Innovation Timeline
Advanced Materials
Gore-Tex, carbon fiber, nanotubes, and the materials science patents that created entirely new industries.
Landmark patents
145
Total citations
13,258
Span
1844 – 2026
Milestones
29
1910s
How William Burton Invented Modern Gasoline Refining
A 1913 patent by William Burton that describes a thermal cracking process to turn heavy crude oil into usable gasoline for automobiles.
2 citations
Elwood Haynes' Early Stellite Cobalt-Chromium Alloy
A 1913 patent for a durable, corrosion-resistant metal alloy made primarily of cobalt and chromium, which laid the foundation for modern high-performance tools and medical implants.
18 citations
1920s
How Early Electromagnetic Pumps Moved Liquid Metal Using Magnetic Fields
A 1927 patent for a pump that uses electromagnetic forces to move conductive liquids without needing moving mechanical parts like pistons or impellers.
7 citations
How Richard Drew Invented Modern Transparent Adhesive Tape
The 1930 patent for the first pressure-sensitive adhesive tape, which replaced messy glues and paper tapes with a convenient, clear, and sticky strip.
20 citations
1930s
How DuPont Invented Neoprene Synthetic Rubber
A 1934 patent describing the chemical process to turn chlorobutadiene into a durable, oil-resistant synthetic rubber known as Neoprene.
7 citations
How Glass Fibers Are Spun for Insulation
A 1933 invention by Games Slayter that describes the process of melting glass and blasting it into fine, flexible fibers to create insulation.
22 citations
How Wallace Carothers Invented Nylon
The foundational 1935 patent for synthetic linear polyamides, the chemical process that created the material we now call nylon.
299 citations
Chester Carlson's Original Xerography Patent
Chester Carlson's 1942 patent for xerography, the dry copying process that became the foundation for Xerox machines.
737 citations
The Discovery of Teflon
This 1941 patent describes the creation of polytetrafluoroethylene, a slippery, heat-resistant plastic discovered by accident that became known as Teflon.
74 citations
1940s
How the First Aerosol Spray Can Works
A 1941 invention by Lyle Goodhue and William Sullivan that created the modern aerosol spray can by using a liquefied gas to propel liquid contents.
20 citations
How to Make Silly Putty Using Silicone and Zinc
A 1944 chemical process for turning liquid silicone oil into a bouncy, stretchable, putty-like material by adding boron compounds and zinc hydroxide.
80 citations
How Earl Tupper Invented the Airtight Plastic Food Container
A 1947 patent for a flexible plastic container with a unique, airtight lid that seals by pressing down on the center, creating the foundation for Tupperware.
116 citations
1950s
Buckminster Fuller's Geodesic Dome Building Design
A structural design for a spherical building made of interlocking triangular frames that distribute weight efficiently to create large, stable, and lightweight spaces.
120 citations
How George de Mestral Invented Velcro
A 1952 patent describing the creation of a hook-and-loop fastener by weaving synthetic loops into fabric and cutting them to create tiny, grippy hooks.
299 citations
How Super Glue Bonds Acidic Surfaces Like Wood
A 1954 method for using alcohol to help super glue stick to acidic surfaces like wood, which normally prevent the glue from hardening properly.
23 citations
How the Float Glass Process Makes Perfectly Flat Window Panes
This 1954 patent describes the float glass process, a method for creating high-quality, perfectly flat glass by floating molten glass on a bath of liquid metal.
53 citations
How Spandex Elastic Fibers Are Chemically Engineered
DuPont's 1960 patent for a stretchy, durable synthetic fiber made from segmented polymers, which became the foundation for modern Spandex.
71 citations
How Bubble Wrap Is Manufactured
A 1959 manufacturing process that creates cushioning material by trapping air between two layers of plastic film.
185 citations
1960s
How Soft Contact Lenses Were Invented Using Hydrogels
This patent describes the chemical recipe for soft, water-absorbing plastic materials that form the basis of modern soft contact lenses.
228 citations
How Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs) Were Invented
This 1962 patent describes the first practical way to use organic liquid crystals to create a display that scatters light when an electric current is applied.
90 citations
How Disposable Diapers Keep Skin Dry Using Porous Plastic Sheets
A 1970 patent by Procter and Gamble describing a specialized plastic top layer for diapers that allows liquid to pass through while keeping the baby's skin feeling dry.
