Intellectual Property Law

Top Ten Nanotechnology Patents of 2012

Posted on December 30, 2012
The following is a list of the most interesting nanotechnology patents this past year (in my opinion):#10 - US 8093786 - Nanoscale piezoelectrics (Stevens Institute of Technology)This patent teaches manufacturing piezoelectric nanofibers enabling the fabrication of nanoscale sensors and actuators...

Memristor debate: "If it works who cares?"

Posted on November 05, 2012
I have made various public arguments over the past year about why Leon Chua and HP's "memristor" models are all hype rather than a legitimate scientific model for resistance switching (e.g. The Register, EETimes, New Scientist, Wired)...

The memory resistor patent thicket

Posted on October 17, 2012
Patent thickets are overlapping patent rights controlled by different corporations which often act as an impedance to commercialization of new technology. Over the past few years I have been tracking the development of memory resistor technology (e...

Fundamental Issues and Problems in the Realization of Memristors

Posted on August 13, 2012
It appears that some in the scientific community are beginning to catch on to the problems of HP's "memristor" models. A recent preprint was posted in arXiv by Paul Meuffels and Rohit Soni criticizing Leon Chua and HP's memristor framework on the grounds that it does not obey the "no energy discharge property" and is not consistent with principles of thermodynamics (link)...

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US Patent 8233017 - Electrostatic printing with nanocarbon image generator

Posted on August 06, 2012
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8233017.htmlXerox continues its efforts in using nanostructured materials to improve the operability of electrophotographic printers. This latest patent teaches using graphene or carbon nanotubes in forming an electrostatic image for smaller, more energy efficient printers...

US Patent 8232722 - Nanocrystal LED with reduced radiative loss

Posted on August 06, 2012
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8232722.htmlThis patent from MIT teaches using nanocrystals to form an LED structure including a lightly doped layer to improve the efficiency of photon generation. Claim 1 reads:1. A light emitting device comprising: a first charge transporting layer including a first inorganic material in contact with a first electrode arranged to introduce charge in the first charge transporting layer; a second electrode; a plurality of colloidally-grown semiconductor nanocrystals disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode; and a lightly doped layer proximal to the nanocrystals, wherein the lightly doped layer is doped in an amount effective to minimize non-radiative losses due to exciton quenching by unbound charge carriers in the transporting layer.

Memristors and Claim Construction

Posted on August 03, 2012
It is no surprise to regular readers of this blog that I oppose the hype surrounding HP's memristor. A recent online article in Wired covers some of my concerns (link). However, even for those who support the memristor hype I would recommend caution when using the term "memristor" in the claims of patent applications...

US Patent 8231013 - Fluid separation membrane with nanoparticle filler

Posted on August 02, 2012
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8231013.htmlGrowth in industrialization has led to a increased demands on freshwater supplies and an increased interest in wastewater recycling. This patent from the Research Foundation of the State University of New York teaches a way to use nanomaterials to form a water filtration system having a high permeation rate and a reduced fouling rate compared to filtration systems currently available...

US Patent 8232074 - Nanotips for measuring electrical properties of cells

Posted on August 02, 2012
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8232074.htmlThis patent from Cellectricon teaches nanoelectrode arrays performing high-throughput electrophysiological recordings for drug discovery. Claim 1 reads:1. A microfluidic system comprising: a) at least one measurement chamber wherein the measurement chamber comprises walls and a base; b) at least one hollow nanotip protruding from the walls or base of the measurement chamber and having an aperture at an end of the nanotip; and c) at least one microchannel connected to the measurement chamber, the microchannel having at least one inlet positioned to receive an aqueous solution and at least one outlet positioned to deliver the aqueous solution into the measurement chamber.

US Patent 8231770 - Nanoporous carbon actuator

Posted on August 02, 2012
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8231770.htmlCarbon nanotubes have been proposed to produce actuators with a greater energy density per mass but such actuators are difficult to produce since the nanotubes are expensive and are not available in 3D shapes which limits applicability...

