Patents Examined by Bijan Ahvazi
  • Patent number: 9997272
    Abstract: Organic charge-transfer (CT) co-crystals in a mixed stack system are disclosed, wherein a donor molecule (D) and an acceptor molecule (A) occupy alternating positions (DADADA) along the CT axis. A platform is provided which amplifies the molecular recognition of donors and acceptors and produces co-crystals at ambient conditions, wherein the platform comprises (i) a molecular design of the first constituent (?-complement), (ii) a molecular design of the second compound (?-complement), and (iii) a solvent system that promotes co-crystallization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Northwestern University
    Inventors: Samuel I. Stupp, J. Fraser Stoddart, Alexander K. Shveyd, Alok S. Tayi, Chi-Hau Sue, Ashwin Narayanan
  • Patent number: 9995987
    Abstract: A composite particle is provided that includes a base particle and a plurality of hydrophilic oligomeric groups extending from an exterior portion of the base particle, the base particle including a cross-linked polyurea and at least one of a pigment and a dye. The cross-linked polyurea may form a network throughout the base particle. A method of making the composite particle includes providing either a solution containing a dye or a dispersion containing a pigment in a water-dispersible polyfunctional isocyanate dissolved in a water-miscible solvent, forming an emulsion of the solution/dispersion in water, agitating the emulsion while the polyfunctional isocyanate is converted into a cross-linked polyurea, and separating the composite particle containing the cross-linked polyurea and the dye/pigment from the emulsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen J. Telfer, Craig A. Herb, Lee Yezek
  • Patent number: 9987686
    Abstract: A complex includes a flat plate-like metal fine particle formed of at least one type of metal or a compound thereof and at least one piece of finely-disintegrated cellulose combined with the flat plate-like metal fine particle. At least a part of each piece of the finely-disintegrated cellulose is incorporated into the flat plate-like metal fine particle, and a remaining part is exposed from a surface of the flat plate-like metal fine particle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: TOPPAN PRINTING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takuya Isogai
  • Patent number: 9976077
    Abstract: A photochromic article is provided, containing a polymer and a polyoxometalate derivative anion and counter cation complex distributed in the polymer. A method of forming a photochromic film is also provided, including forming a composition containing a polymer or a precursor of the polymer and a polyoxometalate derivative and counter cation complex and preparing a film from the composition, the film containing the polyoxometalate derivative and counter cation complex distributed in the polymer. Further, a precursor composition is provided, including a polymer or a precursor of the polymer and a polyoxometalate derivative anion and a counter cation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Adam D. Miller, Matthew H. Frey, Daniel E. Isaacson, Jonathan E. Janoski
  • Patent number: 9975804
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing composite nanoparticles, the method using a first compound capable of transitioning from a monoclinic to a tetragonal rutile crystal state upon heating, and having the steps of subjecting the first compound to a hydrothermal synthesis to create anisotropic crystals of the compound; encapsulating the first compound with a second compound to create a core-shell construct; and annealing the construct as needed. Also provided is a device for continuously synthesizing composite nanoparticles, the device having a first precursor supply and a second precursor supply; a mixer to homogeneously combine the first precursor and second precursor to create a liquor; a first microreactor to subject the liquor to hydrothermic conditions to create an\isotropic particles in a continuous operation mode; and a second microreactor for coating the particles with a third precursor to create a core-shell construct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC
    Inventors: Jie Li, Yugang Sun, Ralph T. Muehleisen, Leah B. Guzowski, Xiaojie Yan, Samuel Dull, Ioannina Castano
  • Patent number: 9976076
    Abstract: A photochromic article is provided, containing a polymer and a polyoxometalate and counter cation complex distributed in the polymer. A method of forming a photochromic film is also provided, including forming a composition containing a polymer or a precursor of the polymer and a polyoxometalate and counter cation complex and preparing a film from the composition, the film containing the polyoxometalate and counter cation complex distributed in the polymer. Further, a precursor composition is provided, including a polymer or a precursor of the polymer and a polyoxometalate anion and a counter cation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Adam D. Miller, Matthew H. Frey, Daniel E. Isaacson, Jonathan E. Janoski
  • Patent number: 9956542
