Patents by Inventor David Thomas Britton
David Thomas Britton 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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Publication number: 20180321092Abstract: A hybrid electronic sensing component comprises an integrated circuit attached to an analogue circuit into which at least one sensing element has been integrated. The hybrid sensing component provides an output in digital form in response to a quantifiable change in its environmental conditions. The sensing functionality is separated from the data processing, which reduces the effect of self-heating due to the power consumption in the processor.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2016Publication date: November 8, 2018Applicant: PST SENSORS (PROPRIETARY) LIMITEDInventors: Stephen David JONES, Emmanuel Ohieku JONAH, Margit HARTING, David Thomas BRITTON
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Patent number: 9664573Abstract: A sensor device comprises an array of spaced apart sensor elements disposed in a pattern on a substrate. Each sensor element is connected electrically so that a physical variable measured by each sensor element independently can be recorded and/or displayed by an external instrument. The sensing device may be a temperature sensing device, in which case the sensor elements are temperature sensing elements such as negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistors. Alternatively the sensing device may be a strain or pressure sensing device, or an optical imaging device, in which case the sensor elements include piezoresistors or photoresistors. The sensor elements may be connected in a common source or write all-read one configuration, in a common output or write one-read all configuration, or in an array comprising X rows and Y columns, in a write X-read Y configuration.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2013Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: PST SENSORS (PROPRIETARY) LIMITEDInventors: David Thomas Britton, Margit Harting
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Patent number: 9601604Abstract: An electronic device and a method of fabricating an electronic device are disclosed. The device includes a body of semiconductor material, and a conductive material defining at least three conducting contacts to form respective terminals. The semiconductor material and the conducting contacts overlap at least partially to define the device, so that the electrical characteristics of the device between any pair of terminals correspond to those of a varistor. The body of semiconductor material may be a layer deposited by printing or coating. The varistor characteristics between each pair of terminals enable switching of an electrical current between one terminal and any two other terminals in such a manner that when there is a positive current into a first terminal, there is a negligible current through a second terminal at which a positive potential is applied and a positive current out of a third terminal which is held at a negative potential with respect to the second terminal.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2013Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: PST Sensors (Proprietary) LimitedInventors: David Thomas Britton, Margit Haerting, Stanley Douglas Walton
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Patent number: 9320145Abstract: An electronic component assembly comprises a printed component structure comprising at least one of a semiconducting ink, an insulating ink and a conducting ink deposited onto a substrate. The component structure defining at least one contact area, with a connecting lead disposed against or adjacent to the contact area. At least one layer of electrically insulating material encloses the component structure. At least one of the substrate and the layer of electrically insulating material comprises packaging material. The component structure can be printed on a substrate such as paper or another soft material, which is secured to a layer of insulating packaging material such as polyethylene. Instead, the substrate can be the insulating packaging material itself. Variations using hard and soft substrates are possible, and various examples of electronic component assembly are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2011Date of Patent: April 19, 2016Assignee: PST Sensors (Proprietary) LimitedInventors: David Thomas Britton, Margit Harting
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Patent number: 9206324Abstract: A method of producing a printable composition comprises mixing a quantity of particulate semiconductor material with a quantity of a binder. The semiconductor material is typically nanoparticulate silicon with a particle size in the range from 5 nanometers to 10 microns. The binder is a self-polymerizing material comprising a natural oil, or a derivative or synthetic analog thereof. Preferably the binder comprises a natural polymer formed by auto-polymerization of a precursor consisting of a natural oil, or its derivatives including pure unsaturated fatty acids, mono- and di-glycerides, or methyl and ethyl esters of the corresponding fatty acids. The method may include applying the printable composition to a substrate, in single or multiple layers, and allowing the printable composition to cure to define the component or conductor on the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2006Date of Patent: December 8, 2015Assignee: PST SENSORS (PROPIETARY) LIMITEDInventors: David Thomas Britton, Ekundare Ayodele Odo, Margit Harting
