DuPont Scientist Awarded 7 Millionth U.S. Patent

The Department of Commerce’s United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) announced today it has awarded U.S. Patent 7,000,000 to DuPont senior researcher Dr. John P. O’Brien for inventing “Polysaccharide Fibers.”

WILMINGTON, Del. – The Department of Commerce’s United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) announced today it has awarded U.S. Patent 7,000,000 to DuPont senior researcher Dr. John P. O’Brien for inventing “Polysaccharide Fibers.” Polysaccharide fibers are “cotton-like” fibers derived from biologically based renewable resources.

O’Brien, 54, has been a polymer chemist with DuPont since 1978. He holds 15 patents, including the one issued today, for his research in the areas of advanced composites; high-performance fibers, including developmental work on DuPont™ Kevlar®; and bio-based materials.

DuPont continued its tradition of turning science into solutions in 2004 by entering the pest control market with the introduction of Advion™ Fire Ant Bait.

In acknowledging O’Brien’s milestone patent, DuPont Senior Vice President & Chief Science and Technology Officer Thomas M. Connelly, Jr., noted, “Protection of intellectual property via our patent system is key to maintaining the competitiveness of U.S. industry. We are honored to receive this milestone patent today, which recognizes our efforts to use renewable resources and biology to create innovative products that are sustainable and can begin to reduce the world’s reliance on fossil fuels.”