AGT's intellectual property consists of a number of patents that define One Atmosphere Uniform Glow Discharge Plasma (OAUGDP®) and its applications. AGT has a lifetime license for six patents from The University of Tennessee Research Foundation (UTRF) and three company owned patents. AGT also has first right of refusal with UTRF on three additional patents related to the OAUGDP® technology. New research efforts continue to expand the intellectual property base of the company, and recently AGT has filed for three new patents that are currently pending approval.
AGT's intellectual property is one of its most valuable and distinguishing attributes. This intellectual property forms the basis for all product development within the company. Listed below are the active patents held by AGT.
Exclusively licensed from the University of Tennessee Research Foundation
- Steady-State, Glow Discharge Plasma
Patent Number: 5,387,842
Expiration: 02/2012
Application: No vaccuum system is needed (base patent)
Description: This patent pertains to generating a volume of atmospheric glow discharge plasma without using vacuum to contain it. - Method and Apparatus for Glow Discharge Plasma Treatment of Polymer Materials
Patent Number: 5,403,453
Expiration: 04/2012
Application: Alter the surface properties of a material
Description: This patent pertains to using atmospheric glow discharge plasma to treat a variety of polymeric materials. Particular to this patent is the ability to alter the surface properties of a material, such as the surface energy or wettability. This patent specifically mentions air being used by the plasma. - One Atmosphere Uniform Glow Discharge Plasma
Patent Number: 5,414,324
Expiration: 05/2012
Application: Produce a volume of uniform plasma (base patent)
Description: This patent pertains to generating a volume of plasma at atmospheric pressure in a manner that is highly uniform. This spatial uniformity is desired for homogeneous treatment of surfaces. - Method and Apparatus for Glow Discharge Plasma Treatment of Polymer Materials
Patent Number: 5,456,972
Expiration: 10/2012
Application: Treat polymeric materials
Description: This patent pertains to using atmospheric glow discharge to treat polymeric materials, including a method of treating a variety of meltblown materials. - Method and Apparatus for Covering Bodies with a Uniform Glow Discharge Plasma
Patent Number: 5,669,583
Expiration: 03/2015
Application: Alter aerodynamic properties
Description: This patent pertains to generating Atmospheric Glow Discharge Plasma on the surface of objects. This patent has potential applications in altering aerodynamic properties of the surface of moving objects such as vehicles or surfaces of industrial test equipment. - Method and Apparatus for Cleaning Surfaces with a Glow Discharge Plasma at One Atmosphere of Pressure
Patent Number: 5,938,854
Expiration: 08/2016
Application: Clean surfaces
Description: This patent pertains to generating Atmospheric Glow Discharge Plasma above the surface of an object to clean it. Specific applications included in the patent pertain to cleaning surfaces of microelectronics and materials to improve adhesion of paints, adhesive agents, films, and sterilization.
Owned by Atmospheric Glow Technologies, Inc.
- Method for Enhancing Collection Efficiency and Providing Surface Sterilization of an Air Filter
Patent Number: 6,245,126
Expiration: 06/2018
Application: Air Filtration
Description: This patent allows for the combination of Atmospheric Plasma with an air filtration device. - Air filter with Combined Enhanced Efficiency and Surface Sterilization
Patent Number: 6,245,132
Expiration: 06/2018
Application: Air Filtration
Description: This patent allows for the combination of Atmospheric Plasma with an air filtration device. - Electronically Geared Sewing Machine
Patent Number: 5,458,075
Expiration: 06/2015
Application: Sewing Machines
Description: This patent describes how to replace mechanical elements of a sewing machine with servo motors for better performance. (Acquired from merger with Tice Engineering and Sales, Inc.)