Intellectual Property Law

US Patent 7419616 - Fluidic switch using interlocking magnetic particles

Posted on September 04, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7419616.htmlMagnetorheological fluids have the property of variable viscosity dependent on magnetic fields which is useful for flow control switches. This patent from GM teaches controlling the aspect ratios of the particles forming these fluids to maintain a high and stable on/off ratio for the flow...

US Patent 7419612 - Method of fabricating nanoporous polyimide film

Posted on September 02, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7419612.htmlThis patent teaches a method of making nanoporous films of polyimide which is capable of maintaining favorable properties over an extended temperature range. Claim 6 reads:6. A method of creating pores of nanometric to micrometric size in a thin sheet of polyimide, in which the sheet is subjected to the steps comprising:an ion bombardment;a radiation in the visible range of a halogen light emitting at wavelengths of between 450 and 530 nm for a period of about 10 hours to one week; anda chemical etching.

US Patent 7419601 - CNT nanomesh for fluid purification

Posted on September 02, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7419601.htmlThis patent from Seldon Technologies (priority March 7, 2003) includes some basic claims to an article using carbon nanotubes to form a mesh structure usable as a fluid purification filter. Claim 1 reads:1...

US Patent 7418283 - Quantum computation via monitored Hamiltonian transformation

Posted on September 02, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7418283.htmlD-Wave is a company attempting to make quantum computation a reality. This latest patent seems to include some basic claims to quantum computation by monitoring the state of a Hamiltonian (math expression for energy state) describing superconducting qubits under adiabatic conditions...

To access this complete feed in the blog feed reader login or register for free.

US Patent 7417511 - MEMS-based spread spectrum clock generation

Posted on September 02, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7417511.htmlThis patent from Lexmark includes some broad claims on the use of microelectromechanical circuits to generate spread spectrum clock signals. Claim 1 reads:1. A spread spectrum clock generation (SSCG) circuit comprising a MEMS based circuit having a plurality of circuit components configured to generate a spread spectrum clocking signal based on a modulation of a resonant frequency of said MEMS based circuit and an output coupled to at least one of said circuit components to supply said spread spectrum clocking signal.

US Patent 7417320 - CNT array patterning using base film

Posted on August 29, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7417320.htmlCarbon nanotube patterning often involves the processing of a catalytic film that can damage other areas of a substrate making integration with more conventional electronics difficult. This patent from Fujitsu teaches using a base film to facilitate the patterning to avoid processing of the catalytic film that can cause damage...

US Patent 7417119 - Protein processing using nanowire arrays

Posted on August 29, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7417119.htmlThis patent from SRI International teaches a new way to conduct protein assembly to build complex molecular structures by using programmable charge patterns that can attract molecules in specified arrangements...

US Patent 7416993 - Nanowire fabric patterning

Posted on August 28, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7416993.htmlNantero has focused most of their patents on nanomechanical switches formed from carbon nanotube fabrics. This patent extends the scope of their nanofabric technology to cover other possible nanowire based patterning...

US Patent 7416911 - Manufacture of molecular probes with hydrogenated surfaces

Posted on August 28, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7416911.htmlThis patent from CalTech teaches forming a template which is possibly useful for the formation of molecular electronic devices using hydrogenated nanostructured surfaces including Si-H bonds. Claim 1 reads:1...

US Patent 7416699 - Nanotube interconnect between catalyst island contacts

Posted on August 28, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7416699.htmlThis patent from Stanford University has an early priority date (Aug. 14, 1998) and includes some very basic claims to carbon nanotubes formed from catalyst islands used as electrical interconnects. Claim 1 reads:1...

US Patent 7416108 - Superalloy brazing using microparticle/nanoparticle filler

Posted on August 26, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7416108.htmlBrazing is a process of joining materials using an alloy or filler at high temperatures (>400 C). This patent from Siemans Power Generation teaches using a combination of microparticle and nanoparticle superalloys to reduce the time required for brazing...

