Thomas G Thundat

Author:

Thomas Thundat

ISBN #:

0387305076

US Patent:

6336366, Jan 8, 2002

Filed:

Sep 24, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/405924

Inventors:

Thomas G. Thundat - Knoxville TN
Eric A. Wachter - Oak Ridge TN

Assignee:

UT-Battelle, LLC - Oak Ridge TN

International Classification:

G01P 1509

US Classification:

7351434, 7351436, 310331

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus for detecting particular frequencies of acoustic vibration utilize a piezoelectrically-tunable beam element having a piezoelectric layer and a stress sensitive layer and means for providing an electrical potential across the piezoelectric layer to controllably change the beams stiffness and thereby change its resonance frequency. It is then determined from the response of the piezoelectrically-tunable beam element to the acoustical vibration to which the beam element is exposed whether or not a particular frequency or frequencies of acoustic vibration are detected.

US Patent:

6436346, Aug 20, 2002

Filed:

Sep 14, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/395630

Inventors:

Mitchel J. Doktycz - Knoxville TN
Stephen F. Smith - Loudon TN
Patrick I. Oden - Plano TX
William L. Bryan - Knoxville TN
James A. Moore - Powell TN
Thomas G. Thundat - Knoxville TN
Robert J. Warmack - Knoxville TN

Assignee:

U T Battelle, LLC - Oak Ridge TN

International Classification:

G01N 2520

US Classification:

422 51, 436147, 73 2406, 73 2501, 374 45, 374 12, 438 54

Abstract:

A method and apparatus are provided for detecting and monitoring micro-volumetric enthalpic changes caused by molecular reactions. Micro-machining techniques are used to create very small thermally isolated masses incorporating temperature-sensitive circuitry. The thermally isolated masses are provided with a molecular layer or coating, and the temperature-sensitive circuitry provides an indication when the molecules of the coating are involved in an enthalpic reaction. The thermally isolated masses may be provided singly or in arrays and, in the latter case, the molecular coatings may differ to provide qualitative and/or quantitative assays of a substance.

US Patent:

6763705, Jul 20, 2004

Filed:

Jun 16, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/462249

Inventors:

Thomas G. Thundat - Knoxville TN
Thomas L. Ferrell - Knoxville TN
Karolyn M. Hansen - Knoxville TN
Fang Tian - Oak Ridge TN

Assignee:

UT-Battelle, LLC - Oak Ridge TN

International Classification:

G01N 2700

US Classification:

73 6453, 422 681

Abstract:

In an improved uncoated microcantilever detector, the sample sites are placed on a separate semi-conducting substrate and the microcantilever element detects and measures the changes before and after a chemical interaction or hybridization of the sites by sensing differences of phase angle between an alternating voltage applied to the microcantilever element and vibration of the microcantilever element. In another embodiment of the invention, multiple sample sites are on a sample array wherein an array of microcantilever elements detect and measure the change before and after chemical interactions or hybridizations of the sample sites.

US Patent:

6831747, Dec 14, 2004

Filed:

Jan 8, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/338614

Inventors:

Thomas L. Ferrell - Knoxville TN
Thomas G. Thundat - Knoxville TN

Assignee:

UT-Battelle, LLC - Oak Ridge TN

International Classification:

G01N 2155

US Classification:

356445, 356 72, 356 73

Abstract:

A microoptoelectromechanical integrated spectrometer with a photonic element assembly having metal foil removably disposed on a first transparent substrate surface, the substrate having no foil on any other surface. A means is provided for directing source photons that are reflected from or transmitted through a sample, over a range of angles of incidence, into the transparent substrate and onto the metal foil such that source photons are incident at the Brewsters angle. A means is also provided for detecting an induced exponential field in the metal foil. A means is also provided for relating the induced exponential field to a known exponential field for the sample and determining the identity of the sample. The spectrometer performs ultraviolet-to-visible-to-infrared spectroscopy using photon tunneling and surface plasmon excitation.

