The U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) recently issued six U.S. patents to UNM Rainforest Innovations during the months of July, August and September for technologies invented at the University of New Mexico. The patents, issued during UNM Rainforest Innovations’ 2027 fiscal first quarter, are for a variety of technologies created by researchers in the Departments of Civil, Construction, & Environmental Engineering; Mechanical Engineering; Physics & Astronomy; and the Center for High Technology Materials.
Issued Patent for “Monolithic Microfabricated Vibrating Mesh Atomizer”
Patent No. 12,677,871, issued July 14, 2026
Inventors: Nathan Jackson
(Ref. 2019-079)
In various embodiments, an apparatus can comprise one or more integrated mesh membranes operable to vibrate based on an integrated structure with a piezoelectric material. The integrated mesh membrane can be implemented in an atomizer, which can be constructed as a monolithic vibrating mesh atomizer. A portable vibrating mesh atomizer can be implemented in a number of applications including, but not limited to, a vaping device or portable liquid medicine delivery system. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
Patent No. 12,687,210, issued July 21, 2026
Inventors: Mahmoud R. Taha, Mark R. Scherbarth
(Ref. 2019-027)
Described here is a tape spring having an elastic layer located in between one or more viscoelastic layers to form an elongated tape spring having a longitudinal axis.
Issued Patent for “3D Printed Viscoelastic Dampers and Methods of Making”
Patent No. 12,710,087, issued August 18, 2026
Inventors: Mahmoud R. Taha, Mohammed Jaradat, Eslam Soliman
(Ref. 2019-115)
Dampers made from polymers modified with nanomaterials (e.g. carbon nanotubes) are disclosed. This novel viscoelastic material has significantly improved damping characteristics making nano-modified polymers excellent materials for viscoelastic dampers, including highly customizable materials and geometries tailored to achieve good damping properties and proper shear stiffness and shear capacity.
Issued Patent for “Low Quantum-Defect Intra-Cavity-Pumped Semiconductor Disk Lasers”
Patent No. 12,712,335, issued August 18, 2026
This technology is currently optioned.
Inventors: Alexander Albrecht, Mansoor Sheik-Bahae
(Ref. 2022-001)
An intra-cavity-pumped semiconductor disk laser (ICP-SDL) is disclosed that includes a laser cavity bounded at a first laser cavity end by a first reflective member and at a second laser cavity end by a first partially reflective member; and a membrane external-cavity surface-emitting laser (MECSEL) arranged within the laser cavity between the first end and the second end.
Patent No. 12,720,905, issued August 25, 2026
Inventors: Francesca Cavallo, Emma Renteria
(Ref. 2022-093)
The disclosed methods integrate EMI shielding with visible-to-IR or IR photodetection functionalities in flexible semiconductor/2D material devices, including photodiodes and photoconductive detectors. The processes generally involve transferring a 2D material onto a semiconductor membrane, depositing dielectric layers for electrical isolation and material protection, patterning windows and electrodes using photolithography and etching techniques, and forming top and bottom electrical contacts through metal deposition and lift-off processes. Additional steps include fabricating contact pads on a flexible receiving substrate, bonding the multifunctional material stack to the substrate, and releasing the structure through selective wet or dry etching of a sacrificial layer. The released device is then transferred, often via deionized water, and adhered to the flexible substrate, producing a mechanically flexible, multifunctional nanosheet capable of both electromagnetic interference shielding and infrared or broadband photodetection.
Issued Patent for “High Density Low Viscosity Liquid Metal and Methods Thereof”
Patent No. 12,742,229, issued September 22, 2026
Inventors: Ishtiaque Anwar, John Stormont, Mahya Hatambeigi
(Ref. 2021-048)
A metal alloy is disclosed, includes gallium, indium, bismuth, and tin, is a liquid at a temperature of about 24° C., and is a solid below a temperature of about 16°C. The gallium is present in an amount of from about 60 wt % to about 70 wt % based on a total weight of the metal alloy. The indium is present in an amount of from about 20 wt % to about 30 wt % based on a total weight of the metal alloy. The bismuth is present in an amount of from about 0.5 wt % to about 15 wt % based on a total weight of the metal alloy. The tin is present in an amount of from about 0.5 wt % to about 20 wt % based on a total weight of the metal alloy. A method of preparing the liquid metal alloy is also disclosed.