Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1954 [PAGE 1308]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

1954]

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

I305

material from the heat resistant container into a gas tight vacuum chamber, wherein the molten frit is expanded and cooled. T h e University Patent Committee recommends that this invention be referred to the University of Illinois Foundation for investigation and report. 4. A r t h u r L. Friedberg, Research Assistant Professor of Ceramic Engineering, has developed a method of conditioning and pickling metal surfaces and particularly of preparing the metals for porcelain enameling. This invention relates to certain chemical additions which when introduced in the acid pickling solution cause the acceleration of the pickling process. The invention was developed under a research investigation sponsored by the Enameled Utensil Manufacturers Council. In the opinion of the Head of the Department of Ceramic Engineering the commercial possibilities of this discovery are remote. Accordingly the University Patent Committee makes the following recommendations: that an offer be made to the Enameled Utensil Manufacturers Council that if that agency wishes to assume the entire cost of securing a patent, it and its constituent members will be granted a royalty-free, nonexclusive license on any patent secured from the invention, which would be held by the University, while other licensees would be charged a royalty in an amount which would be fair to the Council and the public; and that if the Council indicates no interest in bearing the cost of a patent under these conditions, the invention be released to the inventor. 5. H o w a r d W. Knoebel, Research Associate in the Engineering Research Laboratory, has developed a simple device using capacitor memory proposed for converting the binary output of digital computers into an analog voltage for display on an oscilloscope or to operate other equipment. This invention was developed under a contract with the Department of the Army. T h e device may have some commercial value in the computer field but it is unlikely that such value would justify the University in expending funds for securing a patent on it. T h e Department of the Army has agreed to release this invention to the inventor if the inventor agrees to give the government a royalty-free, nonexclusive license. Accordingly, the University Patent Committee recommends that this invention be released to the inventor under these conditions and that if the inventor decides not to proceed with a patent application, the invention then be released to the government. I concur in these recommendations. O n m o t i o n of M r s . W a t k i n s , t h e s e r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s w e r e a p proved. SETTLEMENT AND PAYMENT OF AMOUNTS DUE TO SUBCONTRACTORS OF PATRICK WARREN CONSTRUCTION COMPANY IN C O N N E C T I O N WITH RESEARCH AND EDUCATIONAL HOSPITALS ADDITION (2) At the February 18, 1954, meeting of this Board authority was granted to accept assignments to the University of all of Patrick W a r r e n Construction Company's contracts with its unpaid subcontractors in return for credits to be allowed the University upon its contract with that Company in the amounts of the unpaid balances due the subcontractors and certain other conditions. In connection with carrying out the proposal that the contracts between W a r r e n and its subcontractors be assigned to the University, it became necessary that agreements be reached between those subcontractors and W a r r e n relative to the unpaid balances due the former under those contracts. As the result of negotiations conducted during the past three months, Warren has reached an agreement with all but four of its subcontractors as to the amounts of the unpaid balances due them and the subcontractors with whom said agreements have been reached are willing to give full and complete releases to both the University and W a r r e n of all claims and liens upon payment by the University of the balances agreed to be due them and the assignment of their contracts with W a r r e n to the University. It is believed that agreements will probably be reached soon between W a r r e n and three of the other subcontractors, but it appears very doubtful whether an agreement will be reached between W a r r e n and the remaining subcontractor, since the latter asserts a substantial claim for damages and also claims that the unpaid balance