Patents by Inventor Lawrence T. Drzal

Lawrence T. Drzal has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11660846
    Abstract: A multilayer composite includes adjacent filler layers having a filler material dispersed within a first polymeric matrix and an intervening-layer disposed between the adjacent filler layers. The intervening-layer comprises nanoplatelets embedded within a second polymeric matrix and are aligned substantially parallel to the adjacent filler layers. The intervening-layer is configured to fail upon application of a force to the multilayer composite that is greater than or equal to a predetermined force threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Lawrence T. Drzal, Mahmoodul Haq
  • Patent number: 10246786
    Abstract: An inexpensive, easily renewable bioelectronic device useful for bioreactors, biosensors, and biofuel cells includes an electrically conductive carbon electrode and a bioelectronic interface bonded to a surface of the electrically conductive carbon electrode, wherein the bioelectronic interface includes catalytically active material that is electrostatically bound directly or indirectly to the electrically conductive carbon electrode to facilitate easy removal upon a change in pH, thereby allowing easy regeneration of the bioelectronic interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Robert Mark Worden, Brian L. Hassler, Lawrence T. Drzal, IIsoon Lee
  • Publication number: 20180304598
    Abstract: A multilayer composite includes adjacent filler layers having a filler material dispersed within a first polymeric matrix and an intervening-layer disposed between the adjacent filler layers. The intervening-layer comprises nanoplatelets embedded within a second polymeric matrix and are aligned substantially parallel to the adjacent filler layers. The intervening-layer is configured to fail upon application of a force to the multilayer composite that is greater than or equal to a predetermined force threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Lawrence T. DRZAL, Mahmoodul HAQ
  • Patent number: 10099458
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to reversible bonded structural joints using active adhesive compositions that can allow for dis-assembly, repair, and re-assembly. The disclosure is particularly directed to the adhesive composition material, irrespective of the type of the substrate(s) being joined. The adhesive composition can include any thermoplastic adhesive material that can be remotely activated for targeted heating of just the adhesive composition (e.g., and not the surrounding substrates being joined) via the inclusion of electromagnetically excitable particles in the adhesive composition. The substrates can be any metal material, any composite material, any hybrid material, or otherwise. The disclosed adhesive compositions allow for recyclability of parts at the end of their lifetime and repair/replacement of parts during their lifetime.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Mahmoodul Haq, Lawrence T. Drzal, Ermias G. Koricho
  • Patent number: 9776874
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to use of a coupling agent including of a chemical moiety that is capable of pi bonding with the basal plane of exfoliated graphene nanoparticle (EGN) platelets and that is compatible with a polymer resin or matrix into which the EGN platelets are dispersed. The chemical moiety can include one or more aromatic moieties grafted to a polymer, which polymer can form a dispersing resin or matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Inventors: Lawrence T. Drzal, Xian Jiang
  • Patent number: 9545670
    Abstract: A method for producing nanoparticles on a substrate using a metal precursor in an ionic liquid and microwave heating is described. The composite compositions are useful as catalysts for chemical reactions, fuel cell, supercapacitor and battery components, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Lawrence T. Drzal, In-Hwan Do, Hiroyuki Fukushima
  • Publication number: 20170007986
    Abstract: A method for producing nanoparticles on a substrate using a metal precursor in an ionic liquid and microwave heating is described. The composite compositions are useful as catalysts for chemical reactions, fuel cell, supercapacitor and battery components, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Applicant: Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
    Inventors: Lawrence T. Drzal, In-Hwan Do, Hiroyuki Fukushima
  • Publication number: 20160326658
    Abstract: An inexpensive, easily renewable bioelectronic device useful for bioreactors, biosensors, and biofuel cells includes an electrically conductive carbon electrode and a bioelectronic interface bonded to a surface of the electrically conductive carbon electrode, wherein the bioelectronic interface includes catalytically active material that is electrostatically bound directly or indirectly to the electrically conductive carbon electrode to facilitate easy removal upon a change in pH, thereby allowing easy regeneration of the bioelectronic interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventors: Robert Mark Worden, Brian L. Hassler, Lawrence T. Drzal, IIsoon Lee
  • Publication number: 20160284449
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to reversible bonded structural joints using active adhesive compositions that can allow for dis-assembly, repair, and re-assembly. The disclosure is particularly directed to the adhesive composition material, irrespective of the type of the substrate(s) being joined. The adhesive composition can include any thermoplastic adhesive material that can be remotely activated for targeted heating of just the adhesive composition (e.g., and not the surrounding substrates being joined) via the inclusion of electromagnetically excitable particles in the adhesive composition. The substrates can be any metal material, any composite material, any hybrid material, or otherwise. The disclosed adhesive compositions allow for recyclability of parts at the end of their lifetime and repair/replacement of parts during their lifetime.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Mahmoodul Haq, Lawrence T. Drzal, Ermias G. Koricho
  • Patent number: 9406959
