Patents by Inventor Paul Thurk

Paul Thurk 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: 10038213
    Abstract: A method is provided for making a fabric. The method comprises (a) providing a composition comprising a plurality of nanocrystals disposed in a liquid medium, the nanocrystals comprising a material elected from the group consisting of a Group IV element; (b) applying the composition to a porous substrate, thereby removing at least a portion of the liquid medium from the nanocrystals; and (c) removing the nanocrystals from the porous substrate as a self-supporting mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Pinion Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian A. Korgel, Damon A. Smith, Vincent C. Holmberg, Reken Patel, Paul Thurk
  • Patent number: 8618595
    Abstract: A method for the production of a robust, chemically stable, crystalline, passivated nanoparticle and composition containing the same, that emit light with high efficiencies and size-tunable and excitation energy tunable color. The methods include the thermal degradation of a precursor molecule in the presence of a capping agent at high temperature and elevated pressure. A particular composition prepared by the methods is a passivated silicon nanoparticle composition displaying discrete optical transitions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Brian A. Korgel, Keith P. Johnston, Katherine Brosh, Paul Thurk
  • Publication number: 20110223484
    Abstract: A method is provided for making a fabric. The method comprises (a) providing a composition comprising a plurality of nanocrystals disposed in a liquid medium, the nanocrystals comprising a material elected from the group consisting of a Group IV element; (b) applying the composition to a porous substrate, thereby removing at least a portion of the liquid medium from the nanocrystals; and (c) removing the nanocrystals from the porous substrate as a self-supporting mass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventors: Brian A. Korgel, Damon A. Smith, Vincent C. Holmberg, Reken Patel, Paul Thurk
  • Patent number: 7750352
    Abstract: Light strips for emergency lighting, path lighting, accent lighting and device lighting are provided. Devices incorporating and lighted by the light strips are also provided. The light strips include a light emitting layer made from a plurality of semiconductor nanoparticles disposed between and in electrical communication with an anode and a cathode. The semiconductor nanoparticles may be made from Group IV semiconductors, such as silicon. Devices that may be lit with the light strips include displays and keypad, such as those found in cellular phones and personal digital assistants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Pinion Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Thurk
  • Patent number: 7279832
    Abstract: This invention provides a phosphor material capable of absorbing primary light and converting that light into white light having a high color rendering index and illumination devices made from the phosphor material. The white light may have a color rendering index of 100 and may be produced with an efficiency of at least 30 lm/w. In one embodiment, the illumination device includes a secondary light source made from a plurality of Group IV semiconductor nanoparticles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Innovalight, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Thurk, David Jursberg
  • Publication number: 20060034065
    Abstract: Light strips for emergency lighting, path lighting, accent lighting and device lighting are provided. Devices incorporating and lighted by the light strips are also provided. The light strips include a light emitting layer made from a plurality of semiconductor nanoparticles disposed between and in electrical communication with an anode and a cathode. The semiconductor nanoparticles may be made from Group IV semiconductors, such as silicon. Devices that may be lit with the light strips include displays and keypad, such as those found in cellular phones and personal digital assistants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2005
    Publication date: February 16, 2006
    Inventor: Paul Thurk
  • Publication number: 20050267345
    Abstract: A method for the production of a robust, chemically stable, crystalline, passivated nanoparticle and composition containing the same, that emit light with high efficiencies and size-tunable and excitation energy tunable color. The methods include the thermal degradation of a precursor molecule in the presence of a capping agent at high temperature and elevated pressure. A particular composition prepared by the methods is a passivated silicon nanoparticle composition displaying discrete optical transitions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2005
    Publication date: December 1, 2005
    Inventors: Brian Korgel, Keith Johnston, Katherine Brosh, Paul Thurk
  • Patent number: 6918946
    Abstract: A method for the production of a robust, chemically stable, crystalline, passivated nanoparticle and composition containing the same, that emit light with high efficiencies and size-tunable and excitation energy tunable color. The methods include the thermal degradation of a precursor molecule in the presence of a capping agent at high temperature and elevated pressure. A particular composition prepared by the methods is a passivated silicon nanoparticle composition displaying discrete optical transitions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Brian A. Korgel, Paul Thurk, Keith P. Johnston
  • Publication number: 20040252488
    Abstract: Light-emitting ceiling tile device, comprising: a plurality of nanostructures, the nanostructures comprising a group IV semiconductor and a capping agent coupled to the group IV semiconductor, wherein the nanostructures have an average dimension of between about 0.5 nm to about 15 nm; and a first electrode electrically coupled to the plurality of nanostructures; and a second electrode electrically coupled to the plurality of nanostructures; wherein the first and second electrodes together are configured to conduct an applied current to the nanostructures, wherein the nanostructures produce light in response to the applied current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Applicant: Innovalight
    Inventor: Paul Thurk
  • Publication number: 20040245912
    Abstract: This invention provides a phosphor material capable of absorbing primary light and converting that light into white light having a high color rendering index and illumination devices made from the phosphor material. The white light may have a color rendering index of 100 and may be produced with an efficiency of at least 30 lm/w. In one embodiment, the illumination device includes a secondary light source made from a plurality of Group IV semiconductor nanoparticles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Applicant: Innovalight
    Inventors: Paul Thurk, David Jurbergs