Patent Status Legend

ACTIVE Recently Granted (2017-2022)

PENDING Active Applications (2018-2023)

FOUNDATIONAL Established Patents (2014-2016)

EXPIRED Early Innovations (1999-2012)

Formation of a Transparent Conductive Film by Interfacial Graphene Assembly
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.

Graphene/Graphite Polymer Composite Foam Derived from Emulsions Stabilized by Graphene Kinetic Trapping
ACTIVE
US Patent 11,355,259 • Granted 2022 • University of Connecticut
Inventors: Douglas H. Adamson, Steven Woltornist, Andrey V. Dobrynin

Advanced method for creating pristine graphene/graphite polymer composite foams using interface trapping to form stable emulsions as templates. The resulting materials exhibit exceptional mechanical properties with compressive moduli up to 100 MPa, breaking strengths over 1200 psi, bulk conductivities approaching 2 S/m, and ultra-low densities of 0.25 g/cm³, enabling applications in lightweight building materials, supercapacitor electrodes, and conductive catalyst supports.

Exfoliation of Graphite to Graphene by Interface Stabilization
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.

Fractionation of Graphene Oxide Through Emulsion Stabilization
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.

Graphene-Polyamide Composite Membranes and Microparticles
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.

Two-Dimensional Sheet Stabilized Emulsion Based Inks
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 Polymer Composite Foam Derived from Emulsions Stabilized by Boron Nitride Kinetic Trapping
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.

Dielectric Materials Using 2D Nanosheet Network Interlayer
ACTIVE
US Patent Application 20180323009A1 • Granted 2021 • 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.

Ceramic Foams with Embedded Self-Assembled Electrically Conductive Pristine Graphene Networks
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.

Functional Graphene-Polymer Nanocomposites for Gas Barrier Applications
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.

Functional Graphene-Rubber Nanocomposites
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.

Automotive Body Panel Containing Thermally Exfoliated Graphite Oxide
ACTIVE
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.

Method of Infusing Fibrous Substrate with Conductive Organic Particles and Conductive Polymer
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.

Crosslinked Polymeric Substrates Methods of Preparation and End Use Applications
EXPIRED
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.

Polymersome Compositions and Associated Methods of Use
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.

Silk Fibroin Derived Brush-Like Polymers
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.

Recovery Media for Mineral Processing
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.

Mineral Separation Using Functionalized Membranes
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.

Mineral Separation Using Sized-, Weight- or Magnetic-Based Polymer Bubbles or Beads
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.

Dimensionally Controlled ‘Engineered Polymer Bubble’ for Flotation Separation
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.

Mineral Recovery Using Hydrophobic Polymer Surfaces
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.

Smart Pipe Concept Based on Embedded Taggant-Sensor and/or Color-Encoded Elements
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.

Polymer Surfaces Having a Siloxane Functional Group
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.

Short-Wavelength Polarizing Elements and the Manufacture and Use Thereof
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.

Method of Nanoscale Patterning and Products Made Thereby
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.