Patents by Inventor Stephen A. Empedocles
Stephen A. Empedocles 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).
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Patent number: 7102605Abstract: The present invention is directed to a display using nanowire transistors. In particular, a liquid crystal display using nanowire pixel transistors, nanowire row transistors, nanowire column transistors and nanowire edge electronics is described. A nanowire pixel transistor is used to control the voltage applied across a pixel containing liquid crystals. A pair of nanowire row transistors is used to turn nanowire pixel transistors that are located along a row trace connected to the pair of nanowire row transistors on and off. Nanowire column transistors are used to apply a voltage across nanowire pixel transistors that are located along a column trace connected to a nanowire column transistor. Displays including organic light emitting diodes (OLED) displays, nanotube field effect displays, plasma displays, micromirror displays, micoelectromechanical (MEMs) displays, electrochromic displays and electrophoretic displays using nanowire transistors are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2003Date of Patent: September 5, 2006Assignee: Nanosys, Inc.Inventors: Dave Stumbo, Stephen Empedocles
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Publication number: 20060188774Abstract: The present invention discloses nanowires for use in a fuel cell comprising a metal catalyst deposited on a surface of the nanowires. A membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell is disclosed which generally comprises a proton exchange membrane, an anode electrode, and a cathode electrode, wherein at least one or more of the anode electrode and cathode electrode comprise an interconnected network of the catalyst supported nanowires. Methods are also disclosed for preparing a membrane electrode assembly and fuel cell based upon an interconnected network of nanowires.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2005Publication date: August 24, 2006Applicant: Nanosys, Inc.Inventors: Chunming Niu, Calvin Chow, Stephen Empedocles, J. Parce
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Patent number: 7087833Abstract: Nanocomposite photovoltaic devices are provided that generally include semiconductor nanocrystals as at least a portion of a photoactive layer. Photovoltaic devices and other layered devices that comprise core-shell nanostructures and/or two populations of nanostructures, where the nanostructures are not necessarily part of a nanocomposite, are also features of the invention. Varied architectures for such devices are also provided including flexible and rigid architectures, planar and non-planar architectures and the like, as are systems incorporating such devices, and methods and systems for fabricating such devices. Compositions comprising two populations of nanostructures of different materials are also a feature of the invention.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2004Date of Patent: August 8, 2006Assignee: Nanosys, Inc.Inventors: Erik C. Scher, Mihai Buretea, Stephen A. Empedocles
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Patent number: 7087832Abstract: Nanocomposite photovoltaic devices are provided that generally include semiconductor nanocrystals as at least a portion of a photoactive layer. Photovoltaic devices and other layered devices that comprise core-shell nanostructures and/or two populations of nanostructures, where the nanostructures are not necessarily part of a nanocomposite, are also features of the invention. Varied architectures for such devices are also provided including flexible and rigid architectures, planar and non-planar architectures and the like, as are systems incorporating such devices, and methods and systems for fabricating such devices. Compositions comprising two populations of nanostructures of different materials are also a feature of the invention.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2004Date of Patent: August 8, 2006Assignee: Nanosys, Inc.Inventors: Erik C. Scher, Mihai Buretea, Calvin Y. H. Chow, Stephen A. Empedocles, Andreas P. Meisel, J. Wallace Parce
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Publication number: 20060169788Abstract: Macroelectronic substrate materials incorporating nanowires are described. These are used to provide underlying electronic elements (e.g., transistors and the like) for a variety of different applications. Methods for making the macroelectronic substrate materials are disclosed. One application is for transmission an reception of RF signals in small, lightweight sensors. Such sensors can be configured in a distributed sensor network to provide security monitoring. Furthermore, a method and apparatus for a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag is described. The RFID tag includes an antenna and a beam-steering array. The beam-steering array includes a plurality of tunable elements. A method and apparatus for an acoustic cancellation device and for an adjustable phase shifter that are enabled by nanowires are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2005Publication date: August 3, 2006Applicant: Nanosys, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Empedocles, David Stumbo, Chunming Niu, Xiangfeng Duan
