Of Specified Metal Oxide Composition (e.g., Conducting Or Semiconducting Compositions Such As Ito, Znox, Etc.) Patents (Class 977/811)
  • Publication number: 20140054514
    Abstract: There are provided a conductive paste for internal electrodes, a multilayer ceramic electronic component including the same, and a method of manufacturing the same. The conductive paste for internal electrodes including: a nickel (Ni) powder; a nickel oxide (NiO) powder having a content of 5.0 to 15.0 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the nickel powder; and an organic vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hyo Sub KIM, Jeong Ryeol KIM, Chang Hoon KIM, Gun Woo KIM, Doo Young KIM
  • Publication number: 20140048750
    Abstract: There is provided a conductive paste composition for an internal electrode of a multilayered ceramic electronic component including: a metal powder; and a chrome (Cr) or cobalt (Co) powder having a melting point higher than that of the metal powder. In the conductive paste composition for the internal electrode, the sintering shrinkage temperature of the internal electrode may be increased, and the connectivity of the internal electrode may be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jong Han KIM, Eung Soo KIM, Seung Ho LEE, Jae Yeol CHOI
  • Patent number: 8652874
    Abstract: A method of making nanostructures using a self-assembled monolayer of organic spheres is disclosed. The nanostructures include bowl-shaped structures and patterned elongated nanostructures. A bowl-shaped nanostructure with a nanorod grown from a conductive substrate through the bowl-shaped nanostructure may be configured as a field emitter or a vertical field effect transistor. A method of separating nanoparticles of a desired size employs an array of bowl-shaped structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: Zhong L. Wang, Christopher J. Summers, Xudong Wang, Elton D Graugnard, Jeffrey King
  • Patent number: 8652944
    Abstract: Fabricating semiconductor nanowires (5) on a substrate (1) having a metallic oxide layer (2), includes: a) exposing the metallic oxide layer to a hydrogen plasma (11) of power P for a duration t suitable for reducing the layer and for forming metallic nanodrops (3) of radius (Rm) on the surface of the metallic oxide layer; b) low temperature plasma-assisted deposition of a thin layer (4) of a semiconductor material on the metallic oxide layer including the metallic nanodrops, the thin layer having a thickness (Ha) suitable for covering the metallic nanodrops; and c) thermal annealing at a temperature T sufficient to activate lateral growth of nanowires by catalysis of the material deposited as a thin layer from the metallic nanodrops. Nanowires are obtained by this method and nanometric transistors including a semiconductor nanowire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignees: Ecole Polytechnique, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
    Inventors: Pere Roca I Cabarrocas, Linwei Yu
  • Publication number: 20140045169
    Abstract: Disclosed are glycan immobilized metal nanoparticles and a method used thereof for detecting HIV-1 in a saliva sample at early stages of viral infection. The method comprises the steps of: (A) providing glycan immobilized metal nanoparticles which can recognize HIV-1; (B) contacting the glycan immobilized metal nanoparticles with the saliva sample and a mixture is obtained; (C) concentrating the mixture; and (D) determining HIV-1 in the concentrated mixture by an appropriate detecting method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: SUDX LIFE SCIENCE CORP.
