Intellectual Property Law

US Patent 7650049 - Quantum box waveguide modulator

Posted on January 21, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7650049.htmlThis patent is from the Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique and teaches using photonic crystals to modulate the absorption and velocity of optical waves. Claim 1 reads: 1. A modulator comprising:a waveguide including periodic holes and propagating an electromagnetic wave of given wavelength (?) with absorption, and further comprisingmeans adapted to vary an electrical charge population in quantum boxes included in the waveguide so as to modify the residence time of the electromagnetic wave in the waveguide.

US Patent 7649594 - Quantum dot photoluminescent LCD

Posted on January 21, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7649594.htmlIn order to improve the color balance and pixel-to-pixel luminance of backlight LCDs this patent from Samsung teaches incorporating quantum dots in the illumination layer. Claim 1 reads: 1. A photo-luminescent liquid crystal display (PC LCD) comprising:a UV backlight unit generating ultraviolet (UV) light;a light control unit which includes a liquid crystal (LC) layer modulating the UV light and electrodes driving the LC layer; anda light emitting layer which emits light by the UV light transmitted through the light control unit, the light emitting layer includes inorganic phosphors and semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) having a quantum confinement effect.

US Patent 7649192 - Nanowire array LED grown in silicon microcavities

Posted on January 21, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7649192.htmlSemiconductor nanowire LEDs offers improvements in photoconversion efficiency over present LEDs but fabrication methods are limited in control of the placement of the nanowires on a substrate. This patent from Samsung teaches using microgrooves formed in a silicon wafer to control the growth location of nanowires...

US Patent 7648765 - Carbon nanoparticle dispersion

Posted on January 20, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7648765.htmlNanodiamonds have a high refractive index and transparency making them useful for optical applications and also possess a high hardness making them useful for mechanical polishing. This patent from Futaba Corporation teaches a way to create a dispersion of nanodiamonds in an organic solvent...

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US Patent 7648726 - Nanoparticle coated dental implant

Posted on January 20, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7648726.htmlThis patent from Chemat Technology teaches a calcium based nanoparticle coating to improve bond strength and biocompatibility for medical and dental implants. Claim 1 reads:1. A method comprising: chemically charging a surface of a medical or dental implant; and contacting the implant with a colloid comprising crystalline hydroxyapatite nanoparticles on the implant.

US Patent 7647848 - Simultaneous inspection and nanomanipulation

Posted on January 20, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7647848.htmlThis patent is from Drexel University's Cell and Protein Mechanics Lab and teaches a system that integrated an atomic force microscope with a nanomanipulation tool to simultaneously image and strain biological samples...

US Patent 7645397 - Luminescent nanocrystal doped composites

Posted on January 13, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7645397.htmlThis patent is from Nanosys and teaches the fabrication of nanocrystal composites to achieve high efficiency white light LEDs. Claim 1 reads:1. A luminescent nanocomposite, comprising:a population of luminescent nanocrystals, which nanocrystals are embedded in an epoxy, polyurea, or polyurethane matrix, and which nanocrystals substantially retain their luminescence when embedded in the matrix,wherein a ligand is bound to a surface of a member nanocrystal, which liganda) comprises a dicarboxylic acid moiety that binds to the surface of the member nanocrystal orb) is an aliphatic or polymeric amine comprising an amine moiety that binds to the surface of the member nanocrystal...

US Patent 7645327 - Fractal structured nanofilter

Posted on January 13, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7645327.htmlThis patent is from the New Jersey Institute of Technology and teaches a way to use nanoparticles to create an improved high-efficiency particulate air filter. Claim 1 reads:1. A filter system comprising:a filter media that includes agglomerates or granules of nanoparticles in an amount sufficient to effect a desired level of filtration, wherein the agglomerates or granules of nanoparticles define a hierarchical fractal structure such that a plurality of agglomerates or granules of nanoparticles are bonded together to form at least one higher order agglomerate or granule.

US Patent 7644622 - MEMS pressure sensor with nanotube membrane

Posted on January 13, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7644622.htmlThis patent from Hon Hai Precision exploits the piezoresistive characteristics of carbon nanotube membranes in a MEMS sensor. Claim 1 reads:1. A micro-electro-mechanical pressure sensor comprising:a substrate having an acoustic cavity;a dielectric isolation layer formed on the substrate, the dielectric isolation layer having a through hole corresponding to the acoustic cavity;at least two electrodes formed on the dielectric isolation layer; anda vibrating membrane formed on the dielectric isolation layer and covering the through hole, the vibrating membrane comprising at least one carbon nanotube structure, the at least one carbon nanotube structure, respectively, being electrically connected with the at least two electrodes...

