Patents by Inventor Alan J. Heeger
Alan J. Heeger 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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Patent number: 10186661Abstract: A method for enhancing charge carrier mobility of a field-effect transistor device. The method comprises generating uniaxial nanogrooves on a substrate and blade coating a solution comprising a semiconducting polymer onto the substrate. The polymer solution is spread onto the substrate in a direction parallel to the nanogrooves and a main-chain axis of the polymer is parallel to the nanogrooves. The semiconducting polymer can be then annealed, so that a polymer film is formed which is layered on top of the substrate, with polymer chains aligned parallel to a direction of charge carrier movement.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2016Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Shrayesh N. Patel, Edward J. Kramer, Michael L. Chabinyc, Chan Luo, Alan J. Heeger
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Patent number: 10167362Abstract: A method of fabricating an organic field effect transistor (OFET), including forming a source contact, a drain contact, and a gate connection to a channel comprising semiconducting polymers, wherein the gate connection applies a field to the semiconductor polymers across a dielectric layer to modulate conduction along the semiconducting polymers between the source contact and the drain contact; and treating the semiconducting polymers, wherein the treating includes a chemical treatment that controls a carrier density, carrier mobility, threshold voltage, and/or contact resistance of the OFET.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2016Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIAInventors: Byoung Hoon Lee, Alan J. Heeger
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Patent number: 10128441Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include methods and materials for preparing organic semiconducting layers, for example one used in an organic semiconductor device including a substrate with a nanostructured surface and an organic semiconductor film overlying the nanostructured surface. The semiconductor film is typically formed from macroscopically ordered polymer fibers made from selected conjugate polymer compounds. Such polymer fibers synthesized from selected conjugated polymer compounds and directionally aligned in organic semiconductor devices can provide these devices improved functional properties, including for example, unexpectedly high field effect saturation mobilities.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2017Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Hsin-Rong Tseng, Lei Ying, Ben B. Y. Hsu, Christopher J. Takacs, Guillermo C. Bazan, Alan J. Heeger
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Patent number: 10008683Abstract: An organic device, including semiconducting polymers processed from a solution cast on one or more dielectric layers on a substrate; and electrical contacts to the semiconducting polymers, wherein the substrate and the one or more dielectric layers are flexible and the semiconducting polymers are aligned. The one or more dielectric layers can increase mobility of the semiconducting polymers and/or alignment of the semiconducting polymers with one or more of the nanogrooves in the dielectric layers.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2016Date of Patent: June 26, 2018Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIAInventors: Byoung Hoon Lee, Alan J. Heeger
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Publication number: 20170200892Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include methods and materials for preparing organic semiconducting layers, for example one used in an organic semiconductor device including a substrate with a nanostructured surface and an organic semiconductor film overlying the nanostructured surface. The semiconductor film is typically formed from macroscopically ordered polymer fibers made from selected conjugate polymer compounds. Such polymer fibers synthesized from selected conjugated polymer compounds and directionally aligned in organic semiconductor devices can provide these devices improved functional properties, including for example, unexpectedly high field effect saturation mobilities.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2017Publication date: July 13, 2017Applicant: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Hsin-Rong Tseng, Lei Ying, Ben B. Y. Hsu, Christopher J. Takacs, Guillermo C. Bazan, Alan J. Heeger
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SEMICONDUCTING POLYMERS WITH MOBILITY APPROACHING ONE HUNDRED SQUARE CENTIMETERS PER VOLT PER SECOND
Publication number: 20170133597Abstract: One or more embodiments of the present invention report here a comparative study of field effect transistors (FETs) fabricated with semiconducting polymer PBT, regioregular semiconducting polymers, PCDTPT and their fluorinated analogue (P2F, PCDTFBT), in the transistor channel. The present invention shows that simple fluorination of PBT and PCDTPT to PCDTFBT leads to air-stability and reliable transistor characteristics. The FETs fabricated from aligned PCDTFBT yielded stable threshold voltages (at zero volt) and a narrow distribution of saturation hole mobilities of 65 cm2 V?1 s?1 (average over 50 independent FET devices). At higher source-drain voltage (higher electric field in the channel) the mobility approaches 100 cm2 V?1 s?1, the highest value for semiconducting polymers reported to date. High mobility is retained over 150 hours in ambient air without any encapsulation layers.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2016Publication date: May 11, 2017Applicant: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Byoung Hoon Lee, Ben B. Y. Hsu, Chan Luo, Ming Wang, Guillermo C. Bazan, Alan J. Heeger -