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing molecular imprint polymers (MIP) by radical polymerization that uses at least one primer including at least two chemical functions capable of forming reactive radicals, thereby providing a locally high radical concentration for priming the polymerization on or about the imprint entity or molecule. The invention also relates to molecular imprint polymers (MIP) that can be obtained by the method of the invention, and to the use thereof in the production of biomimetic biosensors, biomimetic biochips, chemical sensors, specific adsorption separation devices, as a coating, particularly for releasing active ingredients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Universite de Technologie de Compiegne—UTC
    Inventors: Karsten Haupt, Arnaud Cutivet, Jeanne Bernadette Tse Sum Bui, Pinar Cakir
  • Patent number: 9951208
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are rubber compositions comprising at least one conjugated diene polymer or copolymer, silica filler, and a silica shielding agent of formula (I), and related methods such as for improving silica dispersability in silica-filled rubber compositions. Also disclosed herein are tire components, such as tire treads containing the rubber compositions disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Yaohong Chen, Arif O. Gozen, Toshihiro Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 9950977
    Abstract: Polyhydroxyfullerenes (PHFs) having enhanced electron scavenging capabilities have a ratio of non-hydroxyl functional groups to hydroxyl functional groups that is less than or equal to 0.3. When combined with a semiconductor photocatalyst, such as titanium dioxide nanoparticles, the PHFs provide a photocatalyst for degradation of chemical and biological contaminates with an efficiency of at least twice that of titanium dioxide nanoparticles free of PHFs. The PHFs are included in these catalysts at a weight ratio to titanium dioxide of about 0.001 to about 0.003, whereas significantly lower and higher ratios do not achieve the highly improved photodegradation capability. PHFs outside of the desired structure are shown to be of little value for photodegradation, and can be inhibiting to the photocatalytic activity of TiO2. The enhanced electron scavenging PHFs can be employed as a component of materials for solar cells, field effect transistors, and radical scavengers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.
    Inventors: Vijay Krishna, Brij M. Moudgil, Benjamin L. Koopman
  • Patent number: 9945990
    Abstract: A light diffusion film in which the angle of aperture of diffused light has been expanded effectively by forming, within the film, a predetermined columnar structure composed of pillar-shaped objects having a bent part and a region having a relatively low refractive index, and a method for manufacturing the light diffusion film are provided. Disclosed is a light diffusion film having a columnar structure in which plural pillar-shaped objects having a relatively high refractive index are arranged to stand close together in the film thickness direction in a region having a relatively low refractive index, and the plural pillar-shaped objects having a relatively high refractive index have a bent part in the middle of the pillar-shaped objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: LINTEC Corporation
    Inventors: Kentaro Kusama, Baku Katagiri, Tomoo Orui, Satoru Shoshi
  • Patent number: 9945049
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of hulk or thin-film single-crystals of cubic sesquioxides (space group No. 206, Ia-3) of scandium, yttrium or rare earth metals doped or not doped with lanthanide ions having a valency of +III by a high-temperature flux growth technique and to the applications of the nondoped single-crystals obtained according to this process, in particular in the optical field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCINTIFIQI
    Inventors: Philippe Veber, Matias Velazquez, Oudomsack Viraphong, Gabriel Buse
  • Patent number: 9944663
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process of preparing substituted pentacenes, to novel pentacenes prepared by this process, to the use of the novel pentacenes as semiconductors or charge transport materials in optical, electrooptical or electronic devices including field effect transistors (FETs), electroluminescent, photovoltaic and sensor devices, and to FETs and other semiconducting components or materials comprising the novel pentacenes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: MERCK PATENT GESELLSCHAFT MIT BESCHRANKTER HAFTUNG
    Inventors: Steven Tierney, Martin Heeney, Clare Bailey, Weimin Zhang
  • Patent number: 9944778
    Abstract: The present invention relates to microspheres and to their use, preferably as laser absorbing additive, and to a process for their production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Franciscus Wilhelmus Maria Gelissen, Franciscus Gerardus Henricus Van Duijnhoven
  • Patent number: 9938408
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymer composition (C) comprising at least one polyaryletherketone (PAEK), at least one polyphenylsulfone (PPSU), at least one polysulfone (PSU) and glass fibers having an elastic modulus of at least 76 GPa as measured according to ASTM D2343. Polymer composition (C) is very well suited for the manufacture of articles useful in areas as various as plumbing and electronics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: SOLVAY SPECIALTY POLYMERS USA, LLC.
