Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080203055 | Method of forming one or more nanopores for aligning molecules for molecular electronics - A technique is provided for forming a molecule or an array of molecules having a defined orientation relative to the substrate or for forming a mold for deposition of a material therein. The array of molecules is formed by dispersing them in an array of small, aligned holes (nanopores), or mold, in a substrate. Typically, the material in which the nanopores are formed is insulating. The underlying substrate may be either conducting or insulating. For electronic device applications, the substrate is, in general, electrically conducting and may be exposed at the bottom of the pores so that one end of the molecule in the nanopore makes electrical contact to the substrate. A substrate such as a single-crystal silicon wafer is especially convenient because many of the process steps to form the molecular array can use techniques well developed for semiconductor device and integrated-circuit fabrication. | 08-28-2008 |
20080211520 | Semiconducting nanowire fluid sensor - Nanowire fluid sensors are provided. The fluid sensors comprise a first electrode, a second electrode, and at least one nanowire between the first electrode and the second electrode. Each nanowire is connected at a first end to the first electrode and at a second end to the second electrode. Methods of fabricating and operating the fluid sensor are also provided. | 09-04-2008 |
20080218740 | Nanowire-based photonic devices - Embodiments of the present invention are related to nanowire-based devices that can be configured and operated as modulators, chemical sensors, and light-detection devices. In one aspect, a nanowire-based device includes a reflective member, a resonant cavity surrounded by at least a portion of the reflective member, and at least one nanowire disposed within the resonant cavity. The nanowire includes at least one active segment selectively disposed along the length of the nanowire to substantially coincide with at least one antinode of light resonating within the cavity. The active segment can be configured to interact with the light resonating within the cavity. | 09-11-2008 |
20080219311 | Optical structures including selectively positioned color centers, photonic chips including same, and methods of fabricating optical structures - Various aspects of the present invention are directed to optical structures including selectively positioned color centers, methods of fabricating such optical structures, and photonic chips that utilize such optical structures. In one aspect of the present invention, an optical structure includes an optical medium having a number of strain-localization regions. A number of color centers are distributed within the optical medium in a generally selected pattern, with at least a portion of the strain-localization regions including one or more of the color centers. In another aspect of the present invention, a method of positioning color centers in an optical medium is disclosed. In the method, a number of strain-localization regions are generated in the optical medium. The optical medium is annealed to promote diffusion of at least a portion of the color centers to the strain-localization regions. | 09-11-2008 |
20080246123 | METHODS FOR CONTROLLING CATALYST NANOPARTICLE POSITIONING AND APPARATUS FOR GROWING A NANOWIRE - A method for controlling catalyst nanoparticle positioning includes establishing a mask layer on a post such that a portion of a vertical surface of the post remains exposed. The method further includes establishing a catalyst nanoparticle material on the mask layer and directly adjacent at least a portion of the exposed portion of the vertical surface. | 10-09-2008 |
20080266556 | Nanowire configured to couple electromagnetic radiation to selected guided wave, devices using same, and methods of fabricating same - Various aspects of the present invention are directed to a nanowire configured to couple electromagnetic radiation to a selected guided wave and devices incorporating such nanowires. In one aspect of the present invention, a nanowire structure includes a substrate and at least one nanowire attached to the substrate. A diameter, composition, or both may vary generally periodically along a length of the at least one nanowire. A coating may cover at least part of a circumferential surface of the at least one nanowire. The nanowire structure may be incorporated in a device including at least one optical-to-electrical converter operable to convert a guided wave propagating along the length of the at least one nanowire, at least in part responsive to irradiation, to an electrical signal. Other aspects of the present invention are directed to methods of fabricating nanowires structured to support guided waves. | 10-30-2008 |