133 citations
How Stephanie Kwolek Invented the Liquid Crystal Solution for Kevlar
A 1969 chemical discovery describing a specialized liquid mixture that allows for the creation of incredibly strong, high-performance synthetic fibers.
132 citations
1970s
Sticky, Tiny Plastic Balls Made from Acrylates
This 1972 patent describes how to make tiny, sticky, and durable plastic balls (microspheres) using a specific mix of acrylate chemicals and a special water-based process.
382 citations
How Corning Invented Modern Fiber Optic Cables
A 1970 method for creating glass fibers that carry light over long distances by layering glass inside a tube and drawing it into a thin, solid strand.
86 citations
How Piezoelectric Inkjet Printing Works
A 1970 patent describing how to print images by using electrical pulses to bend a tiny crystal plate, squeezing individual ink drops out of a nozzle on demand.
448 citations
How Plastic Soda Bottles Are Made Stronger Using Stretched Molecules
A 1970s invention that describes how to make lightweight, clear plastic bottles strong enough to hold carbonated drinks without exploding.
170 citations
How Chemically Strengthened Glass Works
A 1971 Corning patent describing a specific chemical recipe for glass that can be made incredibly tough by swapping small atoms in its surface for larger ones.
52 citations
The Molecular Structure of Kevlar High-Strength Fiber
Stephanie Kwolek's 1971 patent for DuPont describing the molecular alignment and manufacturing of extremely strong, lightweight synthetic aramid fibers, which became famous as Kevlar.
141 citations
Making Strong, Porous PTFE: The Gore-Tex Process
This patent describes a specific process for rapidly stretching a highly crystalline form of PTFE plastic to create a strong, porous material with a unique internal structure, forming the basis for products like Gore-Tex.
1,364 citations
Early Lithium-Ion Battery Design Using Chalcogenides
This 1977 patent describes an early rechargeable battery design using lithium as one electrode and titanium disulfide as the other, a key step towards modern lithium-ion technology.
93 citations
The Sticky Microscopic Beads Behind Post-it Notes
3M's 1977 patent on tiny, naturally sticky plastic beads that can stick to a surface, peel off easily without leaving residue, and be reused over and over again.
278 citations
How to Encapsulate Active Materials in Lipid Bubbles Efficiently
This patent describes a method for trapping biologically active substances inside tiny, multi-layered fat bubbles called liposomes, using a specific water-in-oil emulsion and gel-forming process to improve how much material gets captured.
1,862 citations
How Microwave Crisping Sleeves Work
General Mills' 1978 patent on using a thin, metal-coated plastic wrap that converts microwave energy into intense surface heat to crisp and brown food like Hot Pockets.
234 citations
How a Special Carbon-Fluorine Catalyst Makes Chlorine and Caustic Soda
This patent describes using a unique carbon-fluorine compound as a catalyst in a special type of electrolysis cell to make chlorine and caustic soda more efficiently by preventing hydrogen gas from forming.
47 citations
1980s
How Lithium-Cobalt Battery Cathodes Were Invented
This 1981 patent details the chemistry behind the lithium-cobalt oxide cathodes that power almost every modern smartphone, laptop, and electric vehicle.
90 citations
How Organic Diodes Make Light Using Special Molecules
Eastman Kodak's 1982 patent on creating light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) using organic materials, specifically a layer of porphyrinic compounds to help inject electrical charges.
1,031 citations
How Lithium-Ion Battery Cathodes Are Made
A foundational 1982 method for creating the materials used in rechargeable lithium-ion batteries by removing ions at low temperatures.
41 citations
How 3D Printers Build Objects Layer by Layer from Liquid
This patent describes the foundational method for 3D printing, where a machine builds a three-dimensional object layer by layer by hardening a liquid material with light or other energy.
1,094 citations
How Special Sugars Make Medicines Dissolve Better
This patent describes how to make poorly water-soluble drugs dissolve and absorb better by mixing them with specially modified, non-crystalline sugar molecules called cyclodextrin derivatives.
341 citations
How to Make Clear, Waterproof Sunscreen That Doesn't Feel Greasy
A 1989 patent for a transparent, water-resistant sunscreen formula that uses wood rosin to create a non-sticky, long-lasting protective film on the skin.
