Patents by Inventor Akram I. Boukai
Akram I. Boukai 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).
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Publication number: 20220109094Abstract: Provided herein is a thermoelectric system for generating electricity using ambient temperature oscillations (e.g., between day and night time). The thermoelectric system may comprise a first heat exchanger, a thermoelectric generator, one or more heat conducting units, a second heat exchanger, and a container configured to (i) contain the second heat exchanger and a thermal storage material and (ii) insulate the thermal storage material from an external to the container.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2021Publication date: April 7, 2022Inventors: Haifan LIANG, Arjun MENDIRATTA, Tristan DAY, Douglas W. THAM, Akram I. BOUKAI
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Publication number: 20210242389Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for forming a thermoelectric device, comprising providing a semiconductor substrate and providing a first layer of an etching material adjacent to the semiconductor substrate. The etching material facilitates the etching of the semiconductor substrate upon exposure to an oxidizing agent and a chemical etchant. Next, a second layer of a semiconductor oxide is provided adjacent to the first layer, and the second layer is patterned to form a pattern of holes or wires. The second layer and first layer are then sequentially etched to expose portions of the semiconductor substrate. Exposed portions of the semiconductor substrate are then contacted with an oxidizing agent and a chemical etchant to transfer the pattern to the semiconductor substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2020Publication date: August 5, 2021Inventors: Akram I. Boukai, Douglas W. Tham
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Publication number: 20210210670Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for forming a thermoelectric device, comprising providing a semiconductor substrate and providing a first layer of an etching material adjacent to the semiconductor substrate. The etching material facilitates the etching of the semiconductor substrate upon exposure to an oxidizing agent and a chemical etchant. Next, a second layer of a semiconductor oxide is provided adjacent to the first layer, and the second layer is patterned to form a pattern of holes or wires. The second layer and first layer are then sequentially etched to expose portions of the semiconductor substrate. Exposed portions of the semiconductor substrate are then contacted with an oxidizing agent and a chemical etchant to transfer the pattern to the semiconductor substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2020Publication date: July 8, 2021Inventors: Akram I. Boukai, Douglas W. Tham
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Publication number: 20200388743Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for forming a thermoelectric device, comprising providing a semiconductor substrate and providing a first layer of an etching material adjacent to the semiconductor substrate. The etching material facilitates the etching of the semiconductor substrate upon exposure to an oxidizing agent and a chemical etchant. Next, a second layer of a semiconductor oxide is provided adjacent to the first layer, and the second layer is patterned to form a pattern of holes or wires. The second layer and first layer are then sequentially etched to expose portions of the semiconductor substrate. Exposed portions of the semiconductor substrate are then contacted with an oxidizing agent and a chemical etchant to transfer the pattern to the semiconductor substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2020Publication date: December 10, 2020Inventors: Akram I. Boukai, Douglas W. Tham
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Publication number: 20200343433Abstract: The present disclosure provides wearable electronic devices with thermoelectric devices. The wearable electronic device may comprise a user interface for displaying information to a user. The thermoelectric device may comprise a heat collecting unit, a thermoelectric element, and a heat expelling unit. During use, the thermoelectric element may generate power upon the flow of thermal energy from the heat collecting unit, across the thermoelectric element, and to the heat expelling unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2020Publication date: October 29, 2020Inventors: Akram I. Boukai, Douglas W. Tham
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Patent number: 10749094Abstract: A method for forming a thermoelectric element for use in a thermoelectric device comprises forming a mask adjacent to a substrate. The mask can include three-dimensional structures phase-separated in a polymer matrix. The three-dimensional structures can be removed to provide a plurality of holes in the polymer matrix. The plurality of holes can expose portions of the substrate. A layer of a metallic material can be deposited adjacent to the mask and exposed portions of the substrate. The mask can then be removed. The metallic material is then exposed to an oxidizing agent and an etchant to form holes or wires in the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2016Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGANInventors: Akram I. Boukai, Anish Tuteja, Duck Hyun Lee
