Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090046368 | Narrow Band Omnidirectional Reflectors And Their Use As Structural Colors - Disclosed is a multilayer structure wherein a first layer of a first material having an outer surface and a refracted index between 2 and 4 extends across an outer surface of a second layer having a refractive index between 1 and 3. The multilayer stack has a reflective band of less than 200 nanometers when viewed from angles between 0° and 80° and can be used to reflect a narrow range of electromagnetic radiation in the ultraviolet, visible and infrared spectrum ranges. In some instances, the reflection band of the multilayer structure is less than 100 nanometers. In addition, the multilayer structure can have a quantity defined as a range to mid-range ratio percentage of less than 2%. | 02-19-2009 |
20090105988 | Method of Producing Thermoelectric Material - A process for determining an optimum range of compositions for a nanocomposite thermoelectric material system, within which the material may exhibit generally high figure of merit values, is provided. The process is performed for a nanocomposite thermoelectric material system having a first component and a second component made from nanoparticles. The process includes selecting a plurality of material compositions for a nanocomposite thermoelectric material system to be investigated and calculating a thermal conductivity value and calculating an electrical resistance value for each material composition selected. In addition, at least one Seebeck coefficient is determined for the material compositions selected. Then, a plurality of figure of merit values are calculated using the calculated plurality of thermal conductivity values, the calculated plurality of electrical resistivity values and the determined at least one Seebeck coefficient. After the plurality of figure of merit values are calculated, an optimum compositional range can be determined within which the largest ZT values may be exhibited. | 04-23-2009 |
20090136741 | NANOSCOPICALLY MODIFIED SUPERHYDROPHOBIC COATING - A process of forming a clear coat including the steps of providing hydrophobic nanoparticles by chemically modifying the surface of the nanoparticles, dispersing the hydrophobic nanoparticles in a solvent, combining the dispersed nanoparticles in the solvent with a clear coat material, and mixing the dispersed nanoparticles in a solvent with the clear coat material forming a clear coat having a transparency of at least 50 percent. | 05-28-2009 |
20090153953 | Multi-Layer Photonic Structures Having Omni-Directional Reflectivity and Coatings Incorporating The Same - A multi-layer photonic structure may include alternating layers of high index material and low index material having a form [H(LH) | 06-18-2009 |
20090161220 | Narrow Band Omnidirectional Reflectors And Their Use As Structural Colors - Disclosed is a multilayer structure wherein a first layer of a first material having an outer surface and a refracted index between 2 and 4 extends across an outer surface of a second layer having a refractive index between 1 and 3. The multilayer stack has a reflective band of less than 200 nanometers when viewed from angles between 0° and 80° and can be used to reflect a narrow range of electromagnetic radiation in the ultraviolet, visible and infrared spectrum ranges. In some instances, the reflection band of the multilayer structure is less than 100 nanometers. In addition, the multilayer structure can have a quantity defined as a range to mid-range ratio percentage of less than 2%. | 06-25-2009 |
20100208338 | Multilayer Photonic Structures - A multilayer photonic structure may include a plurality of coating layers of high index dielectric material of index of refraction n | 08-19-2010 |
20100209593 | Methods For Producing Omni-Directional Multi-Layer Photonic Structures - A method for producing a multi-layer photonic structure having at least one group of alternating layers of high index material and low index material may include, determining a characteristic property function for the multi-layer photonic structure, determining a thickness multiplier for the at least one group of alternating layers based on a comparison of the characteristic property function to a target profile, adjusting the characteristic property function with the determined thickness multiplier, and comparing an adjusted characteristic property function to the target profile, wherein, when the adjusted characteristic property function does not approximate the target profile, at least one additional group of layers is added to the multi-layer photonic structure. | 08-19-2010 |
20100290109 | UV-REFLECTIVE STRUCTURAL COLOR - The present invention discloses a non-quarter wave multilayer structure having a plurality of alternating low index of refraction material stacks and high index of refraction material stacks. The plurality of alternating stacks can reflect electromagnetic radiation in the ultraviolet region and a narrow band of electromagnetic radiation in the visible region. The non-quarter wave multilayer structure, i.e. n | 11-18-2010 |
