REQUEST FOR REVISION OF THE IPC (AL)
Class(es) or Subclass(es): B82
1. Demarcation of the area to be revised: B82
2. Reasons for the request:
(a) Subdivision of IPC groups having an excessive file size and a high rate of growth of the
PCT minimum documentation
[ ]
(b) Change of the classification structure where it has become inefficient for searching [X ]
(c) Clarification of wordings in order to improve consistency in classifying or to avoid
overlap with other places of the IPC
[ ]
Explanation of above:
This proposal aims at making this highly active technical area visible to all the users of the IPC.
Due to the complexity and high relevance of dealing with nanotechnology, the inadequacy of the
current B82B to suit the needs for classification of NT in general, the clear wish of the trilateral
offices is to create a secondary classification scheme, B82C, to completely cover all aspects of
Nanotechnology and to quickly populate it with documents.
3. For requests under 2(a), numerical data (PCT min. one document per family):
(a) File size:
[ ]
(b) Rate of growth (applications filed in)
(c) Average size of new subgroups:
(d) Proposal tested ?
YES [ X ]
4. Detailed proposal:
2004: [ ]
[ ]
NO [ ]
2005: [ ]
Submitted herewith
We are prepared to elaborate it
We are not in a position to elaborate it
[X ]
[ ]
[ ]
5. General outline, possible solutions, options ,etc.:
The annexed proposal is based on the final scheme agreement of Trilateral Harmony project
T008.
Proposing Office:
USPTO
Date: October 09, 2007
Signature: Yen Nguyen / John Salotto
1
B82
N
NANO-TECHNOLOGY
Note(s)
In this class, the following terms are used with the meaning indicated:
- “nano-size" or "nano-scale" relate to a controlled geometrical size below 100
nanometres (nm) in one or more dimensions;
- “nano-structure” means an entity having at least one nano-sized functional
component susceptible to make physical, chemical or biological properties or
effects available uniquely attributable to the nano-scale.
C B82B
NANO-STRUCTURES FORMED BY INDIVIDUAL MANIPULATION OF
ATOMS, MOLECULES, OR LIMITED COLLECTIONS OF ATOMS OR
MOLECULES AS DISCRETE UNITS; MANUFACTURE OR TREATMENT
THEREOF
C
Note(s)
1. Attention is drawn to Note (1) following the title of class B82, which defines the
meaning of the terms "nano-size", "nano-scale" and "nano-structure" in this class.
2. This subclass does not cover chemical or biological nano-structures per se,
provided for elsewhere, e.g., in classes C08 or C12.
3. Nano-structures having specialized features are also classified in appropriate
places provided for their structural or functional features, if such features are of
interest.
4. Subject-matter classified in B82B is further classified in B82C appropriately.
C 1/00
Nano-structures formed by individual manipulation of atoms, molecules, or
limited collections of atoms or molecules as discrete units.
Nano-structures obtained by individual manipulation of atoms, molecules, or limited
collections of atoms or molecules during the manufacture – i.e. the "current IPC"
ones.
C 3/00
Manufacture or treatment of nano-structures covered by group 1/00
Processes or apparatus used in manufacturing or treating nano-structures by
individual manipulation of atoms, molecules, or limited collections of atoms or
molecules i.e. the "current IPC" ones.
2
N
B82C
NANO-STRUCTURES IN GENERAL; MANUFACTURE, TREATMENT OR
PROPERTIES THEREOF; APPLICATIONS OF NANO-STRUCTURES;
MEASUREMENT OR ANALYSIS AT THE NANO-SCALE
Nano-structures in a "broader sense" than those of subclass B82B; use of a nanostructure in a component of a device or system or as part of a process with a
particular function or purpose.
N
Note(s)
1. Attention is drawn to Note (1) following the title of class B82, which defines the
meaning of the terms "nano-size", "nano-scale" and "nano-structure" in this
class.
2. This subclass is intended to provide a basis for a complete search to be made
with respect to the subject matter defined by the subclass title and, therefore, all
relevant subject matter is classified in this subclass, even if classified elsewhere.
3. This subclass covers nanostructures and aspects of nano-structures already
classified elsewhere, e.g., in:
- A61K 9/51
Nano-capsules for medicinal preparations
- G01N 13/10
Investigating or analyzing surface structures in
atomic ranges using scanning probe techniques
- G06N 1/00
Quantum computers, molecular computers
- B82B1/00 and B82B3/00
Nano-structures formed by individual
manipulation of atoms, molecules, or limited collections of atoms or molecules
as discrete units.
- etc. etc.
4. This subclass is for secondary classification, i.e. for obligatory supplementary
classification of subject-matter already obligatorily classified as such in other
classification places.
5. The classification symbols of this subclass are not listed first when assigned to
patent documents.
6. In this subclass, multi-aspect classification is applied, so that subject matter
characterised by aspects covered by more than one of its groups, which is
considered to represent information of interest for search, may also be classified
in each of those groups. For example, a nano-structure exhibiting a specific
physical effect related to the nano-scale and used in medicine shall be classified
in groups 10/00, 20/00 and 30/10 of this subclass.
7. This subclass B82C gives no restrictive effect against the developing of
subdivisions under other IPC classes.
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N 10/00
Nano-structures
Nano-structures in a "broader sense" that include but are not limited to those covered
by B82B
Note:
The nano-structures that are covered by this main group should also be obligatorily
classified in those subclasses that appropriately provide for their novel and
unobvious structural or functional features.
N 20/00
Specified properties or effects uniquely attributable to the nano-scale
N 30/00
Specified use of nano-structures
N 30/10
.
in nano-biotechnology or nano-medicine
examples: protein engineering, drug delivery, etc.
N 30/20
.
in nano-technology for information processing, storage and transmission
examples: DNA computing, quantum computing, single electron logic
N 30/30
.
N 30/40
.
in nano-technology for interacting, sensing or actuating
examples: protein engineering, drug delivery, etc. Nano-motor/Nano-actuator
in nano-optics
examples: quantum optics, photonic crystals.
N 30/50
.
in nano-magnetism
examples: XMR technologies such as magnetoimpedance, anisotropic
magnetoresistance, giant magnetoresistance, tunnelling magnetoresistance.
N 30/60
.
in nano-technology for materials and surface science
examples: nanocomposites, nanoparticles, SAM's
N 40/00
Method or apparatus for measurement or analysis of nanostructures
N 50/00
Manufacture or treatment of nano-structures
processes or apparatus for making or treating nano-structures in a
"broader sense" that include but are not limited to those covered by B82B
N 99/00
Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
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