Patents Represented by Attorney Stephen F. Wolf
  • Patent number: 8350451
    Abstract: Provided are multi-component films useful as optical display filters. The films include a transparent substrate, a nucleation layer, an electrically-conductive layer, a barrier layer, and a dielectric layer. The films can provide high visible transmission, are corrosion-resistant, and can provide shielding from electromagnetic interference (EMI shielding). The optical display filters are useful as components of active optical devices such as display panels including liquid crystal display panels such as those used on mobile hand-held phones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Clark I. Bright, John D. Le, Robert C. Fitzer, Stephen P. Maki
  • Patent number: 8273663
    Abstract: A method is provided for anisotropically etching semiconductor materials such as II-VI and III-V semiconductors. The method involves repeated cycles of plasma sputter etching of semiconductor material with a non-reactive gas through an etch mask, followed by passivation of the side walls by plasma polymerization using a polymer former. Using this procedure small pixels in down-converted light-emitting diode devices can be fabricated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Terry L. Smith, Jun-Ying Zhang
  • Patent number: 8261560
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided that includes a device and a mechanism for heat transfer. The mechanism includes a hydrofluoroether heat-transfer fluid wherein the heat transfer fluid is represented by the following structure: Y—Rf—CH2OCH2Rf—Y wherein Rf may be the same or different and is, independently, selected from the group consisting of perfluorinated alkylene groups which may be linear, cyclic, or branched having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, partially fluorinated alkylene groups having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and derivatives thereof wherein one or more carbon atoms are replaced by catenated nitrogen or oxygen heteroatoms, wherein each Rf contains at most one hydrogen atom, wherein Y represents H, F, or an RfCH2OCH2— group, and wherein the total number of carbon atoms in the molecule is at least 6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Richard M. Flynn, Michael G. Costello, Michael J. Bulinski
  • Patent number: 8241791
    Abstract: A cathode composition for a lithium-ion battery having the formula Li[M1(1-x)Mnx]O2 where 0<x<1 and M1 represents one or more metal elements, with the proviso that M1 is a metal element other than chromium. The composition is in the form of a single phase having an O3 crystal structure that does not undergo a phase transformation to a spinel crystal structure when incorporated in a lithium-ion battery and cycled for 100 full charge-discharge cycles at 30° C. and a final capacity of 130 mAh/g using a discharge current of 30 mA/g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Zhonghua Lu, Jeffrey R. Dahn
  • Patent number: 8232235
    Abstract: Compositions are provided that include blends that consist essentially of 1,1,1,2,2,3,4,5,5,5-decafluoro-3-methoxy-4-(trifluoromethyl)pentane, trans-1,2-dichloroethylene, and a third component. The third component is selected from methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, t-butanol, and 1-propanol. The blends form ternary azeotropes. Provided compositions can be useful for cleaning electronic parts, as coating solvent components, as heat transfer fluids, and as lubricants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: John G. Owens
  • Patent number: 8193393
    Abstract: Fluoroether diketones are provided that can be useful in apparatuses that includes a device and a mechanism for transferring heat. The provided fluoroether diketones are stable at temperatures above 175° C., are environmentally friendly, and are economical to produce. The provided apparatuses can be useful for vapor phase soldering of electronic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Richard M. Flynn, Michael G. Costello, Michael J. Bulinski, Daniel R. Vitcak, Phillip E. Tuma
  • Patent number: 8182914
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an adhesive article. The adhesive article comprises a first layer comprising a fluid transport substrate, comprising a low molecular weight hydrophilic polymer resin, the first layer having a first major surface and a second major surface. The adhesive article additionally comprises a second layer comprising a fluid transportable ink, the second layer being associated with the second major surface of the second layer. The adhesive article also comprises an adhesive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Paul R. LaBrosse, Russell D. Birkholz, Mark E. Schwartz
  • Patent number: 8178241
    Abstract: Current collectors and methods are provided that relate to electrodes that are useful in lithium polymer electrochemical cells. The provided current collectors include a metallic substrate, a substantially uniform nano-scale carbon coating, and an active electrode material. The coating has a maximum thickness of less than about 200 nanometers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Ranjith Divigalpitiya, Mary I. Buckett
  • Patent number: 8153301
    Abstract: Provided are compositions useful as cathodes for lithium-ion batteries. The compositions include lithium mixed metal oxides of the formula, Li[LixNiyMnz]O2, wherein x+y+z=1, 0<x<0.20, 0.28?y?0.75, and 0.25?z?0.49, said composition characterized as being in the form of a single phase. Also provided are electrodes that include the provided compositions as well as battery packs and electronic devices that include the provided electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Junwei Jiang
  • Patent number: 8137841
    Abstract: Compositions useful for cathodes in lithium-ion batteries are described. In some examples, an electrochemical cell includes an electrode, the electrode comprising a composition including the elements of Li, Fe, and F, where the composition includes a first phase including a disordered trirutile structure. Cathodes including such a composition may exhibit reversible reactivity with lithium. In some examples, this reaction takes place via an intercalation mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Dahn, Peng Liao
