Patents by Inventor Richard Piner

Richard Piner 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: 11933749
    Abstract: Non-destructive sensing methods and devices for inspection and measuring in manufacturing applications for removal of contaminants from composite surfaces coupled with sensing and activation of the composite surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Texas Research International, Inc
    Inventors: Doyle T. Motes, III, Marcus Keiser, Richard Piner
  • Publication number: 20220136986
    Abstract: Non-destructive sensing methods and devices for inspection and measuring in manufacturing applications for removal of contaminants from composite surfaces coupled with sensing and activation of the composite surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Doyle T. Motes, III, Marcus Keiser, Richard Piner
  • Publication number: 20120295029
    Abstract: The invention provides a nanolithographic method, comprising: (i) providing a substrate; (ii) providing a nanoscopic tip coated with a patterning compound; (iii) contacting the coated tip with the substrate so that the patterning compound is applied to the substrate to produce a desired pattern; and (iv) wherein the patterning compound is anchored to the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventors: Chad A. Mirkin, Richard Piner, Seunghun Hong
  • Patent number: 8247032
    Abstract: The invention provides a lithographic method referred to as “dip pen” nanolithography (DPN). The method include the following steps: (i) providing a substrate and a scanning probe microscope tip; (ii) coating the tip with a patterning compound and a solvent to form a wet tip; and (iii) contacting the coated tip with the substrate so that the compound is applied to the substrate so as to produce a desired pattern. The invention also provides substrates patterned by DPN and kits for performing DPN.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Northwestern University
    Inventors: Chad A. Mirkin, Richard Piner, Seunghun Hong
  • Patent number: 8187673
    Abstract: The invention provides a lithographic method referred to as “dip pen” nanolithography (DPN). DPN utilizes a scanning probe microscope (SPM) tip (e.g., an atomic force microscope (AFM) tip) as a “pen,” a solid-state substrate (e.g., gold) as “paper,” and molecules with a chemical affinity for the solid-state substrate as “ink.” Capillary transport of molecules from the SPM tip to the solid substrate is used in DPN to directly write patterns consisting of a relatively small collection of molecules in submicrometer dimensions, making DPN useful in the fabrication of a variety of microscale and nanoscale devices. The invention also provides substrates patterned by DPN, including submicrometer combinatorial arrays, and kits, devices and software for performing DPN. The invention further provides a method of performing AFM imaging in air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Northwestern University
    Inventors: Chad A. Mirkin, Richard Piner, Seunghun Hong
  • Patent number: 8163345
    Abstract: The invention provides a lithographic method referred to as “dip pen” nanolithography (DPN). Capillary transport of molecules from the SPM tip to the solid substrate is used in DPN to directly write patterns consisting of a relatively small collection of molecules in submicrometer dimensions, making DPN useful in the fabrication of a variety of microscale and nanoscale devices. The invention also provides substrates patterned by DPN and kits for performing DPN. The invention further provides a method of performing AFM imaging in air. The method comprises coating an AFM tip with a hydrophobic compound, the hydrophobic compound being selected so that AFM imaging performed using the coated AFM tip is improved compared to AFM imaging performed using an uncoated AFM tip. Finally, the invention provides AFM tips coated with the hydrophobic compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Northwestern University
    Inventors: Chad A. Mirkin, Richard Piner, Seunghun Hong
  • Publication number: 20100330345
    Abstract: The invention provides a lithographic method referred to as “dip pen” nanolithography (DPN). DPN utilizes a scanning probe microscope (SPM) tip (e.g., an atomic force microscope (AFM) tip) as a “pen,” a solid-state substrate (e.g., gold) as “paper,” and molecules with a chemical affinity for the solid-state substrate as “ink.” Capillary transport of molecules from the SPM tip to the solid substrate is used in DPN to directly write patterns consisting of a relatively small collection of molecules in submicrometer dimensions, making DPN useful in the fabrication of a variety of microscale and nanoscale devices. The invention also provides substrates patterned by DPN, including submicrometer combinatorial arrays, and kits, devices and software for performing DPN. The invention further provides a method of performing AFM imaging in air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Chad A MIRKIN, Richard Piner, Seunghun Hong
