University of Nebraska

Fondation Institut Pasteur De Dakar

Sidy Ndao

Dennis R Alexander

George Gogos

Craig Zuhlke

Troy Anderson

Amadou Alpha Sall

Mahmoud Elzouka

Cheikh Tidiane Diagne

The present invention relates to a system which permits securing an electronic label on a test tube. In particular, it refers to an Internet of Things (IoT) based platform for real-time remote sensing and monitoring of specimen transportation and banking. The technology is based on an interconnected smart collecting tubes and transportation box monitored with a remote digital interface, allowing real-time sample monitoring of key parameters such as sample identification, temperature, volume, geolocalization, sealing and bio-banking.

Microsystem label for sample tubes

A system embodiment includes, but is not limited to, a solid structure configure to contact each of a material in a liquid phase and a material in a vapor phase, the solid structure including a plurality of microstructures protruding at angles relative to a horizontal plane; and a layer of nanoparticles positioned on the plurality of microstructures, the layer of nanoparticles having a composition that is at least one of a same material as the plurality of microstructures and an oxide of the same material as the plurality of microstructures, the plurality of microstructures defining one or more valleys, each of the one or more valleys positioned between the layer of nanoparticles of adjacent microstructures of the plurality of microstructures, the one or more valleys configured to govern at least one of a size and a shape of a bubble of the material in the vapor phase.

Control of change of phase through physical surface shaping

Systems and methods are described for propelling a liquid droplet in a Leidenfrost state. A microfluidic device embodiment includes, but is not limited to, a solid structure having a patterned surface, the patterned surface including at least a first patterned region having a first Leidenfrost temperature with respect to a fluid material and a second patterned region having a second Leidenfrost temperature with respect to the fluid, the first patterned region adjacent to the second patterned region, the first patterned region defining a path over which a droplet of the fluid is configured to travel in a Leidenfrost state.

Leidenfrost droplet microfluidics

A monolithic heat-transfer device can include a container wall configured to retain a working fluid, where the container wall is formed of a single material. The container wall also includes an interior surface configured to be in fluid communication with the working fluid. The monolithic heat-transfer device also includes a channel disposed in the interior surface of the container wall, where the channel comprises a microstructure and a nanostructure. The microstructure and the nanostructure are materially contiguous with the single material forming the container wall. In some embodiments, the nanostructure comprises one or more layers of nanoparticles. The monolithic heat-transfer device can be configured as a heat pipe, which can be constructed from the container wall and a second container wall joined together and sealed to one another to contain the working fluid (e.g., using laser welding, electron beam welding (EBW), and so forth).

Monolithic heat-transfer device

A thermomechanical memory/logic device is disclosed. In embodiments, the thermomechanical device includes a first thermally controlled terminal (e.g., hot terminal); a second thermally controlled terminal (e.g., cool terminal/base); a stem or other structure that can be thermally expanded connected to the cool terminal; and a thermal conductive head coupled to the stem. The head can exchange heat with the hot terminal. The stem and head are between the first thermally controlled terminal and the second thermally controlled terminal, wherein the stem expands or contracts in response to heat absorbed or given off by the thermal conductive head, causing the head to move towards the first thermally controlled terminal or towards the second thermally controlled terminal until a stable state is reached. For example, bistable thermal states can be used to implement logic states (e.g., ZERO or ONE states).

Growing community of inventors

Lincoln, NE, United States of America

Sidy Ndao