US Patent:

6905586, Jun 14, 2005

Filed:

Jan 28, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/055881

Inventors:

James W. Lee - Knoxville TN, US
Thomas G. Thundat - Knoxville TN, US

Assignee:

UT-Battelle, LLC - Oak Ridge TN

International Classification:

C12Q001/68
G01N027/26

US Classification:

204600, 204450, 204452, 204453, 204603, 204604, 204643, 204547, 435 6, 4352872

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for performing nucleic acid (DNA and/or RNA) sequencing on a single molecule. The genetic sequence information is obtained by probing through a DNA or RNA molecule base by base at nanometer scale as though looking through a strip of movie film. This DNA sequencing nanotechnology has the theoretical capability of performing DNA sequencing at a maximal rate of about 1,000,000 bases per second. This enhanced performance is made possible by a series of innovations including: novel applications of a fine-tuned nanometer gap for passage of a single DNA or RNA molecule; thin layer microfluidics for sample loading and delivery; and programmable electric fields for precise control of DNA or RNA movement. Detection methods include nanoelectrode-gated tunneling current measurements, dielectric molecular characterization, and atomic force microscopy/electrostatic force microscopy (AFM/EFM) probing for nanoscale reading of the nucleic acid sequences.

US Patent:

7033476, Apr 25, 2006

Filed:

Dec 31, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/335475

Inventors:

James W. Lee - Oak Ridge TN, US
Thomas G. Thundat - Knoxville TN, US

Assignee:

UT-Battelle, LLC - Oak Ridge TN

International Classification:

G01N 27/453

US Classification:

204603, 204601, 204600

Abstract:

An apparatus for carrying out the separation, detection, and/or counting of single molecules at nanometer scale. Molecular separation is achieved by driving single molecules through a microfluidic or nanofluidic medium using programmable and coordinated electric fields. In various embodiments, the fluidic medium is a strip of hydrophilic material on nonconductive hydrophobic surface, a trough produced by parallel strips of hydrophobic nonconductive material on a hydrophilic base, or a covered passageway produced by parallel strips of hydrophobic nonconductive material on a hydrophilic base together with a nonconductive cover on the parallel strips of hydrophobic nonconductive material. The molecules are detected and counted using nanoelectrode-gated electron tunneling methods, dielectric monitoring, and other methods.

US Patent:

7090757, Aug 15, 2006

Filed:

Feb 15, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/077633

Inventors:

Thomas G. Thundat - Knoxville TN, US
Thomas L. Ferrell - Knoxville TN, US
Gilbert M. Brown - Knoxville TN, US

Assignee:

UT-Battelle LLC - Oak Ridge TN

International Classification:

G01N 27/447
G01N 27/453

US Classification:

204450, 204600

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for separating molecules. The apparatus includes a substrate having a surface. A film in contact with the surface defines a substrate/film interface. An electrode electrically connected to the film applies a voltage potential between the electrode and the substrate to form a depletion region in the substrate at the substrate/film interface. A photon energy source having an energy level greater than the potential is directed at the depletion region to form electron-hole pairs in the depletion region. At least one of the electron-hole pairs is separated by the potential into an independent electron and an independent hole having opposite charges and move in opposing directions. One of the electron and hole reach the substrate/film interface to create a photopotential in the film causing charged molecules in the film to move in response to the localized photovoltage.

US Patent:

7097662, Aug 29, 2006

Filed:

Aug 25, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/926216

Inventors:

Boyd McCutchen Evans, III - Oak Ridge TN, US
Thomas G. Thundat - Knoxville TN, US
Richard D. Komistek - Knoxville TN, US
Douglas A. Dennis - Littleton CO, US
Mohamed Mahfouz - Knoxville TN, US

Assignee:

UT-Battelle, LLC - Oak Ridge TN
University of Tennessee Research Foundation - Knoxville TN

International Classification:

A61F 2/30

US Classification:

623 1811, 623914

Abstract:

A device for providing in vivo diagnostics of loads, wear, and infection in orthopedic implants having at least one load sensor associated with the implant, at least one temperature sensor associated with the implant, at least one vibration sensor associated with the implant, and at least one signal processing device operatively coupled with the sensors. The signal processing device is operable to receive the output signal from the sensors and transmit a signal corresponding with the output signal.