Patents by Inventor Zhenan Bao

Zhenan Bao 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).

  • LI-ION BATTERY ELECTRODES HAVING NANOPARTICLES IN A CONDUCTIVE POLYMER MATRIX
    Publication number: 20140045065
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed towards energy storage devices, and methods of manufacturing such devices. Energy storage devices, consistent with the present disclosure, include a source of lithium ions, a plurality of nanoparticles, and a conductive polymer network. The nanoparticles are encapsulated in conductive polymer shells and volumetrically change due to lithiation and delithiation due to movement of the lithium ions created by an electrical potential. The conductive polymer network bonds to the nanoparticles and accommodates volumetric changes of the plurality of nanoparticles during lithiation and delithiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Inventors: Zhenan Bao, Yi Cui, Hui Wu, Guihua Yu, Lijia Pan
  • JOINED NANOSTRUCTURES AND METHODS THEREFOR
    Publication number: 20140001437
    Abstract: Nanostructures are joined using one or more of a variety of materials and approaches. As consistent with various example embodiments, two or more nanostructures are joined at a junction between the nanostructures. The nanostructures may touch or be nearly touching at the junction, and a joining material is deposited and nucleates at the junction to couple the nanostructures together. In various applications, the nucleated joining material facilitates conductivity (thermal and/or electric) between the nanostructures. In some embodiments, the joining material further enhances conductivity of the nanostructures themselves, such as by growing along the nanostructures and/or doping the nanostructures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Melburne C. LeMieux, Ajay Virkar, Zhenan Bao
  • DOPING OF CARBON-BASED STRUCTURES FOR ELECTRODES
    Publication number: 20130330559
    Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward carbon-based electrodes. The carbon-based electrodes include a composition of carbon-based structures treated with an oxide material. The composition is annealed, including application of heat in excess of 200 degrees Celsius, which causes the reduction of the oxide material by electron transfer from the carbon-based structures. Additionally, the annealing facilitates stabilization and conductivity of the electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventors: Sondra Hellstrom, Michael Vosgueritchian, Zhenan Bao, Myung-Gil Kim
  • Fullerene-doped nanostructures and methods therefor
    Patent number: 8530271
    Abstract: Nanostructures are doped to set conductivity characteristics. In accordance with various example embodiments, nanostructures such as carbon nanotubes are doped with a halogenated fullerene type of dopant material. In some implementations, the dopant material is deposited from solution or by vapor deposition, and used to dope the nanotubes to increase the thermal and/or electrical conductivity of the nanotubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Ajay Virkar, Melburne C. Lemieux, Zhenan Bao
  • Joined nanostructures and methods therefor
    Patent number: 8524525
    Abstract: Nanostructures are joined using one or more of a variety of materials and approaches. As consistent with various example embodiments, two or more nanostructures are joined at a junction between the nanostructures. The nanostructures may touch or be nearly touching at the junction, and a joining material is deposited and nucleates at the junction to couple the nanostructures together. In various applications, the nucleated joining material facilitates conductivity (thermal and/or electric) between the nanostructures. In some embodiments, the joining material further enhances conductivity of the nanostructures themselves, such as by growing along the nanostructures and/or doping the nanostructures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Melburne C. LeMieux, Ajay Virkar, Zhenan Bao
  • Nanotube-based electrodes
    Patent number: 8513804
    Abstract: Transparent electrodes are manufactured. In accordance with various example embodiments, a transparent electrode is manufactured by generating a solution including a composite material having nanotubes and a conjugated polymer, in which the nanotubes constitute a majority of the composite material by weight. The conjugated polymer is used to disperse the nanotubes in the solution, and the solution is coated onto a substrate to form an electrode including a network of the carbon nanotubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Sondra Hellstrom, Zhenan Bao
  • Method Of Manufacturing Electric Device, Array Of Electric Devices, And Manufacturing Method Therefor
    Publication number: 20130001554
