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 .
Election/Restrictions
Applicant’s election without traverse of Group II in the reply filed on 6/8/26 is acknowledged.
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.
Claims 6-14 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.
To Claim 1, since Claim 6 depends on Claim 1, the feature “RDE OER” should be spelled out and not abbreviated.
To Claim 6, line 5, “dispersing the molten mixture” lacks antecedent basis. It is suggested to add the following to i) of Claim 6 “. . . precursor together to form a molten mixture; . . . “.
To Claim 7, lines 3, “dispersing the molten mixture” lacks antecedent basis. It is suggested to add the following to i) of Claim 7 “. . . precursor together to form a molten mixture; . . . “.
To Claim 8, lines 2-3, use of the word “preferably” are not definite.
To Claim 9, lines 2-3, use of the word “preferably” are not definite.
To Claim 11, line 2, use of the word “preferably” are not definite.
To Claim 12, line 2, use of the word “preferably” are not definite.
Allowable Subject Matter
As allowable subject matter has been indicated, applicant's reply must either comply with all formal requirements or specifically traverse each requirement not complied with. See 37 CFR 1.111(b) and MPEP § 707.07(a).
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance: Pang (CN 113477939). Pang describes combining a black sponge noble metal with H2O2 and then heating the mixture (see pages 2-3, sections 6 and 7).
Peng does not then disperse the molten mixture in water.
Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee. Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.”
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to SHENG HAN DAVIS whose telephone number is (571)270-5823. The examiner can normally be reached 9-5:30.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Fung Coris can be reached at 571-270-5713. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/SHENG H DAVIS/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1732 July 20, 2026
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