Patents by Inventor Shaoli Fang

Shaoli Fang 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: 11773516
    Abstract: A smart (intelligent) textile that can control its porosity, shape, texture, loft, stiffness, or color by temperature change or moisture absorption by using polymer fiber torsional and tensile actuators. This temperature change can be due to a change in ambient temperature or by an external stimulus, such as electrothermal heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Özer Göktepe, Fatma Göktepe, Na Li, Shaoli Fang, Ray H. Baughman, Marcio Dias Lima, Carter S. Haines
  • Patent number: 11703257
    Abstract: Cooling by a twist-untwist process, by a stretch-release process for twisted, coiled, or supercoiled yarns or fibers, and methods and systems thereof. High mechanocaloric cooling results from release of inserted twist or from stretch release for twisted, coiled, or supercoiled fibers, including natural rubber fibers, NiTi wires, and polyethylene fishing line. Twist utilization can increase cooling and cooling efficiencies. A cooler using twist insertion and release can be shorter and smaller in volume than a cooler that requires a large elastomeric elongation. The cooler system can be utilized in mechanochromic textiles and remotely readable tensile and torsional sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: BOARD OF REGENTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM
    Inventors: Zunfeng Liu, Run Wang, Jiuke Mu, Zhong Wang, Shaoli Fang, Marcio Dias Lima, Ali E. Aliev, Na Li, Carter S. Haines, Ray H. Baughman
  • Publication number: 20230141697
    Abstract: Previous electrochemically-powered yarn muscles cannot be usefully operated between extreme negative and extreme positive potentials, since strokes during electron injection and during hole injection partially cancel because they are in the same direction. Unipolar-stroke carbon nanotube yarn muscles are described in which muscle strokes are additive between extreme negative and extreme positive potentials, and stroke increases with potential scan rate. These electrochemical artificial muscles include an electrically conducting twisted or coiled yarn and a material that dramatically shifts the potential of zero charge of the electrochemically actuated yarn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Applicant: BOARD OF REGENTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM
    Inventors: Hetao Chu, Jinsong Leng, Ray H. Baughman, Xinghao Hu, Na Li, Carter S. Haines, Shaoli Fang, Zhong Wang, Mu Jiuke
  • Patent number: 11629705
    Abstract: Actuators (artificial muscles) comprising twist-spun nanofiber yarn or twist-inserted polymer fibers generate actuation when powered electrically, photonically, chemically, thermally, by absorption, or by other means. These artificial muscles utilize polymer fibers non-coiled or coiled yarns and can be either neat or comprising a guest. Devices comprising these artificial muscles are also described. In some embodiments, thermally-powered polymer fiber torsional actuator has a twisted, chain-oriented polymer fiber that has a first degree of twist at a first temperature and a second degree of twist at a second temperature in which the bias angles of the first degree and second degree of twist are substantially different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: THE BOARD OF REGENTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM
    Inventors: Na Li, Carter S. Haines, Marco D. Lima, Monica Jung DeAndrade, Shaoli Fang, Jiyoung Oh, Mikhail E. Kozlov, Dongseok Suh, Ray H. Baughman
  • Publication number: 20220260062
    Abstract: Actuators (artificial muscles) comprising twisted polymer fibers generate tensile actuation when powered thermally. In some embodiments, the thermally-powered polymer fiber tensile actuator can be incorporated into an article, such as a textile or garment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Applicant: BOARD OF REGENTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM
    Inventors: Na Li, Carter S. Haines, Marcio D. Lima, Monica Jung DeAndrade, Shaoli Fang, Jiyoung Oh, Mikhail E. Kozlov, Dongseok Suh, Ray H. Baughman
  • Publication number: 20220259774
