AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 1, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Applied Nanotech Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB:APNT) is pleased to announce that it received notification that its U.S. Patent No. 5,869,922, originally issued in the U.S. in 1999, claiming specific Raman spectrum signatures for all carbon films that have superior electron emission properties, has been issued in Japan (Japanese Patents No. 4786471 and No. 4786031). In addition to the U.S., this patent was previously issued in other areas of the world, including China, Korea, and Europe.
The importance of this patent in the field of electron emission cannot be overstated, particularly in a strong electronic manufacturing country like Japan. The patent system in Japan is recognized as one of the most rigorous in the world and issuance of this patent in Japan strengthens APNT's entire Raman patent family, which does not expire until July 2018.
"We received a lot of opposition in Japan to this patent filing by major Japanese corporations and the granting of this patent in Japan is an important milestone for Applied Nanotech and its shareholders," commented Dr. Zvi Yaniv, CEO of Applied Nanotech, Inc.
Applied Nanotech holds an extensive patent portfolio in the area of electron emission, and believes that this significant group of patents covers all carbon nanofilms, including carbon nanotubes used for electron emission applications. There is great interest in carbon nanotube innovation with companies small and large scrambling to integrate the technology into their newest electronics, X-ray equipment, lighting devices, LCD backlights, and field emission displays. Samsung, one of the world's largest electronics manufacturers, has already recognized the technology's importance and secured a license agreement in November 2010 as part of a package of approximately 150 patents that it licensed from Applied Nanotech. While Samsung has a paid up license to the technology, it is available for license to other companies on a nonexclusive basis. Success by Samsung in the introduction of a product using this technology will enhance the value of the patents and likely induce others to introduce products requiring a license.
The first claim of this group of patents states that: "A field emission device comprising a layer of carbon film on a substrate, wherein the carbon film has a UV Raman band in the range of 1578 cm-1 to 1620 cm-1, wherein the UV Raman band has a full width at half maximum (FWHM) from 25 cm-1 to 165 cm-1."
Researchers at Applied Nanotech identified and recognized the specific characteristics of carbon films that possess the most superior properties for enhanced electron field emission. UV Raman spectra analysis can be easily executed at many universities and laboratories, and as a result this simple analysis can identify if someone is using carbon films for electron emission that has the Raman spectra signature specified in Applied Nanotech's intellectual property under the claims of this group of patents. To date all the Raman spectra tests executed at Applied Nanotech of high quality electron emission carbon film materials demonstrate that their UV Raman spectrum is in the range covered by the specific claims in this group of patents.
"While electron emission activities are no longer part of our growth strategy or core business activities, the income that can be generated from our dominant portfolio in this area can be a nice addition to our earnings for years to come. As with any of our patents, we will vigorously defend it against any current or future violators. Because of the ease in determining if the Raman spectrum patent is being violated, we will be able to defend our patent rights quickly and efficiently if needed," said Doug Baker, CEO of Applied Nanotech Holdings, Inc.
About APPLIED NANOTECH HOLDINGS, INC.
Applied Nanotech Holdings, Inc. is a premier research and commercialization organization focused on solving problems at the molecular level. Its team of PhD level scientists and engineers work with companies and other organizations to solve technical impasses and create innovations that will create a competitive advantage. The business model is to license patents and technology to partners that will manufacture and distribute products using the technology. Applied Nanotech has over 300 patents or patents pending. Applied Nanotech's website is www.appliednanotech.net.
SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties concerning our business, products, and financial results. Actual results may differ materially from the results predicted. More information about potential risk factors that could affect our business, products, and financial results are included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, and in reports subsequently filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). All documents are available through the SEC's Electronic Data Gathering Analysis and Retrieval System (EDGAR) at www.sec.gov or from our website listed above. We hereby disclaim any obligation to publicly update the information provided above, including forward-looking statements, to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.