20110014366 | STRUCTURAL COLORS HAVING UV REFLECTANCE VIA SPRAY LAYER-BY-LAYER PROCESSING - A process for fabricating a structural color having ultraviolet reflectance is provided. The process includes providing an atomizing nozzle, a first nanoparticle solution and a second nanoparticle solution. The atomizing nozzle is used to spray a plurality of first nanoparticle solution layers, the plurality of first nanoparticle layers forming a low index of refraction stack. In some instances, a polymer solution can be sprayed before and/or after the spraying of each first nanoparticle solution layer. The atomizing nozzle is also used to spray a plurality of second nanoparticle solution layers, the plurality of second nanoparticle layers form a high index of refraction stack. Similar to the first nanoparticle solution layers, a polymer solution can be sprayed before and/or after the spraying of each second nanoparticle solution layer. | 01-20-2011 |
20110091658 | OMNIDIRECTIONAL STRUCTURAL COLOR PAINT - A paint composition is disclosed, the paint having a binder and an omnidirectional structural color pigment dispersed throughout the binder. The omnidirectional structural color pigment can be made from a plurality of flakes that have a multilayer structure, the pigment and the paint having a reflection band of less than 200 nanometers when viewed from angles between 0 to 45 degrees. | 04-21-2011 |
20110128616 | OMNIDIRECTIONAL REFLECTOR - An omnidirectional structural color (OSC) having a non-periodic layered structure. The OSC can include a multilayer stack that has an outer surface and at least two layers. The at least two layers can include at least one first index of refraction material layer A | 06-02-2011 |
20110134515 | OMNIDIRECTIONAL UV-IR REFLECTOR - The present invention provides an omnidirectional ultraviolet (UV)-infrared (IR) reflector. The omnidirectional UV-IR reflector includes a multilayer stack having at least three layers, the at least three layers having at least one first index of refraction material A1 and at least one second index of refraction layer B1. The at least one first index of refraction material layer and the at least one second index of refraction material layer can be alternately stacked on top of each other to provide the at least three layers. In addition, the at least one first index of refraction material layer and the at least one second index of refraction material layer each have a predefined thickness of d | 06-09-2011 |
20110299154 | OMNIDIRECTIONAL REFLECTOR - An omnidirectional reflector that reflects a band of electromagnetic radiation of less than 100 nanometers when viewed from angles between 0 and 45 degrees is provided. The omnidirectional reflector includes a multilayer stack having a plurality of layers of high index of refraction material and a plurality of layers of low index of refraction material. In addition, the plurality of high index of refraction material layers and low index of refraction material layers are alternately stacked on top of or across each other and provide a non-periodic layered structure. | 12-08-2011 |
20120036905 | Optical Lock Systems and Methods - In one embodiment, the optical lock system may include an electronic control unit, a lock housing including a lock chamber, and an optical key including a multilayer photonic structure. The multilayer photonic structure may produce a unique intensity profile and includes a plurality of coating layers of high index dielectric material and a plurality of coating layers of low index dielectric. A light source may transmit a reference light to the multilayer photonic structure when the optical key is disposed within the lock chamber. A photo detector may receive an interaction light from the multilayer photonic structure and may transmit the unique intensity profile to the electronic control unit which may execute machine readable instructions to: compare the unique intensity profile to an electronic master; and cause the lock actuator to transition from a first state to a second state when the unique intensity profile corresponds to the electronic master. | 02-16-2012 |
20120087009 | Semi-Transparent Reflectors - In one embodiment, a semi-transparent reflector may include a multilayered photonic structure. The multilayered photonic structure includes a plurality of coating layers of high index dielectric material and a plurality of coating layers of low index dielectric material. The plurality of coating layers of high index dielectric material and the plurality of coating layers of low index dielectric material of the multilayered photonic structure are arranged in an [LH . . . (LH) | 04-12-2012 |
20120153056 | PRODUCTION OF MULTILAYERED THIN FILM PARTICLES - A process for producing particles from a thin film is provided. The process includes grinding the thin film using granules that afford for the particles to maintain a structure and/or one or more properties of the thin film. In addition, the process provides for a high recovery percentage of the source material. | 06-21-2012 |
