Patents by Inventor Mark C. Hersam

Mark C. Hersam 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: 20140248214
    Abstract: Methods of using a surface active block copolymer to disperse graphene in an aqueous medium, such dispersions which can be subsequently separated and processed for a range of end-use applications, including biomedical applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Inventors: Mark C. Hersam, Jung-Woo T. Seo, Alexander A. Green, Alexander L. Antaris
  • Patent number: 8734674
    Abstract: A method for enhancing the lithium-ion capacity of a doped silicon carbide is disclosed. The method utilizes heat treating the silicon carbide in an inert atmosphere. Also disclosed are anodes for lithium-ion batteries prepared by the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Northwestern University
    Inventors: Mark C. Hersam, Albert L. Lipson, Sudeshna Bandyopadhyay, Hunter J. Karmel, Michael J. Bedzyk
  • Patent number: 8562905
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of forming a film of nanocomposites of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and platinum (Pt) nanoparticles. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of (a) providing a first solution that contains a plurality of CNTs, (b) providing a second solution that contains a plurality of Pt nanoparticles, (c) combining the first solution and the second solution to form a third solution, and (d) filtering the third solution through a nanoporous membrane using vacuum filtration to obtain a film of nanocomposites of CNTs and Pt nanoparticles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Northwestern University
    Inventors: Mark C. Hersam, Gordana Ostojic, Yu Teng Liang
  • Publication number: 20130040798
    Abstract: The separation of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), by electronic type, using centrifugation of compositions of SWCNTs and surface active block copolymers in self-forming density gradient media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: Northwestern University
    Inventors: Mark C. Hersam, Jung-Woo T. Seo, Alexander Lee Antaris, Alexander A. Green
  • Patent number: 8323784
    Abstract: Various methods related to the preparation of transparent electrical conductors based on carbon nanotubes having enhanced optical and electrical properties are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods involve employing carbon nanotubes that have been presorted according to electronic type and/or optical absorbance for use in transparent electrical conductors. Other embodiments involve use of carbon nanotube bundles that have been pre-sorted according to bundle density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Northwestern Universtiy
    Inventors: Alexander A. Green, Mark C. Hersam
  • Publication number: 20120281213
    Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a method for sorting nanoparticles includes preparing a high-viscosity density gradient medium filled in a container, dispersing nanoparticles into an aqueous solution to form a suspension of the nanoparticles, each nanoparticle having one or more cores and a shell encapsulating the one or more cores, layering the suspension of the nanoparticles on the top of the high-viscosity density gradient medium in the container, and centrifugating the layered suspension of the nanoparticles on the top of the high-viscosity density gradient medium in the container at a predetermined speed for a predetermined period of time to form a gradient of fractions of the nanoparticles along the container, where each fraction comprises nanoparticles in a respective one of aggregation states of the nanoparticles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: TIMOTHY P. TYLER, ANNE-ISABELLE HENRY, RICHARD P. VAN DUYNE, MARK C. HERSAM
  • Patent number: 8236680
    Abstract: An article of manufacture comprising a nanowire and methods of making the same. In one embodiment, the nanowire includes a Ga-doped trace formed on a surface of an indium oxide layer having a thickness in nano-scale, and wherein the Ga-doped trace is formed with a dimension that has a depth is less than a quarter of the thickness of the indium oxide layer. In one embodiment, the indium oxide layer, which is optically transparent and electrically insulating, comprises an In2O3 film, and the thickness of the indium oxide layer is about 40 nm, and the depth of the nanowire is less than 10 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Northwestern University
    Inventors: Tobin J. Marks, Mark C. Hersam, Norma E. S. Cortes
  • Publication number: 20120042806
    Abstract: Highly concentrated carbon nanotube or other nano-reinforcement suspensions and/or masses are prepared for use as admixtures in cement base materials to make cementitious composite materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Inventors: Mark C. Hersam, Jung-Woo T. Seo, Surendra P. Shah, Maria S. Konsta-Gdoutos, Zoi S. Metaxa
  • Patent number: 8110125
    Abstract: The separation of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), by chirality and/or diameter, using centrifugation of compositions of SWNTs in and surface active components in density gradient media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Northwestern University
    Inventors: Mark C. Hersam, Samuel I. Stupp, Michael S. Arnold
  • Publication number: 20120025150
    Abstract: The separation of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), by electronic type using centrifugation of compositions of SWNTs and surface active block copolymers in density gradient media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Mark C. Hersam, Alexander L. Antaris, Alexander A. Green