    Abstract: Sheath-run artificial muscles (or SRAMs) are described in which the dimensional changes and/or modulus changes of a sheath on the surface of a twisted or coiled host yarn or fiber drives torsional and tensile actuation. The sheath-core artificial muscle includes a sheath on a coiled core yarn or fiber that has inserted twist, in which the sheath does not include a yarn, the coiled core yarn or fiber includes a core yarn or fiber, the sheath can change volume, modulus, or a combination thereof when actuated by an influence source to drive actuation, and the influence source is selected from a group consisting of absorption processes, desorption processes, changes in temperature, changes in external pressure, changes in a magnetic field, changes in an electric field, exposures to actinic radiation, electrochemical charge and discharge, chemical reactions, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Applicant: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Ray H. Baughman, Jiuke Mu, Monica Jung De Andrade, Shaoli Fang, Na Li, Carter S. Haines
  • Publication number: 20220003221
    Abstract: Actuators (artificial muscles) comprising twist-spun nanofiber yarn or twist-inserted polymer fibers generate actuation when powered electrically, photonically, chemically, thermally, by absorption, or by other means. These artificial muscles utilize polymer fibers non-coiled or coiled yarns and can be either neat or comprising a guest. Devices comprising these artificial muscles are also described. In some embodiments, thermally-powered polymer fiber torsional actuator has a twisted, chain-oriented polymer fiber that has a first degree of twist at a first temperature and a second degree of twist at a second temperature in which the bias angles of the first degree and second degree of twist are substantially different.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Applicant: BOARD OF REGENTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM
    Inventors: Na Li, Carter S. Haines, Marco D. Lima, Monica Jung DeAndrade, Shaoli Fang, Jiyoung Oh, Mikhail E. Kozlov, Dongseok Suh, Ray H. Baughman
  • Patent number: 11217366
    Abstract: Superelastic conductive fibers, and more particularly, sheath-core fibers for superelastic electronics, sensors, and muscles, and a process for fabricating of highly stretchable sheath-core conducting fibers by wrapping fiber-direction-oriented conductive nanofiber sheets on stretched rubber fiber cores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Ray H. Baughman, Zunfeng Liu, Shaoli Fang, Francisco A. Moura, Nan Jiang, Dong Qian, Hongbing Lu, Xavier N. Lepro, Carter S. Haines
  • Patent number: 11149720
    Abstract: Actuators (artificial muscles) comprising twist-spun nanofiber twist-inserted polymer fibers generate tensile actuation when powered electrically, photonically, chemically, thermally, by absorption, or by other means. These artificial muscles utilize coiled polymer fibers and can be either neat or comprising a guest. In some embodiments, the coiled polymer fibers actuator can be incorporated into an article, such as a textile, braid, clothing, smart packaging, or a mechanical system, and the coiled polymer fiber in the coiled polymer fiber actuator can have a stroke amplification factor of 5 or greater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: BOARD OF REGENTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM
    Inventors: Na Li, Carter S. Haines, Marcio D. Lima, Monica Jung DeAndrade, Shaoli Fang, Jiyoung Oh, Mikhail E. Kozlov, Dongseok Suh, Ray H. Baughman
  • Patent number: 11143169
    Abstract: Actuators (artificial muscles) comprising twist-spun nanofiber yarn or twist-inserted polymer fibers generate torsional actuation when powered electrically, photonically, chemically, thermally, by absorption, or by other means. These artificial muscles utilize coiled yarns/polymer fibers and can be either neat or comprising a guest. In some embodiments, the actuator system includes a twisted and coiled polymer fiber actuator, and at least one of (i) wire connections that enable electrical heating of the twisted and coiled polymer fiber actuator, (ii) a radiation source and radiation pathway that enables photothermal heating of the twisted and coiled polymer fiber actuator, and (iii) a delivery system for delivering chemicals whose reaction produces heating of the twisted and coiled polymer fiber actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Na Li, Carter S. Haines, Marcio D. Lima, Monica Jung DeAndrade, Shaoli Fang, Jiyoung Oh, Mikhail E. Kozlov, Dongseok Suh, Ray H. Baughman
  • Patent number: 11085422
