Patents by Inventor Alfred J. Baca

Alfred J. Baca 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).

  • Patent number: 10714697
    Abstract: A method for making a nanostructure includes preparing a perovskite precursor in a solvent where the perovskite concentration ranges from about 0.5M to about 1.5M. A substrate is coated in the perovskite precursor, and the perovskite precursor is annealed onto the substrate, thereby forming the nanostructure including the substrate with perovskite nanocrystal deposits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Alfred J. Baca, John Stenger-Smith, M. Joseph Roberts
  • Patent number: 10119953
    Abstract: The synthesis of AgInS2 based quantum dots and their use as fluorometric probes for the selective detection of nitroaromatic explosive chemicals, without the use of ligands specific to nitroaromatic explosive chemicals. These quantum dots allow the detection of nitroaromatic explosive molecules by eye. The present invention also represents a simple patterning method for quantum dots on substrates, including low cost filter paper. The ease of fabrication, use of less toxic materials, and the selectivity to nitroaromatic explosive chemicals results in a practical solution to the development of a portable fluorescent probe based on quantum dots for the detection of nitroaromatic explosive chemicals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Alfred J. Baca, Heather A. Meylemans, Lee R. Cambrea, Lawrence Baldwin
  • Patent number: 9773621
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for the uniform dispersion of nano scaled redox particles in a conductive fiber including, combining at least one nano sized redox capable material having metal oxides and/or metals, at least one conductive binder, and at least one solvent to form electrically conductive metal imbedded fiber(s) by fiber spinning and the conductive polymeric binder having a molecular weight greater than 20,000 Daltons, and coating a substrate with the electrically conductive fiber(s) to form an active layer substrate complex having a conductivity greater than 0.05 S/cm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: William W. Lai, Alfred J. Baca, John D. Stenger-Smith, Heather Meylemans
  • Patent number: 9670317
    Abstract: A material that can be used either as a standalone or coating additive that would both repel water and resist corrosion would greatly benefit the Navy. A method of making hydrophobic polymer, including combining a perylene derived monomer with a bisphenol derived monomer to produce a polymer mixture, and condensing said polymer mixture to produce a hydrophobic polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: William W. Lai, Benjamin G. Harvey, Alfred J. Baca, Heather Meylemans
  • Patent number: 9666380
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for the uniform dispersion of nano scaled redox particles in a conductive fiber including, combining at least one nano sized redox capable material having metal oxides and/or metals, at least one conductive binder, and at least one solvent to form electrically conductive metal imbedded fiber(s) by fiber spinning and the conductive polymeric binder having a molecular weight greater than 20,000 Daltons, and coating a substrate with the electrically conductive fiber(s) to form an active layer/substrate complex having a conductivity greater than 0.05 S/cm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: William W. Lai, Alfred J. Baca, John D. Stenger-Smith, Heather Meylemans
  • Patent number: 9627622
    Abstract: A method for making electronic devices based on derivatized ladder polymer (Pz-BBL) including photovoltaic modules and simple thin film transistors in planar and mechanically flexible and stretchable constructs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: William W. Lai, Alfred J. Baca
  • Patent number: 9558892
    Abstract: A method for making electronic devices based on derivatized ladder polymer poly(benzo-isimidazobenzophenanthroline) (BBL) including photovoltaic modules and simple thin film transistors in planar and mechanically flexible and stretchable constructs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Alfred J. Baca, William W. Lai
  • Patent number: 9435912
    Abstract: A wholly organic coating consisting of one or more layers of Py-BBL that is transparent in the IR region of the spectrum which is also thermally and oxdatively stable. This is coated onto IR transparent windows, domes and or optical lenses, for enhanced IR and signal filtering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: William W. Lai, Lee R. Cambrea, Alfred J. Baca
  • Patent number: 9379328
    Abstract: A method for making electronic devices based on derivatized ladder polymer poly(benzo-isimidazobenzophenanthroline) (BBL) including photovoltaic modules and simple thin film transistors in planar and mechanically flexible and stretchable constructs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Alfred J. Baca, William W. Lai
  • Patent number: 9356240
    Abstract: A method for making electronic devices based on derivatized ladder polymer (Pz-BBL) including photovoltaic modules and simple thin film transistors in planar and mechanically flexible and stretchable constructs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: William W. Lai, Alfred J. Baca
  • Patent number: 9349900
    Abstract: Provided are methods for making a device or device component by providing a multi layer structure having a plurality of functional layers and a plurality of release layers and releasing the functional layers from the multilayer structure by separating one or more of the release layers to generate a plurality of transferable structures. The transferable structures are printed onto a device substrate or device component supported by a device substrate. The methods and systems provide means for making high-quality and low-cost photovoltaic devices, transferable semiconductor structures, (opto-)electronic devices and device components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: John A. Rogers, Ralph G. Nuzzo, Matthew Meitl, Heung Cho Ko, Jongseung Yoon, Etienne Menard, Alfred J. Baca