11 citations
How Machines Build 3D Objects Layer by Layer from Melting Plastic
This patent describes a method and machine for creating three-dimensional objects by precisely depositing melted material, layer by layer, from a movable nozzle onto a base.
793 citations
1990s
Preventing Protein Damage with Extra Methionine
This 1993 patent describes how adding extra methionine to protein-based medicines can prevent them from degrading, especially in liquid or semi-solid forms.
63 citations
How to Make Durable Non-Slip Surfaces Using Electron Beam Curing
A method for creating flexible, non-slip materials by bonding mineral grit to plastic sheets using a special radiation-cured glue that stays strong even when stretched.
25 citations
Making High-Concentration Antibody Medicines Stable for Injection
Genentech's 2001 patent on a method to create stable, concentrated antibody medicines that can be easily reconstituted for injection, preventing degradation during freezing and storage.
878 citations
Tiny Capsules for Electronic Paper Displays
MIT's 1999 patent on a special ink made of tiny capsules that can change color when an electric field is applied, forming the basis for early e-readers.
508 citations
How Car Windows Use Special Coatings to Balance Privacy and Visibility
A patent for automotive glass that uses a specific combination of tinted glass and multi-layered coatings to keep the inside private while ensuring the driver can see out clearly.
7 citations
2000s
How to Make Stable, High-Water Content Skin Creams
A recipe for creating stable skin lotions that are mostly water but feel like rich, oily creams by using specific silicone emulsifiers and carefully balanced oils.
25 citations
How to Store Fragile Biological Materials Without Refrigeration
A method for preserving unstable biological materials like proteins by trapping them in a solid, glass-like sugar or polymer matrix that prevents decay at room temperature.
11 citations
How Fuel Cells Reuse Exhaust Hydrogen for High Efficiency
This patent describes a fuel cell system that captures and recycles over 95% of the unused hydrogen from its exhaust stream using a special pump, significantly boosting efficiency.
29 citations
How Nanoparticles Form Adaptive Neural Network Connections
This patent describes how to build and strengthen a physical neural network using tiny nanoparticles suspended in a liquid, where electric fields make the connections learn and adapt.
12 citations
How to Make Hydrogen Gas Using Sulfur Dioxide and Electricity
This patent describes a special kind of electrolysis cell that uses sulfur dioxide gas at one electrode to help produce hydrogen gas more efficiently.
9 citations
Wind Turbine Blades with Noise-Reducing Serrated Edges
This patent describes a wind turbine blade design that reduces noise by attaching a special serrated plate to its trailing edge, integrated directly into one of the blade's outer surfaces.
20 citations
Solar Cells Made of Stacking Layers with Different Energy Gaps
This patent describes a solar cell built by stacking multiple layers, each designed to capture a different part of the light spectrum for maximum energy conversion, achieving high efficiency.
2 citations
Making Chemicals from Carbon Dioxide and Steam Using Electricity
This patent describes a process that uses electricity to split steam and then reacts the resulting hydrogen with carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide to create various carbon-based compounds, like fuels or plastics.
22 citations
How to Make Hydrogen Gas and Cupric Chloride Using an Electrolysis Cell
This patent describes an electrochemical cell that uses cuprous chloride in hydrochloric acid to produce hydrogen gas and cupric chloride, separated by a special membrane.
3 citations
2010s
How to Make Solar Troughs Catch More Sunlight at Their Ends
This patent describes adding special reflective extensions and caps to the ends of a single-axis tracking solar trough to capture more sunlight that would otherwise be lost, making the collector more efficient.
23 citations
Making Caustic Soda with Less Salt Using a Special Electrolysis Cell
This patent describes a method to make purer caustic soda and chlorine gas using a two-chamber electrolysis cell with a gas diffusion electrode by carefully controlling pressure differences.
7 citations
Making Special Materials Inside Commercial Nuclear Power Plants
This patent describes a method for using the neutron radiation inside large commercial nuclear power reactors, specifically in their existing instrumentation tubes, to create useful isotopes like those used in medicine or industry.
5 citations
Attaching Flexible Circuits with Light Sensors to a Chip
This patent describes a method and device for attaching a bendable circuit, which includes light-sensing or light-emitting components, onto a main chip, allowing light to pass through a hole in the chip to reach the flexible part.
How to Prepare a Fuel Cell for Faster, Cheaper Startup
This patent describes a method for 'pre-activating' a fuel cell stack by injecting humidified hydrogen, sealing it, and storing it, which helps reduce the time and hydrogen needed for its first full operation.
