Patents by Inventor Steven A Carlson

Steven A Carlson 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: 6488721
    Abstract: Provided are methods of preparing a cathode/separator assembly for use in electrochemical cells in which a microporous separator layer is coated on a temporary carrier substrate and a cathode active layer is then coated or laminated on the separator layer prior to removing the temporary carrier substrate from the separator layer. The microporous separator layer may comprise one or more microporous xerogel layers. Optionally, the cathode/separator assembly may comprise one or more protective coating layers which are in contact with at least one of the microporous xerogel layers, and one of the protective coating layers may be coated on the temporary carrier substrate prior to coating the separator layer. Also, provided are methods of preparing electrochemical cells utilizing cathode/separator assemblies prepared by such methods, and cathode/separator assemblies and electrochemical cells prepared by such methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Moltech Corporation
    Inventor: Steven A. Carlson
  • Publication number: 20020141029
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to an optical shutter comprising an organic free radical compound, wherein the optical shutter is reversibly imageable to switch between a non-reflective and transparent state and a reflective state. This switching may be induced by the absorption of photons, the application of an electric current, or thermally. Preferably, the organic free radical compound is a salt of an aminium radical cation. Also provided are optical switch devices and optical buffers comprising such optical shutters, methods of switching an optical signal utilizing such optical shutters and switch devices, and methods of storing an optical signal utilizing such optical buffers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventors: Steven A. Carlson, Arthur W. Berger
  • Patent number: 6423444
    Abstract: This invention pertains to separators for electrochemical cells which comprise (i) two microporous pseudo-boehmite layers and (ii) a protective coating layer comprising a polymer interposed between the microporous pseudo-boehmite layers; electrolyte elements comprising such separators; electrical current producing cells comprising such separators; and methods of making such separators, electrolyte elements and cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Moltech Corporation
    Inventors: Qicong Ying, Steven A. Carlson, Terje A. Skotheim
  • Publication number: 20020092155
    Abstract: This invention pertains to separators for electrochemical cells which comprise a microporous pseudo-boehmite layer; electrolyte elements comprising such separators; electrical current producing cells comprising such separators; and methods of making such separators, electrolyte elements and cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventors: Steven A. Carlson, Qicong Ying, Zhongyi Deng, Terje A. Skotheim
  • Patent number: 6410182
    Abstract: This invention pertains to separators for electrochemical cells which comprise (i) a microporous pseudo-boehmite layer and (ii) a protective coating layer comprising a polymer; electrolyte elements comprising such separators; electrical current producing cells comprising such separators; and methods of making such separators, electrolyte elements and cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Moltech Corporation
    Inventors: Qicong Ying, Steven A. Carlson, Terje A. Skotheim
  • Patent number: 6381059
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to an optical shutter comprising an organic free compound, preferably a radical cation or a radical anion, wherein the organic free radical compound forms a reaction product having a change in absorption in a near-infrared or a wavelength region as a result of a photo-induced reaction of the free radical compound. Preferably, the photo-induced reaction occurs in less than 0.1 nanoseconds after absorption of photons by the free radical compound. Also, preferably, the change in absorption is reversible, and the optical shutter is reversibly imaged in less than 10 milliseconds to regenerate the free radical compound. Provided is an optical shutter for use as an optical switch in fiber optic communications, and, alternatively, for use in a laser protection device, a security protection system, and an eyewear device. Also provided are optical switch arrays, optical buffers, optical routers, and tunable optical gain filters comprising such optical shutters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Inventor: Steven A. Carlson
  • Publication number: 20020027705
    Abstract: An optical amplifier includes an organic luminescent free radical compound, preferably a salt of a radical cation or a salt of a radical anion, wherein an excited state of the luminescent free radical compound undergoes stimulated emission in an infrared wavelength region, such as 1500 to 1650 nm. Suitable organic luminescent free radical compounds include aminium infrared-absorbing dyes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Inventor: Steven A. Carlson
  • Publication number: 20020018277
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to an optical shutter comprising an photon-absorbing layer and a surface layer in a transparent state on at least one side of the photon-absorbing layer, wherein the optical shutter is characterized by the absorption of photons to change the photon-absorbing layer to an opaque state and to change the surface layer to a reflective state. The optical shutter is reversibly imageable between these transparent and reflective states. The optical shutter may comprise a metallized layer on at least one side of the photon-absorbing layer. Preferably, the optical shutter comprises an organic free radical compound, such as a salt of an aminium radical cation, in the photon-absorbing layer. Also provided are optical switch devices and optical buffers comprising such optical shutters and methods of switching an optical signal utilizing such optical shutters and switch devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Inventors: Steven A. Carlson, Arthur W. Berger
