Patents by Inventor Todd R. Williams

Todd R. Williams 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).

  • Publication number: 20110000635
    Abstract: A method and master mold comprising a metal support layer and a fine structure pattern comprised of a glass or ceramic material, wherein the pattern support layer is formed of a first material having a relatively low grinding speed, and the fine structure pattern is formed of a layer of a second material having a grinding speed higher than that of the material of the pattern support layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventors: Takaki Sugimoto, Todd R. Williams, Padraic S. McGuire
  • Patent number: 7405001
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a nanoparticle containing at least one metal sulfide nanocrystal having a surface modified with a carboxylic acid, wherein the carboxylic acid has at least one aryl group. The present disclosure also describes a method of preparing the nanoparticle, the method consisting of: (a) providing a first solution having a first organic solvent, and a non-alkali metal salt and a carboxylic acid dissolved therein, wherein the carboxylic acid has at least one aryl group; (b) providing a sulfide material; and (c) combining the first solution and the sulfide material to form a reaction solution, thereby forming a nanoparticle containing at least one metal sulfide nanocrystal having a surface modified with the carboxylic acid, wherein the carboxylic acid has at least one aryl group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Igor Y. Denisyuk, Todd R. Williams
  • Patent number: 7364716
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a nanoparticle containing at least one metal sulfide nanocrystal having a surface modified with a carboxylic acid, wherein the carboxylic acid has at least one aryl group. The present disclosure also describes a method of preparing the nanoparticle, the method consisting of: (a) providing a first solution having a first organic solvent, and a non-alkali metal salt and a carboxylic acid dissolved therein, wherein the carboxylic acid has at least one aryl group; (b) providing a sulfide material; and (c) combining the first solution and the sulfide material to form a reaction solution, thereby forming a nanoparticle containing at least one metal sulfide nanocrystal having a surface modified with the carboxylic acid, wherein the carboxylic acid has at least one aryl group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Igor Y. Denisyuk, Todd R. Williams
  • Publication number: 20080093776
    Abstract: Presently described is a microstructured mold prepared from a photocured polymeric material that comprises at least one (i.e. first) photoinitiator having certain absorption characteristics. The mold is suitable for use in methods of molding a (e.g. barrier rib) microstructure precursor composition that comprises at least one (i.e. second) photoinitiator. The second photoinitiator of the microstructure precursor preferably has similar absorptions characteristics as the first photoinitiator. Thus, the polymeric material of the mold the microstructure precursor can be cured with the same wavelength range of light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Inventor: Todd R. Williams
  • Patent number: 7335425
    Abstract: The present invention provides pressure-sensitive adhesives having a refractive index of at least 1.48. The pressure-sensitive adhesives comprise at least one monomer containing a substituted or an unsubstituted aromatic moiety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: David B. Olson, Bettie C. Fong, Ying-Yuh Lu, Cheryl L. Moore, Todd R. Williams
  • Publication number: 20070235902
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a microstructured tool having a microstructured layer having a polymer and a microstructured surface; a nickel layer disposed adjacent the microstructured layer opposite the microstructured surface; and a base layer disposed adjacent the nickel layer opposite the microstructured layer. The microstructured surface may have at least one feature having a maximum depth of up to about 1000 um. Also disclosed herein is a method of making the microstructured tool using laser ablation. The microstructured tool may be used to make articles suitable for use in optical applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Inventors: Patrick R. Fleming, Paul E. Humpal, Thomas R.J. Corrigan, Todd R. Williams, Tadesse G. Nigatu
  • Patent number: 7172811
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of preparing a nanocomposite: (a) providing a first solution having a first organic solvent comprising a non-alkali metal salt, a carboxylic acid comprising at least one aryl group, and a polymer dissolved therein; (b) providing a sulfide material; (c) combining the first solution and the sulfide material; and (d) isolating the nanocomposite, wherein the nanocomposite comprises the polymer and a plurality of nanoparticles, wherein each nanoparticle comprises at least one metal sulfide nanocrystal having a surface modified with the carboxylic acid comprising at least one aryl group. The present disclosure also provides the nanocomposites and articles prepared therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Igor Y. Denisyuk, Todd R. Williams
