Recent Patents on Materials Science
Volume 1, 3 Issues 2008
ISSN: 1874-4648 (Print)
ISSN: 1874-4656 (Online)
Recent Patents on Materials
Science
Volume 1, Number 1, January 2008
Contents
Synthesis of Polymer-Embedded Metal, Semimetal, or Sulfide
Clusters by Thermolysis of Mercaptide Molecules Dissolved
in Polymers Pp. 1-11
Luigi F. Nicolais and Gianfranco Carotenuto
[Abstract] [Full
Text Article]
Patenting the Glass Compositions During the Last
Century Pp. 12-20
Alexandar I. Priven and Oleg V. Mazurin
[Abstract] [Full
Text Article]
Recent Patents on Liquid Crystal Alignment
Pp. 21-28
Philip J. Martin
[Abstract] [Full
Text Article]
Recent Applications of Polyacrylamide as Biomaterials
Pp. 29-40
Tsung-Hua Yang
[Abstract] [Full
Text Article]
Recently Patented Work on Thermally Sprayed Coatings
for Protection Against Wear and Corrosion of Engineered Structures
Pp. 41-55
Robert B. Heimann and Hans D. Lehmann
[Abstract] [Full
Text Article]
Industrial Developments in the Field of Optically
Transparent Inorganic Materials: A Survey of Recent Patents
Pp. 56-73
Deborah D. Silva and Aldo R. Boccaccini
[Abstract] [Full
Text Article]
Holographic Recording Medium Pp. 74-94
Asit B. Samui
[Abstract] [Full
Text Article]
Patent
Selections Pp. 95-97
Abstracts
[Back to top]
Synthesis of Polymer-Embedded Metal, Semimetal, or Sulfide
Clusters by Thermolysis of Mercaptide Molecules Dissolved
in Polymers
Luigi F. Nicolais and Gianfranco Carotenuto
[Full Text Article]
Metal and metal sulfide clusters embedded in polymeric
matrices represents a novel nanostructured material class.
These materials combine optical transparency to magnetism,
luminescence, UV-visible absorption, thermochromism, etc.
leaving to unique functional materials that can be conveniently
exploited for a number of applications in different technological
fields. A really effective synthesis route for these materials
is represented by the thermal decomposition of mercaptide
molecules dissolved in polymer. Mercaptides can be dissolved/dispersed
in polymers and thermally degraded at temperatures compatible
with polymer stability (100°-250°C), generating metal
atoms or metal sulfide molecules that leave to very small
nanoparticles by clustering. Mercaptide synthesis, blending
with polymers, and thermal decomposition are quite simple
and general operations, consequently this approach can be
easily applied for the preparation of a variety of nanocomposite
systems. In this review, we present some fundamental aspects
related to the chemistry of mercaptides (synthesis), the calorimetric
study of their thermolysis process, the main techniques for
nanocomposite characterization, and a short description of
material applications. This article also includes recent patent
coverage.
[Back to top]
Patenting the Glass Compositions During the Last
Century
Alexandar I. Priven and Oleg V. Mazurin
[Full Text Article]
Glass is a material that is widely used in various fields
of techniques and engineering (optics, electric devices, ware,
medicine, etc.) due to a unique combination of properties,
many of them being possible to vary in wide ranges depending
on chemical composition. For this reason chemical compositions
of glasses of various usage are widely patented. In the paper,
the history of patenting the glass compositions since 1907
as well as present-day trends of development of new glasses
are analyzed by using the database SciGlass IP containing
the data about 100,000+ patents and patent applications published
worldwide. Today’s challenges during the development
of new glass compositions and possible solutions are characterized.
[Back to top]
Recent Patents on Liquid Crystal Alignment
Philip J. Martin
[Full Text Article]
The fabrication of liquid crystal devices requires a reproducible
and accurate method of aligning the LC on the surface of the
electrodes. Rubbed polyimide surfaces have been successfully
employed but suffer disadvantages. Recent developments in
technology have seen new methods based on ion and plasma bombardment,
UV exposure and electron irradiation. In addition, there has
been much activity in achieving LC alignment through doping
of the LC itself with suitable agents. Here, we review the
recent developments in LC alignment technology and the patent
literature in this area.
