Boise State Patents

Mercury Selective Electrode

Dale D. Russell — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 15:14:45 PST

The present invention is an apparatus for laboratory and field use in detecting and measuring Hg.sup.+ and Hg.sup.2+ in sample. A selective mercury binding agent, such as a chelating agent or clathrating agent, is covalently bound in a copolymer and deposited as an electrode layer. To prepare the preferred apparatus of the invention, thiophene, or other, similar monomer, is derivatized by covalent attachment thereto of Kryptofix-21.TM. (1,4,10-trioxa-7,13-diazacyclopentadecane) in the 3-position. The thiophene monomer and Kryptofix-21.TM. are co-polymerized and electrodeposited by known techniques onto a conductive substrate, such as platinum or glassy carbon, to obtain a multi-layer polymer coating of desired thickness. The resulting coated electrode has selective coordination sites for mercury of the order of K.sub.f =10.sup.16, compared to K.sub.f =10.sup.3 for cadmium, K.sub.f =10.sup.5 for lead and K.sub.f =10.sup.5 for silver. Therefore, the resulting probe is very selective for mercury, compared to cadmium, lead and silver.

Damascene Double Gated Transistors and Related Manufacturing Methods

Stephen A. Parke — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 14:42:22 PST

This invention provides the structure and fabrication process of a completely planar, Damascene double gated transistor. The structure has a novel self-aligned, hyper-abrupt retrograde body and a zero-parasitic, endwall gate-body connection. The structure provides for increased density and enables ultra low power to be utilized. The methods also provide for simultaneously making both four-terminal and dynamic threshold MOSFET devices.

Electrical Field Flow Fractionation (EFFF) Using an Electrically Insulated Flow Channel

Dale D. Russell et al. — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 14:35:01 PST

The present invention is an apparatus and a process for separation and resolution of particles suspended in, or molecules dissolved in, a sample mixture or solution using electrical field flow fractionation (EFFF). Fractionation of individual components in the mixture/solution is obtained by the interaction of particles/molecules with an electric field applied perpendicular to the flow direction, and externally to the fractionation channel. The plate electrodes are electrically isolated from the sample and carrier within a thin, non-permeable, insulating coating on the inside surfaces electrodes. This coating forms a barrier between the solution phase and the electric circuit used to generate the working electric field. The flow channel is formed by sandwiching a shaped insulating gasket between the two parallel plate electrodes. The side walls of the channel are defined then by the inside walls of the shaped, insulating gasket.

Transition Metal-Doped Oxide Semiconductor Exhibiting Room-Temperature Ferromagnetism

Alex Punnoose — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 14:24:03 PST

An oxide semiconductor doped with a transition metal and exhibiting room-temperature ferromagnetism is disclosed. The transition metal-doped oxide semiconductor is preferably manufactured in powder form, and the transition metal is preferably evenly distributed throughout the oxide semiconductor. The preferred embodiments are iron-doped tin dioxide and cobalt-doped tin dioxide. Gases may be detected by passing them across a material and measuring the change in magnetic properties of the material; the preferred material is iron-doped tin dioxide.

Electrochemical Deposition Method Utilizing Microdroplets of Solution

William B. Knowlton et al. — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 13:44:50 PST

A method of electrochemical deposition uses microdroplets of electrolytic solution over a targeted small circuit element. Only the targeted circuit element is electrically biased so that deposition occurs on the surface of that element, underneath the microdroplet, and nowhere else unless it is under other microdroplet(s). The invented method achieves extremely accurate and selective electrochemical deposition with a tiny amount of electrolytic solution, compared to conventional submersive and/or immersive methods, and eliminates the need for masking or etching, reducing the costs of manufacture and amount of waste electrolytic solution produced.

