Patents by Inventor Vincent S. Smentkowski

Vincent S. Smentkowski 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: 6008491
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for analyzing the surface characteristics of a sample by Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy (SIMS) and Mass Spectroscopy of Recoiled Ions (MSRI) is provided. The method includes detecting back scattered primary ions, low energy ejected species, and high energy ejected species by ion beam surface analysis techniques comprising positioning a ToF SIMS/MSRI mass analyzer at a predetermined angle .theta., where .theta. is the angle between the horizontal axis of the mass analyzer and the undeflected primary ion beam line, and applying a specific voltage to the back ring of the analyzer. Preferably, .theta. is less than or equal to about 120.degree. and, more preferably, equal to 74.degree.. For positive ion analysis, the extractor, lens, and front ring of the reflectron are set at negative high voltages (-HV). The back ring of the reflectron is set at greater than about +700V for MSRI measurements and between the range of about +15 V and about +50V for SIMS measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Vincent S. Smentkowski, Dieter M. Gruen, Alan R. Krauss, J. Albert Schultz, John C. Holecek
  • Patent number: 5840426
    Abstract: An improved method for the fluorination of a diamond surfaces comprises condensing a layer of perfluorinated alkyl iodides consisting of C.sub.n F.sub.2n+1 I (where n is a positive integer from 1 to 13) on the diamond surface, producing perfluorinated alkyl free radicals by photodecomposing C--I bonds of said perfluorinated alkyl iodides on the diamond surface, reacting the diamond surface with photochemically produced perfluorinated alkyl radicals thereby anchoring photochemically induced photofragments of the perfluorinated alkyl iodides to the diamond surface forming a perfluorinated alkyl layer, and decomposing the perfluorinated alkyl layer on the diamond surface to cause the fluorination of the diamond surface by atomic F. The method achieves greater than one fluorine atom per surface carbon atom chemisorbed on the diamond using C.sub.4 F.sub.9 I. A fluorinated diamond made by the above method is also disclosed wherein a fluorinating perfluoroalkyl iodide, C.sub.n F.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: University of Pittsburgh of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Vincent S. Smentkowski, John T. Yates, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5698272
    Abstract: An improved method for the lubrication of diamond-like carbon surfaces comprises condensing a layer of perflourinated alkyl halides of the formula C.sub.n F.sub.2n+1 X, wherein n is a positive integer from 1 to 13 and X is selected from I, Br and Cl, on the diamond-like carbon surface. Perflourinated alkyl free radicals are then produced by photodecomposing C--X bonds of said perflourinated alkyl halides on the surface. The diamond-like carbon surface is reacted with photochemically produced perflourinated alkyl radicals thereby anchoring photochemically induced photofragments of the perflourinated alkyl halides to the surface forming a perflourinated alkyl layer. The perfluorinated alkyl layer is preferably decomposed on the diamond-like carbon surface to cause the fluorination of the surface by atomic F. The method preferably achieves greater than one fluorine atom per surface carbon atom chemisorbed on the diamond-like carbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: University of Pittsburgh of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Vincent S. Smentkowski, John T. Yates, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5665435
    Abstract: An improved method for the fluorination of a diamond surfaces comprises condensing a layer of perfluorinated alkyl iodides consisting of C.sub.n F.sub.2n+1 I (where n is a positive integer from 1 to 13) on the diamond surface, producing perfluorinated alkyl free radicals by photodecomposing C--I bonds of said perfluorinated alkyl iodides on the diamond surface, reacting the diamond surface with photochemically produced perfluorinated alkyl radicals thereby anchoring photochemically induced photofragments of the perfluorinated alkyl iodides to the diamond surface forming a perfluorinated alkyl layer, and decomposing the perfluorinated alkyl layer on the diamond surface to cause the fluorination of the diamond surface by atomic F. The method achieves greater than one fluorine atom per surface carbon atom chemisorbed on the diamond using C.sub.4 F.sub.9 I.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: University of Pittsburgh of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Vincent S. Smentkowski, John T. Yates, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4871526
    Abstract: A method of catalytic oxidation of organophosphonate esters includes introducing the organophosphonate esters in gaseous form into contact with a molybdenum catalyst and effecting such introduction in the presence of oxygen to cause the organophosphonate ester to be oxidized on the molybdenum catalyst surface. The process is preferably carried out at a temperature of at least 900.degree. K. in the presence of excess oxygen. A chemisorbed oxide coating or molybdenum oxide coating or both may be established on all or part of the molybdenum catalyst. Among the organophosphonate esters which may be oxidized in this manner are dimethyl methylphosphonate, diisopropyl methylphosphonate, diphenyl methylphosphonate, and other molecules with the structure: ##STR1## The catalytic oxidation results in emission of carbon monoxide and phosphorus oxides(s) without undesired buildup of carbonaceous or phosphorus overlayers on the Mo catalyst surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1989
    Assignee: University of Pittsburgh of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Vincent S. Smentkowski, Patrick L. Hagans, John T. Yates, Jr.