Patents by Inventor Dennis J. Flood
Dennis J. Flood 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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Patent number: 7999176Abstract: Improved photovoltaic devices and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, an exemplary photovoltaic device includes a semiconductor layer and a light-responsive layer (which can be made, for example, of a semiconductor material) which form a junction, such as a p-n junction. The light-responsive layer can include a plurality of carbon nanostructures, such as carbon nanotubes, located therein. In many cases, the carbon nanostructures can provide a conductive pathway within the light-responsive layer. In other embodiments, exemplary photovoltaic devices include semiconductor nanostructures, which can take a variety of forms, in addition to the carbon nanostructures. Further embodiments include a wide variety of other configurations and features. Methods of fabricating photovoltaic devices are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2008Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: Vanguard Solar, Inc.Inventor: Dennis J. Flood
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Publication number: 20100206362Abstract: Improved photovoltaic devices and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, an exemplary photovoltaic device includes a semiconductor layer and a light-responsive layer (which can be made, for example, of a semiconductor material) which form a junction, such as a p-n junction. The light-responsive layer can include a plurality of carbon nanostructures, such as carbon nanotubes, located therein. In many cases, the carbon nanostructures can provide a conductive pathway within the light-responsive layer. In another embodiment, an exemplary photovoltaic device can include a light-responsive layer made of a semiconductor material in which is embedded a plurality of semiconducting carbon nanostructures (such as p-type single-wall carbon nanotubes). The interfaces between the semiconductor material and the semiconducting carbon nanostructures can form p-n junctions.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2009Publication date: August 19, 2010Applicant: VANGUARD SOLAR, INC.Inventor: Dennis J. Flood
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Publication number: 20100151248Abstract: A nanoparticle coated with a semiconducting material and a method for making the same. In one embodiment, the method comprises making a semiconductor coated nanoparticle comprising a layer of at least one semiconducting material covering at least a portion of at least one surface of a nanoparticle, comprising: (A) dispersing the nanoparticle under suitable conditions to provide a dispersed nanoparticle; and (B) depositing at least one semiconducting material under suitable conditions onto at least one surface of the dispersed nanoparticle to produce the semiconductor coated nanoparticle. In other embodiments, the nanoparticle comprises a fullerene. Further embodiments include the semiconducting material comprising CdS or CdSe.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2010Publication date: June 17, 2010Applicant: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITYInventors: Andrew R. Barron, Dennis J. Flood, John R. Loscutova
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Patent number: 7692218Abstract: A field effect transistor and a method for making the same. In one embodiment, the field effect transistor comprises a source; a drain; a gate; at least one carbon nanotube on the gate; and a dielectric layer that coats the gate and a portion of the at least one carbon nanotube, wherein the at least one carbon nanotube has an exposed portion that is not coated with the dielectric layer, and wherein the exposed portion is functionalized with at least one indicator molecule. In other embodiments, the field effect transistor is a biochem-FET.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2003Date of Patent: April 6, 2010Assignees: William Marsh Rice University, New Cyte, Inc.Inventors: Andrew R. Barron, Dennis J. Flood, Elizabeth A. Whitsitt, Robin E. Anderson, Graham B. I. Scott
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Patent number: 7682527Abstract: A nanoparticle coated with a semiconducting material and a method for making the same. In one embodiment, the method comprises making a semiconductor coated nanoparticle comprising a layer of at least one semiconducting material covering at least a portion of at least one surface of a nanoparticle, comprising: (A) dispersing the nanoparticle under suitable conditions to provide a dispersed nanoparticle; and (B) depositing at least one semiconducting material under suitable conditions onto at least one surface of the dispersed nanoparticle to produce the semiconductor coated nanoparticle. In other embodiments, the nanoparticle comprises a fullerene. Further embodiments include the semiconducting material comprising CdS or CdSe.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2007Date of Patent: March 23, 2010Assignee: William Marsh Rice UniversityInventors: Andrew R. Barron, Dennis J. Flood, John Ryan Loscutova
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Publication number: 20090118392Abstract: This invention is directed to a new composition of matter in the form of chemically derivatized silica coated fullerenes, including silica coated C60 molecules and silica coated carbon nanotubes, processes for making the same and to uses for the derivatized silica coated fullerenes. Included among many uses in chemical, physical or biological fields of use, but not limited thereto, are high speed, low loss electrical interconnects for nanoscale electronic devices, components and circuits. In one embodiment, this invention also provides a method for preparing silica coated fullerenes having substituents attached to the surface of silica coated fullerenes by reacting silica coated fullerenes with a wide range of organic or inorganic chemical species in a gaseous or liquid state. Preferred substituents include but are not limited to organic groups and organic groups containing heteroatoms such as oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and halogens.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2009Publication date: May 7, 2009Applicant: NEWCYTE, INC.Inventors: Andrew R. Barron, Dennis J. Flood, Andrew A. Guzelian
