Patents by Inventor Richard D. Averitt

Richard D. Averitt 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: 10024723
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting electromagnetic radiation within a target frequency range is provided. The apparatus includes a substrate and one or more resonator structures disposed on the substrate. The substrate can be a dielectric or semiconductor material. Each of the one or more resonator structures has at least one dimension that is less than the wavelength of target electromagnetic radiation within the target frequency range, and each of the resonator structures includes at least two conductive structures separated by a spacing. Charge carriers are induced in the substrate near the spacing when the resonator structures are exposed to the target electromagnetic radiation. A measure of the change in conductivity of the substrate due to the induced charge carriers provides an indication of the presence of the target electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Harold Y. Hwang, Mengkun Liu, Richard D. Averitt, Keith A. Nelson, Aaron Sternbach, Kebin Fan
  • Publication number: 20170131148
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting electromagnetic radiation within a target frequency range is provided. The apparatus includes a substrate and one or more resonator structures disposed on the substrate. The substrate can be a dielectric or semiconductor material. Each of the one or more resonator structures has at least one dimension that is less than the wavelength of target electromagnetic radiation within the target frequency range, and each of the resonator structures includes at least two conductive structures separated by a spacing. Charge carriers are induced in the substrate near the spacing when the resonator structures are exposed to the target electromagnetic radiation. A measure of the change in conductivity of the substrate due to the induced charge carriers provides an indication of the presence of the target electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventors: Harold Y. Hwang, Mengkun Liu, Richard D. Averitt, Keith A. Nelson, Aaron Sternbach, Kebin Fan
  • Patent number: 9366576
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting electromagnetic radiation within a target frequency range is provided. The apparatus includes a substrate and one or more resonator structures disposed on the substrate. The substrate can be a dielectric or semiconductor material. Each of the one or more resonator structures has at least one dimension that is less than the wavelength of target electromagnetic radiation within the target frequency range, and each of the resonator structures includes at least two conductive structures separated by a spacing. Charge carriers are induced in the substrate near the spacing when the resonator structures are exposed to the target electromagnetic radiation. A measure of the change in conductivity of the substrate due to the induced charge carriers provides an indication of the presence of the target electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Harold Y. Hwang, Mengkun Liu, Richard D. Averitt, Keith A. Nelson, Aaron Sternbach, Kebin Fan
  • Publication number: 20150285687
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting electromagnetic radiation within a target frequency range is provided. The apparatus includes a substrate and one or more resonator structures disposed on the substrate. The substrate can be a dielectric or semiconductor material. Each of the one or more resonator structures has at least one dimension that is less than the wavelength of target electromagnetic radiation within the target frequency range, and each of the resonator structures includes at least two conductive structures separated by a spacing. Charge carriers are induced in the substrate near the spacing when the resonator structures are exposed to the target electromagnetic radiation. A measure of the change in conductivity of the substrate due to the induced charge carriers provides an indication of the presence of the target electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventors: Harold Y. Hwang, Mengkun Liu, Richard D. Averitt, Keith A. Nelson, Aaron Sternbach, Kebin Fan
  • Patent number: 9000376
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting electromagnetic radiation within a target frequency range is provided. The apparatus includes a substrate and one or more resonator structures disposed on the substrate. The substrate can be a dielectric or semiconductor material. Each of the one or more resonator structures has at least one dimension that is less than the wavelength of target electromagnetic radiation within the target frequency range, and each of the resonator structures includes at least two conductive structures separated by a spacing. Charge carriers are induced in the substrate near the spacing when the resonator structures are exposed to the target electromagnetic radiation. A measure of the change in conductivity of the substrate due to the induced charge carriers provides an indication of the presence of the target electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignees: Massachusettes Institute of Technology, Trustees of Boston University
    Inventors: Harold Y. Hwang, Mengkun Liu, Richard D. Averitt, Keith A. Nelson, Aaron Sternbach, Kebin Fan
  • Patent number: 8803637
