The IR4TD performs purpose-driven and discovery-driven research, for and in cooperation with industry, and for pure scholarly reasons. This research always leads to a better understanding of processes and the engineering fundamentals behind them, and often leads to the development of new ideas, concepts and devices. Intellectual property is usually created from this research and, although it may not have commercial value, it is always the imagination made real through the vehicle of education and dedication of the researchers.

The IR4TD approaches intellectual property with flexibility, whether it is for purpose of patents, trademarks or trade secrets. In all cases, the IR4TD will work with industry to achieve mutually achievable goals and standards, and with the University of Kentucky’s College of Engineering and Research Foundation to advance cooperative agreements that can lead to licensing, ownership and/or additional development, and prototype or commercial installations.

When necessary, the IR4TD through the University will enter into agreements in which trade secret or proprietary data and documents are not divulged during the conduct of research and concept development and during mutually-agreeable times after completion of the research. Because the IR4TD has and uses its own trade secrets, it is cognizant of the importance of protecting them.

LISTING OF IR4TD PATENTS:

1. A.J. Salazar, K. Saito, R.P. Alloo, and N. Tanaka, “Wet scrubber and paint spray booth including the wet scrubber,” Patent No.: US 6,024,796, February 15, 2000.
2. A.J. Salazar, K. Saito, R.P. Alloo, and N. Tanaka, “Wet scrubber and paint spray booth including the wet scrubber,” Patent No.: US 6,093,250, July 25, 2000.
3. K. Saito, F.A. Williams, A.S. Gordon, and L. Yuan, “Synthesis of multi wall carbon nanotubes using unseeded hydrocarbon diffusion flames,” Patent No.: US 6,979,433 B1, December 27, 2005.  K. Saito, M.I.
4. Hassan Ali, M.A. Omar, M. Sakakibara, T. Suzuki, and Y. Tanigawa, “Systems and methods for inspecting coatings,” Patent No.: US 7,129,492, October 31, 2006.
5. K. Saito, M.I. Hassan Ali, M.A. Omar, M. Sakakibara, T. Suzuki, and Y. Tanigawa, “Systems and methods for inspecting coatings,” Patent No.: US 7,220,966, May 22, 2007.
6. V. Srinivasan, A.J. Salazar, K. Saito, R.A. Alloo, “Devices and methods for atomizing fluids,” Patent No.: US 7,617,993, November 2009.
7. R. Alloo, K. Saito, B. Gharaibeh, K. Chuah, N. Akafuah,  and A. Salaimeh, “Systems and methods for detecting defects in coatings utilizing color-based thermal mismatch“, Patent No.: US  8,204294 B2, June 2012.
8. J. Nakagawa, T. Ito, T. Nishiyama, M. Doki, K. Saito, B. Gharaibeh, K. Chuah, A. Salaimeh, M. Yamamoto, T. Takeuchi, K. Ito, H. Huang, and S. Bohun, “Method for detecting defect in material and system for the method“ EP Patent 2,350,627.