Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The General Hospital Corporation

The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.

Edwards Vacuum LLC

Instituto Tecnologico Y De Estudios Superiores De Monterrey

Luis Fernando Velásquez-García

Akintunde Ibitayo Akinwande

Philip James Ponce De Leon

Frances Ann Hill

Jeffrey T Borenstein

Richard C Lanza

Rajiv Gupta

Daniel Doty

Nathan Francis Moore

Berthold K P Horn

Ashley Lynne Beckwith

Kerry Cheung

Martin Arnold Schmidt

Carol Livermore-Clifford

Anthony Park Taylor

Blaise Laurent Patrick Gassend

Imperio Perales-Martinez

Aalap S Dighe

Arash Akhavan Fomani

This disclosure describes microfluidic tissue biopsy and immune response drug evaluation devices and systems. A microfluidic device can include an inlet channel having a first end configured to receive a fluid sample optionally containing a tissue sample. The microfluidic device can also include a tissue trapping region at the second end of the inlet channel downstream from the first end. The tissue trapping region can include one or more tissue traps configured to catch a tissue sample flowing through the inlet channel such that the fluid sample contacts the tissue trap. The microfluidic device can also include one or more channels providing an outlet.

Microfluidic tissue biopsy and immune response drug evaluation devices and systems

A field emission electron source and a method of manufacturing the same. A field emission electron source comprises an emitting electrode and an extractor gate electrode. The emitting electrode comprising a plurality of particles with nanosharp protrusions. The extractor gate electrode comprises a metal. The extractor gate electrode is formed in a same plane as the emitting electrode. The extractor gate electrode is formed surrounding the emitting electrode. A method of manufacturing a field emission electron source comprises forming an emitting electrode comprising a plurality of particles with nanosharp protrusions using a direct ink writing (DIW) printer. The method comprises forming an extractor gate electrode comprising a metal using the DIW printer.

3D-printed field emission sources for compact systems

Techniques for manufacturing miniaturized diaphragm pumps using additive manufacturing techniques, such as polyjet printing, are provided, as are the pumps and systems that result from using such techniques to produce the pumps. The provided pumps include a compression chamber that has a first surface, a second opposed surface, and a conical outer wall that extends between the first surface and the second surface and that has a bowed configuration in which the outer wall has a generally concave shape. A diaphragm is disposed proximate to the compression chamber, and the pump also includes one or more valves that control the flow of fluid between the compression chamber and one more fluid ports. Fluid can be selectively vacuumed into and exhausted out of the compression chambers. Various manufacturing techniques for fabricating the pumps are also provided.

Vacuum pumps and methods of manufacturing the same

An x-ray source for use in Phase Contrast Imaging is disclosed. In particular, the x-ray source includes a cathode array of individually controlled field-emission electron guns. The field emission guns include very small diameter tips capable of producing a narrow beam of electrons. Beams emitted from the cathode array are accelerated through an acceleration cavity and are directed to a transmission type anode, impinging on the anode to create a small spot size, typically less than five micrometers. The individually controllable electron guns can be selectively activated in patterns, which can be advantageously used in Phase Contrast Imaging.

Distributed, field emission-based X-ray source for phase contrast imaging

Described here is a method for performing phase contrast imaging using an array of independently controllable x-ray sources. The array of x-ray sources can be controlled to produce a distinct spatial pattern of x-ray radiation and thus can be used to encode phase contrast signals without the need for a coded aperture. The lack of coded aperture increases the flexibility of the imaging method. For instance, because a fixed, coded aperture is not required, the angular resolution of the imaging technique can be increased as compared to coded-aperture imaging. Moreover, the lack of a radioopaque coded aperture increases the photon flux that reaches the subject, thereby increasing the attainable signal-to-noise ratio.

Method for coded-source phase contrast X-ray imaging

Microplasma generators and associated arrays and methods are described herein. Certain embodiments relate to a microplasma generator in which an elongated semiconductor structure can control electronic current supplied to a microplasma cavity. In certain cases, the microplasma generator can be configured to generate a microplasma when a voltage is applied across the elongated semiconductor structure. Some embodiments include particular spatial arrangements between the electrode(s), the elongated semiconductor structure, and/or the microplasma cavity.

Microplasma generation devices and associated systems and methods

Systems and methods in which the flow of fluid is electrically driven, including electrospinning and electrospraying systems and methods, are generally described.

Electrically-driven fluid flow and related systems and methods, including electrospinning and electrospraying systems and methods

Electrospraying systems and associated methods are generally described.

Electrospraying systems and associated methods

A microvalve device is provided that includes a through via located in an island structure supported on a thermally-insulating membrane supported by a frame. The through via is surrounded by a meltable sealing material. A heater element is positioned on the island structure for sealing the material over the through via by heating the sealing material.

Single-use, permanently-sealable microvalve

Methods for fabrication of self-aligned gated tip arrays are described. The methods are performed on a multilayer structure that includes a substrate, an intermediate layer that includes a dielectric material disposed over at least a portion of the substrate, and at least one gate electrode layer disposed over at least a portion of the intermediate layer. The method includes forming a via through at least a portion of the at least one gate electrode layer. The via through the at least one gate electrode layer defines a gate aperture. The method also includes etching at least a portion of the intermediate layer proximate to the gate aperture such that an emitter structure at least partially surrounded by a trench is formed in the multilayer structure.

Self-aligned gated emitter tip arrays

A field emitter array structure is provided. The field emitter array structure includes a plurality of vertical un-gated transistor structures formed on a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor substrate includes a plurality of vertical pillar structures to define said un-gated transistor structures. A plurality of emitter structures are formed on said vertical un-gated transistor structures. Each of said emitter structures is positioned in a ballasting fashion on one of said vertical un-gated transistor structures so as to allow said vertical ungated transistor structure to effectively provide high dynamic resistance with large saturation currents.

Dense array of field emitters using vertical ballasting structures

A quadrupole mass filter (QMF) is provided. The QMF includes a plurality of rectangular shaped electrodes aligned in a symmetric manner to generate a quadrupole field. An aperture region is positioned in a center region parallel to and adjacent to each of the rectangular shaped electrodes. An incoming ion stream enters the aperture region so as to be controlled by the quadrupole field.

Batch fabricated rectangular rod, planar MEMS quadrupole with ion optics

A quadrupole mass filter (QMF) is provided. The QMF includes a plurality of rectangular shaped electrodes aligned in a symmetric manner to generate a quadrupole field. An aperture region is positioned in a center region parallel to and adjacent to each of the rectangular shaped electrodes. An incoming ion stream enters the aperture region so as to be controlled by the quadrupole field. A plurality of voltage sources provide a r.f. and d.c. signal to the electrodes for generating the quadrupole field. An auxiliary voltage source applies an auxiliary drive signal to the r.f. and d.c. signal to create new stability boundaries within the standard Mathieu stability regions with high-resolution around operating conditions where there are approximately no higher-order resonances.

Growing community of inventors

Newton, MA, United States of America

Luis Fernando Velásquez-García