Cyanooxime Inhibitors of Carbonyl Reductase and Methods of Using Said Inhibitors in Treatments Involving Anthracyclines

Henry A. Charlier et al. — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 11:57:38 PST

Compositions of matter for treating cancer patients are used to prevent or limit cardiotoxicity during or after treatment with anthracycline drugs, and to prevent or lower resistance to anthracycline drugs, both of which are believed to be caused by the human enzyme carbonyl reductase. Preferred embodiments comprise a pharmaceutical composition comprising compounds having halogenated (or pseudo-halogenated) aryl groups, preferably halogenated (or pseudo-halogenated) arylcyanooximes or phenylcyanooximes and derivatives or analogs thereof, including those comprising --CL or --F, or other substituents on an aryl/phenyl ring. The preferred composition of arylcyanooxime(s) may be administered in a pharmaceutical composition also comprising at least one anthracycline compound, or may be administered separately from the at least one anthracycline compound.

Biphenyl Inhibitors of Carbonyl Reductase

Henry A. Charlier et al. — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 14:00:46 PST

Compositions of matter and methods of treating cancer patients may prevent or limit cardiotoxicity during or after chemotherapy, and/or may prevent or lower resistance to anthracycline drugs, both of which are believed to be caused by the human enzyme carbonyl reductase. Thus, the compositions and methods may be used to reduce the dosages of anthracycline anti-cancer drugs necessary to produce a desired cancer-cell-killing performance. Preferred embodiments comprise treating cancer patients with a pharmaceutical composition comprising biphenyl compounds having two halogenated (or pseudo-halogenated) and/or hydroxylated, aryl groups that are linked by a bridging atom. The preferred composition of biphenyl compound(s) may be administered in a pharmaceutical composition also comprising at least one anthracycline compound, or may be administered separately than the at least one anthracycline compound. Especially-preferred biphenyl compounds include triclosan, hexachlorophene, and dichlorophene.

Magnetic Gas Sensor and Methods Using Antiferromagnetic Hematite Nanoparticles

Alex Punnoose — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 12:59:49 PST

A nanoscale antiferromagnetic gas sensing apparatus and methods of measuring gas using the apparatus are described. The use of the magnetic properties of an antiferromagnetic material as gas sensing parameters explores the concept of magnetic gas sensing. According to a preferred embodiment, a nanoscale magnetic hydrogen sensor apparatus is developed based on varying of the saturation magnetization and remanence of nanoscale antiferromagnetic hematite with hydrogen flow. For example, the saturation magnetization and remanence of nanoscale hematite has been shown to increase one to two orders of magnitude in the presence of flowing hydrogen gas at concentrations in the 1-10% range and at 575 K, indicating that a magnetic hydrogen sensor using hematite material may be practical and useful for detecting hydrogen in various environments such as those wherein production, storage, transportation, and/or vehicle use of hydrogen is being conducted.

Preferential Killing of Cancer Cells and Activated Human T-Cells Using ZnO Nanoparticles

Alex Punnoose et al. — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 14:29:45 PST

Here we disclose the response of normal human cells to ZnO nanoparticles under different signaling environments and compare it to the response of cancerous cells. ZnO nanoparticles exhibit a strong preferential ability to kill cancerous T cells (-28-35X) compared to normal cells. Interestingly, the activation state of the cell contributes toward nanoparticle toxicity as resting T cells display a relative resistance while cells stimulated through the T cell receptor and CD28 costimulatory pathway show greater toxicity in direct relation to the level of activation. The novel findings of cell selective toxicity towards potential disease causing cells indicate a potential utility of ZnO nanoparticle in the treatment of cancer and/or autoimmunity.

