Patents by Inventor Nigel Alley

Nigel Alley 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: 11421317
    Abstract: A system and method for depositing a coating may comprise a coating chemical reactor, surface activation component, and a deposition component. A target surface may be prepared for deposition with the surface activation component. The coating chemical reactor may comprise a coating chemical dispenser and a coating chemical verifier that prepares the coating chemical for deposition. The coating chemical verifier may utilize an optical excitation source and at least one optical detector, wherein chemical substances are identified by unique signatures composed of binary code. The coating chemical may be received by the deposition component to depositing the coating chemical on the target surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: University of Houston System
    Inventors: Seamus Curran, Nigel Alley, Kang-Shyang Liao, Amrita Haldar
  • Publication number: 20220259442
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing the composition coating may include selecting a wood or masonry material substrate and utilizing a sol-gel comprising a silane or silane derivative and metal oxide precursor to coat the substrate. The process may utilize an all solution process or controlled environment for manufacturing a composition coating that prevent wetting and/or staining of a substrate. The composition coatings for treating wood or masonry materials improves weather-resistance, microbial resistance, stain-resistance and fungal-resistance of the materials. The reduced permeability of the resulting masonry materials can also delay or inhibit degradation caused by permeation of ions such as chlorides and sulfates. In addition, a stain comprising the composite solution and pigments may impart additional property to wood or masonry materials whilst retaining or improving the original appearance, particularly for the visibility and contrast of the wood grain as seen after the application of the coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Applicant: University of Houston System
    Inventors: Seamus Curran, Kang-Shyang Liao, Nigel Alley, Amrita Haldar, Alexander Wang
  • Patent number: 11345821
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing the composition coating may include selecting a wood or masonry material substrate and utilizing a sol-gel comprising a silane or silane derivative and metal oxide precursor to coat the substrate. The process may utilize an all solution process or controlled environment for manufacturing a composition coating that prevent wetting and/or staining of a substrate. The composition coatings for treating wood or masonry materials improves weather-resistance, microbial resistance, stain-resistance and fungal-resistance of the materials. The reduced permeability of the resulting masonry materials can also delay or inhibit degradation caused by permeation of ions such as chlorides and sulfates. In addition, a stain comprising the composite solution and pigments may impart additional property to wood or masonry materials whilst retaining or improving the original appearance, particularly for the visibility and contrast of the wood grain as seen after the application of the coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: University of Houston System
    Inventors: Seamus Curran, Kang-Shyang Liao, Nigel Alley, Amrita Haldar, Alexander Wang
  • Patent number: 11142867
    Abstract: A process of fabricating the waterproof coating may include selecting a textile material substrate, utilizing a sol-gel comprising a silane or silane derivative and metal oxide precursor to coat the substrate, and optionally coating the substrate with a hydrophobic chemical agent and/or other chemical agents to create a surface with nanoscopic or microscopic features. The process may utilize an all solution process or controlled environment for fabricating a fluorine-free waterproof coating that prevent wetting or staining of a substrate, or may utilize a controlled environment. The composition coatings for treating textile materials improve soil-resistance and stain-resistance of the textile materials while the compositions contain no fluorine-based chemicals. In addition, the composite solution may impart additional properties such as physical strength to the textile whilst retaining the original appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM
    Inventors: Seamus Curran, Kang-Shyang Liao, Nigel Alley, Amrita Haldar, Alexander Wang
  • Patent number: 10741708
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, the present invention provides a novel photovoltaic solar cell system from photovoltaic modules that are vertically arrayed in a stack format using thin film semiconductors selected from among organic and inorganic thin film semiconductors. The stack cells may be cells that are produced in a planar manner, then vertically oriented in an angular form, also termed herein tilted, to maximize the light capturing aspects. The use of a stack configuration system as described herein allows for the use of a variety of electrode materials, such as transparent materials or semitransparent metals. Light concentration can be achieved by using fresnel lens, parabolic mirrors or derivatives of such structures. The light capturing can be controlled by being reflected back and forth in the photovoltaic system until significant quantities of the resonant light is absorbed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON
