Patents Represented by Attorney Bell & Manning, LLC
  • Patent number: 8351109
    Abstract: A nonlinear optic article for difference frequency generation is provided. The article comprises a wave mixer configured to generate a difference frequency mixing signal, the wave mixer comprising a compound made from one or more noncentrosymmetric crystal-glass phase-change materials comprising one or more chalcogenide compounds that are structurally one dimensional and comprise a polymeric 1?[PSe6?] chain or a polymeric 1?[P2Se62?] chain, wherein the one or more chalcogenide compounds are capable of difference frequency generation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Northwestern University
    Inventors: Mercouri G. Kanatzidis, In Chung
  • Patent number: 8329218
    Abstract: The present invention provides vapor deposition methods that overcome the kinetic restrictions imposed by more conventional vapor deposition processes and liquid-cooling techniques to form amorphous molecular solids with greatly enhanced stabilities. The present methods produce amorphous molecular solids having stabilities, as measured by fictive temperature, that cannot be achieved using liquid-cooling methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Mark D. Ediger, Stephen Swallen, Ken Kearns, Lian Yu, Tian Wu
  • Patent number: 8325774
    Abstract: Semiconductor structures and laser devices including the semiconductor structures are provided. The semiconductor structures have a quantum cascade laser (QCL) structure including an electron injector, an active region, and an electron extractor. The active region of the semiconductor structures includes a configuration of quantum wells and barriers that virtually suppresses electron leakage, thereby providing laser devices including such structures with superior electro-optical characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Dan Botez, Jae Cheol Shin
  • Patent number: 8320489
    Abstract: A device, method, and computer-readable medium are provided. The device includes, but is not limited to, an antenna configured to receive a multipath signal and a processor operably coupled to the antenna to receive the multipath signal. The processor is configured to determine a training signal transmitted from a second device to create the received multipath signal; sample the received multipath signal; and determine channel coefficients based on the sampled multipath signal and the determined training signal using a mixed-norm convex optimization process, wherein the channel coefficients characterize a channel associated with the multipath signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Waheed Uz Zaman Bajwa, Akbar Muhammad Sayeed, Robert David Nowak, Jarvis Haupt
  • Patent number: 8307502
    Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a first member configured to be coupled to a door, a second member configured to be pivotally coupled to the first member, the second member having first and second mounting surfaces, and a mounting bracket configured to be coupled to the body. The mounting bracket may be at least partially located between the first and second mounting surfaces, and the second member may be adjustable relative to the mounting bracket to enable adjustment of the door relative to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Sub-Zero, Inc.
    Inventors: Arturo Bonomie, Daniel Mark Graham
  • Patent number: 8278040
    Abstract: Colloidal liquid crystal gels (CLCGs), sensors incorporating the CLCGs, culture substrates made from the CLCGs, and patterned films and molded articles made from the CLCGs are provided. The CLCGs are composite liquid crystal materials comprising networks of particles having liquid crystal domains dispersed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Nicholas L. Abbott, Ankit Agarwal, Santanu K. Pal
  • Patent number: 8277677
    Abstract: Thermoelectric eutectic and off-eutectic compositions comprising a minor phase in a thermoelectric matrix phase are provided. These compositions include eutectic and near eutectic compositions where the matrix phase is a chalcogenide (S, Se, Te) of Ge, Sn, or Pb or an appropriate alloy of these compounds and at least one of Ge, Ge1?xSix, Si, ZnTe, and Co are precipitated as the minor phase within the matrix. Methods of making and using the compositions are also provided. The thermoelectric and mechanical properties of the compositions make them well-suited for use in thermoelectric applications. Controlled doping of eutectic compositions and hypereutectic compositions can yield large power factors. By optimizing both the thermal conductivities and power factors of the present compositions, ZT values greater than 1 can be obtained at 700K.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Northwestern University
    Inventors: Mercouri G. Kanatzidis, Joseph R. Sootsman
  • Patent number: 8268180
    Abstract: Methods for forming a nanoperforated graphene material are provided. The methods comprise forming an etch mask defining a periodic array of holes over a graphene material and patterning the periodic array of holes into the graphene material. The etch mask comprises a pattern-defining block copolymer layer, and can optionally also comprise a wetting layer and a neutral layer. The nanoperforated graphene material can consist of a single sheet of graphene or a plurality of graphene sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Michael S. Arnold, Padma Gopalan, Nathaniel S. Safron, Myungwoong Kim
