Patents by Inventor Harry A. Atwater

Harry A. Atwater 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: 20240258452
    Abstract: Systems and methods for epitaxy-free thin-film solar cells are described. The thin-film solar cells can be fabricated with low cost epitaxy-free processes. The solar cells have high efficiency and are lightweight. These properties make the solar cells desired for space based solar cell applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2024
    Publication date: August 1, 2024
    Applicant: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Phillip R. Jahelka, Andrew W. Nyholm, Harry A. Atwater
  • Publication number: 20240218526
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating high-pressure hydrogen are described. The hydrogen generation systems include hybrid electrolyzer systems and catalytic compression systems. The systems can directly generate gaseous hydrogen at a pressure of at least 700 bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2023
    Publication date: July 4, 2024
    Applicants: California Institute of Technology, Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Harry A. Atwater, Chengxiang Xiang, Zhiyuan Qi, Monica Hwang, Richard F. Zheng, Wei Wang, Soowhan Kim, Ryan Benavides, Daniel R. Bottenus
  • Patent number: 12021162
    Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with various embodiments of the invention provide a photovoltaic concentrator tile for a space-based solar power (SBSP) system including constituent components thereof. In a number of embodiments, the photovoltaic concentrator tile include a one photovoltaic cell, a reflector, a power transmitter and circuitry configured to perform a variety of control functions. Embodiments also provide compactible structures, materials for improving thermal emissivity, and methods and mechanisms for manufacturing and using these components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Michael D. Kelzenberg, Harry A. Atwater, Sergio Pellegrino, Seyed Ali Hajimiri, Emily C. Warmann, Ali Naqavi, Samuel Loke, Tatiana Roy, Tatiana Vinogradova, Alexander Messer, Christophe Leclerc, Eleftherios Gdoutos, Jing Shun Huang
  • Publication number: 20240182340
    Abstract: A dual-pathway system for CO2 capture in both acidified and basified streams is provided. The system may be embodied in an off-shore stand-alone facility to allow for the operation of oceanic CO2 capture to be more efficient and cost effective. Systems maintain high environmental standards by containing all intermediate acidic and alkaline solutions in a closed system so that the effluent discharged back into the ocean is at the similar pH and salinity as the feed oceanwater, with only CO2 removed. Acid and base produced by an electrodialyzer unit is used to achieve oceanwater decarbonization via gaseous CO2 removal and solid CaCO3 precipitates removal. The system is configured to require the processing of a very small fraction of the total oceanwater intake for the acid-base generation process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2022
    Publication date: June 6, 2024
    Applicant: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Harry A. Atwater, Chengxiang Xiang, Ibadillah A. Digdaya
  • Patent number: 11992813
    Abstract: A membrane for water collection may include a sheet having a top surface and a bottom surface, and a plurality of conical structures disposed on the top surface of the sheet, the conical structures comprising a hydrogel material. Each conical structure of the plurality of conical structures may have a height of 1 mm to 50 mm, wherein height is measured from the top surface of the sheet to an apex of a conical structure. Each conical structure of the plurality of conical structures may have an apex angle of 10 to 60 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Ye Shi, Julia R. Greer, Harry A. Atwater, Ognjen Ilic
  • Publication number: 20240168358
    Abstract: Systems and methods for optical nanostructures that use the interference of high order Mie resonances to locally control wavefront with high quality factor in two dimensions are described. The high-order Mie-resonant metasurfaces can be used to create band-stop filters, beam deflectors, lenses, beam splitters and holograms with high quality factor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2023
    Publication date: May 23, 2024
    Applicant: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Claudio U. Hail, Morgan D. Foley, Ruzan Sokhoyan, Lior Michaeli, Harry A. Atwater
  • Publication number: 20240133051
    Abstract: Systems and methods for electrochemical hydrogen looping cells are described. Generating a pH swing can expedite carbon dioxide capture from oceanwater. Many embodiments implement electrochemical hydrogen looping cells that simultaneously produce acid via anodic hydrogen oxidation and base via cathodic hydrogen evolution to generate a pH change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicants: California Institute of Technology, The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Harry A. Atwater, Zachary Schiffer, Chengxiang Xiang, Shane Ardo
  • Patent number: 11939688
