Patents by Inventor Paul Alivisatos

Paul Alivisatos 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: 20110299011
    Abstract: A multicolor electronic display is based on an array of luminescent semiconductor nanocrystals. Nanocrystals which emit light of different colors are grouped into pixels. The nanocrystals are optically pumped to produce a multicolor display. Different sized nanocrystals are used to produce the different colors. A variety of pixel addressing systems can be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventors: Shimon Weiss, Michael C. Schlamp, A. Paul Alivisatos
  • Patent number: 8071359
    Abstract: A semiconductor nanocrystal compound and probe are described. The compound is capable of linking to one or more affinity molecules. The compound comprises (1) one or more semiconductor nanocrystals capable of, in response to exposure to a first energy, providing a second energy, and (2) one or more linking agents, having a first portion linked to the one or more semiconductor nanocrystals and a second portion capable of linking to one or more affinity molecules. One or more semiconductor nanocrystal compounds are linked to one or more affinity molecules to form a semiconductor nanocrystal probe capable of bonding with one or more detectable substances in a material being analyzed, and capable of, in response to exposure to a first energy, providing a second energy. Also described are processes for respectively: making the semiconductor nanocrystal compound; making the semiconductor nanocrystal probe; and treating materials with the probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Shimon Weiss, Marcel Bruchez, Paul Alivisatos
  • Patent number: 8071360
    Abstract: A semiconductor nanocrystal compound and probe are described. The compound is capable of linking to one or more affinity molecules. The compound comprises (1) one or more semiconductor nanocrystals capable of, in response to exposure to a first energy, providing a second energy, and (2) one or more linking agents, having a first portion linked to the one or more semiconductor nanocrystals and a second portion capable of linking to one or more affinity molecules. One or more semiconductor nanocrystal compounds are linked to one or more affinity molecules to form a semiconductor nanocrystal probe capable of bonding with one or more detectable substances in a material being analyzed, and capable of, in response to exposure to a first energy, providing a second energy. Also described are processes for respectively: making the semiconductor nanocrystal compound; making the semiconductor nanocrystal probe; and treating materials with the probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Shimon Weiss, Marcel Bruchez, Paul Alivisatos
  • Patent number: 8071361
    Abstract: A semiconductor nanocrystal compound and probe are described. The compound is capable of linking to one or more affinity molecules. The compound comprises (1) one or more semiconductor nanocrystals capable of, in response to exposure to a first energy, providing a second energy, and (2) one or more linking agents, having a first portion linked to the one or more semiconductor nanocrystals and a second portion capable of linking to one or more affinity molecules. One or more semiconductor nanocrystal compounds are linked to one or more affinity molecules to form a semiconductor nanocrystal probe capable of bonding with one or more detectable substances in a material being analyzed, and capable of, in response to exposure to a first energy, providing a second energy. Also described are processes for respectively: making the semiconductor nanocrystal compound; making the semiconductor nanocrystal probe; and treating materials with the probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Shimon Weiss, Marcel Bruchez, Paul Alivisatos
  • Patent number: 8062421
    Abstract: Shaped nanocrystal particles and methods for making shaped nanocrystal particles are disclosed. One embodiment includes a method for forming a branched, nanocrystal particle. It includes (a) forming a core having a first crystal structure in a solution, (b) forming a first arm extending from the core having a second crystal structure in the solution, and (c) forming a second arm extending from the core having the second crystal structure in the solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: A. Paul Alivisatos, Erik C. Scher, Liberato Manna
  • Publication number: 20110277838
    Abstract: The present invention provides a photovoltaic device. In an exemplary embodiment, the photovoltaic device includes a substrate having a thin film disposed thereon, where the thin film includes alloyed ternary nanocrystals. The present invention provides also provides a method of making ternary compound nanocrystals. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes (1) degassing a solution of PbO, oleic acid and 1-octadecene (ODE) in a container, (2) heating the solution in the container, (3) injecting a first mixture of trioctylphosphine (TOP):Se solution, TMS2S, diphenylphosphine (DPP) and ODE into the heated solution, thereby forming a second mixture in the container, (4) adding ODE to the second mixture in the container, (5) growing the nanocrystals in the second mixture in a reaction in the container, and (6)_quenching the reaction, thereby resulting in precipitated nanocrystals in the container. In a further embodiment, the present invention further includes purifying the precipitated nanocrystals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Wanli Ma, A. Paul Alivisatos
  • Publication number: 20110275169
    Abstract: A semiconductor nanocrystal compound and probe are described. The compound is capable of linking to one or more affinity molecules. The compound comprises (1) one or more semiconductor nanocrystals capable of, in response to exposure to a first energy, providing a second energy, and (2) one or more linking agents, having a first portion linked to the one or more semiconductor nanocrystals and a second portion capable of linking to one or more affinity molecules. One or more semiconductor nanocrystal compounds are linked to one or more affinity molecules to form a semiconductor nanocrystal probe capable of bonding with one or more detectable substances in a material being analyzed, and capable of, in response to exposure to a first energy, providing a second energy. Also described are processes for respectively: making the semiconductor nanocrystal compound; making the semiconductor nanocrystal probe; and treating materials with the probe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventors: Shimon Weiss, Marcel Bruchez, Paul Alivisatos
  • Patent number: 8026661
    Abstract: A multicolor electronic display is based on an array of luminescent semiconductor nanocrystals. Nanocrystals which emit light of different colors are grouped into pixels. The nanocrystals are optically pumped to produce a multicolor display. Different sized nanocrystals are used to produce the different colors. A variety of pixel addressing systems can be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: The Regents of The University of California
