Patents Assigned to Kent State University
  • Patent number: 12158670
    Abstract: Various arrangements described herein relate to a dual-sided display with improved light scattering. In one embodiment, a display is disclosed. The display includes an inside transparent layer disposed parallel to and spaced apart from an outside transparent layer. The display also includes a liquid crystal (LC) layer disposed between the inside transparent layer and the outside transparent layer and together forming a waveguide that is planar. The display includes ground electrodes disposed between the LC layer and the outside transparent layer and arranged in strips along the transparent layer, the strips being spaced apart and parallel. The display includes inside electrodes and outside electrodes disposed between the inside transparent layer and the LC layer and defining a geometric pattern that is in plane with the waveguide and a light source disposed at an edge surface of the waveguide and providing light along the waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2024
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2024
    Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Kent State University
    Inventors: Sean P. Rodrigues, Suman Halder, Deng-Ke Yang
  • Patent number: 12155098
    Abstract: A multifunctional manifold for use with electrochemical devices having a spiral cross-section, such as spiral solid-oxide fuel cells, includes an interface that is configured to be placed in operative communication with such devices. The interface includes a fuel interface section and an oxidant interface section that are each configured as spirals. The spiral interface sections also include channels that are configured to be placed in operative communication with corresponding spiral channels of the electrochemical device to deliver operating gases, such as fuel gas and oxidant gas, thereto. In addition to delivering operating gases to the fuel cells, the multifunctional manifold is also configured to act as an electrical current collector and a heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignees: Kent State University, Yanhai Power Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Yanhai Du, Aliia Mubarak Moh Maar
  • Patent number: 12072603
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, machine, apparatus, device, manufacture, circuit, composition of matter, and/or user interface adapted for and/or resulting from, and/or a process, method, and/or machine-readable medium comprising machine-implementable instructions for, activities that can comprise and/or relate to, generating a gradient in an index of refraction of a material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignees: e-Vision Smart Optics, Inc., Kent State University
    Inventors: Liwei Li, Anthony Van Heugten, Dwight P. Duston, Phil Bos, Douglas Bryant
  • Patent number: 11906832
    Abstract: A dual side view display includes a waveguide with an inside transparent layer and an outside transparent layer spaced apart from and parallel to the inside transparent layer, and a plurality of inside view liquid crystal (LC) pixels and a plurality of outside view LC pixels disposed within the waveguide. The plurality of outside view LC pixels are disposed within the waveguide parallel to and in-plane with the plurality of inside view LC pixels. The plurality of inside LC pixels includes a plurality of outside blocking layers configured to block light scattered in the plurality of inside view LC pixels from propagating through the outside transparent layer. Also, the plurality of outside view LC pixels includes a plurality of inside blocking layers configured to block light scattered in the plurality of outside view LC pixels from propagating through the inside transparent layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., MIRISE Technology Corporation, Kent State University
    Inventors: Deng-Ke Yang, Yunho Shin, Guangkui Qin, Sean P. Rodrigues
  • Publication number: 20240036372
    Abstract: A dual side view display includes a waveguide with an inside transparent layer and an outside transparent layer spaced apart from and parallel to the inside transparent layer, and a plurality of inside view liquid crystal (LC) pixels and a plurality of outside view LC pixels disposed within the waveguide. The plurality of outside view LC pixels are disposed within the waveguide parallel to and in-plane with the plurality of inside view LC pixels. The plurality of inside LC pixels includes a plurality of outside blocking layers configured to block light scattered in the plurality of inside view LC pixels from propagating through the outside transparent layer. Also, the plurality of outside view LC pixels includes a plurality of inside blocking layers configured to block light scattered in the plurality of outside view LC pixels from propagating through the inside transparent layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Kent State University, BOE Technology Group Co. LTD.