  • Publication number: 20100203340
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for forming a protective coating comprising contacting a carbon material with a metal surface, heating the carbon material and metal to allow at least a portion of the carbon material to dissolve in the metal, diffuse across a portion of the metal surface, or a combination thereof, and then cooling the metal and carbon material to form a metal having a protecting carbon coating disposed on a surface thereof, wherein the protective coating comprises graphene, multi-layer graphene, or a combination thereof. Also disclosed are a method for inhibiting corrosion comprising forming a layer of graphene on at least a portion of a metal surface; a metal having a surface, wherein at least a portion of the surface comprises a protective carbon coating comprising graphene, multi-layer graphene, or a combination thereof; and a passivation coating comprising a graphene, multi-layer graphene, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventors: Rodney S. Ruoff, Richard Piner, Xuesong Li, Weiwei Cai
  • Publication number: 20100098857
    Abstract: The invention provides a lithographic method referred to as “dip pen” nanolithography (DPN). DPN utilizes a scanning probe microscope (SPM) tip (e.g., an atomic force microscope (AFM) tip) as a “pen,” a solid-state substrate (e.g., gold) as “paper,” and molecules with a chemical affinity for the solid-state substrate as “ink.” Capillary transport of molecules from the SPM tip to the solid substrate is used in DPN to directly write patterns consisting of a relatively small collection of molecules in submicrometer dimensions, making DPN useful in the fabrication of a variety of microscale and nanoscale devices. The invention also provides substrates patterned by DPN and kits for performing DPN. The invention further provides a method of performing AFM imaging in air. The method comprises coating an AFM tip with a hydrophobic compound, the hydrophobic compound being selected so that AFM imaging performed using the coated AFM tip is improved compared to AFM imaging performed using an uncoated AFM tip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventors: Chad A. Mirkin, Richard Piner, Seunghun Hong
  • Publication number: 20100040847
    Abstract: The invention provides a lithographic method referred to as “dip pen” nanolithography (DPN). DPN utilizes a scanning probe microscope (SPM) tip (e.g., an atomic force microscope (AFM) tip) as a “pen,” a solid-state substrate (e.g., gold) as “paper,” and molecules with a chemical affinity for the solid-state substrate as “ink.” Capillary transport of molecules from the SPM tip to the solid substrate is used in DPN to directly write patterns consisting of a relatively small collection of molecules in submicrometer dimensions, making DPN useful in the fabrication of a variety of microscale and nanoscale devices. The invention also provides substrates patterned by DPN and kits for performing DPN. The invention further provides a method of performing AFM imaging in air. The method comprises coating an AFM tip with a hydrophobic compound, the hydrophobic compound being selected so that AFM imaging performed using the coated AFM tip is improved compared to AFM imaging performed using an uncoated AFM tip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventors: Chad A MIRKIN, Richard Piner, Seunghun Hong
  • Patent number: 7569252
    Abstract: The invention provides a lithographic method referred to as “dip pen” nanolithography (DPN). DPN utilizes a scanning probe microscope (SPM) tip (e.g., an atomic force microscope (AFM) tip) as a “pen,” a solid-state substrate (e.g., gold) as “paper,” and molecules with a chemical affinity for the solid-state substrate as “ink.” Capillary transport of molecules from the SPM tip to the solid substrate is used in DPN to directly write patterns consisting of a relatively small collection of molecules in submicrometer dimensions, making DPN useful in the fabrication of a variety of microscale and nanoscale devices. The invention also provides substrates patterned by DPN and kits for performing DPN. The invention further provides a method of performing AFM imaging in air. The method comprises coating an AFM tip with a hydrophobic compound, the hydrophobic compound being selected so that AFM imaging performed using the coated AFM tip is improved compared to AFM imaging performed using an uncoated AFM tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Northwestern University
