Patents by Inventor Christopher M. Bates
Christopher M. Bates 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).
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Patent number: 10608280Abstract: Provided herein are copolymer electrolytes and electrocatalyst platforms, including brush block copolymers, triblock brush copolymers and pentablock brush copolymers. The copolymers described have beneficial chemical, physical and electrical properties including high ionic conductivity and mechanical strength. In embodiments, for example, the provided copolymer electrolytes and electrocatalyst platforms are doped with lithium salts or mixed with ionic liquids to form ion gels. In some embodiments, the copolymers provided herein self-assemble into physically cross-linked polymer networks with additional useful properties. The provided copolymers have low dispersity in the polymer side chains and do not require post-polymerization modifications.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2016Date of Patent: March 31, 2020Assignee: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Robert H. Grubbs, Christopher M. Bates, Alice Chang, Brendon McNicholas, Simon C. Jones
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Patent number: 10468722Abstract: Processes and reaction mixtures including non-aqueous solvent mixtures are presented. Non-aqueous solvent mixtures including fluoride salt and non-aqueous solvent combinations are provided that possess high fluoride ion concentrations useful for a range of applications, including organic synthesis. Further non-aqueous solvent mixtures are provided including a salt possessing a non-fluoride anion and a non-aqueous solvent that, when contacted with aqueous fluoride-containing reagents, extract fluoride ions to form non-aqueous fluoride-ion solutions possessing high fluoride-ion concentrations. The salts include an organic cation that does not possess a carbon in the ?-position or does not possess a carbon in the ?-position having a bound hydrogen. This salt structure facilitates its ability to be made anhydrous without decomposition. Example anhydrous fluoride salts include (2,2-dimethylpropyl)trimethylammonium fluoride and bis(2,2-dimethylpropyl)dimethylammonium fluoride.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2016Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignees: California Institute of Technology, The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Simon C. Jones, Victoria K. Davis, Christopher M. Bates, Nebojsa Momcilovic, Brett M. Savoie, Michael A. Webb, Thomas F. Miller, III, Robert H. Grubbs, Jennifer M. Murphy
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Patent number: 10167410Abstract: Vacuum deposited thin films of material are used to create an interface that non-preferentially interacts with different domains of an underlying block copolymer film. The non-preferential interface prevents formation of a wetting layer and influences the orientation of domains in the block copolymer. The purpose of the deposited polymer is to produce nano structured features in a block copolymer film that can serve as lithographic patterns.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2015Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas SystemInventors: C. Grant Wilson, William J. Durand, Christopher John Ellison, Christopher M. Bates, Takehiro Seshimo, Julia Cushen, Logan J. Santos, Leon Dean, Erica L. Rausch
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Patent number: 10153513Abstract: Provided herein is a class of copolymers, including triblock brush copolymers having specific block configurations, for example, ABC triblock brush copolymers and ABA triblock brush copolymers. In an embodiment, for example, copolymers of the invention incorporate various polymer side chain groups which contribute beneficial physical, chemical, or electronic properties such as increased mechanical or elastic strength, improved ionic or electric conductivity. In some embodiments, the provided copolymers exhibit advantageous steric properties allowing for rapid self-assembly into a variety of morphologies that are substantially different than non-brush, block copolymers.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2016Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Robert H. Grubbs, Christopher M. Bates, Alice Chang, Brendon McNicholas, Simon C. Jones
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Patent number: 10139724Abstract: The concepts described herein involve the use of random copolymer top coats that can be spin coated onto block copolymer thin films and used to control the interfacial energy of the top coat-block copolymer interface. The top coats are soluble in aqueous weak base and can change surface energy once they are deposited onto the block copolymer thin film. The use of self-assembled block copolymers to produce advanced lithographic patterns relies on their orientation control in thin films. Top coats potentially allow for the facile orientation control of block copolymers which would otherwise be quite challenging.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2015Date of Patent: November 27, 2018Assignee: Board of Regents The University of Texas SystemInventors: C. Grant Willson, Christopher John Ellison, Takehiro Sleshimo, Julia Cushen, Christopher M. Bates, Leon Dean, Logan J. Santos, Erica L. Rausch
