The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 05, 2025
Filed:
Oct. 05, 2021
Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO (US);
Terry C. Lowe, Golden, CO (US);
COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES, Golden, CO (US);
Abstract
A configuration of nanoscale metal or metal oxide projections on the surface of a metal substrate is provided. The configuration, because of their nanoscale geometric characteristics, create non-uniform distributions of electrical surface charge, which can rapidly transfer into nearby microbes to reduce or eliminate their pathogenicity. The charge transfer disrupts the microbe outer membrane and inactivates pathogenic processes. One embodiment of a nano surface architecture is provided that is suitable for inactivating viruses or killing bacteria via enhanced charge transfer. A range of nanoprojection spacings, sizes, and shapes are provided. A high shear deformation process to create high-angle grain boundaries and specific grain sizes in metal or alloy substrates suited for nucleating and growing nanoprojections that possess the characteristics needed to deactivate microbes is also provided. Also provided are embodiments of high shear deformation to make the suitable substrates and thermal oxidation processes to cultivate nanoprojections.