Patents by Inventor Neil O. Shotton

Neil O. Shotton 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: 8809126
    Abstract: An exemplary printable composition of a liquid or gel suspension of diodes comprises a plurality of diodes, a first solvent and/or a viscosity modifier. In other exemplary embodiments a second solvent is also included, and the composition has a viscosity substantially between about 100 cps and about 25,000 cps at about 25° C. In an exemplary embodiment, a composition comprises: a plurality of diodes or other two-terminal integrated circuits; one or more solvents comprising about 15% to 99.9% of any of N-propanol, isopropanol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, propylene glycol, 1-methoxy-2-propanol, N-octanol, ethanol, tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, cyclohexanol, and mixtures thereof; a viscosity modifier comprising about 0.10% to 2.5% methoxy propyl methylcellulose resin or hydroxy propyl methylcellulose resin or mixtures thereof; and about 0.01% to 2.5% of a plurality of substantially optically transparent and chemically inert particles having a range of sizes between about 10 to about 50 microns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: NthDegree Technologies Worldwide Inc
    Inventors: Mark D. Lowenthal, William Johnstone Ray, Neil O. Shotton, Richard A. Blanchard, Mark Allan Lewandowski, Brad Oraw, Jeffrey Baldridge, Eric Anthony Perozziello
  • Publication number: 20140198532
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus comprising a plurality of diodes and an electrical interface configured to receive an electrical signal and transmit the electrical signal to the plurality of diodes is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: William Johnstone Ray, Mark D. Lowenthal, Neil O. Shotton, Richard A. Blanchard, Mark Allan Lewandowski, Brad Oraw, Mark John Steinhardt, Corey Michael Bischoff, Edward Mack Sawicki, Kenneth Stephen McGuire
  • Publication number: 20140182099
    Abstract: Multilayer carbon nanotube capacitors, and methods and printable compositions for manufacturing multilayer carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are disclosed. A first capacitor embodiment comprises: a first conductor; a plurality of fixed CNTs in an ionic liquid, each fixed CNT comprising a magnetic catalyst nanoparticle coupled to a carbon nanotube and further coupled to the first conductor; and a first plurality of free CNTs dispersed and moveable in the ionic liquid. Another capacitor embodiment comprises: a first conductor; a conductive nanomesh coupled to the first conductor; a first plurality of fixed CNTs in an ionic liquid and further coupled to the conductive nanomesh; and a plurality of free CNTs dispersed and moveable in the ionic liquid. Various methods of printing the CNTs and other structures, and methods of aligning and moving the CNTs using applied electric and magnetic fields, are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: NthDegree Technologies Worldwide Inc.
    Inventors: William Johnstone Ray, Neil O. Shotton, Vera Nicholaevna Lockett, Theodore I. Kamins, Thomas William Clinton, Mark David Lowenthal
  • Patent number: 8753947
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing an electronic apparatus, such as a lighting device having light emitting diodes (LEDs) or a power generating device having photovoltaic diodes. The exemplary method includes depositing a first conductive medium within a plurality of channels of a base to form a plurality of first conductors; depositing within the plurality of channels a plurality of semiconductor substrate particles suspended in a carrier medium; forming an ohmic contact between each semiconductor substrate particle and a first conductor; converting the semiconductor substrate particles into a plurality of semiconductor diodes; depositing a second conductive medium to form a plurality of second conductors coupled to the plurality of semiconductor diodes; and depositing or attaching a plurality of lenses suspended in a first polymer over the plurality of diodes. In various embodiments, the depositing, forming, coupling and converting steps are performed by or through a printing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignees: NthDegree Technologies Worldwide Inc, NASA
    Inventors: William Johnstone Ray, Mark David Lowenthal, Neil O. Shotton, Richard A. Blanchard, Mark Allan Lewandowski, Kirk A. Fuller, Donald Odell Frazier
  • Patent number: 8753946
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing an electronic apparatus, such as a lighting device having light emitting diodes (LEDs) or a power generating device having photovoltaic diodes. The exemplary method includes depositing a first conductive medium within a plurality of channels of a base to form a plurality of first conductors; depositing within the plurality of channels a plurality of semiconductor substrate particles suspended in a carrier medium; forming an ohmic contact between each semiconductor substrate particle and a first conductor; converting the semiconductor substrate particles into a plurality of semiconductor diodes; depositing a second conductive medium to form a plurality of second conductors coupled to the plurality of semiconductor diodes; and depositing or attaching a plurality of lenses suspended in a first polymer over the plurality of diodes. In various embodiments, the depositing, forming, coupling and converting steps are performed by or through a printing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignees: NthDegree Technologies Worldwide Inc, NASA, an agency of the United States
    Inventors: William Johnstone Ray, Mark David Lowenthal, Neil O. Shotton, Richard A. Blanchard, Mark Allan Lewandowski, Kirk A. Fuller, Donald Odell Frazier
  • Publication number: 20140138666
    Abstract: An exemplary printable composition of a liquid or gel suspension of diodes comprises a plurality of diodes, a first solvent and/or a viscosity modifier. An exemplary diode comprises: a light emitting or absorbing region having a diameter between about 20 and 30 microns and a height between about 2.5 to 7 microns; a first terminal coupled to the light emitting region on a first side, the first terminal having a height between about 1 to 6 microns; and a second terminal coupled to the light emitting region on a second side opposite the first side, the second terminal having a height between about 1 to 6 microns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2014
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: NTHDEGREE TECHNOLOGIES WORLDWIDE INC.
