William Marsh Rice University

Natcore Technology, Inc.

Newcyte, Inc.

Vanguard Solar, Inc.

Special Materials Research and Technology, Inc.

Nanotech Innovations Corporation

Corewater Technologies, Inc.

Dennis J Flood

Andrew Ross Barron

John Ryan Loscutova

Elizabeth Whitsitt

David Howard Levy

Wendy G Ahearn

Richard W Topel, Jr

Theodore Zubil

Dennis M Flood

Daniele Margadonna

Chad A Coolidge

Cody M Flood

Jason M Belitsky

Maria Faur

Horia M Faur

Mircea Faur

Graham B I Scott

Sheila G Bailey

Robin E Anderson

Andrew A Guzelian

Elizabeth A Whitsitt

A specially functionalized composite filter material with a high specific surface area is used to adsorb PFAs from potable water. In a preferred embodiment, the base filter material is granular activated carbon (GAC), which is sequentially coated with a thin layer of polydopamine, a thin layer of partially oxidized iron, and a thin coating of octadecylamine. After PFAs are adsorbed onto the coated GAC particles, the PFAs are removed by a rinsing process, and remain in the rinse effluent. GAC particles are recovered and recoated as needed to restore their adsorptive capacity. The PFA-containing effluent is treated using photochemical processes to destroy the PFA molecules. The now PFA-free effluent can be disposed of as a non-hazardous material. The composite filter material works in systems ranging from small passive systems for personal use to large scale, high-flow-rate utility water treatment systems.

Reusable composite filter material and methods for making and using the same for removing and destroying molecular contaminants from water

Described here is a free-standing composite particle with a large surface area. The particle is capable of adsorbing heavy metal contaminants from water. The particle itself is comprised of a granular activated carbon particle to which are attached one or more carbon nanotubes, the combination of which is covered by at least a partial thin film of polydopamine or other polymeric material derived from dopamine-like compounds. The composite particles are mixed with contaminated water, after which the water and particle mixture is injected into a hydrocyclone separator specifically designed for use with the composite particle. The hydrocyclone separator removes the particles from the water, allowing the particles holding the contaminants to be extracted for treatment, while the purified water flows out of the separator for reuse. The separated particles can be treated to remove all the adsorbed contaminants, after which the reclaimed particles may be reused.

Composite particle and method for removing contaminants from liquids

A method for an improved doping process allows for improved control of doping concentrations on a substrate. The method may comprise printing a polymeric material on a substrate in a desired pattern; and depositing a barrier layer on the substrate with a liquid phase deposition process, wherein a pattern of the barrier layer is defined by the polymeric material. The method further comprises removing the polymeric material, and doping the substrate. The barrier layer substantially prevents or reduces doping of the substrate to allow patterned doping regions to be formed on the substrate. The method can be repeated to allow additional doping regions to be formed on the substrate.

Method for patterned doping of a semiconductor

The present invention relates to coated fullerenes comprising a layer of at least one inorganic material covering at least a portion of at least one surface of a fullerene and methods for making. The present invention further relates to composites comprising the coated fullerenes of the present invention and further comprising polymers, ceramics, and/or inorganic oxides. A coated fullerene interconnect device where at least two fullerenes are contacting each other to form a spontaneous interconnect is also disclosed as well as methods of making. In addition, dielectric films comprising the coated fullerenes of the present invention and methods of making are further disclosed.

Coated fullerenes, compositions and dielectrics made therefrom

Systems and methods for producing nanoscale textured low reflectivity surfaces may be utilized to fabricate solar cells. A substrate may be patterned with a resist prior to an etching process that produces a nanoscale texture on the surface of the substrate. Additionally, the substrate may be subjected to a dopant diffusion process. Prior to dopant diffusion, the substrate may be optionally subjected to liquid phase deposition to deposit a material that allows for patterned doping. The order of the nanoscale texture etching and dopant diffusion may be modified as desired to produce post-nano emitters or pre-nano emitters.

Solar cells with patterned antireflective surfaces

A retinal implant can include an array of photoreceptors adapted for positioning in the eye. Each photoreceptor can include a core, for example a carbon nanostructure, and a shell. The shell can include a light-responsive layer, and in many cases, the light-responsive layer can be formed of two semiconductor layers forming a heterojunction. The photoreceptors can be adapted to generate an electric field in response to incident light so as to stimulate a retinal neuron in its vicinity. The photoreceptors can be micron-sized or nano-sized, and can be arranged in densities similar to the density of rods and cones in the human eye. In one embodiment, an exemplary sensor for an imaging device can include a plurality of photosensors disposed on a substrate. Each photosensor can include a carbon nanostructure, a light-responsive layer coating at least a portion of the carbon nanostructure.

