Patents by Inventor Erik C. Scher

Erik C. Scher 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: 20140171707
    Abstract: Integrated systems are provided for the production of higher hydrocarbon compositions, for example liquid hydrocarbon compositions, from methane using an oxidative coupling of methane system to convert methane to ethylene, followed by conversion of ethylene to selectable higher hydrocarbon products. Integrated systems and processes are provided that process methane through to these higher hydrocarbon products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Inventors: Greg Nyce, Erik C. Scher, Ajay Madgavkar, Samuel Weinberger, Rahul Iyer, Lawrence Peck, Joel Herger, Benjamin Saydah
  • Patent number: 8749130
    Abstract: The present invention provides matrixes doped with semiconductor nanocrystals. In certain embodiments, the semiconductor nanocrystals have a size and composition such that they absorb or emit light at particular wavelengths. The nanocrystals can comprise ligands that allow for mixing with various matrix materials, including polymers, such that a minimal portion of light is scattered by the matrixes. The matrixes of the present invention can also be utilized in refractive index matching applications. In other embodiments, semiconductor nanocrystals are embedded within matrixes to form a nanocrystal density gradient, thereby creating an effective refractive index gradient. The matrixes of the present invention can also be used as filters and antireflective coatings on optical devices and as down-converting layers. The present invention also provides processes for producing matrixes comprising semiconductor nanocrystals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: J. Wallace Parce, Jian Chen, Robert S. Dubrow, William P. Freeman, Erik C. Scher, Jeffery A. Whiteford
  • Publication number: 20140121433
    Abstract: Catalytic forms and formulations are provided. The catalytic forms and formulations are useful in a variety of catalytic reactions, for example, the oxidative coupling of methane. Related methods for use and manufacture of the same are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Inventors: Joel M. Cizeron, Fabio R. Zurcher, Jarod McCormick, Joel Gamoras, Roger Vogel, Joel David Vincent, Greg Nyce, Wayne P. Schammel, Erik C. Scher, Daniel Rosenberg, Erik-Jan Ras, Erik Freer
  • Publication number: 20140017396
    Abstract: Ligand compositions for use in preparing discrete coated nanostructures are provided, as well as the coated nanostructures themselves and devices incorporating same. Methods for post-deposition shell formation on a nanostructure, for reversibly modifying nanostructures, and for manipulating the electronic properties of nanostructures are also provided. The ligands and coated nanostructures of the present invention are particularly useful for close packed nanostructure compositions, which can have improved quantum confinement and/or reduced cross-talk between nanostructures. Ligands of the present invention are also useful for manipulating the electronic properties of nanostructure compositions (e.g., by modulating energy levels, creating internal bias fields, reducing charge transfer or leakage, etc.).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: SanDisk Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery A. Whiteford, Mihai A. Buretea, Jian Chen, William P. Freeman, Andreas Meisel, Linh Nguyen, J. Wallace Parce, Erik C. Scher
  • Patent number: 8608848
    Abstract: Shaped nanocrystal particles and methods for making shaped nanocrystal particles are disclosed. One embodiment includes a method for forming a branched, nanocrystal particle. It includes (a) forming a core having a first crystal structure in a solution, (b) forming a first arm extending from the core having a second crystal structure in the solution, and (c) forming a second arm extending from the core having the second crystal structure in the solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: A. Paul Alivisatos, Erik C. Scher, Liberato Manna
  • Patent number: 8404570
    Abstract: Graded core/shell semiconductor nanorods and shapped nanorods are disclosed comprising Group II-VI, Group III-V and Group IV semiconductors and methods of making the same. Also disclosed are nanorod barcodes using core/shell nanorods where the core is a semiconductor or metal material, and with or without a shell. Methods of labeling analytes using the nanorod barcodes are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: A. Paul Alivisatos, Erik C. Scher, Liberato Manna
  • Publication number: 20120041246
    Abstract: Nanowires useful as heterogeneous catalysts are provided. The nanowire catalysts are useful in a variety of catalytic reactions, for example, the oxidative coupling of methane to ethylene. Related methods for use and manufacture of the same are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: Siluria Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Erik C. Scher, Fabio R. Zurcher, Joel M. Cizeron, Wayne P. Schammel, Alex Tkachenko, Joel Gamoras, Dmitry Karshtedt, Greg Nyce
  • Publication number: 20120028451
    Abstract: Shaped nanocrystal particles and methods for making shaped nanocrystal particles are disclosed. One embodiment includes a method for forming a branched, nanocrystal particle. It includes (a) forming a core having a first crystal structure in a solution, (b) forming a first arm extending from the core having a second crystal structure in the solution, and (c) forming a second arm extending from the core having the second crystal structure in the solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: A. Paul Alivisatos, Erik C. Scher, Liberato Manna
  • Patent number: 8088483
    Abstract: Methods for producing Group 10 metal nanostructures are provided. The methods involve novel precursors, novel surfactants, or novel precursor-surfactant combinations. Compositions related to the methods are also featured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Nanosys, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery A. Whiteford, Mihai A. Buretea, William P. Freeman, J. Wallace Parce, Baixin Qian, Erik C. Scher
  • Patent number: 8062967
    Abstract: Methods for producing nanostructures, particularly Group III-V semiconductor nanostructures, are provided. The methods include use of novel Group III and/or Group V precursors, novel surfactants, oxide acceptors, high temperature, and/or stable co-products. Related compositions are also described. Methods and compositions for producing Group III inorganic compounds that can be used as precursors for nanostructure synthesis are provided. Methods for increasing the yield of nanostructures from a synthesis reaction by removal of a vaporous by-product are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Nanosys, Inc.