    Inventors: Yasuo SUDA, Masanori BABA, Mika OKAMOTO
  • Patent number: 8642496
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming a catalyst comprising catalytic nanoparticles and a catalyst support, wherein the catalytic nanoparticles are embedded in the catalyst support, comprising forming the catalytic nanoparticles on carbon particle, dispersing the carbon particle in a solution comprising precursors of the catalyst support to form a suspension, heating the suspension to form a gel, subjecting the gel to incineration to form a powder, and sintering the powder to form the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Agency for Science, Technology and Research
    Inventors: Zetao Xia, Liang Hong, Wei Wang, Zhao Lin Liu
  • Patent number: 8623506
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein include capped nanoparticles having a nanoparticle core and at least one capping agent including a biochemical constituent of wood or a woody plant or a derivative thereof functionally associated to the nanoparticle core. Some embodiments provide for wood products and wood treatment compositions including such capped nanoparticles, and methods for preparing and using such capped nanoparticles to produce treated wood or treated wood products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLC
    Inventor: Sung-Wei Chen
  • Publication number: 20140003997
    Abstract: A method of sterilizing a nanoparticle preparation at a high temperature is provided. A plurality of nanoparticles are purified to form the preparation, wherein the nanoparticles comprise at least a core and a shell and the shell comprises one or more ligand species attached to the core. The nanoparticle preparation is made by a purified nanoparticle composition, a carrier fluid and an excess of the one or more ligand species not attached to the core. The ligand species attached to the core and the excess ligand species added after purification are structurally identical. The nanoparticle preparation provided by the present invention may be used as contrast agents in medical imaging techniques such as X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Brian Christopher Bales, Brian James Grimmond, Daniel Eugene Meyer, Bruce Allan Hay, Michael Todd Luttrell
  • Patent number: 8617502
    Abstract: A catalyst for removal of NOx from exhaust gas, containing cerium oxide and titanium dioxide, wherein a first portion of the cerium oxide forms at least one agglomerate of cerium oxide crystallites interdispersed in the titanium dioxide, and a second portion of the cerium oxide forms at least one island on a surface of the titanium dioxide, a method for producing the catalyst, a process for selectively reducing NOx levels in an exhaust gas using the catalyst, and an SCR canister containing the catalyst therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Cristal USA Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Mark Augustine, David Monroe Chapman, Mark Barrett Watson
  • Publication number: 20130342069
    Abstract: A magnetic core of superparamagnetic core shell nanoparticles having a particle size of less than 50 nm; wherein the core is an iron oxide and the shell is a silicon oxide is provided. The magnetic core is a monolithic structure of superparamagnetic core grains of iron oxide directly bonded by the silicon dioxide shells. A method to prepare the magnetic core which allows maintenance of the superparamagnetic state of the nanoparticles is also provided. The magnetic core has little core loss due to hysteresis or eddy current flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing NA
    Inventor: Michael Paul ROWE
  • Patent number: 8609565
    Abstract: The present invention provides a proton conducting thin film having a dense nanometric ceramic material with a relative density of at least about 90% and a grain size of less than about 30 nm, wherein the proton conducting thin film is capable of operating at temperatures of less than about 100° C. in the presence of water vapor. The present invention also provides an electrochemical device using the proton conducting thin film, and a method of making the proton conducting thin film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Zuhair A. Munir, Sangtae Kim, Umberto Anselmi-Tamburini, Manfred Martin
  • Patent number: 8609121
    Abstract: Provided is a photocatalytic composition comprising zinc (Zn) doped titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles, wherein the ratio of titanium dioxide nanoparticles to zinc is from about 5 to about 150. The photocatalytic composition absorbs electromagnetic radiation in a wavelength range from about 200 nm to about 500 nm, and the absorbance of light of wavelengths longer than about 450 nm is less than 50% the absorbance of light of wavelengths shorter than about 350 nm. Further provided is a method for treating or preventing microbial diseases and infestations in a plant and a method for increasing crop yield of a plant by applying the photocatalytic compositions taught herein to the surface of a plant. Also provided is a method for treating microbial diseases on a surface by applying the photocatalytic compositions taught herein to a surface illuminated by artificial light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Inventors: Stewart B. Averett, Devron R. Averett
