Patents by Inventor John T. Fourkas
John T. Fourkas 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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Publication number: 20230181799Abstract: The invention provides method of guiding unidirectional movement of a cell comprising exposing the cell to a surface comprising an asymmetric, three-dimensional pattern of one or a plurality of topographical elements for a time period sufficient to bias actin polymerization within the cell. The invention also provides methods of inducing directional movement of a cell, and methods of harnessing an actin wave within a cell. In addition, the invention provides compositions comprising a contact side, wherein at least a portion of the contact side comprises a cell contact portion comprising an asymmetric, three-dimensional pattern of one or a plurality of topographical elements, and methods of inducing healing of a wound of a subject comprising contacting the wound with the composition.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2022Publication date: June 15, 2023Inventors: Wolfgang Losert, John T. Fourkas, Meghan Driscoll, Floyd Bates, II, Xiaoyu Sun, Can Guven, Joshua Parker
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Patent number: 10584141Abstract: Highly active, recoverable and recyclable transition metal-based metathesis catalysts and their organometallic complexes including dendrimeric complexes are disclosed, including a Ru complex bearing a 1,3-dimesityl-4,5-dihydroimidazol-2-ylidene and styrenyl ether ligand. The heterocyclic ligand significantly enhances the catalytic activity, and the styrenyl ether allows for the easy recovery of the Ru complex. Derivatized catalysts capable of being immobilized on substrate surfaces are also disclosed. The present catalysts can be used to catalyze ring-closing metathesis (RCM), ring-opening (ROM) and cross metatheses (CM) reactions, and promote the efficient formation of various trisubstituted olefins at ambient temperature in high yield.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2019Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: THE TRUSTEES OF BOSTON COLLEGEInventors: Amir H. Hoveyda, Jason Kingsbury, Steven Garber, Brian L. Gray, John T. Fourkas
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Patent number: 10459337Abstract: The present invention relates to photoresist compositions comprising a base resin such as a monomer capable of radical polymerization upon photoinitiation, and photoinitiator molecules such as a diketone, and multicolor photolithography methods. Photoresist compositions comprise photoinitiator molecules that are exposed to a first radiation source, thereby exciting the photoinitiator molecules from a ground state to a pre-activated state. The pre-activated state molecules are then exposed to a second radiation source in selected locations, thereby deactivating the pre-activated state molecules in the selected locations. Any remaining pre-activated state molecules are exposed to a third radiation source, exciting such remaining pre-activated state photoinitiator molecules to an activated state. Polymerization of the base resin is then initiated.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2016Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: University of Maryland, College ParkInventors: John T. Fourkas, Daniel E. Falvey, Zuleykhan Tomova, Steven Wolf, Katie Brennan
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Publication number: 20190309001Abstract: Highly active, recoverable and recyclable transition metal-based metathesis catalysts and their organometallic complexes including dendrimeric complexes are disclosed, including a Ru complex bearing a 1,3-dimesityl-4,5-dihydroimidazol-2-ylidene and styrenyl ether ligand. The heterocyclic ligand significantly enhances the catalytic activity, and the styrenyl ether allows for the easy recovery of the Ru complex. Derivatized catalysts capable of being immobilized on substrate surfaces are also disclosed. The present catalysts can be used to catalyze ring-closing metathesis (RCM), ring-opening (ROM) and cross metatheses (CM) reactions, and promote the efficient formation of various trisubstituted olefins at ambient temperature in high yield.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2019Publication date: October 10, 2019Inventors: Amir H. Hoveyda, Jason Kingsbury, Steven Garber, Brian L. Gray, John T. Fourkas
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Patent number: 10336781Abstract: Highly active, recoverable and recyclable transition metal-based metathesis catalysts and their organometallic complexes including dendrimeric complexes are disclosed, including a Ru complex bearing a 1,3-dimesityl-4,5-dihydroimidazol-2-ylidene and styrenyl ether ligand. The heterocyclic ligand significantly enhances the catalytic activity, and the styrenyl ether allows for the easy recovery of the Ru complex. Derivatized catalysts capable of being immobilized on substrate surfaces are also disclosed. The present catalysts can be used to catalyze ring-closing metathesis (RCM), ring-opening (ROM) and cross metatheses (CM) reactions, and promote the efficient formation of various trisubstituted olefins at ambient temperature in high yield.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2015Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: THE TRUSTEES OF BOSTON COLLEGEInventors: Amir H. Hoveyda, Jason Kingsbury, Steven Garber, Brian L. Gray, John T. Fourkas
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Publication number: 20170216479Abstract: The invention provides method of guiding unidirectional movement of a cell comprising exposing the cell to a surface comprising an asymmetric, three-dimensional pattern of one or a plurality of topographical elements for a time period sufficient to bias actin polymerization within the cell. The invention also provides methods of inducing directional movement of a cell, and methods of harnessing an actin wave within a cell. In addition, the invention provides compositions comprising a contact side, wherein at least a portion of the contact side comprises a cell contact portion comprising an asymmetric, three-dimensional pattern of one or a plurality of topographical elements, and methods of inducing healing of a wound of a subject comprising contacting the wound with the composition.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2017Publication date: August 3, 2017Applicant: University of Maryland, College ParkInventors: Wolfgang Losert, John T. Fourkas, Meghan Driscoll, Floyd Bates, II, Xiaoyu Sun, Can Guven, Joshua Parker
