Richard John Spontak

US Patent:

6403663, Jun 11, 2002

Filed:

Sep 20, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/399993

Inventors:

Joseph M. DeSimone - Chapel Hill NC
Saad A. Khan - Cary NC
Joseph R. Royer - Cary NC
Richard J. Spontak - Raleigh NC
Teri Anne Walker - Raleigh NC

Assignee:

North Carolina State University - Raleigh NC
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Chapel Hill NC

International Classification:

C08J 900

US Classification:

521 97, 521 79, 521 91, 521 88, 521 87, 521 89, 521 94, 521134

Abstract:

A method of producing a foamed material comprises contacting a material with a fluid mixture comprising carbon dioxide and a surfactant, wherein the surfactant facilitates the dissolution of the carbon dioxide into the material and then foam the material in the fluid mixture.

US Patent:

6790870, Sep 14, 2004

Filed:

Mar 1, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/516482

Inventors:

Joseph M. DeSimone - Chapel Hill NC
Saad A. Khan - Cary NC
Joseph R. Royer - Cary NC
Richard J. Spontak - Raleigh NC
Teri Anne Walker - Raleigh NC
Yvon J. Gay - Saint Etienne, FR
Srinivas Siripurapu - Raleigh NC

Assignee:

North Carolina State University - Raleigh NC
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Chapel Hill NC

International Classification:

C08J 900

US Classification:

521 79, 521134, 521135, 521136, 521137, 521138, 521139, 521140, 264 50, 264 51

Abstract:

A method of producing a foamed material comprises contacting a mixture comprising a first thermoplastic polymer and a second thermoplastic polymer with a blowing agent, wherein the first thermoplastic polymer has a higher percent crystallinity that the second thermoplastic polymer; and subjecting the mixture to conditions sufficient to create a thermodynamic instability in the blend foam the mixture, wherein the mixture comprising the first and second thermoplastic polymers has a percent crystallinity lower than the first thermoplastic polymer.

US Patent:

7658989, Feb 9, 2010

Filed:

Mar 27, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/109174

Inventors:

Joseph M. DeSimone - Chapel Hill NC, US
Srinivas Siripurapu - Raleigh NC, US
Saad A. Khan - Cary NC, US
Richard J. Spontak - Raleigh NC, US
Joseph Royer - Greenville SC, US

Assignee:

North Carolina State University - Raleigh NC
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Chapel Hill NC

International Classification:

B32B 3/26
B32B 9/00

US Classification:

4283044, 4283155, 4283166, 4283184

Abstract:

Polymeric materials having a plurality of cells formed therein are described. The polymeric materials include a foamed layer comprising a plurality of uniform microcells, nanocells or combinations thereof in a closed cell network, a transition layer positioned adjacent to the foamed layer, and at least one unfoamed outer layer positioned adjacent to the transition layer. The foamed layer may be present in a volume ranging from about 80 to about 99 percent based on the volume of the polymeric material, the transition layer may present in a volume ranging from about 0 to about 10 percent based on the volume of the polymeric material, and the at least one outer layer may be present in a volume ranging from about 0. 01 to about 10 percent based on the volume of the polymeric material. Methods of making such polymeric materials are also described, as are apparatus for providing foamed polymeric materials.

US Patent:

7956520, Jun 7, 2011

Filed:

Nov 19, 2007

Appl. No.:

12/515761

Inventors:

Ravi Shankar - Raleigh NC, US
Tushar K. Ghosh - Cary NC, US
Richard J. Spontak - Raleigh NC, US

Assignee:

North Carolina State University - Raleigh NC

International Classification:

H01L 41/08

US Classification:

310800

Abstract:

An actuator element formed from an actuator composition is described, along with transducers including the same. The composition comprises: (i) a thermoplastic elastomer copolymer, the copolymer comprising at least one flexible midblock, and at least two glassy or semicrystalline endblocks; and (ii) a liquid modifier that selectively solvates the at least one flexible midblock.

US Patent:

20070190148, Aug 16, 2007

Filed:

Feb 14, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/353901

Inventors:

Peter Cronin - Newark DE, US
Daniel Halbert - Hockessin DE, US
Richard Spontak - Raleigh NC, US
Bin Wei - Somerville NJ, US

International Classification:

A61K 9/14

US Classification:

424484000, 977906000

Abstract:

Compositions including a liquid or liquid-like carrier and first and second particles dispersed therein. The first and second particles differ from each other in at least one surface chemistry property, such as hydrophobicity. The gel compositions can be used in a variety of applications, including the separation of blood samples into component fractions. Processes for producing gel compositions having desirable properties are also provided.

US Patent:

20130199692, Aug 8, 2013

Filed:

Aug 1, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/813245

Inventors:

Carlos D. Gutierrez - Spartanburg SC, US
Ali Evren Ozcam - Woodbury MN, US
Richard John Spontak - Raleigh NC, US
Jan Genzer - Raleigh NC, US

Assignee:

NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY - Raleigh NC
UNITED RESOURCE RECOVERY CORPORATION - Spartanburg SC

International Classification:

B05D 7/24

US Classification:

156 60, 4274301, 4273935, 427344

Abstract:

Methods for surface treatment of polyester substrates are described. Treatment methods include adherence of a polymer layer on a surface of the polyester so as to increase the hydrophilic properties of the surface. Polymers can be polyelectrolytes that are adsorbed at the surface or polymer brushes that are polymerized at the surface. Further surface functionalization can include the adherence of inorganic nanoparticles to the surface. The polyester substrates can be recycled polyester such as recycled polyethylene terephthalate that has been subjected to a partial saponification reaction during the recycling process.

US Patent:

56350279, Jun 3, 1997

Filed:

Apr 3, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/415930

Inventors:

Richard J. Spontak - Raleigh NC
Joanna E. Roberts - Charlotte NC
Saad A. Khan - Raleigh NC

Assignee:

North Carolina State University - Raleigh NC

International Classification:

D21C 1112

US Classification:

162 3011

Abstract:

A method of recycling sodium-based salts used for digesting wood in a digester during the manufacture of pulp and paper. The method comprises collecting a black liquor from the digester, concentrating the black liquor, and adding a salt to the black liquor in an amount sufficient to reduce the viscosity thereof. Preferred salts are thiocyanate salts. The black liquor is then oxidized to produce a green liquor and a causticizer added to the green liquor to produce a white liquor containing the sodium-based salts to be recycled. The white liquor is then returned to the digester.

US Patent:

59001127, May 4, 1999

Filed:

May 30, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/866710

Inventors:

Richard J. Spontak - Raleigh NC
Joanna E. Roberts - Charlotte NC
Saad A Khan - Raleigh NC

Assignee:

North Carolina State University - Raleigh NC

International Classification:

D21C 1104

US Classification:

162 3011

Abstract:

A method of recycling sodium-based salts used for digesting wood in a digester during the manufacture of pulp and paper. The method comprises collecting a black liquor from the digester, concentrating the black liquor, and adding a salt to the black liquor in an amount sufficient to reduce the viscosity thereof. Preferred salts are thiocyanate salts. The black liquor is then oxidized to produce a green liquor and a causticizer added to the green liquor to produce a white liquor containing the sodium-based salts to be recycled. The white liquor is then returned to the digester.