Carbon nanostructure artificial retinal implant

Improved photovoltaic devices and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, an exemplary photovoltaic device includes a semiconductor layer and a light-responsive layer (which can be made, for example, of a semiconductor material) which form a junction, such as a p-n junction. The light-responsive layer can include a plurality of carbon nanostructures, such as carbon nanotubes, located therein. In many cases, the carbon nanostructures can provide a conductive pathway within the light-responsive layer. In another embodiment, an exemplary photovoltaic device can include a light-responsive layer made of a semiconductor material in which is embedded a plurality of semiconducting carbon nanostructures (such as p-type single-wall carbon nanotubes). The interfaces between the semiconductor material and the semiconducting carbon nanostructures can form p-n junctions. In yet other embodiments, exemplary photovoltaic devices include semiconductor nanostructures, which can take a variety of forms, in addition to the carbon nanostructures. Further embodiments include a wide variety of other configurations and features. Methods of fabricating photovoltaic devices, as well as nanostructured photodetectors, as also disclosed.

Solar cells and photodetectors with semiconducting nanostructures

A nanoparticle coated with a semiconducting material and a method for making the same. In one embodiment, the method comprises making a semiconductor coated nanoparticle comprising a layer of at least one semiconducting material covering at least a portion of at least one surface of a nanoparticle, comprising: (A) dispersing the nanoparticle under suitable conditions to provide a dispersed nanoparticle; and (B) depositing at least one semiconducting material under suitable conditions onto at least one surface of the dispersed nanoparticle to produce the semiconductor coated nanoparticle. In other embodiments, the nanoparticle comprises a fullerene. Further embodiments include the semiconducting material comprising CdS or CdSe.

Fabrication of light emitting film coated fullerenes and their application for in-vivo light emission

The present invention relates to coated fullerenes comprising a layer of at least one inorganic material covering at least a portion of at least one surface of a fullerene and methods for making. The present invention further relates to composites comprising the coated fullerenes of the present invention and further comprising polymers, ceramics and/or inorganic oxides. A coated fullerene interconnect device wherein at least two fullerenes are contacting each other to form a spontaneous interconnect is also disclosed as well as methods of making. In addition, dielectric films comprising the coated fullerenes of the present invention and methods of making are further disclosed.

Coated fullerenes, composites and dielectrics made therefrom

Improved photovoltaic devices and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, an exemplary photovoltaic device includes a semiconductor layer and a light-responsive layer (which can be made, for example, of a semiconductor material) which form a junction, such as a p-n junction. The light-responsive layer can include a plurality of carbon nanostructures, such as carbon nanotubes, located therein. In many cases, the carbon nanostructures can provide a conductive pathway within the light-responsive layer. In other embodiments, exemplary photovoltaic devices include semiconductor nanostructures, which can take a variety of forms, in addition to the carbon nanostructures. Further embodiments include a wide variety of other configurations and features. Methods of fabricating photovoltaic devices are also disclosed.

Nanostructured solar cells

A field effect transistor and a method for making the same. In one embodiment, the field effect transistor comprises a source; a drain; a gate; at least one carbon nanotube on the gate; and a dielectric layer that coats the gate and a portion of the at least one carbon nanotube, wherein the at least one carbon nanotube has an exposed portion that is not coated with the dielectric layer, and wherein the exposed portion is functionalized with at least one indicator molecule. In other embodiments, the field effect transistor is a biochem-FET.

Method for creating a functional interface between a nanoparticle, nanotube or nanowire, and a biological molecule or system

This invention is directed to a new composition of matter in the form of chemically derivatized silica coated fullerenes, including silica coated Cmolecules and silica coated carbon nanotubes, processes for making the same and to uses for the derivatized silica coated fullerenes. Included among many uses in chemical, physical or biological fields of use, but not limited thereto, are high speed, low loss electrical interconnects for nanoscale electronic devices, components and circuits. In one embodiment, this invention also provides a method for preparing silica coated fullerenes having substituents attached to the surface of silica coated fullerenes by reacting silica coated fullerenes with a wide range of organic or inorganic chemical species in a gaseous or liquid state. Preferred substituents include but are not limited to organic groups and organic groups containing heteroatoms such as oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and halogens. The identity of the surface functional group is chosen to provide desirable properties to the silica coated fullerenes including but not limited to solubility, miscibility, stickiness, and melting point. The present invention also describes the application of surface functionalized silica coated fullerenes as components of polymer blends and composites.

Chemical derivatization of silica coated fullerenes and use of derivatized silica coated fullerenes

Disclosed is a room temperature wet chemical growth (RTWCG) process of SiO-based insulator coatings on silicon substrates for electronic and photonic (optoelectronic) device applications. The process includes soaking the Si substrates into the growth solution. The process utilizes a mixture of H.sub.2 SiF.sub.6, N-n-butylpyridinium chloride, redox Fe.sup.2+ /Fe.sup.3+ aqueous solutions, and a homogeneous catalyst.

Growing community of inventors

Oberlin, OH, United States of America

Dennis J Flood