Intellectual Property Law

US Patent 7762638 - Hydrophobic barrier for microfluidic channels

Posted on July 27, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7762638.htmlOver the past decade NanoInk has developed Dip Pen Nanolithography® for applications in maskless nanolithography and bioassays. This is their latest patent specifying a system of ink wells for scanning probe tips which minimize cross-contamination...

US Patent 7759780 - Microelectronic package with nanomaterial wear resistant coating

Posted on July 22, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7759780.htmlIn order to improve the scratch and abrasion resistance of IC packaging this patent from Intel teaches using a variety of nanomaterial films as protective coatings. Claim 1 reads:1. A microelectronic package, comprising:a semiconductor substrate;a die having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface of the die is coupled to the semiconductor substrate; anda nanomaterial layer disposed on the top surface of the die, wherein the nanomaterial layer comprises a resin having a nanofiller disposed within the resin,wherein the nanomaterial layer comprises a scratch and abrasion resistant material, and wherein a weight percentage of the nanofiller in the nanomaterial layer is between about 1% to about 60%.

US Patent 7759160 - Nanoparticle antifuse

Posted on July 22, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7759160.htmlAntifuses are used in some programmable logic devices to switch from a high resistance to a low resistance state. This patent teaches a variation of nanoparticle antifuse using point-like electrodes to melt the nanoparticles causing a short...

US Patent 7759150 - TiO2 nanorod sensor

Posted on July 22, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7759150.htmlThis patent from Sharp teaches a gas sensor fabrication method using titanium dioxide nanowires to achieve high sensitivity at low production cost. Claim 1 reads:1. A method for fabricating a nanorod sensor with a single plane of horizontally-aligned electrodes, the method comprising:providing a substrate;forming an intermediate electrode from a patterned bottom noble metal/Pt/Ti multilayered stack overlying a center region of the substrate;forming TiO2 nanorods;forming a single plane of top electrodes overlying the TiO2 nanorods; and,forming a TiO2 film interposed between the TiO2 nanorods and electrodes selected from a group consisting of the intermediate electrode, the top electrodes, and both the intermediate and top electrodes...

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US Patent 7758961 - Functionalized nanoparticles in particle/bulk material systems

Posted on July 21, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7758961.htmlThis patent from Milliken & Company teaches the fabrication of nanocomposite materials having enhance properties such as adhesion by using multiple functional groups. Claim 1 reads:1. A nanocomposite comprising multi-functionalized nanoparticles comprising:a clay nanoparticle;a first type of chemically functional group chemically bonded to at least a portion of the surface of the nanoparticle; and,a second type of chemically functional group chemically bonded to at least a portion of the surface of the nanoparticle,wherein the first and second chemically functional groups are substantially segregated on the surface of the nanoparticle,wherein the multi-functionalized nanoparticles are dispersed in an extrudable thermoplastic bulk material.

US Patent 7758912 - Anti-stiction bump coating for MEMS

Posted on July 21, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7758912.htmlMicromirrors are used in digital displays and interferometers and often include a spacing member or bump used to regulate the position of a microcantilever. One problem of such microsystems is stiction in which the movable members become stuck to the bumps...

US Patent 7758892 - Medical device with nanoparticle layer

Posted on July 21, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7758892.htmlThis patent from Boston Scientific teaches a multilayered charged coating which facilitate manufacture of thin, flexible, and mechanically robust stents. Claim 1 reads:1. A medical device comprising a multilayer region that comprises:(a) a charged nanoparticle layer comprising charged nanoparticles;(b) a plurality of charged polyelectroyte layers comprising charged polyelectrolyte species, and(c) at least one charged therapeutic agent, wherein said medical device is configured for implantation or insertion into a subject...

US Patent 7758889 - Fullerene in targeted therapies

Posted on July 21, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7758889.htmlThis patent from Luna Innovations (priority 7/18/2003) includes some basic claims to using fullerenes or carbon nanotubes for drug delivery. Claim 1 reads:1. A composition, comprising:(i) a Cn-Ab, wherein Cn is a fullerene or nanotube comprising n carbon atoms, and Ab is a moiety comprising an antigen-binding site and is covalently linked to the Cn, wherein the antigen-binding site recognizes an antigen associated with a medical condition; and(ii) a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier...