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Publication number: 20150236140Abstract: An electronic device and a method of fabricating an electronic device are disclosed. The device includes a body of semiconductor material, and a conductive material defining at least three conducting contacts to form respective terminals. The semiconductor material and the conducting contacts overlap at least partially to define the device, so that the electrical characteristics of the device between any pair of terminals correspond to those of a varistor. The body of semiconductor material may be a layer deposited by printing or coating. The varistor characteristics between each pair of terminals enable switching of an electrical current between one terminal and any two other terminals in such a manner that when there is a positive current into a first terminal, there is a negligible current through a second terminal at which a positive potential is applied and a positive current out of a third terminal which is held at a negative potential with respect to the second terminal.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2013Publication date: August 20, 2015Inventors: David Thomas Britton, Margit Haerting, Stanley Douglas Walton
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Patent number: 9029180Abstract: A method of producing a temperature sensing device is provided. The method includes forming at least one silicon layer and at least one electrode or contact to define a thermistor structure. At least the silicon layer is formed by printing, and at least one of the silicon layer and the electrode or contact is supported by a substrate during printing thereof. Preferably, the electrodes or contacts are formed by printing, using an ink comprising silicon particles having a size in the range 10 nanometers to 100 micrometers, and a liquid vehicle composed of a binder and a suitable solvent. In some embodiments the substrate is an object the temperature of which is to be measured. Instead, the substrate may be a template, may be sacrificial, or may be a flexible or rigid material. Various device geometries are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2011Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: PST Sensors (Proprietary) LimitedInventors: David Thomas Britton, Margit Harting
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Publication number: 20150023393Abstract: A sensing device is made up of a network of nominally identical temperature dependent resistors which is topologically equivalent to a square resistor network. The device has terminals at which an average resistance value thereof can be measured. The resistors are supported on a substrate which can be reduced in size from an initial size without substantially changing the average resistance value. In preferred embodiments, a pattern of contacts and conductive tracks joining the contacts are printed on a substrate, and a material having a temperature dependent resistance is applied over the contacts to define a network of interconnected thermistors. Alternatively, the material can be applied to the substrate first and the contacts and tracks printed on it.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2013Publication date: January 22, 2015Applicant: PST Sensors (Proprietary) LimitedInventors: David Thomas Britton, Margit Harting
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Publication number: 20150016487Abstract: A strain compensated temperature sensor includes a first, temperature dependent resistor, and a second, substantially temperature independent resistor connected in series with the temperature dependent resistor. At least one electrical contact allows an electrical potential difference to be applied across both resistors simultaneously. Both the temperature dependent resistor and the substantially temperature independent resistor are sensitive to mechanical strain. This permits temperature readings from the sensor to be corrected automatically for mechanical distortion of the sensor. The temperature dependent resistor and the substantially temperature independent resistor are of substantially similar construction, preferably being located adjacent one another in or on a common substrate, and hence have a similar response to a mechanical force applied to them.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2013Publication date: January 15, 2015Applicant: PST Sensors (Proprietary) LimitedInventors: David Thomas Britton, Margit Harting
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Publication number: 20150007665Abstract: A sensor device comprises an array of spaced apart sensor elements disposed in a pattern on a substrate. Each sensor element is connected electrically so that a physical variable measured by each sensor element independently can be recorded and/or displayed by an external instrument. The sensing device may be a temperature sensing device, in which case the sensor elements are temperature sensing elements such as negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistors. Alternatively the sensing device may be a strain or pressure sensing device, or an optical imaging device, in which case the sensor elements include piezoresistors or photoresistors.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2013Publication date: January 8, 2015Applicant: PST Sensors (Proprietary) LimitedInventors: David Thomas Britton, Margit Harting
