Patents by Inventor Thauming Kuo

Thauming Kuo 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: 8354525
    Abstract: This invention relates to novel compositions comprising regioselectively substituted cellulose esters. One aspect of the invention relates to processes for preparing regioselectively substituted cellulose esters from cellulose dissolved in ionic liquids. Another aspect of the invention relates to the utility of regioselectively substituted cellulose esters in applications such as protective and compensation films for liquid crystalline displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Charles Michael Buchanan, Norma Lindsey Buchanan, Michael Eugene Donelson, Maryna Grigorievna Gorbunova, Thauming Kuo, Bin Wang
  • Publication number: 20120283371
    Abstract: A method for casting a styrenic fluoropolymer film on a substrate includes preparing a polymer solution by dissolving the fluoropolymer in a solvent or solvent blend whose Hansen solubility parameters (HSPs. MPa1/2) satisfy the following relations: |SPb?SPp|<5, |SPb?SPs|<4, |SPb(H)?SPp(H)|<7, and 2<|SPb(H)?SPs(H)|<10 wherein SPb, SPp, SPs, are the total Hansen solubility parameters of solvent/solvent blend, fluoropolymer, and substrate, respectively; SPb(H), SPp(H), and, SPs(H) are the hydrogen-bond Hansen solubility parameters of solvent/solvent blend, fluoropolymer, and substrate, respectively; wherein the fluoropolymer comprises a moiety of: wherein R1, R2, and R3 are each independently hydrogen atoms, alkyl groups, substituted alkyl groups, or halogens, wherein at least one of R1, R2, and R3 is a fluorine atom, and wherein R is each independently a substituent on the styrenic ring, n is an integer from 0 to 5 representing the number of the substituents on the styrenic ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: AKRON POLYMER SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: BIN WANG, THAUMING KUO, DOUGLAS STEPHENS McWILLIAMS, FRANK W. HARRIS, TED CALVIN GERMROTH, JIAOKAI JING, DONG ZHANG, XIAOLIANG ZHENG
  • Patent number: 8304079
    Abstract: Optical compensation films (positive C-plate) with anisotropic subunits (OASUs) that are aromatic rings substituted with birefringence enhancing substituents (BES) and have high positive birefringence throughout the wavelength range 400 nm<?<800 nm are provided. The optical compensation films may be processed by solution casting to yield a polymer film with high birefringence without the need for stretching, photopolymerization, or other processes. Such optical compensation films are suitable for use as a positive C-plate in LCDs, particularly IPS-LCDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Akron Polymer Systems
    Inventors: Ted Calvin Germroth, Xiaoliang Joe Zheng, Thauming Kuo, Dong Zhang, Brian Michael King, Frank W. Harris, Jiaokai Alexander Jing
  • Patent number: 8226860
    Abstract: A method for controlling positive birefringence in an optical compensation film (positive C-plate) having high positive birefringence throughout the wavelength range 400 nm<?<800 nm is provided. The method includes selecting polymers with optically anisotropic subunits (OASUs) that exhibit the buttressing effect, wherein the OASUs may be disks, mesogens or aromatic rings substituted with birefringence enhancing substituents. The method further includes processing the polymer by solution casting to yield a polymer film with high birefringence without the need for stretching, photopolymerization, or other processes. These optical compensation films may be used in LCDs, particularly IPS-LCDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Akron Polymer Systems
    Inventors: Xiaoliang Joe Zheng, Frank W. Harris, Ted Calvin Germroth, Jiaokai Alexander Jing, Dong Zhang, Thauming Kuo, Brian Michael King
  • Publication number: 20120123112
    Abstract: This invention relates to novel compositions comprising regioselectively substituted cellulose esters. One aspect of the invention relates to processes for preparing regioselectively substituted cellulose esters from cellulose dissolved in ionic liquids. Another aspect of the invention relates to the utility of regioselectively substituted cellulose esters in applications such as protective and compensation films for liquid crystalline displays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Charles Michael Buchanan, Norma Lindsey Buchanan, Michael Eugene Donelson, Maryna Grigorievna Gorbunova, Thauming Kuo, Bin Wang
  • Publication number: 20120101225
    Abstract: Waterborne coating compositions are disclosed that include a latex emulsion polymer, and, as a coalescent, a diester of hydroxypivalyl hydroxypivalate. The coating compositions of the invention have a reduced VOC content and provide satisfactory coalescing activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: Eastman Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Thauming Kuo, Phillip Bryan Hall