20080266572 | OPTICAL DEVICE AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME - An optical device includes a primary nanowire having a predetermined characteristic that affects an optical property of the primary nanowire. At least one secondary nanowire abuts the primary nanowire at a non-zero angle. The secondary nanowire(s) have another predetermined characteristic that affects an optical property of the secondary nanowire(s). A junction is formed between the primary and secondary nanowires. The device is configured to cause a portion of a light beam of a predetermined wavelength or range of wavelengths traveling through one of the primary nanowire or the secondary nanowire(s) to enter another of the secondary nanowire(s) or the primary nanowire. | 10-30-2008 |
20080296785 | Method of forming catalyst nanoparticles for nanowire growth and other applications - Methods for forming a predetermined pattern of catalytic regions having nanoscale dimensions are provided for use in the growth of nanowires. The methods include one or more nanoimprinting steps to produce arrays of catalytic nanoislands or nanoscale regions of catalytic material circumscribed by noncatalytic material. | 12-04-2008 |
20080303049 | Methods for coupling diamond structures to photonic devices - Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods for coupling semiconductor-based photonic devices to diamond. In one embodiment of the present invention, a photonic device is optically coupled with a diamond structure. The photonic device comprises a semiconductor material and is optically coupled with the diamond structure with an adhesive substance that adheres the photonic device to the diamond structure. A method for coupling the photonic device with the diamond structure is also provided. The method comprises: depositing a semiconductor material on the diamond structure; forming the photonic device in the semiconductor material so that the photonic device couples with the diamond structure; and adhering the photonic device to the diamond structure. | 12-11-2008 |
20090000539 | APPARATUS FOR GROWING A NANOWIRE AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING POSITION OF CATALYST MATERIAL - An apparatus for growing a nanowire includes a crystalline surface, and a feature formed on at least a portion of the crystalline surface. The feature has a region with high surface curvature. A catalyst material is established on the region. | 01-01-2009 |
20090027778 | Deformable optical element, methods of making and uses thereof - A deformable optical element includes an elastically deformable lens. Electrical contacts are directly attached to the elastically deformable lens and configured to receive an applied voltage. The electrical contacts have opposing surfaces configured to develop electrostatic forces in response to the applied voltage. The electrostatic forces deform the elastically deformable lens to create a predetermined optical effect. | 01-29-2009 |
20090028487 | Micro-ring optical detector/modulator - A micro-ring configured to selectively detect or modulate optical energy includes at least one annular optical cavity; at least two electrodes disposed about the optical cavity configured to generate an electrical field in the at least one optical cavity; and an optically active layer optically coupled to the at least one optical cavity. A method of manipulating optical energy within a waveguide includes optically coupling at least one annular optical cavity with the waveguide; and selectively controlling an electrical field in the at least one annular optical cavity to modulate optical energy from the waveguide. | 01-29-2009 |
20090028493 | Plasmon-enhanced electromagnetic-radiation-emitting devices and methods for fabricating the same - Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to surface-plasmon-enhanced electromagnetic-radiation-emitting devices and to methods of fabricating these devices. In one embodiment of the present invention, an electromagnetic-radiation-emitting device comprises a multilayer core, a metallic device layer, and a substrate. The multilayer core has an inner layer and an outer layer, wherein the outer layer is configured to surround at least a portion of the inner layer. The metallic device layer is configured to surround at least a portion of the outer layer. The substrate has a bottom conducting layer in electrical communication with the inner layer and a top conducting layer in electrical communication with the metallic device layer such that the exposed portion emits surface-plasmon-enhanced electromagnetic radiation when an appropriate voltage is applied between the bottom conducting layer and the top conducting layer. | 01-29-2009 |
20090059982 | Nanowire devices and systems, light-emitting nanowires, and methods of precisely positioning nanoparticles - A radiation-emitting device includes a nanowire that is structurally and electrically coupled to a first electrode and a second electrode. The nanowire includes a double-heterostructure semiconductor device configured to emit electromagnetic radiation when a voltage is applied between the electrodes. A device includes a nanowire having an active longitudinal segment selectively disposed at a predetermined location within a resonant cavity that is configured to resonate at least one wavelength of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the segment within a range extending from about 300 nanometers to about 2,000 nanometers. Active nanoparticles are precisely positioned in resonant cavities by growing segments of nanowires at known growth rates for selected amounts of time. | 03-05-2009 |
