to the voltage perturbation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Sharp Life Science (EU) Limited
    Inventors: Benjamin James Hadwen, Oliver James Beard
  • Patent number: 10962537
    Abstract: The present invention relates to polymeric membranes. In particular, the present invention relates to the use of membranes comprising polyvinyl alcohol in electrophoresis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Memphasys Limited
    Inventors: Hani Nur, Sandra Kentish, Martin Van Koeverden, Vikram Chaudhari
  • Patent number: 10955067
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a microfluidic cartridge including a high performance actuator useful for analyte detection, labeling and analysis. Microfluidic processing systems are to carry out chemical or biochemical reactions, or sequences of reactions, with small volumes (typically between 1 microliter and 10 milliliters) of reactants and products. A microfluidic processing system can comprise a network of tubes interfaced with discrete components such as valves and sensors, or an integrated device made of plastic, glass, metal, or other materials, or a combination of materials, with components such as valves and sensors built into the device and connected by flow passageways formed in the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Wave 80 Biosciences, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Laser, Amy Droitcour, Hailemariam Negussie, William Behnke-Parks
  • Patent number: 10941056
    Abstract: A water treatment device in which a treatment target water introduction portion is provided in an upper portion of a receptacle, and the water treatment device has a space in which conductive porous members are not disposed between the conductive porous members and the treatment target water introduction portion in the receptacle. When a backwashing fluid is introduced from a lower portion of the receptacle in a desorption, the conductive porous members flow and are agitated owing to the backwashing fluid, because of which a desorption of ions adsorbed to the conductive porous members is promoted. Grains of the agitated conductive porous members collide with other grains of the conductive porous members or with electrodes or a separator, whereby scale and a biofilm appearing on surfaces of the grains of the conductive porous members, the electrodes, or the separator can be removed, and desalination efficiency can be maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tokiko Yamauchi, Yoshihiro Nakayama, Eiji Imamura, Nozomu Yasunaga
  • Patent number: 10921679
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a projection device for a 3D printer, the projection device including a light source and a display panel for displaying an image to be printed, the image to be printed including a light transmission region and/or a light shielding region. The projection device is configured such that lights emitted from the light source pass through the light transmission region, and that the lights passing through the light transmission region from the light source are non-polarized lights. The present disclosure also provides a 3D printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wenbo Li
  • Patent number: 10890519
    Abstract: The present application relates to sensor systems for sensing mass concentration of particles smaller than a predetermined threshold in an air stream. Such systems may include an inlet (for receiving a total flow of air with particles) connected to a first splitter (for separating the total flow into a major flow and a minor flow), a joint where a first duct carrying the major flow and a second duct carrying the minor flow come together, and a sensor in the first duct for measuring the amount of particles smaller than the predetermined threshold in the major flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: PRODRIVE TECHNOLOGIES B.V.
    Inventors: Djarek Hendrikus Josephus Maria Van Den Hoogen, Timmy Jacobus Adrianus Staps, Krzysztof Stanislaw Szymczyk