    Inventors: Seamus Curran, Sampath Dias, Kang-Shyang Liao, Soniya Devi Yambem, Amrita Haldar, Nigel Alley
  • Patent number: 10704191
    Abstract: A process of fabricating the composition coating may include selecting a textile material substrate, utilizing a sol-gel comprising a silane or silane derivative and metal oxide precursor to coat the substrate, and optionally coating the substrate with a hydrophobic chemical agent and/or other chemical agents to create a surface with nanoscopic or microscopic features. The process may utilize an all solution process or controlled environment for fabricating a composition coating that prevent wetting or staining of a substrate. The composition coatings for treating textile materials improve soil-resistance and stain-resistance of the textile materials. The composition coatings and their use for treating textile materials can also impart water repellency, oil repellency, ease of cleaning stains and removing particulates. In addition, the composite solution may impart additional properties such as physical strength to the textile whilst retaining the original appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM
    Inventors: Seamus Curran, Kang-Shyang Liao, Nigel Alley, Amrita Haldar, Alexander Wang
  • Patent number: 10589316
    Abstract: A process of fabricating the waterproof coating may include selecting a substrate, utilizing a sol-gel comprising a silane or silane derivative and metal oxide precursor to coat the substrate, and optionally coating the substrate with a hydrophobic chemical agent and/or other chemical agents to create a surface with nanoscopic or microscopic features. The process may utilize an all solution process or controlled environment for fabricating self-cleaning and waterproof coating that prevent wetting or staining of a substrate, or may utilize a controlled environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM
    Inventors: Seamus Curran, Kang-Shyang Liao, Nigel Alley, Amrita Haldar, Alexander Wang, Renat Tatarin
  • Publication number: 20200063255
    Abstract: A system and method for depositing a coating may comprise a coating chemical reactor, surface activation component, and a deposition component. A target surface may be prepared for deposition with the surface activation component. The coating chemical reactor may comprise a coating chemical dispenser and a coating chemical verifier that prepares the coating chemical for deposition. The coating chemical verifier may utilize an optical excitation source and at least one optical detector, wherein chemical substances are identified by unique signatures composed of binary code. The coating chemical may be received by the deposition component to depositing the coating chemical on the target surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Applicant: University of Houston System
    Inventors: Seamus Curran, Nigel Alley, Kang-Shyang Liao, Amrita Haldar
  • Patent number: 10435785
    Abstract: A system and method for depositing a coating may comprise a coating chemical reactor, surface activation component, and a deposition component. A target surface may be prepared for deposition with the surface activation component. The coating chemical reactor may comprise a coating chemical dispenser and a coating chemical verifier that prepares the coating chemical for deposition. The coating chemical verifier may utilize an optical excitation source and at least one optical detector, wherein chemical substances are identified by unique signatures composed of binary code. The coating chemical may be received by the deposition component to depositing the coating chemical on the target surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON
    Inventors: Seamus Curran, Nigel Alley, Kang-Shyang Liao, Amrita Haldar
  • Patent number: 10170650
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, the present invention provides a novel photovoltaic solar cell system from photovoltaic modules that are vertically arrayed in a stack format using thin film semiconductors selected from among organic and inorganic thin film semiconductors. The stack cells may be cells that are produced in a planar manner, then vertically oriented in an angular form, also termed herein tilted, to maximize the light capturing aspects. The use of a stack configuration system as described herein allows for the use of a variety of electrode materials, such as transparent materials or semitransparent metals. Light concentration can be achieved by using fresnel lens, parabolic mirrors or derivatives of such structures. The light capturing can be controlled by being reflected back and forth in the photovoltaic system until significant quantities of the resonant light is absorbed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM
    Inventors: Seamus Curran, Sampath Dias, Kang-Shyang Liao, Soniya Devi Yambem, Amrita Haldar, Nigel Alley
  • Publication number: 20180315871
