The broad claim sets in US 6,338,809 provide protection for a wide variety of compositions including precious metal, non-precious metal and metal alloy/carbon electrocatalysts. The issuance of this patent, in combination with complimentary SMP patents such as US 6,103,393, reinforces SMPs already strong position in supported catalysts, especially metal/carbon electrocatalysts, produced by spray-based routes.
This is the most general and fundamental method patent issued to Superior MicroPowders to date, comments Dr. Toivo Kodas, SMP Co-founder, Director and VP. US 6,338,809 contains a host of broad claims that offer protection on our aerosol powder production process. It also contains claims specifically addressing spray-based methods for generating powders containing a metallic phase, including specifically platinum, and a non-metallic phase, including specifically carbon, exactly the compositions used in fuel cells. Furthermore, from this base patent, an additional divisional patent having the same priority date will issue focusing on particular electrocatalyst compositions. This divisional patent, which will be issued by mid-2002, will further strengthen SMPs intellectual property position in fuel cell technology.
US 6,338,809 is SMPs 13th issued patent in the companys rapidly expanding patent portfolio. This portfolio covers the methods, apparatus, compositions and in many cases end-use devices incorporating SMPs advanced materials systems. A significant number of additional new patents are expected to issue throughout the balance of 2002 and early 2003, which will further broaden SMPs IP portfolio covering its core target markets including fuel cells, batteries, microelectronics and displays.