Patents by Inventor J. David Smith

J. David Smith 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: 11933551
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an article with a liquid-impregnated surface, the surface having a matrix of features thereupon, spaced sufficiently close to stably contain a liquid therebetween or therewithin, and preferable also a thin film thereupon. The surface provides the article with advantageous non-wetting properties. Compared to previous non-wetting surfaces, which include a gas (e.g., air) entrained within surface textures, these liquid-impregnated surfaces are resistant to impalement and frost formation, and are therefore more robust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Rajeev Dhiman, J. David Smith, Kripa K. Varanasi, Ernesto Reza-Garduño Cabello
  • Publication number: 20240016985
    Abstract: Described herein are medical devices and medical implements with high lubricity to flesh (or biological fluid) and/or inhibited nucleation on its surface. The device has a surface comprising an impregnating liquid and a plurality of micro-scale and/or nano-scale solid features spaced sufficiently close to stably contain the impregnating liquid therebetween. The impregnating liquid fills spaces between said solid features, the surface stably contains the impregnating liquid between the solid features, and the impregnating liquid is substantially held in place between the plurality of solid features regardless of orientation of the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2023
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: J. David Smith, Rajeev Dhiman, Adam T. Paxson, Christopher J. Love, Brian R. Solomon, Kripa K. Varanasi
  • Patent number: 11820914
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to systems and methods for creating durable lubricious surfaces (DLS) via interfacial modification. The DLS can be prepared via a combination of a solid, a liquid, and an additive that modifies the interface between the DLS and a contact liquid, resulting in an interfacial layer that acts as a lubricant and/or protective coating between the DLS and the contact liquid. The lubricating effect created between the additive and the contact liquid results in enhanced slipperiness, as well as the protective properties that can help with durability of the DLS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: LiquiGlide Inc.
    Inventors: C. Benjamin Renner, Bahar M. Alipour, Sruti Balasubramanian, Justin Kleingartner, J. David Smith, Kripa Kiran Varanasi
  • Patent number: 11684705
    Abstract: Described herein are medical devices and medical implements with high lubricity to flesh (or biological fluid) and/or inhibited nucleation on its surface. The device has a surface comprising an impregnating liquid and a plurality of micro-scale and/or nano-scale solid features spaced sufficiently close to stably contain the impregnating liquid therebetween. The impregnating liquid fills spaces between said solid features, the surface stably contains the impregnating liquid between the solid features, and the impregnating liquid is substantially held in place between the plurality of solid features regardless of orientation of the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: J. David Smith, Rajeev Dhiman, Adam T. Paxson, Christopher J. Love, Brian R. Solomon, Kripa K. Varanasi
  • Patent number: 11603222
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to articles and methods for forming liquid surface films on the interior surfaces of containers for holding one or more products comprising one or more Bingham plastic materials. Bingham plastic materials behave as a solid under no or low shear stress, and behave as viscous liquids when an applied shear stress exceeds a yield stress. In some embodiments, a container for containing a product includes an interior surface and a liquid disposed on the interior surface. Before introduction of a product into a container, the liquid may be surrounded by air. The liquid-air interface in contact with the interior surface makes a contact angle, ?os(a), with respect to the interior surface of the container, of about 0°. After a product has been introduced to the container, the liquid is at least partially covered by the product. The liquid-product interface in contact with the interior surface, makes a contact angle, ?os(p), with respect to the interior surface, of less about 60°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: LiquiGlide Inc.
