Patents by Inventor Stephen R. Forrest

Stephen R. Forrest 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).

  • Metal oxide charge transport material doped with organic molecules
    Patent number: 9431621
    Abstract: Doping metal oxide charge transport material with an organic molecule lowers electrical resistance while maintaining transparency and thus is optimal for use as charge transport materials in various organic optoelectronic devices such as organic photovoltaic devices and organic light emitting devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Stephen R. Forrest, Brian E. Lassiter
  • Light trapping architecture for photovoltaic and photodector applications
    Patent number: 9412960
    Abstract: There is disclosed photovoltaic device structures which trap admitted light and recycle it through the contained photosensitive materials to maximize photoabsorption. For example, there is disclosed a photosensitive optoelectronic device comprising: a first reflective layer comprising a thermoplastic resin; a second reflective layer substantially parallel to the first reflective layer; a first transparent electrode layer on at least one of the first and second reflective layer; and a photosensitive region adjacent to the first electrode, wherein the first transparent electrode layer is substantially parallel to the first reflective layer and adjacent to the photosensitive region, and wherein the device has an exterior face transverse to the planes of the reflective layers where the exterior face has an aperture for admission of incident radiation to the interior of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventors: Stephen R. Forrest, Richard R. Lunt, Michael Slootsky
  • EXCITON-BLOCKING TREATMENTS FOR BUFFER LAYERS IN ORGANIC PHOTOVOLTAICS
    Publication number: 20160204367
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are exciton-blocking treatments for buffer layers used in organic photosensitive optoelectronic devices. More specifically, the organic photosensitive optoelectronic devices described herein include at least one self-assembled monolayer disposed on the surface of an anode buffer layer. Methods of preparing these devices are also disclosed. The present disclosure further relates to methods of forming at least one self-assembled monolayer on a substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Inventors: Stephen R. FORREST, Byeongseop SONG, Jeramy D. ZIMMERMAN
  • Thick-ETL OLEDs with Sub-ITO Grids with Improved Outcoupling
    Publication number: 20160204387
    Abstract: An organic light emitting device is described. In certain embodiments, the device has a transparent substrate, a transparent grid layer disposed over the substrate, and an OLED disposed over the grid layer. The OLED can include an anode, a cathode, and at least one organic layer between the anode and cathode. A refractive index of the transparent grid layer is less than or equal to a refractive index of the transparent substrate. In certain embodiments, the at least one organic layer includes an electron transport layer having a thickness of at least 50 nm. In certain embodiments, the refractive index of the transparent grid layer is less than n=1.20, or in certain embodiments, less than n=1.05. Methods of manufacturing an organic light emitting device are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Inventors: Stephen R. Forrest, Yue Qu, Michael Slootsky
  • THIN FILM LIFT-OFF VIA COMBINATION OF EPITAXIAL LIFT-OFF AND SPALLING
    Publication number: 20160197227
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to thin film liftoff processes for use in making devices such as electronic and optoelectronic devices, e.g., photovoltaic devices. The methods described herein use a combination of epitaxial liftoff and spalling techniques to quickly and precisely control the separation of an epilayer from a growth substrate. Provided herein are growth structures having a sacrificial layer positioned between a growth substrate and a sacrificial layer. Exemplary methods of the present disclosure include forming at least one notch in the sacrificial layer and spalling the growth structure by crack propagation at the at least one notch to separate the epilayer from the growth substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Inventors: Stephen R. Forrest, Kyusang Lee, Jeramy D. Zimmerman
  • Enhancing Light Extraction of Organic Light-Emitting Diodes Via Nanoscale Texturing of Electrode Surfaces
    Publication number: 20160197306
    Abstract: An organic light emitting device is described, having an OLED including an anode, a cathode, and at least one organic layer between the anode and cathode. At least a portion of an electrode surface includes a plurality of scattering structures positioned in a partially disordered pattern resembling nodes of a two dimensional lattice. The scattering structures are positioned around the nodes of the two dimensional lattice with the average distance between the position of each scattering structure and a respective node of the lattice is from 0 to 0.5 of the distance between adjacent lattice nodes. A method of manufacturing an organic light emitting device and a method of enhancing the light-extraction efficiency of an organic light emitting device are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Inventors: Ardavan Oskool, Stephen R. Forrest
  • Organic electronic devices with multiple solution-processed layers
    Patent number: 9385348
