Patents by Inventor Minjuan Zhang
Minjuan Zhang 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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Publication number: 20120025130Abstract: A process for forming thermoelectric nanoparticles includes the steps of providing a core material and a bismuth containing compound in a reverse micelle; providing a tellurium containing compound either in or not in a reverse micelle; reacting the bismuth containing compound with the tellurium containing compound in the presence of a base, forming a composite thermoelectric nanoparticle having a core and shell structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2010Publication date: February 2, 2012Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Michael Paul Rowe, Minjuan Zhang, Paul Jantzen
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Patent number: 8101449Abstract: A process for altering the thermoelectric properties of an electrically conductive material is provided. The process includes providing an electrically conducting material and a substrate. The electrically conducting material is brought into contact with the substrate. A thermal gradient can be applied to the electrically conducting material and a voltage applied to the substrate. In this manner, the electrical conductivity, the thermoelectric power and/or the thermal conductivity of the electrically conductive material can be altered and the figure of merit increased.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2008Date of Patent: January 24, 2012Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., University of California, BerkeleyInventors: Wenjie Liang, Allon Hochbaum, Melissa Fardy, Minjuan Zhang, Peidong Yang
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Publication number: 20110312065Abstract: A substrate or coating is provided that includes a protease with enzymatic activity toward a component of a biological stain. Also provided is a process for facilitating the removal of a biological stain is provided wherein an inventive substrate or coating including a protease is capable of enzymatically degrading of one or more components of the biological stain to facilitate biological stain removal from the substrate or said coating.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2010Publication date: December 22, 2011Applicants: TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION, TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventors: HONGFEI JIA, WEI SONG, MASAHIKO ISHII, MINJUAN ZHANG
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Publication number: 20110312057Abstract: A substrate or coating is provided that includes a lipase with enzymatic activity toward a component of a fingerprint. Also provided is a process for facilitating the removal of fingerprints is provided wherein an inventive substrate or coating including a lipase is capable of enzymatically degrading of one or more components of the fingerprint to facilitate fingerprint removal from the substrate or said coating. Applying heat to the substrate or coating increases the rate of fingerprint removal.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2010Publication date: December 22, 2011Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Regents of the University of Minnesota, Dept. of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering BioTechnolo, Toyota Motor CorporationInventors: Andreas Buthe, Ping Wang, Songtao Wu, Hongfei Jia, Masahiko Ishii, Minjuan Zhang
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Publication number: 20110299154Abstract: An omnidirectional reflector that reflects a band of electromagnetic radiation of less than 100 nanometers when viewed from angles between 0 and 45 degrees is provided. The omnidirectional reflector includes a multilayer stack having a plurality of layers of high index of refraction material and a plurality of layers of low index of refraction material. In addition, the plurality of high index of refraction material layers and low index of refraction material layers are alternately stacked on top of or across each other and provide a non-periodic layered structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2010Publication date: December 8, 2011Applicants: Toyota Motor Corporation, Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Benjamin Alan Grayson, Debasish Banerjee, Minjuan Zhang, Masahiko Ishii
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Publication number: 20110268968Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods of producing nanowires comprising a PbSe core and a PbS shell, and methods of producing nanowires comprising a PbSe core and a PbTe shell. The method for producing the PbSe core/PbS shell nanowires comprise the steps of providing a core/shell growth solution comprising PbSe nanowires, heating the core/shell growth solution to a temperature sufficient to produce a PbS shell over the PbSe nanowires, adding a Pb precursor solution to the core/shell growth solution, and adding an S precursor solution to the core/shell growth solution after the addition of the Pb precursor to produce nanowires comprising a PbSe core and a PbS shell.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2011Publication date: November 3, 2011Applicants: The Regents of the University of California, Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Taleb Mokari, Minjuan Zhang, Peidong Yang
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Patent number: 8044292Abstract: A thermoelectric material comprises core-shell particles having a core formed from a core material and a shell formed from a shell material. In representative examples, the shell material is a material showing an appreciable thermoelectric effect in bulk. The core material preferably has a lower thermal conductivity than the shell material. In representative examples, the core material is an inorganic oxide such as silica or alumina, and the shell material is a chalcogenide semiconductor such as a telluride, for example bismuth telluride. A thermoelectric material including such core-shell particles may have an improved thermoelectric figure of merit compared with a bulk sample of the shell material alone. Embodiments of the invention further include thermoelectric devices using such thermoelectric materials, and preparation techniques.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2006Date of Patent: October 25, 2011Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., The Administrators of the Tulane Educational FundInventors: Qiangfeng Xiao, Yunfeng Lu, Junwei Wang, Minjuan Zhang