  • Patent number: 7166686
    Abstract: The present invention provides pressure-sensitive adhesives having a refractive index of at least 1.48. The pressure-sensitive adhesives comprise at least one monomer containing a substituted or an unsubstituted aromatic moiety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: David B. Olson, Bettie C. Fong, Ying-Yuh Lu, Cheryl L. Moore, Todd R. Williams
  • Patent number: 7118845
    Abstract: A process for fabricating of an article by exposing a photoreactive composition to light under multiphoton absorption conditions. The light passes through an optical system having a final optical element having a numeric aperture in a range of from 0.65 to 1.25, inclusive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Robert J. DeVoe, Harvey W. Kalweit, Catherine A. Leatherdale, Todd R. Williams
  • Patent number: 7060419
    Abstract: A process for producing microfluidic articles comprises (a) preparing a photoreactive composition comprising (1) at least one reactive species that is a polymer or a polymer precursor and that is capable of undergoing an acid- or radical-initiated chemical reaction and (2) at least one multiphoton photoinitiator system; (b) exposing a portion of the composition to light sufficient to cause simultaneous absorption of at least two photons, thereby forming exposed and unexposed portions of the composition, and thereby inducing at least one acid- or radical-initiated chemical reaction in the exposed portion; and (c) removing either the exposed or the unexposed portion of the composition, so as to form a microfluidic article comprising a seamless polymer matrix that defines at least one inlet, at least one outlet, and a microfluid processing architecture that is capable of fluidic communication with the inlet and the outlet and that is otherwise fully enclosed within the polymer matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: James G. Bentsen, Robert J. DeVoe, Todd R. Williams
  • Publication number: 20050276945
    Abstract: Composite articles having two interlocked different thermoplastic layers, and methods for making the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Publication date: December 15, 2005
    Inventors: Mark Muggli, Brian Spiewak, Craig Hoff, Katherine Graham, Kevin Doyle, Maria Dillon, Mark Williams, Todd R. Williams, Travis B. Hoium, Matthew Michel
  • Patent number: 6913722
    Abstract: A receptor medium with a sheet having an optically transmissive microembossed imaging surface as one major surface thereof. The receptor medium can receive jettable materials, which include inks, adhesives, biological fluids, chemical assay reagents, particulate dispersions, waxes, and combinations thereof. The microembossed medium unexpectedly solves such common inkjet printing problems as feathering, banding, and mudcracking in inkjet printing systems by controlling how an inkjet drop contacts and dries on an inkjet receptor medium and also Moire' effects but also provides sufficient optical transmissivity to be useful as overhead transparency media, backlit signage, and the like. Clear lines of demarcation between adjoining colors of a pigmented inkjet image graphic can be obtained without creation of the Moire' effects. Methods of making and using the inkjet receptor medium are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Lori P. Engle, Robert T. Fehr, Patrick R. Fleming, Alan G. Miller, Todd R. Williams, Caroline M. Ylitalo
  • Patent number: 6858253
    Abstract: A composite article having large scale predictable dimensional stability comprises a metal foil backing having adhered thereto a layer of cured polymer having an exposed surface bearing a three-dimensional microstructure of precisely shaped and located functional discontinuities. The article is made by depositing a layer of a radiation curable composition onto a metal foil backing, contacting a master with a pattern capable of imparting a three-dimensional microstructure of precisely shaped and located functional discontinuities into the layer of radiation curable composition, while the layer of radiation curable composition is in contact with the master, exposing the curable composition to radiation to cure the composition, and separating the cured polymer layer on the metal foil backing from the surface of the master. Either the metal foil backing or the master may be radiation transmissive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Todd R. Williams, Olester Benson, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20040170809
