Patents by Inventor Robert M. Nowak
Robert M. Nowak 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).
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Patent number: 8193294Abstract: The present invention relates to hyperbranched copolymer networks containing hyperbranched copolymers that have perfluorocarbon and organosilicon entities that have high hydrophobicity, or high oleophobicity, or high thermal stability, or good adhesion to substrates, or any combinations thereof. This invention provides a further desirable combination of properties that include solubility before crosslinking, chemical resistance, and easy processibility. The copolymers may be crosslinked with a variety of crosslinking agents to give either rigid or elastomeric networks.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2009Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: Michigan Molecular InstituteInventors: Jin Hu, Quiyun Xu, Rakesh Sachdeva, Dale J. Meier, Robert M. Nowak, Petar R. Dvornic
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Publication number: 20110054137Abstract: The present invention relates to hyperbranched copolymer networks containing hyperbranched copolymers that have perfluorocarbon and organosilicon entities that have high hydrophobicity, or high oleophobicity, or high thermal stability, or good adhesion to substrates, or any combinations thereof. This invention provides a further desirable combination of properties that include solubility before crosslinking, chemical resistance, and easy processibility. The copolymers may be crosslinked with a variety of crosslinking agents to give either rigid or elastomeric networks.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2009Publication date: March 3, 2011Applicant: MICHIGAN MOLECULAR INSTITUTEInventors: Jin Hu, Quiyun Xu, Rakesh Sachdeva, Dale J. Meier, Robert M. Nowak, Petar R. Dvornic
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Patent number: 7723285Abstract: An improved fragrance delivery system capable of providing controlled release of fragrance molecules in various consumer products is composed of a polymer having covalently bound fragrance moieties that are releasable in the form of fragrance molecules. Certain embodiments comprise globular polymer particles in which unbound fragrance molecules are occluded, absorbed and/or adsorbed. Certain other embodiments incorporate fragrance monomer units, which achieve reduced residuals upon complete release of the fragrance.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2005Date of Patent: May 25, 2010Assignees: Michigan Molecular Institute, Quest International Flavors and Fragrances Inc.Inventors: Kenneth J. Bruza, Petar R. Dvornic, Addi R. Fadel, Jill M. Mattila, Robert M. Nowak
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Publication number: 20100104918Abstract: This invention concerns an improved PEM for fuel cell applications such that the membrane is more robust. Specifically, this invention provides PEM in MEA systems that have nano-particles carrying proton conducting groups, and improved dimensional stability relative to conductivity. This invention provides a composition of matter for a high proton conductance, solid polymer electrolyte membrane, said membrane comprising: A) a nano-additive carrying proton conducting groups having a size from about 1 nm to about 1,000 run; B) a carrier polymer for the nano-additive of Part A; and C) a proton exchange membrane (PEM) or membrane electrode assembly (MEA) formed by mixing the components of Part A and Part B above. These proton conducting groups are contributed by POSS-based nano-additives or cyclic phosphazene-based nano-additives or small molecules carrying sulfonic acid groups in fuel cells or batteries.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2008Publication date: April 29, 2010Applicant: Michigan Molecular InstituteInventors: Robert M. Nowak, Claire Hartmann-Thompson, Kenneth J. Bruza, Lowell S. Thomas, Dale J. Meier
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Patent number: 7446155Abstract: Hyperbranched polymers having a plurality of at least two different types of functional groups are described. Specific embodiments include hyperbranched polymers having functional groups of a first type that are substantially uniformly distributed throughout the hyperbranched polymer molecule and a second type of functional group that is substantially uniformly distributed at the terminals of the hyperbranched polymer molecule. The hyperbranched polymers having different types of functional groups are synthesized by reacting one or more monomers having functional groups that are capable of reacting during a set of polymerization conditions to form a hyperbranched polymer, wherein at least one of the monomers contains latent functional groups that are not reactive during polymerization.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2005Date of Patent: November 4, 2008Assignee: Michigan Molecular InstituteInventors: Petar R. Dvornic, Jin Hu, Dale J. Meier, Robert M. Nowak
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Patent number: 6995215Abstract: Hyperbranched polymers having a plurality of at least two different types of functional groups are described. Specific embodiments include hyperbranched polymers having functional groups of a first type that are substantially uniformly distributed throughout the hyperbranched polymer molecule and a second type of functional group that is substantially uniformly distributed at the terminals of the hyperbranched polymer molecule. The hyperbranched polymers having different types of functional groups are synthesized by reacting one or more monomers having functional groups that are capable of reacting during a set of polymerization conditions to form a hyperbranched polymer, wherein at least one of the monomers contains latent functional groups that are not reactive during polymerization.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2003Date of Patent: February 7, 2006Assignee: Michigan Molecular InstituteInventors: Petar R. Dvornic, Jin Hu, Dale J. Meier, Robert M. Nowak