20090074368 | Electrical contact apparatus for optical waveguides - An optical apparatus includes a waveguide configured to propagate optical energy; an electrical contact surface; and a semiconductor electrical interconnect extending from a first surface of the optical waveguide to electrical communication with the electrical contact surface. The semiconductor electrical interconnect comprises a geometry configured to substantially confine the optical energy to the waveguide. | 03-19-2009 |
20090108387 | Semiconductor Device And Method For Strain Controlled Optical Absorption - A semiconductor device which has controlled optical absorption includes a substrate, and a semiconductor layer supported by the substrate. The semiconductor has variable optical absorption at a predetermined optical frequency in relationship to a bandgap of the semiconductor layer. Also included is a strain application structure coupled to the semiconductor layer to create a strain in the semiconductor layer to change the semiconductor bandgap. | 04-30-2009 |
20090189144 | Device For Absorbing Or Emitting Light And Methods Of Making The Same - A device disclosed herein includes a first layer, a second layer, and a first plurality of nanowires established between the first layer and the second layer. The first plurality of nanowires is formed of a first semiconductor material. The device further includes a third layer, and a second plurality of nanowires established between the second and third layers. The second plurality of nanowires is formed of a second semiconductor material having a bandgap that is the same as or different from a bandgap of the first semiconductor material. | 07-30-2009 |
20090190875 | Optical Modulator Including Electrically Controlled Ring Resonator - An optical modulator and related methods are described. In accordance with one embodiment, the optical modulator comprises a waveguide for guiding an optical signal, and further comprises a ring resonator disposed in evanescent communication with the waveguide for at least one predetermined wavelength of the optical signal. The optical modulator further comprises a semiconductor pnpn junction structure that is at least partially coextensive with at least a portion of a resonant light path of the ring resonator. The optical modulator is configured such that the semiconductor pnpn junction structure receives an electrical control signal thereacross. The electrical control signal controls a free carrier population in the resonant light path where coextensive with the pnpn junction structure. A resonance condition of the ring resonator at the predetermined wavelength is thereby controlled by the electrical control signal, and the optical signal is thereby modulated according to the electrical control signal. | 07-30-2009 |
20090190892 | Photonic Connection And Method For Enhancing Alignment Accuracy Thereof - A photonic connection includes a first fiber and a second fiber. The first fiber has a core with a first predetermined pattern defined on or in a facet thereof, and the second fiber has a core with a second predetermined pattern defined on or in a facet thereof. The second predetermined pattern is complementary to the first predetermined pattern such that the first fiber or the second fiber fits into another of the second fiber or the first fiber at a single orientation and position. | 07-30-2009 |
20090236588 | NANOWIRE-BASED DEVICE HAVING ISOLATED ELECTRODE PAIR - A nanowire-based device includes the pair of isolated electrodes and a nanowire bridging between respective surfaces of the isolated electrodes of the pair. Specifically, the nanowire-based device having isolated electrodes comprises: a substrate electrode having a crystal orientation; a ledge electrode that is an epitaxial semiconductor having the crystal orientation of the substrate electrode; and a nanowire bridging between respective surfaces of the substrate electrode and the ledge electrode. | 09-24-2009 |
20090246460 | Structure And Method For Forming Crystalline Material On An Amorphous Structure - A structure includes a first amorphous layer and a second amorphous layer established on the first amorphous layer such that at least an edge of the first amorphous layer or the second amorphous having a predetermined geometry is exposed. A material having a controlled crystal orientation is selectively formed adjacent the exposed edge of the first amorphous layer or the second amorphous having the predetermined geometry. | 10-01-2009 |