US Patent 7416019 - CNT thermal interface with >50% packing ratio

Posted on August 26, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7416019.htmlThis patent from Johns Hopkins University teaches a high density multiwall carbon nanotube array forming a high efficiency thermal interface useful for integrated circuit cooling. Claim 1 reads: 1. A thermal interface comprising:a first structure for making thermal contact with a second, different structure; anda plurality of substantively aligned carbon nanotubes protruding substantively perpendicularly from a first surface of the first structure to improve thermal contact with the second structure, wherein a nanotube packing ratio is the quotient of the sum of cross section areas of carbon nanotubes in the plurality of carbon nanotubes divided by the area of the first surface of the first structure covered by the carbon nanotubes, and the nanotube packing ratio is greater than fifty percent.

US Patent 7414437 - Mechanical computer formed from nanoscale pillars

Posted on August 25, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7414437.htmlNantero has started the ball rolling on nanoscale mechanical computers but others are also trying to develop similar devices. This patent from WARF discloses the formation of dual nanopillars to form electrical switches and connecting the electrical switches to form basic logic and computational structures...

US Patent 7414294 - Intermediate band core/shell quantum dots provided in organic matrix

Posted on August 21, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7414294.htmlThis patent discloses a quantum dot based composites useful for solar cells in which band matching is achieved between quantum dots and an organic matrix. Claim 1 reads:1. A photosensitive device comprising:a plurality of quantum dots, each quantum dot having a shell; andan organic matrix, the quantum dots being embedded in the organic matrix, at least the quantum dots and the organic matrix being photoconductive semiconductors, the shell around each quantum dot being arranged as a tunneling barrier to require an electron in a lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) of the organic matrix to perform quantum mechanical tunneling to reach the respective quantum dot, and a first quantum state above the band gap in each quantum dot being between the LUMO and a highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) of the organic matrix, wave functions of the first quantum state of the plurality of quantum dots to overlap as an intermediate band.

US Patent 7413973 - Nanogap electrode device fabrication

Posted on August 21, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7413973.htmlIn order to create nanoscale sensors or electronics it is often necessary to create electrode gaps having nanometer scale dimensions. A variety of techniques exist to form such nanoscale gaps including electron beam lithography and the precise application of mechanical stress to an electrode to create a gap in the electrode...

US Patent 7413907 - Mass spectrometer using CNT mat

Posted on August 20, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7413907.htmlThis patent from Rice University teaches using a functionalized mat of carbon nanotubes (i.e. bucky paper) as a binding matrix for analytes used in mass spectroscopy. Claim 1 reads:1. A method for analyzing molecules with MALDI-MS comprising the steps of:a) providing a mat of functionalized carbon nanotubes;b) making a solution of analyte molecules in a suitable solvent;c) contacting the analyte molecules with the mat of carbon nanotubes by placing a quantity of the analyte solution on the mat;d) removing the solvent to form an analyte mat; ande) performing MALDI-MS on the analyte mat.

US Patent 7413633 - Belt with urethane-based coating including nanoparticles

Posted on August 20, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7413633.htmlPolyurethane is useful as a protective coatings and sealants in numerous applications. This patent from Albany International discloses adding nanoparticles to a urethane coating used as a belt in paper making processes to improve the crack and wear resistance of such belts...

US Patent 7413598 - Mold containing boron nitride nanotubes

Posted on August 19, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7413598.htmlThis patent from Hon Hai Precision teaches a mold used for glass manufacture which incorporates boron nitride nanotubes for improved chemical stability and thermal shock resistance. Claim 1 reads:1. A mold comprising:a mold matrix; anda plurality of boron nitride nanotubes and an amount of noble metal powder sintered together with and uniformly distributed in the mold matrix, each boron nitride nanotube capsuling a plurality of fullerenes therein.

US Patent 7413550 - Bad breath detector using nanoparticles

Posted on August 19, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7413550.htmlThis patent from Kimberly-Clark Worldwide teaches using silica or alumina nanoparticles in a high sensitivity bad breadth testing device. Claim 1 reads:1. A breath testing device comprising nanoparticles and a visual indicating agent disposed on a substrate, wherein the visual indicating agent is color sensitive to at least one odorous compound present in the breath of a user, wherein the visual indicating agent is 4,4?-bis(dimethylamino)-benzhydrol.