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Publication number: 20200259062Abstract: The present disclosure provides wearable electronic devices with thermoelectric devices. The wearable electronic device may comprise a user interface for displaying information to a user. The thermoelectric device may comprise a heat collecting unit, a thermoelectric element, and a heat expelling unit. During use, the thermoelectric element may generate power upon the flow of thermal energy from the heat collecting unit, across the thermoelectric element, and to the heat expelling unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2020Publication date: August 13, 2020Inventors: Akram I. Boukai, Douglas W. Tham, Haifan Liang, Eric C. Hale, Gregory L. Kress, Scott A. Steber, Brentley M. Wiles
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Publication number: 20200217565Abstract: The present disclosure provides thermoelectric cooling devices, systems and methods. A thermoelectric system of the present disclosure may comprise a chamber configured to hold the beverage container; at least one actuator configured to rotate the beverage container within the chamber; a source of a thermal coupling medium in fluid communication with the chamber, wherein the thermal coupling medium is configured to thermally couple the beverage container to one or more walls of the chamber; a heat sink; and a plurality of thermoelectric cooling elements surrounding the chamber, wherein the plurality of thermoelectric cooling elements is configured to transfer heat from the beverage container to the heat sink upon application of power to the plurality of thermoelectric cooling elements, thereby cooling the beverage container.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2019Publication date: July 9, 2020Inventors: Akram I. Boukai, Douglas W. Tham, Tristan Day, Haifan Liang
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Patent number: 10644216Abstract: The present disclosure provides a thermoelectric element comprising a flexible semiconductor substrate having exposed surfaces with a metal content that is less than about 1% as measured by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and a figure of merit (ZT) that is at least about 0.25, wherein the flexible semiconductor substrate has a Young's Modulus that is less than or equal to about 1×106 pounds per square inch (psi) at 25° C.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2018Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: MATRIX INDUSTRIES, INC.Inventors: Akram I. Boukai, Douglas W. Tham, Haifan Liang
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Patent number: 10580955Abstract: The present disclosure provides wearable electronic devices with thermoelectric devices. The wearable electronic device may comprise a user interface for displaying information to a user. The thermoelectric device may comprise a heat collecting unit, a thermoelectric element, and a heat expelling unit. During use, the thermoelectric element may generate power upon the flow of thermal energy from the heat collecting unit, across the thermoelectric element, and to the heat expelling unit.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2019Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: MATRIX INDUSTRIES, INC.Inventors: Akram I. Boukai, Douglas W. Tham, Haifan Liang, Eric C. Hale, Gregory L. Kress, Scott A. Steber, Brentley M. Wiles
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Publication number: 20200028057Abstract: The present disclosure provides wearable electronic devices with thermoelectric devices. The wearable electronic device may comprise a user interface for displaying information to a user. The thermoelectric device may comprise a heat collecting unit, a thermoelectric element, and a heat expelling unit. During use, the thermoelectric element may generate power upon the flow of thermal energy from the heat collecting unit, across the thermoelectric element, and to the heat expelling unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2019Publication date: January 23, 2020Inventors: Akram I. Boukai, Douglas W. Tham, Haifan Liang, Eric C. Hale, Gregory L. Kress, Scott A. Steber, Brentley M. Wiles
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Patent number: 10290796Abstract: The present disclosure provides wearable electronic devices with thermoelectric devices. The wearable electronic device may comprise a user interface for displaying information to a user. The thermoelectric device may comprise a heat collecting unit, a thermoelectric element, and a heat expelling unit. During use, the thermoelectric element may generate power upon the flow of thermal energy from the heat collecting unit, across the thermoelectric element, and to the heat expelling unit.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2017Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: MATRIX INDUSTRIES, INC.Inventors: Akram I. Boukai, Douglas W. Tham, Haifan Liang, Eric C. Hale, Gregory L. Kress, Scott A. Steber, Brentley M. Wiles
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Patent number: 10205080Abstract: A method for forming a thermoelectric element for use in a thermoelectric device comprises providing a mask adjacent to a substrate, the mask comprising a polymeric mixture, and bringing a template having a first pattern in contact with the mask to define a second pattern in the mask. The first pattern comprises one of holes and rods, and the second pattern comprises the other of holes and rods. Holes or rods of the second pattern expose portions of the substrate. Next, an etching layer is deposited adjacent to exposed portions of the substrate. The etching layer is configured to aid in etching the substrate. The substrate is subsequently etched with the aid of the etching layer.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2013Date of Patent: February 12, 2019Assignee: MATRIX INDUSTRIES, INC.Inventors: Akram I. Boukai, Douglas W. Tham