20090257703 | Optical Device With A Graded Bandgap Structure And Methods Of Making And Using The Same - An optical device includes at least two materials forming a structure with a graded bandgap where photocarriers are generated. A first of the at least two materials has a larger concentration at opposed ends of the graded bandgap structure than a concentration of the first of the at least two materials at an interior region of the graded bandgap structure. The second of the at least two materials has a larger concentration at the interior region of the graded bandgap structure than the concentration of the second of the at least two materials at the opposed ends of the graded bandgap structure. | 10-15-2009 |
20090273293 | Light-emitting Diodes With Carrier Extraction Electrodes - One embodiment of the present invention relates to a light-emitting diode having one or more light-emitting layers, a pair of electrodes disposed on the light-emitting diode so that an operating voltage can be applied to generate light from the one or more light-emitting layers, and at least one external electrode in electronic communication with the one or more light-emitting layers. Applying an appropriate voltage to the at least one external electrodes at about the time the operating voltage is terminated extracts excess electrons from the one or more light-emitting layers and reduces the duration of electron-hole recombination during the time period over which the operating voltage is turned off. | 11-05-2009 |
20090277608 | Thermal Control Via Adjustable Thermal Links - An apparatus for thermal control includes a first component; a second component; an adjustable thermal link disposed between the first component and the second component; and a controller for selectively varying a thermal conductance of the adjustable thermal link. A method of controlling a temperature includes sensing a temperature of a first component; and adjusting a thermal conductance of an adjustable thermal link, the adjustable thermal link forming a thermal path between the first component and a second component; the thermal conductance of the adjustable thermal link being adjusted such that the temperature of the first component is controlled. | 11-12-2009 |
20090286344 | Sensor And Method For Making The Same - A method of making a sensor comprises substantially laterally growing at least one nanowire having at least two segments between two electrodes, whereby a junction or connection is formed between the at least two segments; and establishing a sensing material adjacent to the junction or connection, and adjacent to at least a portion of each of the at least two segments, wherein the sensing material has at least two states. | 11-19-2009 |
20100003462 | Structure Including A Graphene Layer And Method For Forming The Same - A method for forming a graphene layer is disclosed herein. The method includes establishing an insulating layer on a substrate such that at least one seed region, which exposes a surface of the substrate, is formed. A seed material in the seed region is exposed to a carbon-containing precursor gas, thereby initiating nucleation of the graphene layer on the seed material and enabling lateral growth of the graphene layer along at least a portion of a surface of the insulating layer. | 01-07-2010 |
20100019252 | Nanowire-Based Light-Emitting Diodes and Light-Detection Devices With Nanocrystalline Outer Surface - Embodiments of the present invention are directed to nanowire ( | 01-28-2010 |
20100019355 | Multi-Level Nanowire Structure And Method Of Making The Same - A method for making a multi-level nanowire structure includes establishing a first plurality of nanowires on a substrate surface, wherein at least some of the nanowires are i) aligned at a predetermined crystallographically defined angle with respect to the substrate surface, ii) aligned substantially perpendicular with respect to the substrate surface, or iii) combinations of i and ii. An insulating layer is established between the nanowires of the first plurality such that one of two opposed ends of at least some of the nanowires positioned i) at the predetermined crystallographically defined angle, ii) substantially perpendicular with respect to the substrate surface, or iii) combinations of i and ii is exposed. Regions are grown from each of the exposed ends, and such regions coalesce to form a substantially continuous layer on the insulating layer. A second plurality of nanowires is established on the substantially continuous layer. | 01-28-2010 |
20100079754 | SYSTEMS FOR PERFORMING RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY - Various embodiments of the present invention relate generally to systems for performing Raman spectroscopy. In one embodiment, a system for performing Raman spectroscopy comprises an analyte holder having a surface configured to retain an analyte and a light concentrator configured to receive an incident beam of light, split the incident beam into one or more beams, and direct the one or more beams to substantially intersect at the surface. The system may also include a collector configured to focus each of the one or more beams onto the surface, collect the Raman scattered light emitted from the analyte, and direct the Raman scattered light away from the surface. | 04-01-2010 |
