Patents by Inventor Nicholas Stacey

Nicholas Stacey 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).

  • Publication number: 20050072757
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a method of controlling a turbulent flow of a fluid between a substrate and a template, and more specifically, controlling a turbulent flow of a fluid between droplets disposed on a substrate and a template. To that end, the method further comprises the ingression and egression of the fluid through a first and second aperture, and in a further embodiment, a plurality of apertures, to create such a turbulent flow of the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Publication date: April 7, 2005
    Applicants: University of Texas System Board of Regents, MOLECULAR IMPRINTS, INC.
    Inventors: Ian McMackin, Nicholas Stacey, Daniel Babbs, Duane Voth, Michael Watts, Van Truskett, Frank Xu, Ronald Voisin, Pankaj Lad
  • Patent number: 6857293
    Abstract: An apparatus that exposes only a selected portion of a length of optical fiber to a hydrogen atmosphere loading process. The apparatus includes a loading chamber that encloses at least the selected portion of the optical fiber and contains a hydrogen hydrogen atmosphere. At least one heating element regionally heats the hydrogen atmosphere surrounding the selected portion. The heating element may heat the hydrogen atmosphere to a temperature of at least 250° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: James B. Carpenter, John P. Stedman, James R. Bylander, Gordon Wiegand, Nicholas A. Stacey, Anthony W. Gatica, Dale E. Elder, James F. Brennan, III
  • Patent number: 6763686
    Abstract: A method for increasing the photosensitivity of a selected portion of an optical fiber and for producing a grating in the selected portion of an optical fiber. The method includes the step of placing the selected portion of the optical fiber in a hydrogen containing atmosphere. The volume of the hydrogen-containing atmosphere immediately surrounding only the selected portion of the optical fiber is heated to a temperature of at least 250° C. Only the selected portion of the optical fiber is exposed to the heated volume of the hydrogen-containing atmosphere at a temperature of at least 250° C. for a predetermined time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: James B. Carpenter, John P. Stedman, James R. Bylander, Gordon Wiegand, Nicholas A. Stacey, Anthony W. Gatica, Dale Elder, James F. Brennan, III, Bryon J. Cronk
  • Publication number: 20040112862
    Abstract: The present invention includes a composition and a method for forming a pattern on a substrate with the composition by forming a cross-linked polymer from the composition upon exposing the same to radiation. To that end, in one embodiment of the present invention the composition includes a non-silicon-containing acrylate component, and an initiator component combined with said non-silicon-containing acrylate to provide a viscosity no greater than 5 cps. The initiator component is responsive to radiation to initiate a free radical reaction and cause the non-silicon containing acrylate component to polymerize and cross-link. One embodiment of the non-silicon-containing acrylate component includes ethylene glycol diacrylate. The method includes depositing the composition to function as a planarization layer. Thereafter, a layer of polymerizable material into which a pattern is to be recorded is deposited.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Applicant: MOLECULAR IMPRINTS, INC.
    Inventors: C. Grant Willson, Britain J. Smith, Nicholas A. Stacey
  • Publication number: 20040116548
    Abstract: The present invention provides a composition and a method of using the same to form a pattern on a substrate using imprint lithography employing dark-field polymerization. To that end, the composition includes a bis vinyl ether component, and an initiator component that produces an acid in response to radiation. The bis vinyl ether component is reactive to the acid and polymerizes in response thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Applicant: MOLECULAR IMPRINTS, INC.