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Patent number: 7491376Abstract: This invention is directed to a new composition of matter in the form of chemically derivatized silica coated fullerenes, including silica coated C60 molecules and silica coated carbon nanotubes, processes for making the same and to uses for the derivatized silica coated fullerenes. Included among many uses in chemical, physical or biological fields of use, but not limited thereto, are high speed, low loss electrical interconnects for nanoscale electronic devices, components and circuits. In one embodiment, this invention also provides a method for preparing silica coated fullerenes having substituents attached to the surface of silica coated fullerenes by reacting silica coated fullerenes with a wide range of organic or inorganic chemical species in a gaseous or liquid state. Preferred substituents include but are not limited to organic groups and organic groups containing heteroatoms such as oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and halogens.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2006Date of Patent: February 17, 2009Assignee: NewCyte, Inc.Inventors: Andrew R. Barron, Dennis J. Flood, Andrew A. Guzelian
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Publication number: 20080288067Abstract: Improved photosensing devices and methods are disclosed. Such devices and methods have application, among other things, as retinal implants and in imaging devices. In one embodiment, an exemplary retinal implant can include an array of photoreceptors adapted for positioning in the eye. Each photoreceptor can include a core, for example a carbon nanostructure, and a shell. The shell can include a light-responsive layer, and in many cases, the light-responsive layer can be formed of two semiconductor layers forming a heterojunction. The photoreceptors can be adapted to generate an electric field in response to incident light so as to stimulate a retinal neuron in its vicinity. The photoreceptors can be micron-sized or nano-sized, and can be arranged in densities similar to the density of rods and cones in the human eye. In one embodiment, an exemplary sensor for an imaging device can include a plurality of photosensors disposed on a substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2008Publication date: November 20, 2008Applicant: NEWCYTE, INC.Inventor: Dennis J. Flood
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Publication number: 20080276987Abstract: Improved photovoltaic devices and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, an exemplary photovoltaic device includes a semiconductor layer and a light-responsive layer (which can be made, for example, of a semiconductor material) which form a junction, such as a p-n junction. The light-responsive layer can include a plurality of carbon nanostructures, such as carbon nanotubes, located therein. In many cases, the carbon nanostructures can provide a conductive pathway within the light-responsive layer. In other embodiments, exemplary photovoltaic devices include semiconductor nanostructures, which can take a variety of forms, in addition to the carbon nanostructures. Further embodiments include a wide variety of other configurations and features. Methods of fabricating photovoltaic devices are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2008Publication date: November 13, 2008Applicant: VANGUARD SOLAR, INC.Inventor: Dennis J. Flood
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Publication number: 20080233040Abstract: This invention is directed to a new composition of matter in the form of chemically derivatized silica coated fullerenes, including silica coated C60 molecules and silica coated carbon nanotubes, processes for making the same and to uses for the derivatized silica coated fullerenes. Included among many uses in chemical, physical or biological fields of use, but not limited thereto, are high speed, low loss electrical interconnects for nanoscale electronic devices, components and circuits. In one embodiment, this invention also provides a method for preparing silica coated fullerenes having substituents attached to the surface of silica coated fullerenes by reacting silica coated fullerenes with a wide range of organic or inorganic chemical species in a gaseous or liquid state. Preferred substituents include but are not limited to organic groups and organic groups containing heteroatoms such as oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and halogens.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2006Publication date: September 25, 2008Inventors: Andrew R. Barron, Dennis J. Flood, Andrew A. Guzelian
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Publication number: 20080171204Abstract: A nanoparticle coated with a semiconducting material and a method for making the same. In one embodiment, the method comprises making a semiconductor coated nanoparticle comprising a layer of at least one semiconducting material covering at least a portion of at least one surface of a nanoparticle, comprising: (A) dispersing the nanoparticle under suitable conditions to provide a dispersed nanoparticle; and (B) depositing at least one semiconducting material under suitable conditions onto at least one surface of the dispersed nanoparticle to produce the semiconductor coated nanoparticle. In other embodiments, the nanoparticle comprises a fullerene. Further embodiments include the semiconducting material comprising CdS or CdSe.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2007Publication date: July 17, 2008Applicant: William Marsh Rice UniversityInventors: Andrew R. Barron, Dennis J. Flood, John R. Loscutova
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Patent number: 7253014Abstract: A nanoparticle coated with a semiconducting material and a method for making the same. In one embodiment, the method comprises making a semiconductor coated nanoparticle comprising a layer of at least one semiconducting material covering at least a portion of at least one surface of a nanoparticle, comprising: (A) dispersing the nanoparticle under suitable conditions to provide a dispersed nanoparticle; and (B) depositing at least one semiconducting material under suitable conditions onto at least one surface of the dispersed nanoparticle to produce the semiconductor coated nanoparticle. In other embodiments, the nanoparticle comprises a fullerene. Further embodiments include the semiconducting material comprising CdS or CdSe.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2003Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignees: William Marsh Rice University, Newcyte, Inc.Inventors: Andrew R. Barron, Dennis J. Flood, John Ryan Loscutova
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Patent number: 6080683Abstract: Disclosed is a room temperature wet chemical growth (RTWCG) process of SiO-based insulator coatings on silicon substrates for electronic and photonic (optoelectronic) device applications. The process includes soaking the Si substrates into the growth solution. The process utilizes a mixture of H.sub.2 SiF.sub.6, N-n-butylpyridinium chloride, redox Fe.sup.2+ /Fe.sup.3+ aqueous solutions, and a homogeneous catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 1999Date of Patent: June 27, 2000Assignee: Special Materials Research and Technology, Inc.Inventors: Maria Faur, Mircea Faur, Dennis J. Flood, Sheila G. Bailey, Horia M. Faur