  • Patent number: 9293267
    Abstract: A method for making electronic devices based on derivatized ladder polymer poly(benzo-isimidazobenzophenanthroline) (BBL) including photovoltaic modules and simple thin film transistors in planar and mechanically flexible and stretchable constructs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Alfred J Baca, William W Lai
  • Patent number: 9048761
    Abstract: An energy harvesting device using auxetic materials includes a first auxetic conductive electrode layer. A second auxetic conductive electrode layer is associated with the first auxetic conductive electrode layer. The auxetic conductive electrode layers have negative Poisson ratios. At least one dielectric elastomer layer is associated in layered orientation between the first and second auxetic conductive electrode layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: M. Joseph Roberts, Alfred J. Baca, William W. Lai, Lawrence C. Baldwin, Michael T. Owens
  • Patent number: 9030079
    Abstract: An energy harvesting device using auxetic materials includes a first auxetic conductive electrode layer. A second auxetic conductive electrode layer is associated with the first auxetic conductive electrode layer. The auxetic conductive electrode layers have negative Poisson ratios. At least one dielectric elastomer layer is associated in layered orientation between the first and second auxetic conductive electrode layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: M. Joseph Roberts, Alfred J. Baca, William W. Lai, Lawrence C. Baldwin, Michael T. Owens
  • Patent number: 9017794
    Abstract: A plasmonic array and methods of fabricating having a substrate, a layer of elastomeric material cured in nanowell or nanopost features, a fluorescent layer, and a plasmonic metal layer on top.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: William W. Lai, Lee R. Cambrea, Alfred J. Baca
  • Patent number: 8951828
    Abstract: A method for making electronic devices based on derivatized ladder polymer poly(benzo-isimidazobenzophenanthroline) (BBL) including photovoltaic modules and simple thin film transistors in planar and mechanically flexible and stretchable constructs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: William W. Lai, Alfred J. Baca
  • Publication number: 20140361409
    Abstract: Provided are methods for making a device or device component by providing a multi layer structure having a plurality of functional layers and a plurality of release layers and releasing the functional layers from the multilayer structure by separating one or more of the release layers to generate a plurality of transferable structures. The transferable structures are printed onto a device substrate or device component supported by a device substrate. The methods and systems provide means for making high-quality and low-cost photovoltaic devices, transferable semiconductor structures, (opto-)electronic devices and device components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
    Inventors: John A. ROGERS, Ralph G. NUZZO, Matthew MEITL, Heung Cho KO, Jongseung YOON, Etienne MENARD, Alfred J. BACA
  • Patent number: 8895406
    Abstract: Provided are methods for making a device or device component by providing a multilayer structure having a plurality of functional layers and a plurality of release layers and releasing the functional layers from the multilayer structure by separating one or more of the release layers to generate a plurality of transferable structures. The transferable structures are printed onto a device substrate or device component supported by a device substrate. The methods and systems provide means for making high-quality and low-cost photovoltaic devices, transferable semiconductor structures, (opto-)electronic devices and device components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: John A. Rogers, Ralph G. Nuzzo, Matthew Meitl, Heung Cho Ko, Jongseung Yoon, Etienne Menard, Alfred J. Baca
  • Patent number: 8722458
    Abstract: Provided are optical devices and systems fabricated, at least in part, via printing-based assembly and integration of device components. In specific embodiments the present invention provides light emitting systems, light collecting systems, light sensing systems and photovoltaic systems comprising printable semiconductor elements, including large area, high performance macroelectronic devices. Optical systems of the present invention comprise semiconductor elements assembled, organized and/or integrated with other device components via printing techniques that exhibit performance characteristics and functionality comparable to single crystalline semiconductor based devices fabricated using conventional high temperature processing methods. Optical systems of the present invention have device geometries and configurations, such as form factors, component densities, and component positions, accessed by printing that provide a range of useful device functionalities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignees: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois, Semprius, Inc.
    Inventors: John Rogers, Ralph Nuzzo, Matthew Meitl, Etienne Menard, Alfred J. Baca, Michael Motala, Jong-Hyun Ahn, Sang-Il Park, Chang-Jae Yu, Heung Cho Ko, Mark Stoykovich, Jongseung Yoon
  • Patent number: 8692396
    Abstract: A hybrid system for harvesting magnetic and electrical energy includes a substrate, at least one permanent magnet, and at least one coil of wire equal in number to the permanent magnet. Each permanent magnet is configured to fit in the substrate. Each coil of wire is configured to fit circumferentially around a respective permanent magnet. Each coil of wire is configured to fit in the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: William W. Lai, Alfred J. Baca, M. Joseph Roberts, Lawrence C. Baldwin, Michael T. Owens