3 citations
How Spacecraft Use Layered Nets to Stop Orbital Debris
A system using multiple layers of specialized fiber nets with varying densities to catch and break up space junk before it hits a satellite.
3 citations
How Microbes Turn Carbon Waste into Useful Chemicals
This patent describes a method using special bacteria called oxyhydrogen microorganisms, specifically Rhodococcus sp., to convert carbon dioxide and other single-carbon compounds into valuable organic chemicals like biofuels.
9 citations
Solar Cells with Built-in Bypass Switches
This patent describes how to build a solar cell with a bypass switch directly into the same piece of silicon, making solar panels more efficient and reliable.
3 citations
How Quantum Computers Use Special Devices to Control Qubits
This patent describes a way for quantum computers to control special quantum bits, called topological qubits, using a "partial interferometric device" to perform specific operations.
12 citations
How to Make High-Efficiency Solar Cells with Stacked Layers
This patent describes a solar cell design that stacks two different types of light-absorbing layers, cadmium telluride and silicon, connecting them in parallel to capture more sunlight efficiently.
18 citations
Making Insulin Last Longer with Tiny Coated Drug Particles
This patent describes how to create tiny, layered particles that can hold insulin and release it slowly into the body, aiming for longer-lasting diabetes treatment.
How to Make Stable Solid Dialysis Powder with Less Odor
A specialized solid powder mixture used to create dialysis fluid that stays stable, smells less like vinegar, and keeps acetate levels within a precise, safe range.
How a Special Reactor Makes Methane Fuel Without Constant Electricity
This patent describes a method for a Solid Oxide Electrolyser Cell (SOEC) reactor to produce methane, even when electricity is scarce, by switching from electrolysis to a heat-generating chemical reaction.
Making Hydrogen Gas from Sulfur Dioxide and Water at Low Temperatures
This patent describes a method for producing hydrogen gas using an electrochemical cell that reacts gaseous sulfur dioxide and water at a relatively low temperature, generating protons that become hydrogen.
2 citations
Improving Lithium Battery Life with a Built-in Lithium Source
This patent describes a method for building rechargeable lithium-based batteries with a special extra lithium source electrode inside that helps the main battery parts work better and last longer by giving them an initial charge of lithium ions.
11 citations
Recycling Lithium-Ion Batteries to Make New Cathode Materials
This patent describes a method for recycling used lithium-ion batteries by dissolving their cathode materials, adjusting the metal ratios in a liquid, and then pulling out a custom mix of materials for new batteries without needing extreme heat.
9 citations
Making Tiny Chip Patterns with Special Metal-Filled Ink
This patent describes a new light-sensitive material, called a resist, that uses special multi-metal complexes to create incredibly small patterns on computer chips using extreme ultraviolet light.
How to Make Meltdown-Proof Nuclear Fuel Pellets
This patent describes a method for making a new type of nuclear fuel called Dispersion Ceramic Micro-Encapsulated (DCM) fuel, which uses tiny, specially coated uranium particles embedded in a super-strong silicon carbide material to prevent meltdowns in nuclear reactors.
12 citations
How Fuel Cells Get Even Gas Flow with Special Layers
This patent describes a fuel cell component that uses a special two-layer design with linear channels and transverse openings to evenly spread fuel gas for better performance.
1 citation
How to Clean Tiny Chip Patterns Using a Special Chemical Developer
This patent describes a method for making advanced computer chips using extreme ultraviolet light and a special chemical developer that cleans away tiny metal leftover bits from the chip's patterns.
5 citations
How a Hybrid Layer Stops Metal Growths in Lithium Batteries
This patent describes a special multi-layered electrolyte system for lithium metal batteries that uses a stiff, hybrid material to block dangerous metal growths, aiming for safer, higher-energy batteries.
13 citations
Highly Efficient Bacterial Gene Editing Using Guide RNA and Reverse Transcriptase
This patent describes a system for precisely editing the DNA of bacterial cells with very high success rates, using a combination of guide RNA, reverse transcriptase, and specific DNA sequences.
30 citations
Making Microchips with a Silicon-Containing Photoresist Layer
This patent describes a method for precisely creating tiny patterns on microchips using a special light-sensitive material, called a photoresist, that contains silicon and changes its properties when exposed to light.
