Patents by Inventor Kyoung G. Lee

Kyoung G. Lee 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).

  • Breath-activated images and anti-counterfeit authentication features formed of nanopillar arrays
    Patent number: 9694518
    Abstract: Disclosed are articles having authentication features, as well as methods for authenticating such articles by forming authentication features to prevent or diminish counterfeiting activities. A surface of an article to be authenticated (or a surface of a component associated with the article) may have a region with a periodic array of nanopillars comprising a polymeric material formed thereon. The array of nanopillars thus defines an authentication feature (e.g., a graphic image or other pattern). In certain aspects, the authentication feature may be substantially invisible to the human eye under normal conditions, but revealed when condensate is created on the surface by exposure to moisture or vapor (e.g., human breath). The methods of forming nanopillar arrays disclosed herein are simple and permit single-step replication with high fidelity. Furthermore, the methods may be used with a variety of substrates, including fabric, textiles, leather, glass, paper, and metals by way of non-limiting example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: The Regents Of The University of Michigan
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Kotov, Kyoung G. Lee, Terry Shyu, Byeong Il Kim, Bong Gill Choi, Seok Jae Lee
  • BREATH-ACTIVATED IMAGES AND ANTI-COUNTERFEIT AUTHENTICATION FEATURES FORMED OF NANOPILLAR ARRAYS
    Publication number: 20150367380
    Abstract: Disclosed are articles having authentication features, as well as methods for authenticating such articles by forming authentication features to prevent or diminish counterfeiting activities. A surface of an article to be authenticated (or a surface of a component associated with the article) may have a region with a periodic array of nanopillars comprising a polymeric material formed thereon. The array of nanopillars thus defines an authentication feature (e.g., a graphic image or other pattern). In certain aspects, the authentication feature may be substantially invisible to the human eye under normal conditions, but revealed when condensate is created on the surface by exposure to moisture or vapor (e.g., human breath). The methods of forming nanopillar arrays disclosed herein are simple and permit single-step replication with high fidelity. Furthermore, the methods may be used with a variety of substrates, including fabric, textiles, leather, glass, paper, and metals by way of non-limiting example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Kotov, Kyoung G. Lee, Terry Shyu, Byeong II Kim, Bong Gill Choi, Seok Jae Lee