Patents by Inventor Richard Vaia

Richard Vaia 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: 20240182671
    Abstract: The invention relates to nanohybrids that are gold nanorod J-aggregates having a broadened surface plasmonic resonance band, processes of making such gold nanorod J-aggregates and products comprising such gold nanorod J-aggregates. Such gold nanorod J-aggregates exhibit broad localized surface plasmonic reasonable range from 800 nm to 2000 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2024
    Publication date: June 6, 2024
    Inventors: Loon-Seng Tan, Zhenning Yu, Kyoungweon Park, Richard A. Vaia
  • Patent number: 11993720
    Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for selective reshaping of nanoparticles in three dimensional articles, three dimensional articles produced by such processes, and methods of using such three dimensional articles. As a result of the aforementioned process, such three dimensional articles can have selective tuning that arises, at least in part, from the reshaped nanoparticles found in such articles. Such tuning provides the aforementioned articles with superior performance that can be advantageous in the areas including such as optical filters, multi-functional composites and sensing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Clare M. Mahoney, Richard A. Vaia, Kyoungweon Park
  • Patent number: 11926726
    Abstract: The invention relates to nanohybrids that are gold nanorod J-aggregates having a broadened surface plasmonic resonance band, processes of making such gold nanorod J-aggregates and products comprising such gold nanorod J-aggregates. Such gold nanorod J-aggregates exhibit broad localized surface plasmonic reasonable range from 800 nm to 2000 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Loon-Seng Tan, Zhenning Yu, Kyoungweon Park, Richard A. Vaia
  • Patent number: 11680176
    Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for selective reshaping of nanoparticles in three dimensional articles, three dimensional articles produced by such processes, and methods of using such three dimensional articles. As a result of the aforementioned process, such three dimensional articles can have selective tuning that arises, at least in part, from the reshaped nanoparticles found in such articles. Such tuning provides the aforementioned articles with superior performance that can be advantageous in the areas including such as optical filters, multi-functional composites and sensing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Clare M. Mahoney, Richard A. Vaia, Kyoungweon Park
  • Patent number: 11383298
    Abstract: A method for preparing an anhydrous nanoparticle dispersion, comprising providing an aqueous medium comprising a surfactant and a quantity of surfactant-coated nanoparticles suspended in the aqueous medium; (i.) estimating an average particle length and an average particle diameter of the surfactant-coated nanoparticles suspended in the aqueous medium, and estimating a quantity of the surfactant-coated nanoparticles in the aqueous medium; estimating a surface area (SA) of the surfactant-coated nanoparticles in the aqueous medium based on the average particle length and the average particle diameter and the quantity of the surfactant-coated nanoparticles; adjusting a ratio of the quantity of the surfactant-coated nanoparticles to a quantity of the surfactant to a desired value to form a precursor aqueous solution; diluting the precursor aqueous solution with an organic solvent to provide a suspension of surfactant-coated nanoparticles in the solvent, and heating the suspension at about 100° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Richard A. Vaia, Kyoungweon Park
  • Publication number: 20220153956
    Abstract: The invention relates to nanohybrids that are gold nanorod J-aggregates having a broadened surface plasmonic resonance band, processes of making such gold nanorod J-aggregates and products comprising such gold nanorod J-aggregates. Such gold nanorod J-aggregates exhibit broad localized surface plasmonic reasonable range from 800 nm to 2000 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: Loon-Seng Tan, Zhenning Yu, Kyoungweon Park, Richard A. Vaia
  • Patent number: 11247915
    Abstract: A technique for exfoliating a transition metal dichalcogenide material to produce separated nano-scale platelets includes combining the transition metal dichalcogenide material with a liquid to form a slurry, wherein the transition metal dichalcogenide material includes layers of nano-scale platelets and has a general chemical formula MX2, and wherein M is a transition metal and X is sulfur, selenium, or tellurium. The slurry of the transition metal dichalcogenide material is treated with an oxidant to form peroxo-metalate intermediates on an edge region of the layers of nano-scale platelets of the transition metal dichalcogenide material. The peroxo-metalate intermediates is treated with a reducing agent to form negatively charged poly-oxo-metalates to induce separation of the transition metal dichalcogenide material into the separated nano-scale platelets of the transition metal dichalcogenide material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Richard A. Vaia, Ali M. Jawaid
  • Patent number: 11203696
    Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for selective reshaping of nanoparticles in three dimensional articles, three dimensional articles produced by such processes, and methods of using such three dimensional articles. As a result of the aforementioned process, such three dimensional articles can have selective tuning that arises, at least in part, from the reshaped nanoparticles found in such articles. Such tuning provides the aforementioned articles with superior performance that can be advantageous in the areas including such as optical filters, multi-functional composites and sensing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Clare M. Mahoney, Richard A. Vaia, Kyoungweon Park
  • Publication number: 20210139379
    Abstract: A method of making a layered MXene material comprises a) introducing dried MAX phase powder into a vessel under anhydrous, inert conditions, the MAX phase powder comprising a general formula of Mn+1AXn (n=1, 2, 3, or 4), wherein M is a transition metal or p-block metalloid selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, W, Re, Cu, Ni, Ag, Zn, Cd, In, Sn, and Pb; interlayer A is a Group III, IV, or V metalloid selected from the group consisting of Al, Si, Ga, Ge, In, Sn, Pb, As, Bi, Sb, and X is one of C (carbon) and N (nitrogen); b) introducing a halogen and solvent to the dried MAX phase to create a halogen solution having a predetermined concentration; c) allowing a reaction to proceed for about 24 hours between 30-90° C. to create a reaction slurry comprising a MXene material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Inventors: Ali M. Jawaid, Richard A. Vaia, Asra Hassan