    Abstract: Yarn energy harvesters containing conducing nanomaterials (such as carbon nanotube (CNT) yarn harvesters) that electrochemically convert tensile or torsional mechanical energy into electrical energy. Stretched coiled yarns can generate 250 W/kg of peak electrical power when cycled up to 24 Hz, and can generate up to 41.2 J/kg of electrical energy per mechanical cycle. Unlike for other harvesters, torsional rotation produces both tensile and torsional energy harvesting and no bias voltage is required, even when electrochemically operating in salt water. Since homochiral and heterochiral coiled harvester yarns provide oppositely directed potential changes when stretched, both contribute to output power in a dual-electrode yarn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignees: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System, Industry-University Cooperation Foundation Hanyang University
    Inventors: Ray H. Baughman, Shaoli Fang, Carter S. Haines, Na Li, Jiangtao Di, Seon Jeong Kim, Shi Hyeong Kim, Keon Jung Kim, Tae Jin Mun, Changsoon Choi
  • Publication number: 20210198817
    Abstract: A smart (intelligent) textile that can control its porosity, shape, texture, loft, stiffness, or color by temperature change or moisture absorption by using polymer fiber torsional and tensile actuators. This temperature change can be due to a change in ambient temperature or by an external stimulus, such as electrothermal heating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Applicant: BOARD OF REGENTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM
    Inventors: Özer Göktepe, Fatma Göktepe, Na Li, Shaoli Fang, Ray H. Baughman, Marcio Dias Lima, Carter S. Haines
  • Publication number: 20210116152
    Abstract: Cooling by a twist-untwist process, by a stretch-release process for twisted, coiled, or supercoiled yarns or fibers, and methods and systems thereof. High mechanocaloric cooling results from release of inserted twist or from stretch release for twisted, coiled, or supercoiled fibers, including natural rubber fibers, NiTi wires, and polyethylene fishing line. Twist utilization can increase cooling and cooling efficiencies. A cooler using twist insertion and release can be shorter and smaller in volume than a cooler that requires a large elastomeric elongation. The cooler system can be utilized in mechanochromic textiles and remotely readable tensile and torsional sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Applicant: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Zunfeng Liu, Run Wang, Jiuke Mu, Zhong Wang, Shaoli Fang, Marcio Dias Lima, Ali E. Aliev, Na Li, Carter S. Haines, Ray H. Baughman
  • Patent number: 10837130
    Abstract: The described incandescent tension annealing processes involve thermally annealing twisted or coiled carbon nanotube (CNT) yarns at high-temperatures (1000° C. to 3000° C.) while these yarns are under tensile loads. These processes can be used for increasing yarn modulus and strength and for stabilizing both twisted and coiled CNT yarns with respect to unwanted irreversible untwist, thereby avoiding the need to tether torsional and tensile artificial muscles, and increasing the mechanical loads that can be moved by these muscles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Jiangtao Di, Shaoli Fang, Carter S. Haines, Na Li, Ray H. Baughman
  • Publication number: 20200208614
    Abstract: Yarn energy harvesters containing conducing nanomaterials (such as carbon nanotube (CNT) yarn harvesters) that electrochemically convert tensile or torsional mechanical energy into electrical energy. Stretched coiled yarns can generate 250 W/kg of peak electrical power when cycled up to 24 Hz, and can generate up to 41.2 J/kg of electrical energy per mechanical cycle. Unlike for other harvesters, torsional rotation produces both tensile and torsional energy harvesting and no bias voltage is required, even when electrochemically operating in salt water. Since homochiral and heterochiral coiled harvester yarns provide oppositely directed potential changes when stretched, both contribute to output power in a dual-electrode yarn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Applicants: BOARD OF REGENTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM, HANYANG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Ray H. Baughman, Shaoli Fang, Carter S. Haines, Na Li, Jiangtao Di, Seon Jeong Kim, Shi Hyeong Kim, Keon Jung Kim, Tae Jin Mun, Changsoon Choi
  • Publication number: 20200191127