  • Patent number: 8608849
    Abstract: A method for making zinc oxide nano-structure, the method includes the following steps. Firstly, providing a growing device, the growing device comprising a heating apparatus and a reacting room. Secondly, providing a growing substrate and forming a metal layer thereon. Thirdly, depositing a catalyst layer on the metal layer. Fourthly, placing the growing substrate into the reacting room together with a quantity of zinc source material. Fifthly, introducing a oxygen-containing gas into the reacting room. Lastly, heating the reacting room to a temperature range of 500˜1100° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hai-Lin Sun, Kai-Li Jiang, Qun-Qing Li, Shou-Shan Fan
  • Publication number: 20130327401
    Abstract: A composite dye-sensitized solar cell comprises a conductive substrate, and also a nanoparticle compact layer, a nanotube layer and a nanoparticle scattering layer which are stacked on the conductive substrate sequentially, and further an auxiliary electrode stacked on one side of the nanoparticle scattering layer far away from the conductive substrate, and a composite dye and an electrolyte filled into a space between the conductive substrate and the auxiliary electrode. The composite dye includes at least one short-wavelength light absorption dye and at least one long-wavelength light absorption dye. The nanoparticle compact layer can increase the contact area with the composite dye and further enhance the power generation efficiency. The nanotube layer can transmit the generated electric energy to the external electrodes efficiently. The composite dye can absorb light with different wavelength ranges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: NATIONAL YUNLIN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Jian-Yang Lin, Chih-Kai Hu, Jyun-Hao Jhang, Guan-Ting Liou
  • Publication number: 20130321976
    Abstract: There is provided a method of preparing a nickel nanoparticle, the method including: forming an aqueous solution by mixing water and a solution containing a hydroxyl group; forming a mixed liquid by adding carboxylic acid to the aqueous solution at a ratio of 10 to 20 wt % with regard to the solution containing a hydroxyl group; and adding a nickel salt to the mixed liquid and stirring the mixed liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: Ro Woon LEE, Jae Man PARK, Sung Koo KANG, Yoon Hee LEE, Young Ho KIM
  • Patent number: 8591759
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to magnetic nanocomposite materials, and processes for the production thereof. In particular, the present disclosure relates to nanocomposites comprising magnetic nanoparticles surrounded by a polymer, which is bonded to a biodegradable polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Chemgreen Innovation Inc.
    Inventors: Khashayar Ghandi, Paul Themens
  • Patent number: 8580150
    Abstract: Submicronic barium and magnesium aluminates, useful as phosphors, are in the form of a liquid-phase suspension of substantially monocrystalline particles having an average particle size ranging from 80 to 400 nm; such aluminates are prepared by a process that includes: providing a liquid mixture containing compounds of aluminum and of other elements that are part of the aluminate composition; drying the mixture by atomization; calcining the dried product in a reducing atmosphere and wet-grinding this product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Rhodia Operations
    Inventors: Valérie Buissette, Thierry Le-Mercier, Laurent Thiers, Yvan Montardi, Olivier Le-Roux
  • Patent number: 8580138
    Abstract: This invention covers nanofluids. Nanofluids are a combination of particles between 1 and 100 nanometers, a surfactant and the base fluid. The nanoparticles for this invention are either pyrogenic nanoparticles or carbon nanotubes. These nanofluids improve the heat transfer of the base fluids. The base fluid can be ethylene glycol, or propylene glycol, or an aliphatic-hydrocarbon based heat transfer fluid. This invention also includes a method of making nanofluids. No surfactant is used to suspend the pyrogenic nanoparticles in glycols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: ACTA Technology Inc
    Inventor: John Melvin Olson
  • Publication number: 20130291941
    Abstract: A solid-state hole transport composite material (ssHTM) is provided made from a p-type organic semiconductor and a dopant material serving as a source for either sodium (Na+) or potassium (K+) ions. The p-type organic semiconductor may be molecular (a collection of discrete molecules, that are either chemically identical or different), oligomeric, polymeric materials, or combinations thereof. In one aspect, the p-type organic semiconductor is 2,2?,7,7?-tetrakis(N,N-di-p-methoxyphenylamine)-9,9?-spirobifluorene (Spiro-OMeTAD). The dopant material is an inorganic or organic material salt. A solid-state dye-sensitized solar cell (ssDSC) with the above-described ssHTM, is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Sean Andrew Vail, Wei Pan, Gary D. Foley, Jong-Jan Lee