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Publication number: 20140216920Abstract: A method is provided of producing nanoparticles in the size range 1 nm to 1000 nm through the synthesis of one or more precursor fluids. The method includes providing a fluid medium comprising at least one precursor fluid and generating an electrical spark within said fluid medium to cause pyrolysis of said at least one precursor fluid in a relatively hot plasma zone to produce at least one radical species. Nanoparticles are formed by nucleation in the fluid medium in a cooler reaction zone about the plasma zone, where the radical species acts as a reactant or catalytic agent in the synthesis of material composing the nanoparticles. The spark is created by an electrical discharge having a frequency between 0.01 Hz and 1 kHz, and a total energy between 0.01 J and 10 J. The nanoparticles may comprise silicon, or compounds or alloys of silicon, and are typically useful in electronic and electrical applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2012Publication date: August 7, 2014Applicant: PST Sensors (Proprietary) LimitedInventors: David Thomas Britton, Manfred Rudolf Scriba
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Patent number: 8579415Abstract: Apparatus for depositing ink on a substrate includes a nozzle defining an outlet for the ink, with at least a portion of the nozzle being electrically conductive. A first voltage source applies a first potential to the outlet nozzle. One or more auxiliary electrodes are located adjacent the outlet nozzle, and a second voltage source applies a second potential to the auxiliary electrodes. The apparatus includes a piezo-electric or thermal actuator for expelling ink from the nozzle towards a target zone on a substrate, the ink comprising a liquid vehicle and pigment particles dispersed in the vehicle. At least the pigment particles are electrically charged, typically due to the applied potentials. In one embodiment, an auxiliary electrode is disposed coaxially around the electrode formed by the nozzle. In another embodiment, an auxiliary electrode located beyond the nozzle, on a common axis with the electrode formed by the nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2009Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: PST Sensors (Proprietary) LimitedInventors: David Thomas Britton, Ekundare Ayodele Odo, Margit Harting
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Publication number: 20130203201Abstract: A method of producing a temperature sensing device is provided. The method includes forming at least one silicon layer and at least one electrode or contact to define a thermistor structure. At least the silicon layer is formed by printing, and at least one of the silicon layer and the electrode or contact is supported by a substrate during printing thereof. Preferably, the electrodes or contacts are formed by printing, using an ink comprising silicon particles having a size in the range 10 nanometres to 100 micrometres, and a liquid vehicle composed of a binder and a suitable solvent. In some embodiments the substrate is an object the temperature of which is to be measured. Instead, the substrate may be a template, may be sacrificial, or may be a flexible or rigid material. Various device geometries are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2011Publication date: August 8, 2013Inventors: David Thomas Britton, Margit Harting
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Publication number: 20130199826Abstract: An electronic component assembly comprises a printed component structure comprising at least one of a semiconducting ink, an insulating ink and a conducting ink deposited onto a substrate. The component structure defining at least one contact area, with a connecting lead disposed against or adjacent to the contact area. At least one layer of electrically insulating material encloses the component structure. At least one of the substrate and the layer of electrically insulating material comprises packaging material. The component structure can be printed on a substrate such as paper or another soft material, which is secured to a layer of insulating packaging material such as polyethylene. Instead, the substrate can be the insulating packaging material itself. Variations using hard and soft substrates are possible, and various examples of electronic component assembly are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2011Publication date: August 8, 2013Applicant: PST SENSORS (PROPRIETARY) LIMITEDInventors: David Thomas Britton, Margit Harting
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Patent number: 8434704Abstract: A method and apparatus of producing inorganic semiconducting nanoparticles having a stable surface includes providing an inorganic bulk semiconductor material milled in the presence of a selected reducing agent. The reducing agent acts to chemically reduce oxides of the semiconductor material, or prevent the formation of such oxides to provide semiconducting nanoparticles having a stable surface, allowing electrical contact between the nanoparticles. The milling media and/or one or more components of the mill include the selected reducing agent. The milling media or mill are typically composed of a metal selected from the group comprising iron, chromium, cobalt, nickel, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, and aluminum, or an alloy containing one or more of these metals. Alternatively, the selected reducing agent includes a liquid contained in the mill during milling, which is typically an acidic solution containing any of hydrochloric, sulphuric, nitric, acetic, formic, or carbonic acid, or a mixture thereof.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2009Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignee: PST Sensors (Proprietary) LimitedInventors: David Thomas Britton, Margit Harting
