Patents by Inventor Matthew H. Frey

Matthew H. Frey 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).

  • Solvent assisted method of microcontact printing
    Patent number: 9003970
    Abstract: A method of microcontact printing comprises (a) providing an elastomeric stamp comprising a printing surface inked with an ink comprising surface-functionalizing molecules, (b) treating the inked printing surface of the stamp with solvent, and (c) contacting the treated inked printing surface of the stamp to a surface of a substrate. The printing surface of the stamp comprises a first relief pattern, or the surface of the substrate comprises a second relief pattern, or both of the surfaces comprise the relief patterns, and a pattern of surface-functionalizing molecules is transferred to the substrate according to one or both of the relief patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Tracie J. Berniard, Daniel P. Meehan, Matthew H. Frey, Mikhail L. Pekurovsky
  • INTEGRATED PASSIVE CIRCUIT ELEMENTS FOR SENSING DEVICES
    Publication number: 20150097587
    Abstract: Capacitive sensing devices are provided that include a sensing pattern of conductive traces disposed upon the surface of a substrate and a first passive circuit element that includes a metallic conductor disposed upon the same surface of the substrate. In some embodiments, the first passive circuit element is a component of an electronic circuit that can be, for example, a low pass filter. Provided capacitive sensing devices are useful, for example, when incorporated into projected touch screen display panels for use on electronic devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Billy L. Weaver, Matthew H. Frey, Lijun Zu, Cristin E. Moran
  • Transparent micropatterned RFID antenna and articles incorporating same
    Patent number: 8998099
    Abstract: Antennas suitable for use in RFID devices include an insulating substrate and a first conductive micropattern disposed on or in the substrate, the first conductive micropattern defining a contiguous mesh conductor. The first conductive micropattern forms an antenna responsive to at least a frequency of 915 MHz, and includes interconnected traces having a trace width in a range from 0.5 to 20 microns. Furthermore, the first conductive micropattern is characterized by an open area fraction of at least 80% or 90%. RFID devices include such an antenna and an integrated circuit configured to transmit and receive signals using the antenna. Cards, such as financial transaction cards or identification cards, include such an antenna carried by a card layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Matthew H. Frey, Lijun Zu, William C. Egbert, Swagata R. Banerjee, Robert A. Sainati
  • PATTERNED SUBSTRATES WITH NON-LINEAR CONDUCTOR TRACES
    Publication number: 20150085460
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an article having (a) a substrate having opposing first and second surfaces; and (b) a conductor micropattern disposed on the first surface of the substrate. The conductor micropattern has a plurality of traces defining a plurality of open area cells. The conductor micropattern has an open area fraction greater than 80% and a uniform distribution of trace orientation. Each of the traces is non-linear and has a trace width from 0.5 to 10 micrometer. The articles are useful in devices such as displays, in particular, touch screen displays useful for mobile hand held devices, tablets and computers. They also find use in antennas and for EMI shields.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventor: Matthew H. Frey
  • Methods of Patterning a Conductor on a Substrate
    Publication number: 20150086757
    Abstract: A method of patterning a conductor on a substrate includes providing an inked elastomeric stamp inked with self-assembled monolayer-forming molecules and having a relief pattern with raised features. Then the raised features of the inked stamp contact a metal-coated visible light transparent substrate. Then the metal is etched to form an electrically conductive micropattern corresponding to the raised features of the inked stamp on the visible light transparent substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Lijun Zu, Matthew H. Frey
  • Touch screen sensor and patterned substrate having overlaid micropatterns with low visibility
    Patent number: 8970515
    Abstract: Presently described are articles such as antennas, EMI shields, and touch screen sensors as well as patterned substrates having overlaid micropatterns with low visibility. Also described are methods of determining the visibility of a patterned substrate. In one embodiment, a patterned substrate is described comprising a visible light transparent substrate; and at least two overlaid electrically conductive mesh micropatterns, wherein each mesh has a repeating cell geometry and the combination of overlaid micropatterns has a spatial contrast threshold at a distance of 30000 units of greater than ?35 decibels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Cristin E. Moran, Matthew H. Frey, Brian L. Linzie, Billy L. Weaver
  • Apparatus and method for microcontact printing using a pressurized roller
    Patent number: 8950324