    Inventors: C. Grant Willson, Nicholas A. Stacey
  • Publication number: 20040012872
    Abstract: Methods for producing a region of at least partially reacted material in a photoreactive composition and apparatus. The methods include: providing a photoreactive composition; providing a source of sufficient light for simultaneous absorption of at least two photons by the photoreactive composition; providing an exposure system capable of inducing image-wise multiphoton absorption; generating a non-random three-dimensional pattern of light by means of the exposure system; and exposing the photoreactive composition to the three-dimensional pattern of light generated by the exposure system to at least partially react a portion of the material in correspondence with the non-random three-dimensional pattern of light incident thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: Patrick R Fleming, Robert J. DeVoe, Nicholas A Stacey, Catherine A Leatherdale, Robert D. DeMaster, Todd A. Ballen, Jeffrey M Florczak
  • Publication number: 20030235787
    Abstract: The present invention provides a composition and a method for forming a pattern on a substrate with the composition by forming a cross-linked polymer from the composition upon exposing the same to radiation. The viscosity and wetting properties of the composition are selected to facilitate formation of a layer from a plurality of spaced-apart beads of the material disposed on the substrate. To that end, in one embodiment of the present invention the composition includes a mono-functional acrylate component, a poly-functional molecule component, and an initiator component responsive to the radiation to initiate a free radical reaction to cause the mono-functional acrylate component and the poly-functional molecule component to polymerize and crosslink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventors: Michael P.C. Watts, Carlton Grant Willson, Todd Bailey, Stephen C. Johnson, Eui-Kyoon Kim, Nicholas A. Stacey
  • Publication number: 20030211425
    Abstract: A photoimageable, aqueous acid soluble polyimide polymer comprising an anhydride, including a substituted benzophenone nucleus, a diamine reacted with the anhydride to form a photosensitive polymer intermediate, and at least 60 Mole % of solubilizing amine reacted with the photosensitive polymer intermediate to form the photoimageable, aqueous acid soluble polyimide polymer. An emulsion for electrophoretic deposition of a coating of a photoimageable, aqueous acid soluble polyimide polymer comprises a dispersed phase, including the photoimageable aqueous acid soluble polyimide polymer, dissolved in an organic solvent and a dispersion phase including a coalescence promoter and water. The emulsion may be applied, by electrophoretic deposition, to a conductive structure to provide a photoimageable coating on the conductive structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Guoping Mao, Hany B. Eitouni, Alphonsus V. Pocius, John B. Scheibner, Nanayakkara L.D. Somasiri, Nicholas A. Stacey, Alfred Viehbeck
  • Patent number: 6630283
    Abstract: A photosensitive element includes a layer of a photosensitive material on a transparent, multilayer, polymeric support having numerous alternating layers of at least two different polymeric materials. The polymeric multilayer support reflects at least 50% of actinic radiation in the range of wavelengths to which the photosensitive material is sensitive. If the polymeric multilayer reflector includes numerous, thin, alternating layers located at the surface of the polymeric support closest to the photosensitive material, the element not only provides increased speed but also provides an antihalation effect. In another aspect, a multilayer reflector is located a distance removed from the photosensitive layer sufficient to reduce any woodgrain that would otherwise occur, while increasing speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Sharon M. Simpson, Michael F. Weber, Nicholas A. Stacey
  • Publication number: 20030115911
    Abstract: An apparatus that exposes only a selected portion of a length of optical fiber to a hydrogen atmosphere loading process. The apparatus includes a loading chamber that encloses at least the selected portion of the optical fiber and contains a hydrogen hydrogen atmosphere. At least one heating element regionally heats the hydrogen atmosphere surrounding the selected portion. The heating element may heat the hydrogen atmosphere to a temperature of at least 250° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: James B. Carpenter, John P. Stedman, James R. Bylander, Gordon Wiegand, Nicholas A. Stacey, Anthony W. Gatica, Dale E. Elder, James F. Brennan
  • Patent number: 6559245
    Abstract: A photoimageable, aqueous acid soluble polyimide polymer comprising an anhydride, including a substituted benzophenone nucleus, a diamine reacted with the anhydride to form a photosensitive polymer intermediate, and at least 60 Mole % of solubilizing amine reacted with the photosensitive polymer intermediate to form the photoimageable, aqueous acid soluble polyimide polymer. An emulsion for electrophoretic deposition of a coating of a photoimageable, aqueous acid soluble polyimide polymer comprises a dispersed phase, including the photoimageable aqueous acid soluble polyimide polymer, dissolved in an organic solvent and a dispersion phase including a coalescence promoter and water. The emulsion may be applied, by electrophoretic deposition, to a conductive structure to provide a photoimageable coating on the conductive structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Guoping Mao, Nanayakkara L. D. Somasiri, Nicholas A. Stacey
