Patents by Inventor Dale J. Meier

Dale J. Meier 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: 8916645
    Abstract: The HBP Free-POSS compounds of Formula I are superior to prior HB polymers and linear polymers in space and electronic applications because they have better resistance to electrons, protons and atomic oxygen, have superior out-gassing performance, and are transparent. They are used as coatings, films, adhesives, sealants and elastomers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Michigan Molecular Institute
    Inventors: Jin Hu, Claire Hartmann-Thompson, Dale J. Meier, Petar R. Dvornic
  • Publication number: 20120277372
    Abstract: The HBP Free-POSS compounds of Formula I are superior to prior HB polymers and linear polymers in space and electronic applications because they have better resistance to electrons, protons and atomic oxygen, have superior out-gassing performance, and are transparent. They are used as coatings, films, adhesives, sealants and elastomers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: MICHIGAN MOLECULAR INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Jin Hu, Claire Hartmann-Thompson, Dale J. Meier, Petar R. Dvornic
  • Patent number: 8193294
    Abstract: The present invention relates to hyperbranched copolymer networks containing hyperbranched copolymers that have perfluorocarbon and organosilicon entities that have high hydrophobicity, or high oleophobicity, or high thermal stability, or good adhesion to substrates, or any combinations thereof. This invention provides a further desirable combination of properties that include solubility before crosslinking, chemical resistance, and easy processibility. The copolymers may be crosslinked with a variety of crosslinking agents to give either rigid or elastomeric networks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Michigan Molecular Institute
    Inventors: Jin Hu, Quiyun Xu, Rakesh Sachdeva, Dale J. Meier, Robert M. Nowak, Petar R. Dvornic
  • Publication number: 20110054137
    Abstract: The present invention relates to hyperbranched copolymer networks containing hyperbranched copolymers that have perfluorocarbon and organosilicon entities that have high hydrophobicity, or high oleophobicity, or high thermal stability, or good adhesion to substrates, or any combinations thereof. This invention provides a further desirable combination of properties that include solubility before crosslinking, chemical resistance, and easy processibility. The copolymers may be crosslinked with a variety of crosslinking agents to give either rigid or elastomeric networks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: MICHIGAN MOLECULAR INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Jin Hu, Quiyun Xu, Rakesh Sachdeva, Dale J. Meier, Robert M. Nowak, Petar R. Dvornic
  • Publication number: 20100104918
    Abstract: This invention concerns an improved PEM for fuel cell applications such that the membrane is more robust. Specifically, this invention provides PEM in MEA systems that have nano-particles carrying proton conducting groups, and improved dimensional stability relative to conductivity. This invention provides a composition of matter for a high proton conductance, solid polymer electrolyte membrane, said membrane comprising: A) a nano-additive carrying proton conducting groups having a size from about 1 nm to about 1,000 run; B) a carrier polymer for the nano-additive of Part A; and C) a proton exchange membrane (PEM) or membrane electrode assembly (MEA) formed by mixing the components of Part A and Part B above. These proton conducting groups are contributed by POSS-based nano-additives or cyclic phosphazene-based nano-additives or small molecules carrying sulfonic acid groups in fuel cells or batteries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: Michigan Molecular Institute
    Inventors: Robert M. Nowak, Claire Hartmann-Thompson, Kenneth J. Bruza, Lowell S. Thomas, Dale J. Meier
  • Patent number: 7446155
    Abstract: Hyperbranched polymers having a plurality of at least two different types of functional groups are described. Specific embodiments include hyperbranched polymers having functional groups of a first type that are substantially uniformly distributed throughout the hyperbranched polymer molecule and a second type of functional group that is substantially uniformly distributed at the terminals of the hyperbranched polymer molecule. The hyperbranched polymers having different types of functional groups are synthesized by reacting one or more monomers having functional groups that are capable of reacting during a set of polymerization conditions to form a hyperbranched polymer, wherein at least one of the monomers contains latent functional groups that are not reactive during polymerization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Michigan Molecular Institute
    Inventors: Petar R. Dvornic, Jin Hu, Dale J. Meier, Robert M. Nowak
  • Patent number: 6995215
    Abstract: Hyperbranched polymers having a plurality of at least two different types of functional groups are described. Specific embodiments include hyperbranched polymers having functional groups of a first type that are substantially uniformly distributed throughout the hyperbranched polymer molecule and a second type of functional group that is substantially uniformly distributed at the terminals of the hyperbranched polymer molecule. The hyperbranched polymers having different types of functional groups are synthesized by reacting one or more monomers having functional groups that are capable of reacting during a set of polymerization conditions to form a hyperbranched polymer, wherein at least one of the monomers contains latent functional groups that are not reactive during polymerization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Michigan Molecular Institute
