Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1946 [PAGE 491]

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488

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

[May 26

RECOMMENDATIONS RELATING TO PATENTABLE DISCOVERIES (10) T h e following report and recommendations from the Faculty Committee on Patents relating to discoveries by members of the University staff: 1. A Betatron with a Time-Dependent Field Shape. This is an improvement of the betatron by Professor Gail D. Adams, Research Physicist in the College of Engineering. T h e discovery is considered by the Department of Physics of much more importance than any of the betatron improvements heretofore discovered. This improved betatron differs fundamentally from that described in Professor Donald W . Kerst's basic patent now held by the General Electric Company. T h e X-ray output of a betatron equipped with this newly discovered device exceeds by at least SO per cent that of the original machine. 2. A Porcelain Betatron Vacuum Tube. This discovery was made three years ago by Professor G. M. Almy of the Department of Physics and Professor R. K. H u r s h of the Department of Ceramic Engineering. On the basis of a recommendation from the patent attorney representing the University at that time, it was decided not to file application for a patent. Recent conferences with the patent attorney now representing the University suggest the advisability of filing such an •application. It has been found impossible to perfect ari all-glass vacuum tube. T h e tube developed by Professors Almy and Hursh is made mainly of porcelain which has the same expansion under heat as glass, making possible the fusion of the porcelain main body with certain necessary glass connections. T h e Committee recommends that Professors Almy and Adams be authorized to confer with the University's patent attorney concerning the betatron with a time-dependent field shape and that application for a patent on the same be authorized if in the opinion of counsel that is expedient. T h e Committee recommends filing of a patent application on the porcelain betatron vacuum tube. 3. Discoveries in the Field of Synthetic Rubber. Professor C. S. Marvel of the Department of Chemistry has discussed with the Committee a large number of discoveries made in the course of research work in the field of synthetic rubber under a contract with the Rubber Reserve Company, a federal agency, Under the terms of this contract, all discoveries become the property of the Rubber Reserve Company. T h e latter has announced a policy of permitting patentable discoveries to be taken first by the inventor and second by the University, the Company waiving its rights under the contract, but under the terms of such waiver the Rubber Reserve Company would be entitled to a royalty-free non-exclusive and irrevocable license to use any patents procured and also to the right to grant sub-licenses. Professor Marvel has advised that the University do not make applications for patents upon these discoveries. In view of the conditions imposed by the Rubber Reserve Company, it is the judgment of the Committee on Patents that these patents would have no substantial value to the University and it, therefore, recommends that no action be taken t o secure patents. I concur in the recommendations of the Committee.

Mr. Janata presented this matter for the President. On motion of Mr. Davis, these recommendations were adopted.

PATENTABLE DISCOVERIES (11) At the meeting of the Board on May 12, 1945 (Minutes, page 458), there was presented a recommendation from the Faculty Committee on Patents that the University release to the United States Government certain discoveries made by Professors Dwight G Bennett and Clifford M. Andrews of the Department of Ceramic Engineering in the course of research work done under a contract with the United States Army Air Forces. It was the judgment of the faculty committee that the University should not undertake to develop .these discoveries. T h e Board referred this recommendation to the Committee on Patents for discussion with the Executive Committee of the University of Illinois Foundation. T h e Secretary reports on behalf of his Executive Committee as follows: 1. Although the discoveries may have some commercial value, the com-