Patents by Inventor James C. Sturm

James C. Sturm 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: 8783467
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to obstacle array devices (also known as bump array devices) for separating populations of particles by size. Improvements over previous obstacle array devices are realized by causing the fluid velocity profile across gaps between obstacles to be asymmetrical with respect to the plane that bisects the gap and is parallel to the direction of bulk fluid flow. Such asymmetry can be achieved by selecting the shape(s) of the obstacles bounding the gap such that the portions of the obstacles upstream from, downstream from or bridging the narrowest portion of the gap are asymmetrical with respect to that plane. Improvements are also realized by using obstacles that have sharp edges bounding the gaps. Other improvements are realized by selecting obstacle shapes such that the critical particle dimensions defined by the gaps in two different fluid flow directions differ.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: The Trustees of Princeton University
    Inventors: Kevin Loutherback, James C. Sturm, Robert Austin, Keith Morton, Jason Puchalla
  • Patent number: 8579117
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to obstacle array devices (also known as bump array devices) for separating populations of particles by size. Improvements over previous obstacle array devices are realized by causing the fluid velocity profile across gaps between obstacles to be asymmetrical with respect to the plane that bisects the gap and is parallel to the direction of bulk fluid flow. Such asymmetry can be achieved by selecting the shape(s) of the obstacles bounding the gap such that the portions of the obstacles upstream from, downstream from, or bridging the narrowest portion of the gap are asymmetrical with respect to that plane. Improvements are also realized by using obstacles that have sharp edges bounding the gaps. Other improvements are realized by selecting obstacle shapes such that the critical particle dimensions defined by the gaps in two different fluid flow directions differ.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: The Trustees of Princeton University
    Inventors: Kevin Loutherback, James C. Sturm, Robert Austin, Keith Morton, Jason Puchalla
  • Publication number: 20130098813
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to obstacle array devices (also known as bump array devices) for separating populations of particles by size. Improvements over previous obstacle array devices are realized by causing the fluid velocity profile across gaps between obstacles to be asymmetrical with respect to the plane that bisects the gap and is parallel to the direction of bulk fluid flow. Such asymmetry can be achieved by selecting the shape(s) of the obstacles bounding the gap such that the portions of the obstacles upstream from, downstream from or bridging the narrowest portion of the gap are asymmetrical with respect to that plane. Improvements are also realized by using obstacles that have sharp edges bounding the gaps. Other improvements are realized by selecting obstacle shapes such that the critical particle dimensions defined by the gaps in two different fluid flow directions differ.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: THE TRUSTEES OF PRINCETON UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Kevin Loutherback, James C. Sturm, Robert Austin, Keith Morton, Jason Puchalla
  • Publication number: 20120285521
    Abstract: A photovoltaic device and method of making a photovoltaic device are disclosed. The method includes laminating an organic layer onto an inorganic semiconductor layer. A first electrical contact is electrically coupled to the organic layer and a second electrical contact is coupled to the inorganic semiconductor layer. The inorganic semiconductor layer may include a second organic layer. At least one of the organic layer and the second organic layer may form a heterojunction with the inorganic semiconductor layer. The organic layer may further comprise a metal layer. At least one of the organic layer, the inorganic semiconductor layer and the metal layer may be patterned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: THE TRUSTEES OF PRINCETON UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Yifei Huang, Sushobhan Avasthi, James C. Sturm, Ken Nagamatsu
  • Publication number: 20110303904
    Abstract: A photovoltaic device and method of manufacturing is disclosed. In one embodiment, the device includes a silicon layer and first and second organic layers. The silicon layer has a first face and a second face. First and second electrodes electrically are coupled to the first and second organic layers. A first heterojunction is formed at a junction between the one of the faces of the silicon layer and the first organic layer. A second heterojunction is formed at a junction between one of the faces of the silicon layer and the second organic layer. The silicon layer may be formed without a p-n junction. At least one organic layer may be configured as an electron-blocking layer or a hole-blocking layer. At least one organic layer may be comprised of phenanthrenequinone (PQ). A passivating layer may be disposed between at least one of the organic layers and the silicon layer. The passivating layer may be organic. At least one of the organic layers may passivate a surface of the silicon layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventors: Sushobhan Avasthi, James C. Sturm, Jeffrey Schwartz
  • Publication number: 20100059414
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to obstacle array devices (also known as bump array devices) for separating populations of particles by size. Improvements over previous obstacle array devices are realized by causing the fluid velocity profile across gaps between obstacles to be asymmetrical with respect to the plane that bisects the gap and is parallel to the direction of bulk fluid flow. Such asymmetry can be achieved by selecting the shape(s) of the obstacles bounding the gap such that the portions of the obstacles upstream from, downstream from, or bridging the narrowest portion of the gap are asymmetrical with respect to that plane. Improvements are also realized by using obstacles that have sharp edges bounding the gaps. Other improvements are realized by selecting obstacle shapes such that the critical particle dimensions defined by the gaps in two different fluid flow directions differ.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: The Trustees of Princeton University
