Patents by Inventor Brian Chou

Brian Chou 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: 9837953
    Abstract: A metallic-dielectric photonic crystal is formed with a periodic structure defining a plurality of resonant cavities to selectively absorb incident radiation. A metal layer is deposited on the inner surfaces of the resonant cavities and a dielectric material fills inside the resonant cavities. This photonic crystal can be used to selectively absorb broadband solar radiation and then reemit absorbed radiation in a wavelength band that matches the absorption band of a photovoltaic cell. The photonic crystal can be fabricated by patterning a sacrificial layer with a plurality of holes, into which is deposited a supporting material. Removing the rest of the sacrificial layer creates a supporting structure, on which a layer of metal is deposited to define resonant cavities. A dielectric material then fills the cavities to form the photonic crystal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Jeffrey Brian Chou, Sang-Gook Kim
  • Publication number: 20170070181
    Abstract: A metallic-dielectric photonic crystal is formed with a periodic structure defining a plurality of resonant cavities to selectively absorb incident radiation. A metal layer is deposited on the inner surfaces of the resonant cavities and a dielectric material fills inside the resonant cavities. This photonic crystal can be used to selectively absorb broadband solar radiation and then reemit absorbed radiation in a wavelength band that matches the absorption band of a photovoltaic cell. The photonic crystal can be fabricated by patterning a sacrificial layer with a plurality of holes, into which is deposited a supporting material. Removing the rest of the sacrificial layer creates a supporting structure, on which a layer of metal is deposited to define resonant cavities. A dielectric material then fills the cavities to form the photonic crystal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Jeffrey Brian Chou, Sang-Gook Kim
  • Patent number: 9523152
    Abstract: A metallic-dielectric photonic crystal is formed with a periodic structure defining a plurality of resonant cavities to selectively absorb incident radiation. A metal layer is deposited on the inner surfaces of the resonant cavities and a dielectric material fills inside the resonant cavities. This photonic crystal can be used to selectively absorb broadband solar radiation and then reemit absorbed radiation in a wavelength band that matches the absorption band of a photovoltaic cell. The photonic crystal can be fabricated by patterning a sacrificial layer with a plurality of holes, into which is deposited a supporting material. Removing the rest of the sacrificial layer creates a supporting structure, on which a layer of metal is deposited to define resonant cavities. A dielectric material then fills the cavities to form the photonic crystal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Jeffrey Brian Chou, Sang-Gook Kim
  • Publication number: 20150150445
    Abstract: Novel vision monitoring and screening testing tools and help-seeking enablers that may be used individually as or in combination with vision monitoring and screening testing systems that improves patients' ability to recognize onset and progression of visual changes over time. Patients' ability to identify acute or chronic visual conditions on their own may drive earlier help-seeking behavior by the patient, enable earlier clinical diagnosis by an eye care specialist, and therefore resulting in earlier treatment and reduced likelihood of severe vision loss.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2014
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Inventors: Nikoo Iravani, Brian Chou
  • Publication number: 20150068599
    Abstract: A metallic-dielectric photonic crystal is formed with a periodic structure defining a plurality of resonant cavities to selectively absorb incident radiation. A metal layer is deposited on the inner surfaces of the resonant cavities and a dielectric material fills inside the resonant cavities. This photonic crystal can be used to selectively absorb broadband solar radiation and then reemit absorbed radiation in a wavelength band that matches the absorption band of a photovoltaic cell. The photonic crystal can be fabricated by patterning a sacrificial layer with a plurality of holes, into which is deposited a supporting material. Removing the rest of the sacrificial layer creates a supporting structure, on which a layer of metal is deposited to define resonant cavities. A dielectric material then fills the cavities to form the photonic crystal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Jeffrey Brian Chou, Sang-Gook Kim
  • Patent number: 8888288
    Abstract: Novel vision monitoring, screening, and testing tools and help-seeking enablers that may be used individually as or in combination with other vision monitoring and screening testing systems that improves patients' ability to recognize the onset and progression of visual changes over time. Patients' ability to identify acute or chronic visual conditions on their own may drive earlier help-seeking behavior by the patient, enable earlier clinical diagnosis by an eye care specialist, and therefore resulting in earlier treatment and reduced likelihood of severe vision loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Inventors: Nikoo Iravani, Brian Chou
  • Publication number: 20120212706
    Abstract: Novel vision monitoring, screening, and testing tools and help-seeking enablers that may be used individually as or in combination with other vision monitoring and screening testing systems that improves patients' ability to recognize the onset and progression of visual changes over time. Patients' ability to identify acute or chronic visual conditions on their own may drive earlier help-seeking behavior by the patient, enable earlier clinical diagnosis by an eye care specialist, and therefore resulting in earlier treatment and reduced likelihood of severe vision loss.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventors: Brian Chou, Nikoo Iravani