20100109101 | Method of Positioning Catalyst Nanoparticle and Nanowire-Based Device Employing Same - A method of positioning a catalyst nanoparticle that facilitates nanowire growth for nanowire-based device fabrication employs a structure having a vertical sidewall formed on a substrate. The methods include forming the structure, forming a targeted region in a surface of either the structure or the substrate, and forming a catalyst nanoparticle in the targeted region using one of a variety of techniques. The techniques control the position of the catalyst nanoparticle for subsequent nanowire growth. A resonant sensor system includes a nanowire-based resonant sensor and means for accessing the nanowire. The sensor includes an electrode and a nanowire resonator. The electrode is electrically isolated from the substrate. One or more of the substrate is electrically conductive, the nanowire resonator is electrically conductive, and the sensor further comprises another electrode. The nanowire resonator responds to an environmental change by displaying a change in oscillatory behavior. | 05-06-2010 |
20100187572 | SUSPENDED MONO-CRYSTALLINE STRUCTURE AND METHOD OF FABRICATION FROM A HETEROEPITAXIAL LAYER - Methods of fabricating a suspended mono-crystalline structure use annealing to induce surface migration and cause a surface transformation to produce the suspended mono-crystalline structure above a cavity from a heteroepitaxial layer provided on a crystalline substrate. The methods include forming a three dimensional (3-D) structure in the heteroepitaxial layer where the 3-D structure includes high aspect ratio elements. The 3-D structure is annealed at a temperature below a melting point of the heteroepitaxial layer. The suspended mono-crystalline structure may be a portion of a semiconductor-on-nothing (SON) substrate. | 07-29-2010 |
20100232738 | METHODS OF MANIPULATING OPTICAL ENERGY WITHIN A WAVEGUIDE - A micro-ring configured to selectively detect or modulate optical energy includes at least one annular optical cavity; at least two electrodes disposed about the optical cavity configured to generate an electrical field in the at least one optical cavity; and an optically active layer optically coupled to the at least one optical cavity. A method of manipulating optical energy within a waveguide includes optically coupling at least one annular optical cavity with the waveguide; and selectively controlling an electrical field in the at least one annular optical cavity to modulate optical energy from the waveguide. | 09-16-2010 |
20100321684 | SIGNAL-AMPLIFICATION DEVICE FOR SURFACE ENHANCED RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY - A signal-amplification device for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The signal-amplification device includes a non-SERS-active (NSA) substrate, a plurality of multi-tiered non-SERS-active nanowire (MNSANW) structures and a plurality of metallic SERS-active nanoparticles. In addition, a MNSANW structure of the plurality of MNSANW structures includes a main arm of a plurality of main arms and a plurality of arms of at least secondary order. The plurality of main arms is disposed on the NSA substrate; and, a secondary arm of the plurality of arms is disposed on the main arm. Moreover, a metallic SERS-active nanoparticle of the plurality of metallic SERS-active nanoparticles is disposed on a surface of the MNSANW structure. | 12-23-2010 |
20110006284 | PHOTONIC STRUCTURE - A photonic structure includes a plurality of annealed, substantially smooth-surfaced ellipsoids arranged in a matrix. Additionally, a method of producing a photonic structure is provided. The method includes providing a semiconductor material, providing an etch mask comprising a two-dimensional hole array, and disposing the etch mask on at least one surface of the semiconductor material. The semiconductor material is then etched through the hole array of the etch mask to produce holes in the semiconductor material and thereafter applying a passivation layer to surfaces of the holes. Additionally, the method includes repeating the etching and passivation-layer application to produce a photonic crystal structure that contains ellipsoids within the semiconductor material and annealing the photonic crystal structure to smooth the surfaces of the ellipsoids. | 01-13-2011 |
20110006348 | ROUNDED THREE-DIMENSIONAL GERMANIUM ACTIVE CHANNEL FOR TRANSISTORS AND SENSORS - A process is provided for fabricating rounded three-dimensional germanium active channels for transistors and sensors. For forming sensors, the process comprises providing a crystalline silicon substrate; depositing an oxide mask on the crystalline silicon substrate; patterning the oxide mask with trenches to expose linear regions of the silicon substrate; epitaxially grow germanium selectively in the trenches, seeded from the silicon wafer; optionally etching the SiO | 01-13-2011 |
