Patents Examined by Michael Cleveland
  • Patent number: 9196285
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a magnetic recording medium sequentially forms a magnetic recording layer, a protection layer, and a lubricant layer on a stacked body. The stacked body is enclosed in a transfer container unit without exposing the stacked body to atmosphere after forming the protection layer on the stacked body by a deposition apparatus, and the transfer container unit is transported to a vapor-phase lubrication deposition apparatus. The stacked body is removed from the transfer container unit without exposing the stacked body to the atmosphere, in order to form the lubricant layer on the stacked body within the vapor-phase lubrication deposition apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: SHOWA DENKO K.K.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Tsutatani, Daisuke Shiomi, Satoru Ueno
  • Patent number: 9159341
    Abstract: A product according to one embodiment includes a tape having an applicator portion for applying an organic coating to a magnetic head for reducing exposure of the head to oxidation promoting materials; the organic coating on the applicator portion of the tape; and a lubricant on a data portion of the tape. A product according to another embodiment includes a tape having a data portion along a portion of a length thereof, and a cleaning portion along another portion of the length of the tape, the cleaning portion being for removing an organic coating from a magnetic head. A magnetic storage system according to one embodiment includes a magnetic head having a removable organic coating thereon in an amount sufficient for reducing exposure of the head to oxidation promoting materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Richard L. Bradshaw, Icko Eric Timothy Iben, Wayne A. McKinley, Lee C. Randall
  • Patent number: 9159353
    Abstract: Fabrication methods for magnetic recording media that use a plasma polish are disclosed. For one exemplary method, a film of a magnetic recording medium is deposited, and a top surface of the film is polished utilizing a plasma formed by a noble gas to smoothen the top surface of the film. A subsequent layer is then deposited onto the polished top surface of the film. A top surface of the subsequent layer has a reduced roughness by being deposited on the polished top surface of the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Mark F. Mercado, Mohammad T. Mirzamaani, Kai Tang, Qi-Fan Xiao
  • Patent number: 9137902
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide materials and methods for forming highly-conductive features including stabilized silver-containing nanoparticles at low processing temperatures of no more than about 140° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yiliang Wu, Ping Liu, Nan-Xing Hu
  • Patent number: 9133531
    Abstract: A high-energy treated cutter comprising a substrate having a top surface, an outer region, and an inner core and a wear resistant layer coupled to the top surface. The high-energy treatment alters the substrate's physical properties so that the inner core provides greater toughness and the outer region provides greater hardness, and greater abrasion resistance. The layer is protected prior to commencement of the treatment. In one embodiment, a cover is positioned to surround the layer and then the cutter undergoes treatment, wherein the cutter is subjected to impact forces with other cutters. In another embodiment, the cutter is positioned within a recess formed in a tray table, thereby providing protection to the layer. The cutter is secured in place via vacuum, glue, or weight. A spray nozzle applies shot material directed to the substrate of the cutter, thereby applying the impact forces to alter the substrate's properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: VAREL INTERNATIONAL IND., L.P.
