SRI International Receives Patent for Frictionless Transport Technology Based On Diamagnetic Levitation.Business Editors/Technology Writers MENLO PARK Menlo Park. 1 Residential city (1990 pop. 28,040), San Mateo co., W Calif.; inc. 1874. Electronic equipment and aerospace products are manufactured in the city. Menlo College and a Stanford Univ. research institute are there. 2 Uninc. , Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 5, 2002 System Provides Stable, Frictionless Transport for Use in Ultra-Clean Manufacturing SRI International (company) SRI International - One of the world's largest contract research firms. Founded in 1946 in conjuction with Stanford University as the Stanford Research Institute, they later became fully independent and were incorporated as a non-profit organisation under U.S. , a leading independent research institute, today announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office The United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO or USPTO) is an agency in the United States Department of Commerce that provides patent protection to inventors and businesses for their inventions, and trademark registration for product and intellectual property has issued SRI a patent for its frictionless transport technology based on diamagnetic di·a·mag·net·ic adj. Of or relating to a substance that is repelled by a magnet. di  a·mag levitation levitation (lĕvĭtā`shən), the raising of a human or other body in the air without mechanical aid. The idea is ancient; holy men, both pagan and Christian, were reputed to have had the power of becoming light at will and of moving (U.S. Patent No. 6,483,222). SRI has now patented both the linear (point-to-point) and rotational uses of this technology. This levitated, frictionless transport technology has been built into a pilot production line by a commercial client, and represents the known record for the heaviest mass suspended using diamagnetic levitation: 22 lbs (10 kg). SRI's work in this field earned SRI two "Best of Show" awards at the Sensors and Motion Control Exposition held in Anaheim, California “Anaheim” redirects here. For Annaheim, see Annaheim, Saskatchewan. Anaheim is a city in Orange County, California, located 28 miles southeast of Los Angeles. , in May 2000. The inventors are Dr. Ronald E. Pelrine and Dr. Jonathan R. Heim of SRI International. Frictionless Transport Key to Next Generation of Clean Manufacturing Since modern electronics and chemical compounds are manufactured within ever-tighter tolerances and purity requirements, the need to maintain a clean manufacturing environment becomes progressively more acute. Companies must consider not only the amount of potentially contaminating con·tam·i·nate tr.v. con·tam·i·nated, con·tam·i·nat·ing, con·tam·i·nates 1. To make impure or unclean by contact or mixture. 2. To expose to or permeate with radioactivity. adj. particles that are brought into a manufacturing facility, but also the amount generated by the facility itself. The gears, pulleys, and other mechanical devices that ferry materials between stages in the manufacturing process constantly rub against each other during operation. This friction casts off particles that could contaminate con·tam·i·nate v. 1. To make impure or unclean by contact or mixture. 2. To expose to or permeate with radioactivity. con·tam·i·nant n. products during the manufacture process and greatly reduce overall yield. SRI's diamagnetic levitation offers a friction-free solution to this problem. Unlike conventional magnetic bearings, SRI's patents cover the use of the passive magnetism supplied by permanent magnets permanent magnets, n.pl magnets containing the mineral boron and the rare earth metal neodymium; often combined to create a neoprene or ceramic entity. stabilized with diamagnetic materials, thereby requiring no additional power to provide lift. SRI's claims on both the linear and rotational uses of this technology cover a wide-range of areas in common manufacturing practice where traditional mechanics can be replaced by friction-free, levitation-based counterparts. The technology is designed for a broad range of high and low temperatures, including room temperature and above. SRI's expertise in harnessing the useful aspects of diamagnetism--a weak, repelling magnetic force exhibited by many materials that are commonly thought not to have magnetic properties--provides the necessary stability for this system. Until recently, the diamagnetic phenomenon represented little more than a laboratory curiosity. SRI's patent and its application prove that diamagnetic levitation has strong potential for industry. The technology is available for licensing. More information about SRI's work in advancing the science behind diamagnetic levitation can be located at http://www.erg.sri.com/automation/diamagnetic.html. About SRI International Silicon Valley-based SRI International (http://www.sri.com) is one of the world's leading independent research and technology development organizations. Founded as Stanford Research Institute Stanford Research Institute - Former name of SRI International. in 1946, SRI has been meeting the strategic needs of clients for more than 55 years. The nonprofit research institute performs contract research and development for government agencies, commercial businesses and nonprofit foundations. SRI is well known for its innovations in information technology, telecommunications, engineering, pharmaceuticals, chemistry, physics, and the public policy areas of education, health, and economic development. In addition to conducting contract R&D, SRI licenses its technologies, forms strategic partnerships and creates spin-off companies. |
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