Patents by Inventor Eric L. Bruner

Eric L. Bruner 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).

  • Publication number: 20240142039
    Abstract: A surface-treated fluidic channel is provided comprising a dispensing device that comprises a microarray of microchannels. The fluidic channel is made from metal and comprises a surface and a hydrophobic coating layer comprising a self-assembled monolayer of an organophosphorus acid adhered to the surface. A mesh nebulizer comprising a reservoir and a dispensing device comprising a microarray of microchannels is also provided. A metal surface layer is applied to the interior and exterior surfaces of the reservoir and dispensing device, and a hydrophobic coating layer comprising an organo-silicon or a self-assembled monolayer of an organophosphorus acid is adhered to the metal surface layer, usually on the exterior surfaces of the reservoir and dispensing device. A hydrophilic polymeric coating layer may be chemically bonded to and propagated from terminal functional groups on the hydrophobic coating layer on the interior surfaces of the reservoir and dispensing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2024
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Applicant: ACULON, INC.
    Inventors: ERIC LEE HANSON, Eric L. Bruner, Justin Hardin, Edward W. Hughes
  • Publication number: 20240091715
    Abstract: A membrane separation system is provided comprising at least two membranes in series. A first membrane in the series is oleophobic and comprises: (a) a porous substrate; and (b) an oleophobic coating layer applied to at least one surface of the substrate. A second membrane in the series is hydrophilic. The second membrane may comprise a hydrophilic porous substrate, and/or the second membrane further comprises a hydrophilic coating layer applied to at least one surface of the second membrane substrate. Also provided are methods of separating aqueous emulsions, comprising: (i) contacting an aqueous emulsion with the membrane separation system described above; and (ii) allowing water in the emulsion to permeate through the membrane separation system to yield an aqueous product stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Majid Monji, Eric L. Hanson, Eric L. Bruner, Edward Hughes
  • Patent number: 11867342
    Abstract: A surface-treated fluidic channel is provided comprising a dispensing device that comprises a microarray of microchannels. The fluidic channel is made from metal and comprises a surface and a hydrophobic coating layer comprising a self-assembled monolayer of an organophosphorus acid adhered to the surface. A mesh nebulizer comprising a reservoir and a dispensing device comprising a microarray of microchannels is also provided. A metal surface layer is applied to the interior and exterior surfaces of the reservoir and dispensing device, and a hydrophobic coating layer comprising an organo-silicon or a self-assembled monolayer of an organophosphorus acid is adhered to the metal surface layer, usually on the exterior surfaces of the reservoir and dispensing device. A hydrophilic polymeric coating layer may be chemically bonded to and propagated from terminal functional groups on the hydrophobic coating layer on the interior surfaces of the reservoir and dispensing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: ACULON INC.
    Inventors: Eric Lee Hanson, Eric L. Bruner, Justin Hardin, Edward W. Hughes
  • Publication number: 20230311070
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to surface-treated membranes comprising: (a) a porous substrate; and (b) a coating layer applied to the substrate. The coating layer is formed from a surface treatment composition comprising: (i) a first component comprising an organic solvent; and (ii) a second component comprising a fluorine-containing polymer and a solvent containing at least one C—F bond. The present invention is further drawn to a method of preparing a surface-treated filtration membrane, comprising: (a) contacting a porous substrate with a first component of a surface treatment composition, wherein the first component comprises an organic solvent; (b) subsequently contacting the porous substrate with a second component of the surface treatment composition, wherein the second component comprises a fluorine-containing polymer and a solvent containing at least one C—F bond; and (c) subjecting the porous substrate to a temperature of 25 to 90° C. for 1 to 180 minutes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Majid Monji, Eric L. Bruner, Eric L. Hanson
  • Publication number: 20230274995
    Abstract: Coated electronic components of a circuit assembly are provided, comprising: one or more lead frames, one or more chips, connection wires, a moisture barrier coating layer, and an encapsulating plastic coating layer. The moisture barrier coating layer may be applied to the electronic component with the encapsulating plastic coating layer applied on top of the moisture barrier coating layer, or vice versa; such that only lead frames are exposed. Also provided are electronic components of a circuit assembly, comprising: one or more lead frames, one or more chips, connection wires, one or more leads extending from the coated electronic component, a moisture barrier coating layer, and an encapsulating plastic coating layer. The encapsulating plastic coating layer is applied to the electronic component and the moisture barrier coating layer is applied on top of the entire encapsulating plastic coating layer on all sides, such that only the leads are exposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: Donald Cunningham, ERIC L. HANSON, ERIC L. BRUNER
  • Publication number: 20230226261
    Abstract: Methods of altering the surface energy of components of a mesh nebulizer are provided, comprising: a) depositing a metal surface layer on surfaces of the component; b) forming a hydrophobic coating layer comprising an organo-silicon or a self-assembled monolayer of an organophosphorus acid directly on the metal surface layer or indirectly on the metal surface layer through an intermediate organometallic coating; and either: i) removing select areas of the hydrophobic coating layer to expose the metal surface layer; or ii) forming a polymeric coating layer chemically bonded to and propagated from terminal functional groups on the hydrophobic coating layer that are capable of initiating polymer growth when exposed to a source of polymerizable monomer, on select areas of the components. Mesh nebulizers formed by such methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2023
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Applicant: ACULON, INC.