20110012222 | METHOD OF MAKING LIGHT TRAPPING CRYSTALLINE STRUCTURES - A method of making a crystalline semiconductor structure provides a photonic device by employing low thermal budget annealing process. The method includes annealing a non-single crystal semiconductor film formed on a substrate to form a polycrystalline layer that includes a transition region adjacent to a surface of the film and a relatively thicker columnar region between the transition region and the substrate. The transition region includes small grains with random grain boundaries. The columnar region includes relatively larger columnar grains with substantially parallel grain boundaries that are substantially perpendicular to the substrate. The method further includes etching the surface to expose the columnar region having an irregular serrated surface. | 01-20-2011 |
20110014457 | Graphene Layer With An Engineered Stress Supported On A Substrate - A structure comprising a layer of graphene supported on a substrate wherein the substrate is pre-selected to have a coefficient of thermal expansion that is either matched within about 10% of that of graphene or mis-matched, thereby inducing controlled stress in the graphene layer to control electrical and/or mechanical properties of devices fabricated in the graphene layer. | 01-20-2011 |
20110181352 | Electrically Actuated Devices - An electrically actuated device includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and an active region disposed between the first and second electrodes. At least two dopants are present in a spatially varying region of the active region prior to device actuation. The at least two dopants have opposite conductivity types and different mobilities. | 07-28-2011 |
20110204020 | Method of and Printable Compositions for Manufacturing a Multilayer Carbon Nanotube Capacitor - Multilayer carbon nanotube capacitors, and methods and printable compositions for manufacturing multilayer carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are disclosed. A first capacitor embodiment comprises: a first conductor; a plurality of fixed CNTs in an ionic liquid, each fixed CNT comprising a magnetic catalyst nanoparticle coupled to a carbon nanotube and further coupled to the first conductor; and a first plurality of free CNTs dispersed and moveable in the ionic liquid. Another capacitor embodiment comprises: a first conductor; a conductive nanomesh coupled to the first conductor; a first plurality of fixed CNTs in an ionic liquid and further coupled to the conductive nanomesh; and a plurality of free CNTs dispersed and moveable in the ionic liquid. Various methods of printing the CNTs and other structures, and methods of aligning and moving the CNTs using applied electric and magnetic fields, are also disclosed. | 08-25-2011 |
20110205688 | Multilayer Carbon Nanotube Capacitor - Multilayer carbon nanotube capacitors, and methods and printable compositions for manufacturing multilayer carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are disclosed. A first capacitor embodiment comprises: a first conductor; a plurality of fixed CNTs in an ionic liquid, each fixed CNT comprising a magnetic catalyst nanoparticle coupled to a carbon nanotube and further coupled to the first conductor; and a first plurality of free CNTs dispersed and moveable in the ionic liquid. Another capacitor embodiment comprises: a first conductor; a conductive nanomesh coupled to the first conductor; a first plurality of fixed CNTs in an ionic liquid and further coupled to the conductive nanomesh; and a plurality of free CNTs dispersed and moveable in the ionic liquid. Various methods of printing the CNTs and other structures, and methods of aligning and moving the CNTs using applied electric and magnetic fields, are also disclosed. | 08-25-2011 |
20120025343 | THERMOELECTRIC DEVICE HAVING A VARIABLE CROSS-SECTION CONNECTING STRUCTURE - A thermoelectric device having a variable cross-section connecting structure includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a connecting structure connecting the first electrode and the second electrode. The connecting structure has a first section and a second section. The width of the second section is greater than the width of the first section, and the width of the first section is less than a width that is approximately equivalent to a phonon mean free path through the first section. | 02-02-2012 |
20120032168 | PHOTONIC DEVICE AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME - A photonic device ( | 02-09-2012 |
20120036919 | NANOWIRE SENSOR HAVING A NANOWIRE AND ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE FILM - A nanowire sensor includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a sensing element connecting the first electrode and the second electrode. The sensing element includes at least one nanowire connecting the first electrode and the second electrode and an electrically conductive film covering the at least one nanowire and extending between and contacting the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein conductance of the electrically conductive film is configured to change in the presence of at least one species to enable detection of the at least one species. | 02-16-2012 |
20120112157 | NANOWIRE SENSOR WITH ANGLED SEGMENTS THAT ARE DIFFERENTLY FUNCTIONALIZED - A nanowire device includes a nanowire | 05-10-2012 |