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Patent number: 8003021Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods of producing PbSexY1-x alloys and methods of producing PbSe/PbY core/shell nanowires. The method of producing PbSexY1-x alloys comprise providing PbSe nanowires, producing a PbY solution where Y?S or Te, adding the PbSe nanowires to an growth solution, and producing PbSexY1-x, nanowire alloys by adding the PbY solution to the heated growth solution comprising PbSe nanowires.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2007Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing North America, Inc., The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Taleb Mokari, Minjuan Zhang, Peidong Yang
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Publication number: 20110134515Abstract: The present invention provides an omnidirectional ultraviolet (UV)-infrared (IR) reflector. The omnidirectional UV-IR reflector includes a multilayer stack having at least three layers, the at least three layers having at least one first index of refraction material A1 and at least one second index of refraction layer B1. The at least one first index of refraction material layer and the at least one second index of refraction material layer can be alternately stacked on top of each other to provide the at least three layers. In addition, the at least one first index of refraction material layer and the at least one second index of refraction material layer each have a predefined thickness of dA1 and dB1, respectively, with the thickness dA1 not being generally equal to the dB1 thickness such that the multilayer stack has a non-periodic layered structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2011Publication date: June 9, 2011Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Motor CorporationInventors: Debasish Banerjee, Minjuan Zhang, Masahiko Ishii
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Publication number: 20110128616Abstract: An omnidirectional structural color (OSC) having a non-periodic layered structure. The OSC can include a multilayer stack that has an outer surface and at least two layers. The at least two layers can include at least one first index of refraction material layer A1 and at least one second index of refraction material layer B1. The at least A1 and B1 can be alternately stacked on top of each other with each layer having a predefined thickness dA1 and dB1, respectively. The dA1 is not generally equal to the dB1 such that the multilayer stack has a non-periodic layered structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2011Publication date: June 2, 2011Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Motor CorporationInventors: Debasish Banerjee, Minjuan Zhang, Masahiko Ishii
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Publication number: 20110091658Abstract: A paint composition is disclosed, the paint having a binder and an omnidirectional structural color pigment dispersed throughout the binder. The omnidirectional structural color pigment can be made from a plurality of flakes that have a multilayer structure, the pigment and the paint having a reflection band of less than 200 nanometers when viewed from angles between 0 to 45 degrees.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2010Publication date: April 21, 2011Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Debasish Banerjee, Songtao Wu, Minjuan Zhang, Masahiko Ishii
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Publication number: 20110076738Abstract: Protein-polymer composite materials are provided according to embodiments of the present invention that include an admixture of a polymer resin, a surfactant and a non-aqueous organic solvent. An aqueous solution containing bioactive proteins is mixed with the admixture. The emulsion is mixed with a crosslinker to produce a curable composition. The curable composition is cured, thereby producing the protein-polymer composite material that is useful for facilitating removal of bioorganic stains.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2010Publication date: March 31, 2011Applicants: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC, REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATIONInventors: PING WANG, SONGTAO WU, HONGFEI JIA, MASAHIKO ISHII, XIAODONG TONG, MINJUAN ZHANG
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Patent number: 7906084Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing, controlling the shape and size of, Pb-chalcogenide nanoparticles. The method includes preparing a lead (Pb) precursor containing Pb and a carboxylic acid dissolved in a hydrocarbon solution and preparing a chalcogen element precursor containing a chalcogen element dissolved in a hydrocarbon solution. The amount of Pb and chalcogen in the respective precursor affords for a predetermined Pb:chalcogen element ratio to be present when the Pb precursor is mixed with the chalcogen element precursor. The Pb precursor is mixed with the chalcogen element precursor to form a Pb-chalcogen mixture in such a manner that Pb-chalcogenide nanoparticle nucleation does not occur. A nucleation and growth solution containing a surfactant is also prepared by heating the solution to a nucleation temperature sufficient to nucleate nanoparticles when the Pb-chalcogen element mixture is added.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2007Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., University of California, BerkeleyInventors: Taleb Mokari, Minjuan Zhang, Peidong Yang
