Patents by Inventor Zachary A. Sechrist

Zachary A. Sechrist 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: 11962079
    Abstract: The embodiments include an array in intimate adjacent contact with a substrate foundation. The array has a plurality of radio frequency (RF) witness films overlain on the substrate foundation. Each RF witness film is a unit cell defined in a three-dimensional coordinate frame of reference, and is centered at an origin of the three-dimensional coordinate frame of reference. Each RF witness film in the plurality of RF witness films is equally-spaced from adjacent RF witness films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Zachary A. Sechrist, Christopher G. Yelton, Mark B. Moran, Linda F Johnson, Joseph E. Estevez, Gretchen H. Hefley
  • Patent number: 11956935
    Abstract: The embodiments are directed to protecting objects having sensitive electronics from high power radio frequency (HPRF) interference signals. An object with the sensitive electronics has a thin film applied to the object's outer surface. The thin film conforms to the object's outer surface contours. The thin film has a substrate foundation, an array in intimate adjacent contact with the substrate foundation. The array has a plurality of radio frequency (RF) witness films overlain on the substrate foundation. Each RF witness film in the plurality of RF witness films is equally-spaced from adjacent RF witness films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Zachary A. Sechrist, Christopher G. Yelton
  • Patent number: 11852547
    Abstract: A sensor configured to sense when a force is applied to a surface includes a capacitive structure having a first conductive layer, a dielectric layer, and a second conductive layer. The dielectric layer is overlain on the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer is overlain on the dielectric layer. A glass superstrate has a first side and a second side, with the first side overlain on the second conductive layer. The force is applied to the second side of the glass superstrate. The force results from an object attached to the second side of the glass superstrate. The force causes capacitance changes between the first and second conductive layers. The force can be compressive or tensile, depending on whether the object is attached by magnet or adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Zachary A. Sechrist, Ronald J. Tonucci
  • Patent number: 11764466
    Abstract: The embodiments are directed to radio frequency witness films. The embodiments include a unit cell in a three-dimensional coordinate frame of reference defined by an x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis. The unit cell is centered at an origin of the three-dimensional coordinate frame of reference. The unit cell includes a substrate, a first conductive layer, a dielectric layer, and a second conductive layer. The second conductive layer has at least two microstrip extensions that are perpendicular to each other in the x-y plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Zachary A. Sechrist, Christopher G. Yelton, Mark B. Moran, Linda F. Johnson, Joseph E. Estevez, Gretchen H. Hefley
  • Patent number: 11630006
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to sensors that detect objects attached to a vehicle. The sensor includes a layered capacitive structure. The sensors utilize a deformable dielectric layer sandwiched between two conductive layers. The layered capacitive structure measures capacitance changes caused by an applied force to the uppermost layer of the capacitive structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Zachary A. Sechrist, Ronald J. Tonucci
  • Patent number: 10185061
    Abstract: A selective area atomic layer deposition process that can deposit conductive materials onto one homopolymer region in a diblock copolymer. The diblock copolymer generates a large area self assembled substrate with nanoscale homopolymer regions arrayed into predictable patterns. Combining these two technologies allows formation of plasmonic surfaces without expensive lithographic processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Lee Cambrea, Zachary Sechrist
  • Patent number: 9910200
    Abstract: An invention generally relating to minimizing performance loss of the system when fitted with an electromagnetic interference (EMI) shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the United States
    Inventors: Zachary Sechrist, Donald Bowling, Denise Canadas, Pamela Overfelt
  • Patent number: 9394166
    Abstract: An increased plasmon resonance frequency stability drawn from a refractive index gradient spanning negative and positive values includes a two-dimensional array of tapered nanowells. A multilayer of alternating materials is associated with the two-dimensional array of tapered nanowells. The multilayer of alternating materials are alternating layers of electrical conductors and electrical insulators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Zachary A. Sechrist, Ronald J. Tonucci, Lee R. Cambrea
  • Patent number: 9279915
    Abstract: A selective area atomic layer deposition process and apparatus that can deposit conductive materials onto one homopolymer region in a diblock copolymer. The diblock copolymer generates a large area self assembled substrate with nanoscale homopolymer regions arrayed into predictable patterns. Combining these two technologies allows formation of plasmonic surfaces without expensive lithographic processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Lee R. Cambrea, Zachary A. Sechrist
  • Patent number: 9117950
    Abstract: Nanoplasmonic cavities for photovoltaic applications include at least one transparent conductive substrate. A first plasmonic electrically conductive nanostructure layer is associated with the transparent conductive substrate. At least one photoabsorber layer is associated with the first plasmonic electrically conductive nanostructure layer. At least one electron transfer layer is associated with the photoabsorber layer. A second plasmonic electrically conductive nanostructure layer is associated with the electron transfer layer. Multiple nanoplasmonic cavities can be electrically connected to provide greater photovoltaic efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: M. Joseph Roberts, Simin Feng, Zachary A. Sechrist
  • Patent number: 9118027
    Abstract: Nanoplasmonic cavities for photovoltaic applications include at least one transparent conductive substrate. The nanoplasmonic cavities comprising a sandwich of layers incorporating a first plasmonic electrically conductive nanostructure layer, at least one photoabsorber layer and a at least one electron transfer layer and a second plasmonic electrically conductive nanostructure layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: M. Joseph Roberts, Simin Feng, Zachary A. Sechrist
  • Patent number: 9087944
    Abstract: Nanoplasmonic cavities for photovoltaic applications include at least one transparent conductive substrate. A first plasmonic electrically conductive nanostructure layer is associated with the transparent conductive substrate. At least one photoabsorber layer is associated with the first plasmonic electrically conductive nanostructure layer. At least one electron transfer layer is associated with the photoabsorber layer. A second plasmonic electrically conductive nanostructure layer is associated with the electron transfer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: M. Joseph Roberts, Simin Feng, Zachary A. Sechrist