Patents by Inventor Richard N. Steppel

Richard N. Steppel 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: 9090776
    Abstract: Squarylium dyes with improved design flexibility via functionalization thereof thereby yielding desirable photophysical, solubility, thermal stability, and/or light stability properties, for example. The resulting dyes are useful in optical filters and as fluorescent indicators, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Exciton, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard N. Steppel, Larry E. Knaak, Paul A. Cahill
  • Publication number: 20140061505
    Abstract: Squarylium dyes with improved design flexibility via functionalization thereof thereby yielding desirable photophysical, solubility, thermal stability, and/or light stability properties, for example. The resulting dyes are useful in optical filters and as fluorescent indicators, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Exciton, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard N. Steppel, Larry E. Knaak, Paul A. Cahill
  • Publication number: 20040054244
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for efficiently producing quadricyclane by the conversion of norbornadiene. A sensitizer, such as a substituted diaminobenzophenone having a solubility in norbornadiene greater than that of Michler's Ketone, may be added to the norbornadiene to form a solution, wherein the sensitizer decreases the induction period at the beginning of the reaction, increases the photon or quantum efficiency of conversion of norbornadiene to quadricyclane, and increases the rate of conversion at the end of the reaction. The solution may be irradiated with light from a metal halide-doped mercury arc lamp and filtered through a sharp cut-off filter to render photochemical transformation of norbornadiene to quadricyclane more efficient than when other light sources are utilized. Furthermore, the addition of a base to the solution tends to result in the formation of fewer by-products in the transformation reaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Applicant: Exciton, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. Cahill, Richard N. Steppel
  • Publication number: 20040031675
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for efficiently producing quadricyclane by the conversion of norbornadiene. A sensitizer, such as a substituted diaminobenzophenone having a solubility in norbornadiene greater than that of Michler's Ketone, may be added to the norbornadiene to form a solution, wherein the sensitizer decreases the induction period at the beginning of the reaction, increases the photon or quantum efficiency of conversion of norbornadiene to quadricyclane, and increases the rate of conversion at the end of the reaction. If the solution is irradiated with light from a metal halide-doped mercury arc lamp to photochemically transform the norbornadiene to quadricyclane, the conversion is more efficient than when other light sources are utilized. Furthermore, the addition of triethylamine to the solution tends to result in the formation of fewer by-products in the transformation reaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Applicant: Exciton, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. Cahill, Richard N. Steppel
  • Patent number: 6635152
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for driving a non-polymerization solution-phase photochemical transformation. A sensitizer, such as a substituted diaminobenzophenone having a solubility in norbornadiene greater than that of Michler's Ketone, may be added to norbornadiene to form a solution, wherein the sensitizer decreases the induction period at the beginning of the reaction, increases the photon or quantum efficiency of conversion of norbornadiene to quadricyclane, and increases the rate of conversion at the end of the reaction. If the solution is irradiated with light from a metal halide-doped mercury arc lamp to photochemically transform the norbornadiene to quadricyclane, the conversion is more efficient than when other light sources are utilized. Furthermore, the addition of triethylamine to the solution tends to result in the formation of fewer by-products in the transformation reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Exciton, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. Cahill, Richard N. Steppel
  • Patent number: 5041238
    Abstract: Disclosed are organic laser dyes and more particularly o,o'-bridged oligophenylene laser dyes which when excited to lase emit radiation in various ranges and especially in the ultraviolet and violet ranges, that is, from about 300 nm to about 420 nm, of the light spectrum. An organic laser dye of this invention comprises an oligophenylene having at least one biphenyl moiety bridged between adjacent ortho positions via a single atom or a plural of atom substituents of various sizes. In one most preferred embodiment, the substituent bonded to the phenyl moieties forming the bridge is a carbon atom free of benzylic hydrogens. The bridging substituent can also be other atoms or groups free of reactive substituents. In another most preferred embodiment, the o,o'-bridged oligophenylene laser dyes are free of vinylene groups bonded directly to the phenyl moieties forming the oligophenylene chains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Assignee: Exciton Chemical Company
    Inventors: Joel M. Kauffman, Charles J. Kelley, Richard N. Steppel
  • Patent number: 5037578
    Abstract: Disclosed are organic laser dyes and more particularly o,o'-bridged oligophenylene laser dyes which when excited to lase emit radiation in various ranges and especially in the ultraviolet and violet ranges, that is, from about 300 nm to about 420 nm, of the light spectrum. An organic laser dye of this invention comprises an oligophenylene having at least one biphenyl moiety bridged between adjacent ortho positions via a single atom or a plural of atom substituents of various sizes. In one most preferred embodiment, the substituent bonded to the phenyl moieties forming the bridge is a carbon atom free of benzylic hydrogens. The bridging substituent can also be other atoms or groups free of reactive substituents. In another most preferred embodiment, the o,o'-bridged oligophenylene laser dyes are free of vinylene groups bonded directly to the phenyl moieties forming the oligophenylene chains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1991
    Assignee: Exciton Chemical Company
    Inventors: Joel M. Kauffman, Charles J. Kelley, Richard N. Steppel