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Patent number: 7903339Abstract: Disclosed is a multilayer structure wherein a first layer of a first material having an outer surface and a refracted index between 2 and 4 extends across an outer surface of a second layer having a refractive index between 1 and 3. The multilayer stack has a reflective band of less than 200 nanometers when viewed from angles between 0° and 80° and can be used to reflect a narrow range of electromagnetic radiation in the ultraviolet, visible and infrared spectrum ranges. In some instances, the reflection band of the multilayer structure is less than 100 nanometers. In addition, the multilayer structure can have a quantity defined as a range to mid-range ratio percentage of less than 2%.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2007Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Motor CorporationInventors: Debasish Banerjee, Minjuan Zhang, Masahiko Ishii
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Publication number: 20110001096Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods of producing PbSexY1-x alloys and methods of producing PbSe/PbY core/shell nanowires. The method of producing PbSexY1-x alloys comprise providing PbSe nanowires, producing a PbY solution where Y?S or Te, adding the PbSe nanowires to an growth solution, and producing PbSexY1-x, nanowire alloys by adding the PbY solution to the heated growth solution comprising PbSe nanowires.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2007Publication date: January 6, 2011Inventors: Taleb Mokari, Minjuan Zhang, Peidong Yang
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Publication number: 20100290109Abstract: The present invention discloses a non-quarter wave multilayer structure having a plurality of alternating low index of refraction material stacks and high index of refraction material stacks. The plurality of alternating stacks can reflect electromagnetic radiation in the ultraviolet region and a narrow band of electromagnetic radiation in the visible region. The non-quarter wave multilayer structure, i.e. nLdL?nHdH??0/4, can be expressed as [A 0.5qH pL(qH pL)N 0.5qH G], where q and p are multipliers to the quarter-wave thicknesses of high and low refractive index material, respectively, H is the quarter-wave thickness of the high refracting index material; L is the quarter-wave thickness of the low refracting index material; N represents the total number of layers between bounding half layers of high index of refraction material (0.5qH); G represents a substrate and A represents air.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2009Publication date: November 18, 2010Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Motor Corporation, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Pinar Kurt, Debasish Banerjee, Robert E. Cohen, Michael Rubner, Masahiko Ishii, Minjuan Zhang
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Publication number: 20100279376Abstract: Processes for preparation of a protein-polymer composite material are provided according to embodiments of the present invention which include providing an admixture of a polymer resin, a surfactant and a non-aqueous organic solvent. An aqueous solution containing bioactive proteins and substantially free of surfactant is mixed with the admixture. The emulsion is mixed with a crosslinker to produce a curable composition. The curable composition is cured, thereby producing the protein-polymer composite material.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2009Publication date: November 4, 2010Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Regents of the University of Minnesota, Toyota Motor CorporationInventors: Ping Wang, Songtao Wu, Hongfei Jia, Masahiko Ishii, Xiaodong Tong, Minjuan Zhang
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Patent number: 7790137Abstract: A process for synthesizing a metal telluride is provided that includes the dissolution of a metal precursor in a solvent containing a ligand to form a metal-ligand complex soluble in the solvent. The metal-ligand complex is then reacted with a telluride-containing reagent to form metal telluride domains having a mean linear dimension of from 2 to 40 nanometers. NaHTe represents a well-suited telluride reagent. A composition is provided that includes a plurality of metal telluride crystalline domains (PbTe)1-x-y(SnTe)x(Bi2Te3)y??(I) having a mean linear dimension of from 2 to 40 nanometers inclusive where x is between 0 and 1 inclusive and y is between 0 and 1 inclusive with the proviso that x+y is less than or equal to 1. Each of the metal telluride crystalline domains has a surface passivated with a saccharide moiety or a polydentate carboxylate.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2006Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., The Administrators of the Tulane Educational FundInventors: Qiangfeng Xiao, Yunfeng Lu, Minjuan Zhang
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Publication number: 20100215852Abstract: A process for forming thermoelectric nanoparticles includes the steps of a) forming a core material micro-emulsion, b) adding at least one shell material to the core material micro-emulsion forming composite thermoelectric nanoparticles having a core and shell structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2009Publication date: August 26, 2010Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Michael Paul Rowe, Minjuan Zhang
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Patent number: 7781317Abstract: A method for the non-catalytic growth of nanowires is provided. The method includes a reaction chamber with the chamber having an inlet end, an exit end and capable of being heated to an elevated temperature. A carrier gas with a flow rate is allowed to enter the reaction chamber through the inlet end and exit the chamber through the exit end. Upon passing through the chamber the carrier gas comes into contact with a precursor which is heated within the reaction chamber. A collection substrate placed downstream from the precursor allows for the formation and growth of nanowires thereon without the use of a catalyst. A second embodiment of the present invention is comprised of a reaction chamber, a carrier gas, a precursor target, a laser beam and a collection substrate. The carrier gas with a flow rate and a gas pressure is allowed to enter the reaction chamber through an inlet end and exit the reaction chamber through the exit end.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2007Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Joshua Goldberger, Melissa Fardy, Oded Rabin, Allon Hochbaum, Minjuan Zhang, Peidong Yang