Patents by Inventor Michael Aizenberg

Michael Aizenberg 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: 9963597
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a strategy to create self-healing, slippery self-lubricating polymers. Lubricating liquids with affinities to polymers can be utilized to get absorbed within the polymer and form a lubricant layer (of the lubricating liquid) on the polymer. The lubricant layer can repel a wide range of materials, including simple and complex fluids (water, hydrocarbons, crude oil and bodily fluids), restore liquid-repellency after physical damage, and resist ice, microorganisms and insects adhesion. Some exemplary applications where self-lubricating polymers will be useful include energy-efficient, friction-reduction fluid handling and transportation, medical devices, anti-icing, optical sensing, and as self-cleaning, and anti-fouling materials operating in extreme environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Joanna Aizenberg, Michael Aizenberg, Jiaxi Cui, Stuart Dunn, Benjamin Hatton, Caitlin Howell, Philseok Kim, Tak Sing Wong, Xi Yao
  • Patent number: 9932482
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a strategy to create self-healing, slippery liquid-infused porous surfaces (SLIPS). Roughened (e.g., porous) surfaces can be utilized to lock in place a lubricating fluid, referred to herein as Liquid B to repel a wide range of materials, referred to herein as Object A (Solid A or Liquid A). SLIPS outperforms other conventional surfaces in its capability to repel various simple and complex liquids (water, hydrocarbons, crude oil and blood), maintain low-contact-angle hysteresis (<2.5°), quickly restore liquid-repellency after physical damage (within 0.1-1 s), resist ice, microorganisms and insects adhesion, and function at high pressure (up to at least 690 atm). Some exemplary application where SLIPS will be useful include energy-efficient fluid handling and transportation, optical sensing, medicine, and as self-cleaning, and anti-fouling materials operating in extreme environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Joanna Aizenberg, Michael Aizenberg, Sung Hoon Kang, Philseok Kim, Tak Sing Wong
  • Patent number: 9683197
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a strategy to create self-healing, slippery liquid-infused porous surfaces (SLIPS) that can be modified as desired. Roughened (e.g., porous) surfaces can be utilized to lock in place a lubricating fluid, referred to herein as Liquid B to repel a wide range of objects, referred to herein as Object A (Solid A or Liquid A). Use of an external stimuli or degradation of the Liquid B can be utilized to change the characteristics of SLIPS structures reversibly or irreversibly that may be desired in a number of different applications. Numerous characteristics, such as adhesion, optical, mechanical, and the like, can be dynamically changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Joanna Aizenberg, Benjamin Hatton, Xi Yao, Michael Aizenberg, Wendong Wang
  • Patent number: 9651548
    Abstract: A chemo-mechano-chemical (C1-M-C2) system includes a base supporting an actuatable structure, said structure comprising a functionalized portion and being embedded in an environmentally responsive gel capable of volume change in response to an environmental stimulus; a first fluid layer disposed over the base and in contact with the actuatable structure, said first fluid layer comprising the environmentally responsive gel; and a second fluid layer in contact with the actuatable structure, wherein the layers are positioned such that the functionalized portion is in contact with the second layer in a first relaxed state and in contact with the first layer in a second actuated state and wherein the functionalized portion interacts with at least one of the layers to provide a chemical or physical response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Joanna Aizenberg, Ximin He, Michael Aizenberg
  • Publication number: 20170119892
    Abstract: The present invention provides refillable drug delivery devices. The invention is based in part on the development of systemically administered drug payloads that home to and refill resident, e.g., previously administered/implanted, drug delivery systems, e.g., hydrogel drug delivery systems. In one aspect, the drug delivery depots of the invention are systemically administered, e.g., enterally administered or parenterally administered. The invention provides a method of nanotherapeutic drug delivery, e.g., a DNA nanotechnology-based approach for blood-based drug refilling of intra-tumor drug depots.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Yevgeny Brudno, Cathal J. Kearney, Eduardo Silva, Michael Aizenberg, Brian Kwee, Rajiv Desai, Neel S. Joshi, David J. Mooney
  • Publication number: 20170015835
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a strategy to create self-healing, slippery liquid-infused porous surfaces (SLIPS). Roughened (e.g., porous) surfaces can be utilized to lock in place a lubricating fluid, referred to herein as Liquid B to repel a wide range of materials, referred to herein as Object A (Solid A or Liquid A). SLIPS outperforms other conventional surfaces in its capability to repel various simple and complex liquids (water, hydrocarbons, crude oil and blood), maintain low-contact-angle hysteresis (<2.5°), quickly restore liquid-repellency after physical damage (within 0.1-1 s), resist ice, microorganisms and insects adhesion, and function at high pressure (up to at least 690 atm). Some exemplary application where SLIPS will be useful include energy-efficient fluid handling and transporation, optical sensing, medicine, and as self-cleaning, and anti-fouling materials operating environments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: Joanna AIZENBERG, Michael AIZENBERG, Sung Hoon KANG, Philseok KIM, Tak Sing WONG