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Publication number: 20180351069Abstract: The present disclosure provides a thermoelectric power management system that includes an electronic device comprising a user interface and a thermoelectric device. The thermoelectric device comprises a thermoelectric unit, a coupler, at least one fastener coupled to the thermoelectric unit and a separate heat expelling unit in thermal communication with the thermoelectric unit. The thermoelectric unit comprises a heat transfer surface that rests adjacent to a body surface of a user and the coupler removably secures the electronic device against the thermoelectric unit. Moreover, the at least one fastener secures the thermoelectric device to the body surface of the user and the thermoelectric device, during use, generates power upon flow of thermal energy from the heat transfer surface to the separate heat expelling unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2018Publication date: December 6, 2018Inventors: Akram I. Boukai, Douglas W. Tham, Haifan Liang, Anne M. Ruminski, Arjun Mendiratta
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Publication number: 20180337320Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for forming a thermoelectric device, comprising providing a semiconductor substrate and providing a first layer of an etching material adjacent to the semiconductor substrate. The etching material facilitates the etching of the semiconductor substrate upon exposure to an oxidizing agent and a chemical etchant. Next, a second layer of a semiconductor oxide is provided adjacent to the first layer, and the second layer is patterned to form a pattern of holes or wires. The second layer and first layer are then sequentially etched to expose portions of the semiconductor substrate. Exposed portions of the semiconductor substrate are then contacted with an oxidizing agent and a chemical etchant to transfer the pattern to the semiconductor substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2018Publication date: November 22, 2018Inventors: Akram I. Boukai, Douglas W. Tham
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Publication number: 20180240957Abstract: The present disclosure provides a thermoelectric element comprising a flexible semiconductor substrate having exposed surfaces with a metal content that is less than about 1% as measured by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and a figure of merit (ZT) that is at least about 0.25, wherein the flexible semiconductor substrate has a Young's Modulus that is less than or equal to about 1×106 pounds per square inch (psi) at 25° C.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2018Publication date: August 23, 2018Inventors: Akram I. BOUKAI, Douglas W. THAM, Haifan LIANG
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Patent number: 10003004Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for forming a thermoelectric device, comprising providing a semiconductor substrate and providing a first layer of an etching material adjacent to the semiconductor substrate. The etching material facilitates the etching of the semiconductor substrate upon exposure to an oxidizing agent and a chemical etchant. Next, a second layer of a semiconductor oxide is provided adjacent to the first layer, and the second layer is patterned to form a pattern of holes or wires. The second layer and first layer are then sequentially etched to expose portions of the semiconductor substrate. Exposed portions of the semiconductor substrate are then contacted with an oxidizing agent and a chemical etchant to transfer the pattern to the semiconductor substrate.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2015Date of Patent: June 19, 2018Assignee: MATRIX INDUSTRIES, INC.Inventors: Akram I. Boukai, Douglas W. Tham
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Publication number: 20170365766Abstract: The present disclosure provides wearable electronic devices with thermoelectric devices. The wearable electronic device may comprise a user interface for displaying information to a user. The thermoelectric device may comprise a heat collecting unit, a thermoelectric element, and a heat expelling unit. During use, the thermoelectric element may generate power upon the flow of thermal energy from the heat collecting unit, across the thermoelectric element, and to the heat expelling unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2017Publication date: December 21, 2017Inventors: Akram I. Boukai, Douglas W. Tham, Haifan Liang, Eric C. Hale, Gregory L. Kress, Scott A. Steber, Brentley M. Wiles
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Patent number: D819627Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2016Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: MATRIX INDUSTRIES, INC.Inventors: Akram I. Boukai, Douglas W. Tham, Haifan Liang, Eric C. Hale, Gregory L. Kress, Scott A. Steber, Brentley M. Wiles, Michael Chiasson
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Patent number: D937636Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2020Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: MATRIX INDUSTRIES, INC.Inventors: Akram I. Boukai, Douglas W. Tham, Tristan Day, Haifan Liang