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Patent number: 7083104Abstract: Macroelectronic substrate materials incorporating nanowires are described. These are used to provide underlying electronic elements (e.g., transistors and the like) for a variety of different applications. Methods for making the macroelectronic substrate materials are disclosed. One application is for transmission an reception of RF signals in small, lightweight sensors. Such sensors can be configured in a distributed sensor network to provide security monitoring. Furthermore, a method and apparatus for a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag is described. The RFID tag includes an antenna and a beam-steering array. The beam-steering array includes a plurality of tunable elements. A method and apparatus for an acoustic cancellation device and for an adjustable phase shifter that are enabled by nanowires are also described.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2005Date of Patent: August 1, 2006Assignee: Nanosys, Inc.Inventors: Stephen A. Empedocles, David P. Stumbo, Chunming Niu, Xiangfeng Duan
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Patent number: 7079241Abstract: Devices, systems, kits, and methods for detecting and/or identifying a plurality of spectrally labeled bodies well-suited for performing multiplexed assays. By spectrally labeling the beads with materials which generate identifiable spectra, a plurality of beads may be identified within the fluid. Reading of the beads is facilitated by restraining the beads in arrays, and/or using a focused laser.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2001Date of Patent: July 18, 2006Assignee: Invitrogen Corp.Inventors: Stephen A. Empedocles, Andrew R. Watson, Jian Jin
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Publication number: 20060151820Abstract: A method and apparatus for an electronic substrate having a plurality of semiconductor devices is described. A thin film of nanowires is formed on a substrate. The thin film of nanowires is formed to have a sufficient density of nanowires to achieve an operational current level. A plurality of semiconductor regions are defined in the thin film of nanowires. Contacts are formed at the semiconductor device regions to thereby provide electrical connectivity to the plurality of semiconductor devices. Furthermore, various materials for fabricating nanowires, thin films including p-doped nanowires and n-doped nanowires, nanowire heterostructures, light emitting nanowire heterostructures, flow masks for positioning nanowires on substrates, nanowire spraying techniques for depositing nanowires, techniques for reducing or eliminating phonon scattering of electrons in nanowires, and techniques for reducing surface states in nanowires are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2006Publication date: July 13, 2006Applicant: Nanosys, Inc.Inventors: Xiangfeng Duan, Chunming Niu, Stephen Empedocles, Linda Romano, Jian Chen, Vijendra Sahi, Lawrence Bock, David Stumbo, J. Parce, Jay Goldman
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Patent number: 7068898Abstract: This invention provides composite materials comprising nanostructures (e.g., nanowires, branched nanowires, nanotetrapods, nanocrystals, and nanoparticles). Methods and compositions for making such nanocomposites are also provided, as are articles comprising such composites. Waveguides and light concentrators comprising nanostructures (not necessarily as part of a nanocomposite) are additional features of the invention.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2003Date of Patent: June 27, 2006Assignee: Nanosys, Inc.Inventors: Mihai Buretea, Stephen Empedocles, Chunming Niu, Erik C. Scher
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Patent number: 7067867Abstract: A method and apparatus for an electronic substrate having a plurality of semiconductor devices is described. A thin film of nanowires is formed on a substrate. The thin film of nanowires is formed to have a sufficient density of nanowires to achieve an operational current level. A plurality of semiconductor regions are defined in the thin film of nanowires. Contacts are formed at the semiconductor device regions to thereby provide electrical connectivity to the plurality of semiconductor devices. Furthermore, various materials for fabricating nanowires, thin films including p-doped nanowires and n-doped nanowires, nanowire heterostructures, light emitting nanowire heterostructures, flow masks for positioning nanowires on substrates, nanowire spraying techniques for depositing nanowires, techniques for reducing or eliminating phonon scattering of electrons in nanowires, and techniques for reducing surface states in nanowires are described.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2003Date of Patent: June 27, 2006Assignee: Nanosys, Inc.Inventors: Xiangfeng Duan, Chunming Niu, Stephen Empedocles, Linda T. Romano, Jian Chen, Vijendra Sahi, Lawrence Bock, David Stumbo, J. Wallace Parce, Jay L. Goldman
