Patents by Inventor Martin B. Wolk

Martin B. Wolk 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: 20240088185
    Abstract: Fingerprint sensor assemblies using metasurface arrays. The sensor assemblies include an image sensor having a sensor pixel array and a metasurface array on the sensor pixel array. An optical filter such as an IR cutfilter or notch filter can be located on the metasurface array. The assemblies can also include a substrate, optical spacer, or optically clear adhesive between the sensor pixel array and the metasurface array. The fingerprint sensor assemblies can be incorporated into mobile devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2022
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, Craig R. Schardt, John A. Wheatley, Jonah Shaver, Robert L. Brott
  • Publication number: 20240004282
    Abstract: A structured film for forming a pattern on a substrate includes a polymeric support layer, an adhesive layer, an etch resist layer disposed between the polymeric support layer and the adhesive layer, a structured resin layer disposed between the polymeric support layer and the etch resist layer, and one or more unstructured layers disposed between the etch resist layer and the adhesive layer. The structured resin layer has a structured major surface including a plurality of engineered structures. The etch resist layer at least partially fills spaces between adjacent engineered structures to substantially planarize the structured major surface. Methods of using the structured film to form a pattern on a substrate are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, Robert L. Brott, Kevin W. Gotrik, Christopher S. Lyons, Caleb T. Nelson, Vadim Savvateev, James M. Nelson, Craig R. Schardt, Jeffrey L. Solomon, Karl K. Stensvad, Steven D. Theiss
  • Publication number: 20240004110
    Abstract: An optical article includes a waveguide and a structured film. The structured film includes a polymeric substrate, an etch stop layer disposed on the polymeric substrate, a structured layer including a plurality of engineered structures disposed on a side of the etch stop layer opposite the polymeric substrate, a planarizing backfill layer disposed over the plurality of engineered structures to define a substantially planar major surface of the planarizing backfill layer having a surface roughness Ra, and an adhesive layer disposed on the substantially planar surface of the planarizing backfill layer and bonding the structured film to the waveguide. A difference in index of refraction of the planarizing backfill layer and the structured layer is at least 0.25 for at least a first wavelength W1 in a range of 400 nm to 2500 nm. The adhesive layer has an average thickness ta where Ra<ta<¼W1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, Robert L. Brott, Kevin W. Gotrik, Christopher S. Lyons, Caleb T. Nelson, Vadim Savvateev, James M. Nelson, Craig R. Schardt, Jeffrey L. Solomon, Karl K. Stensvad
  • Publication number: 20230184996
    Abstract: An optical metasurface film includes a flexible polymeric film having a first major surface, a patterned polymer layer having a first surface proximate to the first major surface of the flexible polymeric film and having a second nanostructured surface opposite the first surface, and a refractive index contrast layer including a refractive index contrast material adjacent to the nanostructured surface of the patterned polymer layer forming a nanostructured bilayer with a nano structured interface. The nanostructured bilayer comprising a plurality of nanostructures disposed on the flexible polymeric film. The nanostructured bilayer imparts a light phase shift that varies as a function of position of the nano structured bilayer on the flexible polymeric film. The light phase shift of the nanostructured bilayer defines a predetermined operative phase profile of the optical metasurface film. A light reflecting layer is in optical communication with the nano structured bilayer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Martin B. WOLK, Robert L. BROTT, Karl K. STENSVAD, Vadim N. SAVVATEEV, James M. NELSON, Lin ZHAO, Caitlin RACE, Adam D. HAAG
  • Publication number: 20230141149
    Abstract: Organic light emitting diode (OLED) devices are disclosed that include a first layer; a backfill layer having a structured first side and a second side; a planarization layer having a structured first side and a second side; and a second layer; wherein the second side of the backfill layer is coincident with and adjacent to the first layer, the second side of the planarization layer is coincident with and adjacent to the second layer, the structured first side of the backfill layer and structured first side of the planarization layer form a structured interface, the refractive index of the backfill layer is index matched to the first layer, and the refractive index of the planarization layer is index matched to the second layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2023
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, Michael Benton Free, Margaret M. Vogel-Martin, Evan L. Schwartz, Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek, Terry O. Collier
  • Patent number: 11565495
    Abstract: Organic light emitting diode (OLED) devices are disclosed that include a first layer; a backfill layer having a structured first side and a second side; a planarization layer having a structured first side and a second side; and a second layer; wherein the second side of the backfill layer is coincident with and adjacent to the first layer, the second side of the planarization layer is coincident with and adjacent to the second layer, the structured first side of the backfill layer and structured first side of the planarization layer form a structured interface, the refractive index of the backfill layer is index matched to the first layer, and the refractive index of the planarization layer is index matched to the second layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, Michael Benton Free, Margaret M. Vogel-Martin, Evan L. Schwartz, Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek, Terry O. Collier
