Patents by Inventor Werner Balika
Werner Balika 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: 10800895Abstract: A plurality of polymer slides, each having a polymer part with a first polymer surface portion uncoated and a second surface portion coated with a metal. The first and second surface portions each have different surface coating properties and have respective first and second specified degrees of hydrophobicity which are different from each other. A hydrophobic small molecule is located in the polymer part of each polymer slide, and the hydrophobic small molecule and the polymer are essentially inert to one another. Adjacent polymer slides are arranged in a manner that the first polymer surface of one slide faces a metal coated second surface portion of another slide. The hydrophobic small molecule evaporates from said first polymer surface portion of the polymer part of one polymer slide onto the adjacent metal coated second surface portion of another polymer slide.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2014Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: STRATEC CONSUMABLES GMBHInventors: Andrew Naisby, Werner Balika, Johann Hofer, Georg Bauer
-
Patent number: 10611890Abstract: A method of producing a polymer part comprising the following steps: (a) incorporating a hydrophobic small molecule into the polymer before, during or after manufacture of the polymer part, the hydrophobic small molecule and the polymer being essentially inert to one another; and (b) annealing the polymer part to induce migration of the hydrophobic small molecules to a surface of the polymer part to provide that surface with a specified degree of hydrophobicity defined by the combination of the polymer and the hydrophobic small molecule; is described. Polymer parts made according to the method are also described.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2016Date of Patent: April 7, 2020Assignee: STRATEC CONSUMABLES GmbHInventors: Andrew Naisby, Werner Balika, Johann Hofer, Georg Bauer
-
Publication number: 20170029587Abstract: A method of producing a polymer part comprising the following steps: (a) incorporating a hydrophobic small molecule into the polymer before, during or after manufacture of the polymer part, the hydrophobic small molecule and the polymer being essentially inert to one another; and (b) annealing the polymer part to induce migration of the hydrophobic small molecules to a surface of the polymer part to provide that surface with a specified degree of hydrophobicity defined by the combination of the polymer and the hydrophobic small molecule; is described. Polymer parts made according to the method are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2016Publication date: February 2, 2017Applicant: STRATEC CONSUMABLES GmbHInventors: Andrew NAISBY, Werner BALIKA, Johann HOFER, Georg BAUER
-
Patent number: 9176030Abstract: A substrate is provided, which comprises a structured surface including a regular pattern of a plurality of elevated structures that are elevated with respect to a nominal surface of the substrate, wherein at least two dimensions are between 1 nm and 100 ?m, the structured surface being configured to stimulate smooth crystallization of microcrystals or to boost hydrophobic properties. A target plate comprising a plurality of substrates is disclosed as well.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2009Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: SONY DADC Austria AGInventors: Ivan Lucic, Peter Hausberger, Werner Balika, Christian Poeschl
-
Patent number: 9136099Abstract: A structured substrate is described which is suitable for forming and hosting a crystal array, as well as associated methods for making and using such a structured substrate. The structured substrate is made by injection molding and has on one side a combination of macro- and micro-structured features. Each macro-structured feature comprises an edge that forms a perimeter around an enclosed area containing a large number of the micro-structured features. When a droplet of a solution containing molecules of interest and a solvent is deposited onto one of the enclosed areas such that it extends somewhat beyond the perimeter, the droplet slowly dries and shrinks through evaporation of the solvent, during which the edge acts to seed crystallization of the molecules, and the micro-structured features act to direct crystal growth from the seed into the enclosed area. The crystal thus forms over the whole of the enclosed area in a shape that conforms to the perimeter.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: September 15, 2015Assignee: Sony DADC Austria AGInventors: Christoph Mauracher, Werner Balika, Andrew Naisby
-
Publication number: 20150132794Abstract: A method of manufacturing a batch of sample containers optimized for culturing particular animal cells or binding particular proteins under particular growth conditions. When a customer requires a batch of sample containers, an appropriate surface is first selected by a testing process. A test container is provided which has a surface subdivided into a plurality of test areas, for example in a two-dimensional square array. Each test area has a pre-defined combination of surface properties including a micro- or nano-structure and these properties are varied from test area to test area. The animal cells or protein of interest are then tested under the particular conditions to be used. The test area that provides the ‘best’ conditions is then selected. The manufacture of a production batch of containers is then carried out, wherein the test areas in the production batch all copy the ‘best’ surface structure selected in the test.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2013Publication date: May 14, 2015Applicant: Sony DADC Austria AGInventors: Georg Bauer, Gottfried Reiter, Werner Balika, Christoph Mauracher
-
Publication number: 20140309375Abstract: A method of producing a polymer part comprising the following steps: (a) incorporating a hydrophobic small molecule into the polymer before, during or after manufacture of the polymer part, the hydrophobic small molecule and the polymer being essentially inert to one another; and (b) annealing the polymer part to induce migration of the hydrophobic small molecules to a surface of the polymer part to provide that surface with a specified degree of hydrophobicity defined by the combination of the polymer and the hydrophobic small molecule; is described. Polymer parts made according to the method are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2014Publication date: October 16, 2014Applicant: Sony DADC Austria AGInventors: Andrew NAISBY, Werner BALIKA, Johann HOFER, Georg BAUER
-
Publication number: 20140008546Abstract: A structured substrate is described which is suitable for forming and hosting a crystal array, as well as associated methods for making and using such a structured substrate. The structured substrate is made by injection molding and has on one side a combination of macro- and micro-structured features. Each macro-structured feature comprises an edge that forms a perimeter around an enclosed area containing a large number of the micro-structured features. When a droplet of a solution containing molecules of interest and a solvent is deposited onto one of the enclosed areas such that it extends somewhat beyond the perimeter, the droplet slowly dries and shrinks through evaporation of the solvent, during which the edge acts to seed crystallization of the molecules, and the micro-structured features act to direct crystal growth from the seed into the enclosed area. The crystal thus forms over the whole of the enclosed area in a shape that conforms to the perimeter.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: January 9, 2014Applicant: Sony DADC Austria AGInventors: Christoph MAURACHER, Werner BALIKA, Andrew NAISBY
-
Publication number: 20090246470Abstract: A substrate is provided, which comprises a structured surface including a regular pattern of a plurality of elevated structures that are elevated with respect to a nominal surface of the substrate, wherein at least two dimensions are between 1 nm and 100 ?m, the structured surface being configured to stimulate smooth crystallization of microcrystals or to boost hydrophobic properties. A target plate comprising a plurality of substrates is disclosed as well.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2009Publication date: October 1, 2009Applicant: SONY DADC Austria AGInventors: Ivan Lucic, Peter Hausberger, Werner Balika, Christian Poeschl