Patents by Inventor Ajay A. Virkar

Ajay A. Virkar 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).

  • Publication number: 20210340386
    Abstract: Nanoscale colorants are introduced to adjust the hue of transparent conductive films, such as to provide a whiter film. The transparent conductive films can have sparse metal conductive layers, which can be formed using silver nanowires. Color of the film can be evaluated using standard color parameters. In particular, values of color parameter b* can be reduced with the nanoscale colorants without unacceptably changing other parameters, such as haze, a* and transparency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Xiqiang Yang, Yadong Cao, Yongxing Hu, Hua Gu, Ying-Syi Li, Ajay Virkar
  • Patent number: 11111396
    Abstract: Nanoscale colorants are introduced to adjust the hue of transparent conductive films, such as to provide a whiter film. The transparent conductive films can have sparse metal conductive layers, which can be formed using silver nanowires. Color of the film can be evaluated using standard color parameters. In particular, values of color parameter b* can be reduced with the nanoscale colorants without unacceptably changing other parameters, such as haze, a* and transparency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: C3 Nano, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiqiang Yang, Yadong Cao, Yongxing Hu, Hua Gu, Ying-Syi Li, Ajay Virkar
  • Publication number: 20210265073
    Abstract: Highly uniform and thin silver nanowires are described having average diameters below 20 nm and a small standard deviation of the diameters. The silver nanowires have a high aspect ratio. The silver nanowires can be characterized by a small number of nanowires having a diameter greater than 18 nm as well as with a blue shifted narrow absorption spectrum in a dilute solution. Methods are described to allow for the synthesis of the narrow uniform silver nanowires. Transparent conductive films formed from the thin, uniform silver nanowires can have very low levels of haze and low values of ?L*, the diffusive luminosity, such that the transparent conductive films can provide little alteration of the appearance of a black background.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: Yongxing Hu, Ying-Syi Li, Xiqiang Yang, Jing Shun Ang, Ajay Virkar
  • Patent number: 11037694
    Abstract: Highly uniform and thin silver nanowires are described having average diameters below 20 nm and a small standard deviation of the diameters. The silver nanowires have a high aspect ratio. The silver nanowires can be characterized by a small number of nanowires having a diameter greater than 18 nm as well as with a blue shifted narrow absorption spectrum in a dilute solution. Methods are described to allow for the synthesis of the narrow uniform silver nanowires. Transparent conductive films formed from the thin, uniform silver nanowires can have very low levels of haze and low values of ?L*, the diffusive luminosity, such that the transparent conductive films can provide little alteration of the appearance of a black background.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: C3 Nano, Inc.
    Inventors: Yongxing Hu, Ying-Syi Li, Xiqiang Yang, Jing Shun Ang, Ajay Virkar
  • Publication number: 20210151216
    Abstract: Transparent conductive films comprising sparse metal conductive layers are processed after coating with an overcoat to lower the sheet resistance of the film. The sparse metal conductive layer can comprise a fused metal nanostructured network. A coating, such as a polymer overcoat or a polymer undercoat can noble metal ions that can further reduce the sheet resistance with the application of heat and optionally humidity. In particular, silver ions in a coating are demonstrated to provide important stabilization of sparse metal conductive layers, whether or not fused, upon the application of heat and humidity. A coating can further comprise a metal salt stabilization composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2020
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: Xiqiang Yang, Ajay Virkar
  • Publication number: 20210142926
    Abstract: Desirable methods for larger scale silver nanoplate synthesis are described along with methods for applying a noble metal coating onto the silver nanoplates to form coated silver nanoplates with a desirable absorption spectrum. The silver nanoplates are suitable for use in coatings for altering the hue of a transparent film. The hue adjustment can be particularly desirable for transparent conductive films.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Inventors: Yongxing Hu, Alexander Seung-il Hong, Ying-Syi Li, Xiqiang Yang, Yadong Cao, Ajay Virkar
  • Publication number: 20210079246
    Abstract: Fusing nanowire inks are described that can also comprise a hydrophilic polymer binder, such as a cellulose based binder. The fusing nanowire inks can be deposited onto a substrate surface and dried to drive the fusing process. Transparent conductive films can be formed with desirable properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventors: Ying-Syi Li, Xiqiang Yang, Yu Kambe, Xiaofeng Chen, Hua Gu, Steven Michael Lam, Melanie Maniko Inouye, Arthur Yung-Chi Cheng, Alex Da Zhang Tan, Christopher Steven Scully, Ajay Virkar
  • Patent number: 10902965
    Abstract: Desirable methods for larger scale silver nanoplate synthesis are described along with methods for applying a noble metal coating onto the silver nanoplates to form coated silver nanoplates with a desirable absorption spectrum. The silver nanoplates are suitable for use in coatings for altering the hue of a transparent film. The hue adjustment can be particularly desirable for transparent conductive films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: C3Nano Inc.
