San Diego—DuPont (NYSE:DD) is donating key intellectual property, including patents, trademarks, and technical information to the University of California, San Diego. The university’s engineering faculty will continue to develop the intellectual property for applications ranging from flat-panel displays to pollution abatement.
The donation includes 11 patents granted or filed pertaining to the trademarked Tacky Dot® technology. DuPont scientists developed Tacky Dot® as a way to rapidly and precisely mount particles on surfaces. So-called tacky, or adhesive, dots, comprised of photopolymer materials, are created in precise patterns, so the mounting process can be as simple as dusting the sample onto the surface — saving valuable time and materials.
The technology has many potential applications, but specific examples include: use in the electronics industry (for the manufacture of information display screens, and the process by which solder is applied to silicon wafers), and use in the environmental industry (in the preparation and use of photocatalytic surfaces that are light-activated to purify air or water).
Since the applications fall outside of the company’s core product strategy, DuPont agreed to donate all Tacky Dot® rights to UCSD. With this new opportunity, UCSD plans to:
- actively develop the technology for two applications (displays and photocatalysis);
- make a good-faith effort to license parts of the technology to third parties; and
- continue to prosecute the five patent applications already filed, and four others under consideration for filing.
“The patents that DuPont is donating have tremendous potential for a wide range of commercial applications,” said Robert Conn, dean of UCSD’s Irwin and Joan Jacobs School of Engineering. “Given our school’s track record for basic research and working with industry to get the most out of technology transfer to the private sector, we believe that subsequent sale or licensing of the technology could bring significant value to the University in the future.”
The Tacky Dot® research at UCSD will take place in the Jacobs School laboratory of Jan Talbot. “Our research will focus on using the adhesive dots and covering them with small-diameter powders,” said Talbot, professor of chemical engineering at UCSD. “Luminescent phosphor powder will be tested to improve the image quality of flat-panel display screens, while powder made of photocatalytic materials will be used in experiments on panels that harness solar rays to produce energy, clean up waste water, or mitigate air pollution.”
Dalen Keys, chief technology officer of DuPont Displays, and technology director of DuPont iTechnologies stated: “Information and communication are key thrusts for DuPont. We believe that UCSD is establishing itself as a leading institution in these fields. More specifically, flat panel displays, sensors, and wireless communications are only a few of several areas of strength that could offer opportunities for future collaboration between UCSD and DuPont. We are pleased to make this donation to the University, and we believe that this is just the beginning of a strong relationship.”
About UCSD/Jacobs School of Engineering
Since its founding in 1960, the University of California, San Diego has established itself as one of the top 10 research universities in the nation, noted for the excellence of its graduate programs and research endeavors as well as its eminent faculty. U.S. News and World Report ranks UCSD 7th of all public universities in the nation. The National Science Foundation ranks UCSD 6th in the nation in the amount of federal research funding competitively awarded to its faculty--$462 million last year. Total enrollment exceeded 2,000 in the 2001-02 academic year. Of those, 4,550 graduate and undergraduates were enrolled in the Irwin and Joan Jacobs School of Engineering. A premier institution in the midst of vibrant growth, the Jacobs School’s strategy is to lead in targeted research areas critical to national technological leadership, the economic prosperity of the region, and the quality of life for people everywhere. Over140 faculty members were involved in research projects that attracted $112 million in government, industry and endowment funding in the latest fiscal year. Partnership with industry and our community is at the core of the school’s mission: to put the knowledge that the Jacobs School develops to work. The school proactively creates new ways to transfer innovations to the private sector to benefit people everywhere. For more go to http://www.ucsd.edu or http://www.soe.ucsd.edu.
About DuPont iTechnologies
DuPont iTechnologies is comprised of technology-driven businesses that provide differentiated materials-enabled solutions for essentially all of the world's leading manufacturers of electronic components and assemblies, packaging graphics and producers of high-end commercial printing. Its products allow customers to create precise patterns on substrates that range from silicon to paper; develop electronic circuitry that is flexible and can be folded; produce a wristwatch, pager, or cell phone that can be seen in low light, or even in the dark; miniaturize all forms of electronic devices; reduce cycle time from concept to printed page or package, thereby significantly reducing time to market. More information is available at http://www.dupont.com/dupontitechnologies
DuPont is a science company, delivering science-based solutions that make a difference in people's lives in food and nutrition; health care; apparel; home and construction; electronics; and transportation. Founded in 1802, the company operates in 70 countries and has 90,000 employees.
Tacky Dot® is a registered trademark of E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company.
Media Contact: Doug Ramsey 858-822-5825 or dramsey@ucsd.edu