    Abstract: Photoelectrochemical (PEC) technology for the conversion of solar energy into chemicals may require cost-effective photoelectrodes to efficiently and stably drive anodic and/or cathodic half-reactions to complete the overall reactions for storing solar energy in chemical bonds. Apparatus and systems incorporating effectively transparent metal catalysts enable the design and/or implementation of PEC devices for light harvesting. Triple-junction photocathodes with the triangular catalyst grids are provided to improve the efficiency of the photocathodes to generate renewable fuel from sunlight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Wen-Hui Cheng, Harry A. Atwater, Rebecca Saive, Matthias H. Richter, Sisir Yalamanchili, Michael D. Kelzenberg, Kelly McKenzie
  • Publication number: 20240024823
    Abstract: Systems and methods for catalyzed asymmetric bipolar membranes are described. Catalyzed asymmetric bipolar membranes can sustain desired current densities under low operational voltage for prolonged time periods. Catalyzed asymmetric bipolar membranes can be implemented in electrodialysis cells for various applications such as carbon capture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Applicant: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Eowyn Lucas, Harry A. Atwater, Chengxiang Xiang
  • Patent number: 11835626
    Abstract: Provided are an optical modulating device and a system including the optical modulating device. The optical modulating device includes a substrate, and a phase modulator formed on the substrate and including a Fabry-Perot cavity. The Fabry-Perot cavity of the phase modulator includes a first reflective layer, a second reflective layer, and a tunable core formed between the first reflective layer and the second reflective layer, wherein the tunable core is formed of a semiconductor material and is configured to modulate a phase of light corresponding to modulation of a refractive index of the tunable core according to electrical control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignees: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Duhyun Lee, Muhammad Alam, Harry Atwater, Ragip Pala, Byunghoon Na, Seunghoon Han
  • Publication number: 20230358677
    Abstract: Systems and methods for sensing and measuring local pH, pOH, and other protonic species using reversible excited-state photoacids and photobases are described. Various reversible excited-state photoacids and/or photobases are described that through a dynamic sensing mechanism exhibit varied fluorescence or phosphorescence intensity based on local activity of protonic species. Photoacids and photobases can be used in combination with confocal fluorescent microscopy for quantifying local activity of protonic species.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicants: California Institute of Technology, The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Annette Boehme, Alexandra J. Welch, Rohit Bhide, Cassidy Feltenberger, Shane Ardo, Harry A. Atwater, Dennis Tang
  • Patent number: 11808706
    Abstract: The disclosed technology generally relates to characterization of semiconductor structures, and more particularly to optical characterization of high-k dielectric materials. A method includes providing a semiconductor structure comprising a semiconductor and a high-k dielectric layer formed over the semiconductor, wherein the dielectric layer has electron traps formed therein. The method additionally includes at least partially transmitting an incident light having an incident energy through the high-k dielectric layer and at least partially absorbing the incident light in the semiconductor. The method additionally includes measuring a nonlinear optical spectrum resulting from the light having the energy different from the incident energy, the nonlinear optical spectrum having a first region and a second region, wherein the first region changes at a different rate in intensity compared to the second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Philippe C. Adell, Harry A. Atwater
  • Patent number: 11662504
    Abstract: Electrically tunable metasurfaces including an array of subwavelength metasurface unit elements are presented. The unit elements include a stacked metal-insulator-metal structure within which an active phase change layer is included. A purely insulator, metal, or coexisting metal-insulator phase of the active layer can be electrically controlled to tune an amplitude and phase response of the metasurfaces. In combination with the subwavelengths dimensions of the unit elements, the phase and amplitude response can be controlled in a range from optical wavelengths to millimeter wavelength of incident light. Electrical control of the unit elements can be provided via resistive heating produced by flow of current though a top metal layer of the unit elements. Alternatively, electrical control of the unit elements can be provided via electrical field effect produced by applying a voltage differential between the top and bottom metal layers of the unit elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Yonghwi Kim, Pin Chieh Wu, Ruzan Sokhoyan, Kelly W Mauser, Rebecca D Glaudell, Ghazaleh Kafaie Shirmanesh, Harry A Atwater
  • Publication number: 20230131778
