Patents by Inventor Hunter McDaniel

Hunter McDaniel 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: 12085443
    Abstract: An optical element is provided which includes an optical fiber, and a plurality of fluorophores disposed inside the optical fiber. The fluorophores have a quantum yield greater than 50%, and emit a spectrum of light having a maximum intensity at wavelengths within the range of 400 nm to 2000 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: UbiQD, Inc.
    Inventors: Hunter McDaniel, Nikolay S. Makarov, Matthew R. Bergren
  • Publication number: 20230083223
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to nanoparticle formulations, and more specifically to nanoparticle and ligands used for imparting low-pH solubility in a range of solvents, including photoluminescent materials such as quantum dots.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventors: Karthik Ramasamy, Hunter McDaniel, Chloe Castaneda
  • Publication number: 20230049071
    Abstract: Optical elements and compositions are provided which include an extruded polymer, and a plurality of fluorophores disposed within. The fluorescent compositions have quantum yields greater than 50% and are stable in performance over long durations of time under oxygen, moisture, and light exposure. In some embodiments, the extruded polymer is prepared as pellets, microparticles, nanoparticles, or films.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: HUNTER MCDANIEL, MATTHEW BERGREN, AARON JACKSON
  • Patent number: 11569402
    Abstract: An optical element is provided which comprises a plurality of fluorophores disposed in a medium. The fluorophores have a quantum yield greater than 50% and an absorption spectrum with a maximum intensity at wavelengths less than 400 nm, and emit a spectrum of light having a maximum intensity at wavelengths within the range of 400 nm to 1200 nm. The optical element is at least partially transparent over the visible region of the spectrum. The optical element is especially useful as a window or other optical component of a greenhouse structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: UbiQD, Inc.
    Inventors: Hunter McDaniel, Matthew Bergren
  • Patent number: 11492547
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to nanoparticle formulations, and more specifically to nanoparticle and ligands used for imparting low-pH solubility in a range of solvents, including photoluminescent materials such as quantum dots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: UbiQD, Inc.
    Inventors: Karthik Ramasamy, Hunter McDaniel, Chloe CastaƱeda
  • Patent number: 11493444
    Abstract: A method is provided for verifying the authenticity of an article which bears a security mark. The method includes irradiating the security mark with a time-varying light source, ascertaining at least one portion of the emissions spectrum of the irradiated security mark with at least one photodetector, determining the photoluminescence lifetime of the security mark by monitoring the time or frequency response of the photodetector, and verifying the authenticity of the article only if the security mark exhibits a photoluminescence which has a lifetime that falls within the range of appropriate values for each portion of the photoluminescence spectrum for which the photoluminescence lifetime of said security mark was ascertained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: UbiQD, Inc.
    Inventor: Hunter McDaniel
  • Publication number: 20220310861
    Abstract: A laminated glass luminescent concentrator is provided which includes a solid medium having a plurality of fluorophores disposed therein. In some embodiments, the fluorophore is a low-toxicity quantum dot. In some embodiments, the fluorophore has significantly reduced self-absorption, which allows for unperturbed waveguiding of the photoluminescence over a long distance. Also disclosed are apparatuses for generating electricity from the laminated glass luminescent concentrator, and its combination with buildings and vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventors: AARON JACKSON, MATTHEW BERGREN, HUNTER MCDANIEL
  • Publication number: 20220276091
    Abstract: An optical element is provided which includes an optical fiber, and a plurality of fluorophores disposed inside the optical fiber. The fluorophores have a quantum yield greater than 50%, and emit a spectrum of light having a maximum intensity at wavelengths within the range of 400 nm to 2000 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2022
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Inventors: Hunter McDaniel, Nikolay S. Makarov, Matthew R. Bergren
  • Publication number: 20210380877
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to nanoparticle formulations, and more specifically to nanoparticle and ligands used for imparting low-pH solubility in a range of solvents, including photoluminescent materials such as quantum dots.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventors: Karthik Ramasamy, Hunter McDaniel, Chloe CastaƱeda
  • Patent number: 11168225
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a composition comprising a polymer or sol-gel and one or more nanocrystals. The composition is useful as a luminescent solar concentrator. The nanocrystals are dispersed in the polymer or sol-gel matrix so as to reduce or substantially prevent nanocrystal-to-nanocrystal energy transfer and a subsequent reduction in the emission efficiency of the composition. In some embodiments, the polymer matrix comprises an acrylate polymer. Also disclosed herein is a method for making the composition. Devices comprising the composition are disclosed. In some cases the polymer is the waveguide, in others the polymer is applied as a coating on a waveguide. In some examples, the device is a window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Triad National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Hunter McDaniel, Victor I. Klimov
  • Publication number: 20200319105
    Abstract: A method is provided for verifying the authenticity of an article which bears a security mark. The method includes irradiating the security mark with a time-varying light source, ascertaining at least one portion of the emissions spectrum of the irradiated security mark with at least one photodetector, determining the photoluminescence lifetime of the security mark by monitoring the time or frequency response of the photodetector, and verifying the authenticity of the article only if the security mark exhibits a photoluminescence which has a lifetime that falls within the range of appropriate values for each portion of the photoluminescence spectrum for which the photoluminescence lifetime of said security mark was ascertained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Inventor: Hunter McDaniel
  • Patent number: 10724951
    Abstract: A method is provided for verifying the authenticity of an article which bears a security mark. The method includes irradiating the security mark with a time-varying light source, ascertaining at least one portion of the emissions spectrum of the irradiated security mark with at least one photodetector, determining the photoluminescence lifetime of the security mark by monitoring the time or frequency response of the photodetector, and verifying the authenticity of the article only if the security mark exhibits a photoluminescence which has a lifetime that falls within the range of appropriate values for each portion of the photoluminescence spectrum for which the photoluminescence lifetime of said security mark was ascertained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: UbiQD, Inc.
