Patents by Inventor Andrew J. Steckl

Andrew J. Steckl 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: 10746374
    Abstract: A light emitting device includes a light emitting diode (LED); a transparent optic having a refractive index noptic; and a phosphor layer spaced apart from the LED and positioned between the LED and the transparent optic. The phosphor layer has an effective refractive index nphosphor, where a gap between the LED and the phosphor layer has a refractive index ngap that is less than nphosphor. The transparent optic has an inner convex surface in contact with the phosphor layer. The inner convex surface has an inner radius of curvature r; and an outer convex surface facing away from the phosphor layer and being a surface through which the light emitting device emits light into a medium adjacent the outer convex surface. The medium has a refractive index nmedium. The outer convex surface has an outer radius of curvature R, such that r/R is equal to nmedium/noptic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Quarkstar LLC
    Inventors: Steven C. Allen, Andrew J. Steckl
  • Patent number: 10488424
    Abstract: A device (10) and method for analyzing blood coagulation in a blood sample. The device (10) includes a housing (12) having an analytical membrane (14) partially enclosed in a housing. The analytical membrane (14) includes a porous hydrophilic sample portion (34), a porous hydrophilic analytical portion (36), and a porous hydrophilic wicking portion (38). The porosity of the analytical portion (36) differs from the porosity of the sample portion (34). The method utilizes the device to analyze blood coagulation in a whole blood sample from the distance travelled by the red blood cell leading edge (50) in a predetermined period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: University of Cincinnati
    Inventors: Andrew J. Steckl, Giovanni M. Pauletti, Hua Li
  • Publication number: 20190101261
    Abstract: A light emitting device includes a light emitting diode (LED); a transparent optic having a refractive index noptic; and a phosphor layer spaced apart from the LED and positioned between the LED and the transparent optic. The phosphor layer has an effective refractive index nphosphor, where a gap between the LED and the phosphor layer has a refractive index ngap that is less than nphosphor. The transparent optic has an inner convex surface in contact with the phosphor layer. The inner convex surface has an inner radius of curvature r; and an outer convex surface facing away from the phosphor layer and being a surface through which the light emitting device emits light into a medium adjacent the outer convex surface. The medium has a refractive index nmedium. The outer convex surface has an outer radius of curvature R, such that r/R is equal to nmedium/noptic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Inventors: Steven C. Allen, Andrew J. Steckl
  • Publication number: 20170130930
    Abstract: A light emitting device includes a light emitting diode (LED); a transparent optic having a refractive index noptic; and a phosphor layer spaced apart from the LED and positioned between the LED and the transparent optic. The phosphor layer has an effective refractive index nphosphor, where a gap between the LED and the phosphor layer has a refractive index ngap that is less than nphosphor. The transparent optic has an inner convex surface in contact with the phosphor layer. The inner convex surface has an inner radius of curvature r; and an outer convex surface facing away from the phosphor layer and being a surface through which the light emitting device emits light into a medium adjacent the outer convex surface. The medium has a refractive index nmedium. The outer convex surface has an outer radius of curvature R, such that r/R is equal to nmedium/noptic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventors: Steven C. Allen, Andrew J. Steckl
  • Publication number: 20170074893
    Abstract: A device (10) and method for analyzing blood coagulation in a blood sample. The device (10) includes a housing (12) having an analytical membrane (14) partially enclosed in a housing. The analytical membrane (14) includes a porous hydrophilic sample portion (34), a porous hydrophilic analytical portion (36), and a porous hydrophilic wicking portion (38). The porosity of the analytical portion (36) differs from the porosity of the sample portion (34). The method utilizes the device to analyze blood coagulation in a whole blood sample from the distance travelled by the red blood cell leading edge (50) in a predetermined period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Applicant: University Of Cincinnati
    Inventors: Andrew J. Steckl, Giovanni M. Pauletti, Hua Li
  • Patent number: 9476149