    Inventors: James C. Sturm, Robert Austin, Kevin Loutherback, Keith Morton, Jason Puchalla
  • Patent number: 7569416
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and a method of fabricating the apparatus. The apparatus comprises a substrate having a planar surface and first and second electrodes located on the planar surface. The first electrode has a top surface and a lateral surface, and the lateral surface has an edge near or in contact with the substrate. An electrode insulating layer is located on the top surface and a self-assembled layer located on the lateral surface. The second electrode is in contact with both the self-assembled layer and the electrode insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignees: Alcatel-Lucent USA Inc., Office of Technology Licensing & Intl Property
    Inventors: Zhenan Bao, Jie Zheng, James C. Sturm, Troy Graves-Abe
  • Patent number: 7119356
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and a method of fabricating the apparatus. The apparatus comprises a substrate having a planar surface and first and second electrodes located on the planar surface. The first electrode has a top surface and a lateral surface, and the lateral surface has an edge near or in contact with the substrate. An electrode insulating layer is located on the top surface and a self-assembled layer located on the lateral surface. The second electrode is in contact with both the self-assembled layer and the electrode insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignees: Lucent Technologies Inc., Princeton University
    Inventors: Zhenan Bao, Jie Zheng, James C. Sturm, Troy Graves-Abe
  • Patent number: 7090890
    Abstract: The methods of this invention involve modification of the properties of an organic film after it has been deposited by either adding new components into it from its top or bottom surface, or by causing components to leave the film from its top or bottom surface. In the examples of these methods, the emitting color of light-emitting diodes are modified based on doped polymers by locally introducing dopants causing different color emission into the film by local application of a solution containing the desired dopant to the film surface (by ink jet printing, screen printing, local droplet application, etc.). This overcomes difficulties encountered with the direct patterning of three separately formed organic layers (each which uniformly coats an entire surface when formed) into regions for separate R, G, and B devices due to the sensitivities of the organic materials to chemicals typically used with conventional patterning technologies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: The Trustees of Princeton University
    Inventors: James C. Sturm, Thomas R. Hebner, Florian Pschenitzka
  • Patent number: 7053547
    Abstract: A device is provided. The device includes a substrate, a first electrode disposed over the substrate, a small molecule organic emissive layer disposed over the first electrode, and a second electrode disposed over the organic emissive layer. The substrate has a first index of refraction, and the organic emissive layer has a second index of refraction. The first index of refraction is higher than the second index of refraction. The device may have an external electroluminescent efficiency of at least about 56%. Bulky substituents or dopants may be used to decrease the index of refraction and/or the density of the organic emissive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignees: Universal Display Corporation, The Trustees of Princeton University
    Inventors: Min-Hao Michael Lu, James C. Sturm, Conor Francis Madigan, Raymond Kwong
  • Patent number: 6858079
    Abstract: Self-assembled photonic crystals, including large sphere planar opals, infiltrated planar opals and inverted planar opals, as well as methods for manufacturing same are provided. Large sphere planar opals are manufactured according to a method comprising the steps of: synthesizing monodisperse silica spheres, wherein each of the silica spheres has a diameter greater than or equal to about 400 nanometers; purifying the silica spheres; and self-assembling the silica spheres into a plurality of ordered, planar layers on a substrate. Infiltrated planar opals may also be manufactured by further processing the large sphere planar opal by sintering the planar opal and infiltrating the planar opal with a predetermined material. Inverted planar opals may further be manufactured by removing the silica spheres from the infiltrated planar opal. Various modifications to the substrate and planar opal are also provided to enhance the properties of these photonic crystals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: NEC Laboratories America, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Norris, Yurii Vlasov, Xiang-Zheng Bo, James C. Sturm
  • Patent number: 6784016
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an organic light emitting device (OLED) for producing electroluminescence having, in order, for example, an anode, a hole transporting layer (HTL), a blocking layer, an electron transporting layer (ETL), and a cathode. In the devices of the present invention, the hole transporting layer comprises a polymeric material, which material may be emissive or may be doped with an emissive dopant. The blocking layer and the electron transporting layer are small-molecule materials. The presence of a blocking layer confines the emission of light to the polymer layer, which may be a HTL or a separate emitting layer (EL). The devices of the present invention are suitable for use in single color, multi-color and full-color, passive or active matrix OLED displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: The Trustees of Princeton University