    Abstract: An inexpensive, easily renewable bioelectronic device useful for bioreactors, biosensors, and biofuel cells includes an electrically conductive carbon electrode and a bioelectronic interface bonded to a surface of the electrically conductive carbon electrode, wherein the bioelectronic interface includes catalytically active material that is electrostatically bound directly or indirectly to the electrically conductive carbon electrode to facilitate easy removal upon a change in pH, thereby allowing easy regeneration of the bioelectronic interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
    Inventors: Robert Mark Worden, Brian L Hassler, Lawrence T. Drzal, Ilsoon Lee
  • Patent number: 9080122
    Abstract: A lubricant composition is disclosed that includes (a) a machining oil and (b) an exfoliated graphite nanoparticle (EGN) material stably dispersed in the machining oil. The lubricant composition is a stable suspension and is suitable for use as a liquid lubricant in a Minimum Quantity Lubrication (MQL) process. In the MQL process, the lubricant composition is applied/transferred to a worksite in the form of a mist. The presence of the EGN material in the lubricant composition provides high-temperature stability and lubricity under MQL conditions. A very small amount is transferred especially at high cutting speeds where the mist of the machining oil evaporates, but the EGN material remains on the surface to provide lubricity. Any operation involving machining can benefit from this lubricant composition. The method provides important benefits of reducing chipping on cutting tools and providing the additional lubricity especially when the cutting become very hot and thus extending tool life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Patrick Kwon, Lawrence T. Drzal
  • Patent number: 9023478
    Abstract: Methods involve a combination of polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) coating or silane self assembly on a substrate; microcontact printing; and conductive graphite particles, especially size controlled highly conductive exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets. The conductive graphite particles are coated with a charged polymer such as sulfonated polystyrene. The graphite particles are patterned using microcontact printing and intact pattern transfer on a substrate that has an oppositely-charged surface. The method allows for conductive organic patterning on both flat and curved surfaces and can be used in microelectronic device fabrication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
    Inventors: Ilsoon Lee, Lawrence T. Drzal, Jue Lu, Troy R. Hendricks
  • Patent number: 8834959
    Abstract: The synthesis of single graphene sheets decorated with metal or metal oxide nanoparticles, and their uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Inventors: Lawrence T. Drzal, Inhwan Do, Anchita Monga
  • Publication number: 20140001420
    Abstract: A method for the synthesis of new metal based metal nanoparticles by the combination of conducting polymers and room temperature ionic liquids to produce nanoparticle electro-catalysts with very high catalytic activity and controllable size and high surface area to volume ratios.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Lawrence T. Drzal, In-Hwan Do
  • Publication number: 20130337351
    Abstract: The synthesis of single graphene sheets decorated with metal or metal oxide nanoparticles, and their uses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventors: Lawrence T. Drzal, Inhwan Do, Anchita Monga
  • Patent number: 8501858
    Abstract: Graphite nanoplatelets of expanded graphite and polymer composites produced therefrom are described. The graphite is expanded from an intercalated graphite by microwaves or radiofrequency waves in the presence of a gaseous atmosphere. The composites have barrier and/or conductive properties due to the expanded graphite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
    Inventors: Lawrence T. Drzal, Hiroyuki Fukushima
  • Publication number: 20130009825
    Abstract: Methods involve a combination of polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) coating or silane self assembly on a substrate; microcontact printing; and conductive graphite particles, especially size controlled highly conductive exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets. The conductive graphite particles are coated with a charged polymer such as sulfonated polystyrene. The graphite particles are patterned using microcontact printing and intact pattern transfer on a substrate that has an oppositely-charged surface. The method allows for conductive organic patterning on both flat and curved surfaces and can be used in microelectronic device fabrication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Ilsoon LEE, Lawrence T. DRZAL, Jue LU, Troy R. HENDRICKS
  • Patent number: 8017228
    Abstract: Composite materials with a polymer matrix, low resistivity graphite coated fillers having exfoliated and pulverized graphite platelets coated on an outer surface of high resistivity fillers, are provided. The fillers can be fibers or particles. The composite materials incorporating the graphite coated fillers as reinforcements can be electrostatically painted without using a conductive primer on the polymer matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
    Inventors: Lawrence T. Drzal, Wanjun Liu, Hiroyuki Fukushima, InHwan Do
  • Publication number: 20100314248
    Abstract: An inexpensive, easily renewable bioelectronic device useful for bioreactors, biosensors, and biofuel cells includes an electrically conductive carbon electrode and a bioelectronic interface bonded to a surface of the electrically conductive carbon electrode, wherein the bioelectronic interface includes catalytically active material that is electrostatically bound directly or indirectly to the electrically conductive carbon electrode to facilitate easy removal upon a change in pH, thereby allowing easy regeneration of the bioelectronic interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventors: Robert M. Worden, Brian L. Hassler, Lawrence T. Drzal, Ilsoon Lee
  • Publication number: 20100222211
    Abstract: A method for producing nanoparticles on a substrate using a metal precursor in an ionic liquid and microwave heating is described. The composite compositions are useful as catalysts for chemical reactions, fuel cell, supercapacitor and battery components, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
    Inventors: Lawrence T. Drzal, In-Hwan Do, Hiroyuki Fukushima