    Inventors: ERIC LEE HANSON, Eric L. Bruner, Justin Hardin, Edward W. Hughes
  • Publication number: 20230173436
    Abstract: Water permeable coated substrates and filtration membranes are provided comprising: (a) a porous substrate; (b) an optional primer layer applied to a substrate surface (a), wherein the primer layer comprises silica and/or an organometallic compound; (c) a superhydrophilic coating layer applied to the porous substrate (a), or the primer layer (b), wherein the superhydrophilic layer comprises a superhydrophilic polymer or silicate; and (d) an optional tie layer applied to the superhydrophilic coating layer (c), wherein the tie layer comprises silica and/or an organometallic compound. The water permeable coated substrates and filtration membranes may further include (e) an oleophobic coating layer applied to the superhydrophilic coating layer (c), or the tie layer (d), wherein the oleophobic coating layer comprises a fluoropolymer having reactive functional groups. Each layer of the coated substrate is covalently bonded to adjacent layers. Methods of separating an oil-in-water emulsion are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2022
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Majid Monji, Eric L. Bruner
  • Publication number: 20210404594
    Abstract: A surface-treated fluidic channel is provided comprising a dispensing device that comprises a microarray of microchannels. The fluidic channel is made from metal and comprises a surface and a hydrophobic coating layer comprising a self-assembled monolayer of an organophosphorus acid adhered to the surface. A mesh nebulizer comprising a reservoir and a dispensing device comprising a microarray of microchannels is also provided. A metal surface layer is applied to the interior and exterior surfaces of the reservoir and dispensing device, and a hydrophobic coating layer comprising an organo-silicon or a self-assembled monolayer of an organophosphorus acid is adhered to the metal surface layer, usually on the exterior surfaces of the reservoir and dispensing device. A hydrophilic polymeric coating layer may be chemically bonded to and propagated from terminal functional groups on the hydrophobic coating layer on the interior surfaces of the reservoir and dispensing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Applicant: ACULON, INC.
    Inventors: ERIC LEE HANSON, Eric L. Bruner, Justin Hardin, Edward W. Hughes
  • Patent number: 11099212
    Abstract: A method for cleaning and coating a tip of a test probe in an integrated circuit package test system is provided. The method includes 1) saturating a brush tip comprising nonporous bristles with a solution of phosphonic acid; 2) applying the solution of phosphonic acid to the tip of the test probe with the brush tip to coat the tip of the test probe with the solution of phosphonic acid; and 3) allowing the solution of phosphonic acid to dry on the tip of the test probe and form a self-assembled monolayer of phosphonates thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: ACULON INC.
    Inventors: Eric L Bruner, Eric L. Hanson
  • Publication number: 20210108091
    Abstract: Coated articles are provided comprising: (a) a substrate that demonstrates electrical conductivity, wherein the substrate is an electronic component of a circuit assembly; (b) a moisture barrier coating layer; and (c) an encapsulating plastic coating layer. The moisture barrier coating layer may be applied to the surface of the substrate with the encapsulating plastic coating layer applied on top of the moisture barrier coating layer, or vice versa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Inventors: Donald Cunningham, ERIC L. HANSON, ERIC L. BRUNER
  • Patent number: 10759884
    Abstract: Film-forming compositions are provided comprising: (a) a zwitterionic-functional polymer; and (b) an organometallic compound. Also provided are methods of reducing adhesion of an organic substance to a substrate and methods of treating a siliceous or metal (M) oxide-containing subterranean formation penetrated by a well using the film-forming compositions described above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: ACULON INC.