    Inventors: Michael R. Reese, Kelly O. Malone
  • Patent number: 9123942
    Abstract: A method for making a separator of a lithium ion battery is provided. In the method, a modifier, and a porous membrane are provided. The modifier is a mixture of a phosphorus source having a phosphate radical, a trivalent aluminum source, and a metallic oxide provided in a liquid phase solvent. The modifier is coated on a surface of the porous membrane to form a coating layer. The coated porous membrane is dried to form a modifier layer disposed on the surface of the porous membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xiang-Ming He, Wei-Hua Pu, Li-Chun Zhang, Jian-Guo Ren, Jian-Jun Li, Jian Gao
  • Patent number: 9095878
    Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is a coating system for use in a wet on wet coating application process. The coating system includes a first coating composition, a second coating composition, and a boundary layer. The first coating composition includes a first bulk polymer resin and a first reactive component selected from the group consisting of a part A and a part B reactive component. The second coating composition includes a second bulk polymer resin and a second reactive component comprised of the other reactive component of the part A and the part B reactive component group. The boundary is formed upon applying a first layer of the first coating composition to a second layer of the second coating composition. The boundary layer includes the reaction product of the part A and the part B reactive component and is situated between the first layer and the second layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Dennis Lee Havlin, Jr., Mark Edward Nichols
  • Patent number: 9095855
    Abstract: Structures and apparatuses for fabricating magnetic nanoparticles are provided. In one embodiment, a structure for fabricating magnetic nanoparticles is described including a substrate that defines at least one cavity through a portion thereof, and an agglomerate of magnetic nanoparticles within the at least one cavity, wherein the at least one cavity has an aspect ratio of greater than one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: KOREA UNIVERSITY RESEARCH AND BUSINESS FOUNDATION
    Inventor: Kwangyeol Lee
  • Patent number: 9093639
    Abstract: This invention describes a novel tunnel magnetoresistive (TMR) deposition process that can enhance the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of a TMR reader. A method of manufacturing a tunnel magnetoresistive sensor includes providing a substrate; forming a first portion of a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) structure on the substrate; forming a second portion of the MTJ structure on the substrate; forming a tunnel barrier layer of the MTJ structure between the first portion and the second portion; heating the first portion of the MTJ structure before forming the tunnel barrier layer or after forming at least a portion of the tunnel barrier layer; and cooling the tunnel barrier layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Western Digital (Fremont), LLC
    Inventors: Christian Kaiser, Qunwen Leng, Mahendra Pakala
  • Patent number: 9090476
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprising causing motion of an enclosed container comprising substrate material and graphite material within the container; and coating surfaces of the substrate material with the graphite material responsive to the motion of the container, the coated surfaces comprising graphene or graphene layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Inventors: Chun-Chieh Chang, Tsun-Yu Chang
  • Patent number: 9085715
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for assembling at least one zone of a first surface with at least one zone of a second surface or with a molecule of interest, comprising a step that consists in placing the said zone of the said first surface in contact with the said zone of the said second surface or with the said molecule of interest, the said zone of the said first surface bearing at least one radical and/or ionic species. The present invention also relates to a solid support whose surface bears at least one zone with at least one radical and/or ionic species, with at least one adhesion primer, or with at least one adhesion primer precursor, and to its various uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE
    Inventors: Thomas Berthelot, Guy Deniau, Vincent Huc, Xuan Tuan Le, Fabien Nekelson, Sébastien Roussel, Pascal Viel
  • Patent number: 9070464
    Abstract: A spin transfer torque magnetic random access memory (STTMRAM) element and a method of manufacturing the same is disclosed having a free sub-layer structure with enhanced internal stiffness. A first free sub-layer is deposited, the first free sub-layer being made partially of boron (B), annealing is performed of the STTMRAM element at a first temperature after depositing the first free sub-layer to reduce the B content at an interface between the first free sub-layer and the barrier layer, the annealing causing a second free sub-layer to be formed on top of the first free sub-layer and being made partially of B, the amount of B of the second free sub-layer being greater than the amount of B in the first free sub-layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Avalanche Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuchen Zhou, Yiming Huai
  • Patent number: 9072209
    Abstract: A method for forming a conductive pattern on a substrate (208) includes providing an image pattern for imaging on the substrate; imaging the image pattern on the substrate creating imaged areas; spraying functional material (240) on the substrate that diffuse molecules of the functional material into the imaged areas and wherein the functional material is in a form of liquid; and applying electro-less copper coating that builds conductive material traces on the imaged areas on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