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Patent number: 6812298Abstract: Hyperbranched polymers are prepared by a process in which a monomer having the form Ax is reacted with another monomer of the form By, where A and B are functional groups that do not react with themselves, but do react with each other. The process allows synthesis of hyperbranched polymers having a single type of terminal functional group from comonomers, each of which has a single type of functional group. The invention allows greater flexibility in the preparation of a larger variety of different hyperbranched polymers and enables hyperbranched polymers to be prepared at a lower cost as compared with conventional processes using monomers having two types of functional groups that react during polymerization.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2002Date of Patent: November 2, 2004Assignee: Michigan Molecular InstituteInventors: Petar R. Dvornic, Jin Hu, Dale J. Meier, Robert M. Nowak, Paul L. Parham
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Publication number: 20030212234Abstract: Hyperbranched polymers having a plurality of at least two different types of functional groups are described. Specific embodiments include hyperbranched polymers having functional groups of a first type that are substantially uniformly distributed throughout the hyperbranched polymer molecule and a second type of functional group that is substantially uniformly distributed at the terminals of the hyperbranched polymer molecule. The hyperbranched polymers having different types of functional groups are synthesized by reacting one or more monomers having functional groups that are capable of reacting during a set of polymerization conditions to form a hyperbranched polymer, wherein at least one of the monomers contains latent functional groups that are not reactive during polymerization.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2003Publication date: November 13, 2003Inventors: Petar R. Dvornic, Jin Hu, Dale J. Meier, Robert M. Nowak
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Patent number: 6646089Abstract: Hyperbranched polymers having a plurality of at least two different types of functional groups are described. Specific embodiments include hyperbranched polymers having functional groups of a first type that are substantially uniformly distributed throughout the hyperbranched polymer molecule and a second type of functional group that is substantially uniformly distributed at the terminals of the hyperbranched polymer molecule. The hyperbranched polymers having different types of functional groups are synthesized by reacting one or more monomers having functional groups that are capable of reacting during a set of polymerization conditions to form a hyperbranched polymer, wherein at least one of the monomers contains latent functional groups that are not reactive during polymerization.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2001Date of Patent: November 11, 2003Assignee: Michigan Molecular InstituteInventors: Petar R. Dvornic, Jin Hu, Dale J. Meier, Robert M. Nowak
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Publication number: 20030088024Abstract: Hyperbranched polymers having a plurality of at least two different types of functional groups are described. Specific embodiments include hyperbranched polymers having functional groups of a first type that are substantially uniformly distributed throughout the hyperbranched polymer molecule and a second type of functional group that is substantially uniformly distributed at the terminals of the hyperbranched polymer molecule. The hyperbranched polymers having different types of functional groups are synthesized by reacting one or more monomers having functional groups that are capable of reacting during a set of polymerization conditions to form a hyperbranched polymer, wherein at least one of the monomers contains latent functional groups that are not reactive during polymerization.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2001Publication date: May 8, 2003Inventors: Petar R. Dvornic, Jin Hu, Dale J. Meier, Robert M. Nowak
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Publication number: 20030069370Abstract: Hyperbranched polymers are prepared by a process in which a monomer having the form Ax is reacted with another monomer of the form By, where A and B are functional groups that do not react with themselves, but do react with each other. The process allows synthesis of hyperbranched polymers having a single type of terminal functional group from comonomers, each of which has a single type of functional group. The invention allows greater flexibility in the preparation of a larger variety of different hyperbranched polymers and enables hyperbranched polymers to be prepared at a lower cost as compared with conventional processes using monomers having two types of functional groups that react during polymerization.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2002Publication date: April 10, 2003Inventors: Petar R. Dvornic, Jin Hu, Dale J. Meier, Robert M. Nowak, Paul L. Parham
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Patent number: 6534600Abstract: Hyperbranched polymers are prepared by a process in which a monomer having the form Ax is reacted with another monomer of the form By, where A and B are functional groups that do not react with themselves, but do react with each other. The process allows synthesis of hyperbranched polymers having a single type of terminal functional group from comonomers, each of which has a single type of functional group. The invention allows greater flexibility in the preparation of a larger variety of different hyperbranched polymers and enables hyperbranched polymers to be prepared at a lower cost as compared with conventional processes using monomers having two types of functional groups that react during polymerization.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2001Date of Patent: March 18, 2003Assignee: Michigan Molecular InstituteInventors: Petar R. Dvornic, Jin Hu, Dale J. Meier, Robert M. Nowak, Paul L. Parham
