Gregory K Lewis

US Patent:

8445076, May 21, 2013

Filed:

Jun 10, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/482264

Inventors:

Yoram Cohen - Los Angeles CA, US
Gregory T. Lewis - Los Angeles CA, US
Nancy Hsiao-Yu Lin - Los Angeles CA, US

Assignee:

The Regents of the University of California - Oakland CA

International Classification:

H05H 1/26
B05D 1/00
B01D 39/00

US Classification:

427569, 427401, 427557, 427301, 427333, 21050042

Abstract:

In one embodiment, a method of modifying a surface of a membrane includes exposing the surface to an impinging atmospheric pressure plasma source to produce an activated surface, and exposing the activated surface to a solution including a vinyl monomer. In another embodiment, a method of manufacturing a desalination membrane includes treating a surface of the membrane with an impinging atmospheric plasma source for an optimal period of time and rf power, and exposing the surface to an aqueous solution containing a vinyl monomer. In another embodiment, an apparatus includes a membrane having a surface, and polymer chains terminally grafted onto the surface of the membrane.

US Patent:

20090311540, Dec 17, 2009

Filed:

Jun 10, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/482272

Inventors:

Yoram Cohen - Los Angeles CA, US
Gregory T. Lewis - Los Angeles CA, US

International Classification:

B32B 27/06
H05H 1/00

US Classification:

428447, 427535

Abstract:

In one embodiment, a method of modifying a surface of a substrate includes activating the surface of the substrate, and polymerizing the surface of the substrate. The polymerizing including subjecting the surface of the substrate to a monomer solution at a temperature of between 105 C. and 130 C. for a first period of time and subjecting the surface of the substrate to the monomer solution at a temperature of between 70 C. and 90 C. for a second period of time different than the first period of time. In another embodiment, a method of modifying a surface of a substrate includes activating the surface of the substrate, and graft polymerizing a vinyl monomer onto the surface of the substrate. The polymerizing including subjecting the surface of the substrate to a mixture including a monomer solution and 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl--piperidinyloxy at a concentration of between 5 and 20 mM. In another embodiment, an apparatus includes a substrate having a surface. The surface has a set of polymers terminally graphed thereon. The apparatus being configured to sorb a chemical solute. The terminally grafter polymer layer being formed on the surface of the substrate by a controlled graft polymerization process.

US Patent:

20100035074, Feb 11, 2010

Filed:

Nov 13, 2007

Appl. No.:

12/513941

Inventors:

Yoram Cohen - Los Angeles CA, US
Gregory Todd Lewis - Los Angeles CA, US

International Classification:

C08J 7/18
B32B 27/00

US Classification:

428500, 427488, 427491

Abstract:

A method of modifying a polymeric, inorganic, or organic-functionalized substrate surface is provided. In one embodiment, an atmospheric pressure (AP) plasma stream is directed at a substrate surface, leading to the formation of surface-bound active sites that function as polymerization initiators. When contacted with a monomer or monomer solution, the active sites facilitate formation of a dense array of graft polymers covalently bound to the substrate surface. In another embodiment, an inorganic substrate is cleaned, conditioned in a humidity chamber, treated with an AP plasma, and contacted with a monomer or monomer solution to facilitate formation and growth of graft polymers on the substrate surface.