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Publication number: 20170168392Abstract: The present invention relates to photoresist compositions comprising a base resin such as a monomer capable of radical polymerization upon photoinitiation, and photoinitiator molecules such as a diketone, and multicolor photolithography methods. Photoresist compositions comprise photoinitiator molecules that are exposed to a first radiation source, thereby exciting the photoinitiator molecules from a ground state to a pre-activated state. The pre-activated state molecules are then exposed to a second radiation source in selected locations, thereby deactivating the pre-activated state molecules in the selected locations. Any remaining pre-activated state molecules are exposed to a third radiation source, exciting such remaining pre-activated state photoinitiator molecules to an activated state. Polymerization of the base resin is then initiated.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2016Publication date: June 15, 2017Applicant: University of Maryland, College ParkInventors: John T. Fourkas, Daniel E. Falvey, Zuleykhan Tomova, Steven Wolf, Katie Brennan
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Patent number: 9656414Abstract: The present invention relates to microfluidic devices that comprise a 3-D microfluidic network of microchannels of arbitrary complexity and to a method for fabricating such devices. In particular, the invention relates to a method of forming microfluidic devices having 3-D microfluidic networks that contain open or closed loop microchannels using a single-step molding process without the need for layer-by-layer fabrication, and to the resultant microfluidic devices. The networks of such microfluidic devices may comprise one or more microchannel circuits which may be discrete or interconnected.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2014Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: University of Maryland, College ParkInventors: John T. Fourkas, Christopher N. LaFratta
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Patent number: 9370881Abstract: The invention features a method for producing replicas of a desired structure, a master and a mold obtained from it for use in such a method. The master includes a desired structure (200) to be reproduced and an additional structure (206, 208) that assists in removal of the master from a mold, e.g. by permitting portions of the mold on opposite sides of the additional structure to flex away from one another when the master is removed from the mold. The method includes immersing the master comprising the desired structure (200) and the additional structure (206, 208) in a molding material (142), solidifying the molding material (142) to make a mold, removing the master from the mold and using the mold to produce replicas of the desired structure (200).Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2006Date of Patent: June 21, 2016Assignee: The Trustees of Boston CollegeInventors: John T. Fourkas, Christopher Lafratta
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Publication number: 20160168181Abstract: Highly active, recoverable and recyclable transition metal-based metathesis catalysts and their organometallic complexes including dendrimeric complexes are disclosed, including a Ru complex bearing a 1,3-dimesityl-4,5-dihydroimidazol-2-ylidene and styrenyl ether ligand. The heterocyclic ligand significantly enhances the catalytic activity, and the styrenyl ether allows for the easy recovery of the Ru complex. Derivatized catalysts capable of being immobilized on substrate surfaces are also disclosed. The present catalysts can be used to catalyze ring-closing metathesis (RCM), ring-opening (ROM) and cross metatheses (CM) reactions, and promote the efficient formation of various trisubstituted olefins at ambient temperature in high yield.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2015Publication date: June 16, 2016Inventors: Amir H. Hoveyda, Jason Kingsbury, Steven Garber, Brian L. Gray, John T. Fourkas
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Patent number: 8803094Abstract: Carbon nanotube compositions suitable for printing, methods of making carbon nanotube compositions, and substrates having a print thereon containing carbon nanotube compositions, and uses thereof. The carbon nanotubes of the compositions are individualized. The carbon nanotube compositions can be used in applications, such as document security.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2013Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: University of Maryland, College ParkInventors: Jarrett Leeds, YuHuang Wang, John T. Fourkas
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Publication number: 20140191438Abstract: The present invention relates to microfluidic devices that comprise a 3-D microfluidic network of microchannels of arbitrary complexity and to a method for fabricating such devices. In particular, the invention relates to a method of forming microfluidic devices having 3-D microfluidic networks that contain open or closed loop microchannels using a single-step molding process without the need for layer-by-layer fabrication, and to the resultant microfluidic devices. The networks of such microfluidic devices may comprise one or more microchannel circuits which may be discrete or interconnected.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2014Publication date: July 10, 2014Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND COLLEGE PARKInventors: Christopher T. Fourkas, John T. Fourkas
