Stephen L Cheng

US Patent:

8257493, Sep 4, 2012

Filed:

Aug 19, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/573694

Inventors:

Stephen Z. Cheng - Richfield OH, US
Matthew J. Graham - Akron OH, US
Frank W. Harris - Boca Raton FL, US
Shi Jin - Staten Island NY, US

Assignee:

The University of Akron - Akron OH

International Classification:

C30B 29/06

US Classification:

117 68, 359568, 526 72, 526256, 526258

Abstract:

The present invention relates to conjugated polymers and a method for their synthesis. Furthermore, the present invention relates to electro-synthesis methods for producing polymers that include the use of at least one Lewis acid and at least one proton trap to form organic conjugated polymers having elevated refractive indices. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to an organic polymer having an elevated refractive index, the organic polymer formed by a process comprising the steps of: providing a solution of unsaturated organic monomer units and at least one acidic component; impeding saturation of the unsaturated organic-monomer units by at least one protic element in the solution; and polymerizing the unsaturated organic monomer units to form a conjugated organic polymer having a refractive index of at least about 2. 3 for electromagnetic energy having a wavelength of about 700 nm.

US Patent:

20040138408, Jul 15, 2004

Filed:

Jan 15, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/250828

Inventors:

Frank Harris - Akron OH, US
Stephen Cheng - Hudson OH, US

International Classification:

C08G069/08
C08G073/10
C08G063/08

US Classification:

528/354000, 428/543000

Abstract:

A polyimide comprises a reaction product of at least one dianhydride and at least one diamine, wherein the at least one diamine contains a pendent mesogenic group. A method for inducing a predetermined orientation of a liquid crystal material is also disclosed. The method includes applying an alignment layer material to a substrate and buffing the alignment layer material, thereby providing an alignment layer with a pre-tilt angle, wherein the alignment layer material is a reaction product of at least one dianhydride and at least one diamine, wherein the at least one diamine contains a pendent mesogenic group.

US Patent:

20070014938, Jan 18, 2007

Filed:

Jul 18, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/488929

Inventors:

Frank Harris - Akron OH, US
Limin Sun - Copley OH, US
Dong Zhang - Uniontown OH, US
Stephen Cheng - Richfield OH, US

International Classification:

C09K 19/00

US Classification:

428001270

Abstract:

A class of soluble poly(aryletherimides) (PAEIs) having flexible backbones, useful in the manufacture of polymeric optical films are disclosed. The poly(aryletherimides) are dissolved in organic solvents, such as ketones and ketone solvent mixtures and coated on variety of substrates such as triacetyl cellulose (TAC), to form clear thin-layer films which display negative birefringence. The thin films can serve as compensation layers in liquid crystal displays (LCDs), and can be combined with other types of optical films, such as polarizers, brightness enhancement films, or other compensation films, to from multi-layered films that are especially useful in the manufacture of LCDs.

US Patent:

20120296060, Nov 22, 2012

Filed:

Jul 31, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/562773

Inventors:

Stephen Z. Cheng - Richfield OH, US
Matthew J. Graham - Akron OH, US
Frank W. Harris - Boca Raton FL, US
Shi Jin - Staten Island NY, US

International Classification:

C08G 75/06

US Classification:

526256

Abstract:

The present invention relates to conjugated polymers and a method for their synthesis. Furthermore, the present invention relates to electro-synthesis methods for producing polymers that include the use of at least one Lewis acid and at least one proton trap to form organic conjugated polymers having elevated refractive indices. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to an organic polymer having an elevated refractive index, the organic polymer formed by a process comprising the steps of: providing a solution of unsaturated organic monomer units and at least one acidic component; impeding saturation of the unsaturated organic-monomer units by at least one protic element in the solution; and polymerizing the unsaturated organic monomer units to form a conjugated organic polymer having a refractive index of at least about 2.3 for electromagnetic energy having a wavelength of about 700 nm.

US Patent:

20140060650, Mar 6, 2014

Filed:

Mar 21, 2012

Appl. No.:

14/006373

Inventors:

Stephen Z.D. Cheng - Richfield OH, US
Wenbin Zhang - Hudson OH, US
Xiong Gong - Akron OH, US

Assignee:

THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON - Akron OH

International Classification:

H01L 51/42
H01L 51/00

US Classification:

136263

Abstract:

A bulk heterojuction for a photovoltaic cell includes a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) functionalized electron acceptor or electron donor or both. The electron donor may be selected from conjugated polymers and the electron donor may be selected from fullerenes and fullerene derivatives.

US Patent:

20150315348, Nov 5, 2015

Filed:

May 2, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/268016

Inventors:

Stephen Z.D. Cheng - Richfield OH, US
Wenbin Zhang - Akron OH, US
Kan Yue - Akron OH, US
Xinfei Yu - Akron OH, US
I-Fan Hsieh - Akron OH, US

International Classification:

C08J 7/02
C09D 183/10

Abstract:

A process of forming a nanopatterned substrate is provided. The process comprising the steps of first preparing a giant surfactant comprising a cage-like molecular nanoparticle head linked to a polymer chain tail through a chemical linkage. Next, using the giant surfactant, a thin film is formed. Next the thin film formed from the giant surfactant is annealed such that the giant surfactant self-assembles into a desired nanostructure. The desired nanostructure is comprised of periodic major domains and minor domains. Finally, at least some of either the major domain or the minor domain is selectively removed to form the nanopatterned substrate.