Patents by Inventor John A. Rogers

John A. Rogers 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: 9513656
    Abstract: A vehicle pedal resistance and kickdown assembly including a plunger moveable in a housing between first and second positions. The plunger defines a recess for a rod, A first spring in the housing biases the plunger in the first position. A second spring retains the rod in the plunger recess in the first position. In one embodiment, the recess in the plunger is an elongate recess in a flat front face of the plunger. In one embodiment, the housing defines an aperture in a to or bottom wall of the housing that has a length greater than the length of the second spring and the second spring is inserted lengthwise into the housing through the aperture. In one embodiment, the second spring is retained in a clip in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: William Shelby Stewart, Murray Kaijala, William Walter Wheeler, John Jay Gumkowski, John Roger Gietzen
  • Patent number: 9515025
    Abstract: The present invention provides stretchable, and optionally printable, semiconductors and electronic circuits capable of providing good performance when stretched, compressed, flexed or otherwise deformed. Stretchable semiconductors and electronic circuits of the present invention preferred for some applications are flexible, in addition to being stretchable, and thus are capable of significant elongation, flexing, bending or other deformation along one or more axes. Further, stretchable semiconductors and electronic circuits of the present invention may be adapted to a wide range of device configurations to provide fully flexible electronic and optoelectronic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: John A. Rogers, Dahl-Young Khang, Yugang Sun, Etienne Menard
  • Publication number: 20160346556
    Abstract: Materials and systems that enable high efficiency conversion of mechanical stress to electrical energy and methods of use thereof are described herein. The materials and systems are preferably used to provide power to medical devices implanted inside or used outside of a patient's body. For medical devices, the materials and systems convert electrical energy from the natural contractile and relaxation motion of a portion of a patient's body, such as the heart, lung and diaphragm, or via motion of body materials or fluids such as air, blood, urine, or stool. The materials and systems are capable of being bent, folded or otherwise stressed without fracturing and include piezoelectric materials on a flexible substrate. The materials and systems are preferably fashioned to be generally conformal with intimate apposition to complex surface topographies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Marvin J. Slepian, Canan Dagdeviren, John A. Rogers
  • Patent number: 9496229
    Abstract: The invention provides transient devices, including active and passive devices that physically, chemically and/or electrically transform upon application of at least one internal and/or external stimulus. Incorporation of degradable device components, degradable substrates and/or degradable encapsulating materials each having a programmable, controllable and/or selectable degradation rate provides a means of transforming the device. In some embodiments, for example, transient devices of the invention combine degradable high performance single crystalline inorganic materials with selectively removable substrates and/or encapsulants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: John A. Rogers, Seung-Kyun Kang, SukWon Hwang, Jianjun Cheng, Yanfeng Zhang, Hanze Ying
  • Patent number: 9487002
    Abstract: Provided are high-resolution electrohydrodynamic inkjet (e-jet) printing systems and related methods for printing functional materials on a substrate surface. In an embodiment, a nozzle with an ejection orifice that dispenses a printing fluid faces a surface that is to be printed. The nozzle is electrically connected to a voltage source that applies an electric charge to the fluid in the nozzle to controllably deposit the printing fluid on the surface. In an aspect, a nozzle that dispenses printing fluid has a small ejection orifice, such as an orifice with an area less than 700 ?m2 and is capable of printing nanofeatures or microfeatures. In an embodiment the nozzle is an integrated-electrode nozzle system that is directly connected to an electrode and a counter-electrode. The systems and methods provide printing resolutions that can encompass the sub-micron range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: John A Rogers, Jang-Ung Park, Placid M. Ferreira, Deepkishore Mukhopadhyay
  • Publication number: 20160297986
    Abstract: Provided are methods of patterning block copolymer (BCP) films with independent control of the size, periodicity and morphology of the resulting nanoscale domains. Also disclosed are BCP patterns having discrete areas of different self-assembled BCP thin films on a surface, the BCP thin films differing in one or more of molecular weight (MW), composition, morphology, and feature size. In some implementations, multiple BCPs with different MWs can be printed onto a single substrate, thereby providing access to patterns with diverse geometries and feature sizes. The printing approaches can be applied to various BCP chemistries, morphologies and directed self-assembly (DSA) strategies. Also provided are methods of forming BCP thin films on patterns of polymer brushes formed by electrohydrodynamic printing. The methods involve direct, high resolution electrohydrodynamic delivery of random copolymer brushes as surface wetting layers to control the geometries of nanoscale domains in spin-cast and printed BCPs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Inventors: Mustafa Serdar Onses, John A. Rogers, Placid Ferreira, Andrew Alleyne, Paul Franklin Nealey
  • Publication number: 20160293794
