Patents Assigned to Unidym, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20150334805
    Abstract: An electroluminescent (EL) device is described, comprising an EL material, an electrode and nanostructures. The nanostructures may form an interconnected network, and may be employed in the EL material and/or in the electrode. A second electrode is also described, wherein an electric field formed between the two electrodes excites phosphors in the EL material to produce light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Applicant: Unidym, Inc.
    Inventors: Shripal Gandhi, Jeffrey Jue
  • Patent number: 7811542
    Abstract: A method for making carbon nanotube particulates involves providing a catalyst comprising catalytic metals, such as iron and molybdenum or metals from Group VIB or Group VIIIB elements, on a support material, such as magnesia, and contacting the catalyst with a gaseous carbon-containing feedstock, such as methane, at a sufficient temperature and for a sufficient contact time to make small-diameter carbon nanotubes having one or more walls and outer wall diameters of less than about 3 nm. Removal of the support material from the carbon nanotubes yields particulates of enmeshed carbon nanotubes that retain an approximate three-dimensional shape and size of the particulate support that was removed. The carbon nanotube particulates can comprise ropes of carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotube particulates disperse well in polymers and show high conductivity in polymers at low loadings. As electrical emitters, the carbon nanotube particulates exhibit very low “turn on” emission field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Unidym, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth O. McElrath, Yuemei Yang, Kenneth A. Smith, Xiaodong Hu
  • Patent number: 7785557
    Abstract: A transparent and conductive film comprising at least one network of graphene flakes is described herein. This film may further comprise an interpenetrating network of other nanostructures, a polymer and/or a functionalization agent(s). A method of fabricating the above device is also described, and may comprise depositing graphene flakes in solution and evaporating solvent therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Unidym, Inc.
    Inventors: George Gruner, David Hecht, Liangbing Hu
  • Publication number: 20100096004
    Abstract: A solar cell comprising at least one nanostructure-film electrode is discussed. The solar cell may further comprise a different conducting material, such as a conducting polymer, to fill pores in the nanostructure-film. Additionally or alternatively, the solar cell may comprise an electrode grid superimposed on the nanostructure-film. Likewise, the solar cell may have a single or multiple active layer(s), wherein nanostructure-film(s) may form at least semi-transparent anode(s) and/or cathode(s) through use of buffer layer(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: UNIDYM, INC.
    Inventors: Liangbing Hu, David Hecht, George Gruner
  • Publication number: 20090294966
    Abstract: A method of making an electrode, such as an interconnect for a semiconductor device, includes forming aligned carbon nanotubes using dielectrophoresis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicants: UNIDYM, INC., DUKE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jie Liu, Anna Fontcuberta I Morral
  • Patent number: 7566434
    Abstract: A method for separating single-wall carbon nanotubes from an aqueous slurry comprises adding a water-immiscible organic solvent to an aqueous slurry comprising single-wall carbon nanotubes, isolating at least some of the single-wall carbon nanotubes in the solvent, and removing the solvent from the single-wall carbon nanotubes to form dried single-wall carbon nanotubes. A spheroidal aggregate of single-wall carbon nanotubes is formed wherein the aggregate is approximately spherical and has a diameter in a range of about 0.1 and about 5 mm, and wherein the aggregate contains at least about 80 wt % single-wall carbon nanotubes. The spheroidal aggregates of single-wall carbon nanotubes are easily handled in industrial processes and are redispersable to single-wall carbon nanotubes and/or ropes of single-wall carbon nanotubes. This invention can also be applied to multi-wall carbon nanotubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Unidym, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuemei Yang, Martin Grosboll, Eduardo Vega, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20090085894
    Abstract: A touch screen comprising at least one nanostructure film and capable of detecting multiple touches occurring at the same time at distinct locations in a plane of the touch screen is described. The touch screen may comprise a sensing layer, a driving layer and/or a shielding layer. At least one of these layers may comprise a nanostructure film, and at least two of these layers may be formed on a common substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: UNIDYM, INC.
    Inventors: Shripal Gandhi, David Thomas, JR.
  • Publication number: 20090050601
    Abstract: A method of patterning a nanostructure film using a plasma is described. The nanostructure film may substantially comprise carbon and/or carbon nanotubes. The plasma may comprise an inert gas. The plasma may be applied to the nanostructure film at close to atmospheric pressure and room temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: UNIDYM, INC.