    Inventors: Deng-Ke Yang, Yunho Shin, Guangkui Qin, Sean P. Rodrigues
  • Patent number: 11814563
    Abstract: The disclosure discusses chiral dopants for liquid-crystalline materials. Chiral dopants can be bioreachable compounds, i.e. compounds produced from microbes through fermentation. Chiral dopants can also include bioreachable materials that are further modified by chemical synthetic steps. Chiral dopants as discussed herein can include biomolecules such as glycyrrhetinic acid (1), S-naringenin (2), shikimic acid (3), alpha-phellandrene (4), betulin (5), malic acid (6), valencene (7), or nootkatone (8), and any stereoisomers or chemically modified derivatives thereof. The disclosure further shows optical properties of such compounds in a liquid-crystalline material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignees: Zymergen Inc., Kent State University
    Inventors: Adam Safir, Shilpa Naresh Raja, Arjan Zoombelt, Robert J. Twieg, Pawan Nepal, Ashani Wedige-Fernando, Peter Palffy-Muhoray
  • Publication number: 20230307673
    Abstract: A multifunctional manifold for use with electrochemical devices having a spiral cross-section, such as spiral solid-oxide fuel cells, includes an interface that is configured to be placed in operative communication with such devices. The interface includes a fuel interface section and an oxidant interface section that are each configured as spirals. The spiral interface sections also include channels that are configured to be placed in operative communication with corresponding spiral channels of the electrochemical device to deliver operating gases, such as fuel gas and oxidant gas, thereto. In addition to delivering operating gases to the fuel cells, the multifunctional manifold is also configured to act as an electrical current collector and a heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Applicants: Kent State University, Yanhai Power Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Yanhai Du, Aliia Mubarak Moh Maar
  • Patent number: 11682777
    Abstract: A multifunctional manifold for use with electrochemical devices having a spiral cross-section, such as spiral solid-oxide fuel cells, includes an interface that is configured to be placed in operative communication with such devices. The interface includes a fuel interface section and an oxidant interface section that are each configured as spirals. The spiral interface sections also include channels that are configured to be placed in operative communication with corresponding spiral channels of the electrochemical device to deliver operating gases, such as fuel gas and oxidant gas, thereto. In addition to delivering operating gases to the fuel cells, the multifunctional manifold is also configured to act as an electrical current collector and a heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignees: Kent State University, YANHAI POWER TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: Yanhai Du, Aliia Mubarak Moh Maar
  • Publication number: 20230089097
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, machine, apparatus, device, manufacture, circuit, composition of matter, and/or user interface adapted for and/or resulting from, and/or a process, method, and/or machine-readable medium comprising machine-implementable instructions for, activities that can comprise and/or relate to, generating a gradient in an index of refraction of a material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Applicants: e-Vision Smart Optics, Inc., Kent State University
    Inventors: Liwei LI, Anthony Van Heugten, Dwight P. Duston, Phil BOS, Douglas BRYANT
  • Patent number: 11513416
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, machine, apparatus, device, manufacture, circuit, composition of matter, and/or user interface adapted for and/or resulting from, and/or a process, method, and/or machine-readable medium comprising machine-implementable instructions for, activities that can comprise and/or relate to, generating a gradient in an index of refraction of a material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignees: e-Vision Smart Optics, Inc., Kent State University
    Inventors: Liwei Li, Anthony Van Heugten, Dwight P. Duston, Phil Bos, Douglas Bryant
  • Publication number: 20220373855
    Abstract: Optical phase control elements are based on the Pancharatnam phase. Tunable liquid crystal devices containing the optical phase control elements may include a liquid crystal cell between a pair of substrates, a first plurality of electrodes, and a second plurality of electrodes. Each individual phase control element is defined by one electrode from the first plurality and one electrode from the second plurality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Applicants: Kent State University, Government of the United States as Represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Comrun Yousefzadeh, Philip Bos, Andre Van Rynbach
  • Publication number: 20220316099
    Abstract: Fibers are clad with a responsive liquid crystal material and a polymer. The clad fibers may be useful for advanced textiles and wearable sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Applicant: Kent State University
    Inventors: John Lawton WEST, Antal Istvan JAKLI, Dena Mae AGRA-KOOJMAN
  • Patent number: 11444427
    Abstract: A lasing device includes an active layer comprising a cholesteric liquid crystal material and a laser dye, and a liquid crystal cell including spaced apart substrates defining a cell gap in which the active layer is disposed. The substrates include electrodes arranged to bias the active layer into an oblique helicoidal (ChOH) state. At least one substrate of the liquid crystal cell is optically transparent for a lasing wavelength range of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignees: Kent State University, The University Court of the University of Aberdeen