Delivering Large Gene Editing Tools into Cells with Hybrid Virus-Lipid Packages
This patent describes a sophisticated delivery system that combines parts of a virus with a fat bubble (liposome) to efficiently transport large molecules, like CRISPR gene-editing components, into specific cells.
How a Two-Layer Coating Protects Lithium Battery Anodes
This patent describes a lithium battery cell design that uses two special protective layers on the anode to stop harmful growths called dendrites and make the battery last longer and work better, especially in solid-state batteries.
Making Tiny Chip Patterns Using Gas and Light
This patent describes an advanced machine that uses a special gas and patterned light, like a tiny stencil, to draw incredibly small features directly onto a silicon wafer for making computer chips.
Two-Layer Membrane with Tiny, Ordered Pores for Carbon Capture
This patent describes a two-layer filter, called a mixed matrix membrane, that uses a support layer with precisely arranged, uniform tiny holes and a carbon dioxide capture layer to trap CO2.
Making Solid-State Battery Electrodes That Don't Swell and Crack
This patent describes a special design for solid-state battery electrodes that uses tiny internal holes and spaces between particles to prevent them from expanding and cracking during charging and discharging.
6 citations
Building Metal Parts Without Melting: Solid-State 3D Printing System
This patent describes a system for building or repairing metal parts by frictionally heating and stirring materials together without melting them, precisely controlling the material's internal structure as it's made.
18 citations
Making Drug Proteins Last Longer and Target Diseases Better
This patent describes ways to make protein and peptide drugs stay in the body longer and target specific diseases like autoimmune conditions or cancer more precisely by linking them together or combining them with other molecules.
Using Special Mud to Help Plants Grow Better
This patent describes a method using a super-saturated bentonite clay mud mixture to improve plant growth, especially in dry conditions, by retaining more moisture than regular soil.
1 citation
How to Build an Aircraft Tail Using One-Shot Composite Curing
A manufacturing process for creating an aircraft's rear fuselage and vertical tail as a single, integrated composite structure to reduce weight and assembly time.
Making Safer Battery Separators with Ceramic Coatings
This patent describes how to make a special ceramic coating for battery separators using specific lithium-containing materials and a precise drying process to improve the safety and performance of lithium-ion batteries.
3 citations
Mapping Tiny Features on a Chip with DNA Barcodes
This patent describes a method for precisely locating individual biological features, like cells or molecules, on a prepared surface by using unique DNA tags and imaging techniques.
How Boeing 3D Prints Strong Lightweight Spacecraft Panels
A method for printing a single-piece, high-strength spacecraft panel using 3D printing to create complex internal trusses that eliminate the need for bolts or welds.
Boosting Solid-State Batteries with a Capacitor Interlayer
This patent describes a solid-state battery design that includes a special capacitor-like layer between the main battery parts to improve performance and stability.
14 citations
How Fabric Sensors Measure Pressure on Your Body
This patent describes a flexible, all-fabric sensor that uses special ionic and conducting materials woven into a cloth to detect tiny pressure changes on the body, like blood pulses or movements.
New Iodine Compound for Making Tiny, Detailed Patterns
This patent describes a special iodine-containing chemical compound used to create extremely detailed and sensitive patterns, useful in making tiny electronic components.
How LG Chem Makes Plastic Films That Block UV Light
A specialized plastic film made of alternating chemical segments that blocks harmful ultraviolet light while remaining perfectly clear.
How a Nuclear Reactor's Rotating Drum Controls Power
This patent describes a rotating drum for nuclear reactors, especially mobile ones, that uses tubes filled with different materials to absorb or scatter neutrons, precisely controlling the reactor's power output.
8 citations
2020s
How a Molten Metal Buffer Improves Heat Transfer in Nuclear Reactors
This patent describes a nuclear fission reactor design that uses a liquid molten metal to fill gaps between the nuclear fuel and its protective casing, improving heat transfer and reactor safety.
How Light-Activated Polymers Deliver Skin Care Ingredients
A chemical structure that holds onto skin-care ingredients like fragrances or cooling agents and releases them only when triggered by specific light conditions.
How to Make Big Electrodes for Splitting Water
This patent describes a simple, energy-saving way to create large, efficient catalyst electrodes using a mix of iron, cobalt, and nickel compounds through an electrical plating process.
