Patents by Inventor Brian A. Korgel

Brian A. Korgel 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: 20120077034
    Abstract: A method for making silicon nanorods is provided. In accordance with the method, Au nanocrystals are reacted with a silane in a liquid medium to form nanorods, wherein each of said nanorods has an average diameter within the range of about 1.2 nm to about 10 nm and has a length within the range of about 1 nm to about 100 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventors: Andrew T. Heitsch, Colin M. Hessel, Brian A. Korgel
  • Patent number: 8110510
    Abstract: Methods synthesizing nanowires in solution at low temperatures (e.g., about 400° C. or lower) are provided. In the present methods, the nanowires are synthesized by exposing nanowire precursors to metal nanocrystals in a nanowire growth solution comprising a solvent. The metal nanocrystals serve as seed particles that catalyze the growth of the semiconductor nanowires. The metal nanocrystals may be formed in situ in the growth solution from metal nanocrystal precursors. Alternatively, the nanowires may be pre-formed and added to the growth solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Dayne D. Fanfair, Brian A. Korgel
  • Publication number: 20110275947
    Abstract: Aspects according to the present invention provide a method and implant suitable for implantation inside a human body that includes a power consuming means responsive to a physiological requirement of the human body, a power source and a power storage device. The power source comprises a piezoelectric assembly that is configured to generate an electrical current when flexed by the tissue of the body and communicate the generated current to the power storage device, which is electrically coupled to the power source and to the power consuming means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Marc D. Feldman, Shaochen Chen, Li-Hsin Han, Carlos A. Aguilar, Arturo A. Ayon, C. Mauli A Grawal, David M. Lighthart, Devang N. Patel, Steven R. Bailey, Brian A. Korgel, Doh C. Lee, Tushar Sharma, Christopher J. Ellison, Xiaojing Zhang
  • Publication number: 20110223484
    Abstract: A method is provided for making a fabric. The method comprises (a) providing a composition comprising a plurality of nanocrystals disposed in a liquid medium, the nanocrystals comprising a material elected from the group consisting of a Group IV element; (b) applying the composition to a porous substrate, thereby removing at least a portion of the liquid medium from the nanocrystals; and (c) removing the nanocrystals from the porous substrate as a self-supporting mass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventors: Brian A. Korgel, Damon A. Smith, Vincent C. Holmberg, Reken Patel, Paul Thurk
  • Publication number: 20110171789
    Abstract: A method for the production of a robust, chemically stable, crystalline, passivated nanoparticle and composition containing the same, that emit light with high efficiencies and size-tunable and excitation energy tunable color. The methods include the thermal degradation of a precursor molecule in the presence of a capping agent at high temperature and elevated pressure. A particular composition prepared by the methods is a passivated silicon nanoparticle composition displaying discrete optical transitions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventors: Brian A. Korgel, Keith P. Johnston
  • Publication number: 20110121257
    Abstract: A diode is provided which comprises a cathode, an anode, and at least one crystalline nanowire in electrical communication with said cathode and said anode. The crystalline nanowire comprises a group IV metal which is substantially straight and substantially free of nanoparticles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventors: Tobias Hanrath, Xianmao Lu, Keith Johnston, Brian Korgel
  • Publication number: 20110056564
    Abstract: A nanoparticle composition is disclosed comprising a copper indium gallium selenide, a copper indium sulfide, or a combination thereof. Also disclosed is a layer comprising the nanoparticle composition. A photovoltaic device comprising the nanoparticle composition and/or the absorbing layer is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for producing the nanoparticle compositions, absorbing layers, and photovoltaic devices described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Inventors: Brian A. Korgel, Matthew G. Panthani, Brian W. Goodfellow, Vahid A. Akhavan, Bonil Koo
  • Patent number: 7858181
    Abstract: The present invention provides nanowires which are substantially straight and substantially free of nanoparticles and methods for making the same The nanowires can be made by seeded approaches, wherein nanocrystals bound to a substrate are used to promote growth of the nanowire. Nanocrystals in solution may also be used to make the nanowires of the present invention. Supercritical fluid reaction conditions can be used in a continuous or semi-batch process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Inventors: Tobias Hanrath, Xianmao Lu, Keith Johnston, Brian Korgel
  • Publication number: 20100160994
    Abstract: Aspects according to the present invention provide a method and implant suitable for implantation inside a human body that includes a power consuming means responsive to a physiological requirement of the human body, a power source and a power storage device. The power source comprises a sheathed piezoelectric assembly that is configured to generate an electrical current when flexed by the tissue of the body and communicate the generated current to the power storage device, which is electrically coupled to the power source and to the power consuming means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: BOARD OF REGENTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM
    Inventors: Marc D. Feldman, Shaochen Chen, Li-Hsin Han, Carlos A. Aguilar, Arturo A. Ayon, C. Mauli Agrawal, David M. Johnson, Devang N. Patel, Steven R. Bailey, Brian A. Korgel, Doh C. Lee
  • Patent number: 7722953
    Abstract: A method for the production of a robust, chemically stable, crystalline, passivated nanoparticle and composition containing the same, that emit light with high efficiencies and size-tunable and excitation energy tunable color. The methods include the thermal degradation of a precursor molecule in the presence of a capping agent at high temperature and elevated pressure. A particular composition prepared by the methods is a passivated silicon nanoparticle composition displaying discrete optical transitions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Inventors: Brian A. Korgel, Keith P. Johnston
  • Patent number: 7670581
