Mindy N. Rittner, Ph.D.

Dr. Rittner’s practice focuses on the preparation and prosecution of patent applications with an emphasis on materials science, nanotechnology, and the mechanical and electrical arts. She is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office as a patent agent and also serves the firm as a scientific advisor. She has drafted and prosecuted patent applications on a wide range of subject matter, including nanostructures, composite materials, metal alloys, thin films and coatings, materials processing methods, medical products, diagnostic systems, semiconductor devices, and magnetic materials and systems. In her role as scientific advisor, Dr. Rittner provides technical expertise in support of opinion work, due diligence investigations and litigation strategy.

Dr. Rittner worked in the nanomaterials field for more than a decade prior to joining Brinks, initially as a scientist and inventor at Argonne National Laboratory and Northwestern University, and then as Director of Nanotechnology Research at BCC Research, Inc. (BCC), a technical-market research firm. Her research at Argonne and Northwestern focused on the synthesis, characterization and mechanical testing of nanocrystalline aluminum alloys. At BCC, Dr. Rittner supervised and authored numerous industry research reports, edited the technology newsletter Nanoparticle News, and co-chaired BCC’s annual Nanomaterials conference. Her expertise in nanotechnology includes nanocrystals, quantum dots, nanoelectronic and nanomagnetic devices, and nanofabrication techniques.

• Amelia Earhart Fellow, Northwestern University
• Walter P. Murphy Fellow, Northwestern University

• 8,123,876 to Charlebois et al. for “Method for Bonding Components of Medical Devices,” issued February 28, 2012.
• 8,088,233 to Magnuson et al. for "Method of Characterizing Phase Transformations in Shape Memory Materials, issued January 3, 2012.
• 8,030,161 to Duan et al. for "Gate Electrode for a Nonvolatile Memory Cell," issued October 4, 2011.
• 7,972,865 to Yi et al. for “Sensor for Detecting and Differentiating Chemical Analytes,” issued July 5, 2011.
• 7,951,276 to Donchev et al. for "Cluster Generator," issued May 31, 2011.

• M. N. Rittner, “Nanomagnetic Materials and Devices: Technology and Markets,” Nanotechnology Law & Business Journal, 1, 4, 358-363 (2004)
• M. N. Rittner, “Market Analysis of Nanostructured Materials,” American Ceramic Society Bulletin, 81, 3, 33-36 (2002)
• M. N. Rittner, J. R. Weertman, and J. A. Eastman, "Structure-Property Correlations in Nanocrystalline Al-Zr Alloy Composites," Acta Materialia, 44, 1271-1286 (1996)
• J. A. Eastman, M. N. Rittner, C. J. Youngdahl, and J. R. Weertman, "Method for Producing Nanocrystalline Multicomponent and Multiphase Materials," U.S. Patent 5,728,195, issued March 17, 1998, to the United States of America as represented by the Department of Energy
• M. N. Rittner, J. R. Weertman, J. A. Eastman, K. B. Yoder, and D. S. Stone, "Mechanical Behavior of Nanocrystalline Aluminum-Zirconium," Mat. Sci. and Eng. A237, 185-190 (1997)

• M. N. Rittner, “Patenting Issues and Trends in Nanotechnology,” Materials Issues in Intellectual Property, TMS (The Minerals, Metals and Materials Society) Webcast, April 20, 2006
• M. N. Rittner, “Nanoelectronics and Nanomagnetics: An Overview,” Nanomaterials 2004, Stamford, CT, October 24-27, 2004
• M. N. Rittner, “Nanomaterials Market Overview,” NanoCommerce 2004, Chicago, IL, October 5-7, 2004
• M. N. Rittner, “Status Report: Nano-Optics, Electronics, and Magnetics,” NanoCommerce 2003, Chicago, IL, December 8-11, 2003
• M. N. Rittner, “Nanomaterials in Nanoelectronics,” Nanoparticles 2003, Cambridge, MA, October 26-28, 2003

• Materials Research Society (MRS)

• Mindy N. Rittner Joins Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione

• Nanoparticle News