20120145988 | Nanoscale Apparatus and Sensor With Nanoshell and Method of Making Same - A nanoscale apparatus ( | 06-14-2012 |
20130000688 | THERMOELECTRIC DEVICE - A thermoelectric device ( | 01-03-2013 |
20130027776 | CONTROLLING PHASE RESPONSE IN A SUB-WAVELENGTH GRATING LENS - A sub-wavelength grating device having controlled phase response includes a grating layer having line widths, line thicknesses, line periods, and line spacings selected to produce a first level of control in phase changes of different portions of a beam of light reflected from the grating layer. The device also includes a substrate affixed to the grating layer that produces a second level of control in phase changes of different portions of a beam of light reflected from the grating layer, the second level of control being accomplished abrupt stepping of the substrate in a horizontal dimension, ramping the substrate in a horizontal dimension, or changing the index of refraction in a horizontal dimension. | 01-31-2013 |
20130153027 | FORMING GRADED INDEX LENS IN AN ALL ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE PRINTING PROCESS TO FORM PHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS - A PV panel uses an array of small silicon sphere diodes (10-300 microns in diameter) connected in parallel. The spheres are embedded in an uncured aluminum-containing layer, and the aluminum-containing layer is heated to anneal the aluminum-containing layer as well as p-dope the bottom surface of the spheres. A phosphorus-containing layer is deposited over the spheres to dope the top surface n-type, forming a pn junction. The phosphorus layer is then removed. A conductor is deposited to contact the top surface. Alternatively, the spheres are deposited with a p-type core and an n-type outer shell. After deposition, the top surface is etched to expose the core. A first conductor layer contacts the bottom surface, and a second conductor layer contacts the exposed core. A liquid lens material is deposited over the rounded top surface of the spheres and cured to provide conformal lenses designed to increase the PV panel efficiency. | 06-20-2013 |
20140017557 | Printable Composition for an Ionic Gel Separation Layer for Energy Storage Devices - Representative embodiments provide a composition for printing a liquid or gel separator utilized to separate and space apart first and second conductors or electrodes of an energy storage device, such as a battery or a supercapacitor. A representative composition comprises a plurality of particles, typically having a size (in any dimension) between about 0.5 to about 50 microns; a first, ionic liquid electrolyte; and a polymer or polymeric precursor. In another representative embodiment, the plurality of particles comprise diatoms, diatomaceous frustules, and/or diatomaceous fragments or remains. Another representative embodiment further comprises a second electrolyte different from the first electrolyte; the plurality of particles are comprised of silicate glass; the first and second electrolytes comprise zinc tetrafluoroborate salt in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ionic liquid; and the polymer comprises polyvinyl alcohol (“PVA”) or polyvinylidene fluoride (“PVFD”). Additional components, such as additional electrolytes and solvents, may also be included. | 01-16-2014 |
20140017558 | Diatomaceous Ionic Gel Separation Layer for Energy Storage Devices and Printable Composition Therefor - Representative embodiments provide a liquid or gel separator utilized to separate and space apart first and second conductors or electrodes of an energy storage device, such as a battery or a capacitor. A representative liquid or gel separator comprises a plurality of particles selected from the group consisting of: diatoms, diatomaceous frustules, diatomaceous fragments, diatomaceous remains, and mixtures thereof; a first, ionic liquid electrolyte; and a polymer or, in the printable composition, a polymer or a polymeric precursor. Another representative embodiment further comprises a second electrolyte different from the first electrolyte; the first and second electrolytes comprise zinc tetrafluoroborate salt in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidalzolium tetrafluoroborate ionic liquid; and the polymer comprises polyvinyl alcohol (“PVA”) or polyvinylidene fluoride (“PVFD”). Additional components, such as additional electrolytes and solvents, may also be included. | 01-16-2014 |