    Inventors: Youngbae Park, Liangbing Hu
  • Patent number: 7488875
    Abstract: A carbon nanotube material that comprises carbon nanotubes, a magnesia support and a catalyst metal can be purified by contacting it with a mixture comprising carbon dioxide and water. At least some of the magnesia support is reacted to form water-soluble compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Unidym, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Bahr, Yuemei Yang, Kenneth O. McElrath, Martin P. Grosboll, Aurelie Mayeux
  • Publication number: 20090017211
    Abstract: A transparent and conductive film comprising at least one network of graphene flakes is described herein. This film may further comprise an interpenetrating network of other nanostructures, a polymer and/or a functionalization agent(s). A method of fabricating the above device is also described, and may comprise depositing graphene flakes in solution and evaporating solvent therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: UNIDYM, INC.
    Inventors: George Gruner, Liangbing Hu, David Hecht
  • Publication number: 20080317982
    Abstract: A coated substrate comprising a nanostructure film formed on a non-planar substrate is described. The coated substrate may further be compliant, optically transparent and/or electrically conductive. Fabrication methods thereof are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: UNIDYM, INC.
    Inventors: David Hecht, Liangbing Hu, Jeffrey Jue, George Gruner
  • Publication number: 20080295456
    Abstract: A system and business method for maximizing the fabrication and distribution efficiency of transparent conductive carbon films, while at the same time preserving the desirable mechanical, electrical and optical properties of the films, are discussed. This system and method preferably employ a roll-to-roll fabrication process, environmental controls, testing of pertinent optoelectronic properties and packaging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: UNIDYM, INC.
    Inventors: John Miller, Shripal Gandhi
  • Patent number: 7449133
    Abstract: A transparent and conductive film comprising at least one network of graphene flakes is described herein. This film may further comprise an interpenetrating network of other nanostructures, a polymer and/or a functionalization agent(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Unidym, Inc.
    Inventors: George Gruner, Liangbing Hu, David Hecht
  • Publication number: 20080157080
    Abstract: A pixel electrode is provided, comprising a nanostructure-film deposited over an active matrix substrate, such that the pixel electrode makes electrical contact with an underlying layer. Similarly, auxiliary data pads and auxiliary gate pads are provided, which also comprise nanostructure-films deposited over an active matrix substrate, such that they make electrical contact with underlying layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: UNIDYM, INC.
    Inventors: George Gruner, Liangbing Hu, Young-Bae Park
  • Publication number: 20080128397
    Abstract: A novel nanostructure-film patterning method is discussed, wherein a laser is employed to etch a nanostructure-film. The laser may be a solid state UV laser, and the nanostructure-film may be patterned while mounted and moving on a roll-to-roll apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: UNIDYM, INC.
    Inventor: Shripal Gandhi
  • Publication number: 20080048996
    Abstract: Touch screen displays comprising at least one nanostructure-film, and fabrication methods thereof, are discussed. Nanostructure-films may comprise, for example, a network(s) of nanotubes, nanowires, nanoparticles and/or graphene flakes. Such films are preferably at least semi-transparent and relatively flexible, making them well-suited for use in a variety of touch screen applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Applicant: UNIDYM, INC.
    Inventors: Liangbing Hu, George Gruner
  • Publication number: 20080023066
    Abstract: An optoelectronic device comprising at least one nanostructure-film electrode is discussed. The optoelectronic device may further comprise a different material, such as a polymer, to fill pores in the nanostructure-film. Additionally or alternatively, the optoelectronic device may comprise an electrode grid superimposed on the nanostructure-film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Applicants: UNIDYM, INC., The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: David Hecht, George Gruner, Mark Topinka, Michael McGehee
  • Publication number: 20080001141
    Abstract: A doped nanostructure network, devices incorporating a doped nanostructure network and fabrication methods thereof are described. Dopant may be deposited by a solution-based method, and the dopant is preferably stable over an extended period of time. Networks according to embodiments of the present invention can exhibit conductivities in excess of 4000 S/cm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Applicant: UNIDYM, INC.
    Inventors: George Gruner, David Hecht
  • Publication number: 20070284557
    Abstract: A transparent and conductive film comprising at least one network of graphene flakes is described herein. This film may further comprise an interpenetrating network of other nanostructures, a polymer and/or a functionalization agent(s). A method of fabricating the above device is also described, and may comprise depositing graphene flakes in solution and evaporating solvent therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Applicant: UNIDYM, INC.
    Inventors: George Gruner, Liangbing Hu, David Hecht