  • Patent number: 8101302
    Abstract: Overcharge protection is provided for rechargeable electrochemical lithium-ion cells. The electrolyte in the provided cells contains a cyclable redox shuttle molecule that can operate in cells with high voltage cathode materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: William M. Lamanna, Michael J. Bulinski, Jeffrey R. Dahn, Junwei Jiang, Lee Moshurchak, Phat T. Pham, Richard L. Wang
  • Patent number: 8071238
    Abstract: An electrode composition for a lithium ion battery having the formula SixSnqMyCz where q, x, y, and z represent atomic percent values and (a) (q+x)>2y+z; (b) q?0, (c) z?0; and (d) M is one or more metals selected from manganese, molybdenum, niobium, tungsten, tantalum, iron, copper, titanium, vanadium, chromium, nickel, cobalt, zirconium, yttrium, or a combination thereof. The Si, Sn, M, and C elements are arranged in the form of a multi-phase microstructure comprising: (a) an amorphous phase comprising silicon; (b) a nanocrystalline phase comprising a metal silicide; and (c) a phase comprising silicon carbide phase when z>0; and (d) an amorphous phase comprising Sn when q>0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Dinh Ba Le
  • Patent number: 8038839
    Abstract: Provided is a laminated body comprising a substrate to be ground and a support, where the substrate is ground to a very small thickness and can then be separated from the support without damaging the substrate. One embodiment of the present invention is a laminated body comprising a substrate to be ground, a joining layer in contact with the substrate to be ground, a photothermal conversion layer comprising a light absorbing agent and a heat decomposable resin, and a light transmitting support. After grinding the substrate surface which is opposite that in contact with the joining layer, the laminated body is irradiated through the light transmitting layer and the photothermal conversion layer decomposes to separate the substrate and the light transmitting support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kazuki Noda, Masaru Iwasawa
  • Patent number: 8034485
    Abstract: Provided are negative electrode compositions for lithium-ion electrochemical cells that include metal oxides and polymeric binders. Also provided are electrochemical cells and battery packs that include electrodes made with these compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Dahn, Jing Li, Mark N. Obrovac
  • Patent number: 8012624
    Abstract: Provided are compositions useful as cathodes in lithium-ion electrochemical cells. The compositions include particles that include transition metal oxides that have at least two distinct phases with different compositions. Each of the distinct phases comprises a layered O3 crystal structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Junwei Jiang, Chris J. Goodbrake
  • Patent number: 8008783
    Abstract: Provided are a tape, apparatus, and method that relate generally to a single layer adhesive which functions as a dicing tape and also as a die attach adhesive for dicing thinned wafers and subsequent die attach operations of the diced chips in semiconductor device fabrication. The tape, apparatus, and method include a backing with a surface modification that includes a pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: David J. Plaut, Eric G. Larson, Joel A. Getschel, Olester Benson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8003004
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for heat transfer that includes a device and a mechanism for transferring heat to or from the device, comprising using a heat transfer fluid, wherein the heat transfer fluid includes a hydrofluorocarbonate. Also provided is a method for transferring heat that includes providing a device and using the heat transfer fluid that includes a hydrofluorocarbonate to transfer heat to or from the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Bulinski, Michael G. Costello, Richard M. Flynn, William M. Lamanna
  • Patent number: 7988807
    Abstract: Provided is a laminated body comprising a substrate to be ground and a support, where the substrate is ground to a very small thickness and can then be separated from the support without damaging the substrate. One embodiment of the present invention is a laminated body comprising a substrate to be ground, a joining layer in contact with the substrate to be ground, a photothermal conversion layer comprising a light absorbing agent and a heat decomposable resin, and a light transmitting support. After grinding the substrate surface which is opposite that in contact with the joining layer, the laminated body is irradiated through the light transmitting layer and the photothermal conversion layer decomposes to separate the substrate and the light transmitting support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kazuki Noda, Masaru Iwasawa
  • Patent number: 7972727
    Abstract: An electrode composition for a lithium ion battery that includes an amorphous alloy having the formula SixMyAlz where x, y, and z represent atomic percent values and (a) x+y+z=100, (b) x?55, (c) y<22, (d) z>0, and (e) M is one or more metals selected from the group consisting of manganese, molybdenum, niobium, tungsten, tantalum, iron, copper, titanium, vanadium, chromium, nickel, cobalt, zirconium, yttrium, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Leif Christensen, Mark N. Obrovac
  • Patent number: 7972725
    Abstract: Irreversible first cycle capacity loss in lithium secondary cells having a cell electrode based on a powdered material and a binder may be significantly decreased or eliminated by using an aliphatic or cycloaliphatic polyimide binder. Compared to conventional polyimide binders prepared by reacting an aromatic dianhydride and a diamine, the disclosed polyimide binders have decreased aromatic carbonyl content, may be less likely to undergo electrochemical reduction, and may be less likely to consume electrons that might otherwise help lithiate the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Larry J. Krause, Lowell D. Jensen