20140017571 | Printable Ionic Gel Separation Layer for Energy Storage Devices - Representative embodiments provide a liquid or gel separator utilized to separate and space apart first and second conductors or electrodes of an energy storage device, such as a battery or a supercapacitor. A representative liquid or gel separator comprises a plurality of particles, typically having a size (in any dimension) between about 0.5 to about 50 microns; a first, ionic liquid electrolyte; and a polymer. In another representative embodiment, the plurality of particles comprise diatoms, diatomaceous frustules, and/or diatomaceous fragments or remains. Another representative embodiment further comprises a second electrolyte different from the first electrolyte; the plurality of particles are comprised of silicate glass; the first and second electrolytes comprise zinc tetrafluoroborate salt in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidalzolium tetrafluoroborate ionic liquid; and the polymer comprises polyvinyl alcohol (“PVA”) or polyvinylidene fluoride (“PVFD”). Additional components, such as additional electrolytes and solvents, may also be included. | 01-16-2014 |
20140048749 | Conductive Ink Composition - A representative printable composition comprises a liquid or gel suspension of a plurality of conductive particles; a first solvent comprising a polyol or mixtures thereof, such as glycerin, and a second solvent comprising a carboxylic or dicarboxylic acid or mixtures thereof, such as glutaric acid. In various embodiments, the conductive particles are comprised of a metal, a semiconductor, an alloy of a metal and a semiconductor, or mixtures thereof, and may have sizes between about 5 nm to about 1.5 microns in any dimension. A representative conductive particle ink can be printed and annealed to produce a conductor. | 02-20-2014 |
20140051237 | Semiconductor Ink Composition - A representative printable composition comprises a liquid or gel suspension of a plurality of substantially spherical semiconductor particles; and a first solvent comprising a polyol or mixtures thereof, such as glycerin; and a second solvent different from the first solvent, the second solvent comprising a carboxylic or dicarboxylic acid or mixtures thereof, such as glutaric acid. The composition may further comprise a third solvent such as tetramethylurea, butanol, or isopropanol. In various embodiments, the plurality of substantially spherical semiconductor particles have a size in any dimension between about 5 nm and about 100μ. A representative composition can be printed and utilized to produce diodes, such as photovoltaic diodes or light emitting diodes. | 02-20-2014 |
20140051242 | Conductive Metallic and Semiconductor Ink Composition - A representative printable composition comprises a liquid or gel suspension of a plurality of metallic particles; a plurality of semiconductor particles; and a first solvent. The pluralities of particles may also be comprised of an alloy of a metal and a semiconductor. The composition may further comprise a second solvent different from the first solvent. In a representative embodiment, the first solvent comprises a polyol or mixtures thereof, such as glycerin, and the second solvent comprises a carboxylic or dicarboxylic acid or mixtures thereof, such as glutaric acid. In various embodiments, the metallic particles and the semiconductor particles are nanoparticles between about 5 nm to about 1.5 microns in any dimension. A representative metallic and semiconductor particle ink can be printed and annealed to produce a conductor. | 02-20-2014 |
20140139975 | Multilayer Carbon Nanotube Capacitor - Multilayer carbon nanotube capacitors, and methods and printable compositions for manufacturing multilayer carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are disclosed. A first capacitor embodiment includes: a first conductor; a plurality of fixed CNTs in an ionic liquid, each fixed CNT comprising a magnetic catalyst nanoparticle coupled to a carbon nanotube and further coupled to the first conductor; and a first plurality of free CNTs dispersed and moveable in the ionic liquid. Another capacitor embodiment includes: a first conductor; a conductive nanomesh coupled to the first conductor; a first plurality of fixed CNTs in an ionic liquid and further coupled to the conductive nanomesh; and a plurality of free CNTs dispersed and moveable in the ionic liquid. Various methods of printing the CNTs and other structures, and methods of aligning and moving the CNTs using applied electric and magnetic fields, are also disclosed. | 05-22-2014 |
20140182099 | Method of and Printable Compositions for Manufacturing a Multilayer Carbon Nanotube Capacitor - Multilayer carbon nanotube capacitors, and methods and printable compositions for manufacturing multilayer carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are disclosed. A first capacitor embodiment comprises: a first conductor; a plurality of fixed CNTs in an ionic liquid, each fixed CNT comprising a magnetic catalyst nanoparticle coupled to a carbon nanotube and further coupled to the first conductor; and a first plurality of free CNTs dispersed and moveable in the ionic liquid. Another capacitor embodiment comprises: a first conductor; a conductive nanomesh coupled to the first conductor; a first plurality of fixed CNTs in an ionic liquid and further coupled to the conductive nanomesh; and a plurality of free CNTs dispersed and moveable in the ionic liquid. Various methods of printing the CNTs and other structures, and methods of aligning and moving the CNTs using applied electric and magnetic fields, are also disclosed. | 07-03-2014 |