Memristor and Memristive Systems Symposium 2010

Posted on January 09, 2010
Engineers, scientists, entrepreneurs, academics and students (both graduate and undergraduate) are invited to attend this symposium, held in conjunction with IEEE CNNA 2010 ? the International Workshop on Cellular Nanoscale Networks and Applications, Feb...

US Patent 7642540 - Phase change RAM with heat efficiency nanolayer

Posted on January 07, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7642540.htmlPhase-change RAM is a potential contender to compete with flash in the non-volatile memory market and offers improvements in switching time. This patent from Samsung teaches using nanomaterials to improve heat conduction and reduce the current necessary for switching and thus reduce power requirements...

US Patent 7642463 - Silver nanowire transparent conductor

Posted on January 07, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7642463.htmlThis patent from Honeywell teaches a new type of transparent conductor based on silver nanowire coatings for use in displays and solar cells. Claim 1 reads:1. A transparent conductor comprising: a substrate; and a transparent conductive coating disposed overlying the substrate, wherein the transparent conductive coating comprises a plurality of silver nanowires, at least a portion of which has a silver oxide complex formed on or within surfaces thereof.

US Patent 7641885 - Manufacture of CNT film

Posted on January 07, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7641885.htmlThis patent is from Hon Hai Precision and discloses a method for making an improved tensile strength carbon nanotube film using mechanical compression. Claim 1 reads:1. A method for making a carbon nanotube film, the method comprising the steps of:(a) forming an array of carbon nanotubes on a substrate; and(b) pressing the array of carbon nanotubes using a compressing apparatus, thereby forming the carbon nanotube film,wherein in step (b), the compressing apparatus comprises of a roller-shaped pressure head...

US Patent 7641883 - Viologen CNT separation

Posted on January 06, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7641883.htmlThis patent from Samsung teaches a new carbon nanotube processing method using viologen to separate semiconducting from metallic nanotubes. Claim 1 reads:1. A method for separating carbon nanotubes into metallic carbon nanotubes and semiconducting carbon nanotubes, comprising: forming a solution comprising viologen, carbon nanotubes, water and a non-polar solvent; performing a phase separation on the solution comprising viologen, carbon nanotubes, water and a non-polar solvent, wherein the water and the non-polar solvent are phase-separated from the solution of carbon nanotubes, viologen, water and non-polar solvent, thereby separating the carbon nanotubes into metallic carbon nanotubes and semiconducting carbon nanotubes.

US Patent 7641882 - Fullerene coated carbon black

Posted on January 06, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7641882.htmlThis patent is from M.I.T. and teaches a way to chemically bond fullerene to carbon black in order to create improved inkjet inks. Claim 1 reads:1. Fullerenic structures chemically bonded to a surface of a bulk carbon material wherein the average fullerene concentration on the surface of the bulk carbon material is at least 87 molecules per 1000 nanometers of perimeter.

US Patent 7640936 - Nanoscale catalysts for cigarette CO reduction

Posted on January 06, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7640936.htmlThis patent is from Philip Morris and teaches metal oxide nanocatalysts for reducing carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke. Claim 1 reads:1. A component of a smoking article comprising a multiphase mixed metal oxide catalyst consisting of sintered nanoparticles of at least two metal oxides selected from the group consisting of copper oxide, cerium oxide, titanium oxide and iron oxide, wherein the component is selected from the group consisting of tobacco cut filler, cigarette paper and cigarette filter material...

Top Ten Nanotechnology Patents of 2009

Posted on January 01, 2010
Here is a list of the U.S. nanotechnology patents issued over the past year that appear to me to be the most commercially valuable and/or interesting:#10 - US Patent 7,535,070 - Reconfigurable spin wave computer (University of California)Reconfigurable computing architectures are becoming more popular in order to combine the flexibility of software with the speed of hardware...

US Patent 7639524 - Dougle gate CNT memory

Posted on December 31, 2009
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7639524.htmlIn order to continue transistor scaling in the next decade there are several approaches to using multi-gate transistors which can suppress leakage current and require less power for nanoscale circuit designs...

US Patent 7639342 - Ferroelectric nanocomposite

Posted on December 31, 2009
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7639342.htmlThis patent from Samsung teaches a ferroelectric nanomaterial used in LCDs to improve response speed and prevent afterimage problems. Claim 1 reads:1. A ferroelectric composite comprising:a core including a ferroelectric material; anda skin layer including a carbon structure comprising carbon atoms...

US Patent 7638790 - RF nanoswitch

Posted on December 30, 2009
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7638790.htmlCarbon nanotubes have been proposed for RF switches in the past but suffer from a significant contact resistance producing signal loss. This patent from Samsung teaches an alternative nanoswitch configuration designed to minimize the on resistance...

