DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 06/29/2023 is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claim 1-26 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
Regarding claim 1, the phrases “(thickness >0.5 mm, material)”, “element(s) has(have) a defined geometric construct(s)”, and “(impedance matching)” render the claim indefinite because it is unclear whether the limitations within the parentheticals are part of the claimed invention. See MPEP § 2173.05(d).
Regarding claim 9, the phrase “a specific wavelength(s)” renders the claim indefinite because it is unclear whether the limitation within the parentheticals are part of the claimed invention. See MPEP § 2173.05(d).
Regarding claim 14, the phrase “(Z scheme)” renders the claim indefinite because it is unclear whether the limitation within the parentheticals are part of the claimed invention. See MPEP § 2173.05(d).
Regarding claim 16, the phrases “(clusters per unit volume)”, and “(impedance matching)” render the claim indefinite because it is unclear whether the limitations within the parentheticals are part of the claimed invention. See MPEP § 2173.05(d).
Claims 2-15 are dependent on claim 1, and therefore inherit at least the same deficiencies as claim 1.
Claims 12-14 are dependent on claim 9, and therefore inherit at least the same deficiencies as claim 9.
Claims 17-26 are dependent on claim 16, and therefore inherit at least the same deficiencies as claim 16.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Soci (10,151,858), Juluri (2016/0160364), Araci (2012/0235067), and Norris (2012/0161600) disclose relevant catalytic metamaterial devices, but fail to provide teachings in a manner that would be appropriate under 35 U.S.C. 102 or 103.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to BALRAM T PARBADIA whose telephone number is (571)270-0602. The examiner can normally be reached 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, Monday - Friday.
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/BALRAM T PARBADIA/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2872