  • Patent number: 10758983
    Abstract: A method for synthesizing nanostructures includes introducing a solution of seed crystals into an initial growth solution to form a nanostructure synthesis mixture. The initial growth solution includes a precursor material and a reducing agent in a surfactant solution. Growth of nanostructures in the nanostructure synthesis mixture is monitored during a period of anisotropic growth of the nanostructures to determine a shift from stage II growth of the nanostructures to stage III growth of the nanostructures. The shift from stage II growth to stage III growth is identified, and after identifying the shift, a second growth solution is added to the nanostructure synthesis mixture coincident in time with the shift. The second growth solution includes the precursor material and the reducing agent in the surfactant solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Inventors: Richard A. Vaia, Kyoungweon Park
  • Patent number: 10457780
    Abstract: New diamine monomers bearing sulfone terminated pendant groups, as well as methods for making the same, are provided. The diamine monomers are useful toward making polyamide, polyimide, and poly(amide-imide) polymers and copolymers, which possess hygromorphic properties and demonstrate humidity driven motility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Loon-Seng Tan, David Huabin Wang, Richard A. Vaia, Philip R Buskohl, Ruel McKenzie
  • Patent number: 10414668
    Abstract: A technique for exfoliating a transition metal dichalcogenide material to produce separated nano-scale platelets includes combining the transition metal dichalcogenide material with a liquid to form a slurry, wherein the transition metal dichalcogenide material includes layers of nano-scale platelets and has a general chemical formula MX2, and wherein M is a transition metal and X is sulfur, selenium, or tellurium. The slurry of the transition metal dichalcogenide material is treated with an oxidant to form peroxo-metalate intermediates on an edge region of the layers of nano-scale platelets of the transition metal dichalcogenide material. The peroxo-metalate intermediates is treated with a reducing agent to form negatively charged poly-oxo-metalates to induce separation of the transition metal dichalcogenide material into the separated nano-scale platelets of the transition metal dichalcogenide material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Richard A. Vaia, Ali M. Jawaid
  • Publication number: 20180194898
    Abstract: New diamine monomers bearing sulfone terminated pendant groups, as well as methods for making the same, are provided. The diamine monomers are useful toward making polyamide, polyimide, and poly(amide-imide) polymers and copolymers, which possess hygromorphic properties and demonstrate humidity driven motility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Applicant: Government of the United States, as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Loon-Seng Tan, David Huabin Wang, Richard A. Vaia, Philip R. Buskohl, Ruel McKenzie
  • Patent number: 9932445
    Abstract: New diamine monomers bearing sulfone terminated pendant groups, as well as methods for making the same, are provided. The diamine monomers are useful toward making polyamide, polyimide, and poly(amide-imide) polymers and copolymers, which possess hygromorphic properties and demonstrate humidity driven motility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Loon-Seng Tan, David Huabin Wang, Richard A. Vaia
  • Publication number: 20170260334
    Abstract: New diamine monomers bearing sulfone terminated pendant groups, as well as methods for making the same, are provided. The diamine monomers are useful toward making polyamide, polyimide, and poly(amide-imide) polymers and copolymers, which possess hygromorphic properties and demonstrate humidity driven motility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventors: Loon-Seng Tan, David Huabin Wang, Richard A. Vaia
  • Patent number: 8791227
    Abstract: A crosslinked aromatic polyimide having shape memory properties and methods of making the same. The crosslinked aromatic polyimide comprises at least one aromatic diamine, at least one dianhydride monomer, and a tri(oxybenzene-amine) crosslinker. The crosslinked aromatic polyimide polymers and films possess superior shape memory properties at temperatures above 225° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Loon-Seng Tan, David Huabin Wang, Hilmar Koerner, Richard A. Vaia
  • Patent number: 8445641
    Abstract: Nanocomposites of repeat sequence protein polymers and phyllosilicates demonstrated improved material properties, for example, improved elasticity, and are useful as suture, tissue scaffolding, and biodegradable composite materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Lawrence F. Drummy, Joseph C. McAuliffe, Rajesh R. Naik, Richard A. Vaia
  • Patent number: 7768366
    Abstract: A life and electrical properties enhanced microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) switch apparatus in which a combined nanoparticle and ionic fluid lubricant is used to prolong switch elements operating lifetime and desirable electrical characteristics during this lifetime. Nanoparticle materials such as noble metal particles are combined with ionic corona producing liquid organic materials to achieve a desirable contact lubricant material serving to delay the onset of several disclosed classic contact failure mechanisms. Improvement over other contact lubricant materials and favorable contact testing results are included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Steven T. Patton, Jeffrey H. Sanders, Andrey A. Voevodin, Mark Pender, Richard A. Vaia, Robert I. MacCuspie, Steve J. Diamanti
  • Publication number: 20090312455
    Abstract: Nanocomposites of repeat sequence protein polymers and phyllosilicates demonstrated improved material properties, for example, improved elasticity, and are useful as suture, tissue scaffolding, and biodegradable composite materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventors: Lawrence F. Drummy, Joseph C. McAuliffe, Rajesh R. Naik, Richard A. Vaia
  • Patent number: 7538332
    Abstract: The method of the present invention utilizes atomic force microscopy techniques (AFM) for the reversible formation of nanoscale polymeric features by localized heating and mechanical deformation, generated through electrostatically mediated interactions across the polymer film between a conductive backplane and the cantilever AFM tip. This technique utilizes a selective lifting/placement of the cantilevered tip in the z direction (perpendicular to the planar surface of the polymer) to produce nanostructures of precise dimensions in contact AFM mode from regions of polymer locally heated by current flow between the cantilever AFM tip and the conductive substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Shane Juhl, Sergei F. Lyuksyutov, Richard A. Vaia