Multi-State Memory and Multi-Functional Devices Comprising Magnetoplastic or Magnetoelastic Materials

Peter Müllner et al. — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 14:21:31 PST

Apparatus and methods are disclosed that enable writing data on, and reading data of, multi-state elements having greater than two states. The elements may be made of magnetoplastic and/or magnetoelastic materials, including, for example, magnetic shape-memory alloy or other materials that couple magnetic and crystallographic states. The writing process is preferably conducted through the application of a magnetic field and/or a mechanical action. The reading process is preferably conducted through atomic-force microscopy, magnetic- force microscopy, spin-polarized electrons, magnetooptical Kerr effect, optical interferometry or other methods, or other methods/effects. The multi functionality (crystallographic, magnetic, and shape states each representing a functionality) of the multi -state elements allows for simultaneous operations including read&write, sense&indicate, and sense&control. Embodiments of the invention may be used, for example, for storing, modifYing, and accessing data for device, sensor, actuator, logic and memory applications. Embodiments may be particularly effective for non-volatile memory or other read&write, sense&indicate, and/or sense&control functions in computer or other applications; such simultaneous operation of two (or more) of said multiple functionalities open new pathways for miniaturization of devices.

Variable Integrated Analog Resistor

Kristy A. Campbell — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 13:24:24 PST

The invention relates to the use of chalcogenide devices exhibiting negative differential resistance in integrated circuits as programmable variable resistor components. The present invention is a continuously variable integrated analog resistor made of a chalcogenide material, such as a GeSeAg alloy. Continuously variable resistor states are obtained in the material via application of an electrical pulse to it. The pulse sequence, duration and applied potential determine the value of the resistance state obtained.

Surface Plasmon Optical Modulator

Wan Kuang — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 13:07:51 PST

A high-speed optical modulator based on Surface Plasmon-Polariton (SPP) at the hetero-junction of a metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) tunneling diode and including a phase-matching optical element, such as a prism or gold-lattice structure, is described. An investigation using the coupled mode theory shows that the applied bias across the hetero-junction changes the optical reflectance of an optically coupled MIS tunneling diode, such as a prism-coupled MIS tunneling diode or a gold lattice-coupled MIS tunneling diode, while the modulation efficiency achievable of the device depends on the thickness of the metal film used to construct the tunneling diode.

Integratable Programmable Capacitive Device

Kristy A. Campbell — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 14:47:11 PST

A circuit with a capacitive device is disclosed. The circuit may comprise a capacitive device connected between a first conductor and a second conductor. The capacitive device may comprise a first electrode connected to the first conductor and a second electrode being connected to the second conductor. A chalcogenide layer may be connected to the first electrode and to a metal chalcogenide layer.

Determination of Permeability from Damping

Paul Michaels — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 15:04:37 PDT

Permeability of a fluid through a saturated material is determined by measuring the dynamic response of that saturated material to shaking vibrations and/or shear wave propagation, and then mapping the dynamic response (preferably, viscoelastic stiffness and damping properties) to an invented model (called "KVMB") that yields the property of permeability. The preferred embodiments may use shear waves, inertial effects, and/or transmission effects, but preferably not compression, to force fluids through the pores. The mapping preferably predicts two possible mappings to permeability, coupled and uncoupled. The preferred methods are both internally consistent and directly related to known laws of physics rather than dependent on empirical calibrations. In use, for example, one may use a porosity log (conventional neutron or sonic) and recordings of SH -waves to obtain damping ratio, followed by locating of the damping ratio on a KVMB map that depends on porosity, and choosing of one of the two possible permeabilities indicated by the mapping, wherein the best choice is typically the largely coupled case.

Forced Ion Migration for Chalcogenide Phase Change Memory Device

Kristy A. Campbell — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 14:07:39 PDT

Non-volatile memory devices with two stacked layers of chalcogenide materials comprising the active memory device have been investigated for their potential as phase change memories. The devices tested included GeTe/SnTe, Ge₂Se₃/SnTe, and Ge₂Se₃/SnSe stacks. All devices exhibited resistance switching behavior. The polarity of the applied voltage with respect to the SnTe or SnSe layer was critical to the memory switching properties, due to the electric field induced movement of either Sn or Te into the Ge-chalcogenide layer. One embodiment of the invention is a device comprising a stack of chalcogenide-containing layers which exhibit phase change switching only after a reverse polarity voltage potential is applied across the stack causing ion movement into an adjacent layer and thus "activating" the device to act as a phase change random access memory device or a reconfigurable electronics device when the applied voltage potential is returned to the normal polarity. Another embodiment of the invention is a device that is capable of exhibiting more that two data states.