    Abstract: Terahertz metamaterials comprise a periodic array of resonator elements disposed on a dielectric substrate or thin membrane, wherein the resonator elements have a structure that provides a tunable magnetic permeability or a tunable electric permittivity for incident electromagnetic radiation at a frequency greater than about 100 GHz and the periodic array has a lattice constant that is smaller than the wavelength of the incident electromagnetic radiation. Microfabricated metamaterials exhibit lower losses and can be assembled into three-dimensional structures that enable full coupling of incident electromagnetic terahertz radiation in two or three orthogonal directions. Furthermore, polarization sensitive and insensitive metamaterials at terahertz frequencies can enable new devices and applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Xomalin Guaiuli Peralta, Igal Brener, John O'Hara, Abul Azad, Evgenya Smirnova, John D. Williams, Richard D. Averitt
  • Publication number: 20140061469
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting electromagnetic radiation within a target frequency range is provided. The apparatus includes a substrate and one or more resonator structures disposed on the substrate. The substrate can be a dielectric or semiconductor material. Each of the one or more resonator structures has at least one dimension that is less than the wavelength of target electromagnetic radiation within the target frequency range, and each of the resonator structures includes at least two conductive structures separated by a spacing. Charge carriers are induced in the substrate near the spacing when the resonator structures are exposed to the target electromagnetic radiation. A measure of the change in conductivity of the substrate due to the induced charge carriers provides an indication of the presence of the target electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: Harold Y. Hwang, Mengkun Liu, Richard D. Averitt, Keith A. Nelson, Aaron Sternbach, Kebin Fan
  • Patent number: 7371457
    Abstract: The present invention is for particulate compositions and methods for producing them that can absorb or scatter electromagnetic radiation. The particles are homogeneous in size and are comprised of a nonconducting inner layer that is surrounded by an electrically conducting material. The ratio of the thickness of the nonconducting layer to the thickness of the outer conducting shell is determinative of the wavelength of maximum absorbance or scattering of the particle. Unique solution phase methods for synthesizing the particles involve linking clusters of the conducting atoms, ions, or molecules to the nonconducting inner layer by linear molecules. This step can be followed by growth of the metal onto the clusters to form a coherent conducting shell that encapsulates the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: William Marsh Rich University
    Inventors: Steven J. Oldenburg, Richard D. Averitt, Nancy J. Halas
  • Publication number: 20040214001
    Abstract: The present invention is for particulate compositions and methods for producing them that can absorb or scatter electromagnetic radiation. The particles are homogeneous in size and are comprised of a nonconducting inner layer that is surrounded by an electrically conducting material. The ratio of the thickness of the nonconducting layer to the thickness of the outer conducting shell is determinative of the wavelength of maximum absorbance or scattering of the particle. Unique solution phase methods for synthesizing the particles involve linking clusters of the conducting atoms, ions, or molecules to the nonconducting inner layer by linear molecules. This step can be followed by growth of the metal onto the clusters to form a coherent conducting shell that encapsulates the core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Applicant: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Steven J. Oldenburg, Richard D. Averitt, Nancy J. Halas
  • Patent number: 6699724
    Abstract: The present invention provides nanoshell particles (“nanoshells”) for use in biosensing applications, along with their manner of making and methods of using the nanoshells for in vitro and in vivo detection of chemical and biological analytes, preferably by surface enhanced Raman light scattering. The preferred particles have a non-conducting core and a metal shell surrounding the core. For given core and shell materials, the ratio of the thickness (i.e., radius) of the core to the thickness of the metal shell is determinative of the wavelength of maximum absorbance of the particle. By controlling the relative core and shell thicknesses, biosensing metal nanoshells are fabricated which absorb light at any desired wavelength across the ultraviolet to infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum. The surface of the particles are capable of inducing an enhanced SERS signal that is characteristic of an analyte of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Wm. Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Jennifer L. West, Nancy J. Halas, Steven J. Oldenburg, Richard D. Averitt
  • Patent number: 6685986
    Abstract: The present invention is for particulate compositions and methods for producing them that can absorb or scatter electromagnetic radiation. The particles are homogeneous in size and are comprised of a nonconducting inner layer that is surrounded by an electrically conducting material. The ratio of the thickness of the nonconducting layer to the thickness of the outer conducting shell is determinative of the wavelength of maximum absorbance or scattering of the particle. Unique solution phase methods for synthesizing the particles involve linking clusters of the conducting atoms, ions, or molecules to the nonconducting inner layer by linear molecules. This step can be followed by growth of the metal onto the clusters to form a coherent conducting shell that encapsulates the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Steven J. Oldenburg, Richard D. Averitt, Nancy J. Halas