    Abstract: A composite article having large scale predictable dimensional stability comprises a metal foil backing having adhered thereto a layer of cured polymer having an exposed surface bearing a three-dimensional microstructure of precisely shaped and located functional discontinuities. The article is made by depositing a layer of a radiation curable composition onto a metal foil backing, contacting a master with a pattern capable of imparting a three-dimensional microstructure of precisely shaped and located functional discontinuities into the layer of radiation curable composition, while the layer of radiation curable composition is in contact with the master, exposing the curable composition to radiation to cure the composition, and separating the cured polymer layer on the metal foil backing from the surface of the master. Either the metal foil backing or the master may be radiation transmissive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Todd R. Williams, Olester Benson
  • Publication number: 20040091729
    Abstract: The present invention provides pressure-sensitive adhesives having a refractive index of at least 1.48. The pressure-sensitive adhesives comprise at least one monomer containing a substituted or an unsubstituted aromatic moiety.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: David B. Olson, Bettie C. Fong, Ying-Yuh Lu, Cheryl L. Moore, Todd R. Williams
  • Publication number: 20040067451
    Abstract: A process for fabricating of an article by exposing a photoreactive composition to light under multiphoton absorption conditions. The light passes through an optical system having a final optical element having a numeric aperture in a range of from 0.65 to 1.25, inclusive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventors: Robert J. DeVoe, Harvey W. Kalweit, Catherine A. Leatherdale, Todd R. Williams
  • Publication number: 20040042937
    Abstract: A process for producing microfluidic articles comprises (a) preparing a photoreactive composition comprising (1) at least one reactive species that is a polymer or a polymer precursor and that is capable of undergoing an acid- or radical-initiated chemical reaction and (2) at least one multiphoton photoinitiator system; (b) exposing a portion of the composition to light sufficient to cause simultaneous absorption of at least two photons, thereby forming exposed and unexposed portions of the composition, and thereby inducing at least one acid- or radical-initiated chemical reaction in the exposed portion; and (c) removing either the exposed or the unexposed portion of the composition, so as to form a microfluidic article comprising a seamless polymer matrix that defines at least one inlet, at least one outlet, and a microfluid processing architecture that is capable of fluidic communication with the inlet and the outlet and that is otherwise fully enclosed within the polymer matrix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventors: James G Bentsen, Robert J DeVoe, Todd R Williams
  • Patent number: 6663978
    Abstract: The present invention provides pressure-sensitive adhesives having a refractive index of at least 1.48. The pressure-sensitive adhesives comprise at least one monomer containing a substituted or an unsubstituted aromatic moiety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: David B. Olson, Bettie C. Fong, Ying-Yuh Lu, Cheryl L. Moore, Todd R. Williams
  • Patent number: 6649249
    Abstract: A receptor medium with a sheet having a random microembossed imaging surface as one major surface thereof. The receptor medium can receive jettable materials, which include inks, adhesives, biological fluids, chemical assay reagents, particulate dispersions, waxes, electrically, thermally, or magnetically modifiable materials, and combinations thereof. The random microembossed medium unexpectedly solves such common inkjet printing problems as feathering, banding, and mudcracking in inkjet printing systems by controlling how an inkjet drop contacts and dries on an inkjet receptor medium and also Moire' effects. Clear lines of demarcation between adjoining colors of a pigmented inkjet image graphic can be obtained without creation of the Moire' effects. Methods of making and using the inkjet receptor medium are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Lori P. Engle, Robert T. Fehr, Patrick R. Fleming, Paul D. Graham, Douglas A. Huntley, Verna J. LeMire, Jeffrey L. Solomon, Todd R. Williams, Caroline M. Ylitalo
  • Publication number: 20030129301
    Abstract: A receptor medium with a sheet having an optically transmissive microembossed imaging surface as one major surface thereof. The receptor medium can receive jettable materials, which include inks, adhesives, biological fluids, chemical assay reagents, particulate dispersions, waxes, and combinations thereof. The microembossed medium unexpectedly solves such common inkjet printing problems as feathering, banding, and mudcracking in inkjet printing systems by controlling how an inkjet drop contacts and dries on an inkjet receptor medium and also Moire' effects but also provides sufficient optical transmissivity to be useful as overhead transparency media, backlit signage, and the like. Clear lines of demarcation between adjoining colors of a pigmented inkjet image graphic can be obtained without creation of the Moire' effects. Methods of making and using the inkjet receptor medium are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Lori P. Engle, Robert T. Fehr, Patrick R. Fleming, Alan G. Miller, Todd R. Williams, Caroline M. Ylitalo