IPC Definitions - January 01, 2012
B82B - Definition
This subclass covers:
Precise arrangements of matter on molecular or atomic level having particularly shaped configurations (i.e. nano-structural assemblages) formed during manufacture which are distinct from both naturally occurring and chemically produced chemical or biological arrangements composed of similar matter, wherein each assemblage includes at least one essential integral element:
The essential integral elements of nano-structural assemblages when they include structural features limiting their use to these assemblages.
The manufacture or treatment of the above type of nano-structural assemblages when the manufacturing or treating creates an essential structural feature of an assemblage and utilizes either:
Relationship between large subject matter areas
General relationship of B82B with section C:
The terminology "particularly shaped configurations ----- distinct from both naturally occurring and chemically produced chemical or biological arrangements composed of similar matter" in the definition statement is intended to preclude classification of chemical or biological structures per se in this subclass that are similar in size. As a practical matter, what is intended by "distinct" in this phrase is that the only nano-sized structures appropriate for this subclass are those that accomplish a function that is not inherent in the chemical or biological composition from which they are formed (e.g. a nano-sized structure shaped so that an atom or molecule component is movable between locations to act as a switch in an electrical operation would be classified in B82B even if it were formed using a method that included a chemical or biological step).
The subclasses under section C, "Chemistry; Metallurgy", specifically provide for the majority of these excluded chemical or biological structures per se, or specially adapted processes or apparatus for the manufacture or treatment thereof (e.g. in classes C08C12).
Special rules for additional classification in other subclasses:
Except when the operation or practical utility of the nano-structure is inherently completely limited to a microscopic environment, the nano-structures that are covered by this subclass should also be obligatorily classified in subclasses that otherwise appropriately provide for their novel and unobvious structural or functional features.
References relevant to classification in this subclass
This subclass does not cover:
Nanocapsules for medicinal preparations | A61K 9/51 |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Investigating or analyzing surface structures in atomic ranges using scanning-probe techniques | G01Q 10/00-G01Q 90/00 |
Details of apparatus using scanning-probe techniques | G01Q 10/00-G01Q 90/00 |
Thin magnetic film formed from spin-exchange coupled multi-layers | H01F 10/32 |
Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing or assembling devices by applying magnetic films to substrates that are formed from nanostructures | H01F 41/30 |
In this subclass, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:
Manufacture | Chemical, electrical, or mechanical process or apparatus for accomplishing one or more of the following operations on a nano structural assemblage or an essential integral element thereof: assembling, associating, bonding, constructing, creating, cutting, distorting, electric photographing, etching, fabricating, fastening, finishing, joining, juxtaposing, positioning, shaping, or working. |