Patents by Inventor Zhanan Zou

Zhanan Zou 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).

  • Publication number: 20230413432
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to an electronic device comprising: a plurality of electronic chip components; a plurality of liquid metal (LM) electrical interconnects coupled to the plurality of electronic chips; and a polyimine film encapsulating the plurality of electronic chip components and the plurality of LM electrical interconnects. In some embodiments, the polyimine film comprises the product of the polymerization reaction between terephthaldehyde, 3,3diamino-N-methyldipropylamine, and tris(2-aminoethyl)amine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Jianliang Xiao, Wei Zhang, Chuanqian Shi, Zhanan Zou
  • Patent number: 11839491
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a shape-memory in-ear biosensor for polysomnography and monitoring physiological signals are provided. Various embodiments include an earpiece made from a shape memory or temperature-dependent phase transition material embedded into polydimethylsiloxane elastomer body. The earpiece can use electrodes to detect physiological signals by making direct contact with a user's skin and without the use of electrically conductive gel. When heated above the glass transition temperature of the shape memory polymer, various embodiments of the biosensor may be folded. When cooled, the biosensor will maintain the folded shape. The folded biosensor may then be inserted into the ear canal of a user where, in response to heating by the user's body, it partially unfolds to conform to the shape of the ear canal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Colorado, a body corporate
    Inventors: Andres Villada, Dana Stamo, Zhanan Zou, Jianliang Xiao
  • Patent number: 11590006
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and methods of manufacture for soft robotic actuators are described herein. In one aspect, a soft robotic actuator can include an elastomeric material defining a cavity; a volume of liquid metal (LM) positioned within the cavity; and an energy source coupled to the LM, where the energy source is adapted or configured to alter a temperature of the volume of LM, whereby altering the temperature of the volume of LM initiates an actuation of the elastomeric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Colorado, a body corporate
    Inventors: Jianliang Xiao, Zhanan Zou
  • Patent number: 11518840
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a healable, recyclable and malleable e-skin. In certain embodiments, the e-skin comprises sensors that can detect at least one applied stimulus. In other embodiments, the e-skin comprises a dynamic covalent thermo set doped with a nano-particle composition, thereby rendering the doped thermoset conductive. The e-skin of the invention has potential applicability to the fields of robotics, prosthetics, health monitoring, biomedical devices and consumer products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Colorado
    Inventors: Jianliang Xiao, Wei Zhang, Zhanan Zou, Chengpu Zhu
  • Patent number: 11108343
    Abstract: A flexible and soft smart driving device comprises a flexible frame, a driving mechanism and a creeping structure. The driving mechanism uses an intrinsic strain of an intelligent soft material to generate a driving force. A creeping structure is used to implement autonomous activities of the flexible and soft smart driving device. The driving mechanism and the creeping structure are attached to the flexible frame. The driving mechanism generates the driving force by contraction and relaxation of a driving membrane. The flexible and soft smart driving device is made from flexible materials and has advantages of good creeping speed, flexible control, small noise and high human body compatibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Tiefeng Li, Zhanan Zou, Chi Li, Guoyong Mao, Xuxu Yang, Zhipeng Zhai, Shaoxing Qu
  • Publication number: 20210205103
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and methods of manufacture for soft robotic actuators are described herein. In one aspect, a soft robotic actuator can include an elastomeric material defining a cavity; a volume of liquid metal (LM) positioned within the cavity; and an energy source coupled to the LM, where the energy source is adapted or configured to alter a temperature of the volume of LM, whereby altering the temperature of the volume of LM initiates an actuation of the elastomeric material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Inventors: Jianliang Xiao, Zhanan Zou
  • Publication number: 20210100509
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a shape-memory in-ear biosensor for polysomnography and monitoring physiological signals are provided. Various embodiments include an earpiece made from a shape memory or temperature-dependent phase transition material embedded into polydimethylsiloxane elastomer body. The earpiece can use electrodes to detect physiological signals by making direct contact with a user's skin and without the use of electrically conductive gel. When heated above the glass transition temperature of the shape memory polymer, various embodiments of the biosensor may be folded. When cooled, the biosensor will maintain the folded shape. The folded biosensor may then be inserted into the ear canal of a user where, in response to heating by the user's body, it partially unfolds to conform to the shape of the ear canal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2020
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Inventors: Andres Villada, Dana Stamo, Zhanan Zou, Jianliang Xiao
  • Publication number: 20200291164
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a healable, recyclable and malleable e-skin. In certain embodiments, the e-skin comprises sensors that can detect at least one applied stimulus. In other embodiments, the e-skin comprises a dynamic covalent thermo set doped with a nano-particle composition, thereby rendering the doped thermoset conductive. The e-skin of the invention has potential applicability to the fields of robotics, prosthetics, health monitoring, biomedical devices and consumer products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Inventors: Jianliang Xiao, Wei Zhang, Zhanan Zou, Chengpu Zhu
  • Publication number: 20190036464
    Abstract: A flexible and soft smart driving device comprises a flexible frame, a driving mechanism and a creeping structure. The driving mechanism uses an intrinsic strain of an intelligent soft material to generate a driving force. A creeping structure is used to implement autonomous activities of the flexible and soft smart driving device. The driving mechanism and the creeping structure are attached to the flexible frame. The driving mechanism generates the driving force by contraction and relaxation of a driving membrane. The flexible and soft smart driving device is made from flexible materials and has advantages of good creeping speed, flexible control, small noise and high human body compatibility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: Tiefeng Li, Zhanan Zou, Chi Li, Guoyong Mao, Xuxu Yang, Zhipeng Zhai, Shaoxing Qu
  • Patent number: 10122302
    Abstract: A flexible and soft smart driving device comprises a flexible frame, a driving mechanism and a creeping structure. The driving mechanism uses an intrinsic strain of an intelligent soft material to generate a driving force. A creeping structure is used to implement autonomous activities of the flexible and soft smart driving device. The driving mechanism and the creeping structure are attached to the flexible frame. The driving mechanism generates the driving force by contraction and relaxation of a driving membrane. The flexible and soft smart driving device is made from flexible materials and has advantages of good creeping speed, flexible control, small noise and high human body compatibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Zhejiang University
    Inventors: Tiefeng Li, Zhanan Zou, Chi Li, Guoyong Mao, Xuxu Yang, Zhipeng Zhai, Shaoxing Qu
  • Publication number: 20160329838
    Abstract: A flexible and soft smart driving device comprises a flexible frame, a driving mechanism and a creeping structure. The driving mechanism uses an intrinsic strain of an intelligent soft material to generate a driving force. A creeping structure is used to implement autonomous activities of the flexible and soft smart driving device. The driving mechanism and the creeping structure are attached to the flexible frame. The driving mechanism generates the driving force by contraction and relaxation of a driving membrane. The flexible and soft smart driving device is made from flexible materials and has advantages of good creeping speed, flexible control, small noise and high human body compatibility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventors: Tiefeng Li, Zhanan Zou, Chi Li, Guoyong Mao, Xuxu Yang, Zhipeng Zhai, Shaoxing Qu