The University of Texas System

E. Heller & Company

Molecular Imprints, Inc.

Therasense, Inc.

Canon Nanotechnologies, Inc.

Roger Bonnecaze

Sidlgata V Sreenivasan

Adam Heller

Ephraim Heller

James L Say

Mario Johannes Meissl

Paul O Haugsjaa

Anshuman Cherala

Byung Jin Choi

Ronald D Voisin

C Grant Willson

Carlton Grant Willson

Steven Sitkiewitz

Shrawan Singhal

Ovadia Abed

Norman E Schumaker

Akhila Mallavarapu

Brian Gawlik

Meghali Chopra

Angela C Freeland

Bailey Yin

Michael PC Watts

A method for template fabrication of ultra-precise nanoscale shapes. Structures with a smooth shape (e.g., circular cross-section pillars) are formed on a substrate using electron beam lithography. The structures are subject to an atomic layer deposition of a dielectric interleaved with a deposition of a conductive film leading to nanoscale sharp shapes with features that exceed electron beam resolution capability of sub-10 nm resolution. A resist imprint of the nanoscale sharp shapes is performed using J-FIL. The nanoscale sharp shapes are etched into underlying functional films on the substrate forming a nansohaped template with nanoscale sharp shapes that include sharp corners and/or ultra-small gaps. In this manner, sharp shapes can be retained at the nanoscale level. Furthermore, in this manner, imprint based shape control for novel shapes beyond elementary nanoscale structures, such as dots and lines, can occur at the nanoscale level.

Nanoshape patterning techniques that allow high-speed and low-cost fabrication of nanoshape structures

A high-throughput lithography process for creating high-resolution patterns in a polymerizable composition using carefully controlled electric field followed by curing of the polymerizable composition is described. The process involves the use of a template that includes the desired patterns. This template is brought into close proximity to the polymerizable composition on the substrate. An external electric file is applied to the template-substrate interface while maintaining a uniform, carefully controlled gap between the template and substrate. This causes the polymerizable composition to be attracted to the raised portions of the template. By appropriately choosing the various process parameters such as the viscosity of the polymerizable composition, the magnitude of the electric field, and the distance between the template and substrate, the resolution of the structures formed in the liquid may be controlled to conform to that of the template.

Method for fabricating nanoscale patterns in light curable compositions using an electric field

A lithography process for creating patterns in an activating light curable liquid using electric fields followed by curing of the activating light curable liquid is described. The process involves the use of a template that is formed of non-conductive and electrically conductive portions. The template is brought into close proximity to the activating light curable liquid on the substrate. An external electric field is applied to the template-substrate interface while maintaining a uniform, carefully controlled gap between the template and substrate. This causes the activating light curable liquid to be attracted to the raised portions of the template. Activating light is applied to the curable liquid while an electric field is applied to the template to create a patterned layer on the substrate.

Method for imprint lithography using an electric field

One embodiment of the invention is a method for obtaining an estimate of an analyte concentration in a first fluid. First, measurements of an analyte concentration in a second fluid are obtained using a sensing device. An analyte concentration estimate in the first fluid is determined from these measurements by minimizing the relation: f&lsqb;b&rsqb;&equals;x &lsqb;b&rsqb;&plus;&lgr;&PSgr;&lsqb;b&rsqb;, where b is a vector representing analyte concentration in the first body fluid, X &lsqb;b&rsqb; is a function representing a fit between the estimates and the measurements, &lgr; is a weighting function, and &PSgr;&lsqb;b&rsqb; is a function indicating smoothness of the analyte concentration estimates in the first fluid. Another embodiment includes a sensing device for obtaining the measurements of an analyte concentration in the first fluid and a processor configured and arranged to determine the analyte concentration in the first body fluid according to this method. This method and device can be used, for example, to determine blood glucose concentration from measurements of the glucose concentration in subcutaneous tissue. These measurements may be made using in vitro or in vivo samples. In some instances, a subcutaneously implanted sensing device, such as electrochemical sensor, is used to make the measurements.

Blood analyte monitoring through subcutaneous measurement

A compact, efficient reactor for the photocatalyzed conversion of contaminants in a fluid stream. The reactor includes a photocatalyst disposed on a support structure with a light source in optical proximity to the support structure to activate the photocatalyst. In one embodiment of the invention, the support structure includes multiple non-intersecting fins oriented parallel to the general flow direction of the fluid stream to provide a reactor with low pressure drop and adequate mass transfer of the contaminant to the photocatalyst disposed on the surface of the fins. The light source includes one or more lamps that may penetrate the fins to provide efficient illumination of the photocatalyst. The fins may be flat or pleated. In an alternative embodiment, the fins are pleated and composed of a porous material. These fins are oriented so that the fluid stream flows through the fins. In another embodiment, the support structure includes one or more cylinders having pleated inner surfaces with longitudinal lamps disposed within the cylinders. The photocatalyst is deposited on the inner surface of the cylinder to convert contaminants flowing through the cylinder. The reactor is designed for ease of support structure or light source removal or replacement and may be used as a modular subassembly in a larger fluid purification unit.

Apparatus for photocatalytic fluid purification

Growing community of inventors

Austin, TX, United States of America

Roger Bonnecaze