    Inventors: J. David Smith, Kripa Varanasi, Brian Jordan, Carsten Boers
  • Patent number: 11492500
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, the invention is directed to apparatus comprising a liquid-impregnated surface, said surface comprising an impregnating liquid and a matrix of solid features spaced sufficiently close to stably contain the impregnating liquid therebetween or therewithin, and methods thereof. In some embodiments, one or both of the following holds: (i) 0<??0.25, where ? is a representative fraction of the projected surface area of the liquid-impregnated surface corresponding to non-submerged solid at equilibrium; and (ii) Sow(a)<0, where Sow(a) is spreading coefficient, defined as ?wa??wo??oa, where ? is the interfacial tension between the two phases designated by subscripts w, a, and o, where w is water, a is air, and o is the impregnating liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: J. David Smith, Rajeev Dhiman, Kripa K. Varanasi
  • Publication number: 20220126001
    Abstract: Described herein are medical devices and medical implements with high lubricity to flesh (or biological fluid) and/or inhibited nucleation on its surface. The device has a surface comprising an impregnating liquid and a plurality of micro-scale and/or nano-scale solid features spaced sufficiently close to stably contain the impregnating liquid therebetween. The impregnating liquid fills spaces between said solid features, the surface stably contains the impregnating liquid between the solid features, and the impregnating liquid is substantially held in place between the plurality of solid features regardless of orientation of the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: J. David Smith, Rajeev Dhiman, Adam T. Paxson, Christopher J. Love, Brian R. Solomon, Kripa K. Varanasi
  • Publication number: 20210291243
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, the invention is directed to apparatus comprising a liquid-impregnated surface, said surface comprising an impregnating liquid and a matrix of solid features spaced sufficiently close to stably contain the impregnating liquid therebetween or therewithin, and methods thereof. In some embodiments, one or both of the following holds: (i) 0<??0.25, where ? is a representative fraction of the projected surface area of the liquid-impregnated surface corresponding to non-submerged solid at equilibrium; and (ii) Sow(a)<0, where Sow(a) is spreading coefficient, defined as ?wa??wo??oa, where ? is the interfacial tension between the two phases designated by subscripts w, a, and o, where w is water, a is air, and o is the impregnating liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: J. David Smith, Sushant Anand, Srinivas Prasad Bengaluru Subramanyam, Konrad Rykaczewski, Kripa K. Varanasi
  • Publication number: 20210269652
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to systems and methods for creating durable lubricious surfaces (DLS) via interfacial modification. The DLS can be prepared via a combination of a solid, a liquid, and an additive that modifies the interface between the DLS and a contact liquid, resulting in an interfacial layer that acts as a lubricant and/or protective coating between the DLS and the contact liquid. The lubricating effect created between the additive and the contact liquid results in enhanced slipperiness, as well as the protective properties that can help with durability of the DLS.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: C. Benjamin RENNER, Bahar M. ALIPOUR, Sruti BALASUBRAMANIAN, Justin KLEINGARTNER, J. David SMITH, Kripa Kiran VARANASI
  • Publication number: 20210269180
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to articles and methods for forming liquid surface films on the interior surfaces of containers for holding one or more products comprising one or more Bingham plastic materials. Bingham plastic materials behave as a solid under no or low shear stress, and behave as viscous liquids when an applied shear stress exceeds a yield stress. In some embodiments, a container for containing a product includes an interior surface and a liquid disposed on the interior surface. Before introduction of a product into a container, the liquid may be surrounded by air. The liquid-air interface in contact with the interior surface makes a contact angle, ?os(a), with respect to the interior surface of the container, of about 0°. After a product has been introduced to the container, the liquid is at least partially covered by the product. The liquid-product interface in contact with the interior surface, makes a contact angle, ?os(p), with respect to the interior surface, of less about 60°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Applicant: LiquiGlide Inc.
    Inventors: J. David SMITH, Kripa VARANASI, Brian JORDAN, Carsten BOERS
  • Patent number: 11058803
    Abstract: Described herein are medical devices and medical implements with high lubricity to flesh (or biological fluid) and/or inhibited nucleation on its surface. The device has a surface comprising an impregnating liquid and a plurality of micro-scale and/or nano-scale solid features spaced sufficiently close to stably contain the impregnating liquid therebetween. The impregnating liquid fills spaces between said solid features, the surface stably contains the impregnating liquid between the solid features, and the impregnating liquid is substantially held in place between the plurality of solid features regardless of orientation of the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: J. David Smith, Rajeev Dhiman, Adam T. Paxson, Christopher J. Love, Brian R. Solomon, Kripa K. Varanasi
  • Patent number: 11046853
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to systems and methods for creating durable lubricious surfaces (DLS) via interfacial modification. The DLS can be prepared via a combination of a solid, a liquid, and an additive that modifies the interface between the DLS and a contact liquid, resulting in an interfacial layer that acts as a lubricant and/or protective coating between the DLS and the contact liquid. The lubricating effect created between the additive and the contact liquid results in enhanced slipperiness, as well as the protective properties that can help with durability of the DLS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: LiquiGlide Inc.
    Inventors: C. Benjamin Renner, Bahar M. Alipour, Sruti Balasubramanian, Justin Kleingartner, J. David Smith, Kripa Kiran Varanasi
  • Patent number: 10882085
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, the invention is directed to apparatus comprising a liquid-impregnated surface, said surface comprising an impregnating liquid and a matrix of solid features spaced sufficiently close to stably contain the impregnating liquid therebetween or therewithin, and methods thereof. In some embodiments, one or both of the following holds: (i) 0<??0.25, where ? is a representative fraction of the projected surface area of the liquid-impregnated surface corresponding to non-submerged solid at equilibrium; and (ii) Sow(a)<0, where Sow(a) is spreading coefficient, defined as ?wa??wo??oa, where ? is the interfacial tension between the two phases designated by subscripts w, a, and o, where w is water, a is air, and o is the impregnating liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: J. David Smith, Sushant Anand, Srinivas Prasad Bengaluru Subramanyam, Konrad Rykaczewski, Kripa K. Varanasi
  • Patent number: 10870505
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to articles and methods for forming liquid surface films on the interior surfaces of containers for holding one or more products comprising one or more Bingham plastic materials. Bingham plastic materials behave as a solid under no or low shear stress, and behave as viscous liquids when an applied shear stress exceeds a yield stress. In some embodiments, a container for containing a product includes an interior surface and a liquid disposed on the interior surface. Before introduction of a product into a container, the liquid may be surrounded by air. The liquid-air interface in contact with the interior surface makes a contact angle, ?os(a), with respect to the interior surface of the container, of about 0°. After a product has been introduced to the container, the liquid is at least partially covered by the product. The liquid-product interface in contact with the interior surface, makes a contact angle, ?os(p), with respect to the interior surface, of less about 60°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: LiquiGlide Inc.