US Patent 8228575 - Holographic display using "nanomachines"

Posted on July 26, 2012
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8228575.htmlThis patent from Verizon Patent and Licensing appears to me a little bit dubious in terms of enablement but suggests that it is possible to create 3D holographic images using iron-doped nanotubes (referred to as "nanomachines" in the claims) controlled by an electromagnetic field...

US Patent 8227979 - Quantum dot color matching

Posted on July 26, 2012
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8227979.htmlThe color of quantum dots is determined by both the semiconductor material and the size of the quantum dots. This patent from Samsung teaches how to create customized LEDs with a color matching any physical material by properly selecting a population of quantum dots...

US Patent 8227957 - Piezoelectric nanowire electrical energy generator

Posted on July 26, 2012
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8227957.htmlThis patent from Samsung teaches the use of piezoelectric nanowires in an auxiliary power source for mobile devices which can convert light or mechanical energy into electrical energy. Claim 1 reads:1. An apparatus for generating electrical energy, comprising: a first electrode; a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode; a nanowire which includes a piezoelectric material and is disposed on the first electrode; an active layer disposed on the first electrode; a conductive layer disposed on the active layer; and an insulating film disposed between the conductive layer and the nanowire, wherein the nanowire and the active layer are electrically connected to each other.

US Patent 8227817 - Elevated nanowire LED

Posted on July 24, 2012
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8227817.htmlThe light production of conventional solid state LEDs is limited to a planar growth layer so that a considerable amount of produced light will not contribute to illumination. This patent from QuNano teaches a nanostructured approach which includes bulb structures on vertical nanowires to improve the illumination efficiency...

US Patent 8226863 - Production of 3D product having a nanoporous surface

Posted on July 24, 2012
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8226863.htmlThis patent from Empire Technology Development teaches a way to manufacture nanoporous surfaces which may be useful for culturing cells and emulating biological organs. Claim 1 reads:1. A method for producing a three-dimensional product having a nanoporous surface, the method comprising: preparing a yarn having a surface consisting of a material in which a plurality of nanoparticles is dispersed in a matrix;knitting or weaving the yarn to form a knitted fabric or a woven fabric; and immersing the knitted fabric or the woven fabric in a liquid which dissolves the nanoparticles but does not dissolve the matrix.

US Patent 8226015 - Orthogonal charge-based spectral coding with quantum dots

Posted on July 24, 2012
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8226015.htmlThis patent based on U.S. Naval research teaches a method of preparing nanocrystals for applications as biological tags so as to distinguish between concurrent cellular events. Claim 1 reads:1. A method of preparing optical barcodes, comprising: combining a plurality of populations of quantum dots with quantities of a modulator of photoluminescence to produce a plurality of optical barcodes, wherein the plurality of optical barcodes have at least two distinguishable colors arising from varying quantities of a modulator of photoluminescence bound to the populations of quantum dots, wherein the modulator of photoluminescence acts to quench or enhance photoluminescence.

US Patent 8225704 - Armor with transformed nanotube material

Posted on July 24, 2012
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8225704.htmlA variety of proposals have been made over the years for the use of carbon nanotubes to achieve stronger and lighter armor. This latest patent come from NanoRidge Materials and teaches pressure and heat treatment of a ceramic/nanotube mixture to form the armor...

US Patent 8222190 - Graphene-modified lubricant

Posted on July 17, 2012
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8222190.htmlThis latest patent from Nanotek Instruments teaches an improved lubricant based on graphene. Claim 1 reads:1. A lubricant composition having improved lubricant properties, comprising: (a) a lubricating fluid; and (b) nano graphene platelets dispersed in said fluid, wherein said nano graphene platelets have a proportion of 0...

US Patent 8221934 - Titania nanofibers for fuel cells

Posted on July 17, 2012
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8221934.htmlThis patent from GM Global teaches an improved catalyst layer for a fuel cell electrode based on titania and ionic nanotubes. Claim 1 reads:1. A fuel cell component comprising: an electrode having a non-carbon support material comprising nanotubes of titania and nanotubes of an ion conducting ionomer...