    Inventors: Keshav Gautam, Mohammad Jamal El-Hibri
  • Patent number: 9938429
    Abstract: A coating composition includes a flexible hyperbranched polyol preparable by (a) reacting a polyol comprising at least three hydroxyl groups with an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid having from 6 to 36 carbon atoms or an esterifiable derivative of the aliphatic dicarboxylic acid to form a hydroxyl-functional first intermediate product; (b) reacting the first intermediate product with a cyclic carboxylic acid anhydride to form a carboxylic acid-functional second intermediate product; and (c) reacting the second intermediate product with an epoxide-functional compound having one epoxide group to form the hyperbranched polyol. The coating composition may be cured to a coating layer having excellent flexibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: BASF Coating GmbH
    Inventor: Emerson Keith Colyer
  • Patent number: 9932439
    Abstract: Provided is a photosensitive resin composition that is, after being applied to an adherend surface, rapidly cured by photoirradiation to form a cured product having excellent light-shielding ability and adhesiveness. The present invention relates to a photosensitive resin composition that includes components as follows: (A) a cationically polymerizable compound at least including a compound containing an alicyclic epoxy group and devoid of ester bonds; (B) a photo-cationic polymerization initiator including a cationic moiety and an anionic moiety containing a boron atom; and (C) a light-shielding material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: DAICEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tamaki Son, Takashi Kubo
  • Patent number: 9932663
    Abstract: A method to transfer a layer of harder thin film substrate onto a softer, flexible substrate. In particular, the present invention provides a method to deposit a layer of sapphire thin film on to a softer and flexible substrate e.g. quartz, fused silica, silicon, glass, toughened glass, PET, polymers, plastics, paper and fabrics. This combination provides the hardness of sapphire thin film to softer flexible substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: HONG KONG BAPTIST UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Kok Wai Cheah, Wing Yui Lam, Hoi Lam Tam
  • Patent number: 9926430
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of mixtures of monoesters and diesters as coalescing agents. Monoesters and diesters according to the present invention were obtained by ethoxylation of fatty acids, and/or by direct esterification of fatty acids with monoethylene glycol or polyethylene glycol. Fatty acids used in the present invention have 4 to 22 carbon atoms and can be saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched. In particular, the invention is directed to a composition of coalescing agents comprising: (i) mixtures of (RCOO(EO)nH) monoesters and diesters; and, (ii) mixtures of (RCOO(EO)nH) monoesters and diesters obtained from the ethoxylation of fatty acids, and/or direct esterification of fatty acids with ethylene glycol derivatives, and/or transesterification, wherein the monoesters are present in an amount of 90 to 10 mass % and diesters are present in an amount of 10 to 90 mass %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: OXITENO S.A. INDUSTRIA E COMERCIO
    Inventors: Juliane Pereira Santos, Flavio Fumio Nakashima, Fabio Rosa, Nadia Andrade Armelin, Andre Luis Conde Da Silva, Gilberto Alberto Silva
  • Patent number: 9926514
    Abstract: Cleaning compositions which can be applied to surfaces and materials to clean or condition the surfaces or materials which provide an enhanced level of non-toxicity and biodegradability by conforming to EcoLogo CCD-146 and Green Seal standards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Ascent IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey Wycoff
  • Patent number: 9920281
    Abstract: A soil resistant laminate composition and a soil resistant treatment use composition are provided. In particular, a laminate composition comprising a multilayer composition of a clean surface and a dried layer of a soil resistant agent are disclosed. Soil resistant agents according to the invention include copolymers of a maleic/olefin, an olefin/acrylate and combinations thereof and are suitable for delivery with a water or other organic solvent carrier. A kit and methods for treating a clean surface using a soil resistant laminate composition and a soil resistant treatment use composition are provided by the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Kim R. Smith, Erik C. Olson, Keith E. Olson, Steven E. Lentsch, Minyu Li, Catherine Hanson, Andrew Wold