    Abstract: A method for the production of a robust, chemically stable, crystalline, passivated nanoparticle and composition containing the same, that emit light with high efficiencies and size-tunable and excitation energy tunable color. The methods include the thermal degradation of a precursor molecule in the presence of a capping agent at high temperature and elevated pressure. A particular composition prepared by the methods is a passivated silicon nanoparticle composition displaying discrete optical transitions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Inventors: Brian A. Korgel, Keith P. Johnston
  • Publication number: 20090074649
    Abstract: A method for the production of a robust, chemically stable, crystalline, passivated nanoparticle and composition containing the same, that emit light with high efficiencies and size-tunable and excitation energy tunable color. The methods include the thermal degradation of a precursor molecule in the presence of a capping agent at high temperature and elevated pressure. A particular composition prepared by the methods is a passivated silicon nanoparticle composition displaying discrete optical transitions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: Brian A. Korgel, Keith P. Johnston
  • Publication number: 20090068108
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for detecting a condition of a sample (including cervical cancers and pre-cancers) through reflectance and/or fluorescence imaging. A sample is obtained. One or more metallic nanoparticles and/or one or more quantum dots are obtained. The one or more metallic nanoparticles and/or one or more quantum dots are coupled to one or more biomarkers of the sample that are associated with the condition. A reflectance and/or fluorescence image of the sample is then taken. The image(s) exhibit characteristic optical scattering from the one or more metallic nanoparticles and/or characteristic fluorescence excitation from the one or more quantum dots to signal the presence of the one or more biomarkers. In this way, the condition can be readily screened or diagnosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventors: Konstantin Sokolov, Brian A. Korgel, Andrew D. Ellington, Rebecca Richards-Kortum
  • Publication number: 20080248304
    Abstract: The present invention provides nanowires which are substantially straight and substantially free of nanoparticles and methods for making the same The nanowires can be made by seeded approaches, wherein nanocrystals bound to a substrate are used to promote growth of the nanowire. Nanocrystals in solution may also be used to make the nanowires of the present invention. Supercritical fluid reaction conditions can be used in a continuous or semi-batch process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventors: Tobias Hanrath, Xianmao Lu, Keith Johnston, Brian Korgel
  • Patent number: 7335259
    Abstract: The present invention provides nanowires which are substantially straight and substantially free of nanoparticles and methods for making the same The nanowires can be made by seeded approaches, wherein nanocrystals bound to a substrate are used to promote growth of the nanowire. Nanocrystals in solution may also be used to make the nanowires of the present invention. Supercritical fluid reaction conditions can be used in a continuous or semi-batch process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Inventors: Tobias Hanrath, Xianmao Lu, Keith Johnston, Brian Korgel
  • Publication number: 20050266697
    Abstract: A method for the production of a robust, chemically stable, crystalline, passivated nanoparticle and composition containing the same, that emit light with high efficiencies and size-tunable and excitation energy tunable color. The methods include the thermal degradation of a precursor molecule in the presence of a capping agent at high temperature and elevated pressure. A particular composition prepared by the methods is a passivated silicon nanoparticle composition displaying discrete optical transitions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Publication date: December 1, 2005
    Inventors: Brian Korgel, Keith Johnston
  • Publication number: 20050267345
    Abstract: A method for the production of a robust, chemically stable, crystalline, passivated nanoparticle and composition containing the same, that emit light with high efficiencies and size-tunable and excitation energy tunable color. The methods include the thermal degradation of a precursor molecule in the presence of a capping agent at high temperature and elevated pressure. A particular composition prepared by the methods is a passivated silicon nanoparticle composition displaying discrete optical transitions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2005
    Publication date: December 1, 2005
    Inventors: Brian Korgel, Keith Johnston, Katherine Brosh, Paul Thurk
  • Patent number: 6918946
    Abstract: A method for the production of a robust, chemically stable, crystalline, passivated nanoparticle and composition containing the same, that emit light with high efficiencies and size-tunable and excitation energy tunable color. The methods include the thermal degradation of a precursor molecule in the presence of a capping agent at high temperature and elevated pressure. A particular composition prepared by the methods is a passivated silicon nanoparticle composition displaying discrete optical transitions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Brian A. Korgel, Paul Thurk, Keith P. Johnston
  • Publication number: 20050029678
    Abstract: The present invention provides nanowires which are substantially straight and substantially free of nanoparticles and methods for making the same The nanowires can be made by seeded approaches, wherein nanocrystals bound to a substrate are used to promote growth of the nanowire. Nanocrystals in solution may also be used to make the nanowires of the present invention. Supercritical fluid reaction conditions can be used in a continuous or semi-batch process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2004
    Publication date: February 10, 2005
    Inventors: Tobias Hanrath, Xianmao Lu, Keith Johnston, Brian Korgel
  • Patent number: 6846565
    Abstract: A method for the production of a robust, chemically stable, crystalline, passivated nanoparticle and composition containing the same, that emit light with high efficiencies and size-tunable and excitation energy tunable color. The methods include the thermal degradation of a precursor molecule in the presence of a capping agent at high temperature and elevated pressure. A particular composition prepared by the methods is a passivated silicon nanoparticle composition displaying discrete optical transitions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Brian A. Korgel, Keith P. Johnston