Prosecution Insights
Last updated: July 17, 2026
Application No. 18/160,508

Composite Materials, Devices, and Methods of Encapsulating Perovskites

Final Rejection §103
Filed
Jan 27, 2023
Priority
Jan 28, 2022 — provisional 63/304,342
Examiner
LEBENTRITT, MICHAEL
Art Unit
2893
Tech Center
2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems
Assignee
The Florida State University Research Foundation Inc.
OA Round
2 (Final)
92%
Grant Probability
Favorable
3-4
OA Rounds
0m
Est. Remaining
98%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 92% — above average
92%
Career Allowance Rate
924 granted / 1002 resolved
+24.2% vs TC avg
Moderate +6% lift
Without
With
+6.2%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 3m
Avg Prosecution
19 currently pending
Career history
1026
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
4.1%
-35.9% vs TC avg
§103
60.4%
+20.4% vs TC avg
§102
13.3%
-26.7% vs TC avg
§112
1.4%
-38.6% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1002 resolved cases

Office Action

§103
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 . Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action: A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made. Claim(s) 1-3, 5-8 and 11-12 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Fang et al, CN 114188486 and further in view of CN 101236988 A, Shinji, Takeoka, . Fang teaches: A method of encapsulation, the method comprising: providing a first film comprising a perovskite (figure 20); and depositing, via atomic film deposition (abstract), a first oxide or a first nitride on a surface of the first film to form on the surface of the first film a second film comprising the first oxide or the first nitride. (figure 20) Fang fails to teach: wherein the second film has a thickness of about 3 nm to about 10 nm. CN 101236988 A Teaches: Here, the bottom insulating film 108 is formed by the stacking temperature is 400 degrees centigrade. centigrade for using atomic layer deposition method to form the film thickness of silicon nitride film 3 nm is formed and in the silicon nitride film is desired that the ratio of nitrogen to silicon is more than 1.2, and the film thickness is more than 0.3 nm and less than 10 nm. (machine translation) Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of ‘988 with the primary reference of Fang, because the thickness of the layer can be adjusted by adjusting the ratio of nitrogen to silicon (machine translation) Fang further teaches: 2. (Original) The method of claim 1, wherein the perovskite is a 3D perovskite or a 2D perovskite. 3. (Original) The method of claim 1, wherein the perovskite is of formula (I) or formula (II): ABX3 formula (I); A2BXa, formula (II); wherein A is an organic cation, wherein B is a metal ion, and wherein X is a halide. (para 11) 5. (Currently Amended) The method of claim 4, wherein A is a methyl ammonium cation. (para 63) 6. (Original) The method of claim 3, wherein B is Pb2+ or Sn2+. (para 82) 7. (Original) The method of claim 3, wherein X is selected from the group consisting of I, Br, and CI. (para 10) 8. (Original) The method of claim 1, wherein the oxide is selected from the group consisting of AI2O3, SnOz, TiO2, and ZnO; and wherein the nitride is selected from the group consisting of Sis3N4 and TiN. (figure 20) 11. (Original) The method of claim 1, wherein (i) before, (ii) after, or (111) before and after the depositing of the oxide or the nitride, the film comprising the perovskite is not thermally annealed. (para 24 and 28) 12. (Currently Amended) A method of encapsulation, the method comprising: providing a first film comprising a perovskite (para 20); and depositing, via atomic film deposition (abstract), a first oxide or a first nitride on a surface of the first film to form on the surface of the first film a second film comprising the first oxide or the first nitride; (figure 20) wherein the perovskite is of formula (I) or formula (II)- ABX3 formula (1), A2BXa, formula (II); wherein A is an alkyl ammonium cation, wherein B is a metal ion selected from the group consisting of Pb2+ and Sn2+, and wherein X is a halide. (para 11, 82) In regards to claim 12; Fang fails to teach: wherein the second film has a thickness of about 3 nm to about 10 nm. CN 101236988 A Teaches: Here, the bottom insulating film 108 is formed by the stacking temperature is 400 degrees centigrade. centigrade for using atomic layer deposition method to form the film thickness of silicon nitride film 3 nm is formed and in the silicon nitride film is desired that the ratio of nitrogen to silicon is more than 1.2, and the film thickness is more than 0.3 nm and less