    Inventors: Mark David Lowenthal, William Johnstone Ray, Neil O. Shotton, Richard A. Blanchard, Brad Oraw
  • Publication number: 20140139975
    Abstract: Multilayer carbon nanotube capacitors, and methods and printable compositions for manufacturing multilayer carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are disclosed. A first capacitor embodiment includes: a first conductor; a plurality of fixed CNTs in an ionic liquid, each fixed CNT comprising a magnetic catalyst nanoparticle coupled to a carbon nanotube and further coupled to the first conductor; and a first plurality of free CNTs dispersed and moveable in the ionic liquid. Another capacitor embodiment includes: a first conductor; a conductive nanomesh coupled to the first conductor; a first plurality of fixed CNTs in an ionic liquid and further coupled to the conductive nanomesh; and a plurality of free CNTs dispersed and moveable in the ionic liquid. Various methods of printing the CNTs and other structures, and methods of aligning and moving the CNTs using applied electric and magnetic fields, are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: NthDegree Technologies Worldwide Inc.
    Inventors: Mark David Lowenthal, William Johnstone Ray, Neil O. Shotton, Vera Nicholaevna Lockett, Theodore I. Kamins, Thomas William Clinton
  • Patent number: 8723408
    Abstract: An exemplary printable composition of a liquid or gel suspension of diodes comprises a plurality of diodes, a first solvent and/or a viscosity modifier. An exemplary diode comprises: a light emitting or absorbing region having a diameter between about 20 and 30 microns and a height between 2.5 to 7 microns; a plurality of first terminals spaced apart and coupled to the light emitting region peripherally on a first side, each first terminal of the plurality of first terminals having a height between about 0.5 to 2 microns; and one second terminal coupled centrally to a mesa region of the light emitting region on the first side, the second terminal having a height between 1 to 8 microns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: NthDegree Technologies Worldwide Inc
    Inventors: Mark David Lowenthal, William Johnstone Ray, Neil O. Shotton, Richard A. Blanchard, Brad Oraw
  • Patent number: 8674593
    Abstract: An exemplary printable composition of a liquid or gel suspension of diodes comprises a plurality of diodes, a first solvent and/or a viscosity modifier. An exemplary diode comprises: a light emitting or absorbing region having a diameter between about 20 and 30 microns and a height between about 2.5 to 7 microns; a first terminal coupled to the light emitting region on a first side, the first terminal having a height between about 1 to 6 microns; and a second terminal coupled to the light emitting region on a second side opposite the first side, the second terminal having a height between about 1 to 6 microns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: NthDegree Technologies Worldwide Inc
    Inventors: Mark D. Lowenthal, William Johnstone Ray, Neil O. Shotton, Richard A. Blanchard, Brad Oraw
  • Publication number: 20140048749
    Abstract: A representative printable composition comprises a liquid or gel suspension of a plurality of conductive particles; a first solvent comprising a polyol or mixtures thereof, such as glycerin, and a second solvent comprising a carboxylic or dicarboxylic acid or mixtures thereof, such as glutaric acid. In various embodiments, the conductive particles are comprised of a metal, a semiconductor, an alloy of a metal and a semiconductor, or mixtures thereof, and may have sizes between about 5 nm to about 1.5 microns in any dimension. A representative conductive particle ink can be printed and annealed to produce a conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: NTHDEGREE TECHNOLOGIES WORLDWIDE INC.
    Inventors: Vera Nicholaevna Lockett, Mark David Lowenthal, Neil O. Shotton, William Johnstone Ray, Tricia Youngbull, Theodore I. Kamins
  • Publication number: 20140051237
    Abstract: A representative printable composition comprises a liquid or gel suspension of a plurality of substantially spherical semiconductor particles; and a first solvent comprising a polyol or mixtures thereof, such as glycerin; and a second solvent different from the first solvent, the second solvent comprising a carboxylic or dicarboxylic acid or mixtures thereof, such as glutaric acid. The composition may further comprise a third solvent such as tetramethylurea, butanol, or isopropanol. In various embodiments, the plurality of substantially spherical semiconductor particles have a size in any dimension between about 5 nm and about 100?. A representative composition can be printed and utilized to produce diodes, such as photovoltaic diodes or light emitting diodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: NTHDEGREE TECHNOLOGIES WORLDWIDE INC.
