Patents by Inventor Mark S. Wrighton
Mark S. Wrighton 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).
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Patent number: 5444330Abstract: A display having an array of matrix addressable pairs of electrodes mounted face up on the same substrate. The pairs of electrodes are derivatized with either electrochromic materials or electroluminescent material to form the pixels of the display. In the electrochromic embodiment of the invention, a layer of a solid polymer electrolyte is included. The air of electrodes may also be left clean of derivatizing material, but with an electroluminescent substance dissolved in the solid polymer electrolyte. An electrochemiluminescent embodiment is also provided where the electrochemiluminescent substance can be dissolved in the solid polymer electrolyte.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 1993Date of Patent: August 22, 1995Assignee: Molecular Displays, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas Leventis, Mark S. Wrighton
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Patent number: 5223117Abstract: Self-assembly of a chemically insensitive redox material, such as ferrocenyl thiol, and a chemically sensitive redox material, such as a quinone thiol, onto microelectrodes forms the basis for a two-terminal, voltammetric microsensor having reference and sensor functions on the same electrode. Detection is based on measuring the potential difference of current peaks for oxidation and reduction of the reference (ferrocene) and indicator (quinone) in aqueous electrolyte in a two-terminal, linear sweep voltammogram using a counterelectrode of relatively large surface area. Use of microelectrodes modified with monolayer coverages of reference and indicator molecules minimizes the size of the counterelectrode and the perturbation of the solution interrogated. Key advantages are that the sensor requires no separate reference electrode and the sensor functions as long as current peaks can be located for reference and indicator molecules.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 1991Date of Patent: June 29, 1993Assignees: Mass. Institute of Technology, Pres. & Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: Mark S. Wrighton, James J. Hickman, Paul E. Laibinis, David Ofer, Chad A. Mirkin, James R. Valentine, George M. Whitesides
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Patent number: 5189549Abstract: A display having an array of matrix addressable pairs of electrodes mounted face up on the same substrate. The pairs of electrodes are derivatized with either electrochromic materials or electroluminescent material to form the pixels of the display. In the electrochromic embodiment of the invention, a layer of a solid polymer electrolyte is included. The air of electrodes may also be left clean of derivatizing material, but with an electroluminescent substance dissolved in the solid polymer electrolyte. An electrochemiluminescent embodiment is also provided where the electrochemiluminescent substance can be dissolved in the solid polymer electrolyte.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 1990Date of Patent: February 23, 1993Assignee: Molecular Displays, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas Leventis, Mark S. Wrighton
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Patent number: 5034192Abstract: Several types of new microelectronic devices including diodes, transistors, sensors, surface energy storage elements, and light-emitting devices are disclosed. The properties of these devices can be controlled by molecular-level changes in electroactive polymer components. These polymer components are formed from electrochemically polymerizable material whose physical properties change in response to chemical changes, and can be used to bring about an electrical connection between two or more closely spaced microelectrodes. Examples of such materials include polypyrrole, polyaniline, and polythiophene, which respond to changes in redox potential. Each electrode can be individually addressed and characterized electrochemically by controlling the amount and chemical composition of the functionalizing polymer. Sensitivity of the devices may be increased by decreasing separations between electrodes as well as altering the chemical environment of the electrode-confined polymer.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 1989Date of Patent: July 23, 1991Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Mark S. Wrighton, Henry S. White, Jr., Gregg P. Kittlesen
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Patent number: 4936956Abstract: Novel microelectrochemical devices are provided which consist of closely spaced microelectrodes coated with metal ion based inorganic redox active material such as oxides or mixed oxides of any of the following transition metals: W, Ni, Ru, Co, Rh, Ir, Nb, Mo, V, or any other metal that undergoes a change in electrical conductivity upon electrochemical oxidation or reduction, in contact with an electrolyte. Additionally, other metal based redox materials whose conductivity changes as a function of the movement of ions into or out of the material can be used in the construction of microelectronic devices, for example, Prussian Blue, Fe.sub.4 [Fe(CH).sub.6 ].sub.3."Metal ion-based microelectrochemical devices" encompasses all devices based on an inorganic redox active material which incorporate an active "gate" region or "channel", or exhibit rectification.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 1987Date of Patent: June 26, 1990Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventor: Mark S. Wrighton
