Scalable, massively parallel process for making micro-scale functional particles

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018108921-A1
Application number	US-201715842135-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 14, 2017
Priority date	Oct 24, 2014
Publication date	Apr 19, 2018
Grant date	—

Abstract

A method of fabrication produces one or more functional microparticles using a parallel pore working piece. In one embodiment, the method forms a particle that includes a segment for the oxidation of a biofuel (such as glucose) and the reduction of oxygen. The particle may be synthesized in a structure with defined and parallel, uniform, thin pores that completely penetrate the structure. Further, the functional microparticle may be configured to reside in a human or animal body or cell such that it may be self-contained fuel cell having an anode, a cathode, a separator membrane, and a magnetic component. In other embodiments, the functional microparticles may deliver energy or therapeutic materials in the body.

First claim

1 . An apparatus comprised of a functional microparticle with at least one dimension less than fifty microns in length and containing magnetizable material, wherein the microparticle emits electrical current, electromagnetic or thermal energy, or carries a therapeutic payload.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the functional microparticle is a fuel cell that generates electrical current.

3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the functional microparticle generates radio frequency wave electromagnetic radiation whose frequency changes in response to exposure to an applied magnetic field.

4 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the functional microparticle is a spin-torque nano-oscillator.

5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the functional microparticle carries a therapeutic payload.

6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the functional microparticle delivers thermal energy in response to the exposure to the magnetic field.

7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the functional microparticle delivers light energy.

8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the functional microparticle is a self-contained fuel cell having an anode, a cathode, a separator membrane, and a magnetic component.

9 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the fuel cell includes segments for oxidation of glucose and reduction of oxygen.

10 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein some component of the fuel cell incorporates a sheathing layer or a separate solid segment of polypyrrole.

11 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the functional microparticle carries drugs, proteins, nucleic acids, or optically active molecules.

12 .- 22 . (canceled)

Assignees

• Weinberg Medical Physics Inc

Inventors

• Weinberg Irving N
• Mair Lamar Odell

Classifications

• H01M2008/1095

  Fuel cells with polymeric electrolytes · CPC title

• H01M2250/30

  Fuel cells in portable systems, e.g. mobile phone, laptop · CPC title

• H01M8/0221

  Organic resins; Organic polymers · CPC title

• A61K41/0052 Primary

  Thermotherapy; Hyperthermia; Magnetic induction; Induction heating therapy · CPC title

• H01M4/8853

  Electrodeposition · CPC title