  • Patent number: 8569615
    Abstract: Provided are solar cells and methods of forming the same. The solar cell includes an anti-reflection layer on a substrate, a first electrode on the anti-reflection layer, a photo-electro conversion layer on the first electrode, and a second electrode on the photo-electro conversion layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Mi Hee Jung, Mangu Kang
  • Patent number: 8563133
    Abstract: Ligand compositions for use in preparing discrete coated nanostructures are provided, as well as the coated nanostructures themselves and devices incorporating same. Methods for post-deposition shell formation on a nanostructure, for reversibly modifying nanostructures, and for manipulating the electronic properties of nanostructures are also provided. The ligands and coated nanostructures of the present invention are particularly useful for close packed nanostructure compositions, which can have improved quantum confinement and/or reduced cross-talk between nanostructures. Ligands of the present invention are also useful for manipulating the electronic properties of nanostructure compositions (e.g., by modulating energy levels, creating internal bias fields, reducing charge transfer or leakage, etc.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: SanDisk Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery A. Whiteford, Mihai A. Buretea, Jian Chen, William P. Freeman, Andreas Meisel, Linh Nguyen, J. Wallace Parce, Erik Scher
  • Patent number: 8557727
    Abstract: A method of forming a catalyst, comprising: providing a plurality of support particles and a plurality of mobility-inhibiting particles, wherein each support particle in the plurality of support particles is bonded with its own catalytic particle; and bonding the plurality of mobility-inhibiting particles to the plurality of support particles, wherein each support particle is separated from every other support particle in the plurality of support particles by at least one of the mobility-inhibiting particles, and wherein the mobility-inhibiting particles are configured to prevent the catalytic particles from moving from one support particle to another support particle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: SDCmaterials, Inc.
    Inventors: Qinghua Yin, Xiwang Qi, Maximilian A. Biberger
  • Publication number: 20130256124
    Abstract: The electrocatalyst for the electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide includes a copper material supported on titania nanotubes. The copper material may be pure copper, copper and ruthenium, or copper and iron supported on the titania nanotubes. The electrocatalyst is prepared by first dissolving copper nitrate trihydrate in deionized water to form a salt solution. Titania nanotubes are then added to the salt solution to form a suspension, which is then heated. A urea solution is added to the suspension to form the electrocatalyst in solution. The electrocatalyst is then removed from the solution. In addition to dissolving the copper nitrate trihydrate in the volume of deionized water, either iron nitrate to monohydrate or ruthenium chloride may also be dissolved in the deionized water to form the salt solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM AND MINERALS
    Inventors: SALEEM UR RAHMAN, SYED MOHAMMED JAVAID ZAIDI, SHAKEEL AHMED, SK SAFDAR HOSSAIN
  • Publication number: 20130258551
    Abstract: There are provided a conductive paste composition for an internal electrode and a multilayer ceramic capacitor including the same. The conductive paste composition for an internal electrode includes metal powder; and chrome oxide (Cr2O3) or titanium oxide (TiO2) powder having a melting point higher than the melting point of the metal powder. The conductive paste composition for an internal electrode may increase a sintering shrinkage temperature of the internal electrode and improve connection properties of the internal electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventors: Jong Han KIM, Seung Ho Lee, Jae Yeol Choi, Eung Soo Kim
  • Publication number: 20130247993
    Abstract: Polymer solar cells with enhanced efficiency utilize an active layer formed of a composite of polymer/fullerene and Fe3O4 nanoparticles. During the formation of the solar cell, the composite mixture is subjected to an external magnetic field that causes the nanoparticles to align their magnetic dipole moments along the direction of the magnetic field, so as to form a plurality of Fe3O4 nanochains. These nanochains serve to adjust the morphology and phase separation of the polymer/fullerene, and also serve to induce an internal electrical field by spin-polarization of the nanochains serve to increase the charge separation and charge transport processes in the solar cell, enhancing the short-current density (Jsc) and ultimately, the photoelectric converted efficiency (PCE) of the solar cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventor: XIONG GONG
  • Publication number: 20130243679