US Patent 8221716 - CNT synthesis using ultrasonic waves

Posted on July 17, 2012
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8221716.htmlConventional carbon nanotube production processes require high temperatures and low pressure environments and produce unwanted byproducts. This patent from Samsung teaches a new way to manufacture single walled carbon nanotubes at room temperature and atmospheric pressure while reducing unwanted carbon byproducts...

US Patent 8221715 - N-doping CNT material

Posted on July 17, 2012
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8221715.htmlCarbon nanotubes are usually in the p-doped state after being prepared because electron depletion occurs due to the use of an acid for the removal of the metal catalysts used in growing the nanotubes. This patent from Samsung teaches a method for n-doping the nanotubes using reducing agents and thus enables the creation of bipolar electronics from nanotubes...

US Patent 8220068 - Nanowire scanning probe array

Posted on July 12, 2012
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8220068.htmlScanning probe microscopes are used to analyze semiconductor features on a nanoscale. In order to analyze 3D surfaces and trenches carbon nanotubes have been used as the tips of the scanning probes but it is difficult to mass produce nanotube tipped probes...

US Patent 8218930 - Nanotube coated optical fiber

Posted on July 12, 2012
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8218930.htmlFiber optic technology is critical to operations in spacecraft such as the International Space Station and in military aircraft and submarines. Cracks or fatigue in the optical fiber can lead to catastrophic failure in these systems...

US Patent 8217366 - Carbon ion generator for tumor treatment

Posted on July 11, 2012
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8217366.htmlIt has been reported that carbon ions are 2.8 times higher in cancer cell kill rate than protons and are 2.5 times lower in cancer recurrence rate than X-rays or protons. This patent from the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute teaches a nanotechnology approach to generating high purity carbon ions which may my enable the use of carbon ion sources in cancer therapy...

US Patent 8217108 - Polymeric composite including nanoparticle filler

Posted on July 11, 2012
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8217108.htmlNaturalNano, Inc. is a company developing new nanomaterials for industrial polymers, plastics and composites, additives to cosmetics, agricultural, and household products. This latest patent teaches a composite that improves the binding of clay nanotubes to a polymer matrix...

US Patent 8216961 - Metal-metal oxide-silica nanoparticle

Posted on July 11, 2012
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8216961.htmlThis patent from the Korea University Research and Business Foundation teaches forming nanoparticle chemical catalysts which are coated with silica to avoid problems of agglomeration. Claim 1 reads:1...

US Patent 8216636 - Flow alignment of nanotubes

Posted on July 10, 2012
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8216636.htmlFlow-based alignment has been proposed by Nanosys to orient nanowires in a particular direction. This patent from Nanyang Technological University teaches a similar technique in which a pre-alignment step is used to avoid clogs in flow channels...

US Patent 8216542 - Nanotube separation using microwaves

Posted on July 10, 2012
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8216542.htmlThis patent from the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials teaches a way to remove metallic nanotubes from a mixture of carbon nanotubes to produce high purity semiconducting nanotubes. Claim 1 reads:1...

US Patent 8216436 - Hetero-nanostructures for solar energy conversion

Posted on July 10, 2012
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8216436.htmlTitanium dioxide is well known to be useful for solar cells but has limited implementations due to low conductivity, poor absorption in the visible range of the solar spectrum, and the lack of matching p-type materials...

US Patent 8212237 - Surrounding gate nanowire flash memory

Posted on July 09, 2012
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8212237.htmlThis patent from QuNano teaches a charge trap based memory which help reduce the footprint of flash memory cells while allowing vertical stacking for 3D memory. Claim 1 reads:1. A nanostructured memory device comprising: at least one semiconductor nanowire forming a current transport channel; one or more shell layers arranged around at least a portion of the nanowire; nano-sized charge trapping centres embedded in said one or more shell layers, wherein a change in an amount of charge stored in one or more of the charge trapping centres alters the conductivity of the nanowire; and at least a first gate electrode arranged around at least a portion of said one or more shell layers in order to control the amount of charge stored in the charge trapping centres under the gate electrode; wherein said one or more shell layers are made of materials having different band gap in order to give a graded or crested band profile.

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