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, the present invention provides a novel photovoltaic solar cell system from photovoltaic modules that are vertically arrayed in a stack format using thin film semiconductors selected from among organic and inorganic thin film semiconductors. The stack cells may be cells that are produced in a planar manner, then vertically oriented in an angular form, also termed herein tilted, to maximize the light capturing aspects. The use of a stack configuration system as described herein allows for the use of a variety of electrode materials, such as transparent materials or semitransparent metals. Light concentration can be achieved by using fresnel lens, parabolic mirrors or derivatives of such structures. The light capturing can be controlled by being reflected back and forth in the photovoltaic system until significant quantities of the resonant light is absorbed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Applicant: University of Houston System
    Inventors: Seamus Curran, Sampath Dias, Kang-Shyang Liao, Soniya Devi Yambem, Amrita Haldar, Nigel Alley
  • Patent number: 10053388
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for improved materials and material laminates with graphitic or inorganic/organic nanomaterials are presented. Graphitic or inorganic/organic nanomaterials, such as carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, graphenes or graphene oxides, are introduced into an aqueous composition as fillers to provide a graphitic or inorganic/organic nanocomposite. Such composition may be used as laminates to improve adhesion between a film and a layer of material or between layers of materials and to increase not only strength properties, but also to provide other desired properties such as electronic properties, UV absorbing/blocking, optical-limiting, anti-reflective, fire-retardant, conducting, anti-microbial properties or pigmentation to say material. By tailoring the composite formulations with multiple graphitic or organic/inorganic nanomaterials, the resulting materials laminates become multifunctional and can be used for a variety of applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM
    Inventors: Seamus Curran, Nigel Alley, Kang-Shyang Liao, Amrita Haldar, Jennifer McAlpin, Brian McElhenny
  • Publication number: 20180001344
    Abstract: A process of fabricating the waterproof coating may include selecting a substrate, utilizing a sol-gel comprising a silane or silane derivative and metal oxide precursor to coat the substrate, and optionally coating the substrate with a hydrophobic chemical agent and/or other chemical agents to create a surface with nanoscopic or microscopic features. The process may utilize an all solution process or controlled environment for fabricating self-cleaning and waterproof coating that prevent wetting or staining of a substrate, or may utilize a controlled environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Applicant: University of Houston System
    Inventors: Seamus Curran, Kang-Shyang Liao, Nigel Alley, Amrita Haldar, Alexander Wang, Renat Tatarin
  • Publication number: 20170335508
    Abstract: A process of fabricating the composition coating may include selecting a textile material substrate, utilizing a sol-gel comprising a silane or silane derivative and metal oxide precursor to coat the substrate, and optionally coating the substrate with a hydrophobic chemical agent and/or other chemical agents to create a surface with nanoscopic or microscopic features. The process may utilize an all solution process or controlled environment for fabricating a composition coating that prevent wetting or staining of a substrate. The composition coatings for treating textile materials improve soil-resistance and stain-resistance of the textile materials. The composition coatings and their use for treating textile materials can also impart water repellency, oil repellency, ease of cleaning stains and removing particulates. In addition, the composite solution may impart additional properties such as physical strength to the textile whilst retaining the original appearance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Seamus Curran, Kang-Shyang Liao, Nigel Alley, Amrita Haldar, Alexander Wang
  • Publication number: 20170314189
    Abstract: A process of fabricating the waterproof coating may include selecting a textile material substrate, utilizing a sol-gel comprising a silane or silane derivative and metal oxide precursor to coat the substrate, and optionally coating the substrate with a hydrophobic chemical agent and/or other chemical agents to create a surface with nanoscopic or microscopic features. The process may utilize an all solution process or controlled environment for fabricating a fluorine-free waterproof coating that prevent wetting or staining of a substrate, or may utilize a controlled environment. The composition coatings for treating textile materials improve soil-resistance and stain-resistance of the textile materials while the compositions contain no fluorine-based chemicals. In addition, the composite solution may impart additional properties such as physical strength to the textile whilst retaining the original appearance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Seamus Curran, Kang-Shyang Liao, Nigel Alley, Amrita Haldar, Alexander Wang