    Abstract: Monodisperse metal oxide nanopowders are prepared by treating a dispersion of crude metal oxide nanopowder with ultrasonication, allowing the dispersion to settle, and subjecting the remaining suspended portion to centrifugation to obtain a supernatant comprising metal oxide nanopowder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Woohong Kim, Guillermo R. Villalobos, Jasbinder S. Sanghera, Ishwar D. Aggarwal
  • Publication number: 20130216894
    Abstract: An inorganic material based surface-mediated cell (SMC) comprising (a) a cathode comprising a non-carbon-based inorganic cathode active material having a surface area to capture and store lithium thereon; (b) an anode comprising an anode current collector alone or both an anode current collector and an anode active material; (c) a porous separator; (d) a lithium-containing electrolyte in physical contact with the two electrodes, wherein the cathode has a specific surface area no less than 100 m2/g which is in direct physical contact with said electrolyte to receive lithium ions therefrom or to provide lithium ions thereto; and (e) a lithium source. This inorganic SMC provides both high energy density and high power density not achievable by supercapacitors and lithium-ion cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Inventors: Yanbo Wang, Guorong Chen, Zhenning Yu, Bor Z. Jang, Aruna Zhamu
  • Patent number: 8513157
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a fluid purification device that has a deactivation resistant photocatalyst having nanocrystallites of less than 14 nanometers (nm) in diameter with at least 200 m2 surface area/cm3 of skeletal volume in cylindrical pores of 5 nm in diameter or larger, with the mode of the pore size distribution 10 nm or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Henry Vanderspurt, Treese Hugener-Campbell, Norberto O. Lemcoff, Stephen O. Hay, Wayde R. Schmidt, Joseph J. Sangiovanni, Zissis A. Dardas, Di Wei
  • Publication number: 20130202489
    Abstract: A gas sensor includes a plurality of loosely connected metal oxide nanoclusters configured to provide a porous structure, the metal oxide nanoclusters having an average characteristic length of 1 nm to 20 nm, and a coating made with catalytic material is deposited on an outer layer of the metal oxide nanoclusters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
    Inventors: Chung Wo ONG, Meng ZHAO, Jian Xing HUANG, Man Hon WONG
  • Patent number: 8502218
    Abstract: The present invention provides continuous, free-standing metal oxide films and methods for making said films. The methods are able to produce large-area, flexible, thin films having one or more continuous, single-crystalline metal oxide domains. The methods include the steps of forming a surfactant monolayer at the surface of an aqueous solution, wherein the headgroups of the surfactant molecules provide a metal oxide film growth template. When metal ions in the aqueous solution are exposed to the metal oxide film growth template in the presence of hydroxide ions under suitable conditions, a continuous, free-standing metal oxide film can be grown from the film growth template downward into the aqueous solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Xudong Wang, Zhenqiang Ma, Fei Wang, Jung-Hun Seo
  • Patent number: 8497199
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for fabricating a thin film formed with a uniform single-size monolayer of spherical AZO nanoparticles. Because of its own advantages in cost and transparency, Al-doped ZnO (AZO) transparent conductive film is becoming the most commonly used transparent conducting oxide (TCO) replacement for solar cells. In this invention, a colloidal chemical means is adopted for enabling a chemical reaction between metal salts, water, and polyhydric alcohols at a room-temperature environment, and thereby, a process for fabricating spherical AZO nanoparticles in a diameter ranged between 100 nm to 400 nm according to different parameter configurations can be achieved while controlling the actual Al/Zn ratio to be ranged between 0.1% to 3%. In addition, a dip coating means is adopted for densely distributing the spherical AZO nanoparticles on a substrate into a monolayer close-packed structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Institute of Nuclear Energy Research Atomic Energy Council, Executive Yuan
    Inventors: Der-Jun Jan, Shih-Shou Lo, Chen-Yu Lin
  • Publication number: 20130183228
    Abstract: An urchin-like copper oxide material manufacturing method, comprising following steps: providing copper powder of length about 5 to 150 ?m; placing the copper powder on an aluminum oxide plate to be heated up; and heating up the aluminum oxide plate in a reaction temperature of 300° C. to 700° C., to obtain urchin-like copper oxide material on the aluminum oxide plate. By employing the manufacturing method, it only requires a simple thermal oxidation process to synthesize and obtain various types of urchin-like copper oxides having good stability and reproducibility, hereby achieving excellent performance in various opto-electronic applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Inventors: Yuan-Yao LI, Tai-Hsun Chang
  • Publication number: 20130177749