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and devices for fabricating printable semiconductor elements and assembling printable semiconductor elements onto substrate surfaces. Methods, devices and device components of the present invention are capable of generating a wide range of flexible electronic and optoelectronic devices and arrays of devices on substrates comprising polymeric materials. The present invention also provides stretchable semiconductor structures and stretchable electronic devices capable of good performance in stretched configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: Ralph G. NUZZO, John A. ROGERS, Etienne MENARD, Keon Jae LEE, Dahl-Young KHANG, Yugang SUN, Matthew MEITL, Zhengtao ZHU
  • Publication number: 20160284544
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and devices for fabricating printable semiconductor elements and assembling printable semiconductor elements onto substrate surfaces. Methods, devices and device components of the present invention are capable of generating a wide range of flexible electronic and optoelectronic devices and arrays of devices on substrates comprising polymeric materials. The present invention also provides stretchable semiconductor structures and stretchable electronic devices capable of good performance in stretched configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Ralph G. NUZZO, John A. ROGERS, Etienne MENARD, Keon Jae LEE, Dahl-Young KHANG, Yugang SUN, Matthew MEITL, Zhengtao ZHU
  • Patent number: 9450043
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and devices for fabricating printable semiconductor elements and assembling printable semiconductor elements onto substrate surfaces. Methods, devices and device components of the present invention are capable of generating a wide range of flexible electronic and optoelectronic devices and arrays of devices on substrates comprising polymeric materials. The present invention also provides stretchable semiconductor structures and stretchable electronic devices capable of good performance in stretched configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
    Inventors: Ralph G. Nuzzo, John A. Rogers, Etienne Menard, Keon Jae Lee, Dahl-Young Khang, Yugang Sun, Matthew Meitl, Zhengtao Zhu
  • Patent number: 9443623
    Abstract: A nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system configured for controlled removal of a volatile fission product and heat released by a burn wave in a traveling wave nuclear fission reactor and method for same. The fuel assembly comprises an enclosure adapted to enclose a porous nuclear fuel body having the volatile fission product therein. A fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure and adapted to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body. In addition, the fluid control subassembly is capable of circulating a heat removal fluid through the porous nuclear fuel body in order to remove heat generated by the nuclear fuel body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: Charles E. Ahlfeld, John Rogers Gilleland, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, David G. McAlees, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Clarence T. Tegreene, Thomas Allan Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Victoria Y. H. Wood, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., George B. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 9442285
    Abstract: Provided are devices, and related methods, for controlling curvature of an array of optical components on, embedded, or partially embedded in, a deformable substrate. The array of optical components, in an aspect, comprises a deformable substrate having a contact surface and an array of mechanically interconnected optical components supported by the contact surface. An actuator is operably connected to the contact surface, wherein the actuator variably controls a curvature of said contact surface. The contact surface may have a curvature that spans concave to convex, which is tunable. In an aspect, the array of optical components is part of an optical device, such as a camera with a continuously adjustable zoom whose focus is maintained by adjusting a photodetector array curvature. In an aspect, the method is adjusting the curvature of a substrate that supports the array of optical components by applying a force to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventor: John A. Rogers
  • Publication number: 20160229599
    Abstract: A container system includes a tub including a front wall, a back wall opposite the front wall and side walls extending between the front wall and the back wall. A bottom extends between the front wall, back wall and side walls. A mouth structure includes a fastening feature configured for connecting to a lid. The mouth structure has an opening therethrough that provides access to a containing volume of the tub. A shoulder extends inwardly from the side walls to the mouth structure. A plurality of unitized doses of a detergent composition is located within the containing volume of the tub. A lid is connected to tub using the fastening feature. The lid has an open position for allowing user access to the containing volume and a closed position for preventing user access to the containing volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: Neil John ROGERS, Francisco Miguel DE TAVARES DUARTE NOGUEIRA
  • Patent number: 9412727
    Abstract: In a method of printing a transferable component, a stamp including an elastomeric post having three-dimensional relief features protruding from a surface thereof is pressed against a component on a donor substrate with a first pressure that is sufficient to mechanically deform the relief features and a region of the post between the relief features to contact the component over a first contact area. The stamp is retracted from the donor substrate such that the component is adhered to the stamp. The stamp including the component adhered thereto is pressed against a receiving substrate with a second pressure that is less than the first pressure to contact the component over a second contact area that is smaller than the first contact area. The stamp is then retracted from the receiving substrate to delaminate the component from the stamp and print the component onto the receiving substrate. Related apparatus and stamps are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignees: Semprius, Inc., The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Etienne Menard, John A. Rogers, Seok Kim, Andrew Carlson