    Inventor: Israel Schuster
  • Patent number: 9062173
    Abstract: A method for making a composite and/or structured material includes: forming a lattice construction from a plurality of solid particles, the construction being formed so as to have one or more gaps between the particles; invading the lattice construction with a fluid material such that the fluid material at least partially penetrates the gaps; and, solidifying the material which invaded the lattice construction to form a composite material. In one suitable embodiment, the method further includes removing at least a portion of the lattice construction from the composite material thereby forming at the location of the removed portion one or more pores in the solidified material that invaded the construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventors: Ali R. Mehrabi, Reza Mehrabi, Juan M. De Santos Avila, Janet Hsiao, Frank Chica
  • Patent number: 9050605
    Abstract: A nanocomposite material for use as an electromagnetic wave or radio frequency absorber or as a filter to trap or remove heavy metals. The nanocomposite material may be made with a one-pot synthesis, or thermodecomposition process, of magnetic graphene nanocomposites decorated with core-double-shell nanoparticles, wherein the double shell iron nanoparticles may comprise a crystalline iron core, an inner iron oxide layer around the crystalline iron core, and an outermost amorphous Si—S—O compound shell around the iron oxide layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Lamar University, A Component of the Texas State University System, An Agency of the State of Texas
    Inventor: Zhanhu Guo
  • Patent number: 9053719
    Abstract: A magnetic read transducer including a magnetoresistive sensor is described, as well as a fabrication method thereof. The magnetoresistive sensor includes a cap layer overlaying a free layer. The cap layer is situated with a first thickness to absorb boron from the free layer. The magnetoresistive sensor is annealed, and boron is diffused from the free layer and absorbed by the cap layer, improving the magnetic performance of the free layer. The cap layer thickness is then reduced to a second thickness, thereby reducing the shield-to-shield (SS) stack spacing of the magnetoresistive sensor and allowing for increased areal recording density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Western Digital (Fremont), LLC
    Inventors: Cheng-Han Yang, Chen-Jung Chien, Christian Kaiser, Yuankai Zheng, Qunwen Leng, Mahendra Pakala
  • Patent number: 9040117
    Abstract: An adhesion promotion process and composition for enhancing adhesion between a copper conducting layer and a dielectric material during manufacture of a printed circuit board. The composition contains a corrosion inhibitor, an inorganic acid, and an alcohol which is effective to increase copper-loading in the composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Enthone Inc.
    Inventors: Abayomi I. Owei, Hiep X. Nguyen, Eric Yakobson
  • Patent number: 9034421
    Abstract: The present invention relates to electrochemical cells, electrodes, and related methods. In some embodiments, a removable filler material may be employed during fabrication of an electrochemical cell, or component thereof, to produce electrochemical devices having improved cell performance and rate capability. Electrochemical cells may exhibit enhanced utilization of electroactive species and/or increased accessibility of electroactive species within the electrochemical cell during operation. In some cases, the invention may provide electrodes which advantageously possess both high loading of an electroactive species (e.g., greater than 1.5 mg/cm2), while also maintaining the stability and good mechanical properties of the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Sion Power Corporation
    Inventors: Yuriy V. Mikhaylik, William F. Wilkening, Christopher T. S. Campbell, Savannah V. Burnside
  • Patent number: 9029046
    Abstract: One embodiment disclosed includes a product comprising: a fuel cell component comprising a substrate and a first coating overlying the substrate, the coating comprising a compound comprising at least one Si—O group, at least one polar group and at least one group including a saturated or unsaturated carbon chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Gerhard Winter, Gayatri Vyas Dadheech, Thomas A. Trabold, Reena L. Datta
  • Patent number: 9028910
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for manufacturing spin transfer torque magnetic random access memory (STTMRAM) devices. The method, which utilizes in-situ annealing and etch-back of the magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) film stack, comprises the steps of depositing a barrier layer on top of a bottom magnetic layer and then depositing an interface magnetic layer on top of the barrier layer to form an MTJ film stack; annealing the MTJ film stack at a first temperature and then cool the MTJ film stack to a second temperature lower than the first temperature; etching away a top portion of the interface magnetic layer; and depositing at least one top layer on top of the etched interface magnetic layer. The method may further include the step of annealing the MTJ film stack at a third temperature between the first and second temperature after the step of depositing at least one top layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Avalanche Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuchen Zhou, Yiming Huai