  • Patent number: 8259767
    Abstract: Semiconductor laser array devices capable of emitting mid- to long-wavelength infrared (i.e., 4-12 ?m) radiation are provided. The devices include a quantum cascade laser (QCL) structure comprising one or more active cores; an optical confinement structure; a cladding structure; and a plurality of laterally-spaced trench regions extending transversely through the optical confinement and cladding structures, and partially into the QCL structure. The trench regions, each of which comprises a lower trench layer comprising a semi-insulating material and an upper trench layer comprising a material having a refractive index that is higher than that of the semi-insulating material, define a plurality of laterally-spaced interelement regions separated by element regions in the laser array device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Dan Botez, Luke J. Mawst
  • Patent number: 8232617
    Abstract: Flexible lateral p-i-n (“PIN”) diodes, arrays of flexible PIN diodes and imaging devices incorporating arrays of PIN diodes are provided. The flexible lateral PIN diodes are fabricated from thin, flexible layers of single-crystalline semiconductor. A plurality of the PIN diodes can be patterned into a single semiconductor layer to provide a flexible photodetector array that can be formed into a three-dimensional imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Zhenqiang Ma, Max G. Lagally, Hao-Chih Yuan
  • Patent number: 8228251
    Abstract: An ultra-wideband, low profile antenna is provided. The antenna includes a ground plane substrate and a radiating element. The radiating element includes at least two loop sections, wherein each of the at least two loop sections is electrically connected to a feed network and to the ground plane substrate. The radiating element is configured to radiate over a first frequency band when the feed network provides an in-phase input signal to the at least two loop sections and to radiate over a second frequency band when the feed network provides an out-of-phase input signal to the at least two loop sections. The second frequency band includes a lower frequency than the first frequency band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignees: University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc., Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Nader Behdad, Mudar Alaa Al-Joumayly, Moshen Salehi
  • Patent number: 8229967
    Abstract: A method of visually representing pedigree data is provided. A root individual in a genealogical dataset is identified. A first parent and a second parent of the identified root individual are identified from the genealogical dataset. A third parent and a fourth parent of the identified first parent are identified from the genealogical dataset. A pedigree visualization relative to the identified root individual is presented which includes a root indicator, a first parent indicator, a second parent indicator, a third parent indicator, and a fourth parent indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: The University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Claurissa Tuttle, Cláudio T. Silva
  • Patent number: 8217410
    Abstract: Vertical cavity light emitting sources that utilize patterned membranes as reflectors are provided. The vertical cavity light emitting sources have a stacked structure that includes an active region disposed between an upper reflector and a lower reflector. The active region, upper reflector and lower reflector can be fabricated from single or multi-layered thin films of solid states materials (“membranes”) that can be separately processed and then stacked to form a vertical cavity light emitting source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignees: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Zhenqiang Ma, Weidong Zhou
  • Patent number: 8190633
    Abstract: A method of providing provenance management for a pre-existing application is provided. A provenance data selection is received. The provenance data selection indicates provenance data to present to a user. The provenance data is presented to the user as a version tree comprising a plurality of connected nodes. A node selection is received. The node selection indicates a node selected from the version tree. One or more nodes from a root node of the plurality of connected nodes to the node selected from the version tree are identified. One or more action parameters associated with the identified one or more nodes are identified. An action parameter of the one or more action parameters is associated with a previous interaction with a pre-existing application. Presentation of a state of the pre-existing application associated with the node selected from the version tree is triggered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: The University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Juliana Freire, Claudio T. Silva, Steven P. Callahan, Carlos E. Scheidegger, Huy T. Vo