[Back to top]
Recent Applications of Polyacrylamide as Biomaterials
Tsung-Hua Yang
[Full Text Article]
The synthetic polymer, polyacrylamide derived from acrylamide
monomer, was originally introduced for use as a support matrix
for electrophoresis in 1959. Later, because of its applicability
and economy, polyacrylamide has found widespread applications
ranging from microanalysis to macro-fractionation for proteins,
nucleic acid, and other biomolecules. On the other hand, recent
years also witnessed increasing research interests in the
potential of polyacrylamide acting as biomaterials. This review
article will comprehensively present and discuss recent interesting
patents classified according to the following highlights:
(1) Enzyme immobilization within polyacrylamide gels; (2)
Carriers for delivery of drugs and bioactive compounds; (3)
Smart materials able to respond with stimulus; (4) Polyacrylamide-based
matrices in extracorporeal toxin removal modalities; (5) Non-absorbable
soft tissue fillers used for body contouring in reconstructive
surgery or for cosmetic purposes. In summary, current researches
and achievements of polyacrylamide have therefore well demonstrated
its versatility and usefulness as biomaterials. Further developments
of polyacrylamide-associated technologies will undoubtedly
enhance the value and broaden the possibilities of applications
of polyacrylamide in the field of biomaterials.
[Back to top]
Recently Patented Work on Thermally Sprayed Coatings
for Protection Against Wear and Corrosion of Engineered Structures
Robert B. Heimann and Hans D. Lehmann
[Full Text Article]
Advanced ceramic and metallic coatings for wear and corrosion
protection of engineered structures applied by thermal spraying
techniques have become a mainstay of surface engineering.
Estimated global sales of thermally sprayed coatings are in
the US$5 billion range per year, 50% of which are achieved
by atmospheric plasma spraying. The development of suitable
deposition equipment, sophisticated on-line process control,
ease of application to complex surfaces, availability of a
broad range of tailored feedstock materials, and sensitive
characterization and quality assurance methods make novel
surface coatings and their improved deposition techniques
increasingly attractive. This review will cover patented progress
in the field of wear- and corrosion-resistant coatings achieved
during the past few years.
[Back to top]
Industrial Developments in the Field of Optically
Transparent Inorganic Materials: A Survey of Recent Patents
Deborah D. Silva and Aldo R. Boccaccini
[Full Text Article]
Continuous development of advanced technologies brings about
the constant need for new materials with suitable properties
to even stricter demands. A special interest has been given
to the development of inorganic transparent materials, not
only for optical and lighting applications, but also in the
electronic, aerospace, civil construction and armour industries.
The major motivations are generally weight reduction and enhancement
of mechanical properties, also at high temperatures, while
simultaneously keeping or, in some cases, increasing the optical
transparency. A review of the latest industrial developments
in the field of transparent inorganic materials is presented
in this paper. Relevant patents disclosed for polycrystalline
ceramics, glass-ceramics and composites, in which transparency
is claimed as one of the main properties achieved, are described
and discussed. Only fully inorganic materials have been considered,
therefore, in the case of composite materials, laminate systems
including polymeric layers (commonly used in armour applications
or security glass) were not included in the review. Moreover,
focus is on structural applications, while optical and telecommunication-related
materials are not covered in detail.
[Back to top]
Holographic Recording Medium
Asit B. Samui
[Full Text Article]
The requirement for diverse applications such as digital
video, interactive media etc. demands high storage densities,
rapid data transfer rates, random access to data and removability
of the storage media. The complete technology involves suitable
recording medium and the processes for recording, post treatment
and reading. The challenge in the development of holographic
storage system is the availability of appropriate recording
medium which shows maximum refractive index change on irradiation.
In this article, attempt has been made to discuss the important
disclosure of patents made during rapid development of the
holographic recording medium. Silver halide emulsions to variety
of photopolymers are developed to achieve minimum polymer
film shrinkage, minimum post processing and multiple writing.
All types of polymer based mediums are incorporated in this
article. Few discussions are divided into subsections. It
has generally been observed that acrylates, acrylamide, carbazolyl-,
fluorenyl-, anthracenyl- containing monomers are common monomers
and polymethyl metha-crylates, polyvinyl alcohols, epoxy resin,
sol-gel to polyelectrolytes are the common matrix resin. A
recent addition is the nanoparticles in the composition to
improve the diffraction efficiency and hologram stability.
A different class of photopolymer called photorefractive polymer
is also reported. Liquid crystalline polymer is photopolymer
which provides erasable holographic media. Claims chosen are
mostly from US patents. Some other literatures are also included
as demanded by the discussion. The important features of the
medium used in patents are highlighted. The details about
performance, as claimed in certain patents, are incorporated.
Rapid developments are observed in the subject.
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