    Inventors: Petar R. Dvornic, Jin Hu, Dale J. Meier, Robert M. Nowak
  • Patent number: 6812298
    Abstract: Hyperbranched polymers are prepared by a process in which a monomer having the form Ax is reacted with another monomer of the form By, where A and B are functional groups that do not react with themselves, but do react with each other. The process allows synthesis of hyperbranched polymers having a single type of terminal functional group from comonomers, each of which has a single type of functional group. The invention allows greater flexibility in the preparation of a larger variety of different hyperbranched polymers and enables hyperbranched polymers to be prepared at a lower cost as compared with conventional processes using monomers having two types of functional groups that react during polymerization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Michigan Molecular Institute
    Inventors: Petar R. Dvornic, Jin Hu, Dale J. Meier, Robert M. Nowak, Paul L. Parham
  • Publication number: 20030212234
    Abstract: Hyperbranched polymers having a plurality of at least two different types of functional groups are described. Specific embodiments include hyperbranched polymers having functional groups of a first type that are substantially uniformly distributed throughout the hyperbranched polymer molecule and a second type of functional group that is substantially uniformly distributed at the terminals of the hyperbranched polymer molecule. The hyperbranched polymers having different types of functional groups are synthesized by reacting one or more monomers having functional groups that are capable of reacting during a set of polymerization conditions to form a hyperbranched polymer, wherein at least one of the monomers contains latent functional groups that are not reactive during polymerization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventors: Petar R. Dvornic, Jin Hu, Dale J. Meier, Robert M. Nowak
  • Patent number: 6646089
    Abstract: Hyperbranched polymers having a plurality of at least two different types of functional groups are described. Specific embodiments include hyperbranched polymers having functional groups of a first type that are substantially uniformly distributed throughout the hyperbranched polymer molecule and a second type of functional group that is substantially uniformly distributed at the terminals of the hyperbranched polymer molecule. The hyperbranched polymers having different types of functional groups are synthesized by reacting one or more monomers having functional groups that are capable of reacting during a set of polymerization conditions to form a hyperbranched polymer, wherein at least one of the monomers contains latent functional groups that are not reactive during polymerization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Michigan Molecular Institute
    Inventors: Petar R. Dvornic, Jin Hu, Dale J. Meier, Robert M. Nowak
  • Publication number: 20030088024
    Abstract: Hyperbranched polymers having a plurality of at least two different types of functional groups are described. Specific embodiments include hyperbranched polymers having functional groups of a first type that are substantially uniformly distributed throughout the hyperbranched polymer molecule and a second type of functional group that is substantially uniformly distributed at the terminals of the hyperbranched polymer molecule. The hyperbranched polymers having different types of functional groups are synthesized by reacting one or more monomers having functional groups that are capable of reacting during a set of polymerization conditions to form a hyperbranched polymer, wherein at least one of the monomers contains latent functional groups that are not reactive during polymerization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2001
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventors: Petar R. Dvornic, Jin Hu, Dale J. Meier, Robert M. Nowak
  • Publication number: 20030069370
    Abstract: Hyperbranched polymers are prepared by a process in which a monomer having the form Ax is reacted with another monomer of the form By, where A and B are functional groups that do not react with themselves, but do react with each other. The process allows synthesis of hyperbranched polymers having a single type of terminal functional group from comonomers, each of which has a single type of functional group. The invention allows greater flexibility in the preparation of a larger variety of different hyperbranched polymers and enables hyperbranched polymers to be prepared at a lower cost as compared with conventional processes using monomers having two types of functional groups that react during polymerization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventors: Petar R. Dvornic, Jin Hu, Dale J. Meier, Robert M. Nowak, Paul L. Parham
  • Patent number: 6534600
