Patents by Inventor Sharon A. Straka

Sharon A. Straka 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: 11219922
    Abstract: A method is provided to form a dust mitigation coating that also mitigates or repels water, ice, and other liquids. Techniques to coat the surfaces of equipment and items with these dust, liquid, and ice mitigation coatings, minimize or eliminate mission problems caused by dust, liquid, or ice accumulation, particularly in outer space or on another planetary body or moon. Further, the dust mitigation coatings exhibit a Lotus-like effect, making the coated surfaces ultra-hydrophobic. The present invention is also directed to techniques for improving the functioning of terrestrial-based equipment and systems where dust, liquid, or ice accumulation is a problem, such as in hospitals and other health contexts, to prevent contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Administrator of NASA
    Inventors: Sharon Straka, Kenneth O'Connor, Mark Hasegawa, Boxi Chen, Nathaniel Patrick Hawthorne, Victoria Jane Pederzani Stotzer
  • Patent number: 10786830
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, composition and method employing a dust mitigation coating that also mitigates or repels water, ice, and other liquids. Techniques to coat the surfaces of equipment and items with these dust, liquid, and ice mitigation coatings, minimizing or eliminating mission problems caused by dust, liquid, or ice accumulation, particularly in outer space or on another planetary body or moon. Further, the dust mitigation coatings should exhibit a Lotus-like effect, making the coated surfaces ultra-hydrophobic. The present invention is also directed to techniques for improving the functioning of terrestrial-based equipment and systems where dust, liquid, or ice accumulation is a problem, such as in hospitals and other health contexts to prevent contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: United States of America by the Administrator of NASA
    Inventors: Sharon A. Straka, Mark M. Hasegawa, Kenneth M. O'Connor, Victoria J. Stotzer
  • Patent number: 10787575
    Abstract: A black molecular adsorber coating (MAC-B) composition is provided that exhibits adsorptive capabilities and reduces the effects of optical path degradation and system performance degradation when formed into a black coating having low reflectivity. The coating can be used in stray light control applications or within light paths between optical systems to absorb light and reduce the effects of optical path degradation. The coating can be used in vacuum systems to adsorb molecular contaminants and to reduce vacuum pressure levels. The coating composition can be sprayed onto interior surfaces, such as optical cavities of cameras, telescopes, lasers, baffles, detectors systems, and electronics boxes to control performance degradation due to outgassed molecular contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Administrator of NASA
    Inventors: Nithin S. Abraham, Mark M. Hasegawa, Sharon A. Straka, John C. Petro
  • Publication number: 20180051177
    Abstract: A black molecular adsorber coating (MAC-B) composition is provided that exhibits adsorptive capabilities and reduces the effects of optical path degradation and system performance degradation when formed into a black coating having low reflectivity. The coating can be used in stray light control applications or within light paths between optical systems to absorb light and reduce the effects of optical path degradation. The coating can be used in vacuum systems to adsorb molecular contaminants and to reduce vacuum pressure levels. The coating composition can be sprayed onto interior surfaces, such as optical cavities of cameras, telescopes, lasers, baffles, detectors systems, and electronics boxes to control performance degradation due to outgassed molecular contaminants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Inventors: NITHIN S. ABRAHAM, MARK M. HASEGAWA, SHARON A. STRAKA, JOHN C. PETRO
  • Publication number: 20120034384
    Abstract: A molecular adsorber coating for collecting and retaining outgassed molecular effluent may include a mass fraction of about 0.20 to about 0.40 of zeolite, a mass fraction of about 0.40 to about 0.80 of a binder, and a mass fraction of about 0.0 to about 0.30 of water. The mass ratio of the binder to the zeolite may be in a range of about 1.6 to about 2.4. The binder may comprise, on a mass basis, about 30 to about 40 percent particles of nonporous silica dispersed in a liquid phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Spac
    Inventors: Sharon A. Straka, Wanda C. Peters, Jack J. Triolo, Mark M. Hasegawa, Kevin J. Novo-Gradac, Cory B. Miller, Nithin S. Abraham