  • Publication number: 20020121115
    Abstract: A method for increasing the photosensitivity of a selected portion of an optical fiber and for producing a grating in the selected portion of an optical fiber. The method includes the step of placing the selected portion of the optical fiber in a hydrogen containing atmosphere. The volume of the hydrogen-containing atmosphere immediately surrounding only the selected portion of the optical fiber is heated to a temperature of at least 250° C. Only the selected portion of the optical fiber is exposed to the heated volume of the hydrogen-containing atmosphere at a temperature of at least 250° C. for a predetermined time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: James B. Carpenter, John P. Stedman, James R. Bylander, Gordon Wiegand, Nicholas A. Stacey, Anthony W. Gatica, Dale Elder, James F. Brennan, Bryon J. Cronk
  • Publication number: 20020086236
    Abstract: A photoimageable, aqueous acid soluble polyimide polymer comprising an anhydride, including a substituted benzophenone nucleus, a diamine reacted with the anhydride to form a photosensitive polymer intermediate, and at least 60 Mole % of solubilizing amine reacted with the photosensitive polymer intermediate to form the photoimageable, aqueous acid soluble polyimide polymer. An emulsion for electrophoretic deposition of a coating of a photoimageable, aqueous acid soluble polyimide polymer comprises a dispersed phase, including the photoimageable aqueous acid soluble polyimide polymer, dissolved in an organic solvent and a dispersion phase including a coalescence promoter and water. The emulsion may be applied, by electrophoretic deposition, to a conductive structure to provide a photoimageable coating on the conductive structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Hany B. Eitouni, Alphonsus V. Pocius, John B. Scheibner, Nanayakkara L.D. Somasiri, Nicholas A. Stacey, Alfred Viehbeck
  • Patent number: 6379865
    Abstract: A photoimageable, aqueous acid soluble polyimide polymer comprising an anhydride, including a substituted benzophenone nucleus, a diamine reacted with the anhydride to form a photosensitive polymer intermediate, and at least 60 Mole % of solubilizing amine reacted with the photosensitive polymer intermediate to form the photoimageable, aqueous acid soluble polyimide polymer. An emulsion for electrophoretic deposition of a coating of a photoimageable, aqueous acid soluble polyimide polymer comprises a dispersed phase, including the photoimageable aqueous acid soluble polyimide polymer, dissolved in an organic solvent and a dispersion phase including a coalescence promoter and water. The emulsion may be applied, by electrophoretic deposition, to a conductive structure to provide a photoimageable coating on the conductive structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Guoping Mao, Hany B. Eitouni, Alphonsus V. Pocius, John B. Scheibner, Nanayakkara L. D. Somasiri, Nicholas A. Stacey, Alfred Viehbeck
  • Patent number: 6369179
    Abstract: 1H,lH-perfluorocyclohexylmethyl 2-fluoroacrylate, and homopolymers thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Stacey, Alastair S. Dodds, Luke C. Williams
  • Patent number: 6018008
    Abstract: 1H,1H-perfluorocyclohexylmethyl 2-fluoroacrylate, homopolymers and copolymers thereof. The compolymers may comprise monomers selected from:a) at least 40% by weight of 1H,1H-perfluorocyclohexylmethyl 2-fluoroacrylate, andb) up to 60% by weight of monomer which is a member selected from the group consisting of methyl 2-fluoroacrylate, 1H,1H-perfluorooctyl 2-fluoroacrylate, 1H,1H-perfluoro(2-(butoxy)propyl) 2-fluoroacrylate and combinations thereof. The polymers are useful for making optical elements, particularly optical fibres.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Stacey, Alastair S. Dodds, Luke C. Williams
  • Patent number: 5223593
    Abstract: Polymer optical core fiber made from homopolymers of 1,1-dihydroperfluorocyclohexylmethyl methacrylate and co-polymers thereof with other .beta.-fluorinated (meth)acrylates and polymethyl methacrylate are disclosed that have low optical loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Jerome W. McAllister, Alastair S. Dodds, Patricia M. Savu, Nicholas A. Stacey, Rachel J. Hobson
  • Patent number: 5087672
    Abstract: The present invention relates to novel fluorinated acrylate and methacrylate ester monomers and homopolymers and copolymers thereof. In another aspect, it relates to a process for preparing monomers of the invention. Homopolymers and copolymers of the invention have units which correspond to the following general chemical formula: ##STR1## wherein R is hydrogen, halo, a C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl or haloalkyl group, or a C.sub.6 to C.sub.10 aryl group,W is --O-- or --NR.sup.1 --, wherein R.sup.1 is hydrogen or a C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl group,X is a carbon-to-carbon single bond or a spacer group,Y is a mesogenic group, andZ is a fluorinated alkyl group.The novel monomers and polymers can be liquid crystals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1992
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Stefan A. Babirad, Eugene P. Janulis, Nicholas A. Stacey, Cheryl L. S. Elsbernd