  • Publication number: 20220404525
    Abstract: An optical metasurface film includes a flexible polymeric film having a first major surface, a patterned polymer layer having a first surface proximate to the first major surface of the flexible polymeric film and having a second nanostructured surface opposite the first surface, and a refractive index contrast layer adjacent to the nanostructured surface of the patterned polymer layer forming a nanostructured bilayer with a nanostructured interface. The nanostructured bilayer acts locally on amplitude, phase, or polarization of light, or a combination thereof and imparts a light phase shift that varies as a function of position of the nano structured bilayer on the flexible polymeric film. The light phase shift of the nanostructured bilayer defines a predetermined operative phase profile of the optical metasurface film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, Robert L. Brott, Karl K. Stensvad, James M. Nelson, Federico Capasso, Xinghui Yin, Joon-Suh Park
  • Publication number: 20220324195
    Abstract: Organic light emitting diode (OLED) devices are disclosed that include a first layer; a backfill layer having a structured first side and a second side; a planarization layer having a structured first side and a second side; and a second layer; wherein the second side of the backfill layer is coincident with and adjacent to the first layer, the second side of the planarization layer is coincident with and adjacent to the second layer, the structured first side of the backfill layer and structured first side of the planarization layer form a structured interface, the refractive index of the backfill layer is index matched to the first layer, and the refractive index of the planarization layer is index matched to the second layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2022
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, Michael Benton Free, Margaret M. Vogel-Martin, Evan L. Schwartz, Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek, Terry O. Collier
  • Patent number: 11407196
    Abstract: Article comprising a first, microstructured layer comprising a first material, and having first and second opposed major surfaces, the first major surface being a microstructured surface, and the microstructured surface having peaks and valleys, wherein the peaks are microstructural features each having a height defined by the distance between the peak of the respective microstructural feature and an adjacent valley; and a second layer comprising at least one of a crosslinkable or crosslinked composition, wherein at least a portion of the second major surface of the second layer is directly attached to at least a portion of the first major surface of the first, microstructured layer. Articles described herein are useful, for example, for optical film applications. For example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Solomon, Michael Benton Free, Steven J. McMan, Martin B. Wolk, Elisa M. Cross
  • Patent number: 11396156
    Abstract: Organic light emitting diode (OLED) devices are disclosed that include a first layer; a backfill layer having a structured first side and a second side; a planarization layer having a structured first side and a second side; and a second layer; wherein the second side of the backfill layer is coincident with and adjacent to the first layer, the second side of the planarization layer is coincident with and adjacent to the second layer, the structured first side of the backfill layer and structured first side of the planarization layer form a structured interface, the refractive index of the backfill later is index matched to the first layer, and the refractive index of the planarization layer is index matched to the second layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, Michael Benton Free, Margaret M. Vogel-Martin, Evan L. Schwartz, Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek, Terry O. Collier
  • Patent number: 11273630
    Abstract: Transfer films, articles made therewith, and methods of making and using transfer films to form an electrical stack are disclosed. The transfer films may include a plurality of co-extensive electrical protolayers forming an electrical protolayer stack, at least selected or each electrical protolayer independently comprising at least 25 wt % sacrificial material and a thermally stable material and having a uniform thickness of less than 25 micrometers. The transfer films may include a plurality of co-extensive electrical protolayers forming an electrical protolayer stack, at least selected or each protolayer independently exhibiting a complex viscosity of between 103 and 104 Poise at a shear rate of 100/s when heated to a temperature between its Tg and Tdec.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, Michael Benton Free, Daniel J. Schmidt, Justin P. Meyer, Mark J. Pellerite, Stephen A. Johnson, Terry O. Collier, Xiaohua Ma
  • Publication number: 20220063991
    Abstract: A substantially planar self-folding film assembly to generate a folded three-dimensional assembly. The assembly includes a flexible support substrate, adhesive elements, and folding members. The folding members include a base, a folding region, and a hinge adjacent each folding region attached at the base to the flexible support substrate by at least one of the adhesive elements. An array of polymer actuators is co-extensive, or shaped to be not co-extensive, with each of the flexible folding members. Upon activation by a patterned light to heat conversion layer, each polymer actuator is designed and configured to provide a displacement of the corresponding flexible folding member about each hinge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2019
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Jia Hu, Martin B. Wolk, Thomas R. Corrigan, Mitchell T. Nommensen, Michael Benton Free, Kurt J. Halverson, Erik A. Aho
  • Patent number: 11247501