    Abstract: A method for fabricating an organic light emitting device stack involves depositing a first conductive electrode layer over a substrate; depositing a first set of one or more organic layers, wherein at least one of the first set of organic layers is a first emissive layer and one of the first set of organic layers is deposited by a solution-based process that utilizes a first solvent; depositing a first conductive interlayer by a dry deposition process; and depositing a second set of one or more organic layers, wherein at least one of the second set of organic layers is a second emissive layer and one of the second set of organic layers is deposited by a solution-based process that utilizes a second solvent, wherein all layers that precede the layer deposited using the second solvent are insoluble in the second solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Stephen R. Forrest, Brian E. Lassiter, Jeramy D. Zimmerman
  • System and method of forming semiconductor devices
    Patent number: 9373666
    Abstract: Systems and methods including bonding two or more separately formed circuit layers are provided using, for example, cold welding techniques. Processing techniques may be provided for combining inorganic and/or organic semiconductor devices in apparatus including, for example, microchips, optoelectronic devices, such as solar cells, photodetectors and organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), and other apparatus with multi-layer circuitry. Methods of bonding preformed circuit layers may include the use of stamping and pressure bonding contacts of two or more circuit layers together. Such methods may find applicability, for example, in bonding circuitry to shaped substrates, including various rounded and irregular shapes, and may be used to combine devices with different structural properties, e.g. from different materials systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Stephen R. Forrest, Xin Xu, Christopher Kyle Renshaw
  • GROWTH OF ORDERED CRYSTALLINE ORGANIC FILMS
    Publication number: 20160155973
    Abstract: There is disclosed methods utilizing organic vapor phase deposition for growing bulk organic crystalline layers for organic photosensitive devices, heterojunctions and films made by such methods, and devices using such heterojunctions. There is also disclosed new methods for manufacturing heterojunctions and organic photosensitive devices, and the heterojunctions and devices manufactured thereby.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: Stephen R. Forrest, Richard R. Lunt
  • INTEGRATED SOLAR COLLECTORS USING EPITAXIAL LIFT OFF AND COLD WELD BONDED SEMICONDUCTOR SOLAR CELLS
    Publication number: 20160141431
    Abstract: There is disclosed ultrahigh-efficiency single- and multi-junction thin-film solar cells. This disclosure is also directed to a substrate-damage-free epitaxial lift-off (“ELO”) process that employs adhesive-free, reliable and lightweight cold-weld bonding to a substrate, such as bonding to plastic or metal foils shaped into compound parabolic metal foil concentrators. By combining low-cost solar cell production and ultrahigh-efficiency of solar intensity-concentrated thin-film solar cells on foil substrates shaped into an integrated collector, as described herein, both lower cost of the module as well as significant cost reductions in the infrastructure is achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventors: Stephen R. FORREST, CHRISTOPHER KYLE RENSHAW, MICHAEL SLOOTSKY
  • Organic vapor jet printing system
    Patent number: 9328421
    Abstract: An organic vapor jet printing system includes a pump for increasing the pressure of an organic flux.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventor: Stephen R. Forrest
  • Ordered organic-organic multilayer growth
    Patent number: 9306184
    Abstract: An ordered multilayer crystalline organic thin film structure is formed by depositing at least two layers of thin film crystalline organic materials successively wherein the at least two thin film layers are selected to have their surface energies within ±50% of each other, and preferably within ±15% of each other, whereby every thin film layer within the multilayer crystalline organic thin film structure exhibit a quasi-epitaxial relationship with the adjacent crystalline organic thin film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Stephen R. Forrest, Richard R. Lunt
  • ORGANIC PHOTOSENSITIVE DEVICES WITH EXCITON-BLOCKING CHARGE CARRIER FILTERES
    Publication number: 20160056398
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are organic photosensitive devices including at least one exciton-blocking charge carrier filter. The filters comprise a mixture of at least one wide energy gap material and at least one electron or hole conducting material. As described herein, the novel filters simultaneously block excitons and conduct the desired charge carrier (electrons or holes).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Stephen R. Forrest, Xin Xiao, Jeramy D. Zimmerman, Kevin Bergemann, Anurag Panda, Brian E. Lassiter, Mark E. Thompson, Andrew N. Bartynski, Cong Trinh
  • Organic laser
    Patent number: 9270086