    Inventors: Yongxing Hu, Alexander Seung-il Hong, Ying-Syi Li, Xiqiang Yang, Yadong Cao, Ajay Virkar
  • Patent number: 10870772
    Abstract: Fusing nanowire inks are described that can also comprise a hydrophilic polymer binder, such as a cellulose based binder. The fusing nanowire inks can be deposited onto a substrate surface and dried to drive the fusing process. Transparent conductive films can be formed with desirable properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: C3Nano Inc.
    Inventors: Ying-Syi Li, Xiqiang Yang, Yu Kambe, Xiaofeng Chen, Hua Gu, Steven Michael Lam, Melanie Maniko Inouye, Arthur Yung-Chi Cheng, Alex Da Zhang Tan, Christopher Steven Scully, Ajay Virkar
  • Publication number: 20200377744
    Abstract: Metal nanowires, such as silver nanowires coated on a substrate were sintered together to form fused metal nanowire networks that have greatly improved conductivity while maintaining good transparency and low haze. The method of forming such a fused metal nanowire networks are disclosed that involves exposure of metal nanowires to various fusing agents on a short timescale. The resulting sintered network can have a core-shell structure in which metal halide forms the shell. Additionally, effective methods are described for forming patterned structure with areas of sintered metal nanowire network with high conductivity and areas of un-sintered metal nanowires with low conductivity. The corresponding patterned films are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Ajay Virkar, Ying-Syi Li, Xiqiang Yang, Melburne C. LeMieux
  • Patent number: 10781324
    Abstract: Metal nanowires, such as silver nanowires coated on a substrate were sintered together to form fused metal nanowire networks that have greatly improved conductivity while maintaining good transparency and low haze. The method of forming such a fused metal nanowire networks are disclosed that involves exposure of metal nanowires to various fusing agents on a short timescale. The resulting sintered network can have a core-shell structure in which metal halide forms the shell. Additionally, effective methods are described for forming patterned structure with areas of sintered metal nanowire network with high conductivity and areas of un-sintered metal nanowires with low conductivity. The corresponding patterned films are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: C3Nano Inc.
    Inventors: Ajay Virkar, Ying-Syi Li, Xiqiang Yang, Melburne C. LeMieux
  • Patent number: 10738212
    Abstract: Optically transparent films can comprise a coating of nanodiamonds to introduce desirable properties, such as hardness, good thermal conductivity and an increased dielectric constant. In general, transparent conductive films can be formed with desirable property enhancing nanoparticles included in a transparent conductive layer and/or in a coating layer. Property enhancing nanoparticles can be formed from materials having a large hardness parameter, a large thermal conductivity and/or a large dielectric constant. Suitable polymers are incorporated as a binder in the layers with the property enhancing nanoparticles. The coatings with property enhancing nanoparticles can be solution coated and corresponding solutions are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: C3Nano Inc.
    Inventors: Ajay Virkar, Faraz Azadi Manzour, Xiqiang Yang, Hua Gu
  • Publication number: 20200245457
    Abstract: Structures are described having thin flexible polymer substrates with electrically conductive films on each opposing surface while having high optical transmittance and good optical properties. The structures can have total thicknesses of no more than about 30 microns and good flexibility. Processing approaches are described that allow for the coating of the very thin structures by providing support through the coating process. The structures are demonstrated to have good durability under conditions designed to test accelerated wear for touch sensor use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Xiaofeng Chen, Byunghwan Kang, Jackie Chen, Yadong Cao, Vicki Luo, Arthur Yung-Chi Cheng, Andrew Hyeongjoo Moon, Xiqiang Yang, Ajay Virkar
  • Patent number: 10714230
    Abstract: Highly uniform and thin silver nanowires are described having average diameters below 20 nm and a small standard deviation of the diameters. The silver nanowires have a high aspect ratio. The silver nanowires can be characterized by a small number of nanowires having a diameter greater than 18 nm as well as with a blue shifted narrow absorption spectrum in a dilute solution. Methods are described to allow for the synthesis of the narrow uniform silver nanowires. Transparent conductive films formed from the thin, uniform silver nanowires can have very low levels of haze and low values of ?L*, the diffusive luminosity, such that the transparent conductive films can provide little alteration of the appearance of a black background.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: C3Nano Inc.