20120153527 | PROCESS FOR MANUFACTURING A STAND-ALONE THIN FILM - A process for manufacturing stand-alone thin films is provided. The process includes providing a substrate, depositing a carbon-containing sacrificial layer onto the substrate and the depositing a thin film onto the carbon-containing sacrificial layer. Thereafter, the substrate, carbon-containing sacrificial layer and thin film structure are exposed to oxygen at an elevated temperature. The oxygen reacts with the carbon-containing sacrificial layer to produce carbon dioxide and remove carbon from the sacrificial layer, thereby generally burning away the sacrificial layer and affording for an intact stand-alone thin film to separate from the substrate. | 06-21-2012 |
20120206001 | MAGNETIC FIELD FOCUSING FOR ACTUATOR APPLICATIONS - A switched reluctance motor includes a stator and a rotor, the stator having stator poles supporting a magnetic field focusing device such as a near field plates on each stator pole tip. An example near field plate has a spatially modulated surface reactance configured so as to focus magnetic flux extending from each pole tip within at least one region of increased magnetic field proximate the pole tip. | 08-16-2012 |
20120206226 | MAGNETIC FIELD FOCUSING FOR ACTUATOR APPLICATIONS - The magnetic force between the electromagnet and plunger of a magnetic actuator, the electromagnet including a coil generating magnetic flux when the coil is energized, can be increased by locating a near field plate on the electromagnet. The near field plate has a spatially modulated surface reactance configured to focus the magnetic flux within a region of the plunger, such as the central portion of an end portion of the plunger proximate the electromagnet, so as to increase the magnetic force between the electromagnet and plunger. Examples also include permanent magnet based actuators and the use of other magnetic field focusing devices. | 08-16-2012 |
20120256333 | PROCESS FOR MANUFACTURING A STAND-ALONE MULTILAYER THIN FILM - A process for manufacturing stand-alone multilayer thin films is provided. The process includes providing a substrate, depositing a sacrificial layer onto the substrate and the depositing multilayer thin film onto the sacrificial layer. Thereafter, the substrate, sacrificial layer and thin film structure are exposed to chemical solutions. The chemical solution selectively reacts with the sacrificial layer to remove the sacrificial layer, thereby affording for an intact multilayer stand-alone thin film to separate from the substrate. The color and optical properties of the multilayer thin film are not affected by the removal of the sacrificial layer. | 10-11-2012 |
20120298924 | METHOD OF PRODUCING THERMOELECTRIC MATERIAL - A process for manufacturing a thermoelectric material having a plurality of grains and grain boundaries. The process includes determining a material composition to be investigated for the thermoelectric material and then determining a range of values of grain size and/or grain boundary barrier height obtainable for the material composition using current state of the art manufacturing techniques. Thereafter, a range of figure of merit values for the material composition is determined as a function of the range of values of grain size and/or grain boundary barrier height. And finally, a thermoelectric material having the determined material composition and an average grain size and grain boundary barrier height corresponding to the maximum range of figure of merit values is manufactured. | 11-29-2012 |
20120298928 | METHOD OF PRODUCING THERMOELECTRIC MATERIAL - A thermoelectric material is provided. The material can be a grain boundary modified nanocomposite that has a plurality of bismuth antimony telluride matrix grains and a plurality of zinc oxide nanoparticles within the plurality of bismuth antimony telluride matrix grains. In addition, the material has zinc antimony modified grain boundaries between the plurality of bismuth antimony telluride matrix grains. | 11-29-2012 |
20120307369 | OMNIDIRECTIONAL REFLECTOR - A process for designing and manufacturing an omnidirectional structural color (OSC) multilayer stack. The process can include providing a digital processor operable to execute at least one module and a table of index of refraction values corresponding to different materials that are usable for manufacturing an OSC multilayer stack. An initial design for the OSC multilayer stack can be provided and at least one additional layer is added to the initial design OSC multilayer stack to create a modified OSC multilayer stack. In addition, the thickness of each layer of the modified OSC multilayer stack is calculated using a merit function module until an optimized OSC multilayer stack has been calculated. | 12-06-2012 |