US Patent 7758776 - Fused freeform nanotube composite

Posted on July 20, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7758776.htmlThis patent from Lockheed Martin has relatively early priority (Nov. 3, 2000) and includes some basic claims to composite structures formed from carbon nanotube fibers. Claim 1 reads: 1. A free form composite structure comprising:a plurality of discrete nodal elements, each of the nodal elements comprising:a matrix; anda multiplicity of reinforcement elements formed of carbon nanotubes;wherein the multiplicity of reinforcement elements are dispersed throughout the matrix; andwherein the plurality of nodal elements are arranged and fused with respect to one another to form the free form composite structure.

US Patent 7758773 - Nanocrystal modifiers for LCDs

Posted on July 20, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7758773.htmlThis patent from Kent State Universiy teaches how doping liquid crystal films with ferroelectric nanoparticles can improve the properties of LCDs. Claim 1 reads:1. A liquid crystal material comprising a suspension of inorganic anisotropic ferroelectric nanoparticles in a liquid crystal, wherein said ferroelectric nanoparticles function to change at least one of the following properties of the suspension when compared to the pure liquid crystal:a) the dielectric anisotropy;b) the phase transition temperature;c) the birefringence; andd) the order parameter.

US Patent 7758708 - Molybdenum nanocrystal film

Posted on July 20, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7758708.htmlThis patent teaches new nanostructured metallic films used to construct MEMS cantilever structures of smaller dimensions with improved strength. Claim 1 reads: 1. A binary nanocomposite film consisting essentially of body centered cubic nanocrystal molybdenum dispersed in an amorphous metallic matrix of aluminum or nickel.

US Patent 7757371 - Nanostructured reference leak

Posted on July 20, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7757371.htmlA reference leak is an instrument used as a calibration standard for detecting gas leaks. This patent from Hon Hai Precision teaches a nanostructured version of a reference leak which is less sensitive to temperature variations...

US Patent 7755424 - Memristive crossbar FPAAs

Posted on July 18, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7755424.htmlThis is one of my patents related to a memristor crossbar design used to implement field programmable analog arrays. More information on my patents is available at this link. Claim 1 reads:1. A control circuit including:an operational amplifier having an inverting input, a non-inverting input, and an output;an array of impedance elements connected to the output of the operational amplifier, wherein the array of impedance elements includes capacitors; anda resistance switch crossbar array configured to store data in the form of high or low resistance states, wherein the resistance switch crossbar array is electrically connected between the array of impedance elements and the inverting input of the operational amplifier...

US Patent 7755115 - Multiwall CNTFET

Posted on July 18, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7755115.htmlMultiwall nanotubes are normally not able to form the channels of field effect transistors since they have metallic rather than semiconductive properties. However, this patent from Fujitsu teaches a way to remove a portion of the outer walls of a multiwall nanotube to form the semiconductor channel while using the two nanotube ends as conductive contacts to electrodes...

US Patent 7755111 - Programmable power management using nanotubes

Posted on July 18, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7755111.htmlSmart power management is becoming more necessary for integrated circuits in order to deal with increased leakage current as MOSFET gate oxide thickness is decreased. This patent from LSI Corporation teaches using nanotube switches in order to regulate such power management...

US Patent 7755082 - Self-aligned CNT transistor

Posted on July 15, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7755082.htmlThis patent from Intel teaches a variation of a carbon nanotube field effect transistor using self-alignment of the source and drain relative to the channel. Claim 1 reads:1. A semiconductor structure comprising:a carbon nanotube formed over a substrate; anda dielectric layer formed over said carbon nanotube, said dielectric layer having an aperture formed therein, wherein said dielectric layer includes a metal sidewall on each side of said aperture...

US Patent 7754600 - Method of forming nanostructures on metal-silicide crystallines

Posted on July 15, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7754600.htmlEpitaxial growth is commonly used to grow nanostructures on single crystal wafers of silicon. However, these substrates can be expensive and cheaper alternatives are desirable. This patent from HP teaches such an alternative in the form of a metal-silicide substrate...

US Patent 7754524 - Oriented nanowire thin film electronics

Posted on July 15, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7754524.htmlThis is the latest patent from Nanosys covering electronics and optical devices formed from nanowire thin films. Claim 1 reads:1. An article, comprising:a substrate having a first surface;a polymeric adherent material disposed on the first surface; anda plurality of nanostructures each comprising a major axis, disposed on the first surface, and adhered to the adherent material, the plurality of nanostructures being substantially oriented so that their individual lengths are disposed substantially parallel to the first surface of the substrate along a common axis of the substrate.