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Patent number: 4929313Abstract: Electrochemical devices constructed according to the present invention can be used to convert an ion flux into an electric current for determination of ion concentration. The devices are operated without the need for a reference electrode and are specific based on known ion transfer agents. Operation of the devices involves the use of pairs of electrodes modified with electroactive redox materials overlaid with ion selective coatings. An applied potential between a pair of appropriately modified electrodes results in the flow of an electric current between the electrodes which is dependent on the concentration of the ion to be sensed.Devices constructed by combining electrodes overlaid with electroactive polymers and different ion selective films allow simultaneous determination of diverse ions. For example, these devices are useful for measuring the concentration of total cations, total anions, H.sup.+, Li.sup.+, K.sup.+, Ca.sup.2+, Na.sup.+, HCO.sub.3.sup.-, Cl.sup.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 1988Date of Patent: May 29, 1990Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventor: Mark S. Wrighton
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Patent number: 4895705Abstract: Several types of new microelectronic devices including diodes, transistors, sensors, surface energy storage elements, and light-emitting devices are disclosed. The properties of these devices can be controlled by molecular-level changes in electroactive polymer components. These polymer components are formed from electrochemically polymerizable material whose physical properties change in response to chemical changes, and can be used to being about an electrical connection between two or more closely spaced microelectrodes. Examples of such materials include polypyrrole, polyaniline, and polythiophene, which respond to changes in redox potential. Each electrode can be individually addressed and characterized electrochemically by controlling the amount and chemical composition of the functionalizing polymer. Sensitivity of the devices may be increased by decreasing separations between electrodes as well as altering the chemical environment of the electrode-confined polymer.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 1987Date of Patent: January 23, 1990Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Mark S. Wrighton, Henry S. White, Jr., Gregg P. Kittlesen
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Patent number: 4721601Abstract: Several types of new microelectronic devices including diodes, transistors, sensors, surface energy storage elements, and light-emitting devices are disclosed. The properties of these devices can be controlled by molecular-level changes in electroactive polymer components. These polymer components are formed from electrochemically polymerizable material whose physical properties change in response to chemical changes, and can be used to bring about an electrical connection between two or more closely spaced microelectrodes. Examples of such materials include polypyrrole, polyaniline, and polythiophene, which respond to changes in redox potential. Each electrode can be individually addressed and characterized electrochemically by controlling the amount and chemical composition of the functionalizing polymer. Sensitivity of the devices may be increased by decreasing separations between electrodes as well as altering the chemical environment of the electrode-confined polymer.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 1984Date of Patent: January 26, 1988Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Mark S. Wrighton, Henry S. White, Jr., Gregg P. Kittlesen
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Patent number: 4717673Abstract: Very stable, polymer-based electrochemical devices, formed by polymerization of thiophene or a derivative such as 3-methylthiophene which is durable in an aqueous electrolyte over a wide pH range, which respond rapidly to chemical or electrical signals, are disclosed. In one embodiment, the device functions as an extremely sensitive sensor which measures changes in chemical concentration or pH. For example, a poly-3-methylthiophene-based device is sensitive to as little as 8.times.10.sup.-16 moles of an oxidant which reversibly interacts with the polymer, including gas phase oxidants such as I.sub.2. In a variation of the polymer-based device, a catalyst such as a noble metal or an enzyme, is dispersed on or within the conducting polymer matrix so that the device is responsive to chemicals such as H.sub.2 and O.sub.2 which the polymer would otherwise respond very slowly to.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 1985Date of Patent: January 5, 1988Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Mark S. Wrighton, Henry S. White, Jr., James W. Thackeray
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Patent number: 4576756Abstract: Methods, materials and apparatus for production of hydrogen peroxide are disclosed. In one preferred embodiment, high surface area circulating elements derivatized with a quinone catalyst are reduced in an electrolytic cell where the cathode may also be derivatized with a quinone catalyst and a solution quinone at low concentration is used as a mediator. Once reduced, the circulating elements are separated and used to form hydrogen peroxide from molecular oxygen in an aqueous, electrolyte-free, environment. The circulating elements can be cycled repeatedly. Particular, novel naphthoquinone compounds are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 1984Date of Patent: March 18, 1986Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Mark S. Wrighton, Robert M. Buchanan, Gary S. Calabrese