    Inventors: Vera Nicholaevna Lockett, Mark David Lowenthal, Neil O. Shotton, William Johnstone Ray, Tricia Youngbull, Theodore I. Kamins
  • Publication number: 20140051242
    Abstract: A representative printable composition comprises a liquid or gel suspension of a plurality of metallic particles; a plurality of semiconductor particles; and a first solvent. The pluralities of particles may also be comprised of an alloy of a metal and a semiconductor. The composition may further comprise a second solvent different from the first solvent. In a representative embodiment, the first solvent comprises a polyol or mixtures thereof, such as glycerin, and the second solvent comprises a carboxylic or dicarboxylic acid or mixtures thereof, such as glutaric acid. In various embodiments, the metallic particles and the semiconductor particles are nanoparticles between about 5 nm to about 1.5 microns in any dimension. A representative metallic and semiconductor particle ink can be printed and annealed to produce a conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: NthDegree Technologies Worldwide Inc.
    Inventors: Vera Nicholaevna Lockett, Mark David Lowenthal, Neil O. Shotton, William Johnstone Ray, Tricia Youngbull, Theodore I. Kamins
  • Publication number: 20140017571
    Abstract: Representative embodiments provide a liquid or gel separator utilized to separate and space apart first and second conductors or electrodes of an energy storage device, such as a battery or a supercapacitor. A representative liquid or gel separator comprises a plurality of particles, typically having a size (in any dimension) between about 0.5 to about 50 microns; a first, ionic liquid electrolyte; and a polymer. In another representative embodiment, the plurality of particles comprise diatoms, diatomaceous frustules, and/or diatomaceous fragments or remains. Another representative embodiment further comprises a second electrolyte different from the first electrolyte; the plurality of particles are comprised of silicate glass; the first and second electrolytes comprise zinc tetrafluoroborate salt in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidalzolium tetrafluoroborate ionic liquid; and the polymer comprises polyvinyl alcohol (“PVA”) or polyvinylidene fluoride (“PVFD”).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: NTHDEGREE TECHNOLOGIES WORLDWIDE INC.
    Inventors: Vera Nicholaevna Lockett, Mark D. Lowenthal, Neil O. Shotton, William Johnstone Ray, Theodore I. Kamins
  • Publication number: 20140017557
    Abstract: Representative embodiments provide a composition for printing a liquid or gel separator utilized to separate and space apart first and second conductors or electrodes of an energy storage device, such as a battery or a supercapacitor. A representative composition comprises a plurality of particles, typically having a size (in any dimension) between about 0.5 to about 50 microns; a first, ionic liquid electrolyte; and a polymer or polymeric precursor. In another representative embodiment, the plurality of particles comprise diatoms, diatomaceous frustules, and/or diatomaceous fragments or remains. Another representative embodiment further comprises a second electrolyte different from the first electrolyte; the plurality of particles are comprised of silicate glass; the first and second electrolytes comprise zinc tetrafluoroborate salt in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ionic liquid; and the polymer comprises polyvinyl alcohol (“PVA”) or polyvinylidene fluoride (“PVFD”).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: NthDegree Technologies Worldwide Inc.
    Inventors: Vera Nicholaevna Lockett, Mark David Lowenthal, Neil O. Shotton, William Johnstone Ray, Theodore I. Kamins
  • Publication number: 20140017558
    Abstract: Representative embodiments provide a liquid or gel separator utilized to separate and space apart first and second conductors or electrodes of an energy storage device, such as a battery or a capacitor. A representative liquid or gel separator comprises a plurality of particles selected from the group consisting of: diatoms, diatomaceous frustules, diatomaceous fragments, diatomaceous remains, and mixtures thereof; a first, ionic liquid electrolyte; and a polymer or, in the printable composition, a polymer or a polymeric precursor. Another representative embodiment further comprises a second electrolyte different from the first electrolyte; the first and second electrolytes comprise zinc tetrafluoroborate salt in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidalzolium tetrafluoroborate ionic liquid; and the polymer comprises polyvinyl alcohol (“PVA”) or polyvinylidene fluoride (“PVFD”). Additional components, such as additional electrolytes and solvents, may also be included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: NthDegree Technologies Worldwide Inc.