US Patent 7754408 - CNT developer for laser printers

Posted on July 14, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7754408.htmlThis patent from Xerox teaches using carbon nanotubes to enhance the conductivity and extend the lifetime of the developer used in laser printers. Claim 1 reads:1. A carrier including carrier particles comprising a binder, at least one magnetic material and at least one conductive material, wherein the conductive material is substantially uniformly dispersed within the carrier particles and the conductive material includes at least one carbon nanotube.

US Patent 7754336 - CNT glazing unit

Posted on July 14, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7754336.htmlLaminated glass assemblies used in building architecture are desirable to be transmissive to visible light but opaque to the infrared spectrum for providing thermal insulation. This patent from Cardinal CG Company teaches using nanotubes in the construction of such assemblies to reduce the weight...

US Patent 7754283 - Mat for growing CNTs

Posted on July 14, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7754283.htmlNanometrix is a company having core expertise enabling nanoparticles and molecules to be assembled to form a thin film or monolayer with uniformity and thickness control. This is one of their basic patents on manufacturing continuous mats for growing nanotubes...

US Patent 7754177 - Carbon nanoballoon

Posted on July 13, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7754177.htmlFullerene molecules such as single walled carbon nanotubes and C60 are formed of carbon atoms bonded to enclose a hollow space. This patent teaches a method of fabricating a carbon nanostructure which increases the volume of the hollow space relative to other fullerene nanostructures which may improve properties related to hydrogen storage and light absorption...

US Patent 7754173 - Rare earth oxide nanoplates

Posted on July 13, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7754173.htmlThis patent from the University of Florida Research Foundation teaches a new type of nanomaterial based on Gd2O3 nanocrystals having a thickness approaching the lower limit of crystal growth. Claim 1 reads:1...

US Patent 7754107 - Visualizing CNTs with Qdots

Posted on July 13, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7754107.htmlA few methods exist to attach carbon nanotubes to quantum dots in order to label and track the nanotubes. However, the attachment of the quantum dot can either damage the nanotube structure or be too weak in which case the quantum dot is easily detached...

US Patent 7754054 - Microwave induced functionalization of SWCNTs

Posted on July 13, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7754054.htmlFunctionalization is an important step to sorting carbon nanotubes or to form chemical sensors using nanotubes. This patent from NJIT teaches that the speed of nanotube functionalization may be enhanced by application of microwaves...

US Patent 7751220 - Associative memory with magnetic nanoparticles

Posted on July 11, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7751220.htmlUsually artificial neural networks and other forms of artificial intelligence are implemented using computer software. However, software lacks the real-time responsiveness necessary for several A.I. applications...

US Patent 7751171 - Nanoscale grasping device

Posted on July 11, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7751171.htmlNanotweezers were developed over 10 years ago using dual carbon nanotubes to grasp matter on the nanoscale. This patent from NanoLab, Inc. teaches an improved version of nanotweezers using 3 nanotubes controled by an ac driving voltage to improve stability of control...

US Patent 7750386 - Nanoporous memristor

Posted on July 11, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7750386.htmlThis patent from Seagate Technology teaches a variation of memristor memory (i.e. RRAM) in which a nanoporous layer is used to reduce the magnitue or the switching current used to change resistance states. Claim 1 reads:1...

US Patent 7750285 - Photoconductive CNT optical sensor

Posted on July 08, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7750285.htmlThis patent from Japanese researchers teaches a way to use carbon nanotubes to construct photosensors and integrate them with field effect transistors. Claim 1 reads:1. An optical sensor characterized by comprising:a photoconductive material layer, which generates a carrier inside when irradiated with a light or an electromagnetic wave, anda transparent or translucent insulating layer formed on said photoconductive material layer, anda carbon nanotube formed on said insulating layer, andelectrodes connected to opposite ends of said carbon nanotube, wherein;said photoconductive material layer is irradiated with said light or electromagnetic wave through said transparent or translucent insulating layer;a predetermined voltage is applied between said two electrodes, and said carrier, which is generated within said photoconductive material layer by irradiation of said light or electromagnetic wave, is sensed through change of electrical conduction of said carbon nanotube...

US Patent 7750240 - CNT coaxial cable

Posted on July 08, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7750240.htmlThis is the latest in a series of patents from Hon Hai Precision which discloses a way to form coaxial cables using carbon nanotube materials potentially leading to stronger and more lightweight electrical cables in the 21st century...

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