    Abstract: Transfer films, articles made therewith, and layer-by-layer methods of making and using transfer films to form an inorganic optical stack are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Daniel J. Schmidt, Mark J. Pellerite, Martin B. Wolk, Stephen A. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20210389503
    Abstract: Nanostructured articles, materials for the nanostructured articles, and intermediate articles for use in making the nanostructured articles. The nanostructured articles can be formed on a flexible film and are useful for optical metasurface applications and possibly other applications. The articles can include nanoreplicated layers or pattern transfer layers of engineered nanostructures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, James M. Nelson, Karl K. Stensvad, Henrik B. van Lengerich, Christopher S. Lyons, Moses M. David, Jeffrey L. Solomon, Nicholas C. Erickson, Caleb T. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20210347135
    Abstract: Materials and methods useful in forming nano-scale features on substrates, and articles such as optical films incorporating such nano-scale patterned substrates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventors: Henrik B. van Lengerich, Karl K. Stensvad, Edwin L. Kusilek, Mathew S. Stay, Caleb T. Nelson, Christopher S. Lyons, Moses M. David, Jeffrey L. Solomon, Martin B. Wolk, Nicholas C. Erickson, James Zhu, James M. Nelson
  • Patent number: 11125406
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides lamination transfer films and use of the lamination transfer films, particular in the fabrication of architectural glass elements, such as those used in Insulated Glass Units (IGUs). The lamination transfer films may be used to transfer functional layers and structures. The lamination transfer films may include a support film that can be removed during the transfer process, and the transferred materials are primarily inorganic. The resulting transferred structures on glass generally have high photo- and thermal-stability, and therefore can successfully be applied to the glass surfaces that are interior to the cavity within an IGU. The lamination transfer films can also be patterned such that macroscopic patterns of microoptical elements can be applied on a glass surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael Benton Free, Martin B. Wolk, Olester Benson, Jr., Bing Hao, Charles A. Marttila, Craig R. Schardt, Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek, Justin P. Meyer, Manoj Nirmal
  • Patent number: 11086056
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to micro-optical assemblies containing at least one optical element adhered to a receptor substrate, e.g. a transparent receptor substrate, the receptor substrate contains at least one graphics layer. The micro-optical assemblies include both functional micro-optical structures that can alter, for example, incident light, and a graphic layer, which includes at least one graphic, e.g. a graphic design, which may include color, patterns, imagery, indicia and the like. The combination of the micro-optical elements with the graphic of the graphics layer can provide unique light altering assemblies that have graphic designs that may be functional, e.g. to display a message, and/or have aesthetic value. The micro-optical assemblies of the present disclosure are useful in a variety of applications which include, but are not limited to, display and graphics applications and architectural glass applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, Thomas J. Metzler, Samuel J. Carpenter, Denis Terzic, Mitchell T. Nommensen, Suman K. Patel, Mikhail L. Pekurovsky, Donald G. Peterson, Terry O. Collier
  • Patent number: 10988979
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides lamination transfer films and use of the lamination transfer films, particular in the fabrication of architectural glass elements, such as those used in Insulated Glass Units (IGUs). The lamination transfer films may be used to transfer functional layers and structures. The lamination transfer films may include a support film that can be removed during the transfer process, and the transferred materials are primarily inorganic. The resulting transferred structures on glass generally have high photo- and thermal-stability, and therefore can successfully be applied to the glass surfaces that are interior to the cavity within an IGU. The lamination transfer films can also be patterned such that macroscopic patterns of microoptical elements can be applied on a glass surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael Benton Free, Martin B. Wolk, Olester Benson, Jr., Bing Hao, Charles A. Marttila, Craig R. Schardt, Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek, Justin P. Meyer, Manoj Nirmal
  • Patent number: 10967399
    Abstract: An organofluorine coating on a major surface of a substrate, wherein the organofluorine coating has a surface composition of about 5 at % to about 15 at % oxygen and about 30 at % to about 50 at % fluorine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Ta-Hua Yu, Moses M. David, Kevin D. Hagen, Samuel J. Carpenter, Eric J. Hanson, Martin B. Wolk, Steven J. McMan, Evan L. Schwartz
  • Patent number: 10957878
    Abstract: Lamination transfer films and methods for transferring a structured layer to a receptor substrate. The transfer films include a carrier substrate having a releasable surface, a sacrificial template layer applied to the releasable surface of the carrier substrate and having a non-planar structured surface, and a thermally stable backfill layer applied to the non-planar structured surface of the sacrificial template layer. The sacrificial template layer is capable of being removed from the backfill layer, such as via pyrolysis, while leaving the structured surface of the backfill layer substantially intact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek, Sergey Lamansky, Margaret M. Vogel-Martin, Vivian W. Jones, Olester Benson, Jr., Michael Benton Free, Evan L. Schwartz, Randy S. Bay, Graham M. Clarke