Patents by Inventor Thomas H Epps

Thomas H Epps 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: 9935332
    Abstract: Copolymers useful as components of polymer electrolytes are provided in which the copolymer comprises at least one block sequence represented by formula (I): A—(T)—B ??(I) wherein A is a vinyl aromatic block, T is a tapered copolymer region copolymerized from a vinyl aromatic monomer and an oligo(oxyalkylene) acrylate monomer and B is an oligo(oxyalkylene) acrylate block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE
    Inventors: Thomas H. Epps, III, Wei-Fan Kuan
  • Publication number: 20170015775
    Abstract: Dimethoxyphenol-based monomers containing polymerizable functional groups such as [meth]acrylate groups are useful for the preparation of polymers, wherein one or more dimethoxyphenyl moieties are part of side chains pendant to the backbones of the polymers. The polymers thereby obtained may have different, improved properties, such as higher glass transition temperatures, thermal stability and solvent resistance, as compared to polymers based on other types of lignin-derived monomers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Applicant: University of Delaware
    Inventors: Angela H. HOLMBERG, Kaleigh H. RENO, Thomas H. EPPS, III
  • Patent number: 9512249
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to bio-based block polymers synthesized from functionalized lignin-based molecules (A-monomer) and functionalized fatty acids or fatty alcohols (B-monomer) derived from plant or animal oils, waxes or fats. The block polymers can be synthesized via numerous polymerization techniques, such as reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT). Most importantly, this class of bio-based block polymers shows promise as providing sustainable yet scalable and tunable thermoplastic elastomers and pressure-sensitive adhesives, among other applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: University of Delaware
    Inventors: Angela L. Holmberg, Joseph F. Stanzione, Richard Wool, Thomas H. Epps, III
  • Publication number: 20150197585
    Abstract: Copolymers useful as components of polymer electrolytes are provided in which the copolymer comprises at least one block sequence represented by formula (I): A-(T)-B(I) wherein A is a vinyl aromatic block, T is a tapered copolymer region copolymerized from a vinyl aromatic monomer and an oligo(oxyalkylene) acrylate monomer and B is an oligo(oxyalkylene) acrylate block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Applicant: University of Delaware
    Inventors: Thomas H. Epps, III, Wei-Fan Kuan
  • Publication number: 20140275435
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to bio-based block polymers synthesized from functionalized lignin-based molecules (A-monomer) and functionalized fatty acids or fatty alcohols (B-monomer) derived from plant or animal oils, waxes or fats. The block polymers can be synthesized via numerous polymerization techniques, such as reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT). Most importantly, this class of bio-based block polymers shows promise as providing sustainable yet scalable and tunable thermoplastic elastomers and pressure-sensitive adhesives, among other applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: University of Delaware
    Inventors: Thomas H. Epps, III, Angela L. Holmberg, Joseph F. Stanzione, Richard Wool