    Inventors: Erik C. Scher, Mihai A. Buretea, William P. Freeman, Joel Gamoras, Baixin Qian, Jeffery A. Whiteford
  • Patent number: 8062421
    Abstract: Shaped nanocrystal particles and methods for making shaped nanocrystal particles are disclosed. One embodiment includes a method for forming a branched, nanocrystal particle. It includes (a) forming a core having a first crystal structure in a solution, (b) forming a first arm extending from the core having a second crystal structure in the solution, and (c) forming a second arm extending from the core having the second crystal structure in the solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: A. Paul Alivisatos, Erik C. Scher, Liberato Manna
  • Patent number: 8041171
    Abstract: This invention provides composite materials comprising nanostructures (e.g., nanowires, branched nanowires, nanotetrapods, nanocrystals, and nanoparticles). Methods and compositions for making such nanocomposites are also provided, as are articles comprising such composites. Waveguides and light concentrators comprising nanostructures (not necessarily as part of a nanocomposite) are additional features of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Nanosys, Inc.
    Inventors: Mihai A. Buretea, Stephen A. Empedocles, Chunming Niu, Erik C. Scher
  • Publication number: 20110124185
    Abstract: Graded core/shell semiconductor nanorods and shapped nanorods are disclosed comprising Group II-VI, Group III-V and Group IV semiconductors and methods of making the same. Also disclosed are nanorod barcodes using core/shell nanorods where the core is a semiconductor or metal material, and with or without a shell. Methods of labeling analytes using the nanorod barcodes are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: A. Paul Alivisatos, Erik C. Scher, Liberato Manna
  • Patent number: 7943064
    Abstract: The present invention provides compositions (small molecules, oligomers and polymers) that can be used to modify charge transport across a nanocrystal surface or within a nanocrystal-containing matrix, as well as methods for making and using the novel compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Nanosys, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery A. Whiteford, Mihai A. Buretea, Erik C. Scher
  • Patent number: 7917298
    Abstract: The compositions, methods and systems of the invention provide nanocrystal taggants for unobtrusive monitoring of objects. Objects can be tagged with nanocrystal taggant compositions for detection of informative invisible emissions on illumination with appropriate excitation wavelengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Nanosys, Inc.
    Inventors: Erik C. Scher, Stephen A. Empedocles
  • Patent number: 7912653
    Abstract: The compositions, methods and systems of the invention provide nanocrystal taggants for unobtrusive monitoring of objects. Objects can be tagged with nanocrystal taggant compositions for detection of informative invisible emissions on illumination with appropriate excitation wavelengths. Authentication schemes are also provided that takes advantage of the unique emission and absorption characteristics of nanocrystals to create a unique spectral code that is far more difficult to decode and replicate than those previously employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Nanosys, Inc.
    Inventors: Erik C. Scher, Stephen A. Empedocles
  • Patent number: 7851338
    Abstract: Graded core/shell semiconductor nanorods and shaped nanorods are disclosed comprising Group II-VI, Group III-V and Group IV semiconductors and methods of making the same. Also disclosed are nanorod barcodes using core/shell nanorods where the core is a semiconductor or metal material, and with or without a shell. Methods of labeling analytes using the nanorod barcodes are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: A. Paul Alivisatos, Erik C. Scher, Liberato Manna
  • Patent number: 7794600
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of processing nanocrystals. The method comprises providing a mixture comprising nanocrystals, contaminants and a first solvent in which the nanocrystals are soluble, and using chromatography to reduce the amount of contaminants in the mixture. The method optionally comprises isolating the nanocrystals after chromatography. The method allows for the production of nanocrystal compositions having a total amount of surfactant associated therewith, the amount of surfactant comprising an amount of bound surfactant and an amount of free surfactant in the solvent, the amount of free surfactant being less than about 1% of the total amount of surfactant in the solvent. The present invention, accordingly, also relates to such compositions and corresponding composites of nanocrystals in organic polymer matrices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Nanosys, Inc.
    Inventors: Mihai A. Buretea, Joel Gamoras, Erik C. Scher, Jeffery A. Whiteford
  • Patent number: 7750235
    Abstract: Nanocomposite photovoltaic devices are provided that generally include semiconductor nanocrystals as at least a portion of a photoactive layer. Photovoltaic devices and other layered devices that comprise core-shell nanostructures and/or two populations of nanostructures, where the nanostructures are not necessarily part of a nanocomposite, are also features of the invention. Varied architectures for such devices are also provided including flexible and rigid architectures, planar and non-planar architectures and the like, as are systems incorporating such devices, and methods and systems for fabricating such devices. Compositions comprising two populations of nanostructures of different materials are also a feature of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Nanosys, Inc.
    Inventors: Erik C. Scher, Mihai Buretea, Calvin Y. H. Chow, Stephen A. Empedocles, Andreas P. Meisel, J. Wallace Parce
  • Patent number: 7731932
    Abstract: Methods of processing nanocrystals to remove excess free and bound organic material and particularly surfactants used during the synthesis process, and resulting nanocrystal compositions, devices and systems that are physically, electrically and chemically integratable into an end application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Nanosys, Inc.
    Inventors: Erik C. Scher, Mihai A. Buretea, Jeffery A. Whiteford, Andreas P. Meisel