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Patent number: 7064372Abstract: A method and apparatus for an electronic substrate having a plurality of semiconductor devices is described. A thin film of nanowires is formed on a substrate. The thin film of nanowires is formed to have a sufficient density of nanowires to achieve an operational current level. A plurality of semiconductor regions are defined in the thin film of nanowires. Contacts are formed at the semiconductor device regions to thereby provide electrical connectivity to the plurality of semiconductor devices. Furthermore, various materials for fabricating nanowires, thin films including p-doped nanowires and n-doped nanowires, nanowire heterostructures, light emitting nanowire heterostructures, flow masks for positioning nanowires on substrates, nanowire spraying techniques for depositing nanowires, techniques for reducing or eliminating phonon scattering of electrons in nanowires, and techniques for reducing surface states in nanowires are described.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2004Date of Patent: June 20, 2006Assignee: Nanosys, Inc.Inventors: Xiangfeng Duan, Chunming Niu, Stephen Empedocles, Linda T. Romano, Jian Chen, Vijendra Sahi, Lawrence A. Bock, David P. Stumbo, J. Wallace Parce, Jay L. Goldman
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Patent number: 7051945Abstract: Macroelectronic substrate materials incorporating nanowires are described. These are used to provide underlying electronic elements (e.g., transistors and the like) for a variety of different applications. Methods for making the macroelectronic substrate materials are disclosed. One application is for transmission an reception of RF signals in small, lightweight sensors. Such sensors can be configured in a distributed sensor network to provide security monitoring. Furthermore, a method and apparatus for a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag is described. The RFID tag includes an antenna and a beam-steering array. The beam-steering array includes a plurality of tunable elements. A method and apparatus for an acoustic cancellation device and for an adjustable phase shifter that are enabled by nanowires are also described.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2003Date of Patent: May 30, 2006Assignee: Nanosys, IncInventors: Stephen Empedocles, David P. Stumbo, Chunming Niu, Xianfeng Duan
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Patent number: 7049148Abstract: A photoactive moiety exhibiting an anisotropic transition dipole. The moiety exhibits emission of polarized light in response to energy absorption. In a preferred embodiment, the moiety comprises a particle from the group consisting of a crystalline arrangement of photoactive molecules and a photoactive nanocrystal. The moiety may include a matrix in which photoactive objects exhibiting an anisotropic emission dipole are embedded. The moiety may be photobleached to product the anisotropy and the photoactive objects may have a one dimensional transition dipole in their natural state.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2003Date of Patent: May 23, 2006Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Moungi Bawendi, Stephen Empedocles
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Publication number: 20060008942Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods to harvest, integrate and exploit nanomaterials, and particularly elongated nanowire materials. The invention provides methods for harvesting nanowires that include selectively etching a sacrificial layer placed on a nanowire growth substrate to remove nanowires. The invention also provides methods for integrating nanowires into electronic devices that include placing an outer surface of a cylinder in contact with a fluid suspension of nanowires and rolling the nanowire coated cylinder to deposit nanowires onto a surface. Methods are also provided to deposit nanowires using an ink-jet printer or an aperture to align nanowires. Additional aspects of the invention provide methods for preventing gate shorts in nanowire based transistors. Additional methods for harvesting and integrating nanowires are provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2005Publication date: January 12, 2006Applicant: Nanosys, Inc.Inventors: Linda Romano, Jian Chen, Xiangfeng Duan, Robert Dubrow, Stephen Empedocles, Jay Goldman, James Hamilton, David Heald, Francesco Lemmi, Chunming Niu, Yaoling Pan, George Pontis, Vijendra Sahi, Erik Scher, David Stumbo, Jeffery Whiteford
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Patent number: 6962823Abstract: Nanostructure manufacturing methods and methods for assembling nanostructures into functional elements such as junctions, arrays and devices are provided. Systems for practicing the methods are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2003Date of Patent: November 8, 2005Assignee: Nanosys, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Empedocles, Larry Bock, Calvin Chow, Xianfeng Duan, Chungming Niu, George Pontis, Vijendra Sahi, Linda T. Romano, David Stumbo