  • Patent number: 8182887
    Abstract: Vacuum insulating glass (VIG) units, edge seals for VIG units and methods for forming the edge seals are provided. The VIG units include an edge seal that includes a viscous material, which serves to restrict the rate at which gas permeates into a vacuum space defined between the glass sheets of the VIG unit. The edge seals are configured to allow the glass sheets to move laterally relative to one another when the glass sheets experience differential thermal strain and further configured such that viscous shear occurs within at least a portion of the viscous material when there is relative lateral movement between the glass sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Inventor: Robert S. Jones
  • Patent number: 8168561
    Abstract: A core-shell catalyst material can include a core and a shell material. Each of the core material and the shell material can have crystal structures and lattice parameters which allow for a substantially coherent core-shell interface. The shell material can include a catalytically active metal. The circumferential stress of the shell material, ???, at the core-shell interface and at the shell surface, is greater than 0 (tensile) or can be compressive of a lower magnitude than a catalyst made of the shell material alone. The crystal structures of the core material can often be the same as the shell material, although this is not always required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventor: Anil V. Virkar
  • Patent number: 8166983
    Abstract: A dishwasher includes a tub formed by a plurality of walls defining an interior and an exterior, a first conduit coupled to the tub, a valve coupled to the first conduit, a rack moveable between an engaged horizontal position and a disengaged horizontal position and between an upper vertical position and a lower vertical position, and a second conduit coupled to the rack. A first portion of the second conduit engages the valve when the rack is in the upper vertical position, and a second portion of the second conduit engages the valve when the rack is in the lower vertical position. The valve permits fluid to flow from the first conduit to the second conduit when the rack is in the engaged horizontal position. The valve does not permit fluid to flow from the first conduit to the interior when the rack is in the disengaged horizontal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Wolf Appliance, Inc.
    Inventor: Colin R. Clerkin
  • Patent number: 8164092
    Abstract: Provided herein are PIN structures including a layer of amorphous n-type silicon, a layer of intrinsic GaAs disposed over the layer of amorphous n-type silicon, and a layer of amorphous p-type silicon disposed over the layer of intrinsic GaAs. The layer of intrinsic GaAs may be engineered by the disclosed methods to exhibit a variety of structural properties that enhance light absorption and charge carrier mobility, including oriented polycrystalline intrinsic GaAs, embedded particles of intrinsic GaAs, and textured surfaces. Also provided are devices incorporating the PIN structures, including photovoltaic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: The University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Ashutosh Tiwari, Makarand Karmarkar, Nathan Wheeler Gray
  • Patent number: 8164082
    Abstract: A spin bus quantum computing architecture includes a spin bus formed of multiple strongly coupled and always on qubits that define a string of spin qubits. A plurality of information bearing qubits are disposed adjacent a qubit of the spin bus. Electrodes are formed to the information bearing qubits and the spin bus qubits to allow control of the establishment and breaking of coupling between qubits to allow control of the establishment and breaking of coupling between each information bearing qubit and the spin bus qubit adjacent to it. The spin bus architecture allows rapid and reliable long-range coupling of qubits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventor: Mark G. Friesen
  • Patent number: 8155389
    Abstract: A method, a system, and a computer-readable medium are provided which perform motion correction of image data. A first set of data and a second set of data of k-space data of an object to be imaged are received. The first set of data and the second set of data include a plurality of phase encoded lines that encompass the object to be imaged. The first set of data correlates with the second set of data. A cross-correlation is calculated by multiplying the first set of data and the second set of data in k-space. A value of the motion of the object to be imaged that occurred between acquisition of the first set of data and acquisition of the second set of data is calculated using the cross-correlation. The second set of data is corrected using the calculated value to remove the motion. The correction process is repeated until the k-space data is completely processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: The University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Dennis Lee Parker, Evgueni G. Kholmovski