Patents by Inventor Pacita I. Tiemsin

Pacita I. Tiemsin 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: 10669360
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide dye-doped polystyrene microspheres generated using dispersion polymerization. Polystyrene microspheres may be doped with fluorescent dyes, such as xanthene derivatives including Kiton Red 620 (KR620), using dispersion polymerization. Certain functionalities, such as sodium styrene sulfonate, may be used to shift the equilibrium distribution of dye molecules to favor incorporation of the dye into the particles. Polyelectrolyte materials, such as poly(diallyldimethyl ammnonium chloride), PolyDADMAC, may be used to electrostatically trap and bind dye molecules within the particles. A buffer may be used to stabilize the pH change of the solution during dye-doped polystyrene microsphere generation and the buffer may be selected depending on the pKa of the dye being incorporated. The various embodiments may provide dye-doped polystyrene microspheres, such as KR620-doped polystyrene microspheres that are non-toxic and non-carcinogenic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE ADMINISTRATOR OF NASA
    Inventors: Christopher J. Wohl, Jr., Pacita I. Tiemsin, Paul M. Danehy, Jason E. Danley
  • Publication number: 20180244814
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide dye-doped polystyrene microspheres generated using dispersion polymerization. Polystyrene microspheres may be doped with fluorescent dyes, such as xanthene derivatives including kiton red 620 (KR620), using dispersion polymerization. Certain functionalities, such as sodium styrene sulfonate, may be used to shift the equilibrium distribution of dye molecules to favor incorporation of the dye into the particles. Polyelectrolyte materials, such as poly(diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride), PolyDADMAC, may be used to electrostatically trap and bind dye molecules within the particles. A buffer may be used to stabilize the pH change of the solution during dye-doped polystyrene microsphere generation and the buffer may be selected depending on the pKa of the dye being incorporated. The various embodiments may provide dye-doped polystyrene microspheres, such as KR620-doped polystyrene microspheres that are non-toxic and non-carcinogenic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventors: Christopher J. Wohl, JR., Pacita I. Tiemsin, Paul M. Danehy, Jason E. Danley
  • Patent number: 9957336
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide dye-doped polystyrene microspheres generated using dispersion polymerization. Polystyrene microspheres may be doped with fluorescent dyes, such as xanthene derivatives including kiton red 620 (KR620), using dispersion polymerization. Certain functionalities, such as sodium styrene sulfonate, may be used to shift the equilibrium distribution of dye molecules to favor incorporation of the dye into the particles. Polyelectrolyte materials, such as poly(diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride), PolyDADMAC, may be used to electrostatically trap and bind dye molecules within the particles. A buffer may be used to stabilize the pH change of the solution during dye-doped polystyrene microsphere generation and the buffer may be selected depending on the pKa of the dye being incorporated. The various embodiments may provide dye-doped polystyrene microspheres, such as KR620-doped polystyrene microspheres that are non-toxic and non-carcinogenic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of NASA
    Inventors: Christopher J. Wohl, Jr., Pacita I. Tiemsin, Paul M. Danehy, Jason E. Danley
  • Publication number: 20150322336
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide dye-doped polystyrene microspheres generated using dispersion polymerization. Polystyrene microspheres may be doped with fluorescent dyes, such as xanthene derivatives including kiton red 620 (KR620), using dispersion polymerization. Certain functionalities, such as sodium styrene sulfonate, may be used to shift the equilibrium distribution of dye molecules to favor incorporation of the dye into the particles. Polyelectrolyte materials, such as poly(diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride), PolyDADMAC, may be used to electrostatically trap and bind dye molecules within the particles. A buffer may be used to stabilize the pH change of the solution during dye-doped polystyrene microsphere generation and the buffer may be selected depending on the pKa of the dye being incorporated. The various embodiments may provide dye-doped polystyrene microspheres, such as KR620-doped polystyrene microspheres that are non-toxic and non-carcinogenic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: Christopher J. Wohl, JR., Pacita I. Tiemsin, Paul M. Danehy, Jason E. Danley
  • Publication number: 20130273371
    Abstract: A process for producing highly monodisperse polystyrene particles includes steps of mixing water and styrene in a reactor, optionally adding an electrolyte to the mixture, purging the mixture of oxygen, adding a polymerization initiator while agitating and heating the mixture, and maintaining agitation and heating for a time sufficient to achieve a desired yield of monodisperse polystyrene particles having a particle size from 0.25 microns to 2.5 microns and a statistical quality factor greater than 10.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: U.S.A. as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Pacita I. Tiemsin, Donald M. Oglesby, Jacqueline L. Schryer