Patent number: 9608225Abstract: A light emitting device may include a first electrode on a substrate, a first emission layer on the first electrode, a buffer layer on the first emission layer, a middle electrode on the buffer layer, a second emission layer on the middle electrode, and a second electrode on the second emission layer. The buffer layer may include a material selected from the group consisting of a metal oxide, a polyelectrolyte, and a combination thereof. The first emission layer, buffer layer, middle electrode, and second emission layer may be fabricated using a wet process.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2010Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Do-Hwan Kim, Sang-Yoon Lee, Kwanghee Lee, Sung Heum Park, Shinuk Cho, Jae-Kwan Lee, Alan J. Heeger
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Publication number: 20170069859Abstract: A method of fabricating an organic field effect transistor (OFET), including forming a source contact, a drain contact, and a gate connection to a channel comprising semiconducting polymers, wherein the gate connection applies a field to the semiconductor polymers across a dielectric layer to modulate conduction along the semiconducting polymers between the source contact and the drain contact; and treating the semiconducting polymers, wherein the treating includes a chemical treatment that controls a carrier density, carrier mobility, threshold voltage, and/or contact resistance of the OFET.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2016Publication date: March 9, 2017Applicant: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Byoung Hoon Lee, Alan J. Heeger
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Patent number: 9559306Abstract: Methods and materials for preparing organic semiconducting layers include, for example, one used in an organic semiconductor device including a substrate with a nano structured surface and an organic semiconductor film overlying the nanostructured surface. The semiconductor film is typically formed from macroscopically ordered polymer fibers made from selected conjugate polymer compounds. Such polymer fibers synthesized from selected conjugated polymer compounds and directionally aligned in organic semiconductor devices can provide these devices improved functional properties, including for example, unexpectedly high field effect saturation mobilities.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2013Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Hsin-Rong Tseng, Lei Ying, Ben B. Y. Hsu, Christopher J. Takacs, Guillermo C. Bazan, Alan J. Heeger
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Publication number: 20170018725Abstract: An organic device, including semiconducting polymers processed from a solution cast on one or more dielectric layers on a substrate; and electrical contacts to the semiconducting polymers, wherein the substrate and the one or more dielectric layers are flexible and the semiconducting polymers are aligned. The one or more dielectric layers can increase mobility of the semiconducting polymers and/or alignment of the semiconducting polymers with one or more of the nanogrooves in the dielectric layers.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2016Publication date: January 19, 2017Applicant: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Byoung Hoon Lee, Alan J. Heeger
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Publication number: 20160260900Abstract: A method for enhancing charge carrier mobility of a field-effect transistor device. The method comprises generating uniaxial nanogrooves on a substrate and blade coating a solution comprising a semiconducting polymer onto the substrate. The polymer solution is spread onto the substrate in a direction parallel to the nanogrooves and a main-chain axis of the polymer is parallel to the nanogrooves. The semiconducting polymer can be then annealed, so that a polymer film is formed which is layered on top of the substrate, with polymer chains aligned parallel to a direction of charge carrier movement.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2016Publication date: September 8, 2016Applicants: The Regents of the University of California, Mitsubishi Chemical CorporationInventors: Shrayesh N. Patel, Edward J. Kramer, Michael L. Chabinyc, Chan Luo, Alan J. Heeger
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Publication number: 20160196929Abstract: An electrochemical energy storage device includes a first polymer electrode and a second polymer electrode spaced apart from the first polymer electrode such that a space is reserved between the first and second polymer electrodes. The space reserved between the first and second polymer electrodes contains an electrolyte that comprises a quinone compound. The first and second polymer electrodes each consist essentially of acid-dopable polymers.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2014Publication date: July 7, 2016Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIAInventors: David VONLANTHEN, Fred WUDL, Alan J. HEEGER, Pavel LAZAREV
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Patent number: 9017766Abstract: Methods, compositions and articles of manufacture involving soluble conjugated polymers are provided. The conjugated polymers have a sufficient density of polar substituents to render them soluble in a polar medium, for example water and/or methanol. The conjugated polymer may desirably comprise monomers which alter its conductivity properties. In some embodiments, the inventors have provided cationic conjugated polymers (CCPs) comprising both solubilizing groups and conductive groups, resulting in conductive conjugated polymers soluble in polar media. The different solubility properties of these polymers allow their deposition in solution in multilayer formats with other conjugated polymers. Also provided are articles of manufacture comprising multiple layers of conjugated polymers having differing solubility characteristics. Embodiments of the invention are described further herein.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2004Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Guillermo C. Bazan, Bin Liu, Xiong Gong, Alan J. Heeger, Wanli Ma, Parameswar K. Iyer