    Abstract: Actuators (artificial muscles) comprising twist-spun nanofiber yarn or twist-inserted polymer fibers generate torsional actuation when powered electrically, photonically, chemically, thermally, by absorption, or by other means. These artificial muscles utilize coiled yarns/polymer fibers and can be either neat or comprising a guest. In some embodiments, the actuator system includes a twisted and coiled polymer fiber actuator, and at least one of (i) wire connections that enable electrical heating of the twisted and coiled polymer fiber actuator, (ii) a radiation source and radiation pathway that enables photothermal heating of the twisted and coiled polymer fiber actuator, and (iii) a delivery system for delivering chemicals whose reaction produces heating of the twisted and coiled polymer fiber actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Applicant: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Na Li, Carter S. Haines, Marcio D. Lima, Monica Jung DeAndrade, Shaoli Fang, Jiyoung Oh, Mikhail E. Kozlov, Dongseok Suh, Ray H. Baughman
  • Publication number: 20200088175
    Abstract: Actuators (artificial muscles) comprising twist-spun nanofiber twist-inserted polymer fibers generate tensile actuation when powered electrically, photonically, chemically, thermally, by absorption, or by other means. These artificial muscles utilize coiled polymer fibers and can be either neat or comprising a guest. In some embodiments, the coiled polymer fibers actuator can be incorporated into an article, such as a textile, braid, clothing, smart packaging, or a mechanical system, and the coiled polymer fiber in the coiled polymer fiber actuator can have a stroke amplification factor of 5 or greater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Applicant: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Na Li, Carter S. Haines, Marcio D. Lima, Monica Jung DeAndrade, Shaoli Fang, Jiyoung Oh, Mikhail E. Kozlov, Dongseok Suh, Ray H. Baughman
  • Patent number: 10480491
    Abstract: Actuators (artificial muscles) comprising twist-spun nanofiber yarn or twist-inserted polymer fibers generate torsional actuation when powered electrically, photonically, chemically, thermally, by absorption, or by other means. These artificial muscles utilize coiled yarns/polymer fibers and can be either neat or comprising a guest. In some embodiments, the torsional fiber actuator includes a first polymer fiber (exhibiting a first polymer fiber diameter) and a torsional return spring in communication with the first polymer fiber. The first polymer fiber is configured to include a first plurality of twists in a first direction to produce a twisted polymer fiber. The first polymer fiber is further configured to include a plurality of coils in the twisted polymer fiber in a second direction each coil having a mean coil diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: THE BOARD OF REGENTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM
    Inventors: Na Li, Carter S. Haines, Marcio D. Lima, Monica Jung DeAndrade, Shaoli Fang, Jiyoung Oh, Mikhail E. Kozlov, Dongseok Suh, Ray H. Baughman
  • Publication number: 20190096540
    Abstract: Superelastic conductive fibers, and more particularly, sheath-core fibers for superelastic electronics, sensors, and muscles, and a process for fabricating of highly stretchable sheath-core conducting fibers by wrapping fiber-direction-oriented conductive nanofiber sheets on stretched rubber fiber cores.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Applicant: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Ray H. Baughman, Zunfeng Liu, Shaoli Fang, Francisco A. Moura, Nan Jiang, Dong Qian, Hongbing Lu, Xavier N. Lepro, Carter S. Haines
  • Patent number: 10196271
    Abstract: A nanofiber yarn that includes a plurality of nanofibers twisted into a yarn along an alignment axis. The nanofibers of the plurality of nanofibers have a ratio of nanofiber length to nanofiber circumference of at least 50. The yarn has a helix angle measured relative to the alignment axis of from 5° to 30°. The yarn has tensile strength of at least 280 MPa. A nanofiber fabric that includes a first sheet of multiwalled nanotubes and a second sheet of multiwalled nanotubes on the first sheet of multiwalled nanotubes. The multiwalled nanotubes of the first sheet are aligned in a first direction. The multiwalled nanotubes of the second sheet are aligned in the first direction. The first sheet and the second sheet are aligned so that the multiwalled nanotubes of the first sheet and the second sheet are both aligned in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: The Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Mei Zhang, Shaoli Fang, Ray H. Baughman, Anvar A. Zakhidov, Kenneth Ross Atkinson, Ali E. Aliev, Sergey Li, Chris Williams