  • Patent number: 9401228
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include nuclear fission reactor cores, nuclear fission reactors, methods of operating a nuclear fission reactor, and methods of managing excess reactivity in a nuclear fission reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: Charles E. Ahlfeld, Thomas M. Burke, Tyler S. Ellis, John Rogers Gilleland, Jonatan Hejzlar, Pavel Hejzlar, Roderick A. Hyde, David G. McAlees, Jon D. McWhirter, Ashok Odedra, Robert C. Petroski, Nicholas W. Touran, Joshua C. Walter, Kevan D. Weaver, Thomas Allan Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., George B. Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20160196883
    Abstract: A traveling wave nuclear fission reactor, fuel assembly, and a method of controlling burnup therein. In a traveling wave nuclear fission reactor, a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly comprises a plurality of nuclear fission fuel rods that are exposed to a deflagration wave burnfront that, in turn, travels through the fuel rods. The excess reactivity is controlled by a plurality of movable neutron absorber structures that are selectively inserted into and withdrawn from the fuel assembly in order to control the excess reactivity and thus the location, speed and shape of the burnfront. Controlling location, speed and shape of the burnfront manages neutron fluence seen by fuel assembly structural materials in order to reduce risk of temperature and irradiation damage to the structural materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Inventors: Charles E. Ahlfeld, John Rogers Gilleland, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, David G. McAlees, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., George B. Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20160190091
    Abstract: A method of printing transferable components includes pressing a stamp including at least one transferable semiconductor component thereon on a target substrate such that the at least one transferable component and a surface of the target substrate contact opposite surfaces of a conductive eutectic layer. During pressing of the stamp on the target substrate, the at least one transferable component is exposed to electromagnetic radiation that is directed through the transfer stamp to reflow the eutectic layer. The stamp is then separated from the target substrate to delaminate the at least one transferable component from the stamp and print the at least one transferable component onto the surface of the target substrate. Related systems and methods are also discussed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Etienne Menard, Matthew Meitl, John A. Rogers
  • Publication number: 20160174367
    Abstract: Systems and methods of the invention generally relate to altering the functionality of a non-transient electronic device. A container holding an agent is located proximal to a non-tansient electronic device capable of performing at least one function. The agent is capable of rendering the device incapable of performing the at least one function. The container is configured to controllably release the agent to the electronic device in a variety of passive and active eventualities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Christopher Poirier, Anthony Campbell, John A. Rogers, Winston E. Henderson
  • Publication number: 20160162812
    Abstract: Methodologies and apparatuses create and utilize member profiles and provide members the ability to combine their use of actual currency and virtual currency created by a cruise line using common virtual currency to obtain a cruise booking and/or related products and/or service available from a wide variety of vendors partnering with the cruise line. Further, the use of common virtual currency enables formulation, management, comparison and presentation of options for using virtual currency specific to cruise lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: John Roger ROWLEY, Marcia Gene ROWLEY
  • Patent number: 9362010
    Abstract: In response to a change in a thermal operational parameter in a nuclear fission reactor, reactivity is controlled by driving a neutron absorption parameter modifying material to or from a region of the core of the nuclear fission reactor. The apparatus includes a driver material disposed in a first reservoir portion and a second reservoir portion of a first reservoir and connected by a first conduit. A high-Z material may be distributed in the driver material. The neutron absorption parameter modifying material is disposed in both a second reservoir and the second reservoir portion of the first reservoir. A portion of the neutron absorption parameter modifying material is in physical contact with a portion of the driver material in the second reservoir portion. The neutron absorption parameter modifying material is driveable by the driver material between the second reservoir portion and the second reservoir through a second conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: Jesse R. Cheatham, III, Robert A. Corbin, Michael E. Garrett, John Rogers Gilleland, Pavel Hejzlar, Christopher J. Johns, Brian C. Johnson, Yu-Chih Ko, Jon D. McWhirter, Robert C. Petroski, K. Michael Steer, Bao H. Truong, James M. Vollmer, Joshua C. Walter, Kevan D. Weaver
  • Patent number: 9358238
    Abstract: A method of enhancing the performance of chicken comprising administering zilpaterol to the chicken wherein the concentration of zilpaterol is from about 1 ppm to about 13 ppm and is administered every day for a period of about 7 to about 21 days.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Intervet Inc.
    Inventor: John A. Rogers