    Abstract: An example embodiment relates to a method of manufacturing an array of electric devices that includes attaching a platform including a micro-channel structure to a substrate. The method includes injecting first and second solutions into the micro-channel structure to form at least three liquid film columns, where the first and second solutions include different solvent composition ratios and the liquid columns each, respectfully, include different solvent composition ratios. The method further includes detaching the platform the substrate, removing solvent from the liquid film columns to form thin film columns, and treating the thin film columns under different conditions along a length direction of the thin film columns. The solvent is removed from the thin film columns and the thin film columns are treated under different conditions along a length direction of the thin film columns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicants: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University, SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jong Won Chung, Christopher J. Bettinger, Zhenan Bao, Do Hwan Kim, Bang Lin Lee, Jeong il Park, Yong Wan Jin, Sang Yoon Lee
  • SEMICONDUCTOR MATERIALS, APPARATUSES AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20120256296
    Abstract: Various methods and apparatuses involving salt-based compounds and related doping are provided. In accordance with one or more embodiments, a salt-based material is introduced to a semiconductor material, is heated to generate a neutral compound that dopes the semiconductor material. Other embodiments are directed to semiconductor materials with such a neutral compound as an impurity that affects electrical characteristics therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventors: Peng Wei, Zhenan Bao, Benjamin D. Naab
  • SELECTIVE NANOTUBE FORMATION AND RELATED DEVICES
    Publication number: 20120258569
    Abstract: Nanotube electronic devices exhibit selective affinity to disparate nanotube types. According to an example embodiment, a semiconductor device exhibits a treated substrate that selectively interacts (e.g., chemically) with nanotubes of a first type, relative to nanotubes of a second type, the respective types including semiconducting-type and metallic-type nanotubes. The selective interaction is used to set device configuration characteristics based upon the nanotube type. This selective-interaction approach can be used to set the type, and/or characteristics of nanotubes in the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventors: Zhenan Bao, Melburne Lemieux, Justin P. Opatkiewicz, Soumendra N. Barman
  • Selective nanotube formation and related devices
    Patent number: 8237155
    Abstract: Nanotube electronic devices exhibit selective affinity to disparate nanotube types. According to an example embodiment, a semiconductor device exhibits a treated substrate that selectively interacts (e.g., chemically) with nanotubes of a first type, relative to nanotubes of a second type, the respective types including semiconducting-type and metallic-type nanotubes. The selective interaction is used to set device configuration characteristics based upon the nanotube type. This selective-interaction approach can be used to set the type, and/or characteristics of nanotubes in the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Zhenan Bao, Melburne Lemieux, Justin P. Opatkiewicz, Soumendra N. Barman
  • Method of Selective Separation Of Semiconducting Carbon Nanotubes, Dispersion Of Semiconducting Carbon Nanotubes, And Electronic Device Including Carbon Nanotubes Separated By Using The Method
    Publication number: 20120104328
    Abstract: According to example embodiments, a method includes dispersing carbon nanotubes in a mixed solution containing a solvent, the carbon nanotubes, and a dispersant, the carbon nanotubes including semiconducting carbon nanotubes, the dispersant comprising a polythiophene derivative including a thiophene ring and a hydrocarbon sidechain linked to the thiophene ring. The hydrocarbon sidechain includes an alkyl group containing a carbon number of 7 or greater. The hydrocarbon sidechain may be regioregularly arranged, and the semiconducting carbon nanotubes are selectively separated from the mixed solution. An electronic device includes semiconducting carbon nanotubes and the foregoing described polythiophene derivative.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicants: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University, SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Young-jun Park, Jong-min Kim, Hang-Woo Lee, Zhenan Bao
  • Interface Apparatus And Methods
    Publication number: 20120075241
    Abstract: Input devices are provided. In accordance with an example embodiment, an input device includes an interface layer that flexes in response to pressure, a plurality of sense electrodes, a dielectric between the sense electrodes and the interface layer, and interconnecting circuitry. The dielectric compresses or expands in response to movement of the interface layer, and exhibits dielectric characteristics that vary based upon a state of compression of the dielectric. The interconnecting circuitry is to the sense electrodes and provides an output indicative of both the position of each sense electrode and an electric characteristic at each sense electrode that provides an indication of pressure applied to the dielectric adjacent the respective sense electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventors: Zhenan Bao, Benjamin Chee-Keong Tee
  • Pressure Sensing Apparatuses and Methods
    Publication number: 20120062245
