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(11)

EP 1 279 053 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 18.04.2002 (43) Date of publication: 29.01.2003 Bulletin 2003/05 (21) Application number: 01946910.5 (22) Date of filing: 24.01.2001

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G02B 6/12, C30B 29/60, C04B 38/04, C08J 9/26, C01B 33/12 (86) International application number: PCT/CA0100/049 (87) International publication number: WO 0105/5484 (02.08.2001 Gazette 2001/31)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 28.01.2000 US 178773 P (71) Applicants: THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO Toronto,Ontario M5S 1A1 (CA) Universidad Politecnica De Valencia 46022 Valencia (ES) CONSEJO SUPERIOR DEINVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS 28006 Madrid (ES) John, Sajeev Mississauga,Ontario L5C 3R2 (CA) Chomski, Emmanuel Benjamin Ottowa,Ontario K2B 5K8 (CA)

(72) Inventors: JOHN, Sajeev Mississauga, Ontario L5C 3R2 (CA) CHOMSKI, Emmanuel, Benjamin Ottowa, Ontario K2B 5K8 (CA) OZIN, Geoffrey, Alan Toronto, Ontario M4V 1Y9 (CA) LOPEZ FERNANDEZ, Ceferino San Sebastian de los Reyes28700 Madrid (ES) MESEGUER RICO, Francisco, Javier E-46013 Valencia (ES) (74) Representative: Elsy, David et al Withers & Rogers,Goldings House,2 Hays Lane London SE1 2HW London SE1 2HW (GB)