    Abstract: Methods for electrospinning a hydrophobic coaxial fiber into a superhydrophobic coaxial fiber mat can include providing an electrospinning coaxial nozzle comprising a core outlet coaxial with a sheath outlet, ejecting an electrospinnable core solution from the core outlet of the electrospinning coaxial nozzle, ejecting a hydrophobic sheath solution from the sheath outlet of the electrospinning coaxial nozzle, wherein the hydrophobic sheath solution annularly surrounds the core solution, applying a voltage between the electrospinning coaxial nozzle and a collection plate, wherein the voltage induces a jet of the electrospinnable core solution annularly surrounded by the hydrophobic sheath solution to travel from the electrospinning coaxial nozzle to the collection plate to form the hydrophobic coaxial fiber comprising an electrospinnable polymer core coated with a hydrophobic sheath material, and wherein collection of the hydrophobic coaxial fiber on the collection plate yields the superhydrophobic coaxial fib
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: University of Cincinnati
    Inventors: Andrew J. Steckl, Daewoo Han
  • Patent number: 9420664
    Abstract: A light emitting device includes a light emitting diode (LED); a transparent optic having a refractive index noptic; and a phosphor layer spaced apart from the LED and positioned between the LED and the transparent optic. The phosphor layer has an effective refractive index nphosphor, where a gap between the LED and the phosphor layer has a refractive index ngap that is less than nphosphor. The transparent optic has an inner convex surface in contact with the phosphor layer. The inner convex surface has an inner radius of curvature r; and an outer convex surface facing away from the phosphor layer and being a surface through which the light emitting device emits light into a medium adjacent the outer convex surface. The medium has a refractive index nmedium. The outer convex surface has an outer radius of curvature R, such that r/R is equal to nmedium/noptic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Quarkstar LLC
    Inventors: Steven C. Allen, Andrew J. Steckl
  • Publication number: 20160066389
    Abstract: A light emitting device includes a light emitting diode (LED); a transparent optic having a refractive index noptic; and a phosphor layer spaced apart from the LED and positioned between the LED and the transparent optic. The phosphor layer has an effective refractive index nphosphor, where a gap between the LED and the phosphor layer has a refractive index ngap that is less than nphosphor. The transparent optic has an inner convex surface in contact with the phosphor layer. The inner convex surface has an inner radius of curvature r; and an outer convex surface facing away from the phosphor layer and being a surface through which the light emitting device emits light into a medium adjacent the outer convex surface. The medium has a refractive index nmedium. The outer convex surface has an outer radius of curvature R, such that r/R is equal to nmedium/noptic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Steven C. Allen, Andrew J. Steckl
  • Patent number: 9078332
    Abstract: A light emitting device includes a light emitting diode (LED); a transparent optic having a refractive index noptic; and a phosphor layer spaced apart from the LED and positioned between the LED and the transparent optic. The phosphor layer has an effective refractive index nphosphor, where a gap between the LED and the phosphor layer has a refractive index ngap that is less than nphosphor. The transparent optic has an inner convex surface in contact with the phosphor layer. The inner convex surface has an inner radius of curvature r; and an outer convex surface facing away from the phosphor layer and being a surface through which the light emitting device emits light into a medium adjacent the outer convex surface. The medium has a refractive index nmedium. The outer convex surface has an outer radius of curvature R, such that r/R is equal to nmedium/noptic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Quarkstar LLC
    Inventors: Steven C. Allen, Andrew J. Steckl
  • Publication number: 20140333198
    Abstract: A light emitting device includes a light emitting diode (LED); a transparent optic having a refractive index noptic; and a phosphor layer spaced apart from the LED and positioned between the LED and the transparent optic. The phosphor layer has an effective refractive index nphosphor, where a gap between the LED and the phosphor layer has a refractive index ngap that is less than nphosphor. The transparent optic has an inner convex surface in contact with the phosphor layer. The inner convex surface has an inner radius of curvature r; and an outer convex surface facing away from the phosphor layer and being a surface through which the light emitting device emits light into a medium adjacent the outer convex surface. The medium has a refractive index nmedium. The outer convex surface has an outer radius of curvature R, such that r/R is equal to nmedium/noptic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Steven C. Allen, Andrew J. Steckl