US Patent 7412428 - Nanotechnology based neural network for applying Hebbian learning

Posted on August 18, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7412428.htmlThis patent is one in a series of patents from Alex Nugent who has come up with a variety of techniques to use nanoparticle based interconnections to simulate physical neural networks. One of the limitations of current artificial intelligence approaches is the reliance on software solutions which have an intrinsic delay required for the transfer of information between memory and a processor...

US Patent 7411772 - Rotary Casimir effect

Posted on August 18, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7411772.htmlThe Casimir effect is a quantum mechanical effect that results in the attraction of metal plates having nanoscopic separation distances. Usually the metal plates used are flat and the energy required to reset the plate separation makes applications involving the plate movement impractical...

US Patent 7411241 - Vertical nanotube transistor memory cell

Posted on August 14, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7411241.htmlThis patent from Samsung with priority going back to March 28, 2005 presents some basic claims to vertically oriented carbon nanotubes channels connected to a bit line. Claim 1 reads:1. An integrated circuit device, comprising:a substrate;an electrically conductive bit line on said substrate; anda field effect transistor having a first current carrying terminal electrically connected to said bit line, said field effect transistor comprising a nanotube channel region and a gate electrode surrounding the nanotube channel region...

US 7410697 - Nanoparticles derivatized as monomers in a polymer

Posted on August 13, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7410697.htmlThis patent from SAIC is fairly basic to the incorporation of nanoparticles in polymers (priority: Nov. 1, 2001) and teaches methods of fabrication in which the agglomeration of the nanoparticles is avoided...

US Patent 7410597 - Thermally conductive material formed from nanotubes in supercritical fluid

Posted on August 13, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7410597.htmlCPU cooling as a growing problem as electronic circuit densities continue to increase. Often a cooling fluid is used to transport heat away from a processor and this patent from Hon Hai Precision teaches a variation of this type of cooling using a supercritical fluid incorporated with carbon nanotube to achieve a high thermal conductivity and fluidity...

US Patent 7410564 - Biopolymer identification during translocation through nanopore

Posted on August 12, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7410564.htmlNanopores are analytic devices used for single molecule sorting and DNA sequencing. This patent from Agilent Technologies teaches applying a ramping voltage to electrodes adjacent the nanopore to enhance the speed and efficiency of DNA sequencing...

US Patent 7409851 - Functionalized MEMS biosensor

Posted on August 12, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7409851.htmlThis patent from Cornell Research Foundation with priority going back to March 29, 2005 includes some basic claims to MEMs oscillators used in bioassays. Although prior art was applied against the claims the applicant argued that the device operates using a "catalyzing adsorption site" which produces resonant shifts in non-aqueous environments such as air or vacuum which was alleged to be distinguished form the prior art...

US Patent 7409375 - Nanoparticle neural interconnections for independent component analysis

Posted on August 11, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7409375.htmlIndependent component analysis is a methodology for extracting distinct signals from a mixed signals such as being able to ascertain a single voice in a crowded party. This patent from Knowmtech teaches a system for using nanoparticles in a neural network interconnection system to facilitate such analysis...

US Patent 7409375 - Optical memory formed from nanotube cells

Posted on August 11, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7408835.htmlNantero has taken the lead in developing nanotube based memory over the past few years based on using the nanotubes as nanomechanical switches. However, a few companies are attempting to develop alternative approaches to nanotube memory...

US Patent 7408186 - Multi-segment linear nanostructures

Posted on August 07, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7408186.htmlThis patent from Oak Ridge Labs. has priority going back to Feb. 6, 2002 and includes some basic claims to elongated nanostructures (e.g. nanowires, nanotubes) formed on a substrate having multiple interconnected segments...

US Patent 7408184 - Conjugated molecular switch

Posted on August 07, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7408184.htmlReconfigurable molecular switches have been an active area of theoretical research for a few decades now and steps to prototype molecular electronic devices based on catenane and rotaxane molecules have been taken by Hewlett-Packard and others...

Bloggers, promote your law blog by nominating your blog for inclusion in USLaw.com's Law Blog Directory and RSS Reader. Benefits described.