    Inventors: Ke Long, James C. Sturm, Min-Hao Michael Lu
  • Publication number: 20040007969
    Abstract: A device is provided. The device includes a substrate, a first electrode disposed over the substrate, a small molecule organic emissive layer disposed over the first electrode, and a second electrode disposed over the organic emissive layer. The substrate has a first index of refraction, and the organic emissive layer has a second index of refraction. The first index of refraction is higher than the second index of refraction. The device may have an external electroluminescent efficiency of at least about 56%. Bulky substituents or dopants may be used to decrease the index of refraction and/or the density of the organic emissive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventors: Min-Hao Michael Lu, James C. Sturm, Conor Francis Madigan, Raymond Kwong
  • Patent number: 6566156
    Abstract: Organic light emitting devices and methods of making them are described. The devices contain a substrate, a first electrical contact layer, a patterned organic layer, and a second electrical contact layer. A covering portion covers the sides of the organic layer, protecting the same. In the methods, a first organic layer is provided over a first electrical contact layer, followed by a patterned second electrical contact layer. The organic layer is etched using the patterned electrical contact layer as a mask. In one embodiment, the etching step exposes an area over the first electrical contact layer, and a second organic layer is provided over the exposed area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: The Trustees of Princeton University
    Inventors: James C. Sturm, Chung-Chih Wu
  • Publication number: 20030020073
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an organic light emitting device (OLED) for producing electroluminescence having, in order, for example, an anode, a hole transporting layer (HTL), a blocking layer, an electron transporting layer (ETL), and a cathode. In the devices of the present invention, the hole transporting layer comprises a polymeric material, which material may be emissive or may be doped with an emissive dopant. The blocking layer and the electron transporting layer are small-molecule materials. The presence of a blocking layer confines the emission of light to the polymer layer, which may be a HTL or a separate emitting layer (EL). The devices of the present invention are suitable for use in single color, multi-color and full-color, passive or active matrix OLED displays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventors: Ke Long, James C. Sturm, Min-Hao Michael Lu
  • Publication number: 20020062782
    Abstract: Self-assembled photonic crystals, including large sphere planar opals, infiltrated planar opals and inverted planar opals, as well as methods for manufacturing same are provided. Large sphere planar opals are manufactured according to a method comprising the steps of: synthesizing monodisperse silica spheres, wherein each of the silica spheres has a diameter greater than or equal to about 400 nanometers; purifying the silica spheres; and self-assembling the silica spheres into a plurality of ordered, planar layers on a substrate. Infiltrated planar opals may also be manufactured by further processing the large sphere planar opal by sintering the planar opal and infiltrating the planar opal with a predetermined material. Inverted planar opals may further be manufactured by removing the silica spheres from the infiltrated planar opal. Various modifications to the substrate and planar opal are also provided to enhance the properties of these photonic crystals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Inventors: David J. Norris, Yurii Vlasov, Xiang-Zheng Bo, James C. Sturm
  • Patent number: 6300756
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring a charge on a surface, such as on a semiconductor wafer, arising during plasma processing is provided. Such a charge may be measured on an insulating film applied to such a wafer. By the present invention, the charge on such an insulator exposed to plasma is measured in-situ using micro-cantilevers. The micro-cantilevers include an insulating base positioned on the substrate and a cantilevered beam extending therefrom to over the substrate. The beam is formed of a conductive material. A charge on the beam causes an opposite charge to form on the substrate. The opposite charges attract to move or deflect the beam towards the substrate. The amount of movement or deflection corresponds to the magnitude of the charge. This movement or deflection of the beam can be measured to determine the charge by bouncing a light source, such as a laser, off of the beam. In another embodiment, the cantilever includes a flexible bridge interconnected between the base and a rigid beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: The Trustees of Princeton University
    Inventors: James C. Sturm, Kiran Pangal, Samara L. Firebaugh
  • Patent number: 6259202
    Abstract: A method for modifying the surface properties such as work function of semiconducting and conducting layers by plasma treatment. Also disclosed are electrical devices such as organic light emitting devices of enhanced performance owing to the use of plasma treatment-modified semiconducting or conducting layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: The Trustees of Princeton University
    Inventors: James C. Sturm, Chung-Chih Wu
  • Patent number: 6087196
    Abstract: A method of fabricating semiconductor devices using ink-jet printing is provided to directly deposit patterned polymer films to create OLED's and other semiconductor devices. The luminescence of poly-vinylcarbazol (PVK) films, with dyes of coumarin 6 (C6), coumarin 47 (C47), and nile red was similar to that of films of the same composition deposited by spin-coating. Light emitting diodes with low turn-on voltages were also fabricated in PVK doped with C6 deposited by ink-jet printing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: The Trustees of Princeton University
    Inventors: James C. Sturm, Chung Chih Wu, Duane Marcy, Thomas R. Hebner