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:
Jan. 02, 2007
Filed:
Aug. 27, 2003
Avinoam Kornblit, Highland Park, NJ (US);
Timofei Nikita Kroupenkine, Warren, NJ (US);
Mary Louise Mandich, Martinsville, NJ (US);
Tobias Manuel Schneider, Marburg, DE;
Joseph Ashley Taylor, Springfield, NJ (US);
Donald Weiss, Cresskill, NJ (US);
Shu Yang, Philadelphia, PA (US);
Avinoam Kornblit, Highland Park, NJ (US);
Timofei Nikita Kroupenkine, Warren, NJ (US);
Mary Louise Mandich, Martinsville, NJ (US);
Tobias Manuel Schneider, Marburg, DE;
Joseph Ashley Taylor, Springfield, NJ (US);
Donald Weiss, Cresskill, NJ (US);
Shu Yang, Philadelphia, PA (US);
Lucent Technologies Inc., Murray Hill, NJ (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus is disclosed wherein nanostructures or microstructures are disposed on a surface of a body (such as a submersible vehicle) that is adapted to move through a fluid, such as water. The nanostructures or microstructures are disposed on the surface in a way such that the contact between the surface and the fluid is reduced and, correspondingly, the friction between the surface and the fluid is reduced. In an illustrative embodiment, the surface is a surface on a submarine or other submersible vehicle (such as a torpedo). Illustratively, electrowetting principles are used to cause the fluid to at least partially penetrate the nanostructures or microstructures on the surface of the body in order to selectively create greater friction in a desired location of the surface. Such penetration may be used, for example, to create drag that alters the direction or speed of travel of the body.