    Inventors: Vera Nicholaevna Lockett, Mark David Lowenthal, Neil O. Shotton, William Johnstone Ray, Theodore I. Kamins
  • Patent number: 8456393
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing an electronic apparatus, such as a lighting device having light emitting diodes (LEDs) or a power generating device having photovoltaic diodes. The exemplary method includes forming at least one first conductor coupled to a base; coupling a plurality of substrate particles to the at least one first conductor; converting the plurality of substrate particles into a plurality of diodes; forming at least one second conductor coupled to the plurality of spherical diodes; and depositing or attaching a plurality of substantially spherical lenses suspended in a first polymer, with the lenses and the suspending polymer having different indices of refraction. In some embodiments, the lenses and diodes have a ratio of mean diameters or lengths between about 10:1 and 2:1. In various embodiments, the forming, coupling and converting steps are performed by or through a printing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignees: NthDegree Technologies Worldwide Inc, The United States of America as represented by the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: William Johnstone Ray, Mark D. Lowenthal, Neil O. Shotton, Richard A. Blanchard, Mark Allan Lewandowski, Kirk A. Fuller, Donald Odell Frazier
  • Patent number: 8456392
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing an electronic apparatus, such as a lighting device having light emitting diodes (LEDs) or a power generating device having photovoltaic diodes. The exemplary method includes forming at least one first conductor coupled to a base; coupling a plurality of substantially spherical substrate particles to the at least one first conductor; converting the substrate particles into a plurality of substantially spherical diodes; forming at least one second conductor coupled to the substantially spherical diodes; and depositing or attaching a plurality of substantially spherical lenses suspended in a first polymer. The lenses and the suspending polymer have different indices of refraction. In some embodiments, the lenses and diodes have a ratio of mean diameters or lengths between about 10:1 and 2:1. In various embodiments, the forming, coupling and converting steps are performed by or through a printing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignees: NthDegree Technologies Worldwide Inc, The United States of America as represented by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: William Johnstone Ray, Mark D. Lowenthal, Neil O. Shotton, Richard A. Blanchard, Mark Allan Lewandowski, Kirk A. Fuller, Donald Odell Frazier
  • Patent number: 8415879
    Abstract: An exemplary printable composition of a liquid or gel suspension of diodes comprises a plurality of diodes, a first solvent and/or a viscosity modifier. An exemplary diode comprises: a light emitting or absorbing region having a diameter between about 20 and 30 microns and a height between 2.5 to 7 microns; a plurality of first terminals spaced apart and coupled to the light emitting region peripherally on a first side, each first terminal of the plurality of first terminals having a height between about 0.5 to 2 microns; and one second terminal coupled centrally to a mesa region of the light emitting region on the first side, the second terminal having a height between 1 to 8 microns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: NthDegree Technologies Worldwide Inc
    Inventors: Mark D. Lowenthal, William Johnstone Ray, Neil O. Shotton, Richard A. Blanchard, Brad Oraw
  • Patent number: 8395568
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electronic apparatus, such as a lighting device comprised of light emitting diodes (LEDs) or a power generating apparatus comprising photovoltaic diodes, which may be created through a printing process, using a semiconductor or other substrate particle ink or suspension and using a lens particle ink or suspension. An exemplary apparatus comprises a base; at least one first conductor; a plurality of substantially spherical or optically resonant diodes coupled to the at least one first conductor; at least one second conductor coupled to the plurality of diodes; and a plurality of substantially spherical lenses suspended in a polymer attached or deposited over the diodes. The lenses and the suspending polymer have different indices of refraction. In some embodiments, the lenses and diodes have a ratio of mean diameters or lengths between about 10:1 and 2:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignees: NthDegree Technologies Worldwide Inc, The United States of America as represented by the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: William Johnstone Ray, Mark D. Lowenthal, Neil O. Shotton, Richard A. Blanchard, Mark Allan Lewandowski, Kirk A. Fuller, Donald Odell Frazier
  • Patent number: 8384630
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electronic apparatus, such as a lighting device comprised of light emitting diodes (LEDs) or a power generating apparatus comprising photovoltaic diodes, which may be created through a printing process, using a semiconductor or other substrate particle ink or suspension and using a lens particle ink or suspension. An exemplary apparatus comprises a base; at least one first conductor; a plurality of diodes coupled to the at least one first conductor; at least one second conductor coupled to the plurality of diodes; and a plurality of lenses suspended in a polymer deposited or attached over the diodes. The lenses and the suspending polymer have different indices of refraction. In some embodiments, the lenses and diodes are substantially spherical, and have a ratio of mean diameters or lengths between about 10:1 and 2:1. The diodes may be LEDs or photovoltaic diodes, and in some embodiments, have a junction formed at least partially as a hemispherical shell or cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignees: NthDegree Technologies Worldwide Inc, NASA, an agency of the United States
    Inventors: William Johnstone Ray, Mark D. Lowenthal, Neil O. Shotton, Richard A. Blanchard, Mark Allan Lewandowski, Kirk A. Fuller, Donald Odell Frazier