    Inventors: Jie Xiang, Andrii Varanytsia, Fred Minkowski, Oleg D. Lavrentovich, Peter Palffy-Muhoray, Corrie T. Imrie, Daniel E. Paterson, John M. Storey
  • Patent number: 11434426
    Abstract: A fast flexoelectro-optic switching device containing bimesogen-doped and polymer-stabilized vertical standing helix (PSVSH) in a cholesteric liquid crystal. The PSVSH device exhibits a response time of less than 0.7 millisecond, high contrast and negligible hysteresis which is suitable for applications including blur-free displays, field-sequential color displays and active optical elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Kent State University
    Inventors: Liang-Chy Chien, Vinay Joshi, Kai-Han Chang
  • Publication number: 20220249598
    Abstract: Compositions targeting sperm calcineurin may be used as topical and reversible contraceptives. The compositions may include calcineurin inhibitors such as tacrolimus (e.g. FK506) and/or Cyclosporin A. The compositions may be gels, creams, or lotion-based formulations and may be used reversibly and locally for both males and females.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Applicant: Kent State University
    Inventors: Srinivasan VIJAYARAGHAVAN, Souvik DEY, Alaa EISA
  • Publication number: 20220181653
    Abstract: A testing device for tubular solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) includes a housing within which the tubular SOFC is mounted. The housing includes suitable inlets and outlets to allow a fuel gas, such as hydrogen, and an oxidant, such as air or oxygen, to interact with the anode and cathode of the tubular SOFC. In addition, the housing is formed of suitable material for placement in a heating device, such as a tubular furnace or a miniature tubular heater. A temperature sensor and computing device may monitor the temperature of the tubular SOFC in order to control the operation of the tubular heating device. In addition, the device provides electrical current collectors for coupling to the anode and cathode of the SOFC, which may be removable and reusable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Applicant: Kent State University
    Inventor: Yanhai Du
  • Publication number: 20220168262
    Abstract: A fatty acid-like platinum (IV) prodrug is useful for treating cancer (e.g., ovarian cancer). The fatty acid-like platinum (IV) prodrug may be used in combination with a M1 macrophage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Applicant: Kent State University
    Inventors: Yaorong ZHENG, Zhizhou YUE
  • Patent number: 11296342
    Abstract: A testing device for tubular solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) includes a housing within which the tubular SOFC is mounted. The housing includes suitable inlets and outlets to allow a fuel gas, such as hydrogen, and an oxidant, such as air or oxygen, to interact with the anode and cathode of the tubular SOFC. In addition, the housing is formed of suitable material for placement in a heating device, such as a tubular furnace or a miniature tubular heater. A temperature sensor and computing device may monitor the temperature of the tubular SOFC in order to control the operation of the tubular heating device. In addition, the device provides electrical current collectors for coupling to the anode and cathode of the SOFC, which may be removable and reusable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Kent State University
    Inventor: Yanhai Du
  • Publication number: 20210325358
    Abstract: A sensor for detecting non-hazardous and especially hazardous gases and/or vapors comprises a liquid crystal cell generally having a standard substrate and a conductive electrode layer thereon. An alignment layer is desirably located on the electrode layer and contains one or more types of metal nanoparticles that cover at least a portion of the alignment layer. The nanoparticles contain at least one type of ligand thereon that is capable of sensing a specific type of non-hazardous or hazardous gas. The sensor is very sensitive and can detect the gases or vapors contained within air, or the like, up to 1 part per million.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Applicant: Kent State University
    Inventors: Torsten HEGMANN, Elda HEGMANN, Marianne PRÉVÔT, Ahlam NEMATI, Julie VANEGAS GARCIA
  • Patent number: 11133170
    Abstract: A solution-cathode glow discharge mass spectrometry (SCGD-MS) apparatus comprises a SCGD source and a mass spectrometer. The SCGD source may comprise conductive rods, a power source, and a capillary. A method for ionizing an analyte comprises flowing an electrically conductive liquid onto a conductive rod, applying an electric potential to a second conductive rod such that a plasma discharge forms between the first conductive rod and the electrically conductive liquid to produce ions, and separating the ions in a mass spectrometer. The analyte may be a polypeptide that may be contacted with trypsin. The analyte may be a solid, liquid, gas, chemical complex, or ion in solution. The method may comprise sequencing the polypeptide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignees: Indiana University Research and Technology Corporation, Kent State University
    Inventors: Jacob T. Shelley, Kelsey L. Williams, Gary M. Hieftje, Andrew J. Schwartz