    Inventors: Chad A. Mirkin, Richard Piner, Seunghun Hong
  • Patent number: 7524534
    Abstract: The invention provides a lithographic method referred to as “dip pen” nanolithography (DPN), which utilizes a scanning probe microscope (SPM) tip (e.g., an atomic force microscope (AFM) tip) as a “pen,” a solid-state substrate (e.g., gold) as “paper,” and molecules with a chemical affinity for the solid-state substrate as “ink.” Capillary transport of molecules from the SPM tip to the solid-state substrate is used in DPN to directly write patterns consisting of a relatively small collection of molecules in submicrometer dimensions, making DPN useful in the fabrication of a variety of microscale and nanoscale devices. The invention also provides substrates patterned by DPN, including submicrometer combinatorial arrays, and kits, devices and software for performing DPN. The invention further provides a method of performing AFM imaging in air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Northwestern University
    Inventors: Chad A. Mirkin, Richard Piner, Seunghun Hong
  • Patent number: 7446324
    Abstract: The invention provides a lithographic method referred to as “dip pen” nanolithography (DPN). DPN utilizes a scanning probe microscope (SPM) tip (e.g., an atomic force microscope (AFM) tip) as a “pen,” a solid-state substrate (e.g., gold) as “paper,” and molecules with a chemical affinity for the solid-state substrate as “ink.” Capillary transport of molecules from the SPM tip to the solid substrate is used in DPN to directly write patterns consisting of a relatively small collection of molecules in submicrometer dimensions, making DPN useful in the fabrication of a variety of microscale and nanoscale devices. The invention also provides substrates patterned by DPN, including submicrometer combinatorial arrays, and kits, devices and software for performing DPN. The invention further provides a method of performing AFM imaging in air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Northwestern University
    Inventors: Chad A. Mirkin, Richard Piner, Seunghun Hong
  • Publication number: 20050181132
    Abstract: The invention provides a lithographic method referred to as “dip pen” nanolithography (DPN). DPN utilizes a scanning probe microscope (SPM) tip (e.g., an atomic force microscope (AFM) tip) as a “pen,” a solid-state substrate (e.g., gold) as “paper,” and molecules with a chemical affinity for the solid-state substratte as “ink.” Capillary transport of molecules from the SPM tip to thee solid substrate is used in DPN to directly write patterns consisting of a relatively small collection of molecules in submicrometer dimensions, making DPN useful in the facrication of a variety of microscale and nanoscale devices. The invention also provices substrates patterened by DPN, including submirocmeter combinatorial arrays, and kits, devices and software for performing DPN. The invention further provides a method of performing AFM imaging in air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Publication date: August 18, 2005
    Inventors: Chad Mirkin, Richard Piner, Seunghun Hong
  • Publication number: 20050172704
    Abstract: The invention provides a lithographic method referred to as “dip pen” nanolithography (DPN). DPN utilizes a scanning probe microscope (SPM) tip (e.g., an atomic force microscope (AFM) tip) as a “pen,” a solid-state substrate (e.g., gold) as “paper,” and molecules with a chemical affinity for the solid-state substrate as “ink.” Capillary transport of molecules from the SPM tip to the solid substrate is used in DPN to directly write patterns consisting of a relatively small collection of molecules in submicrometer dimensions, making DPN useful in the fabrication of a variety of microscale and nanoscale devices. The invention also provides substrates patterned by DPN, including submicrometer combinatorial arrays, and kits, devices and software for performing DPN. The invention further provides a method of performing AFM imaging in air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2004
    Publication date: August 11, 2005
    Inventors: Chad Mirkin, Richard Piner, Seunghun Hong
  • Patent number: 6827979
