Patents by Inventor Alexander K. Zettl

Alexander K. Zettl has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240118129
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to an ultrasonic microphone and an ultrasonic acoustic radio. In one aspect a system includes a transmitter and a receiver. The receiver comprises a membrane. The membrane comprises a single layer or multiple layers of a two-dimensional material. The receiver is operable to receive sound waves in a frequency range, with the frequency range being the ultrasonic frequency range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Qin ZHOU, Alexander K. ZETTL
  • Patent number: 11913827
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to an ultrasonic microphone and an ultrasonic acoustic radio. In one aspect a system includes a transmitter and a receiver. The receiver comprises a membrane. The membrane comprises a single layer or multiple layers of a two-dimensional material. The receiver is operable to receive sound waves in a frequency range, with the frequency range being the ultrasonic frequency range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Qin Zhou, Alexander K. Zettl
  • Patent number: 11589164
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to acoustic transducers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Alexander K. Zettl, Stephen M. Gilbert, Donez J. Horton-Bailey, Hu Long
  • Patent number: 11493381
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to an ultrasonic microphone and an ultrasonic acoustic radio. In one aspect a system includes a transmitter and a receiver. The receiver comprises a membrane. The membrane comprises a single layer or multiple layers of a two-dimensional material. The receiver is operable to receive sound waves in a frequency range, with the frequency range being the ultrasonic frequency range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Qin Zhou, Alexander K. Zettl
  • Publication number: 20220209310
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to Li-ion batteries. In one aspect an electrolyte structure for use in a battery comprises an electrolyte and an interconnected boron nitride structure disposed in the electrolyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventors: Onur Ergen, Alexander K. Zettl
  • Publication number: 20220159387
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a device that includes a graphene membrane and a first electrode proximate a first side of the graphene membrane, the first electrode being electrically conductive. The device further includes a frame comprising a first part and a second part, wherein the graphene membrane is suspended between the first part and the second part. The device is configured to have a frequency response across a frequency range at least from 20 Hz to 20 kHz or across the entire human audible frequency range. The device is a microphone or a loudspeaker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2022
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: Qin Zhou, Alexander K. Zettl
  • Patent number: 11252512
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and device associated with an electrostatically driven graphene speaker. In one aspect, the device includes a graphene membrane having a diameter of about 3 millimeters to about 11 millimeters, and a first electrode proximate a first side of the graphene membrane, the first electrode being electrically conductive. The device is a microphone or a loudspeaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Qin Zhou, Alexander K. Zettl
  • Patent number: 11223071
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to Li-ion batteries. In one aspect an electrolyte structure for use in a battery comprises an electrolyte and an interconnected boron nitride structure disposed in the electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Onur Ergen, Alexander K. Zettl
  • Publication number: 20210321198
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to acoustic transducers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventors: Alexander K. Zettl, Stephen M. Gilbert, Donez J. Horton-Bailey, Hu Long
  • Publication number: 20210302226
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to an ultrasonic microphone and an ultrasonic acoustic radio. In one aspect a system includes a transmitter and a receiver. The receiver comprises a membrane. The membrane comprises a single layer or multiple layers of a two-dimensional material. The receiver is operable to receive sound waves in a frequency range, with the frequency range being the ultrasonic frequency range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Qin ZHOU, Alexander K. ZETTL
  • Patent number: 10890481
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to an ultrasonic microphone and an ultrasonic acoustic radio. In one aspect a system includes a transmitter and a receiver. The receiver comprises a membrane. The membrane comprises a single layer or multiple layers of a two-dimensional material. The receiver is operable to receive sound waves in a frequency range, with the frequency range being the ultrasonic frequency range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Qin Zhou, Alexander K. Zettl
  • Publication number: 20200374635
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and device associated with an electrostatically driven graphene speaker. In one aspect, the device includes a graphene membrane having a diameter of about 3 millimeters to about 11 millimeters, and a first electrode proximate a first side of the graphene membrane, the first electrode being electrically conductive. The device is a microphone or a loudspeaker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Inventors: Qin Zhou, Alexander K. Zettl
  • Patent number: 10771903
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus associated with an electrostatically driven graphene speaker. In one aspect, a device includes a graphene membrane, a first frame on a first side of the graphene membrane, and a second frame on a second side of the graphene membrane. The first frame and the second frame both include substantially circular open regions that define a substantially circular portion of the graphene membrane. A first electrode is proximate the first side of the circular portion of the graphene membrane. A second electrode proximate the second side of the circular portion of the graphene membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Qin Zhou, Alexander K. Zettl
  • Publication number: 20200266497
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to Li-ion batteries. In one aspect an electrolyte structure for use in a battery comprises an electrolyte and an interconnected boron nitride structure disposed in the electrolyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Onur Ergen, Alexander K. Zettl
  • Publication number: 20200245075
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus associated with an electrostatically driven graphene speaker. In one aspect, a device includes a graphene membrane, a first frame on a first side of the graphene membrane, and a second frame on a second side of the graphene membrane. The first frame and the second frame both include substantially circular open regions that define a substantially circular portion of the graphene membrane. A first electrode is proximate the first side of the circular portion of the graphene membrane. A second electrode proximate the second side of the circular portion of the graphene membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Qin Zhou, Alexander K. Zettl
  • Publication number: 20200230566
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for producing chemical nanostructures having multiple elements, such as boron and nitride, e.g. boron nitride nanotubes, are disclosed. The method comprises creating a plasma jet, or plume, such as by an arc discharge. The plasma plume is elongated and has a temperature gradient along its length. It extends along its length into a port connector area having ports for introduction of feed materials. The feed materials include the multiple elements, which are introduced separately as fluids or powders at multiple ports along the length of the plasma plume, said ports entering the plasma plume at different temperatures. The method further comprises modifying a temperature at a distal portion of or immediately downstream of said plasma plume; and collecting said chemical nanostructures after said modifying.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Inventor: Alexander K. Zettl
  • Patent number: 10686227
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to Li-ion batteries. In one aspect an electrolyte structure for use in a battery comprises an electrolyte and an interconnected boron nitride structure disposed in the electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Onur Ergen, Alexander K. Zettl
  • Publication number: 20200182686
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to an ultrasonic microphone and an ultrasonic acoustic radio. In one aspect a system includes a transmitter and a receiver. The receiver comprises a membrane. The membrane comprises a single layer or multiple layers of a two-dimensional material. The receiver is operable to receive sound waves in a frequency range, with the frequency range being the ultrasonic frequency range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventors: Qin ZHOU, Alexander K. ZETTL
  • Patent number: 10641651
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to an ultrasonic microphone and an ultrasonic acoustic radio. In one aspect a system includes a transmitter and a receiver. The receiver comprises a membrane. The membrane comprises 5 a single layer or multiple layers of a two-dimensional material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Qin Zhou, Alexander K. Zettl
  • Patent number: 10596542
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for producing chemical nanostructures having multiple elements, such as boron and nitride, e.g. boron nitride nanotubes, are disclosed. The method comprises creating a plasma jet, or plume, such as by an arc discharge. The plasma plume is elongated and has a temperature gradient along its length. It extends along its length into a port connector area having ports for introduction of feed materials. The feed materials include the multiple elements, which are introduced separately as fluids or powders at multiple ports along the length of the plasma plume, said ports entering the plasma plume at different temperatures. The method further comprises modifying a temperature at a distal portion of or immediately downstream of said plasma plume; and collecting said chemical nanostructures after said modifying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: Alexander K. Zettl