Intellectual Property

In addition to its active subsidiaries Patent holdings and technology licensing agreements, VIASPACE Inc. owns additional intellectual property in various areas. The following is an enumeration of our patent holdings to date.

Our Caltech/JPL Holdings

The Caltech patent portfolio includes the fundamental idea of a direct hydrocarbon fuel cell that uses a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM), catalysts, construction of the anodes, cathodes, and membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs), as well as alternative membranes. Other patents include water recovery, methanol sensors and filters, monopolar/planar stacks adn electrolysis of methanol to produce hydrogen. Caltech/USC have 59 issued as well as 59 pending patents worldwide on the direct liquid hydrocarbon fuel cell technology. Click here to view a list of issued patents.

VIASPACE Security

U.S. Patent No.7,239,974 for Explosive Device Detection Based on Differential Emissivity has been granted to VIASPACE Security.

Abstract: Techniques for monitoring thermal emissivity levels of human traffic within a plurality of sections of a zone of interest are presented. The thermal emissivity levels are monitored using an infrared detector with sensitivity range of less than fifty milliKelvin, and in some variations, about fifteen to thirty milliKelvin, such as a quantum well infrared photodetector (QWIP) equipped camera. Based on differential emissivity calculations, a determination is made whether the monitored emissivity level corresponds to at least one calibrated emissivity level associated with an explosive material. The monitored emissivity levels are calibrated to eliminate the effects of other synthetic objects such as clothing, personal items, and other harmless objects. The monitored emissivity levels are also buffered against changes in environment.

The allowance of this new patent protects and validates VIASPACE Security's unique capabilities in using and tracking of large volumes of real-time infrared based sensor data. This capability opens the potential to an entirely new generation of applications in defense and homeland defense surveillance that up until now were considered to be prohibitively expensive and difficult to pursue.

ViaChange � Computation for fixed income instruments

Patent Number 6,778,968--Method and system for facilitating opportunistic transactions using auto-probes

ViaChange represents software technologies focused on fixed and secondary market financial instruments. ViaChange developed numerous patented and patent-pending unique business tools with proprietary underlying technology. ViaChange developed sophisticated models and software for rapidly assessing the profitability of complex portfolios of fixed and secondary market instruments and computational models that address all aspects of portfolio trading and turnover.

IONfinity

U.S. Patent No. 6,610,986 Soft Ionization Device and Applications Thereof

Abstract: A soft ionizatuion device is diclosed that comprises a series of electrodes having pacing less than the means free path of the molecules to be ionized. In some embodiments, the soft ionization device is used in various applications that require ion or electrom sources such as biological or chemical reactors, ion milling, and numerous replacements for conventional hot cathode systems. In another embodiment, a valence spectrometer is disclosed that is configured to variably ionize molecules by their valiancy. In other embodiments, the ionization device is coupled to a spectrometer for the characterization of biological matter to be ionized.

U.S. Patent No. 6,940,074 Devices Incorporating Soft Ionization Membrane

Abstract: Devices are disclosed that incorporate an ionization device dor generating ionc and electrons having first and second conductive electrdoes that are separated by less than the mean-free-path of molecules being ionized. Electrons fenerated by the ionization device may be used for applications such as light sources, electron bombardment sensors, thyratrons, cacuum tubes, plasma displays, and microwave switches, adn ions generated by the ionization device may be used, inter aliam, in connection with ion ficused milling devices, markless ion implanting devices, ion beam lithography devices, semiconductor mask modification devices, and semiconductor chip wiring devices. Methods of use and manufacture are also provided.

U.S. Patent No. 6,943,345 B2 Soft Ionization Device and Applications Thereof

U.S. Patent No. 7,174,703 Ion Thrusting System

Abstract: An ion thrusting system is disclosed comprising an ionization membrane having at least one area through which a gas is passed, and which ionizes the fas molecules passing therethrough to form ions and electrons, and an accelerator element which accelerated the ions to form thrust. In some variations, a potential is applied to the ionization membrane may be reversed to thrust ions in an opposite direction. The ionization membrane may also include an opening with elecrrodes that are located closer than a mean free path of the gas being ionized. Methods of manufacture and use are also provided.

U.S. Patent No. 7,208,240 Fuel Cell with Ionization Membrane

Abstract: A fuel cell is disclosed comprising an ionization membrane having at least one area through which gas is passed, and which ionized the gas passing therethrough, and a cathose for receiving the ions generated by the ionization membrane. The ionization membrane may include one or more openings in the membrane with electrodes that are located closer than a mean free path of molecules within the gas to be ionized. Methodes of manufacture are also provided.