  • Publication number: 20160220686
    Abstract: The present invention provides refillable drug delivery systems, as well as methods of refilling the systems, and methods of using them to treat diseases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2016
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventors: Yevgeny Brudno, Cathal J. Kearney, Eduardo Silva, Michael Aizenberg, Brian Kwee, Rajiv Desai, Neel S. Joshi, David J. Mooney
  • Publication number: 20160209642
    Abstract: Microstructured hybrid actuator assemblies in which microactuators carrying designed surface properties to be revealed upon actuation are embedded in a layer of responsive materials. The microactuators in a microactuator array reversibly change their configuration in response to a change in the environment without requiring an external power source to switch their optical properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Inventors: Joanna AIZENBERG, Michael AIZENBERG, Philseok KIM
  • Patent number: 9353646
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a strategy to create self-healing, slippery liquid-infused porous surfaces (SLIPS). Roughened (e.g., porous) surfaces can be utilized to lock in place a lubricating fluid, referred to herein as Liquid B to repel a wide range of materials, referred to herein as Object A (Solid A or Liquid A). SLIPS outperforms other conventional surfaces in its capability to repel various simple and complex liquids (water, hydrocarbons, crude oil and blood), maintain low-contact-angle hysteresis (<2.5°), quickly restore liquid-repellency after physical damage (within 0.1-1 s), resist ice, microorganisms and insects adhesion, and function at high pressures (up to at least 690 atm). Some exemplary application where SLIPS will be useful include energy-efficient fluid handling and transportation, optical sensing, medicine, and as self-cleaning, and anti-fouling materials operating in extreme environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Joanna Aizenberg, Michael Aizenberg, Sung Hoon Kang, Philseok Kim, Tak Sing Wong
  • Publication number: 20160114046
    Abstract: The present invention provides refillable drug delivery systems, as well as methods of refilling the systems, and methods of using them to treat diseases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Inventors: Yevgeny Brudno, Cathal J. Kearney, Eduardo Silva, Michael Aizenberg, Brian Kwee, Rajiv Desai, Neel S. Joshi, David J. Mooney
  • Publication number: 20160032074
    Abstract: A body having a lubricant reservoir is described, comprising: a porous polymeric body; and a lubricating liquid, said lubricating liquid occupying the pores to provide a lubricated porous surface having a lubricant reservoir and a lubricant overlayer over the polymer surface. Also described herein is a system for use in the formation of a low-adhesion and low-friction surface includes a flowable precursor composition comprising a prepolymer and a curing agent, said composition capable of application as a coating over a large surface area; a lubricating liquid that is capable of forming a coating with the hardened precursor composition, wherein the lubricating liquid and hardened polymer together form a coating of lubricating liquid stabilized on and in the hardened polymer; and instructions for applying the precursor composition onto a surface for the purpose of obtaining a low-adhesion and low-friction surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Joanna AIZENBERG, Michael AIZENBERG, Philseok KIM, Alex VENA
  • Patent number: 9229218
    Abstract: Microstructured hybrid actuator assemblies in which microactuators carrying designed surface properties to be revealed upon actuation are embedded in a layer of responsive materials. The microactuators in a microactuator array reversibly change their configuration in response to a change in the environment without requiring an external power source to switch their optical properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Joanna Aizenberg, Michael Aizenberg, Philseok Kim
  • Patent number: 9121307
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a strategy to create self-healing, slippery liquid-infused porous surfaces (SLIPS). Roughened (e.g., porous) surfaces can be utilized to lock in place a lubricating fluid, referred to herein as Liquid B to repel a wide range of materials, referred to herein as Object A (Solid A or Liquid A). SLIPS outperforms other conventional surfaces in its capability to repel various simple and complex liquids (water, hydrocarbons, crude oil and blood), maintain low-contact-angle hysteresis (<2.5°), quickly restore liquid-repellency after physical damage (within 0.1-1 s), resist ice, microorganisms and insects adhesion, and function at high pressures (up to at least 690 atm). Some exemplary application where SLIPS will be useful include energy-efficient fluid handling and transportation, optical sensing, medicine, and as self-cleaning, and anti-fouling materials operating in extreme environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Joanna Aizenberg, Michael Aizenberg, Sung Hoon Kang, Tak Sing Wong, Philseok Kim
  • Patent number: 9121306
