Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080251865 | NANOELECTROMECHANICAL SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MAKING THE SAME - Nanoelectromechanical systems are disclosed that utilize vertically grown or placed nanometer-scale beams. The beams may be configured and arranged for use in a variety of applications, such as batteries, generators, transistors, switching assemblies, and sensors. In some generator applications, nanometer-scale beams may be fixed to a base and grown to a desired height. The beams may produce an electric potential as the beams vibrate, and may provide the electric potential to an electrical contact located at a suitable height above the base. In other embodiments, vertical beams may be grown or placed on side-by-side traces, and an electrical connection may be formed between the side-by-side traces when beams on separate traces vibrate and contact one another. | 10-16-2008 |
20090106979 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR THE AUTOMATED FABRICATION OF TRUSSES - An automated fabrication system is provided that utilizes electromagnetism to manipulate and/or sense the location of raw materials on a platform. Tools located around said platform may be utilized to fabricate a predetermined structure out of the raw materials. Tags that can be electromagnetically manipulated and sensed may be placed on passive raw materials. Structures fabricated from such a system may be, for example, a roof truss. Additionally, the fabrication system may be mobilized by way of a truck such that structures may be built on-site. | 04-30-2009 |
20100116630 | NANOELECTROMECHANICAL TUNNELING CURRENT SWITCH SYSTEMS - A nanoelectromechanical tunneling current switch includes a cantilevered nanofilament including a secured end and an unsecured end and a conductor with a surface substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the nanofilament when the nanofilament is undeflected. The nanofilament is positioned with respect to the conductor to define a gap between the unsecured end of the nanofilament and the surface of the conductor substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the nanofilament. The nanofilament and the conductor are electrically connected by a circuit, and a tunneling current is configured to flow from the nanofilament to the surface of the conductor substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the nanofilament. In other embodiments of the nanoelectromechanical tunneling current switch, an electrically conductive membrane can be utilized in place of, or in addition to, the cantilevered nanofilament. | 05-13-2010 |
20100300562 | MOLECULAR-SCALE BEAM PUMP ASSEMBLIES AND USES THEREOF - Nanomechanical, nanoelectromechanical, and other molecular-scale pump assembly are described. In certain embodiments, the pump assembly includes a cavity. The cavity includes a plurality of nanofilaments, a surface proximate at least one of the nanofilaments, a fluid flow path, and an opening. Molecules of a fluid that flows from the opening through the cavity along the fluid flow path collide with the surface or one or more of the nanofilaments such that the molecules are accelerated along the fluid flow path. A molecular-scale pump assembly includes a plate defining a plurality of openings, and a plurality of cantilevered molecular-scale beams positioned over each opening. In certain embodiment, molecules of a fluid are accelerated through the opening by asymmetric oscillation. | 12-02-2010 |
20110196542 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING BACKUP ENERGY TO A LOAD - Backup energy systems utilizing compressed air storage (CAS) systems and bridging energy systems to supply backup power to a load are provided. During a power failure, the bridging energy system provides backup power to the load at least until the CAS system begins supplying adequate power. In various embodiments, backup power capability is enhanced through the use of one or more exhaustless heaters, which are used to heat compressed air. The compressed air, in turn, drives a turbine which is used to power an electrical generator. In various embodiments, ambient air heat exchangers or other types of heat exchangers are used to heat compressed air prior to the compressed air being routed to the turbine, thereby increasing system efficiency. Backup power and backup HVAC are also provided by utilizing turbine exhaust, heat exchangers and various resistive heating elements. | 08-11-2011 |
20120021224 | GRAPHENE/GRAPHENE OXIDE PLATELET COMPOSITE MEMBRANES AND METHODS AND DEVICES THEREOF - Methods for making composite membranes (graphene/graphene oxide platelet composite membranes) and methods of aligned transfer of such composite membranes to substrates are shown. Compositions and devices that include such composite membranes are further shown. | 01-26-2012 |
20120091430 | NANOELECTROMECHANICAL SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MAKING THE SAME - Nanoelectromechanical systems are disclosed that utilize vertically grown or placed nanometer-scale beams. The beams may be configured and arranged for use in a variety of applications, such as batteries, generators, transistors, switching assemblies, and sensors. In some generator applications, nanometer-scale beams may be fixed to a base and grown to a desired height. The beams may produce an electric potential as the beams vibrate, and may provide the electric potential to an electrical contact located at a suitable height above the base. In other embodiments, vertical beams may be grown or placed on side-by-side traces, and an electrical connection may be formed between the side-by-side traces when beams on separate traces vibrate and contact one another. | 04-19-2012 |
20120235541 | PIEZOELECTRIC ENERGY CONVERSION ASSEMBLIES - The present invention relates to piezoelectrie energy conversion assemblies. The assembly includes a piezoelectric nanowire (such as a ZnO nanowire), an electrically conductive nanofilament (such as a carbon nanotube), a first electrically conductive element (such as a first metallic trace), and a second electrically conductive element (such as a second metallic trace). The first electrically conductive element is electrically connected to the piezoelectric nanowire, and the second electrically conductive element is electrically connected to the electrically conductive nanofilament. The piezoelectric nanowire and electrically conductive nanofilament are operable to contact one another such that a charge can flow from the first electrically conductive element, through the piezoelectric nanowire and the electrically conductive nanofilament, to the second electrically conductive element. Generally, the piezoelectric nanowire and/or electrically conductive nanofilament are cantilevered to allow them to contact one another. Assemblies can be arranged in series or in parallel. | 09-20-2012 |
