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Chemistry for Optical Products

AlphaMicron was founded in 1996 by three professors from Kent State University’s Liquid Crystal Institute, specifically to create a liquid crystal technology for the US Department of Defense.

They developed a unique technology that can change the tint (colour) of a lens within the blink of an eye. This electronic tint-on-demand technology, e-Tint®, is the only technology that can address the challenges of varying light and weather conditions.

AlphaMicron now offers an array of e-Tint® products including ballistic goggles and sunglasses, motorcycle visor inserts, automotive and avionic window and mirror applications, and medical and protective eyewear. This revolutionary material is made in the USA and is engineered, designed, and manufactured at its headquarters in Kent, Ohio.

We were asked to take over representation of AlphaMicron’s patent matters in Europe and the UK, which mainly consists of filing and prosecuting patent applications in those jurisdictions.

How we helped

The patents focus on liquid crystal materials but also structural and electronic features of practical liquid crystal assemblies. Our partner Matt Barton works closely with AlphaMicron’s in-house counsel in the USA, developing strategies and arguments to obtain grant of commercially strong patents. This involves site visits to Ohio, to discuss ongoing matters with counsel and inventors, for a deep understanding of the technology. We are proud to consider ourselves part of AlphaMicron’s team in Europe.

In addition to day-to-day European Patent Office (EPO) prosecution, we have fought hard to achieve success for AlphaMicron at the EPO Boards of Appeal (the effective judiciary of the EPO). When an important case was refused by the examining division, we took the case to the Technical Board of Appeal, which reversed the decision to refuse and provided useful comments explaining why the AlphaMicron product was inventive.

Results

As well as success at the Boards of Appeal we have guided AlphaMicron through to other patent grants in Europe and in the UK. We have additionally handled trade mark registrations and German patent applications for them. For the last 6 years, we have also been proud to work on IP matters for Immobileyes Inc. which was founded by photonics and laser researchers from AlphaMicron, and operates out of the same base in Ohio. We assisted this start-up company with its first IP protection in Europe and the UK based on our long-standing relationship with its founders and scientists, and our knowledge and expertise with the technology.