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Patent number: 8674328Abstract: A method of fabricating a nanodevice includes providing a nanowire having a first portion and a second portion. The nanowire has a polymer coating. A nanostructure is provided that is proximate to the second portion of the nanowire. Solely the first portion of the nanowire is irradiated with near-infrared radiation, thereby exciting the first portion to generate ultraviolet radiation. The generated ultraviolet radiation is guided from the first portion along the nanowire toward the second portion, so that a region of the polymer coating on the second portion is polymerized and bonds the nanostructure to the nanowire.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2011Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: University of Maryland College ParkInventors: John T. Fourkas, Linjie Li, Sanghee Nah
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Patent number: 8656949Abstract: The present invention relates to microfluidic devices that comprise a 3-D microfluidic network of microchannels of arbitrary complexity and to a method for fabricating such devices. In particular, the invention relates to a method of forming microfluidic devices having 3-D microfluidic networks that contain open or closed loop microchannels using a single-step molding process without the need for layer-by-layer fabrication, and to the resultant microfluidic devices. The networks of such microfluidic devices may comprise one or more microchannel circuits which may be discrete or interconnected.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2007Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: University of Maryland College ParkInventors: John T. Fourkas, Christopher N. LaFratta
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Publication number: 20130306870Abstract: Carbon nanotube compositions suitable for printing, methods of making carbon nanotube compositions, and substrates having a print thereon containing carbon nanotube compositions, and uses thereof. The carbon nanotubes of the compositions are individualized. The carbon nanotube compositions can be used in applications, such as document security.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2013Publication date: November 21, 2013Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF MARYLANDInventors: Jarrett Leeds, YuHuang Wang, John T. Fourkas
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Patent number: 8432533Abstract: A method and system for photolithography is provided. The system includes a photoresist comprising a photoinitiator and a prepolymer resin. The system further includes a first light source operable to generate at least a first beam of light which is focused on a first area of the photoresist. The first beam of light is configured to excite the photoinitiator. The system further includes a second light source operable to generate at least a second beam of light which is focused on a second area of the photoresist, the second beam of light configured to deactivate at least temporarily the photoinitiator excited by the first beam of light. The first area and second area overlap at least partially. A time difference of at least 10 ns exists between the photoinitiator being excited by the first beam of light and the photoinitiator initiating polymerization.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2010Date of Patent: April 30, 2013Assignee: Univ. of MD. at College ParkInventors: John T. Fourkas, Erez H. Gershgoren, Linjie Li, Hana Hwang
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Patent number: 8298445Abstract: Microstructures, microdevices and related methods are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2007Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: The Trustees of Boston CollegeInventors: John T. Fourkas, Richard A. Farrer
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Publication number: 20120119117Abstract: A method of fabricating a nanodevice includes providing a nanowire having a first portion and a second portion. The nanowire has a polymer coating. A nanostructure is provided that is proximate to the second portion of the nanowire. Solely the first portion of the nanowire is irradiated with near-infrared radiation, thereby exciting the first portion to generate ultraviolet radiation. The generated ultraviolet radiation is guided from the first portion along the nanowire toward the second portion, so that a region of the polymer coating on the second portion is polymerized and bonds the nanostructure to the nanowire.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2011Publication date: May 17, 2012Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARKInventors: John T. Fourkas, Linjie Li, Sanghee Nah
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Publication number: 20110183140Abstract: The present invention relates to polymers and their use in coating metal nanorods (especially gold nanorods), and to the coated nanorods compositions. In particular, the invention relates to a process for forming cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)-coated gold nanorods and to such coated nanorods that additionally comprise an external cross-linked polymer coating.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2011Publication date: July 28, 2011Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARKInventors: John T. Fourkas, Linjie Li, Sanghee Nah
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Publication number: 20110039213Abstract: A method and system for photolithography is provided. The system includes a photoresist comprising a photoinitiator and a prepolymer resin. The system further includes a first light source operable to generate at least a first beam of light which is focused on a first area of the photoresist. The first beam of light is configured to excite the photoinitiator. The system further includes a second light source operable to generate at least a second beam of light which is focused on a second area of the photoresist, the second beam of light configured to deactivate at least temporarily the photoinitiator excited by the first beam of light. The first area and second area overlap at least partially. A time difference of at least 10 ns exists between the photoinitiator being excited by the first beam of light and the photoinitiator initiating polymerization.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2010Publication date: February 17, 2011Inventors: John T. FOURKAS, Erez H. Gershgoren, Linjie LI, Hana Hwang