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a strategy to create self-healing, slippery liquid-infused porous surfaces (SLIPS). Roughened (e.g., porous) surfaces can be utilized to lock in place a lubricating fluid, referred to herein as Liquid B to repel a wide range of materials, referred to herein as Object A (Solid A or Liquid A). SLIPS outperforms other conventional surfaces in its capability to repel various simple and complex liquids (water, hydrocarbons, crude oil and blood), maintain low-contact-angle hysteresis (<2.5°), quickly restore liquid-repellency after physical damage (within 0.1-1 s), resist ice, microorganisms and insects adhesion, and function at high pressures (up to at least 690 atm). Some exemplary application where SLIPS will be useful include energy-efficient fluid handling and transportation, optical sensing, medicine, and as self-cleaning, and anti-fouling materials operating in extreme environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Joanna Aizenberg, Michael Aizenberg, Sung Hoon Kang, Tak Sing Wong, Philseok Kim
  • Publication number: 20150210951
    Abstract: Methods and compositions disclosed herein relate to liquid repellant surfaces having selective wetting and transport properties. An article having a repellant surface includes a substrate comprising fabric material and a lubricant wetting and adhering to the fabric material to form a stabilized liquid overlayer, wherein the stabilized liquid overlayer covers the fabric material at a thickness sufficient to form a liquid upper surface above the fabric material, wherein the fabric material is chemically functionalized to enhance chemical affinity with the lubricant such that the lubricant is substantially immobilized on the fabric material to form a repellant surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventors: Joanna Aizenberg, Michael Aizenberg, Tak Sing Wong, Nicolas Vogel, Cicely Shillingford, Philseok Kim, Benjamin Hatton, Stefanie Utech, Oktay Uzun, Steffi Sunny
  • Publication number: 20150209846
    Abstract: An article with different surface properties on opposing sides is provided including a sheet having a first side and a second side, wherein the first side displays low adhesion properties, said first side comprising a roughened, porous or structured surface and a wetting liquid disposed upon the surface to form a stable liquid film; and wherein the second side displays a second property dissimilar from that of the first side. The article can be adhered to a variety of objects to impart anti-fouling properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventors: Joanna Aizanberg, Michael Aizenberg, Philseok Kim, Xi Yao
  • Publication number: 20150175814
    Abstract: A method of preparing an article having a slippery surface includes providing a metal-containing surface, chemically modifying the metal-containing surface to roughen the metal-containing surface, and disposing a lubricating layer on the roughened metal-containing surface, wherein the lubricating layer is substantially stabilized on the roughened metal-containing surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Inventors: Joanna Aizenberg, Michael Aizenberg, Philseok Kim
  • Publication number: 20150152270
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a strategy to create self-healing, slippery self-lubricating polymers. Lubricating liquids with affinities to polymers can be utilized to get absorbed within the polymer and form a lubricant layer (of the lubricating liquid) on the polymer. The lubricant layer can repel a wide range of materials, including simple and complex fluids (water, hydrocarbons, crude oil and bodily fluids), restore liquid-repellency after physical damage, and resist ice, microorganisms and insects adhesion. Some exemplary applications where self-lubricating polymers will be useful include energy-efficient, friction-reduction fluid handling and transportation, medical devices, anti-icing, optical sensing, and as self-cleaning, and anti-fouling materials operating in extreme environments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Inventors: Joanna Aizenberg, Michael Aizenberg, Jiaxi Cui, Stuart Dunn, Benjamin Hatton, Caitlin Howell, Philseok Kim, Tak Sing Wong, Xi Yao
  • Publication number: 20140349870
    Abstract: A chemo-mechano-chemical (C1-M-C2) system includes a base supporting an actuatable structure, said structure comprising a functionalized portion and being embedded in an environmentally responsive gel capable of volume change in response to an environmental stimulus; a first fluid layer disposed over the base and in contact with the actuatable structure, said first fluid layer comprising the environmentally responsive gel; and a second fluid layer in contact with the actuatable structure, wherein the layers are positioned such that the functionalized portion is in contact with the second layer in a first relaxed state and in contact with the first layer in a second actuated state and wherein the functionalized portion interacts with at least one of the layers to provide a chemical or physical response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGE
    Inventors: Joanna AIZENBERG, Ximin HE, Michael AIZENBERG
  • Publication number: 20140342954
    Abstract: Articles, methods of making, and uses for modifying surfaces for liquid repellency are disclosed. The liquid repellant surfaces comprise a surface comprising an anchoring layer. The anchoring layer, which forms an immobilized molecular anchoring layer on the surface, has a head group that is covalently linked to, or adsorbed onto, the surface and a functional group. The functional group of the treated surface has an affinity for a lubricating layer, which is applied to the treated surface. The anchoring layer and replenishable lubricating layer are held together by non-covalent attractive forces. Together, these layers form an ultra-repellant slippery surface that repels certain immiscible liquids and prevents adsorption, coagulation, and surface fouling by components contained within.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGE
    Inventors: Donald Ingber, Daniel C. Leslie, Alexander L. Watters, Michael Super, Joanna Aizenberg, Michael Aizenberg, Philseok Kim, Anna Waterhouse