20120236622 | NON-VOLATILE GRAPHENE-DRUM MEMORY CHIP - The present invention relates to non-volatile memory chips having graphene drums. In some embodiments, the non-volatile memory chips have one or more layers that each includes a plurality of graphene-drum memory chip cells. | 09-20-2012 |
20120273455 | METHODS FOR ALIGNED TRANSFER OF THIN MEMBRANES TO SUBSTRATES - The present invention relates to thin membranes (such as graphene windows) and methods of aligned transfer of such thin membranes to substrates. The present invention further relates to devices that include such thin membranes. | 11-01-2012 |
20120274388 | SWITCHING ELEMENT HAVING AN ELECTROMECHANICAL SWITCH AND METHODS FOR MAKING AND USING SAME - A switching element having an electromechanical switch (such as an electrically conductive membrane switch, for example a graphene membrane switch) is disclosed herein. Such a switching element can be made and used in a switching power converter to reduce power loss and to maximize efficiency of the switching power converter. | 11-01-2012 |
20120308415 | GRAPHENE-DRUM PUMP AND ENGINE SYSTEMS - The present invention relates to pump systems and engine systems having graphene drums. In embodiments of the invention, the graphene drum can be utilized in the main chambers and/or valves of the pumps and engines. | 12-06-2012 |
20130028767 | MOLECULAR-SCALE BEAM PUMP ASSEMBLIES AND USES THEREOF - Nanomechanical, nanoelectromechanical, and other molecular-scale pump assembly are described. In certain embodiments, the pump assembly includes a cavity. The cavity includes a plurality of nanofilaments, a surface proximate at least one of the nanofilaments, a fluid flow path, and an opening. Molecules of a fluid that flows from the opening through the cavity along the fluid flow path collide with the surface or one or more of the nanofilaments such that the molecules are accelerated along the fluid flow path. A molecular-scale pump assembly includes a plate defining a plurality of openings, and a plurality of cantilevered molecular-scale beams positioned over each opening. In certain embodiment, molecules of a fluid are accelerated through the opening by asymmetric oscillation. | 01-31-2013 |
20130081931 | NANOELECTROMECHANICAL TUNNELING CURRENT SWITCH SYSTEMS - A nanoelectromechanical tunneling current switch includes a cantilevered nanofilament including a secured end and an unsecured end and a conductor with a surface substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the nanofilament when the nanofilament is undeflected. The nanofilament is positioned with respect to the conductor to define a gap between the unsecured end of the nanofilament and the surface of the conductor substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the nanofilament. The nanofilament and the conductor are electrically connected by a circuit, and a tunneling current is configured to flow from the nanofilament to the surface of the conductor substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the nanofilament. In other embodiments of the nanoelectromechanical tunneling current switch, an electrically conductive membrane can be utilized in place of, or in addition to, the cantilevered nanofilament. | 04-04-2013 |
20130195290 | GRAPHENE-DRUM PUMP AND ENGINE SYSTEMS - The present invention relates to pump systems and engine systems having graphene drums. In embodiments of the invention, the graphene drum can be utilized in the main chambers and/or valves of the pumps and engines. | 08-01-2013 |
20130195693 | GRAPHENE-DRUM PUMP AND ENGINE SYSTEMS - The present invention relates to pump systems and engine systems having graphene drums. In embodiments of the invention, the graphene drum can be utilized in the main chambers and/or valves of the pumps and engines. | 08-01-2013 |
20130195698 | GRAPHENE-DRUM PUMP AND ENGINE SYSTEMS - The present invention relates to pump systems and engine systems having graphene drums. In embodiments of the invention, the graphene drum can be utilized in the main chambers and/or valves of the pumps and engines. | 08-01-2013 |
20140021163 | GRAPHENE WINDOWS, METHODS FOR MAKING SAME, AND DEVICES CONTAINING SAME - The present invention relates to graphene windows and methods for making same. One method comprises selecting a high purity metal foil, growing a layer of graphene on a first face of the metal foil, patterning the second face of the graphene-modified foil with a polymer, wherein the second face of the graphene-modified foil has an exposed region and etching the second face of the graphene-modified foil in the exposed region until exposing the first layer of graphene. | 01-23-2014 |
20140021165 | GRAPHENE WINDOWS, METHODS FOR MAKING SAME, AND DEVICES CONTAINING SAME - The present invention relates to graphene windows and methods for making same. The present invention further relates to devices that include such graphene windows. | 01-23-2014 |
20140037126 | ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE MEMBRANE PUMP/TRANSDUCER AND METHODS TO MAKE AND USE SAME - An improved electrically conductive membrane pump/transducer, such as a graphene membrane transducer. | 02-06-2014 |
20140124340 | ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE MEMBRANE SWITCH - An improved electrically conductive membrane switch, such as, for example, an improved graphene membrane switch. The improved electrically conductive membrane switch can be used in applications requiring in excess of 100 volts. | 05-08-2014 |
20140165545 | ENCAPSULATED MICRO-BUBBLE MATERIALS AND METHODS TO MAKE AND USE SAME - Graphene materials having encapsulated gas cells and methods to make and use same. Alternative electrically conductive and atomically thin materials (such as graphene oxide) can be used alternatively or in addition to the graphene in the graphene encapsulated micro-bubble materials. | 06-19-2014 |
20140271238 | GRAPHENE-TROUGH PUMP SYSTEMS - The present invention relates to pump systems having graphene or other atomically thin electrically conductive materials supported by trough-shaped cavities. | 09-18-2014 |