    Abstract: The invention provides a lithographic method referred to as “dip pen” nanolithography (DPN). DPN utilizes a scanning probe microscope (SPM) tip (e.g., an atomic force microscope (AFM) tip) as a “pen,” a solid-state substrate (e.g., gold) as “paper,” and molecules with a chemical affinity for the solid-state substrate as “ink.” Capillary transport of molecules from the SPM tip to the solid substrate is used in DPN to directly write patterns consisting of a relatively small collection of molecules in submicrometer dimensions, making DPN useful in the fabrication of a variety of microscale and nanoscale devices. The invention also provides substrates patterned by DPN, including submicrometer combinatorial arrays, and kits, devices and software for performing DPN. The invention further provides a method of performing AFM imaging in air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Northwestern University
    Inventors: Chad A. Mirkin, Richard Piner, Seunghun Hong
  • Publication number: 20040037959
    Abstract: The invention provides a lithographic method referred to as “dip pen” nanolithography (DPN). DPN utilizes a scanning probe microscope (SPM) tip (e.g., an atomic force microscope (AFM) tip) as a “pen,” a solid-state substrate (e.g., gold) as “paper,” and molecules with a chemical affinity for the solid-state substrate as “ink.” Capillary transport of molecules from the SPM tip to the solid substrate is used in DPN to directly write patterns consisting of a relatively small collection of molecules in submicrometer dimensions, making DPN useful in the fabrication of a variety of microscale and nanoscale devices. The invention also provides substrates patterned by DPN, including submicrometer combinatorial arrays, and kits, devices and software for performing DPN. The invention further provides a method of performing AFM imaging in air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Applicant: Northwestern University
    Inventors: Chad A. Mirkin, Richard Piner, Seunghun Hong
  • Publication number: 20040028814
    Abstract: The invention provides a lithographic method referred to as “dip pen” nanolithography (DPN). DPN utilizes a scanning probe microscope (SPM) tip (e.g., an atomic force microscope (AFM) tip) as a “pen,” a solid-state substrate (e.g., gold) as “paper,” and molecules with a chemical affinity for the solid-state substrate as “ink.” Capillary transport of molecules from the SPM tip to the solid substrate is used in DPN to directly write patterns consisting of a relatively small collection of molecules in submicrometer dimensions, making DPN useful in the fabrication of a variety of microscale and nanoscale devices. The invention also provides substrates patterned by DPN and kits for performing DPN.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Applicant: NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Chad A. Mirkin, Richard Piner, Seunghun Hong
  • Patent number: 6635311
    Abstract: A method of direct-write nanolithography comprising: providing a solid substrate comprising a surface; providing a nanoscopic tip coated with patterning compound; and contacting the coated tip with the substrate, so that the patterning compound is delivered to the substrate so as to produce a desired pattern in submicrometer dimensions. Nanolithographic resolution can be affected by substrate grain size, diffusion rate of the patterning compound, tip-substrate contact time, the rate of transport of the patterning compound from the tip to the substrate, and tip sharpness. The method is a useful tool for fabrication of nanoscale structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Northwestern University
    Inventors: Chad A. Mirkin, Richard Piner, Seunghun Hong
  • Publication number: 20030157254
    Abstract: The invention provides a lithographic method referred to as “dip pen” nanolithography (DPN). DPN utilizes a scanning probe microscope (SPM) tip (e.g., an atomic force microscope (AFM) tip) as a “pen,” a solid-state substrate (e.g., gold) as “paper,” and molecules with a chemical affinity for the solid-state substratte as “ink.” Capillary transport of molecules from the SPM tip to thee solid substrate is used in DPN to directly write patterns consisting of a relatively small collection of molecules in submicrometer dimensions, making DPN useful in the facrication of a variety of microscale and nanoscale devices. The invention also provices substrates patterened by DPN, including submirocmeter combinatorial arrays, and kits, devices and software for performing DPN. The invention further provides a method of performing AFM imaging in air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Applicant: Northwestern University
    Inventors: Chad A. Mirkin, Richard Piner, Seunghun Hong