20120326075 | METHOD OF PRODUCING THERMOELECTRIC MATERIAL - A process for manufacturing a nanocomposite thermoelectric material having a plurality of nanoparticle inclusions. The process includes determining a material composition to be investigated for the nanocomposite thermoelectric material, the material composition including a conductive bulk material and a nanoparticle material. In addition, a range of surface roughness values for the insulating nanoparticle material that can be obtained using current state of the art manufacturing techniques is determined. Thereafter, a plurality of Seebeck coefficients, electrical resistivity values, thermal conductivity values and figure of merit values as a function of the range of nanoparticle material surface roughness values is calculated. Based on these calculated values, a nanocomposite thermoelectric material composition or ranges of compositions is/are selected and manufactured. | 12-27-2012 |
20130003245 | FOCUSING DEVICE FOR LOW FREQUENCY OPERATION - An example apparatus for obtaining a desired magnetic field distribution from an incident magnetic field, such as a kHz magnetic field, comprises a structure receiving the incident magnetic field and generating the desired magnetic field distribution at a predetermined distance from the transmitting side of the apparatus. The desired magnetic field distribution results from a spatial distribution of induced electrical current over the structure. Examples of the invention also include design methods and methods of using the apparatus. | 01-03-2013 |
20130037417 | EFFICIENT WATER OXIDATION CATALYSTS AND METHODS OF ENERGY PRODUCTION - Processes for the liberation of oxygen and hydrogen from water are provided allowing for mass scale production using abundant sources of catalyst materials. A metal oxide based anode is formed by the simple oxidation of metal in air by heating the metal for a specified time period. The resultant anode is then contacted with water and subjected to a voltage from an external source or driven by electromagnetic energy to produce oxygen at the surface of the anode by oxidation of water. These processes provide efficient and stable oxygen or hydrogen production. | 02-14-2013 |
20130038147 | Three Dimensional Magnetic Field Manipulation in Electromagnetic Devices - Electromagnetic devices and near field plates for three-dimensional magnetic field manipulation are disclosed. In one embodiment, an electromagnetic device includes a rotor, a stator, and a magnetic field focusing device. The rotor may include a rotor body and a plurality of radially extending rotor poles. The stator may include a plurality of stator poles radially extending inwardly from a stator body toward the rotor body. Each stator pole may have a magnetic flux generating device and a stator pole tip, wherein an air gap may be located between each stator pole tip and each corresponding rotor pole. The magnetic field focusing device is coupled to at least one stator pole tip and produces a magnetic field profile having at least one concentrated magnetic flux region proximate the stator pole tip. The magnetic field focusing device twists the magnetic field profile by an angle α. | 02-14-2013 |
20130148221 | NON-DICHROIC OMNIDIRECTIONAL STRUCTURAL COLOR - A non-dichroic omnidirectional structural color multilayer structure. The non-dichroic omnidirectional structural color multilayer structure has an absorbing layer, a first layer extending across the absorbing layer, and a second layer extending across the first layer. The multilayer structure can reflect a narrow band of electromagnetic radiation that has a width of less than 500 nanometers and a center wavelength shift of less than 200 nanometers when the multilayer structure is viewed from angles between 0 and 45 degrees. In addition, the absorbing layer can block electromagnetic radiation reflected off of a surface that is proximate to the multilayer structure and thereby afford for a “pure” color that is not contaminated by reflected light from surrounding surfaces. | 06-13-2013 |
20130265668 | OMNIDIRECTIONAL STRUCTURAL COLOR MADE FROM METAL AND DIELECTRIC LAYERS - A high-chroma omnidirectional structural color multilayer structure is provided. The structure includes a multilayer stack that has a core layer, a dielectric layer extending across the core layer, and an absorber layer extending across the dielectric layer. An interface is present between the dielectric layer and the absorber layer and a near-zero electric field for a first incident electromagnetic wavelength is present at this interface. In addition, a large electric field at a second incident electromagnetic wavelength is present at the interface. As such, the interface allows for high transmission of the first incident electromagnetic wavelength and high absorption of the second incident electromagnetic wavelength such that a narrow band of reflected light is produced by the multilayer stack. | 10-10-2013 |