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Patent number: 4572774Abstract: An apparatus for the production of hydrogen peroxide is disclosed. In one preferred embodiment, high surface area circulating elements derivatized with a quinone catalyst are reduced in an electrolytic cell where the cathode may also be derivatized with a quinone catalyst and a solution quinone at low concentration is used as a mediator. Once reduced, the circulating elements are separated and used to form hydrogen peroxide from molecular oxygen in an aqueous, electrolyte-free, environment. The circulating elements can be cycled repeatedly. Particular, novel naphthoquinone compounds are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 1985Date of Patent: February 25, 1986Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Mark S. Wrighton, Robert M. Buchanan, Gary S. Calabrese
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Patent number: 4533443Abstract: Methods, materials and apparatus for production of hydrogen peroxide are disclosed. In one preferred embodiment, high surface area circulating elements derivatized with a quinone catalyst are reduced in an electrolytic cell where the cathode may also be derivatized with a quinone catalyst and a solution quinone at low concentration is used as a mediator. Once reduced, the circulating elements are separated and used to form hydrogen peroxide from molecular oxygen in an aqueous, electrolyte-free, environment. The circulating elements can be cycled repeatedly. Particular, novel naphthoquinone compounds are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 1983Date of Patent: August 6, 1985Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Mark S. Wrighton, Robert M. Buchanan, Gary S. Calabrese
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Patent number: 4473695Abstract: A novel class of dialkyl and dialkyl-aromatic viologens (4,4'dipyridinium compounds) and their salts which may be polymerized and covalently bonded to electrodes for use in electronic display systems.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 1982Date of Patent: September 25, 1984Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Mark S. Wrighton, Dana C. Bookbinder
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Patent number: 4439302Abstract: A variety of redox mediating agents employing bipyridinium reagents and such reagents in conjunction with dispersed noble metals, such as platinium, are disclosed as coatings for substrates and electrodes. The agents may be charged by an applied voltage or by photoelectric effects or may be equilibrated with hydrogen. The agents are useful in reducing biological materials and electrolytic hydrogen production.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 1981Date of Patent: March 27, 1984Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Mark S. Wrighton, Dana C. Bookbinder, James A. Bruce, Raymond N. Dominey, Nathan S. Lewis
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Patent number: 4414300Abstract: Sustained conversion of low energy visible or near i.r. light (>1.25 eV) to electrical energy has been obtained using wet photoelectrochemical cells where there are no net chemical changes in the system. Stabilization of n-type semi-conductor anodes of CdS, CdSe, CdTe, GaP, GaAs and InP to photoanodic dissolution is achieved by employing selected alkaline solutions of Na.sub.2 S, Na.sub.2 S/S, Na.sub.2 Se, Na.sub.2 Se/Se, Na.sub.2 Te and Na.sub.2 Te/Te as the electrolyte. The oxidation of (poly) sulfide, (poly)selenide or (poly)telluride species occurs at the irradiated anode, and reduction of polysulfide, polyselenide or polytelluride species occurs at the dark Pt cathode of the photoelectrochemical cell. Optical to electrical energy conversion efficiencies approaching 15% at selected frequencies have been observed in some cells. The wavelength for the onset of photocurrent corresponds to the band gap of the particular anode material used in the cell.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 1977Date of Patent: November 8, 1983Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Mark S. Wrighton, Arthur B. Ellis, Steven W. Kaiser
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Patent number: 4128704Abstract: A photochemical energy storage system includes at least one electrolytic solution containing a reduction-oxidation couple, one species of which can be stored in a second phase. The device includes a charging system and an energy delivery system. The charging system includes an n-or p-type photosensitive electrode at which, under illumination, an oxidation or reduction reaction occurs. In the charging cycle, one species is oxidized while the other is reduced, and one of these products is stored in a phase other than the phase in which the reaction occurs. The energy delivery system transfers electrons to or from the high energy product on demand for delivery through an electrical load to an electrode at which the original reactants can be reconstituted.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 1977Date of Patent: December 5, 1978Assignee: GTE Laboratories IncorporatedInventors: Howard McKinzie, Mark S. Wrighton, Joseph Lester