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for microcontact printing are described. The microcontact printing apparatus includes a planar stamp and a pressurized roller. The pressurized roller includes an inflatable bladder that can be inflated by a fluid to a pressure that reduces printing defects such as voids and stamp collapse. A substrate is disposed between the pressurized roller and a stamp coated with an ink of functionalizing molecules. As the pressurized roller moves over the substrate, at least a portion of the functionalizing molecules are transferred from the stamp to the substrate in the desired pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Tracie J. Berniard, Matthew H. Frey, Lance E. Behymer, Mikhail L. Pekurovsky, Richard W. Greger, Daniel P. Meehan, Jonathan J. O'Hare
  • Integrated passive circuit elements for sensing devices
    Patent number: 8941395
    Abstract: Capacitive sensing devices are provided that include a sensing pattern of conductive traces disposed upon the surface of a substrate and a first passive circuit element that includes a metallic conductor disposed upon the same surface of the substrate. In some embodiments, the first passive circuit element is a component of an electronic circuit that can be, for example, a low pass filter. Provided capacitive sensing devices are useful, for example, when incorporated into projected touch screen display panels for use on electronic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Billy L. Weaver, Matthew H. Frey, Lijun Zu, Cristin E. Moran
  • Methods of patterning a conductor on a substrate
    Patent number: 8932475
    Abstract: A method of patterning a conductor on a substrate includes providing an inked elastomeric stamp inked with self-assembled monolayer-forming molecules and having a relief pattern with raised features. Then the raised features of the inked stamp contact a metal-coated visible light transparent substrate. Then the metal is etched to form an electrically conductive micropattern corresponding to the raised features of the inked stamp on the visible light transparent substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Lijun Zu, Matthew H. Frey
  • Patterned substrates with non-linear conductor traces
    Patent number: 8933906
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an article having (a) a substrate having opposing first and second surfaces; and (b) a conductor micropattern disposed on the first surface of the substrate. The conductor micropattern has a plurality of traces defining a plurality of open area cells. The conductor micropattern has an open area fraction greater than 80% and a uniform distribution of trace orientation. Each of the traces is non-linear and has a trace width from 0.5 to 10 micrometer. The articles are useful in devices such as displays, in particular, touch screen displays useful for mobile hand held devices, tablets and computers. They also find use in antennas and for EMI shields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Matthew H. Frey
  • Patterning process
    Patent number: 8858813
    Abstract: A patterning process comprises (a) providing at least one substrate having at least one major surface; (b) providing at least one patterning composition comprising at least one functionalizing molecule that is a perfluoropolyether organosulfur compound; (c) applying the patterning composition to the major surface of the substrate in a manner so as to form at least one functionalized region and at least one unfunctionalized region of the major surface; and (d) etching at least a portion of the unfunctionalized region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Lijun Zu, Matthew H. Frey, Suresh S. Iyer
  • TOUCH SCREEN SENSOR
    Publication number: 20140218052
    Abstract: A touch screen sensor includes a visible light transparent substrate and an electrically conductive micropattern disposed on or in the visible light transparent substrate. The micropattern includes a first region micropattern within a touch sensing area and a second region micropattern. The first region micropattern has a first sheet resistance value in a first direction, is visible light transparent, and has at least 90% open area. The second region micropattern has a second sheet resistance value in the first direction. The first sheet resistance value is different from the second sheet resistance value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Matthew H. Frey, Michael J. Robrecht, George F. Jambor
  • METHOD OF MAKING INORGANIC, METAL OXIDE SPHERES USING MICROSTRUCTURED MOLDS
    Publication number: 20140212626
    Abstract: A process for making inorganic, metal oxide spheres that includes exposing solidified, molded microparticles that include a glass precursor composition to a temperature sufficient to transform the molded microparticles into molten glass and cooling the molten glass to form inorganic, metal oxide spheres.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: David C. Kramlich, John L. Vandenberg, Matthew H. Frey, Scott R. Culler, Kathleen M. Schakel-Carlson
  • METHOD OF FORMING A MICROSTRUCTURE
    Publication number: 20140199523