than 10 nm. (machine translation) Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of ‘988 with the primary reference of Fang, because the thickness of the layer can be adjusted by adjusting the ratio of nitrogen to silicon (machine translation) Claim(s) 4 is is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Fang et al as and Shinji applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Zhu et al, WO 2017059420 A1. Fang fails to teach: 4. (Original) The method of claim 3, wherein A is an alkyl ammonium cation. Zhu teaches: In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the solid perovskite may include an alkyl ammonium metal halide. (summary of invention) Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to combine the teachings of Zhu with the primary reference of Fang and Shinji, because alkyl ammonium cations are readily used in the art to form perovskite films. Claim(s) 9 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Fang et al and Shinji as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Nakamura et al, WO 2015137324 A1. Fang fails to teach: 9. (Original) The method of claim 1, further comprising contacting the surface of the film comprising the perovskite with a vapor comprising 2-mercaptoethanol prior to the depositing of the oxide or the nitride on the surface of the film comprising the perovskite. Nakaumara teaches: The crystal growth controlling agent according to the present invention comprises at least one sulfur-containing compound selected from the group consisting of a compound that generates a thiolate anion… Specific examples of the thiol compound include thioglycerol, 2-mercaptoethano… Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to combine the teachings of Nakaumura with the primary reference of Fang and Shinji, because compounds that generate thiolate anions by dissociation of protons or cations to control the crystal growth. Claim(s) 10 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Fang and Shinji. Fang and Shinji fails to teach: 10. (Original) The method of claim 1, further comprising disposing a third film on the second film, wherein the third film comprises a second nitride or a second oxide. In regards to claim 10, the third film is merely a duplication of the second film and the court held that mere duplication of parts has no patentable significance unless a new and unexpected result is produced. See in re Harza Conclusion Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a). A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to MICHAEL LEBENTRITT whose telephone number is (571)272-1873. The examiner can normally be reached IFP Mon- Fri 8:30 am- 6 pm. Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Sue Purvis can be reached at (571)272-1236. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. MICHAEL . LEBENTRITT Primary Examiner Art Unit 2893 /MICHAEL LEBENTRITT/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2893
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Jan 27, 2023
Application Filed
Sep 16, 2025
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103
Feb 16, 2026
Response Filed
Jun 01, 2026
Final Rejection mailed — §103 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12684779
SEMICONDUCTOR MEMORY DEVICE, METHOD FOR FABRICATING THE SAME AND ELECTRONIC SYSTEM INCLUDING THE SAME
2y 7m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026
Patent 12677620
SURFACE TREATMENT METHOD FOR SEMICONDUCTOR SUBSTRATE AND SURFACE TREATMENT AGENT COMPOSITION
3y 7m to grant Granted Jul 07, 2026
Patent 12652915
DISPLAY DEVICE
2y 7m to grant Granted Jun 09, 2026
Patent 12630419
PRODUCTION METHOD FOR A MICROMECHANICAL SENSOR APPARATUS, AND CORRESPONDING MICROMECHANICAL SENSOR APPARATUS
2y 12m to grant Granted May 19, 2026
Patent 12635584
THREE-DIMENSIONAL INTEGRATED CIRCUIT WITH TOP CHIP INCLUDING SCHOTTKY DIODE BODY CONTACT
2y 11m to grant Granted May 19, 2026
Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

Strategy Recommendation AI-generated — please review before filing

Get a prosecution strategy drawn from examiner precedents, rejection analysis, and claim mapping.
Typically takes 5-10 seconds — AI-generated, attorney review required before filing

Prosecution Projections

3-4
Expected OA Rounds
92%
Grant Probability
98%
With Interview (+6.2%)
2y 3m (~0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Moderate
PTA Risk
Based on 1002 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

Sign in with your work email

Enter your email to receive a magic link. No password needed.

Personal email addresses (Gmail, Yahoo, etc.) are not accepted.

Free tier: 3 strategy analyses per month