Intellectual Property Law

US Patent 7323033 - Variable permeability surface using nanoposts

By blaisemouttet

This patent from Lucent teaches using nanoposts to maintain a fluid separated from a porous membrane. Application of a voltage can be used to control the surface tension of the fluid and create a variable permeability membrane. Applications include controlling the electrolytic fluid in a battery to preserve battery life and controlling the breathability and water resistance of fabrics. Claim 1 reads:

1. Apparatus comprising: a substrate having a plurality of openings; and a plurality of nanostructures disposed on a surface of said substrate, the plurality of nanostructures being able to suspend a fluid above the surface without the fluid contacting the surface, wherein said plurality of openings are disposed between at least a portion of the nanostructures in a way such that at least a portion of said fluid passes through said plurality of openings when the fluid is caused to penetrate the plurality of nanostructures and contact the substrate.

Full post as published by TinytechIP on January 29, 2008 (boomark / email).