Patents by Inventor Stephen Z. Cheng

Stephen Z. Cheng 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: 9206285
    Abstract: The present invention relates to conjugated polymers and a method for their synthesis. Furthermore, the present invention relates to electro-synthesis methods for producing polymers that include the use of at least one Lewis acid and at least one proton trap to form organic conjugated polymers having elevated refractive indices. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to an organic polymer having an elevated refractive index, the organic polymer formed by a process comprising the steps of: providing a solution of unsaturated organic monomer units and at least one acidic component; impeding saturation of the unsaturated organic-monomer units by at least one protic element in the solution; and polymerizing the unsaturated organic monomer units to form a conjugated organic polymer having a refractive index of at least about 2.3 for electromagnetic energy having a wavelength of about 700 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: The University of Akron
    Inventors: Stephen Z. Cheng, Matthew J. Graham, Frank W. Harris, Shi Jin
  • Publication number: 20120296060
    Abstract: The present invention relates to conjugated polymers and a method for their synthesis. Furthermore, the present invention relates to electro-synthesis methods for producing polymers that include the use of at least one Lewis acid and at least one proton trap to form organic conjugated polymers having elevated refractive indices. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to an organic polymer having an elevated refractive index, the organic polymer formed by a process comprising the steps of: providing a solution of unsaturated organic monomer units and at least one acidic component; impeding saturation of the unsaturated organic-monomer units by at least one protic element in the solution; and polymerizing the unsaturated organic monomer units to form a conjugated organic polymer having a refractive index of at least about 2.3 for electromagnetic energy having a wavelength of about 700 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventors: Stephen Z. Cheng, Matthew J. Graham, Frank W. Harris, Shi Jin
  • Patent number: 8257493
    Abstract: The present invention relates to conjugated polymers and a method for their synthesis. Furthermore, the present invention relates to electro-synthesis methods for producing polymers that include the use of at least one Lewis acid and at least one proton trap to form organic conjugated polymers having elevated refractive indices. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to an organic polymer having an elevated refractive index, the organic polymer formed by a process comprising the steps of: providing a solution of unsaturated organic monomer units and at least one acidic component; impeding saturation of the unsaturated organic-monomer units by at least one protic element in the solution; and polymerizing the unsaturated organic monomer units to form a conjugated organic polymer having a refractive index of at least about 2.3 for electromagnetic energy having a wavelength of about 700 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: The University of Akron
    Inventors: Stephen Z. Cheng, Matthew J. Graham, Frank W. Harris, Shi Jin
  • Publication number: 20080130111
    Abstract: The present invention relates to conjugated polymers and a method for their synthesis. Furthermore, the present invention relates to electro-synthesis methods for producing polymers that include the use of at least one Lewis acid and at least one proton trap to form organic conjugated polymers having elevated refractive indices. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to an organic polymer having an elevated refractive index, the organic polymer formed by a process comprising the steps of: providing a solution of unsaturated organic monomer units and at least one acidic component; impeding saturation of the unsaturated organic-monomer units by at least one protic element in the solution; and polymerizing the unsaturated organic monomer units to form a conjugated organic polymer having a refractive index of at least about 2.3 for electromagnetic energy having a wavelength of about 700 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Stephen Z. Cheng, Matthew J. Graham, Frank W. Harris, Shi Jin
  • Publication number: 20040138408
    Abstract: A polyimide comprises a reaction product of at least one dianhydride and at least one diamine, wherein the at least one diamine contains a pendent mesogenic group. A method for inducing a predetermined orientation of a liquid crystal material is also disclosed. The method includes applying an alignment layer material to a substrate and buffing the alignment layer material, thereby providing an alignment layer with a pre-tilt angle, wherein the alignment layer material is a reaction product of at least one dianhydride and at least one diamine, wherein the at least one diamine contains a pendent mesogenic group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Frank W. Harris, Stephen Z Cheng