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes an article and a method of forming a microstructure. The method includes providing a substrate having a structured surface region comprising one or more recessed features with recessed surfaces. The structured surface region is substantially free of plateaus. The method includes disposing a fluid composition comprising a functional material and a liquid onto the structured surface region. The method includes evaporating liquid from the fluid composition. The functional material collects on the recessed surfaces such that a remainder of the structured surface region is substantially free of the functional material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Matthew S. Stay, Mikhail L. Pekurovsky, Cristin E. Moran, Matthew H. Frey
  • Methods of patterning a material on polymeric substrates
    Patent number: 8764996
    Abstract: A method of patterning a first material on a polymeric substrate is described. The method includes providing a polymeric film substrate having a major surface with a relief pattern including a recessed region and an adjacent raised region, depositing a first material onto the major surface of the polymeric film substrate to form a coated polymeric film substrate, forming a layer of a functionalizing material selectively on the raised region of the coated polymeric film substrate to form a functionalized raised region and an unfunctionalized recessed region, and etching the first material from the polymeric substrate selectively from the unfunctionalized recessed region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Matthew H. Frey, Khanh P. Nguyen
  • COMPLEMENTARY TOUCH PANEL ELECTRODES
    Publication number: 20140152579
    Abstract: A multi-layer touch panel having an upper and a lower electrode that cross over one another. The electrode pattern for either electrode at the cross over area is complementary to the other electrode at the cross over area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventor: Matthew H. FREY
  • Touch screen sensor having varying sheet resistance
    Patent number: 8704799
    Abstract: A touch screen sensor includes a visible light transparent substrate and an electrically conductive micropattern disposed on or in the visible light transparent substrate. The micropattern includes a first region micropattern within a touch sensing area and a second region micropattern. The first region micropattern has a first sheet resistance value in a first direction, is visible light transparent, and has at least 90% open area. The second region micropattern has a second sheet resistance value in the first direction. The first sheet resistance value is different from the second sheet resistance value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Matthew H. Frey, Michael J. Robrecht, George F. Jambor
  • Method of forming a microstructure
    Patent number: 8703232
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes an article and a method of forming a microstructure. The method includes providing a substrate having a structured surface region comprising one or more recessed features with recessed surfaces. The structured surface region is substantially free of plateaus. The method includes disposing a fluid composition comprising a functional material and a liquid onto the structured surface region. The method includes evaporating liquid from the fluid composition. The functional material collects on the recessed surfaces such that a remainder of the structured surface region is substantially free of the functional material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Matthew S. Stay, Mikhail L. Pekurovsky, Cristin E. Moran, Matthew H. Frey
  • Method of making inorganic, metal oxide spheres using microstructured molds
    Patent number: 8701441
    Abstract: A process for making inorganic, metal oxide spheres that includes exposing solidified, molded microparticles that include a glass precursor composition to a temperature sufficient to transform the molded microparticles into molten glass and cooling the molten glass to form inorganic, metal oxide spheres.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: David C. Kramlich, John L. Vandenberg, Matthew H. Frey, Scott R. Culler, Kathleen M. Schakel-Carlson
  • High Durability Fuel Cell Components with Cerium Salt Additives
    Publication number: 20140093808
    Abstract: A fuel cell membrane electrode assembly is provided comprising a polymer electrolyte membrane which comprises a polymer that comprises bound anionic functional groups, wherein the polymer electrolyte membrane additionally comprises cerium cations. In another aspect, a fuel cell membrane electrode assembly is provided comprising a polymer electrolyte membrane which comprises a polymer that comprises bound anionic functional groups, wherein at least a portion of the anionic functional groups are in acid form and at least a portion of the anionic functional groups are neutralized by cerium cations. In another aspect, a polymer electrolyte membrane is provided which comprises a polymer that comprises bound anionic functional groups, wherein the polymer electrolyte membrane additionally comprises cerium cations, and wherein the amount of cerium cations present is between 0.001 and 0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Matthew H. Frey, Daniel M. Pierpont, Steven J. Hamrock