Thomas J Smekal

US Patent:

6787339, Sep 7, 2004

Filed:

Oct 2, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/676512

Inventors:

David B. Rhine - Phoenix AZ
Thomas J. Smekal - Phoenix AZ

Assignee:

Motorola, Inc. - Schaumburg IL

International Classification:

C12N 1300

US Classification:

4351737, 219690, 219691, 219692, 219693

Abstract:

The present invention provides low cost microfluidic devices having embedded metal conductors. The devices of the invention comprise a electronic component comprising a substrate having a first surface, a layer of electrically-conductive material deposited on a portion of the first substrate surface, a first sublayer of electrically-insulating material deposited on the first substrate surface and on the layer of electrically-conductive material, a second sublayer of electrically-insulating material deposited on the first sublayer of insulating material, and a third sublayer of electrically-insulating material deposited on the layer of dielectric material, and a fluid-handling component having a contoured surface affixed to the electronic component. The devices of the invention are advantageously used for performing electric field lysis and the polymerase chain reaction. The invention further advantageously provides simple, low cost methods for fabricating such microfluidic devices.

US Patent:

6793462, Sep 21, 2004

Filed:

Jul 25, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/202976

Inventors:

Thomas J. Smekal - Phoenix AZ
Piotr Grodzinski - Chandler AZ
David B. Rhine - Phoenix AZ

Assignee:

Motorola, Inc. - Schaumburg IL

International Classification:

F04B 300

US Classification:

417118, 417379, 422123, 422305, 204278, 204266, 205628

Abstract:

A fluidic pump ( ) comprises an electrolyte cavity ( ) and a pump outlet ( ) fluidically coupled to the electrolyte cavity that are within at least a portion of a fluid guiding structure ( ), two electrodes ( ) extending from the fluid guiding structure into the electrolyte cavity; and a vapor permeable membrane ( ) that prevents an electrolyte ( ) in the electrolyte cavity from passing through the pump outlet while allowing gas to flow through the pump outlet.

US Patent:

20020115201, Aug 22, 2002

Filed:

Mar 22, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/816512

Inventors:

Barbara Barenburg - Gilbert AZ, US
Jeremy Burdon - Scottsdale AZ, US
Sean Gallagher - Scottsdale AZ, US
Piotr Grodzinski - Chandler AZ, US
Robert Marrero - Chandler AZ, US
Vijay Nair - Mesa AZ, US
David Rhine - Phoenix AZ, US
Thomas Smekal - Phoenix AZ, US

International Classification:

C12M001/33
C12M003/08

US Classification:

435/306100

Abstract:

A microwave device has a monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) disposed therein for applying microwave radiation to a microfluidic structure, such as a chamber, defined in the device. The microwave radiation from the MMIC is useful for heating samples introduced into the microfluidic structure and for effecting lysis of cells in the samples. Microfabrication techniques allow the fabrication of MMICs that perform heating and cell lysing of samples having volumes in the microliter to picoliter range.

US Patent:

20040053237, Mar 18, 2004

Filed:

Sep 13, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/242872

Inventors:

Yingjie Liu - Chandler AZ, US
Piotr Grodzinski - Chandler AZ, US
Cory Rauch - Chandler AZ, US
Thomas Smekal - Phoenix AZ, US

International Classification:

C12Q001/68
B05D003/00
C12M001/34
G01N033/53

US Classification:

435/006000, 435/007100, 435/287200, 427/002110

Abstract:

An exemplary system and method for bonding substrate layers in the presence of chemically active species to form functionalized microfluidic surfaces is disclosed as comprising inter alia a first substrate (), a second substrate (), a chemically functional species () attached to first substrate (), and a radiatively absorptive mask material () disposed substantially between first substrate () and second substrate (). Mask material () is suitably adapted to effectively bond first substrate () with second substrate () upon exposure of the composite structure to radiation of a predetermined, user-selectable wavelength. Disclosed features and specifications may be variously controlled, adapted or otherwise optionally modified to improve certain device fabrication parameters and/or performance metrics.

US Patent:

20060105382, May 18, 2006

Filed:

Dec 28, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/320101

Inventors:

Yingjie Liu - Chandler AZ, US
Piotr Grodzinski - Chandler AZ, US
Cory Rauch - Gilbert AZ, US
Thomas Smekal - Phoenix AZ, US

International Classification:

C12Q 1/68
G01N 33/53
C12M 1/34
H01L 21/00

US Classification:

435006000, 435007100, 435287200, 438001000

Abstract:

An exemplary system and method for bonding substrate layers in the presence of chemically active species to form functionalized microfluidic surfaces is disclosed as comprising inter alia a first substrate (), a second substrate (), a chemically functional species () attached to first substrate (), and a radiatively absorptive mask material () disposed substantially between first substrate () and second substrate (). Mask material () is suitably adapted to effectively bond first substrate () with second substrate () upon exposure of the composite structure to radiation of a predetermined, user-selectable wavelength. Disclosed features and specifications may be variously controlled, adapted or otherwise optionally modified to improve certain device fabrication parameters and/or performance metrics.