20130330225 | PRODUCTION METHOD FOR NANOCOMPOSITE THERMOELECTRIC CONVERSION MATERIAL - A nanocomposite thermoelectric conversion material capable of improving enhancement of ZT by reducing the thermal conductivity is provided by a production method for a nanocomposite thermoelectric conversion material composed of a matrix and a nanoparticle, the method comprising selecting the combination of at least three kinds of elements such that out of, one kind of an element becomes an oxide in the form of a nanoparticle; dissolving the elements such that the amount of the element constituting the nanoparticle becomes excessive with respect to the composition of the matrix in the final target product; adding a reducing agent to the solution, thereby allowing a reduction reaction to proceed at a plurality of different pH values from the initiation to the termination of reaction; and performing a hydrothermal treatment to cause formation of the matrix by alloying and formation of a nanoparticle composed of the oxide. | 12-12-2013 |
20140028425 | MAGNETIC FIELD MANIPULATION DEVICES - Magnetic field manipulation devices and magnetic actuators are disclosed. In one embodiment, a magnetic field manipulation device includes an iron base substrate having a surface, and at least four electrically conductive loops embedded in the surface of the iron substrate. The at least four electrically conductive loops are electrically coupled to one another, and are arranged in the surface of the iron substrate such that the magnetic field manipulation device diverges magnetic flux lines of a magnetic field generated by a magnetic field source positioned proximate the magnetic field manipulation device. In another embodiment, the at least four electrically conductive loops are electrically isolated such that the magnetic field manipulation device converges magnetic flux lines of a magnetic field generated by a magnetic field source positioned proximate the magnetic field manipulation device. | 01-30-2014 |
20140055848 | OMNIDIRECTIONAL REFLECTOR - An omnidirectional reflector that reflects a band of electromagnetic radiation of less than 100 nanometers when viewed from angles between 0 and 45 degrees is provided. The omnidirectional reflector includes a multilayer stack having a plurality of layers of high index of refraction material and a plurality of layers of low index of refraction material. In addition, the plurality of high index of refraction material layers and low index of refraction material layers are alternately stacked on top of or across each other and provide a non-periodic layered structure. | 02-27-2014 |
20140111861 | RED OMNIDIRECTIONAL STRUCTURAL COLOR MADE FROM METAL AND DIELECTRIC LAYERS - A multilayer stack displaying a red omnidirectional structural color. The multilayer stack includes a reflector layer, a dielectric layer extending across the reflector layer, and an absorbing layer extending across the dielectric layer. The dielectric layer reflects more than 70% of incident white light that has a wavelength greater than 580 nanometers (nm). In addition, the absorbing layer absorbs more than 70% of the incident white light with a wavelength less than 580 nm. In combination, the reflector layer, dielectric layer, and absorbing layer form an omnidirectional reflector that reflects a narrow band of electromagnetic radiation with a center wavelength between 580-680 nm, has a width of less than 200 nm wide and a color shift of less than 100 nm when the reflector is viewed from angles between 0 and 45 degrees. | 04-24-2014 |
20140133045 | NON-DICHROIC OMNIDIRECTIONAL STRUCTURAL COLOR - A non-dichroic omnidirectional structural color multilayer structure. The non-dichroic omnidirectional structural color multilayer structure has an absorbing layer, a first layer extending across the absorbing layer, and a second layer extending across the first layer. The multilayer structure can reflect a narrow band of electromagnetic radiation that has a width of less than 500 nanometers and a center wavelength shift of less than 200 nanometers when the multilayer structure is viewed from angles between 0 and 45 degrees. In addition, the absorbing layer can block electromagnetic radiation reflected off of a surface that is proximate to the multilayer structure and thereby afford for a “pure” color that is not contaminated by reflected light from surrounding surfaces. | 05-15-2014 |
20140190396 | LOOSE PACKED PHOXONIC CRYSTALS AND METHODS OF FORMATION - Processes of forming an irreversibly loose packed structure of particulate material useful as a photonic or phononic crystal are provided. Matrix material is infilled between particles and extends above the particles to form a particulate free matrix layer. Removing the matrix layer causes deformation of or exposes the spacing between the particles. The spaces are infilled by additional matrix material that when cured produces a supported and irreversibly loose packed crystalline structure of particles producing differing bandgaps and transmissive properties relative to the original structure. The processes provided allow for economical tuning of the transmissive properties of photonic or phononic crystals. | 07-10-2014 |