    Abstract: Provided is a metaoptic configured to modulate incident light in a wavelength band, the metaoptic including a plurality of meta units respectively including a first semiconductor layer, an active layer provided on the first semiconductor layer, the active layer having a multiple quantum well structure and a refractive index variable based on a voltage applied thereto, and a second semiconductor layer provided on the active layer and doped with a polarity opposite to a polarity of the first semiconductor layer, wherein at least one of the plurality of meta units includes a plurality of first elements having a cylindrical shape and periodically provided spaced apart from each other in a first direction, and a plurality of second elements connecting the plurality of first elements to each other, and wherein the plurality of meta units are provided in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2022
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Applicants: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Junghyun PARK, Meir GRAJOWER, Harry ATWATER, Ruzan SOHKOYAN
  • Patent number: 11634240
    Abstract: Multi-functional coilable thin-walled structures that can be implemented within space-based satellite modules, and methods for their manufacture are provided. Multi-functional coilable thin-walled structures are comprised of at least one longeron that is capable of rolling and collapsing upon itself. In some embodiments, the coilable thin-walled longeron is a flange longeron. The flange longeron contains at least two major regions: a web and a plurality of flanges. The web region comprises portions of flanges that are bonded to one another. The plurality of flanges separate from one another on the same end of the web region. The plurality of flanges are similar in thickness and shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Sergio Pellegrino, Harry A. Atwater, Seyed Ali Hajimiri, Eleftherios E. Gdoutos, Christophe Leclerc, Fabien A. Royer, Antonio Pedivellano
  • Publication number: 20230107163
    Abstract: Systems and methods of gas-liquid contactors for direct ocean capture and/or direct air capture are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2022
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Applicants: California Institute of Technology, The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Chengxiang Xiang, Shane Ardo, Leanna Schulte, Harry A. Atwater, Zejie Chen, Anastasiya Bender, Ibadillah A. Digdaya
  • Publication number: 20230024854
    Abstract: A membrane for water collection may include a sheet having a top surface and a bottom surface, and a plurality of conical structures disposed on the top surface of the sheet, the conical structures comprising a hydrogel material. Each conical structure of the plurality of conical structures may have a height of 1 mm to 50 mm, wherein height is measured from the top surface of the sheet to an apex of a conical structure. Each conical structure of the plurality of conical structures may have an apex angle of 10 to 60 degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2022
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Inventors: Ye SHI, Julia R. GREER, Harry A. ATWATER, Ognjen ILIC
  • Patent number: 11563134
    Abstract: Systems and methods of three-terminal tandem solar cells are described. Three-terminal metal electrodes can be formed to contact subcells of the tandem solar cell. The three-terminal tandem cell can improve the device efficiency to at least 30%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Harry A. Atwater, Phillip R. Jahelka
  • Publication number: 20230016681
    Abstract: Provided are an optical modulating device and a system including the optical modulating device. The optical modulating device includes a substrate, and a phase modulator formed on the substrate and including a Fabry-Perot cavity. The Fabry-Perot cavity of the phase modulator includes a first reflective layer, a second reflective layer, and a tunable core formed between the first reflective layer and the second reflective layer, wherein the tunable core is formed of a semiconductor material and is configured to modulate a phase of light corresponding to modulation of a refractive index of the tunable core according to electrical control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Applicants: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Duhyun LEE, Muhammad ALAM, Harry ATWATER, Ragip PALA, Byunghoon NA, Seunghoon HAN
  • Patent number: 11513219
    Abstract: Provided are an optical modulating device and a system including the optical modulating device. The optical modulating device includes a substrate, and a phase modulator formed on the substrate and including a Fabry-Perot cavity. The Fabry-Perot cavity of the phase modulator includes a first reflective layer, a second reflective layer, and a tunable core formed between the first reflective layer and the second reflective layer, wherein the tunable core is formed of a semiconductor material and is configured to modulate a phase of light corresponding to modulation of a refractive index of the tunable core according to electrical control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignees: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Duhyun Lee, Muhammad Alam, Harry Atwater, Ragip Pala, Byunghoon Na, Seunghoon Han