    Inventors: J. David Smith, Kripa Varanasi, Brian Jordan, Carsten Boers
  • Publication number: 20200040195
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to systems and methods for creating durable lubricious surfaces (DLS) via interfacial modification. The DLS can be prepared via a combination of a solid, a liquid, and an additive that modifies the interface between the DLS and a contact liquid, resulting in an interfacial layer that acts as a lubricant and/or protective coating between the DLS and the contact liquid. The lubricating effect created between the additive and the contact liquid results in enhanced slipperiness, as well as the protective properties that can help with durability of the DLS.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: C. Benjamin RENNER, Bahar M. ALIPOUR, Sruti BALASUBRAMANIAN, Justin KLEINGARTNER, J. David SMITH, Kripa Kiran VARANASI
  • Publication number: 20190351601
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a method of producing a liquid-impregnated surface includes forming a solid particle suspension including a plurality of solid particles with an average dimension of between about 5 nm and about 200 ?m. The solid particle suspension is applied to a surface by spray-depositing the solid particle suspension onto the surface. An impregnating liquid is also applied to the surface. The plurality of solid particles and the impregnating liquid collectively form a liquid-impregnated surface. The impregnating liquid can be applied after the solid particle suspension is applied, or the solid particle suspension can include the impregnating liquid, such that the solid particle suspension and the impregnating liquid are concurrently spray-deposited onto the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Inventors: Kripa VARANASI, J. David SMITH, Jose YAGUE, Brian JORDAN, Charles W. HIBBEN, Jiapeng XU, Tao CONG
  • Patent number: 10428222
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to systems and methods for creating durable lubricious surfaces (DLS) via interfacial modification. The DLS can be prepared via a combination of a solid, a liquid, and an additive that modifies the interface between the DLS and a contact liquid, resulting in an interfacial layer that acts as a lubricant and/or protective coating between the DLS and the contact liquid. The lubricating effect created between the additive and the contact liquid results in enhanced slipperiness, as well as the protective properties that can help with durability of the DLS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: LiquiGlide Inc.
    Inventors: C. Benjamin Renner, Bahar M. Alipour, Sruti Balasubramanian, Justin Kleingartner, J. David Smith, Kripa Kiran Varanasi
  • Patent number: 10421866
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to systems and methods for creating durable lubricious surfaces (DLS) via interfacial modification. The DLS can be prepared via a combination of a solid, a liquid, and an additive that modifies the interface between the DLS and a contact liquid, resulting in an interfacial layer that acts as a lubricant and/or protective coating between the DLS and the contact liquid. The lubricating effect created between the additive and the contact liquid results in enhanced slipperiness, as well as the protective properties that can help with durability of the DLS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: LiquiGlide Inc.
    Inventors: C. Benjamin Renner, Bahar M. Alipour, Sruti Balasubramanian, Justin Kleingartner, J. David Smith, Kripa Kiran Varanasi
  • Patent number: 10294756
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to articles, devices, and methods for gas hydrate mitigation in deep-sea drilling applications. In certain embodiments, hydrate-phobic surfaces are provided that ensure passive enhancement of flow assurance and prevention of catastrophic failures in deep-sea oil and gas operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: J. David Smith, Kripa K. Varanasi, Gareth H. McKinley, Robert E. Cohen, Adam J. Meuler, Harrison L. Bralower
  • Publication number: 20190077968
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to systems and methods for creating durable lubricious surfaces (DLS) via interfacial modification. The DLS can be prepared via a combination of a solid, a liquid, and an additive that modifies the interface between the DLS and a contact liquid, resulting in an interfacial layer that acts as a lubricant and/or protective coating between the DLS and the contact liquid. The lubricating effect created between the additive and the contact liquid results in enhanced slipperiness, as well as the protective properties that can help with durability of the DLS.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventors: C. Benjamin RENNER, Bahar M. ALIPOUR, Sruti BALASUBRAMANIAN, Justin KLEINGARTNER, J. David SMITH, Kripa Kiran VARANASI