Patents by Inventor Shawn Dirk

Shawn Dirk 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: 9816214
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming non-woven fiber mats from polymers and monomers that are traditionally difficult to use for fiber formation are shown and described. Applicable techniques include electrospinning and other traditional fiber formation methods. Suitable polymers and monomers include those having low molecular weight, a low melting point, and/or a low glass transition temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: STC.UNM
    Inventors: Elizabeth L Dirk, Shawn Dirk, Kirsten Cicotte
  • Publication number: 20160152766
    Abstract: A variety of polymers and copolymers suitable for use as biologically compatible constructs and, as a non-limiting specific example, in the formation of degradable tissue scaffolds as well methods for synthesizing these polymers and copolymers are described. The polymers and copolymers have degradation rates that are substantially faster than those of previously described polymers suitable for the same uses. Copolymers having a synthesis route which enables one to fine tune the degradation rate by selecting the specific stoichiometry of the monomers in the resulting copolymer are also described. The disclosure also provides a novel synthesis route for maleoyl chloride which yields monomers suitable for use in the copolymer synthesis methods described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Applicant: STC.UNM
    Inventors: Elizabeth L Dirk, Shawn Dirk, Kirsten Cicotte
  • Patent number: 9228042
    Abstract: A variety of polymers and copolymers suitable for use as biologically compatible constructs and, as a non-limiting specific example, in the formation of degradable tissue scaffolds as well methods for synthesizing these polymers and copolymers are described. The polymers and copolymers have degradation rates that are substantially faster than those of previously described polymers suitable for the same uses. Copolymers having a synthesis route which enables one to fine tune the degradation rate by selecting the specific stoichiometry of the monomers in the resulting copolymer are also described. The disclosure also provides a novel synthesis route for maleoyl chloride which yields monomers suitable for use in the copolymer synthesis methods described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: STC.UNM
    Inventors: Elizabeth L Hedberg-Dirk, Shawn Dirk, Kirsten Cicotte
  • Publication number: 20140319740
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming non-woven fiber mats from polymers and monomers that are traditionally difficult to use for fiber formation are shown and described. Applicable techniques include electrospinning and other traditional fiber formation methods. Suitable polymers and monomers include those having low molecular weight, a low melting point, and/or a low glass transition temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: STC.UNM
    Inventors: Elizabeth L. Dirk, Shawn Dirk, Kirsten Cicotte
  • Patent number: 8809212
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming non-woven fiber mats from polymers and monomers that are traditionally difficult to use for fiber formation are shown and described. Applicable techniques include electrospinning and other traditional fiber formation methods. Suitable polymers and monomers include those having low molecular weight, a low melting point, and/or a low glass transition temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: STC.UNM
    Inventors: Elizabeth Dirk, Shawn Dirk, Kirsten Cicotte
  • Publication number: 20140121328
    Abstract: A variety of polymers and copolymers suitable for use as biologically compatible constructs and, as a non-limiting specific example, in the formation of degradable tissue scaffolds as well methods for synthesizing these polymers and copolymers are described. The polymers and copolymers have degradation rates that are substantially faster than those of previously described polymers suitable for the same uses. Copolymers having a synthesis route which enables one to fine tune the degradation rate by selecting the specific stoichiometry of the monomers in the resulting copolymer are also described. The disclosure also provides a novel synthesis route for maleoyl chloride which yields monomers suitable for use in the copolymer synthesis methods described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: STC.UNM
    Inventors: Elizabeth L Hedberg-Dirk, Shawn Dirk, Kirsten Cicotte
  • Patent number: 8648167
    Abstract: A variety of polymers and copolymers suitable for use as biologically compatible constructs and, as a non-limiting specific example, in the formation of degradable tissue scaffolds as well methods for synthesizing these polymers and copolymers are described. The polymers and copolymers have degradation rates that are substantially faster than those of previously described polymers suitable for the same uses. Copolymers having a synthesis route which enables one to fine tune the degradation rate by selecting the specific stoichiometry of the monomers in the resulting copolymer are also described. The disclosure also provides a novel synthesis route for maleoyl chloride which yields monomers suitable for use in the copolymer synthesis methods described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: STC UNM
    Inventors: Elizabeth L Hedberg-Dirk, Shawn Dirk, Kirsten Cicotte
  • Patent number: 8107934
    Abstract: A system and method for a hospitality entity to communicate goods and services to a guest based on events occurring at a facility of the hospitality entity is disclosed herein. The method includes establishing a unique identifier with a mobile phone of a guest and then sending executable offers to the guest which upon acceptance triggers another offer based on the first offer acceptance and events occurring at the time and location of the guest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: SkyWire Media, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn Dirk Harris, Juan Manuel Cerna
  • Patent number: 7920850
    Abstract: A system and method for a hospitality entity to communicate goods and services to a guest based on events occurring at a facility of the hospitality entity is disclosed herein. The method includes establishing a unique identifier with a mobile phone of a guest and then sending executable offers to the guest which upon acceptance triggers another offer based on the first offer acceptance and events occurring at the time and location of the guest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: SkyWire Media, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn Dirk Harris, Juan Manuel Cerna
  • Publication number: 20050233158
    Abstract: An electrical interconnect device with contact(s) with improved resistance to oxidation, improved conductivity, and improved lubricity achieved by applying to the surface of the contact(s) a molecular coating chosen from the group consisting of monomers, oligomers, or polymers that are primarily organic in origin, capable of forming self-assembled monolayers or self-assembled multilayers, electrically conducting or non-conducting, and contain metal-binding ligands as pendant groups or as part of their backbone. Alternatively, the molecular contact coating may be a mat of chemically modified nanotubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Publication date: October 20, 2005
    Inventors: James Tour, Shawn Dirk