Chemical
Overview
Meunier Carlin & Curfman has deep experience handling intellectual property matters in the chemicals industry and for startups, corporations, universities, and research institutions who rely on chemical products and innovations for the success of their enterprises.
Our team members have extensive scientific backgrounds in chemistry and include Ph.D. chemists and chemical engineers with significant research and industry experience in organic, inorganic, and biological chemistry. With this background, we understand the science behind our clients’ innovations and are better able to advocate for and protect their intellectual property assets.
We have worked on a wide range of chemicals that have applications in diverse industries, such as thermoelectric materials (which have use in refrigeration and power generation), electrochromic materials (used in windows, mirrors, and displays), titanium-based materials (used in automotive, medical devices, aerospace, consumer products, and information technology), and graphene/carbon-based materials (which are used in biology, energy storage, and medicine). This experience stretches to:
- Pharmaceuticals
- Nanotechnology
- Polymers
- Catalysts
- Composites
- Agricultural chemicals
- Material science
- Coatings
- Ceramics
- Green chemistry
- Food chemistry
Our chemicals IP experience is detailed below for selected industries and technologies.
Oil & Gas
We have significant experience in the oil and gas sector working for corporate, university, and research institution clients on issues ranging from patent applications and prosecutions to non-infringement and invalidity opinions. This work spans the range of activities in the field, from upstream, midstream, and downstream operations to enhanced oil recovery and the use of polymers and photovoltaics in oil and gas systems. Our work extends to:
- Drilling and Completion – including pressure, electrochemical, and remote sensors for undersea oil and gas pipelines and apparatuses and methods relating to downhole operations and subsurface exploration
- Production Engineering and Seismic Engineering – including systems for taking acoustic measurements, sonic logging techniques, and seismic monitoring methods
- Process Automation – including processes for sealing and completing wells
- Catalysts, Fuels, Lubricants, and Additives – including polymerization catalysts, hydrocarbon cracking catalysts, surfactants, enhanced fuel compositions, lubricants and penetrants, propellants, and corrosion-inhibiting compositions
- Biofuels and Bioadditives – including issues relating to bioorganisms, chemical catalysts, and mechanical processes used to process biomass and produce and purify biofuels, including ethanol
- Hydroprocessing – including devices and methods for determining phases, constituent components, and gases within water streams
Batteries
Our team has particular experience working with battery technologies for universities, research institutions, and corporations. We have drafted legal opinions and prepared and prosecuted patent families worldwide related to lithium ion batteries, including cathode materials, anode materials, and separators, as well as sodium ion, metal-air, and metal oxide nanoparticles and alloys technologies.
Paper Chemistry
Our firm has unique experience working on intellectual property issues in the paper technology and pulp industries. We have handled opinion work and patents related to paper coating and binding compositions; paper additives and processing aids; nonwoven substrates and processing; smart paper technology such as carbonless copy paper; cellulose processing for industrial use; manufacturing; embossing; and consumer product packaging.
Nanotechnology and Materials Science Technology
We have prosecuted patents and counseled clients in various areas related to materials science and nanotechnology, including magnetic nanoparticles in oil pipelines, lubricants and penetrants, corrosion-inhibiting compositions, hydrocarbon cracking catalysts, surfactants and enhanced fuel compositions, thin films for photovoltaics, and metal oxide nanoparticles and alloys.
Agricultural and Plant Chemistry
Our legal team, which includes a former examiner in the plant patent area, has performed work on a range of plant and agricultural products, genetically modified crops, and pesticides. Our experience includes writing and prosecuting patents for genetically modified and engineered plants; genetic modifications designed to confer drought, insect, herbicide, or disease resistance in plants; lipid compositions obtained from animal and plant sources; and plant patents for universities.
Nuclear
In the nuclear sector, we have drafted and prosecuted patents relating to nuclear waste containment and disposal and have experience with remediation of hydrocarbon contaminants.