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Patent number: 8795781Abstract: Methods, compositions and articles of manufacture involving soluble conjugated polymers are provided. The conjugated polymers have a sufficient density of polar substituents to render them soluble in a polar medium, for example water and/or methanol. The conjugated polymers may desirably comprise monomers which alter their conductivity properties. The different solubility properties of these polymers allow their deposition in solution in multilayer formats with other conjugated polymers. Also provided are articles of manufacture comprising multiple layers of conjugated polymers having differing solubility characteristics. Embodiments of the invention are described further herein.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2005Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Guillermo C. Bazan, Alan J. Heeger, Parameswar K. Iyer, Bin Liu, Xiong Gong, Wanli Ma
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Enhancing performing characteristics of organic semiconducting films by improved solution processing
Patent number: 8723169Abstract: Improved processing methods for enhanced properties of conjugated polymer films are disclosed, as well as the enhanced conjugated polymer films produced thereby. Addition of low molecular weight alkyl-containing molecules to solutions used to form conjugated polymer films leads to improved photoconductivity and improvements in other electronic properties. The enhanced conjugated polymer films can be used in a variety of electronic devices, such as solar cells and photodiodes.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2012Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Guillermo C. Bazan, Daniel Moses, Jeffrey Peet, Alan J. Heeger -
Patent number: 8552421Abstract: An organic electronic device includes an active region polarity definition layer, and a bulk heterojunction active layer formed on the active region polarity definition layer. The bulk heterojunction active layer includes an upper region and a lower region having respective majority carriers localized therein of different polarities.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2012Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Sang Yoon Lee, Shinuk Cho, Ji Youl Lee, Alan J. Heeger
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Publication number: 20130234116Abstract: An organic electronic device includes an active region polarity definition layer, and a bulk heterojunction active layer formed on the active region polarity definition layer. The bulk heterojunction active layer includes an upper region and a lower region having respective majority carriers localized therein of different polarities.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2012Publication date: September 12, 2013Applicants: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Sang Yoon Lee, Shinuk Cho, Ji Youl Lee, Alan J. Heeger
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Patent number: 8309672Abstract: Methods, compositions and articles of manufacture involving soluble conjugated polymers are provided. The conjugated polymers have a sufficient density of polar substituents to render them soluble in a polar medium, for example water and/or methanol. The conjugated polymer may desirably comprise monomers which alter its conductivity properties. In some embodiments, the inventors have provided cationic conjugated polymers (CCPs) comprising both solubilizing groups and conductive groups, resulting in conductive conjugated polymers soluble in polar media. The different solubility properties of these polymers allow their deposition in solution in multilayer formats with other conjugated polymers. Also provided are articles of manufacture comprising multiple layers of conjugated polymers having differing solubility characteristics. Embodiments of the invention are described further herein.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2005Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Guillermo C. Bazan, Bin Liu, Xiong Gong, Alan J. Heeger, Wanli Ma, Parameswar K. Iyer
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Patent number: 8273599Abstract: Improved processing methods for enhanced properties of conjugated polymer films are disclosed, as well as the enhanced conjugated polymer films produced thereby. Addition of low molecular weight alkyl-containing molecules to solutions used to form conjugated polymer films leads to improved photoconductivity and improvements in other electronic properties. The enhanced conjugated polymer films can be used in a variety of electronic devices, such as solar cells and photodiodes.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2007Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Guillermo C. Bazan, Alan J. Heeger, Daniel Moses, Jeffrey Peet
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Patent number: 8227691Abstract: Processing additives, as well as related compositions, photovoltaic cells, photovoltaic modules, and methods, are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2008Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Guillermo Bazan, Christoph Brabec, Russell Gaudiana, Alan J. Heeger, Markus Koppe, Jae Kwan Lee, Wanli Ma, Mauro Morana, Markus Scharber, David Waller