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Publication number: 20050230356Abstract: Nanostructure manufacturing methods and methods for assembling nanostructures into functional elements such as junctions, arrays and devices are provided. Systems for practicing the methods are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2005Publication date: October 20, 2005Applicant: NANOSYS, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Empedocles, Larry Bock, Calvin Chow, Xianfeng Duan, Chunming Niu, George Pontis, Vijendra Sahi, Linda Romano, David Stumbo
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Publication number: 20050214967Abstract: Nanocomposite photovoltaic devices are provided that generally include semiconductor nanocrystals as at least a portion of a photoactive layer. Photovoltaic devices and other layered devices that comprise core-shell nanostructures and/or two populations of nanostructures, where the nanostructures are not necessarily part of a nanocomposite, are also features of the invention. Varied architectures for such devices are also provided including flexible and rigid architectures, planar and non-planar architectures and the like, as are systems incorporating such devices, and methods and systems for fabricating such devices. Compositions comprising two populations of nanostructures of different materials are also a feature of the invention.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2004Publication date: September 29, 2005Applicant: Nanosys, Inc.Inventors: Eric Scher, Mihai Buretea, Calvin Chow, Stephen Empedocles, Andreas Meisel, J. Parce
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Publication number: 20050199731Abstract: Macroelectronic substrate materials incorporating nanowires are described. These are used to provide underlying electronic elements (e.g., transistors and the like) for a variety of different applications. Methods for making the macroelectronic substrate materials are disclosed. One application is for transmission an reception of RF signals in small, lightweight sensors. Such sensors can be configured in a distributed sensor network to provide security monitoring. Furthermore, a method and apparatus for a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag is described. The RFID tag includes an antenna and a beam-steering array. The beam-steering array includes a plurality of tunable elements. A method and apparatus for an acoustic cancellation device and for an adjustable phase shifter that are enabled by nanowires are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2003Publication date: September 15, 2005Inventors: Stephen Empedocles, David Stumbo, Chunming Niu, Xianfeng Duan
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Publication number: 20050181587Abstract: A method and apparatus for an electronic substrate having a plurality of semiconductor devices is described. A thin film of nanowires is formed on a substrate. The thin film of nanowires is formed to have a sufficient density of nanowires to achieve an operational current level. A plurality of semiconductor regions are defined in the thin film of nanowires. Contacts are formed at the semiconductor device regions to thereby provide electrical connectivity to the plurality of semiconductor devices. Furthermore, various materials for fabricating nanowires, thin films including p-doped nanowires and n-doped nanowires, nanowire heterostructures, light emitting nanowire heterostructures, flow masks for positioning nanowires on substrates, nanowire spraying techniques for depositing nanowires, techniques for reducing or eliminating phonon scattering of electrons in nanowires, and techniques for reducing surface states in nanowires are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2005Publication date: August 18, 2005Applicant: Nanosys, Inc.Inventors: Xiangfeng Duan, Chunming Niu, Stephen Empedocles, Linda Romano, Jian Chen, Vijendra Sahi, Lawrence Bock, David Stumbo, J. Parce, Jay Goldman
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Publication number: 20050150541Abstract: Nanocomposite photovoltaic devices are provided that generally include semiconductor nanocrystals as at least a portion of a photoactive layer. Photovoltaic devices and other layered devices that comprise core-shell nanostructures and/or two populations of nanostructures, where the nanostructures are not necessarily part of a nanocomposite, are also features of the invention. Varied architectures for such devices are also provided including flexible and rigid architectures, planar and non-planar architectures and the like, as are systems incorporating such devices, and methods and systems for fabricating such devices. Compositions comprising two populations of nanostructures of different materials are also a feature of the invention.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2004Publication date: July 14, 2005Applicant: Nanosys, Inc.Inventors: Erik Scher, Mihai Buretea, Calvin Chow, Stephen Empedocles, Andreas Meisel, J. Parce