    Inventor: Hunter McDaniel
  • Publication number: 20200176625
    Abstract: An optical element is provided which comprises a plurality of fluorophores disposed in a medium. The fluorophores have a quantum yield greater than 50% and an absorption spectrum with a maximum intensity at wavelengths less than 400 nm, and emit a spectrum of light having a maximum intensity at wavelengths within the range of 400 nm to 1200 nm. The optical element is at least partially transparent over the visible region of the spectrum. The optical element is especially useful as a window or other optical component of a greenhouse structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Hunter McDaniel, Matthew Bergren
  • Publication number: 20190051779
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a composition comprising a polymer or sol-gel and one or more nanocrystals. The composition is useful as a luminescent solar concentrator. The nanocrystals are dispersed in the polymer or sol-gel matrix so as to reduce or substantially prevent nanocrystal-to-nanocrystal energy transfer and a subsequent reduction in the emission efficiency of the composition. In some embodiments, the polymer matrix comprises an acrylate polymer. Also disclosed herein is a method for making the composition. Devices comprising the composition are disclosed. In some cases the polymer is the waveguide, in others the polymer is applied as a coating on a waveguide. In some examples, the device is a window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Applicant: Los Alamos National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Hunter McDaniel, Victor I. Klimov
  • Patent number: 10170022
    Abstract: Common approaches to retroreflectors rely on absorptive materials that waste light energy that could be utilized for visibility. Disclosed photoluminescent retroreflectors filter reflected light, like traditional colored retroreflectors, but down-convert photons of the wrong color into a glow visible from more directions. The glow enables visibility for more observers or observers whose light source is far from their line of sight. The color of the glow can be adjusted by choice of luminescent material as a design feature or safety purpose. Certain embodiments utilize photoluminescent additives within a retroreflector while other embodiments utilize a photoluminescent coating on top of a pre-made retroreflector. An exemplary photoluminescent material for these optical devices is CuInZnS2 quantum dots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: UbiQD, Inc.
    Inventor: Hunter McDaniel
  • Publication number: 20180364098
    Abstract: An optical element is provided which includes an optical fiber, and a plurality of fluorophores disposed inside the optical fiber. The fluorophores have a quantum yield greater than 50%, and emit a spectrum of light having a maximum intensity at wavelengths within the range of 400 nm to 2000 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Hunter McDaniel, Nikolay S. Makarov, Matthew R. Bergren
  • Patent number: 10082387
    Abstract: A fluorescent liquid penetrant is provided which includes a liquid medium having a plurality of fluorophores disposed therein. Upon excitation with a suitable light source, the penetrant exhibits a quantum yield greater than 40% (or in some embodiments, greater than 90%). In some embodiments, the fluorophore is a low-toxicity quantum dot. In some embodiments, the fluorophore has significantly reduced self-absorption, which allows for surface discontinuity depth measurement. Also disclosed are apparatuses for using these fluorescent liquid penetrants for non-destructive testing purposes. In some embodiments, these tests include measuring the depth of a discontinuity by analyzing photoluminescence intensity and/or photoluminescence peak position shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: UbiQD, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew R. Bergren, Hunter McDaniel
  • Publication number: 20180224375
    Abstract: A method is provided for verifying the authenticity of an article which bears a security mark. The method includes irradiating the security mark with a time-varying light source, ascertaining at least one portion of the emissions spectrum of the irradiated security mark with at least one photodetector, determining the photoluminescence lifetime of the security mark by monitoring the time or frequency response of the photodetector, and verifying the authenticity of the article only if the security mark exhibits a photoluminescence which has a lifetime that falls within the range of appropriate values for each portion of the photoluminescence spectrum for which the photoluminescence lifetime of said security mark was ascertained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventor: Hunter McDaniel
  • Patent number: 9964488
    Abstract: A method is provided for verifying the authenticity of an article which bears a security mark. The method includes irradiating the security mark with a time-varying light source, ascertaining at least one portion of the emissions spectrum of the irradiated security mark with at least one photodetector, determining the photoluminescence lifetime of the security mark by monitoring the time or frequency response of the photodetector, and verifying the authenticity of the article only if the security mark exhibits a photoluminescence which has a lifetime that falls within the range of appropriate values for each portion of the photoluminescence spectrum for which the photoluminescence lifetime of said security mark was ascertained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: UbiQD, Inc.
    Inventor: Hunter McDaniel
  • Publication number: 20170341346
    Abstract: A laminated glass luminescent concentrator is provided which includes a solid medium having a plurality of fluorophores disposed therein. In some embodiments, the fluorophore is a low-toxicity quantum dot. In some embodiments, the fluorophore has significantly reduced self-absorption, which allows for unperturbed waveguiding of the photoluminescence over a long distance. Also disclosed are apparatuses for generating electricity from the laminated glass luminescent concentrator, and its combination with buildings and vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Applicant: UbiQD, LLC
    Inventors: Hunter McDaniel, Aaron Jackson, Matthew R. Bergren