21 citations
AI Model Predicts Protein Shapes from Infrared Light Data
This patent describes a computer method that uses an artificial intelligence model to predict the detailed 3D shapes of proteins within a food ingredient by analyzing how the ingredient absorbs infrared light.
14 citations
How to Make Reusable Plastic SIM Card Holders
A design for a plastic card that allows users to pop out and snap back in different sizes of SIM cards without them falling out.
How to Predict Protein Shapes Better Using Lab Tests and Computers
This patent describes a method to improve predicting a protein's 3D shape by combining computer simulations with actual distance measurements from specific parts of the protein in a lab.
21 citations
How a Device Receives Wireless Power Using Terahertz Waves and Blockchain
This patent describes a receiver device that wirelessly collects terahertz electromagnetic energy using special materials and an antenna, then converts it to electricity, but only after a transmitter authenticates it using a blockchain.
How to Make Better Ferrite Powder for Industrial Use
A specific recipe for creating highly spherical magnetic ferrite particles that mix easily into plastics without ruining the curing process.
New Nanoparticles for Delivering Large RNA Medicines to Cells
This patent describes a specific type of modified dendrimer nanoparticle designed to efficiently deliver large RNA molecules, like replicating RNA, into cells for therapeutic, prophylactic, or diagnostic purposes, notably without using cholesterol.
Making Tiny Microchips with Gas-Infused Dry Resist
This patent describes a way to make incredibly tiny features on microchips by using a special gas to treat a 'dry resist' material, making it sensitive to extreme ultraviolet light, and then recovering unused materials.
How Tiny Particles Make CBD Easier to Absorb
This patent describes a special mix of ingredients that creates tiny, stable CBD particles, making it easier for the body to absorb the compound and improving how long it lasts in the body.
2 citations
How a Special Coating Stops Materials from Sticking
This patent describes a device with a special coating, made with rare earth elements, that prevents other materials from sticking to it, allowing for precise material placement on other surfaces.
TerraPower's Molten Salt Reactor with Internal Heat Exchangers
This patent describes a unique molten salt nuclear reactor design by TerraPower, featuring an open-topped vessel and integrated heat exchangers for efficient internal cooling and fuel circulation.
1 citation
How to Make Lithium-Sulfur Batteries Last Longer Using Polymer Coatings
A new way to coat sulfur battery cores with a special polymer to prevent them from degrading, helping them hold a charge for more cycles.
How Solar Sails Use Moving Vanes to Steer in Space
A solar sail design that uses multiple independently moving reflective vanes made of shape-memory materials to steer spacecraft using only the pressure of sunlight.
7 citations
Making Deuterium-Labeled Chemicals Precisely with Metal Catalysts
This patent describes new ways to precisely add a special type of hydrogen called deuterium to specific parts of chemical molecules using metal helpers, making them useful for medicines or research.
How to Build Solid-State Batteries with Tiny Holes for Better Electrolyte
This patent describes a method for manufacturing solid-state batteries by punching small holes through battery electrodes and then filling these holes with a liquid that hardens into a solid electrolyte, aiming for more efficient power delivery.
2 citations
Capturing Carbon Dioxide While Making Industrial Materials
This patent describes a system and method for capturing carbon dioxide released during industrial processes like making cement or steel, while also producing useful materials and recovering energy.
6 citations
Recycling Lithium-Ion Battery Parts Using a Gentle Liquid Method
This patent describes a method for taking apart used lithium-ion batteries by soaking their electrodes in a special liquid to separate valuable materials like active electrode powders from metal collectors, making them easier to reuse.
Boosting Plant Health with Beneficial Microbes Inside Plants
This patent describes ways to improve plant health by introducing helpful microorganisms, called endophytes, into plants or their parts.
Tiny Lipid Balls for Precise, Better-Absorbed Cannabinoid Medicine
This patent describes a drug delivery system using tiny lipid nanoparticles to encapsulate cannabinoids, making them easier for the body to absorb and allowing for precise, smaller doses.
How to Make Waste-Free Plastic Grocery Bags on a Roll
A design for plastic grocery bags on a roll that eliminates leftover scrap material during manufacturing while allowing users to easily tear off and open handles.
Vaporizer Cartridge for Blending Multiple Vapors
This patent describes a vaporizer cartridge designed to heat more than one type of vaporizable material simultaneously, creating a single, combined inhalable aerosol for a customized experience.
