Our group has developed numerous patented technologies that translate fundamental research discoveries into commercially viable applications. Our intellectual property portfolio spans advanced materials processing, mineral separation technologies, polymer science innovations, and two-dimensional materials applications, representing the successful transition of academic research to industrial impact.
Portfolio Overview
24 Total Patents |
20+ Years Active |
6 Technology Areas |
15+ Countries/Regions |
Patent Status Legend
ACTIVE Recently Granted (2017-2022)
PENDING Active Applications (2018-2023)
FOUNDATIONAL Established Patents (2014-2016)
EXPIRED Early Innovations (1999-2012)
Two-Dimensional Materials and Interface Technologies
Graphene and Interface Trapping Methods
ACTIVE
US Patent 9,685,261 • Granted 2017 • University of Connecticut
Inventors: Douglas H. Adamson, Steven Woltornist, Andrey V. Dobrynin
Foundational patent covering the solvent interfacial trapping method (SITM) for creating transparent conductive films from pristine graphene without chemical modification.
PENDING
US Patent Application 20230257271A1 • Published 2023 • University of Connecticut
Inventors: Douglas H. Adamson, Richard Parnas, Prabodha Abeykoon
Advanced methodology utilizing glass substrates to selectively withdraw exfoliated graphene from high-energy interfaces between immiscible solvents, enabling controlled graphene harvesting.
ACTIVE
US Patent 10,266,413 • Granted 2019 • University of Connecticut
Inventors: Douglas H. Adamson, Harish Kumar
Emulsion-based fractionation method to separate graphene oxide into highly oxidized and less oxidized fractions for applications in medical devices, nanoelectronics, sensors, and energy storage.
PENDING
US Patent Application 20220387940A1 • Published 2022 • University of Connecticut
Inventors: Douglas H. Adamson, Chinthani D. Liyanage
Composite materials combining graphene and interfacially-polymerized polyamide for membrane applications and microparticle formation.
PENDING
US Patent Application 20230235186A1 • Published 2023 • University of Connecticut
Inventors: Douglas H. Adamson, Feiyang Chen, Elizabeth Brown
Conductive ink formulations derived from water-in-oil emulsions stabilized by two-dimensional materials for printing applications.
Boron Nitride Technologies
ACTIVE
US Patent 11,355,259 • Granted 2022 • University of Connecticut
Inventors: Douglas H. Adamson, Steven Woltornist, Andrey V. Dobrynin
Extension of interface trapping methodology to hexagonal boron nitride for flame-resistant, thermally conductive composite materials.
PENDING
US Patent Application 20180323009A1 • Published 2018 • University of Connecticut
Inventors: Douglas H. Adamson, Zhenhua Cui, Andrey V. Dobrynin
Composite films using boron nitride nanosheets trapped at phase-separated interfaces and transferred to polymer films via climbing technique to enhance dielectric constant and breakdown voltage properties.
Advanced Materials and Processing
Ceramic and Hybrid Composites
PENDING
US Patent Application 20220194858A1 • Published 2022 • University of Connecticut
Inventors: Douglas H. Adamson, Garrett Kraft
Porous ceramic foams with self-assembled pristine graphene networks created through interfacial trapping in ceramic sol-gel, providing electrical conductivity and Joule heating for catalyst supports, thermoelectrics, and porous electrodes.
EXPIRED
US Patent 8,110,026 • Granted 2012 • Princeton University
Inventors: Robert K. Prud’homme, Christopher D. O’Neil, Bulent Ozbas, Ilhan A. Aksay, Richard A. Register, Douglas H. Adamson
Early foundational work on graphene-polymer composites for enhanced barrier properties in packaging and protective applications.
EXPIRED
US Patent 7,745,528 • Granted 2010 • Princeton University
Inventors: Robert Prud’homme, Bulent Ozbas, Ilhan Aksay, Richard Register, Douglas Adamson
Polymer composition with elastomer matrix containing functional graphene that shows no X-ray diffraction signature of graphite or graphite oxide, providing enhanced strength, toughness, and electrical conductivity.
EXPIRED
US Patent 7,935,754 • Granted 2011 • Princeton University
Inventors: Robert K. Prud’homme, Ilhan A. Aksay, Douglas Adamson, Ahmed Abdala
Application of thermally exfoliated graphite oxide in automotive composite panels for enhanced structural properties.
Conductive Fiber and Textile Technologies
ACTIVE
US Patent 10,002,686 • Granted 2018 • University of Connecticut
Inventors: Gregory Sotzing, Douglas Adamson, Steven Woltornist, Fahad Alamer
Methods for creating conductive fibrous substrates through infusion of graphene and conductive polymers for wearable electronics and smart textiles.
Polymer Science and Processing Technologies
Specialized Polymer Systems
ACTIVE
US Patent 9,828,404 • Granted 2017
Inventors: Douglas H. Adamson, Warde T. Collins, David E. Grahan, Robert M. Minnini
Advanced polymer substrate preparation methods with applications in separation and surface modification technologies.