    Abstract: Hyperbranched polymers are prepared by a process in which a monomer having the form Ax is reacted with another monomer of the form By, where A and B are functional groups that do not react with themselves, but do react with each other. The process allows synthesis of hyperbranched polymers having a single type of terminal functional group from comonomers, each of which has a single type of functional group. The invention allows greater flexibility in the preparation of a larger variety of different hyperbranched polymers and enables hyperbranched polymers to be prepared at a lower cost as compared with conventional processes using monomers having two types of functional groups that react during polymerization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Michigan Molecular Institute
    Inventors: Petar R. Dvornic, Jin Hu, Dale J. Meier, Robert M. Nowak, Paul L. Parham
  • Publication number: 20030018130
    Abstract: A curable polymer composition capable of achieving rapid curing, reduced viscosity, high solids content, and a very low or zero volatile organic compound content includes a hyperbranched polymer having functional groups of a first type and a polymer having functional groups of a second type, wherein the functional groups of the second type are reactive with the functional groups of the first type under at least certain conditions. The composition can be cured to form a cross-linked nano-domained network comprising covalently bonded nanoscopic, hyperbranched domains which may be of the same or different chemical composition than the rest of the network. The cured compositions may exhibit high thermal stability, mechanical strength and toughness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Inventors: Petar R. Dvornic, Jin Hu, Dale J. Meier, Robert M. Nowak
  • Publication number: 20030004293
    Abstract: A curable polymer composition capable of achieving rapid curing, reduced viscosity, high solids content, and a very low or zero volatile organic compound content includes a hyperbranched polymer having functional groups of a first type and a polymer having functional groups of a second type, wherein the functional groups of the second type are reactive with the functional groups of the first type under at least certain conditions. The composition can be cured to form a cross-linked nano-domained network comprising covalently bonded nanoscopic, hyperbranched domains which may be of the same or different chemical composition than the rest of the network. The cured compositions may exhibit high thermal stability, mechanical strength and toughness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Petar R. Dvornic, Jin Hu, Dale J. Meier, Robert M. Nowak
  • Publication number: 20020161113
    Abstract: Hyperbranched polymers are prepared by a process in which a monomer having the form Ax is reacted with another monomer of the form By, where A and B are functional groups that do not react with themselves, but do react with each other. The process allows synthesis of hyperbranched polymers having a single type of terminal functional group from comonomers, each of which has a single type of functional group. The invention allows greater flexibility in the preparation of a larger variety of different hyperbranched polymers and enables hyperbranched polymers to be prepared at a lower cost as compared with conventional processes using monomers having two types of functional groups that react during polymerization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Petar R. Dvornic, Jin Hu, Dale J. Meier, Robert M. Nowak, Paul L. Parham
  • Patent number: 6384172
    Abstract: Hyperbranched polycarbosilanes, polycarbosiloxanes, polycarbosilazenes and copolymers thereof are prepared by reacting a difunctional or polyfunctional monomer having functional groups of one type (A) without any other functional groups capable of reacting significantly during polymerization, and a difunctional or polyfunctional monomer having functional groups of another type (B) without any other functional groups capable of reacting significantly during polymerization, wherein each A-functional group is reacted with a B-functional group, and wherein at least one of the monomers has a functionality of at least three. The process enables hyperbranched polycarbosilanes, polycarbosiloxanes, polycarbosilazenes and copolymers thereof to be prepared at a lower cost than with conventional synthesis processes, and provides greater flexibility in the preparation of a larger variety of different types of hyperbranched polycarbosilanes, polycarbosiloxanes, polycarbosilazenes and copolymers thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Michigan Molecular Institute
    Inventors: Petar R. Dvornic, Jin Hu, Dale J. Meier, Robert M. Nowak
  • Patent number: 4348350
    Abstract: A solid crystalline organic polymer is made into a filament, rod, or film by ultra-drawing it at a temperature within 70.degree. C. of but below its melting point at the operating pressure while subjecting the polymer during and immediately after drawing to a hydrostatic pressure of at least about 500 atmospheres applied by a fluid medium inert to the polymer. High-density polyethylene and isotactic propylene are preferred polymers. A draw ratio of at least 20:1, and as high as 60:1, may be used. Pressure may be up to 2500 atmospheres or more. The rate of drawing for polyethylene is above 500 percent per minute. The ultra-drawn products are transparent, essentially free of internal voids, and exhibit very high tensile moduli of elasticity, up to 65 to 70 Giga-Pascals in the case of polyethylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1982
    Assignee: Michigan Molecular Institute
    Inventors: Dale J. Meier, Leszek Jarecki