US Patent 7638383 - CNT growth using faceted catalysts

Posted on December 30, 2009
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7638383.htmlThis patent from Intel teaches a method to control the size and growth direction of carbon nanotubes by using a faceted Ge dot as a catalyst material during CVD. Claim 1 reads:1. A method comprising:forming a self-assembled catalytic dot having a plurality of facets on a substrate for a microelectronic device;growing a carbon nanotube on one of the facets of the dot to extend therefrom, wherein the dot is doped to have a growth promoting layer on the facet on which the nanotube is grown and is doped to have a growth inhibiting layer on the others of the plurality of facets...

US Patent 7638252 - Electrophotographic printing of nanowire electronics

Posted on December 30, 2009
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7638252.htmlInkjet and silkscreen printing techniques have been adapted over the past several years to the deposition of nanoparticles for electronics. This patent from HP teaches an alternative nanoelectronic printing method using electrophotography...

US Patent 7638169 - Directed CNT growth

Posted on December 29, 2009
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7638169.htmlThis patent from Intel teaches using deposited platinum patterns to guide the growth of carbon nanotubes and shape electrical interconnects or other CNT structures. Claim 1 reads:1. A method comprising:forming a carbon nanotube inhibitor pattern on a substrate surface, wherein the carbon nanotube inhibitor pattern includes an opening that exposes a region of the substrate surface;forming a catalyst seed pattern over the substrate surface, wherein at least a portion of the catalyst seed pattern is on a portion of the exposed region; andgrowing a carbon nanotube from the catalyst seed pattern and on the exposed region of the substrate surface,wherein the carbon nanotube inhibitor pattern directs the growth of the carbon nanotube,wherein the carbon nanotube inhibitor pattern comprises platinum.

US Patent 7638137 - Contact lens including nanoparticle drug delivery system

Posted on December 29, 2009
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7638137.htmlEye drops have previously been used for drug delivery for diseases related to the eye but produce poor penetration through the cornea. This patent from the University of Florida instead teaches a nanoencapsulation system for applying medication using a contact lens...

US Patent 7638036 - Redox potential mediated CNT biosensing

Posted on December 29, 2009
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7638036.htmlThis patent from DuPont teaches a carbon nanotube biosensor which eliminates the need for analyte immobilization. Claim 1 reads:1. A nanosensor for detecting the presence of an analyte said nanosensor comprising:at least two electrodes connected by an electrically conducting path comprised of one or more carbon nanotubes,wherein at least one of said carbon nanotubes is semiconducting, andwherein the carbon nanotube is in contact with an effector solution having a redox potential; andwherein said nanosensor is capable of detecting the presence of said analyte with said analyte neither directly bound on said carbon nanotube nor in close proximity to said carbon nanotube...

US Patent 7637960 - Nanothin AFM cantilever

Posted on December 29, 2009
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7637960.htmlThe spring constant of a micromechanical cantilever is in proportion to the cube of it's thickness. This patent from the University of Houston teaches a method of manufacturing ultrathin silicon cantilevers having a low spring constant to inspect soft specimens such as biomolecules...

US Patent 7635856 - Vertical CNT FET with nitride block spacer

Posted on December 24, 2009
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7635856.htmlAt this point there are a wide variety of proposals for field effect transistors formed with carbon nanotube channels from companies including Micron Technology, Infineon, and Samsung. This latest variation is from IBM and includes the feature of nitride spacer material for a cylindrical gate nanotube FET...

US Patent 7635728 - Flame retardant polymer nanocomposites

Posted on December 24, 2009
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7635728.htmlThis patent is from Huntsman Advanced Materials Americas and is based on the finding that flame retardancy of polymers can be enhanced by including nanoclay particle filler. Claim 1 reads:1. A process for the manufacture of a cured article which comprises admixing at least one expandable particulate material which expands on the application of heat with at least one particulate nano-filler and at least one curable monomer, oligomer and/or polymer to form a mixture and subsequently curing the mixture...

US Patent 7635600 - Photovoltaics with nanowire array electrode

Posted on December 22, 2009
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7635600.htmlOne of the well-recognized advantages of nanostructures is the high surface area to volume ratio which can increase efficiencies by providing larger contact areas. This invention from Sharp applies this advantage toward the construction of pn junction thin film solar cells...

US Patent 7635518 - Dendritic magnetic nanostructures

Posted on December 22, 2009
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7635518.htmlMagnetic nanostructures have potential uses in high density data storage and high resolution sensors. This patent from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette teaches a method to form such nanostructures with a reduction in aggregation...

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