EXPIRED
US Patent 7,151,077 • Granted 2006 • Halliburton Energy Services
Inventors: Robert K. Prud’homme, Lewis R. Norman, Douglas H. Adamson, Mustafa Erhan Yildiz, Ian D. Robb
Polymersome-based viscosifying agents for treating subterranean formations, including fracturing fluids, gravel pack applications, and sand control operations.
Biomedical and Biological Polymer Systems
PENDING
US Patent Application 20250136770A1 • Published 2025 • University of Connecticut
Inventors: Kelly Anne Burke, Courtney K. Rowe, Douglas H. Adamson
Functionalization methods for silk protein films with applications in biomedical devices and treatment systems, including medical implant technologies.
Industrial Applications and Mineral Processing
Mineral Separation Technologies
ACTIVE
US Patent 10,835,905 • Granted 2020 • Cidra Corporate Services
Inventors: Paul J. Rothman, Mark R. Fernald, Francis Didden, Christian V. O’Keefe, Douglas H. Adamson, Paul Dolan, Timothy J. Bailey, Michael Ryan
Engineered collection media with functionalized surfaces for enhanced mineral separation efficiency.
ACTIVE
CA Patent 2836130C • Granted 2019 • Cidra Corporate Services
Inventors: Paul J. Rothman, Mark R. Fernald, Francis K. Didden, Christian V. O’keefe, Douglas H. Adamson
Comprehensive membrane-based separation technology for mineral processing applications.
ACTIVE
US Patent 9,827,574 • Granted 2017 • Cidra Corporate Services
Inventors: Paul J. Rothman, Mark R. Fernald, Francis K. Didden, Christian V. O’Keefe, Alan D. Kersey, Douglas H. Adamson
Advanced flotation separation technology using precisely engineered polymer beads with controlled size, density, and magnetic properties for selective mineral recovery.
ACTIVE
AU Patent 2018200089B2 • Granted 2019 • Cidra Corporate Services
Inventors: Douglas H. Adamson, Michael A. Davis, Francis K. Didden, Mark R. Fernald, Alan D. Kersey, Christian V. O’keefe, Paul J. Rothman
Expandable polymer microspheres that increase surface area for mineral attachment, then collapse to mechanically release minerals through volume reduction for efficient mineral recovery.
ACTIVE
US Patent 10,751,693 • Granted 2020 • CiDRA Corporate Services
Inventors: Paul J. Rothman, Mark R. Fernald, Christian V. O’Keefe, Douglas H. Adamson
Surface-modified collection systems for enhanced hydrophobic mineral recovery in processing operations.
Specialized Processing Equipment
ACTIVE
US Patent 10,060,570 • Granted 2018 • Cidra Corporate Services
Inventors: Alan D. Kersey, Michael Puig, Francis K. Didden, Douglas H. Adamson
Pipeline monitoring system using chemical taggants or tracers embedded in pipe liners that respond to process fluid flow to indicate degree and location of liner wear.
ACTIVE
AU Patent 2018214007B2 • Granted 2019 • Cidra Corporate Services
Inventors: Douglas H. Adamson, Francis K. Didden, Mark R. Fernald, Paul J. Rothman
Collection surfaces with siloxane functional groups designed to attract mineral particles, including conveyor belt systems for continuous mineral recovery operations.
Optical and Electronic Materials
Nanofabrication and Optical Devices
FOUNDATIONAL
US Patent 8,687,274 • Granted 2014 • Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
Inventors: Koji Asakawa, Vincent Pelletier, Mingshaw Wu, Douglas H. Adamson, Richard A. Register, Paul M. Chaikin, Young-Rae Hong
Wire grid polarizers with periods of tens of nanometers for polarizing visible and ultraviolet light, with applications in semiconductor fabrication and nanolithography.
EXPIRED
US Patent 5,948,470 • Granted 1999 • Princeton University
Inventors: Christopher Harrison, Miri Park, Richard Register, Douglas Adamson, Paul Mansky, Paul Chaikin
Block copolymer lithography method for creating dense periodic nanometer patterns that can be transferred onto substrates through chemical modification or physical removal of polymer components.
Innovation Timeline
1999-2012: Early innovations in nanopatterning, polymersomes, and graphene technologies (now expired)
2014-2016: Foundational patents in optical devices and automotive applications
2017-2022: Active patents in graphene processing and mineral separation
2018-2025: Pending applications for next-generation materials and biomedical innovations
Portfolio Impact
Our comprehensive intellectual property portfolio represents over two decades of innovation in materials science, with patents granted across multiple jurisdictions including the United States, Canada, Australia, Spain, and other international markets. The portfolio includes 12 active patents, 6 pending applications, 1 foundational patent, and 5 expired patents that established key breakthroughs in nanofabrication and polymer science.
The patents reflect our expertise spanning from early nanofabrication techniques to cutting-edge interface-driven phenomena, two-dimensional materials processing, advanced polymer systems, and mineral separation technologies. This intellectual property foundation continues to support new technology development and commercial partnerships, with particular strength in graphene interface trapping methods, boron nitride composites, conductive textiles, and functionalized polymer systems.