    Abstract: A device is provided. The device includes a first organic light emitting device, which further comprises a first electrode, a second electrode, and an organic emissive layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The device also includes a first laser device, which further comprises an optical cavity and an organic lasing material disposed within the optical cavity. A focus mechanism is disposed to focus light emitted by the first organic light emitting device onto the first laser device. Preferably, the focus mechanism provides light incident on the first laser device at least 10 times greater, and more preferably at least 100 times greater, in intensity than the light emitted by the first organic light emitting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Stephen R. Forrest, Stephane Kena-Cohen, Noel Giebink
  • STABLE ORGANIC PHOTOSENSITIVE DEVICES WITH EXCITON-BLOCKING CHARGE CARRIER FILTERS UTILIZING HIGH GLASS TRANSITION TEMPERATURE MATERIALS
    Publication number: 20160020418
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are stable organic photosensitive devices including at least one exciton-blocking charge carrier filter. The filters comprise a mixture of at least one wide energy gap material having a sufficiently high glass transition temperature, e.g., higher than the temperature or temperature range at which the device typically operates, higher than a highest operating temperature of the device, higher than a threshold temperature value, etc. and at least one electron or hole conducting material. As described herein, the novel filters simultaneously block excitons and conduct the desired charge carrier (electrons or holes).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Stephen R. Forrest, Quinn Burlingame, Xin Xiao, Kevie Bergemann, Anurag Panda, Jeramy D. Zimmerman, Brian E. Lassiter, Mark E. Thompson, Andrew N. Bartynski, Cong Trinh
  • ORGANIC ELECTRONIC DEVICES WITH MULTIPLE SOLUTION-PROCESSED LAYERS
    Publication number: 20160006002
    Abstract: A method for fabricating an organic light emitting device stack involves depositing a first conductive electrode layer over a substrate; depositing a first set of one or more organic layers, wherein at least one of the first set of organic layers is a first emissive layer and one of the first set of organic layers is deposited by a solution-based process that utilizes a first solvent; depositing a first conductive interlayer by a dry deposition process; and depositing a second set of one or more organic layers, wherein at least one of the second set of organic layers is a second emissive layer and one of the second set of organic layers is deposited by a solution-based process that utilizes a second solvent, wherein all layers that precede the layer deposited using the second solvent are insoluble in the second solvent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventors: Stephen R. FORREST, Brian E. LASSITER, Jeramy D. ZIMMERMAN
  • ORGANIC PHOTOSENSITIVE DEVICES COMPRISING ARYL SQUARAINES AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME
    Publication number: 20160005983
    Abstract: There is disclosed squaraine compounds of formula I: wherein each of Y1 and Y2 is independently chosen from an optionally substituted amino group and an optionally substituted aryl group. Also described are organic optoelectronic devices comprising a Donor-Acceptor heterojunction that is formed from one or more of the squaraine compounds. A method of making the disclosed device, which may include one or more sublimation step for depositing said squaraine compound, is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Applicants: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventors: MARK E. THOMPSON, STEPHEN R. FORREST, GUODAN WEI, SIYI WANG, LINCOLN HALL, VIACHESLAV V. DIEV, XIN XIAO
  • APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DEPOSITION FOR ORGANIC THIN FILMS
    Publication number: 20160001320
    Abstract: The invention provides apparatus and methods for organic continuum vapor deposition of organic materials on large area substrates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: Stephen R. Forrest, Fan Yang, Richard Lunt
  • HYBRID PLANAR-MIXED HETEROJUNCTION FOR ORGANIC PHOTOVOLTAICS
    Publication number: 20150349283
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are organic photosensitive optoelectronic devices comprising two electrodes in superposed relation; a mixed photoactive layer located between the two electrodes, wherein the mixed photoactive layer comprises at least one donor material having a HOMO energy and at least one acceptor material having a LUMO energy, wherein the at least one donor material and the at least one acceptor material form a mixed donor-acceptor heterojunction; a photoactive layer adjacent to and interfacing with the mixed photoactive layer, wherein the photoactive layer comprises a material having a LUMO energy within 0.3 eV of the LUMO energy of the at least one acceptor material or a HOMO energy within 0.3 eV of the HOMO energy of the at least one donor material; and a buffer layer adjacent to and interfacing with the mixed photoactive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventors: Stephen R. FORREST, Jeramy, D. ZIMMERMAN,, Xin XIAO
  • EXCITED STATE MANAGEMENT
    Publication number: 20150349286
    Abstract: Arrangements and techniques for providing organic emissive layers are provided, in which the emissive layer includes a first dopant having a dissociative energy level. A second dopant in the emissive layer provides a solid state sink energy level, to which doubly excited excitons and/or polarons may transition instead of to the dissociative energy level, thereby decreasing the undesirable effects of transitions to the dissociative energy level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventors: Stephen R. FORREST, Michael SLOOTSKY, Mark E. THOMPSON