  • Patent number: 8099792
    Abstract: Atomic force photovoltaic microscopy apparatus and related methodologies, as can be used to quantitatively measure spatial performance variations in functioning photovoltaic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignees: Northwestern University, The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Mark C. Hersam, Benjamin Leever
  • Publication number: 20110171531
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of forming a film of nanocomposites of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and platinum (Pt) nanoparticles. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of (a) providing a first solution that contains a plurality of CNTs, (b) providing a second solution that contains a plurality of Pt nanoparticles, (c) combining the first solution and the second solution to form a third solution, and (d) filtering the third solution through a nanoporous membrane using vacuum filtration to obtain a film of nanocomposites of CNTs and Pt nanoparticles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Mark C. Hersam, Gordana Ostojic, Yu Teng Liang
  • Patent number: 7976765
    Abstract: A method of forming a nanoscale pattern on a substrate surface. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of providing a substrate having a surface; providing a nanoscale pattern forming device, comprising an elongated cantilever that has a tip portion proximate an end of the elongated cantilever; and controllably illuminating at least the tip portion of the cantilever with a beam of substantially coherent monoenergetic particles when the cantilever moves relative to the substrate to form a nanoscale pattern on the surface, wherein the tip portion of the cantilever is made from lightly doped silicon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Northwestern University
    Inventors: Mark C. Hersam, Liam S. C. Pingree
  • Publication number: 20110155964
    Abstract: The present teachings provide methods for providing populations of single-walled carbon nanotubes that are substantially monodisperse in terms of diameter, electronic type, and/or chirality. Also provided are single-walled carbon nanotube populations provided thereby and articles of manufacture including such populations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventors: Michael S. Arnold, Mark C. Hersam, Samuel I. Stupp
  • Publication number: 20110037033
    Abstract: The present teachings provide, in part, methods of separating two-dimensional nanomaterials by atomic layer thickness. In certain embodiments, the present teachings provide methods of generating graphene nanomaterials having a controlled number of atomic layer(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Inventors: Alexander A. Green, Mark C. Hersam
  • Publication number: 20110038786
    Abstract: The separation of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), by chirality and/or diameter, using centrifugation of compositions of SWNTs in and surface active components in density gradient media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: Northwestern University
    Inventors: Mark C. Hersam, Samuel I. Stupp, Michael S. Arnold
  • Publication number: 20100258786
    Abstract: Self-assembled organic monolayers on epitaxial graphene are described. The organic molecules are perylene derivatives including 3,4,9,10-perylene-tetracarboxylic dianhydride (PTCDA) molecules arranged in a herringbone phase and/or molecules are of the following formula: wherein R1 and R2 are alkyl groups. The organic monolayers can be patterned. Metal oxides can also be deposited on the organic monolayers. Methods of forming the self-assembled organic monolayers are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Qing Hua WANG, Mark C. Hersam
  • Publication number: 20100230814
    Abstract: An article of manufacture comprising a nanowire and methods of making the same. In one embodiment, the nanowire includes a Ga-doped trace formed on a surface of an indium oxide layer having a thickness in nano-scale, and wherein the Ga-doped trace is formed with a dimension that has a depth is less than a quarter of the thickness of the indium oxide layer. In one embodiment, the indium oxide layer, which is optically transparent and electrically insulating, comprises an In2O3 film, and the thickness of the indium oxide layer is about 40 nm, and the depth of the nanowire is less than 10 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Tobin J. Marks, Mark C. Hersam, Norma E. S. Cortes
  • Publication number: 20100173376
    Abstract: A method of functionalizing carbon nanotubes with metallic moieties is disclosed. Carbon nanotubes are first associated with one or more binding moieties to provide carbon nanotubes encapsulated by the binding moieties. The encapsulated carbon nanotubes are then contacted with a metal salt or a metal complex that binds to the binding moieties. Reduction of the metal salt or metal complex provides carbon nanotubes functionalized with metal nanoparticles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Inventors: Gordana Ostojic, Mark C. Hersam
  • Patent number: 7705617
    Abstract: Nanoscale impedance microscopy and related methods, circuit and/or apparatus capable of quantitatively measuring magnitude and phase of alternating current flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Northwestern University
    Inventors: Mark C. Hersam, Liam S. C. Pingree