  • Publication number: 20120101269
    Abstract: This invention relates to novel compositions comprising regioselectively substituted cellulose esters. One aspect of the invention relates to processes for preparing regioselectively substituted cellulose esters from cellulose dissolved in ionic liquids. Another aspect of the invention relates to the utility of regioselectively substituted cellulose esters in applications such as protective and compensation films for liquid crystalline displays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY
    Inventors: Charles Michael Buchanan, Norma Lindsey Buchanan, Robert Thomas Hembre, Juanelle Little Lambert, Michael Eugene Donelson, Maryna Grigorievna Gorbunova, Thauming Kuo, Bin Wang
  • Publication number: 20120101187
    Abstract: Waterborne coating compositions are disclosed that include a latex emulsion polymer, and, as a coalescent, a levulinic acid ester of a monohydric aliphatic alcohol having from 10 to 20 carbon atoms. The coating compositions of the invention have a reduced VOC content, and provide improved coalescing activity compared with esters of polyols such as glycerol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: Eastman Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Thauming Kuo, Phillip Hall
  • Publication number: 20110251365
    Abstract: Optical compensation films (positive C-plate) with disk anisotropic subunits (OASUs) that have high positive birefringence throughout the wavelength range 400 nm<?<800 nm are provided. The optical compensation films may be processed by solution casting to yield a polymer film with high birefringence without the need for stretching, photopolymerization, or other processes. Such optical compensation films are suitable for use as a positive C-plate in LCDs, particularly IPS-LCDs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventors: Frank W. Harris, Dong Zhang, Xiaoling Joe Zheng, Ted Calvin Germroth, Thauming Kuo, Jiaokai Alexander Jing, Brian Michael King
  • Publication number: 20110218285
    Abstract: Disclosed is a low VOC coating additive employing a water-dispersible polymer, a water insoluble plasticizer, cyclohexanedimethanol, and optionally an amphiphilic component. The additive can be added to a coating to improve at least one performance characteristics of the coating, such as, wet-edge time, open time, scrub resistance, wet adhesion, and water resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY
    Inventors: Rebecca Reid Stockl, Kevin Wayne McCreight, Thauming Kuo
  • Publication number: 20110213138
    Abstract: This invention relates to novel compositions comprising regioselectively substituted cellulose esters. One aspect of the invention relates to processes for preparing regioselectively substituted cellulose esters from cellulose dissolved in ionic liquids. Another aspect of the invention relates to the utility of regioselectively substituted cellulose esters in applications such as protective and compensation films for liquid crystalline displays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY
    Inventors: Charles Michael Buchanan, Norma Lindsey Buchanan, Michael Eugene Donelson, Maryna Grigoievna Gorbunova, Thauming Kuo, Bin Wang
  • Patent number: 7989036
    Abstract: Optical compensation films (positive C-plate) with disk anisotropic subunits (OASUs) that have high positive birefringence throughout the wavelength range 400 nm<?<800 nm are provided. The optical compensation films may be processed by solution casting to yield a polymer film with high birefringence without the need for stretching, photopolymerization, or other processes. Such optical compensation films are suitable for use as a positive C-plate in LCDs, particularly IPS-LCDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Akron Polymer Systems
    Inventors: Frank W. Harris, Dong Zhang, Xiaoliang Joe Zheng, Ted Calvin Germroth, Thauming Kuo, Jiaokai Alexander Jing, Brian Michael King
  • Publication number: 20110076487
    Abstract: An optical compensation film composition is disclosed herein having a polymer film and a substrate, wherein the polymer film has a positive birefringence greater than 0.005 throughout the wavelength range of 400 nm<?<800 nm, the film having been cast from a polymer solution comprising a solvent and a polymer having a moiety of wherein R1, R2, and R3 are each independently hydrogen atoms, alkyl groups, substituted alkyl groups, or halogens, wherein at least one of R1, R2, and R3 is a fluorine atom, and wherein R is hydrogen or a substituent on the styrenic ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventors: Xiaoliang Zheng, Dong Zhang, Jiaokai Jing, Frank Harris, Brian King, Ted Germroth, Thauming Kuo