20140211303 | NON-COLOR SHIFTING MULTILAYER STRUCTURES - An omnidirectional multilayer thin film is provided. The multilayer thin film includes a multilayer stack having a first layer of a first material and a second layer of a second material, the second layer extending across the first layer. The multilayer stack reflects a narrow band of electromagnetic radiation having a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of less than 300 nanometers (nm) and a color/hue shift of less than 30 degrees when the multilayer stack is exposed to broadband electromagnetic radiation and viewed from angles between 0 and 45 degrees. In some instances, the multilayer stack has a total thickness of less than 2 microns (μm). Preferably, the multilayer thin film has a total thickness of less than 1.5 μm and more preferably less than 1.0 μm. | 07-31-2014 |
20140290711 | METHOD OF PRODUCING THERMOELECTRIC MATERIAL - A process for manufacturing a thermoelectric material having a plurality of grains and grain boundaries. The process includes determining a material composition to be investigated for the thermoelectric material and then determining a range of values of grain size and/or grain boundary barrier height obtainable for the material composition using current state of the art manufacturing techniques. Thereafter, a range of figure of merit values for the material composition is determined as a function of the range of values of grain size and/or grain boundary barrier height. And finally, a thermoelectric material having the determined material composition and an average grain size and grain boundary barrier height corresponding to the maximum range of figure of merit values is manufactured. | 10-02-2014 |
20140306143 | METHOD OF PRODUCING THERMOELECTRIC MATERIAL - A process for manufacturing a nanocomposite thermoelectric material having a plurality of nanoparticle inclusions. The process includes determining a material composition to be investigated for the nanocomposite thermoelectric material, the material composition including a conductive bulk material and a nanoparticle material. In addition, a range of surface roughness values for the insulating nanoparticle material that can be obtained using current state of the art manufacturing techniques is determined. Thereafter, a plurality of Seebeck coefficients, electrical resistivity values, thermal conductivity values and figure of merit values as a function of the range of nanoparticle material surface roughness values is calculated. Based on these calculated values, a nanocomposite thermoelectric material composition or ranges of compositions is/are selected and manufactured. | 10-16-2014 |
20140318886 | ACOUSTIC AND ELASTIC FLATBAND FORMATION IN PHONONIC CRYSTALS:METHODS AND DEVICES FORMED THEREFROM - A phononic device is provided suitable for attenuating mechanical vibration, as well as acoustic vibration that propagate through a medium. Through the periodic inclusion of domains of a material in a matrix that vary in the ratio of the longitudinal speed of sound (CL) and the transverse speed of sound (CT) between the domains and the matrix of equal to or greater than 2.0 and 40, respectively; improved significant attenuation of vibration is achieved. | 10-30-2014 |
20140368918 | RED OMNIDIRECTIONAL STRUCTURAL COLOR MADE FROM METAL AND DIELECTRIC LAYERS - A multilayer stack displaying a red omnidirectional structural color. The multilayer stack includes a core layer, a semiconductor layer extending across the core layer, and a dielectric layer extending across the semiconductor layer. The semiconductor layer absorbs more than 70% of incident white light that has a wavelength less than 550 nanometers (nm). In addition, the dielectric layer in combination with the core layer reflects more than 70% of the incident white light with a wavelength greater than 550 nm. In combination, the core layer, semiconductor layer and dielectric layer form an omnidirectional reflector that reflects a narrow band of electromagnetic radiation with a center wavelength between 550-700 nm, has a width of less than 200 nm wide and a color shift of less than 100 nm when the reflector is viewed from angles between 0 and 45 degrees. | 12-18-2014 |
20150033988 | NON-COLOR SHIFTING MULTILAYER STRUCTURES AND PROTECTIVE COATINGS THEREON - An omnidirectional structural color pigment having a protective coating. The pigment has a first layer of a first material and a second layer of a second material, the second layer extending across the first layer. In addition, the pigment reflects a band of electromagnetic radiation having a predetermined full width at half maximum (FWHM) of less than 300 nm and a predetermined color shift of less than 30° when the pigment is exposed to broadband electromagnetic radiation and viewed from angles between 0 and 45°. The pigment has a weather resistant coating that covers an outer surface thereof and reduces a relative photocatalytic activity of the pigment by at least 50%. | 02-05-2015 |