    Abstract: Sensors, sensing arrangements and devices, and related methods are provided. In accordance with an example embodiment, an impedance-based sensor includes a flexible dielectric material and generates an output based on pressure applied to the dielectric material and a resulting compression thereof. In certain embodiments, the dielectric material includes a plurality of regions separated by gaps and configured to elastically deform and recover in response to applied pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventors: Zhenan Bao, Stefan Christian Bernhardt Mannsfeld, Jason Locklin, Benjamin Chee-Keong Tee
  • Organic semiconductors and growth approaches therefor
    Patent number: 8119445
    Abstract: Organic semiconductor devices exhibit desirable mobility characteristics. In connection with various example embodiments, a monolayer of methyl-terminated molecules exhibits density characteristics that are sufficient to promote two-dimensional growth of organic semiconductor material formed thereupon. In some applications, the methyl-terminated molecules are sufficiently dense to dominate inter-layer interactions between layers of the organic semiconductor material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Ajay A. Virkar, Stefan Christian Bernhardt Mannsfeld, Zhenan Bao
  • NANOTUBE-BASED ELECTRODES
    Publication number: 20110248401
    Abstract: Transparent electrodes are manufactured. In accordance with various example embodiments, a transparent electrode is manufactured by generating a solution including a composite material having nanotubes and a conjugated polymer, in which the nanotubes constitute a majority of the composite material by weight. The conjugated polymer is used to disperse the nanotubes in the solution, and the solution is coated onto a substrate to form an electrode including a network of the carbon nanotubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventors: Sondra Hellstrom, Zhenan Bao
  • AIR-STABLE N-CHANNEL ORGANIC ELECTRONIC DEVICES
    Publication number: 20110248267
    Abstract: In connection with various example embodiments, an organic electronic device is provided with an organic material that is susceptible to decreased mobility due to the trapping of electron charge carriers in response to exposure to air. The organic material is doped with an n-type dopant that, when combined with the organic material, effects air stability for the doped organic material (e.g., exhibits a mobility that facilitates stable operation in air, such as may be similar to operation in inert environments). Other embodiments are directed to organic electronic devices n-doped and exhibiting such air stability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventors: Peng Wei, Zhenan Bao, Joon Hak Oh
  • n-Type Doped Organic Materials and Methods Therefor
    Publication number: 20110240980
    Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, an organic electronic device includes an n-type dopant material including an imidazole-based material having a hydrogen-based material bonded between nitrogen atoms. The n-type dopant material n-dopes an organic material, and can be used to mitigate degradation in mobility due to conditions such as exposure to ambient atmosphere, which can effect an undesirable reduction in charge transport. Other embodiments are directed to carbon nanotubes or graphene structures with this type of n-type dopant, wherein the Fermi level for the carbon nanotubes or graphene structures is below ?2.5 eV to effect such n-type doping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventors: Peng Wei, Zhenan Bao
  • FULLERENE-DOPED NANOSTRUCTURES AND METHODS THEREFOR
    Publication number: 20110204319
    Abstract: Nanostructures are doped to set conductivity characteristics. In accordance with various example embodiments, nanostructures such as carbon nanotubes are doped with a halogenated fullerene type of dopant material. In some implementations, the dopant material is deposited from solution or by vapor deposition, and used to dope the nanotubes to increase the thermal and/or electrical conductivity of the nanotubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventors: Ajay Virkar, Melburne C. Lemieux, Zhenan Bao
  • JOINED NANOSTRUCTURES AND METHODS THEREFOR
    Publication number: 20110204330
    Abstract: Nanostructures are joined using one or more of a variety of materials and approaches. As consistent with various example embodiments, two or more nanostructures are joined at a junction between the nanostructures. The nanostructures may touch or be nearly touching at the junction, and a joining material is deposited and nucleates at the junction to couple the nanostructures together. In various applications, the nucleated joining material facilitates conductivity (thermal and/or electric) between the nanostructures. In some embodiments, the joining material further enhances conductivity of the nanostructures themselves, such as by growing along the nanostructures and/or doping the nanostructures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventors: Melburne C. LeMieux, Ajay Virkar, Zhenan Bao
  • Solar cell having organic nanowires
    Publication number: 20110088783
    Abstract: Example embodiments relate to a solar cell including organic nanowires. The solar cell may include a photoelectric conversion layer formed of a p-type material including an organic material and an n-type material including organic nanowires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventors: Young-jun Park, Zhenan Bao, Joon-hak Oh