  • Publication number: 20170313888
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing the composition coating may include selecting a wood or masonry material substrate and utilizing a sol-gel comprising a silane or silane derivative and metal oxide precursor to coat the substrate. The process may utilize an all solution process or controlled environment for manufacturing a composition coating that prevent wetting and/or staining of a substrate. The composition coatings for treating wood or masonry materials improves weather-resistance, microbial resistance, stain-resistance and fungal-resistance of the materials. The reduced permeability of the resulting masonry materials can also delay or inhibit degradation caused by permeation of ions such as chlorides and sulfates. In addition, a stain comprising the composite solution and pigments may impart additional property to wood or masonry materials whilst retaining or improving the original appearance, particularly for the visibility and contrast of the wood grain as seen after the application of the coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Seamus Curran, Kang-Shyang Liao, Nigel Alley, Amrita Haldar, Alexander Wang
  • Publication number: 20170247288
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for improved materials and material laminates with graphitic or inorganic/organic nanomaterials are presented. Graphitic or inorganic/organic nanomaterials, such as carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, graphenes or graphene oxides, are introduced into an aqueous composition as fillers to provide a graphitic or inorganic/organic nanocomposite. Such composition may be used as laminates to improve adhesion between a film and a layer of material or between layers of materials and to increase not only strength properties, but also to provide other desired properties such as electronic properties, UV absorbing/blocking, optical-limiting, anti-reflective, fire-retardant, conducting, anti-microbial properties or pigmentation to say material. By tailoring the composite formulations with multiple graphitic or organic/inorganic nanomaterials, the resulting materials laminates become multifunctional and can be used for a variety of applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Applicant: University of Houston System
    Inventors: Seamus Curran, Nigel Alley, Kang-Shyang Liao, Amrita Haldar, Jennifer McAlpin, Brian McElhenny
  • Patent number: 9705103
    Abstract: In various embodiments, optoelectronic devices are described herein. The optoelectronic device may include an optoelectronic cell arranged so as to wrap around a central axis wherein the cell includes a first conductive layer, a semi-conductive layer disposed over and in electrical communication with the first conductive layer, and a second conductive layer disposed over and in electrical communication with the semi-conductive layer. In various embodiments, methods for making optoelectronic devices are described herein. The methods may include forming an optoelectronic cell while flat and wrapping the optoelectronic cell around a central axis. The optoelectronic devices may be photovoltaic devices. Alternatively, the optoelectronic devices may be organic light emitting diodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON
    Inventors: Seamus Curran, Sampath Dias, Nigel Alley, Amrita Haldar, Soniya Devi Yambem, Liao Kang-Shyang, Prajakta Chaudhari
  • Patent number: 9694388
    Abstract: A process of fabricating the waterproof coating may include selecting a substrate, utilizing a sol-gel comprising a silane or silane derivative and metal oxide precursor to coat the substrate, and optionally coating the substrate with a hydrophobic chemical agent and/or other chemical agents to create a surface with nanoscopic or microscopic features. The process may utilize an all solution process or controlled environment for fabricating self-cleaning and waterproof coating that prevent wetting or staining of a substrate, or may utilize a controlled environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM
    Inventors: Seamus Curran, Kang-Shyang Liao, Nigel Alley, Amrita Haldar, Alexander Wang, Renat Tatarin
  • Publication number: 20150064340
    Abstract: A system and method for depositing a coating may comprise a coating chemical reactor, surface activation component, and a deposition component. A target surface may be prepared for deposition with the surface activation component. The coating chemical reactor may comprise a coating chemical dispenser and a coating chemical verifier that prepares the coating chemical for deposition. The coating chemical verifier may utilize an optical excitation source and at least one optical detector, wherein chemical substances are identified by unique signatures composed of binary code. The coating chemical may be received by the deposition component to depositing the coating chemical on the target surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: University of Houston
    Inventors: Seamus Curran, Nigel Alley, Kang-Shyang Liao, Amrita Haldar