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Publication number: 20180258230Abstract: In an aspect, a method of synthesizing a graft copolymer comprises the steps of: copolymerizing a first macromonomer and a first reactive diluent; wherein said first macromonomer comprises a first backbone precursor directly or indirectly covalently linked to a first polymer side chain group; wherein said reactive diluent is provided in the presence of the first macromonomer at an amount selected so as to result in formation said graft copolymer having a first backbone incorporating said diluent and said first macromonomer in a first polymer block characterized by a preselected first graft density or a preselected first graft distribution of said first macromonomer. In some embodiments of this aspect, said preselected first graft density is any value selected from the range of 0.05 to 0.75. In some methods, the composition and amount of said diluent is selected to provide both a first preselected first graft density and a first preselected first graft distribution.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2018Publication date: September 13, 2018Inventors: Robert H. GRUBBS, Tzu-Pin LIN, Alice CHANG, Hsiang-Yun CHEN, Christopher M. BATES
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Patent number: 9834700Abstract: The present invention includes a diblock copolymer system that self-assembles at very low molecular weights to form very small features. In one embodiment, one polymer in the block copolymer contains silicon, and the other polymer is a polylactide. In one embodiment, the block copolymer is synthesized by a combination of anionic and ring opening polymerization reactions. In one embodiment, the purpose of this block copolymer is to form nanoporous materials that can be used as etch masks in lithographic patterning.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2015Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas SystemInventors: Christopher J. Ellison, Carlton Grant Willson, Julia Cushen, Christopher M. Bates
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Publication number: 20170062874Abstract: Electrolyte solutions including at least one anhydrous fluoride salt and at least one non-aqueous solvent are presented. The fluoride salt includes an organic cation having a charge center (e.g., N, P, S, or O) that does not possess a carbon in the ?-position or does not possess a carbon in the ?-position having a bound hydrogen. This salt structure facilitates its ability to be made anhydrous without decomposition. Example anhydrous fluoride salts include (2,2-dimethylpropyl)trimethylammonium fluoride and bis(2,2-dimethylpropyl)dimethylammonium fluoride. Combining these fluoride salts with at least one fluorine-containing non-aqueous solvent (e.g., bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)ether; (BTFE)) promotes solubility of the salt within the non-aqueous solvents. The solvent may be a mixture of at least one non-aqueous, fluorine-containing solvent and at least one other non-aqueous, fluorine or non-fluorine containing solvent (e.g., BTFE and propionitrile or dimethoxyethane).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2016Publication date: March 2, 2017Inventors: Simon C. JONES, Victoria K. DAVIS, Christopher M. BATES, Nebojsa MOMCILOVIC, Brett M. SAVOIE, Michael A. WEBB, Thomas F. MILLER, III, Robert H. GRUBBS, Christopher BROOKS, Kaoru OMICHI
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Publication number: 20170057908Abstract: Processes and reaction mixtures including non-aqueous solvent mixtures are presented. Non-aqueous solvent mixtures including fluoride salt and non-aqueous solvent combinations are provided that possess high fluoride ion concentrations useful for a range of applications, including organic synthesis. Further non-aqueous solvent mixtures are provided including a salt possessing a non-fluoride anion and a non-aqueous solvent that, when contacted with aqueous fluoride-containing reagents, extract fluoride ions to form non-aqueous fluoride-ion solutions possessing high fluoride-ion concentrations. The salts include an organic cation that does not possess a carbon in the ?-position or does not possess a carbon in the ?-position having a bound hydrogen. This salt structure facilitates its ability to be made anhydrous without decomposition. Example anhydrous fluoride salts include (2,2-dimethylpropyl)trimethylammonium fluoride and bis(2,2-dimethylpropyl)dimethylammonium fluoride.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2016Publication date: March 2, 2017Inventors: Simon C. JONES, Victoria K. DAVIS, Christopher M. BATES, Nebojsa MOMCILOVIC, Brett M. SAVOIE, Michael A. WEBB, Thomas F. MILLER, III, Robert H. GRUBBS, Jennifer M. MURPHY