  • Patent number: 7855261
    Abstract: Disclosed are filter elements constructed of a filter support material coated with an acetoacetate-functional polymeric composition that reacts with and removes aldehydes, especially formaldehyde, present in gases such as air. Also disclosed are methods for the removal of aldehydes utilizing the coated filter support materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Thauming Kuo, Mark Kevin Vineyard, Weimin Chen Liang
  • Publication number: 20100029927
    Abstract: This invention relates to novel compositions comprising regioselectively substituted cellulose esters. One aspect of the invention relates to processes for preparing regioselectively substituted cellulose esters from cellulose dissolved in ionic liquids. Another aspect of the invention relates to the utility of regioselectively substituted cellulose esters in applications such as protective and compensation films for liquid crystalline displays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY
    Inventors: Charles Michael Buchanan, Norma Lindsey Buchanan, Robert Thomas Hembre, Juanelle Little Lambert, Michael Eugene Donelson, Maryna Grigorievna Gorbunova, Thauming Kuo, Bin Wang
  • Publication number: 20090326121
    Abstract: Disclosed is a low VOC coating additive employing a water-dispersible polymer, a water insoluble plasticizer, cyclohexanedimethanol, and optionally an amphiphilic component. The additive can be added to a coating to improve at least one performance characteristics of the coating, such as, wet-edge time, open time, scrub resistance, wet adhesion, and water resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY
    Inventors: Rebecca Reid Stockl, Thauming Kuo, Kevin Wayne McCreight
  • Publication number: 20090316085
    Abstract: Some embodiments include compositions and/or methods related to optical compensation films. More particularly, some embodiments can include brominated polystyrene compositions, and/or methods for their preparation, suitable for forming optical compensation films. In some embodiments, suitable brominated polystyrene compositions, and/or methods for their preparation, can include aromatic rings having one or more acyl moieties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventors: Dong Zhang, Jiaokai Jing, Zhikuan Lu, Thauming Kuo, Brian Michael King, Xiaoliang Zheng, Frank W. Harris, Ted Calvin Germroth
  • Publication number: 20090068380
    Abstract: The present invention provides uniaxially stretched polymer films that have a refractive index profile suitable for use as negative A-plates or biaxial birefringent plates in a liquid crystal display (LCD) device. These wave plates can be used to compensate for the phase retardations existing in various modes of LCDs including TN (twisted nematic), VA (vertically aligned), IPS (in-plane switching), and OCB (optically compensated bend), and therefore improving the viewing quality of the displays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventors: Xiaoliang Joe Zheng, Frank W. Harris, Ted Calvin Germroth, Jiaokai Alexander Jing, Dong Zhang, Thauming Kuo, Brian Michael King
  • Publication number: 20090005476
    Abstract: The present invention relates to modified alkyd polymers and compositions thereof, in which the alkyd polymers are modified with polyol-containing latex compositions and/or diol-containing latex compositions. The invention further relates to compositions prepared from such modified alkyd compositions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Thauming Kuo, John David Moncier, Allan Scott Jones, David Logan Murray
  • Publication number: 20080239491
    Abstract: A method for controlling positive birefringence in an optical compensation film (positive C-plate) having high positive birefringence throughout the wavelength range 400 nm<?<800 nm is provided. The method includes selecting polymers with optically anisotropic subunits (OASUs) that exhibit the buttressing effect, wherein the OASUs may be disks, mesogens or aromatic rings substituted with birefringence enhancing substituents. The method further includes processing the polymer by solution casting to yield a polymer film with high birefringence without the need for stretching, photopolymerization, or other processes. These optical compensation films may be used in LCDs, particularly IPS-LCDs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Xiaoliang Joe Zheng, Frank W. Harris, Ted Calvin Germroth, Jiaokai Alexander Jing, Dong Zhang, Thauming Kuo, Brian Michael King