  • Patent number: 8791631
    Abstract: A light emitting device is described. The light emitting device includes a base; a light emitting diode supported by the base; a first layer spaced apart from the light emitting diode and including a light emitting material, the first layer having a refractive index nfirst—layer; a transparent optic having a refractive index noptic that is greater than or equal to nfirst—layer, the transparent optic having a convex surface facing away from the light emitting diode and the first layer being positioned between the transparent optic and the light emitting diode. A gap between the light emitting diode and the first layer has a refractive index ngap that is less than nfirst—layer, and the convex surface has a radius of curvature sufficiently large relative to a dimension of the first layer to eliminate total internal reflection of light entering the transparent optic from the first layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Quarkstar LLC
    Inventors: Steven C. Allen, Andrew J. Steckl
  • Publication number: 20130344763
    Abstract: Methods for electrospinning a hydrophobic coaxial fiber into a superhydrophobic coaxial fiber mat can include providing an electrospinning coaxial nozzle comprising a core outlet coaxial with a sheath outlet, ejecting an electrospinnable core solution from the core outlet of the electrospinning coaxial nozzle, ejecting a hydrophobic sheath solution from the sheath outlet of the electrospinning coaxial nozzle, wherein the hydrophobic sheath solution annularly surrounds the core solution, applying a voltage between the electrospinning coaxial nozzle and a collection plate, wherein the voltage induces a jet of the electrospinnable core solution annularly surrounded by the hydrophobic sheath solution to travel from the electrospinning coaxial nozzle to the collection plate to form the hydrophobic coaxial fiber comprising an electrospinnable polymer core coated with a hydrophobic sheath material, and wherein collection of the hydrophobic coaxial fiber on the collection plate yields the superhydrophobic coaxial fib
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: University of Cincinnati
    Inventors: Andrew J. Steckl, Daewoo Han
  • Patent number: 8598778
    Abstract: A light emitting device includes a base; a light emitting diode (LED) supported by the base; a layer spaced apart from the LED and including a light emitting material of refraction index n1. An enclosure formed by the layer and the base encloses the LED. A medium inside the enclosure between the LED and the layer has a refraction index n0<n1; and an optic in contact with the layer and having a refraction index n2?n1. The layer is positioned between the optic and the LED. The optic has, at a surface of contact with the layer, a radius r measured along a ray originating from the LED, and, at an output surface of the optic, another radius R measured along the same ray, such that R?r·(n1/nm), where nm is a refraction index of a medium adjacent the output surface of the optic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Quarkstar LLC
    Inventors: Steven C. Allen, Andrew J. Steckl
  • Publication number: 20130293099
    Abstract: A light emitting device includes a base; a light emitting diode (LED) supported by the base; a layer spaced apart from the LED and including a light emitting material of refraction index n1. An enclosure formed by the layer and the base encloses the LED. A medium inside the enclosure between the LED and the layer has a refraction index n0<n1; and an optic in contact with the layer and having a refraction index n2?n1. The layer is positioned between the optic and the LED. The optic has, at a surface of contact with the layer, a radius r measured along a ray originating from the LED, and, at an output surface of the optic, another radius R measured along the same ray, such that R?r·(n1/nm), where nm is a refraction index of a medium adjacent the output surface of the optic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Steven C. Allen, Andrew J. Steckl
  • Patent number: 8518320