    Inventors: Yongxing Hu, Ying-Syi Li, Xiqiang Yang, Jing Shun Ang, Ajay Virkar
  • Publication number: 20190378633
    Abstract: Highly uniform and thin silver nanowires are described having average diameters below 20 nm and a small standard deviation of the diameters. The silver nanowires have a high aspect ratio. The silver nanowires can be characterized by a small number of nanowires having a diameter greater than 18 nm as well as with a blue shifted narrow absorption spectrum in a dilute solution. Methods are described to allow for the synthesis of the narrow uniform silver nanowires. Transparent conductive films formed from the thin, uniform silver nanowires can have very low levels of haze and low values of ?L*, the diffusive luminosity, such that the transparent conductive films can provide little alteration of the appearance of a black background.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Inventors: Yongxing Hu, Ying-Syi Li, Xiqiang Yang, Jing Shun Ang, Ajay Virkar
  • Publication number: 20190364665
    Abstract: A method is described for method for patterning a metal layer interfaced with a transparent conductive film, in which the method comprises contacting a structure through a patterned mask with an etching solution comprising Fe+3 ions, wherein the structure comprises the metal layer comprising copper, nickel, aluminum or alloys thereof covering at least partially a transparent conductive film with conductive elements comprising silver, to expose a portion of the transparent conductive film. Etching solutions and the etched structures are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Xiqiang Yang, Yadong Cao, Ajay Virkar
  • Patent number: 10438714
    Abstract: Highly uniform and thin silver nanowires are described having average diameters below 20 nm and a small standard deviation of the diameters. The silver nanowires have a high aspect ratio. The silver nanowires can be characterized by a small number of nanowires having a diameter greater than 18 nm as well as with a blue shifted narrow absorption spectrum in a dilute solution. Methods are described to allow for the synthesis of the narrow uniform silver nanowires. Transparent conductive films formed from the thin, uniform silver nanowires can have very low levels of haze and low values of ?L*, the diffusive luminosity, such that the transparent conductive films can provide little alteration of the appearance of a black background.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: C3Nano Inc.
    Inventors: Yongxing Hu, Ying-Syi Li, Xiqiang Yang, Jing Shun Ang, Ajay Virkar
  • Publication number: 20190172601
    Abstract: Highly uniform and thin silver nanowires are described having average diameters below 20 nm and a small standard deviation of the diameters. The silver nanowires have a high aspect ratio. The silver nanowires can be characterized by a small number of nanowires having a diameter greater than 18 nm as well as with a blue shifted narrow absorption spectrum in a dilute solution. Methods are described to allow for the synthesis of the narrow uniform silver nanowires. Transparent conductive films formed from the thin, uniform silver nanowires can have very low levels of haze and low values of ?L*, the diffusive luminosity, such that the transparent conductive films can provide little alteration of the appearance of a black background.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventors: Yongxing Hu, Ying-Syi Li, Xiqiang Yang, Jing Shun Ang, Ajay Virkar
  • Publication number: 20190172600
    Abstract: Highly uniform and thin silver nanowires are described having average diameters below 20 nm and a small standard deviation of the diameters. The silver nanowires have a high aspect ratio. The silver nanowires can be characterized by a small number of nanowires having a diameter greater than 18 nm as well as with a blue shifted narrow absorption spectrum in a dilute solution. Methods are described to allow for the synthesis of the narrow uniform silver nanowires. Transparent conductive films formed from the thin, uniform silver nanowires can have very low levels of haze and low values of ?L*, the diffusive luminosity, such that the transparent conductive films can provide little alteration of the appearance of a black background.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventors: Yongxing Hu, Ying-Syi Li, Xiqiang Yang, Jing Shun Ang, Ajay Virkar
  • Publication number: 20190172602
    Abstract: Highly uniform and thin silver nanowires are described having average diameters below 20 nm and a small standard deviation of the diameters. The silver nanowires have a high aspect ratio. The silver nanowires can be characterized by a small number of nanowires having a diameter greater than 18 nm as well as with a blue shifted narrow absorption spectrum in a dilute solution. Methods are described to allow for the synthesis of the narrow uniform silver nanowires. Transparent conductive films formed from the thin, uniform silver nanowires can have very low levels of haze and low values of ?L*, the diffusive luminosity, such that the transparent conductive films can provide little alteration of the appearance of a black background.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventors: Yongxing Hu, Ying-Syi Li, Xiqiang Yang, Jing Shun Ang, Ajay Virkar