  • Patent number: 6645517
    Abstract: A thermally sensitive polymer-particle composite that absorbs electromagnetic radiation, and uses the absorbed energy to trigger the delivery of a chemical is disclosed. Metal nanoshells are nanoparticulate materials that are suitable for use in the present composites and can be made according to a process that includes optically tuning or tailoring their maximum optical absorption to any desired wavelength primarily by altering the ratio of the core diameter to the shell thickness. Preferred nanoshells are selected that strongly absorb light in the near-infrared and thus produce heat. These nanoshells are combined with a temperature-sensitive material to provide an implantable or injectable material for modulated drug delivery via external exposure to near-IR light. This invention provides a means to improve the quality of life for persons requiring multiple injections of a drug, such as diabetes mellitus patients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: William Rice Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Jennifer L. West, Scott R. Sershen, Nancy J. Halas, Steven J. Oldenburg, Richard D. Averitt
  • Publication number: 20020169235
    Abstract: A thermally sensitive polymer-particle composite that absorbs electromagnetic radiation, and uses the absorbed energy to trigger the delivery of a chemical is disclosed. Metal nanoshells are nanoparticulate materials that are suitable for use in the present composites and can be made according to a process that includes optically tuning or tailoring their maximum optical absorption to any desired wavelength primarily by altering the ratio of the core diameter to the shell thickness. Preferred nanoshells are selected that strongly absorb light in the near-infrared and thus produce heat. These nanoshells are combined with a temperature-sensitive material to provide an implantable or injectable material for modulated drug delivery via external exposure to near-IR light. This invention provides a means to improve the quality of life for persons requiring multiple injections of a drug, such as diabetes mellitus patients.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Applicant: WM. MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jennifer L. West, Scott R. Sershen, Nancy J. Halas, Steven J. Oldenburg, Richard D. Averitt
  • Patent number: 6428811
    Abstract: A thermally sensitive polymer-particle composite that absorbs electromagnetic radiation, and uses the absorbed energy to trigger the delivery of a chemical is disclosed. Metal nanoshells are nanoparticulate materials that are suitable for use in the present composites and can be made according to a process that includes optically tuning or tailoring their maximum optical absorption to any desired wavelength primarily by altering the ratio of the core diameter to the shell thickness. Preferred nanoshells are selected that strongly absorb light in the near-infrared and thus produce heat. These nanoshells are combined with a temperature-sensitive material to provide an implantable or injectable material for modulated drug delivery via external exposure to near-IR light. This invention provides a means to improve the quality of life for persons requiring multiple injections of a drug, such as diabetes mellitus patients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: WM. Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Jennifer L. West, Scott R. Sershen, Nancy J. Halas, Steven J. Oldenburg, Richard D. Averitt
  • Patent number: 6344272
    Abstract: The present invention is for particulate compositions and methods for producing them that can absorb or scatter electromagnetic radiation. The particles are homogeneous in size and are comprised of a nonconducting inner layer that is surrounded by an electrically conducting material. The ratio of the thickness of the nonconducting layer to the thickness of the outer conducting shell is determinative of the wavelength of maximum absorbance or scattering of the particle. Unique solution phase methods for synthesizing the particles involve linking clusters of the conducting atoms, ions, or molecules to the nonconducting inner layer by linear molecules. This step can be followed by growth of the metal onto the clusters to form a coherent conducting shell that encapsulates the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Wm. Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Steven J. Oldenburg, Richard D. Averitt, Nancy J. Halas
  • Publication number: 20010002275
    Abstract: The present invention is for particulate compositions and methods for producing them that can absorb or scatter electromagnetic radiation. The particles are homogeneous in size and are comprised of a nonconducting inner layer that is surrounded by an electrically conducting material. The ratio of the thickness of the nonconducting layer to the thickness of the outer conducting shell is determinative of the wavelength of maximum absorbance or scattering of the particle. Unique solution phase methods for synthesizing the particles involve linking clusters of the conducting atoms, ions, or molecules to the nonconducting inner layer by linear molecules. This step can be followed by growth of the metal onto the clusters to form a coherent conducting shell that encapsulates the core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Publication date: May 31, 2001
    Inventors: Steven J. Oldenburg, Richard D. Averitt, Nancy J. Halas