    Abstract: A method for producing a matrix containing nanostructures. The method includes obtaining a layer having a thickness of 10 nm-100 ?m, wherein the layer contains organic macromolecules arranged in a nanopattern, staining the layer with a solution containing a salt so that a portion of the salt is retained in the layer, and removing the organic mcaromolecules from the layer to form a matrix containing nanostructures. Also within the scope of this invention are nanostructures prepared by this method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: Tufts University
    Inventor: Tufts University
  • Publication number: 20130168228
    Abstract: A photoactive material including nanoparticles of photoactive first and second constituents. The first and second constituents have respective conduction band energies, valence band energies and electronic band gap energies to enable photon-driven generation and separation of charge carriers in each of the first and second constituents by absorption of light in the solar spectrum. The first and second constituents are provided in an alternating layered arrangement of respective first and second layers or are mixed together in a single layer. The nanoparticles have diameters smaller than wavelengths of light in the solar spectrum, to provide optical transparency for absorption of light. The charge carriers, upon photoactivation, are able to participate in redox reactions occurring in the photoactive material. The photoactive material may enable redox reactions of carbon dioxide with at least one of hydrogen and water to produce a fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Inventors: Geoffrey A. Ozin, Engelbert Redel
  • Publication number: 20130164222
    Abstract: Provided are a preparation method of iron oxide-based paramagnetic or pseudo-paramagnetic nanoparticles, iron oxide-based nanoparticles prepared by the same, and a T1 contrast agent including the same. More particularly, the disclosure describes a method for preparation of iron oxide nanoparticles having a extremely small and uniform size of 4 nm or less based on thermal decomposition of iron oleate complex, iron oxide-based paramagnetic or pseudo-paramagnetic nanoparticles prepared by the same, and a T1 contrast agent including iron oxide-based paramagnetic or pseudo-paramagnetic nanoparticles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: Hanwha Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Taeg Hwan Hyeon, Byung Hyo Kim, No Hyun Lee, Eung Gyu Kim, Bong Sik Jeon, Eun Byul Kwon, Ju Young Park, Wan Jae Myeong
  • Publication number: 20130153483
    Abstract: Photocatalytic composite materials, namely materials capable of promoting photo-initiated chemical reactions and processes for producing such materials, are provided. The invention further provides processes for producing photocatalytic composite materials which includes a macroporous matrix, the macroporous matrix having a surface grafting of preformed titanium dioxide nanocrystals, wherein the macroporous matrix may be produced by a sol-gel technique from a precursor of the macroporous matrix in the presence of a template-forming polymer and of hydrophobically-functionalized nano-crystalline titanium-dioxide particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventors: Franca MORAZZONI, Roberto Scotti, Maurizio Crippa, Massimiliano D'Arienzo
  • Patent number: 8465829
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of positioning nanoparticles on a patterned substrate. The method comprises providing a patterned substrate with selectively positioned recesses, and applying a solution or suspension of nanoparticles to the patterned substrate to form a wetted substrate. A wiper member is dragged across the surface of the wetted substrate to remove a portion of the applied nanoparticles from the wetted substrate, and leaving a substantial number of the remaining portion of the applied nanoparticles disposed in the selectively positioned recesses of the substrate. The invention is also directed to a method of making carbon nanotubes from the positioned nanoparticles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Charles T. Black, Christopher B. Murray, Robert L. Sandstrom
  • Publication number: 20130149517
    Abstract: A multi-layer thin film assembly including a first layer including a first material, wherein the first material includes at least two kinds of functional groups, and a second layer disposed on the first layer and including a second material that interacts with the at least two kinds of functional groups, and a barrier film including the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
  • Patent number: 8460751
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for the synthesis of at least one metallic nanotube (10). The method includes the steps of: growing at least one nanowhisker (6) on a substrate (2), the nanowhisker (6; 12) consisting of or having a coating of a first metal (12); coating said first metal (12) with a second metal (14) to form a coated nanowhiskers (8); and heat treating the at least one coated nanowhisker (8), to produce a metallic nanotube (10). Moreover, the present teaching relates to metallic nanotubes (10) grown by the method of the present teaching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Wissenschaften E.V.