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Publication number: 20170018801Abstract: Provided herein are copolymer electrolytes and electrocatalyst platforms, including brush block copolymers, triblock brush copolymers and pentablock brush copolymers. The copolymers described have beneficial chemical, physical and electrical properties including high ionic conductivity and mechanical strength. In embodiments, for example, the provided copolymer electrolytes and electrocatalyst platforms are doped with lithium salts or mixed with ionic liquids to form ion gels. In some embodiments, the copolymers provided herein self-assemble into physically cross-linked polymer networks with additional useful properties. The provided copolymers have low dispersity in the polymer side chains and do not require post-polymerization modifications.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2016Publication date: January 19, 2017Inventors: Robert H. GRUBBS, Christopher M. BATES, Alice CHANG, Brendon MCNICHOLAS, Simon C. JONES
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Publication number: 20160289392Abstract: Provided herein is a class of copolymers, including triblock brush copolymers having specific block configurations, for example, ABC triblock brush copolymers and ABA triblock brush copolymers. In an embodiment, for example, copolymers of the invention incorporate various polymer side chain groups which contribute beneficial physical, chemical, or electronic properties such as increased mechanical or elastic strength, improved ionic or electric conductivity. In some embodiments, the provided copolymers exhibit advantageous steric properties allowing for rapid self-assembly into a variety of morphologies that are substantially different than non-brush, block copolymers.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2016Publication date: October 6, 2016Inventors: Robert H. GRUBBS, Christopher M. BATES, Alice CHANG, Brendon MCNICHOLAS, Simon C. JONES
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Patent number: 9314819Abstract: The use of self-assembled block copolymer structures to produce advanced lithographic patterns relies on control of the orientation of these structures in thin films. In particular, orientation of cylinders and lamellae perpendicular to the plane of the block copolymer film is required for most applications. The preferred method to achieve orientation is by heating. The present invention involves the use of polarity-switching top coats to control block copolymer thin film orientation by heating. The top coats can be spin coated onto block copolymer thin films from polar casting solvents and they change composition upon thermal annealing to become “neutral”. Top coats allow for the facile orientation control of block copolymers which would otherwise not be possible by heating alone.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2013Date of Patent: April 19, 2016Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas SystemInventors: Carlton Grant Willson, Christopher John Ellison, Takehiro Seshimo, Julia Cushen, Christopher M Bates, Leon Dean, Logan J Santos, Erica L Rausch, Michael Maher
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Publication number: 20150370159Abstract: The present invention involves the use of random copolymer top coats that can be spin coated onto block copolymer thin films and used to control the interfacial energy of the top coat-block copolymer interface. The top coats are soluble in aqueous weak base and can change surface energy once they are deposited onto the block copolymer thin film. The use of self-assembled block copolymers to produce advanced lithographic patterns relies on their orientation control in thin films. Top coats potentially allow for the facile orientation control of block copolymers which would otherwise be quite challenging.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2015Publication date: December 24, 2015Inventors: Carlton Grant Willson, Christopher John Ellison, Takehiro Sleshimo, Julia Cushen, Christopher M. Bates, Leon Dean, Logan J. Santos, Erica L. Rausch
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Publication number: 20150353763Abstract: The present invention includes a diblock copolymer system that self-assembles at very low molecular weights to form very small features. In one embodiment, one polymer in the block copolymer contains silicon, and the other polymer is a polylactide. In one embodiment, the block copolymer is synthesized by a combination of anionic and ring opening polymerization reactions. In one embodiment, the purpose of this block copolymer is to form nanoporous materials that can be used as etch masks in lithographic patterning.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2015Publication date: December 10, 2015Inventors: Christopher J. Ellison, Carlton Grant Willson, Julia Cushen, Christopher M. Bates