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Patent number: 8354662Abstract: The invention relates to semiconducting nanoparticles. The nanoparticles of the invention comprise a single element or a compound of elements in one or more of groups II, III, IV, V, VI. The nanoparticles have a size in the range of 1 nm to 500 nm, and comprise from 0.1 to 20 atomic percent of oxygen or hydrogen. The nanoparticles are typically formed by comminution of bulk high purity silicon. One application of the nanoparticles is in the preparation of inks which can be used to define active layers or structures of semiconductor devices by simple printing methods.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2006Date of Patent: January 15, 2013Assignee: PST Sensors, Ltd.Inventors: David Thomas Britton, Margit Härting
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Publication number: 20120018551Abstract: A method is provided of producing inorganic semiconducting nanoparticles having a stable surface. The method comprises providing an inorganic bulk semiconductor material, such as silicon or germanium, and milling the bulk semiconductor material in the presence of a selected reducing agent. The reducing agent acts to chemically reduce oxides of one or more component elements of the semiconductor material, or prevent the formation of such oxides by being preferentially oxidised, thereby to provide semiconducting nanoparticles having a stable surface which allows electrical contact between the nanoparticles. The milling may take place in a mill in which the milling media and/or one or more components of the mill comprise the selected reducing agent.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2009Publication date: January 26, 2012Applicant: University of Cape TownInventors: David Thomas Britton, Margit Harting
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Patent number: 8026565Abstract: A thin film semiconductor in the form of a metal semiconductor field effect transistor, includes a substrate 10 of paper sheet material and a number of thin film active inorganic layers that are deposited in layers on the substrate. The active layers are printed using an offset lithography printing process. A first active layer comprises source 12.1 and drain 12.2 conductors of colloidal silver ink, that are printed directly onto the paper substrate. A second active layer is an intrinsic semiconductor layer 14 of colloidal nanocrystalline silicon ink which is printed onto the first layer. A third active layer comprises a metallic conductor 16 of colloidal silver which is printed onto the second layer to form a gate electrode. This invention extends to other thin film semiconductors such as photovoltaic cells and to a method of manufacturing semiconductors.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2004Date of Patent: September 27, 2011Assignee: University of Cape TownInventors: Margit Harting, David Thomas Britton
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Publication number: 20110080452Abstract: Apparatus for depositing ink on a substrate includes a nozzle defining an outlet for the ink, with at least a portion of the nozzle being electrically conductive. A first voltage source applies a first potential to the outlet nozzle. One or more auxiliary electrodes are located adjacent the outlet nozzle, and a second voltage source applies a second potential to the auxiliary electrodes. The apparatus includes a piezo-electric or thermal actuator for expelling ink from the nozzle towards a target zone on a substrate, the ink comprising a liquid vehicle and pigment particles dispersed in the vehicle. At least the pigment particles are electrically charged, typically due to the applied potentials. In one embodiment, an auxiliary electrode is disposed coaxially around the electrode formed by the nozzle. In another embodiment, an auxiliary electrode located beyond the nozzle, on a common axis with the electrode formed by the nozzle.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2009Publication date: April 7, 2011Applicant: University of Cape TownInventors: David Thomas Britton, Ekundare Ayodele Odo, Margit Harting
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Patent number: 7763530Abstract: The invention relates to a method of doping semiconductor material. Essentially, the method comprises mixing a quantity of particulate semiconductor material with an ionic salt or a preparation of ionic salts. Preferably, the particulate semiconductor material comprises nanoparticles with a size in the range 1 nm to 100 ?m. Most preferably, the particle size is in the range from 50 nm to 500 nm. Preferred semiconductor materials are intrinsic and metallurgical grade silicon. The invention extends to a printable composition comprising the doped semiconductor material as well as a binder and a solvent. The invention also extends to a semiconductor device formed from layers of the printable composition having p and n type properties.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2006Date of Patent: July 27, 2010Assignee: University of Cape TownInventors: David Thomas Britton, Margit Härting