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Publication number: 20030018130Abstract: A curable polymer composition capable of achieving rapid curing, reduced viscosity, high solids content, and a very low or zero volatile organic compound content includes a hyperbranched polymer having functional groups of a first type and a polymer having functional groups of a second type, wherein the functional groups of the second type are reactive with the functional groups of the first type under at least certain conditions. The composition can be cured to form a cross-linked nano-domained network comprising covalently bonded nanoscopic, hyperbranched domains which may be of the same or different chemical composition than the rest of the network. The cured compositions may exhibit high thermal stability, mechanical strength and toughness.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2002Publication date: January 23, 2003Inventors: Petar R. Dvornic, Jin Hu, Dale J. Meier, Robert M. Nowak
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Publication number: 20030004293Abstract: A curable polymer composition capable of achieving rapid curing, reduced viscosity, high solids content, and a very low or zero volatile organic compound content includes a hyperbranched polymer having functional groups of a first type and a polymer having functional groups of a second type, wherein the functional groups of the second type are reactive with the functional groups of the first type under at least certain conditions. The composition can be cured to form a cross-linked nano-domained network comprising covalently bonded nanoscopic, hyperbranched domains which may be of the same or different chemical composition than the rest of the network. The cured compositions may exhibit high thermal stability, mechanical strength and toughness.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2001Publication date: January 2, 2003Inventors: Petar R. Dvornic, Jin Hu, Dale J. Meier, Robert M. Nowak
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Publication number: 20020161113Abstract: Hyperbranched polymers are prepared by a process in which a monomer having the form Ax is reacted with another monomer of the form By, where A and B are functional groups that do not react with themselves, but do react with each other. The process allows synthesis of hyperbranched polymers having a single type of terminal functional group from comonomers, each of which has a single type of functional group. The invention allows greater flexibility in the preparation of a larger variety of different hyperbranched polymers and enables hyperbranched polymers to be prepared at a lower cost as compared with conventional processes using monomers having two types of functional groups that react during polymerization.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2001Publication date: October 31, 2002Inventors: Petar R. Dvornic, Jin Hu, Dale J. Meier, Robert M. Nowak, Paul L. Parham
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Patent number: 6384172Abstract: Hyperbranched polycarbosilanes, polycarbosiloxanes, polycarbosilazenes and copolymers thereof are prepared by reacting a difunctional or polyfunctional monomer having functional groups of one type (A) without any other functional groups capable of reacting significantly during polymerization, and a difunctional or polyfunctional monomer having functional groups of another type (B) without any other functional groups capable of reacting significantly during polymerization, wherein each A-functional group is reacted with a B-functional group, and wherein at least one of the monomers has a functionality of at least three. The process enables hyperbranched polycarbosilanes, polycarbosiloxanes, polycarbosilazenes and copolymers thereof to be prepared at a lower cost than with conventional synthesis processes, and provides greater flexibility in the preparation of a larger variety of different types of hyperbranched polycarbosilanes, polycarbosiloxanes, polycarbosilazenes and copolymers thereof.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2001Date of Patent: May 7, 2002Assignee: Michigan Molecular InstituteInventors: Petar R. Dvornic, Jin Hu, Dale J. Meier, Robert M. Nowak
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Patent number: 5216114Abstract: A method for sulfonating items comprising polybenzazole polymers is described. These sulfonated polybenzazole items are incorporated into composites containing a matrix resin such as an epoxy resin. The interfacial shear strength of these sulfonated polybenzazole fiber-containing composites is significantly improved over the interfacial shear strength of similar composites containing unsulfonated polybenzazole fibers.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 1991Date of Patent: June 1, 1993Assignee: The Dow Chemical CompanyInventors: William E. Walles, Robert M. Nowak
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Patent number: 4897307Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the solvent-induced crystallization of amorphous poly(etheretherketone)-type polymer to produce an article, which process comprises:A. contacting a preformed article of a polymer comprising amorphous poly(etheretherketone)-type polymer with at least one organic compound in its liquid state which consists essentially of atoms of carbon and hydrogen, optionally with oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, halogen or mixtures thereof having a molecular weight of between about 160 and 320 daltons at a temperature of between about 85.degree. C. and 145.degree. C. for a time effective to crystallize the poly(etheretherketone)-type polymer,B. removing the organic compound, andC. recovering the article comprising crystallized poly(etheretherketone)-type polymer. Poly(etheretherketone), poly(phenylenesulfide) or mixtures thereof are preferred polymer systems.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 1987Date of Patent: January 30, 1990Assignee: The Dow Chemical CompanyInventors: Henry N. Beck, Robert M. Nowak
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Patent number: 3933747Abstract: Copolymers containing from 5 to 25 mole percent of anhydride, such as maleic anhydride, have improved, thermally induced reversible cross-linking characteristics when the crosslinking agent is selected from certain hydroxyl containing derivatives of bisphenol A.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 1971Date of Patent: January 20, 1976Assignee: The Dow Chemical CompanyInventors: Robert M. Nowak, Kenneth J. Guilette, Eugene R. Moore