    Inventor: Gunther Richter
  • Publication number: 20130126818
    Abstract: Resistive random access memory (RRAM) using stacked dielectrics and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed, where a setting power of only 4 ?W, an ultra-low reset power of 2 nW, good switching uniformity and excellent cycling endurance up to 5×109 cycles were achieved simultaneously. Such record high performances were reached in a Ni/GeOx/nano-crystal-TiO2/TaON/TaN RRAM device, where the excellent endurance is 4˜6 orders of magnitude larger than existing Flash memory. The very long endurance and low switching energy RRAM is not only satisfactory for portable SSD in a computer, but may also create new applications such as being used for a Data Center to replace high power consumption hard discs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Inventors: Albert Chin, Chun-Hu Cheng
  • Publication number: 20130130032
    Abstract: A Fe—Ni compound oxide is used as an oxygen carrier for chemical looping combustion process, wherein the structure of the Fe—Ni compound oxide is a single-phase spinel structure. The method for manufacturing the Fe—Ni compound oxide of the invention includes the following steps: mixing Fe2O3 and NiO to obtain a mixing solution and ball milling the mixing solution by the solid state ball milling method; drying the mixing solution to obtain a precipitate; granulating the precipitate and then calcining the granulated precipitate to obtain the Fe—Ni compound oxide. Accordingly, the Fe—Ni compound oxide manufactured by the method of the invention is provided with high oxidation rate and high reduction rate, and capable of keeping loops and producing hydrogen gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: NATIONAL TSING HUA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Yu-Lin KUO, Yu-Ming SU, Young KU, Yao-Hsuan TSENG, Ping-Chin CHIU, Chung-Sung TAN
  • Patent number: 8443647
    Abstract: A multi-sensor as disclosed herein can include a substrate and at least three sensing elements disposed on the substrate. Each sensing element includes two electrodes separated by a distance and a nanowire mat adjacent to and in contact with the electrodes. The nanowire mats include nanowires which define a percolation network. The density of the nanowires in the nanowire mat of one sensing element is different than the density of the nanowires in the nanowire mat of either of the other at least two sensing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Southern Illinois University
    Inventors: Andrei Kolmakov, Victor V. Sysoev
  • Patent number: 8445577
    Abstract: The present invention relates to polymers, nanomaterials, and methods of making the same. Various embodiments provide an amphiphilic multi-arm copolymer. The copolymer includes a core unit and a plurality of amphiphilic block copolymer arms. Each block copolymer arm is substituted on the core unit. Each block copolymer arm includes at least one hydrophilic homopolymer subunit and at least one hydrophobic homopolymer subunit. In some examples, the copolymer can include a star-like or bottlebrush-like block copolymer, and can include a Janus copolymer. Various embodiments provide a nanomaterial. In some examples, the nanomaterial can include Janus nanomaterials, and can include nanoparticles, nanorods, or nanotubes. The nanomaterial includes the amphiphilic multi-arm copolymer and at least one inorganic precursor. The inorganic precursor can be coordinated to at least one homopolymer subunit of one of the amphiphilic block copolymer arms to form the nanomaterial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhiqun Lin, Xinchang Pang
  • Patent number: 8445025
    Abstract: Disclosed are the nanoparticle and the method for the same, and the preparing method includes steps of mixing polyethylenimine (PEI) with the poly(acrylic acid)-bound iron oxide (PAAIO) to form a PEI-PAAIO polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) and mixing the PEI-PAAIO PEC with genetic material such as plasmid DNA to form the PEI-PAAIO/pDNA magnetic nanoparticle. The PEI-PAAIO/pDNA magnetoplex is highly water dispersible and suitable for long term storage, shows superparamagnetism, low cytotoxicity, high stability and nice transfection efficiency, and thus the PEI-PAAIO PEC can replace PEI as a non-viral gene vector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Kaohsiung Medical University
    Inventors: Li-Fang Wang, Shuo-Li Sun, Yu-Lun Lo
  • Publication number: 20130119302
