The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.

The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.

Date of Patent:
Mar. 24, 2015

Filed:

May. 16, 2014
Applicants:

Mario Ancona, Alexandria, VA (US);

Arthur W. Snow, Alexandria, VA (US);

F. Keith Perkins, Alexandria, VA (US);

Inventors:

Mario Ancona, Alexandria, VA (US);

Arthur W. Snow, Alexandria, VA (US);

F. Keith Perkins, Alexandria, VA (US);

Attorneys:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G01N 30/00 (2006.01); G01N 1/40 (2006.01); G01N 30/38 (2006.01); B01D 53/04 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
G01N 1/405 (2013.01); G01N 30/38 (2013.01); G01N 1/4022 (2013.01); B01D 53/0462 (2013.01); G01N 2030/008 (2013.01);
Abstract

A molecular concentrator comprising a thermal ratchet for driving molecules from one place to another. A plurality of conducting wires are arranged on or suspended above a substrate. Each of the wires is configured to strongly sorb a vapor of interest when the wire is at room temperature and to rapidly desorb the vapor when the wire is at an elevated temperature. By selectively heating and cooling the wires, vapor molecules incident on the wires can be directed in a desired manner, e.g., from the wires closest to the vapor-containing environment to a sensor.


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