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Patent number: 9157008Abstract: Random copolymer top coats are described that can be spin coated onto block copolymer thin films and used to control the interfacial energy of the top coat-block copolymer interface. The top coats are soluble in aqueous weak base and can change surface energy once they are deposited onto the block copolymer thin film. The use of self-assembled block copolymers to produce advanced lithographic patterns relies on their orientation control in thin films.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2013Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: BOARD OF REGENTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEMInventors: Carlton Grant Willson, Christopher John Ellison, Takehiro Seshimo, Julia Cushen, Christopher M. Bates, Leon Dean, Logan J. Santos, Erica L. Rausch
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Patent number: 9120117Abstract: A diblock copolymer system that self-assembles at very low molecular weights to form very small features is described. One polymer in the block copolymer contains silicon, and the other polymer is a polylactide. The block copolymer may be synthesized by a combination of anionic and ring opening polymerization reactions. This block copolymer may form nanoporous materials that can be used as etch masks in lithographic patterning.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2013Date of Patent: September 1, 2015Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas SystemInventors: Christopher John Ellison, Carlton Grant Willson, Julia Cushen, Christopher M. Bates
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Patent number: 9120947Abstract: The present invention relates to a method the synthesis and utilization of random, cross-linked, substituted polystyrene copolymers as polymeric cross-linked surface treatments (PXSTs) to control the orientation of physical features of a block copolymer deposited over the first copolymer. Such methods have many uses including multiple applications in the semiconductor industry including production of templates for nanoimprint lithography.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2011Date of Patent: September 1, 2015Assignee: BOARD OF REGENTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEMInventors: C. Grant Willson, Christopher M. Bates, Jeffrey Strahan, Christopher John Ellison
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Publication number: 20150240110Abstract: The present invention relates to a method the synthesis and utilization of random, cross-linked, substituted polystyrene copolymers as polymeric cross-linked surface treatments (PXSTs) to control the orientation of physical features of a block copolymer deposited over the first copolymer. Such methods have many uses including multiple applications in the semi-conductor industry including production of templates for nanoimprint lithography.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2015Publication date: August 27, 2015Inventors: Carlton Grant Willson, Christopher M. Bates, Jeffrey Strahan, Christopher J. Ellison
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Publication number: 20150232689Abstract: The present invention uses vacuum deposited thin films of material to create an interface that non-preferentially interacts with different domains of an underlying block copolymer film. The non-preferential interface prevents formation of a wetting layer and influences the orientation of domains in the block copolymer. The purpose of the deposited polymer is to produce nanostructured features in a block copolymer film that can serve as lithographic patterns.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2015Publication date: August 20, 2015Inventors: Carlton Grant Willson, William J. Durand, Christopher John Ellison, Christopher M. Bates, Takehiro Seshimo, Julia Cushen, Logan J. Santos, Leon Dean, Erica L. Rausch
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Publication number: 20130344242Abstract: The use of self-assembled block copolymer structures to produce advanced lithographic patterns relies on control of the orientation of these structures in thin films. In particular, orientation of cylinders and lamellae perpendicular to the plane of the block copolymer film is required for most applications. The preferred method to achieve orientation is by heating. The present invention involves the use of polarity-switching top coats to control block copolymer thin film orientation by heating. The top coats can be spin coated onto block copolymer thin films from polar casting solvents and they change composition upon thermal annealing to become “neutral”. Top coats allow for the facile orientation control of block copolymers which would otherwise not be possible by heating alone.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2013Publication date: December 26, 2013Inventors: Carlton Grant Willson, Christopher John Ellison, Takehiro Seshimo, Julia Cushen, Christopher M. Bates, Leon Dean, Logan J. Santos, Erica L. Rausch, Michael Maher