Self-Closing Hinge

Joshua Gunderson — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 13:57:57 PDT

A compact and aesthetically-pleasing self-closing door hinge comprises a gravity-assist feature and preferably a springassist feature, wherein the spring may be easily adjustable, replaceable, and even left out of the hinge. The preferred embodiment is reversible for easily changing from a rightopening to a left-opening door, and includes hinge lift-off capability, wherein the door and the blade connecting the door to the hinge body may be lifted up off the body of the hinge without any significant disassembly of the hinge. The spring is preferably placed aronnd the gravity-assist cams of the hinge, rather than above or below the cams, which arrangement significantly reduces the overall height of the hinge with only slightly increased diameter of the hinge main body. The preferred hinge has no bolts or other fasteners visible or protruding out from the main housing of the hinge, and the preferred hinge has no exposed spring sleeve.

Magnetic Material with Large Magnetic-Field-Induced Deformation

Peter Müllner et al. — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 13:16:13 PDT

A magnetic materials construct and a method to produce the construct are disclosed. The construct exhibits large magnetic-field-induced deformation through the magnetic-field-induced motion of crystallographic interfaces. The construct is a porous, polycrystalline composite structure of nodes connected by struts wherein the struts may be monocrystalline or polycrystalline. If the struts are polycrystalline, they have a "bamboo" microstructure wherein the grain boundaries traverse the entire width of the strut. The material from which the construct is made is preferably a magnetic shape memory alloy, including polycrystalline Ni-Mn-Ga. The construct is preferably an open-pore foam. The foam is preferably produced with a space-holder technique. Space holders may be dissolvable ceramics and salts including NaAlO₂.

Fluorescent Particles Comprising Nanoscale ZnO Layer and Exhibiting Cell-Specific Toxicity

Hua Wang et al. — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 13:01:09 PDT

Multifunctional "smart" nanostructures are disclosed that include fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-encapsulated SiO₂ core-shell particles with a nanoscale ZnO finishing layer, wherein an outer ZnO layer is formed on the SiO₂-FITC core. These ~200 nm sized particles showed promise toward cell imaging and cellular uptake studies using the bacterium Escherichia coli and Jurkat cancer cells, respectively. The FITC encapsulated ZnO particles demonstrated excellent selectivity in preferentially killing Jurkat cancer cells with minimal toxicity to normal primary immune cells (18% and 75% viability remaining, respectively, after exposure to 60 μg/mL) and inhibited the growth of both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria at concentrations .gtoreq.250-500 μg/mL (for Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, respectively). These results indicate that the FITC encapsulated multifunctional particles with nanoscale ZnO surface layer can be used as smart nanostructures for particle tracking, cell imaging, antibacterial treatments and cancer therapy.

Device with Magnetoplastic and/or Magnetoelastic Thin-Film Transducer and Pick-Up Coil for Harvesting Energy

Greg Hampikian et al. — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 15:11:40 PDT

A magnetoplastic and/or magnetoelastic material transduces linear motion, delivered to it by a mechanical counection, into a change of magnetic field, via twin boundary deformation. A bias magnetic field assures a net change of magnetization during the deformation, and a coil, coaxial with the magnetoplastic/ elastic material, couples the magnetic field change to an electrical output. The bias magnetic field or a device that produces strain in a reverse direction resets the magnetomechanical transducer to its initial state. Microgenerators using the magnetoplastic/elastic material may be connected in series or parallel, combined with solar cells, and used to capture energy from passive motion such as random, cyclic or vibrational motion.