    Inventors: Eric L. Hanson, Eric L. Bruner, Edward W. Hughes
  • Publication number: 20200256892
    Abstract: A method for cleaning and coating a tip of a test probe in an integrated circuit package test system is provided. The method includes 1) saturating a brush tip comprising nonporous bristles with a solution of phosphonic acid; 2) applying the solution of phosphonic acid to the tip of the test probe with the brush tip to coat the tip of the test probe with the solution of phosphonic acid; and 3) allowing the solution of phosphonic acid to dry on the tip of the test probe and form a self-assembled monolayer of phosphonates thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Inventors: ERIC L BRUNER, ERIC L. HANSON
  • Patent number: 10627426
    Abstract: A kit for cleaning and coating a tip of a test probe in an integrated circuit package test system is provided. The kit comprises a transfer stamp having a porous material impregnated with a phosphonic acid solution. The size and shape of the transfer stamp approximate those of the integrated circuit package being tested. Also provided is a method of cleaning and coating a tip of a test probe in an integrated circuit package test system. The method includes aligning the test system with a transfer stamp comprising a porous material that is impregnated with a phosphonic acid solution; pushing the test probe into the porous material to coat the tip with the phosphonic acid solution; removing the test probe; and allowing the phosphonic acid solution to dry on the tip of the test probe and form a self-assembled monolayer of phosphonates thereon. A test probe is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: ACULON INC.
    Inventors: Eric L Bruner, Eric L. Hanson
  • Publication number: 20190277883
    Abstract: A kit for cleaning and coating a tip of a test probe in an integrated circuit package test system is provided. The kit comprises a transfer stamp having a porous material impregnated with a phosphonic acid solution. The size and shape of the transfer stamp approximate those of the integrated circuit package being tested. Also provided is a method of cleaning and coating a tip of a test probe in an integrated circuit package test system. The method includes aligning the test system with a transfer stamp comprising a porous material that is impregnated with a phosphonic acid solution; pushing the test probe into the porous material to coat the tip with the phosphonic acid solution; removing the test probe; and allowing the phosphonic acid solution to dry on the tip of the test probe and form a self-assembled monolayer of phosphonates thereon. A test probe is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: ERIC L BRUNER, ERIC L. HANSON
  • Publication number: 20180251583
    Abstract: Film-forming compositions are provided comprising: (a) a zwitterionic-functional polymer; and (b) an organometallic compound. Also provided are methods of reducing adhesion of an organic substance to a substrate and methods of treating a siliceous or metal (M) oxide-containing subterranean formation penetrated by a well using the film-forming compositions described above.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventors: ERIC L. HANSON, ERIC L. BRUNER, EDWARD W. HUGHES
  • Patent number: 9725619
    Abstract: Compositions including first and second silicon-containing compounds are described. The first silicon-containing compound includes a polyvalent transition metal having bonded thereto a hydrocarbyloxy group(s) and/or a (di-hydrocarbyl)(perfluoro/fluorinated-hydrocarbyl)silyloxy group(s), which is represented by Formula (I). The second silicon-containing compound includes a reaction product of a first reactant represented by Formula (II-A), which includes hyrdrocarbylsilyloxy groups, and a second reactant represented by Formula (II-B), which includes a perfluorohydrocarbyloxy group(s). The present invention also relates to, articles that include one or more layers formed from such compositions, methods of treating articles by applying thereover such compositions, and the second silicon-containing compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Aculon, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric L. Hanson, Eric L. Bruner
  • Publication number: 20160230045
    Abstract: Compositions including first and second silicon-containing compounds are described. The first silicon-containing compound includes a polyvalent transition metal having bonded thereto a hydrocarbyloxy group(s) and/or a (di-hydrocarbyl)(perfluoro/fluorinated-hydrocarbyl)silyloxy group(s), which is represented by Formula (I). The second silicon-containing compound includes a reaction product of a first reactant represented by Formula (II-A), which includes hyrdrocarbylsilyloxy groups, and a second reactant represented by Formula (II-B), which includes a perfluorohydrocarbyloxy group(s). The present invention also relates to, articles that include one or more layers formed from such compositions, methods of treating articles by applying thereover such compositions, and the second silicon-containing compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: Eric L. Hanson, Eric L. Bruner
  • Patent number: 8445423
    Abstract: Wipes treated with organometallic compounds used in combination with organic acids in kit form, particularly organophosphorus acid, are disclosed. The kits can be used to treat various surfaces to alter the physical properties of the surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Aculon, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric L. Bruner, Eric L. Hanson, Gerald W. Gruber
  • Patent number: 8432036
    Abstract: A lead frame and an electronic package having improved adhesion between the lead frame and an encapsulating plastic material is disclosed. The lead frame can be pre plated having an outer layer comprising a precious metal such as palladium or gold to which is adhered a self-assembled monolayer (SAM), such as a SAM derived from an organophosphorus acid. The organophosphorus acid preferably is a mixture in which the organo groups are fluoro substituted hydrocarbons and hydrocarbons containing ethylenically unsaturated groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Aculon, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric L. Hanson, Eric L. Bruner, Jeffrey Gotro
  • Publication number: 20130037161
    Abstract: Disclosed is the treatment of the interior walls of a fluidic channel with a self-assembled monolayer of an organophosphorus acid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: Aculon, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric L. Hanson, Eric L. Bruner