    Abstract: An enhancing agent for increasing heat transfer efficiency is disclosed, which is an additive composed of a nano-scale powder and a micro-scale powder that is to be added into a heat-transfer fluid circulating in an heat exchange system or in a coolant circulating in a cooling system for enhancing the heat conductivity of the heat-transfer fluid or the coolant while helping the tank and the fluid passages used in those systems to maintain clean, and eventually enabling those systems to operate with improved heat dissipation effect. By adding the aforesaid enhancing agent into a cooling system of an internal-combustion engine, the heat shock inside the engine that is originated from the fuel burning in the engine can be reduced, resulting that not only the amount of green house gas emission is reduced, but also the chance of engine juddering that is generally originated from poor heat dissipation can be decreased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Inventors: YEN-HAO HUANG, Hung-Wei Chen
  • Publication number: 20130115248
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a new and inventive composition for implant cleaning and/or debridement of hard surfaces in the oral cavity, which comprises optimally activated nanoparticles of TiO2, having a mean particle diameter (D50) of about 10-100 nm at a concentration between 0.5-500 g/L, and H2O2, at a concentration of at the most 7.5% by volume, said composition being antibacterial, without causing microbial resistance, and anti-inflammatory, and wherein said composition further comprises solid microparticles, having a mean particle diameter (D50) of about 100-200 ?m at a concentration between 0.5-300 g/L, for improved mechanical debridement and/or cleaning of rough surfaces in the oral cavity and/or on an implant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: CORTICALIS AS
    Inventors: S. Petter Lyngstadaas, Håvard J. Haugen
  • Publication number: 20130115516
    Abstract: Highly dispersed lithium titanate crystal structures having a thickness of few atomic layers level and the two-dimensional surface in a plate form are supported on carbon nanofiber (CNF). The lithium titanate crystal structure precursors and CNF that supports these are prepared by a mechanochemical reaction that applies sheer stress and centrifugal force to a reactant in a rotating reactor. The mass ratio between the lithium titanate crystal structure and carbon nanofiber is preferably between 75:25 and 85:15. The carbon nanofiber preferably has an external diameter of 10-30 nm and an external specific surface area of 150-350 cm2/g. This composite is mixed with a binder and then molded to obtain an electrode, and this electrode is employed for an electrochemical element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Naoi, Wako Naoi, Shuichi Ishimoto, Kenji Tamamitsu
  • Publication number: 20130115527
    Abstract: A rechargeable non-aqueous lithium-air battery is provided having a multilayered cathode structure which uses a functionized carbon paper base with tubular catalysts. The multilayer cathode has a sufficient pore size to prevent clogging of the cathode by reaction products and further has a hydrophobic coating to repel moisture. The stable electrolyte is made by ionic liquid and additives which have no reaction with discharge products and offers solubility for oxygen and lithium oxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: SAVANNAH RIVER NUCLEAR SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventor: Ming Au
  • Publication number: 20130108554
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents. In particular, the present invention provides a MRI contrast agent configured to manipulate both the longitudinal (T1) and transverse (T2) relaxation times of surrounding water proton spins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: Northwestern University
    Inventors: Elise A. Schultz Sikma, Mohammed Aslam, Vinayak P. Dravid, Thomas J. Meade, Bradley D. Ulrich
  • Publication number: 20130109600
    Abstract: A method of making a structured, doped, cerium oxide nanoparticle includes (a) forming a first reaction mixture including cerium(III), an optional metal ion other than cerium, a base, a stabilizer, and a solvent, (b) contacting the first reaction mixture with an oxidant, (c) forming a cerium oxide nanoparticle core by heating the product of step (b), (d) forming a second reaction mixture by combining with the first reaction mixture one or more metal ions other than cerium, and an optional additional quantity of cerium(III), and (e) forming a shell surrounding the core of cerium oxide by heating the second reaction mixture to produce a product dispersion of structured cerium oxide nanoparticles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: Cerion Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Reed, Albert Gary Difrancisco, Richard K. Hailstone, Gary R. Prok, Thomas D. Allston