Smart Clothing That Actively Heats or Cools Your Body
This patent describes a system for clothing that can actively heat or cool a person by using special electronic modules placed in a frame on the fabric.
Mobile Factories for Recycling Used Electric Vehicle Batteries
This patent describes a system of movable containers that can be brought to a location to safely discharge, cool, disassemble, and crush used battery packs, making the recycling process more flexible and efficient.
Dome-Shaped Plates for Efficient Hydrogen Production in Electrolyzers
This patent describes an electrolyzer that uses uniquely dome-shaped plates to improve how water is split into hydrogen and oxygen, enhancing efficiency and product separation.
1 citation
How a Three-Layer Coating Creates Vivid Colors Without Dyes
This patent describes a special three-layer coating that creates bright, stable colors by reflecting light in a specific way, similar to how a butterfly's wings get their color, without using traditional dyes or pigments.
A New Fluoropolymer for Stronger Wires and Molded Parts
This patent describes a specific type of plastic, a copolymer made with tetrafluoroethylene and perfluoro(propyl vinyl ether), designed to be easily molded and used in things like electrical wires and compressed parts, thanks to its precise chemical makeup and properties.
How to Precisely Control Solid-State 3D Printing for Stronger Materials
This patent describes a system for precisely controlling solid-state additive manufacturing, allowing real-time adjustments to create specific material structures without melting, using continuous material feeds.
9 citations
Making Strong, X-Ray Visible Cobalt Alloys for Medical Implants
This patent describes a specific heat treatment process to remove unwanted particles from cobalt-based alloys, making them strong and visible on X-rays for use in medical implants like stents.
Packaging Tissue Products Made from Non-Wood Materials
This patent describes packaging different types of sanitary tissue products together, where some are made from non-wood materials, to offer both performance and sustainability.
Electrical Wire with a Heat-Resistant Plastic Coating
This patent describes an electrical wire coated with a specific plastic blend, a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluoro(propyl vinyl ether), designed to withstand high temperatures and improve durability.
Nanotubes for Better Cooling in Radio Frequency Chips
This patent describes a radio frequency device that uses tiny nanotube particles mixed into its protective casing to help the chip stay cooler and work better.
New Chemical Compounds for Brighter, More Efficient OLED Screens
This patent describes new organometallic chemical compounds designed to improve the performance of organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays found in many modern electronic devices.
Measuring Focus in Multi-Beam Tools for Tiny Electronics Manufacturing
This patent describes a method to precisely measure how focused tiny particle beams are in advanced manufacturing machines by slightly tilting them and observing where they hit a target.
How to 3D Print Metal Parts with Easy-to-Remove Supports
This patent describes a method for 3D printing complex metal objects with support structures that can be easily removed after the final part is made solid, by using a special non-stick layer in between.
1 citation
Making Coffee Taste and Smell from Chemical Ingredients
This patent describes how to create artificial coffee, including its taste and smell, by mixing separate chemical ingredients instead of brewing actual coffee beans.
A Special Sticky Layer for Tiny Liquid Channels in Flow Cells
This patent describes a specific middle layer, called an interposer, for devices that handle tiny amounts of liquid (flow cells), featuring a black plastic base and two methyl acrylic adhesive layers, all pierced by microfluidic channels.
Vacuum System for Lifting Materials in Tall Industrial Towers
This patent describes a system that uses a vacuum to efficiently lift and move materials within tall structures like refinery towers, while also reducing the noise made by the vacuum equipment.
How Special Underwear Wicks Away Sweat from the Lower Torso
This patent describes a garment, like underwear, designed with a special two-layer fabric pouch in the front to move sweat away from the body, keeping the wearer dry and comfortable.
Lever-Action Seal for Detaching a Frozen Drink Maker's Mixing Cup
This patent describes a frozen drink maker that uses a lever and a flexible seal to easily attach and detach the mixing cup from the main machine.
Custom Spinal Fusion Devices with Built-in Anchors
This patent describes custom-made spinal fusion devices designed for a specific patient, featuring an implant placed between vertebrae and special ways to hold its anchoring parts in place.
Moving Chemical Ingredients Between Tiny Liquid Drops
This patent describes a method for precisely transferring a chemical ingredient from one tiny liquid droplet to another, changing the concentration of that ingredient in both drops.