    Inventors: Shimon Weiss, Michael C. Schlamp, A. Paul Alivisatos
  • Publication number: 20110177340
    Abstract: A method is disclosed. The method includes obtaining a precursor nanoparticle comprising a base material and a first ligand attached to the base material, and reacting the precursor nanoparticle with a reactant comprising a silicon bond, thereby removing the first ligand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: A. Paul Alivisatos, Jonathan Owen
  • Patent number: 7972437
    Abstract: Described herein are hollow nanocrystals having various shapes that can be produced by a simple chemical process. The hollow nanocrystals described herein may have a shell as thin as 0.5 nm and outside diameters that can be controlled by the process of making.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: A. Paul Alivisatos, Yadong Yin, Can Kerem Erdonmez
  • Publication number: 20110143137
    Abstract: A method is disclosed. The method includes forming a mixture including nanorods with a first material having first ions, coordinating molecules, and second ions in a solvent, and forming composite nanorods in the solvent. Each composite nanorod has a linear body with a first region having the first material and a second region having a second material, where the second material has the second ions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Paul A. Alivisatos, Richard Robinson, Bryce Sadtler
  • Publication number: 20110124185
    Abstract: Graded core/shell semiconductor nanorods and shapped nanorods are disclosed comprising Group II-VI, Group III-V and Group IV semiconductors and methods of making the same. Also disclosed are nanorod barcodes using core/shell nanorods where the core is a semiconductor or metal material, and with or without a shell. Methods of labeling analytes using the nanorod barcodes are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: A. Paul Alivisatos, Erik C. Scher, Liberato Manna
  • Publication number: 20110017286
    Abstract: A nanorod is disclosed. It includes a linear body including three or less alternating regions including a first region and a second region, wherein the first region comprises a first material comprising a first ionic material and the second region comprises a second material comprising a second ionic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Paul A. Alivisatos, Bryce Sadtler
  • Patent number: 7875351
    Abstract: Described herein are nanoreactors having various shapes that can be produced by a simple chemical process. The nanoreactors described herein may have a shell as thin as 0.5 nm and outside diameters that can be controlled by the process of making and have a nanoparticle enclosed therein. The nanoreactors have catalytic activity and may be used to catalyze a variety of chemical reactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: A. Paul Alivisatos, Yadong Yin, Robert M. Rioux, Gabor A. Somorjai
  • Patent number: 7851338
    Abstract: Graded core/shell semiconductor nanorods and shaped nanorods are disclosed comprising Group II-VI, Group III-V and Group IV semiconductors and methods of making the same. Also disclosed are nanorod barcodes using core/shell nanorods where the core is a semiconductor or metal material, and with or without a shell. Methods of labeling analytes using the nanorod barcodes are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: A. Paul Alivisatos, Erik C. Scher, Liberato Manna
  • Publication number: 20100224853
    Abstract: A semiconductor nanocrystal compound and probe are described. The compound is capable of linking to one or more affinity molecules. The compound comprises (1) one or more semiconductor nanocrystals capable of, in response to exposure to a first energy, providing a second energy, and (2) one or more linking agents, having a first portion linked to the one or more semiconductor nanocrystals and a second portion capable of linking to one or more affinity molecules. One or more semiconductor nanocrystal compounds are linked to one or more affinity molecules to form a semiconductor nanocrystal probe capable of bonding with one or more detectable substances in a material being analyzed, and capable of, in response to exposure to a first energy, providing a second energy. Also described are processes for respectively: making the semiconductor nanocrystal compound; making the semiconductor nanocrystal probe; and treating materials with the probe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventors: Shimon Weiss, Marcel Bruchez, Paul Alivisatos
  • Patent number: 7777303
    Abstract: The invention described herein provides for thin films and methods of making comprising inorganic semiconductor-nanocrystals dispersed in semiconducting-polymers in high loading amounts. The invention also describes photovoltaic devices incorporating the thin films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: The Regents of The University of California
    Inventors: A. Paul Alivisatos, Janke J. Dittmer, Wendy U. Huynh, Delia Milliron
  • Publication number: 20100155668
    Abstract: A semiconductor nanocrystal compound and probe are described. The compound is capable of linking to one or more affinity molecules. The compound comprises (1) one or more semiconductor nanocrystals capable of, in response to exposure to a first energy, providing a second energy, and (2) one or more linking agents, having a first portion linked to the one or more semiconductor nanocrystals and a second portion capable of linking to one or more affinity molecules. One or more semiconductor nanocrystal compounds are linked to one or more affinity molecules to form a semiconductor nanocrystal probe capable of bonding with one or more detectable substances in a material being analyzed, and capable of, in response to exposure to a first energy, providing a second energy. Also described are processes for respectively: making the semiconductor nanocrystal compound; making the semiconductor nanocrystal probe; and treating materials with the probe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Shimon Weiss, Marcel Bruchez, Paul Alivisatos
  • Publication number: 20100116326
    Abstract: A hyperbranched semiconductor nanocrystal particle, which includes a first arm, where the first arm has an intermediate portion and opposing terminal portions, and a second arm, extending from the intermediate portion of the first arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Ilan Gur, Neil Fromer, A. Paul Alivisatos
  • Patent number: 7696684
    Abstract: A multicolor electronic display is based on an array of luminescent semiconductor nanocrystals. Nanocrystals which emit light of different colors are grouped into pixels. The nanocrystals are optically pumped to produce a multicolor display. Different sized nanocrystals are used to produce the different colors. A variety of pixel addressing systems can be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Shimon Weiss, Michael C. Schlamp, A. Paul Alivisatos