  • Publication number: 20010053475
    Abstract: This invention pertains to separators for use in electrochemical cells which comprise at least one microporous pseudo-boehmite layer, which separator is in contact with at least one protective coating layer positioned on the anode-facing side of the separator opposite from the cathode active layer in the cell; electrolyte elements comprising such separators; electrical current producing cells comprising such separators; and methods of making such separators, electrolyte elements and cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventors: Qicong Ying, Steven A. Carlson, Terje A. Skotheim
  • Publication number: 20010038732
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to an optical shutter comprising an organic free compound, such as a radical cation or a radical anion, and a polydiacetylene compound, wherein the polydiacetylene compound is characterized by having a change in absorption in a wavelength region as a result of a photo-induced heat transfer from the free radical compound. The thermochromic change in absorption is reversed by thermal cooling or by a photo-induced reaction after the photo-induced heat transfer. Also provided is an optical shutter for use as an optical switch in fiber optic communications, and, alternatively, for use in a laser protection device, in a security protection system, or in an eyewear device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Inventor: Steven A. Carlson
  • Patent number: 6306545
    Abstract: This invention pertains to separators for electrochemical cells which comprise a microporous pseudo-boehmite layer; electrolyte elements comprising such separators; electrical current producing cells comprising such separators; and methods of making such separators, electrolyte elements and cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Moltech Corporation
    Inventors: Steven A. Carlson, Qicong Ying, Zhongyi Deng, Terje A. Skotheim
  • Patent number: 6277514
    Abstract: This invention pertains to separators for use in electrochemical cells which comprise at least one microporous pseudo-boehmite layer, which separator is in contact with at least one protective coating layer positioned on the anode-facing side of the separator opposite from the cathode active layer in the cell; electrolyte elements comprising such separators; electrical current producing cells comprising such separators; and methods of making such separators, electrolyte elements and cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Moltech Corporation
    Inventors: Qicong Ying, Steven A. Carlson, Terje A. Skotheim
  • Publication number: 20010000485
    Abstract: This invention pertains to separators for electrochemical cells which comprise (i) two microporous pseudo-boehmite layers and (ii) a protective coating layer comprising a polymer interposed between the microporous pseudo-boehmite layers; electrolyte elements comprising such separators; electrical current producing cells comprising such separators; and methods of making such separators, electrolyte elements and cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Publication date: April 26, 2001
    Inventors: Qicong Ying, Steven A. Carlson, Terje A. Skotheim
  • Patent number: 6194098
    Abstract: This invention pertains to separators for electrochemical cells which comprise (i) a microporous pseudo-boehmite layer and (ii) a protective coating layer comprising a polymer; electrolyte elements comprising such separators; electrical current producing cells comprising such separators; and methods of making such separators, electrolyte elements and cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Moltech Corporation
    Inventors: Qicong Ying, Steven A. Carlson, Terje A. Skotheim
  • Patent number: 6183901
    Abstract: This invention pertains to separators for electrochemical cells which comprise (i) two microporous pseudo-boehmite layers and (ii) a protective coating layer comprising a polymer interposed between the microporous pseudo-boehmite layers; electrolyte elements comprising such separators; electrical current producing cells comprising such separators; and methods of making such separators, electrolyte elements and cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Moltech Corporation
    Inventors: Qicong Ying, Steven A. Carlson, Terje A. Skotheim
  • Patent number: 6172795
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to an optical shutter device comprising one or more photon absorbing materials that convert photons to heat in less than 1 nanosecond and one or more thermochromic materials that undergo an increase or decrease in optical density at one or more wavelengths when the thermochromic material is heated from 25° C. to a temperature greater than 100° C. in less than 1 nanosecond.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Cambridge Scientific, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven A Carlson
  • Patent number: 6153337
    Abstract: This invention pertains to separators for electrochemical cells which comprise a microporous pseudo-boehmite layer; electrolyte elements comprising such separators; electrical current producing cells comprising such separators; and methods of making such separators, electrolyte elements and cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Moltech Corporation
    Inventors: Steven A. Carlson, Zhongyi Deng, Qicong Ying, Terje A. Skotheim