Patents by Inventor Alfred W. Hübler

Alfred W. Hübler 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).

  • Patent number: 9824785
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for converting kinetic energy of an energetic particle into electrical energy and for accelerating charged particles. A stack of substantially parallel conductors separated by gaps is disposed such that the conductors are substantially parallel to the surface of a cathode, with the conductors mutually electrically uncoupled. An anode is disposed at an end of the stack of conductors distal to the cathode, and a power management system applies a bias voltage between the cathode and the anode and collects charge deposited at the anode in the form of current in an external electrical circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventor: Alfred W. Hübler
  • Patent number: 9741492
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for storing information or energy. An array of nano-capacitors is provided, where each nano-capacitor has a plurality of cathodic regions and an anode separated from each of the cathodic regions by one or more intervening dielectrics. Each nano-capacitor acts as a quantum resonator thereby suppressing electron emission. The thickness of the intervening dielectric is in the range between 0.1 nanometers and 1000 nanometers and is shorter than an electron mean free path within the dielectric. Each cathodic region is at least 100 times larger than the thickness of the intervening dielectric in every direction transverse to the thickness of the intervening dielectric. An excess of electrons is stored on the cathodic regions. The dielectric may be a metal oxide, particularly a native oxide of the cathode material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventor: Alfred W. Hübler
  • Publication number: 20170069426
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for storing information or energy. An array of nano-capacitors is provided, where each nano-capacitor has a plurality of cathodic regions and an anode separated from each of the cathodic regions by one or more intervening dielectrics. Each nano-capacitor acts as a quantum resonator thereby suppressing electron emission. The thickness of the intervening dielectric is in the range between 0.1 nanometers and 1000 nanometers and is shorter than an electron mean free path within the dielectric. Each cathodic region is at least 100 times larger than the thickness of the intervening dielectric in every direction transverse to the thickness of the intervening dielectric. An excess of electrons is stored on the cathodic regions. The dielectric may be a metal oxide, particularly a native oxide of the cathode material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Inventor: Alfred W. Hübler
  • Patent number: 9218906
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for storing information or energy. An array of nano-capacitors is provided, where each nano-capacitor has a cathodic electrode and an anode separated by a dielectric. The thickness of the intervening solid dielectric is in the range between 0.1 nanometers and 1000 nanometers and is shorter than an electron mean free path within the dielectric. The cathodic electrode is at least 100 times larger than the thickness of the intervening dielectric in every direction transverse to the thickness of the intervening dielectric. An excess of electrons is stored on the cathodic electrode. The dielectric may be a metal oxide, particularly a native oxide of the cathode material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventor: Alfred W. Hübler