    Abstract: Methods for electrospinning a hydrophobic coaxial fiber into a superhydrophobic coaxial fiber mat can include providing an electrospinning coaxial nozzle comprising a core outlet coaxial with a sheath outlet, ejecting an electrospinnable core solution from the core outlet of the electrospinning coaxial nozzle, ejecting a hydrophobic sheath solution from the sheath outlet of the electrospinning coaxial nozzle, wherein the hydrophobic sheath solution annularly surrounds the core solution, applying a voltage between the electrospinning coaxial nozzle and a collection plate, wherein the voltage induces a jet of the electrospinnable core solution annularly surrounded by the hydrophobic sheath solution to travel from the electrospinning coaxial nozzle to the collection plate to form the hydrophobic coaxial fiber comprising an electrospinnable polymer core coated with a hydrophobic sheath material, and wherein collection of the hydrophobic coaxial fiber on the collection plate yields the superhydrophobic coaxial fib
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: University of Cincinnati
    Inventors: Andrew J. Steckl, Daewoo Han
  • Publication number: 20130215492
    Abstract: Electro wetting devices and methods. The electro wetting device 10 includes a grounded electrode 14 on one side of a paper substrate 12. A dielectric layer 16 and a hydrophobic film 20 are sequentially layered onto the grounded electrode 14. The hydrophobic film 20 is configured to impart a contact angle on a polar liquid 18. A polar liquid 18 is in contact with the hydrophobic film 20 and a voltage source 22 couples the grounded electrode 14 to the polar liquid 18. When an electric field is applied by the voltage source 22, the contact angle of the polar liquid 18 decreases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: University of Cincinnati
    Inventors: Andrew J. Steckl, Duk Young Kim
  • Patent number: 8089013
    Abstract: Electronic devices (10, 30, 50) utilizing electrically-controlled liquid components to accomplish device switching. Electric fields are used in a device structure to manipulate the position and/or geometrical shape of a conductive fluid or liquid (60, 24) using electrowetting. This manipulation regulates the flow of current between electrodes of the device structure, such as the source and drain regions (16, 20) of a transistor construction, by bridging a non-conductive channel (15) separating the electrodes (16, 20) so that the electrodes (16, 20) are electrically coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: University of Cincinnati
    Inventors: Andrew J. Steckl, Jason C. Heikenfeld
  • Patent number: 7872790
    Abstract: The invention relates to light transmissive, transflective, or reflective flat panel display devices and, more specifically, to light emissive flat panel displays constructed from high performance electrowetting light valve (ELV) devices (10a-g). An array of ELV devices (10a-g) is mounted on or adjacent to a backlight (11), employing a reflector (13) allowing for improved transmission. The backlight (11) may be partially diffusely reflective or translucent as to also allow for creation of a transflective display panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: University of Cincinnati
    Inventors: Andrew J. Steckl, Jason C. Heikenfeld
  • Publication number: 20100297906
    Abstract: Methods for electrospinning a hydrophobic coaxial fiber into a superhydrophobic coaxial fiber mat can include providing an electrospinning coaxial nozzle comprising a core outlet coaxial with a sheath outlet, ejecting an electrospinnable core solution from the core outlet of the electrospinning coaxial nozzle, ejecting a hydrophobic sheath solution from the sheath outlet of the electrospinning coaxial nozzle, wherein the hydrophobic sheath solution annularly surrounds the core solution, applying a voltage between the electrospinning coaxial nozzle and a collection plate, wherein the voltage induces a jet of the electrospinnable core solution annularly surrounded by the hydrophobic sheath solution to travel from the electrospinning coaxial nozzle to the collection plate to form the hydrophobic coaxial fiber comprising an electrospinnable polymer core coated with a hydrophobic sheath material, and wherein collection of the hydrophobic coaxial fiber on the collection plate yields the superhydrophobic coaxial fib
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI
    Inventors: Andrew J. Steckl, Daewoo Han
  • Publication number: 20100263723
    Abstract: A light emitting composite material (40) comprising a glassy material (44) and a phosphor (14) suspended in the glassy material (44), wherein the refractive index of the phosphor (14) is approximately equal to the refractive index of the glass material. The light emitting composite material (40) can be used in phosphor-containing light emitting devices, solid-state laser (64) diodes, and as a luminescence collector (90).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI
    Inventors: Steven C. Allen, Andrew J. Steckl