Patents Assigned to Vesta Research, Ltd.
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Patent number: 7942988Abstract: A shaped, flexible fuel and energetic system is presented. The shaped, flexible fuel comprises at least one polymeric binding material and porous silicon particles dispersed throughout the polymeric binding material. The porous silicon particles are prepared from a metallurgical grade silicon powder. The shaped, flexible fuel preferably includes shapes such as: an article, a film, a wire and a tape. The energetic system comprises the shaped, flexible fuel portion used alone or in combination with at least one oxidizer.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2008Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: Vesta Research, Ltd.Inventors: Shanthi Subramanian, Declan Farrell, Santosh Y. Limaye
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Patent number: 7569202Abstract: Silicon nanosponge particles prepared from a metallurgical grade silicon powder having an initial particle size ranging from about 1 micron to about 4 microns is presented. Each silicon nanosponge particle has a structure comprising a plurality of nanocrystals with pores disposed between the nanocrystals and throughout the entire nanosponge particle.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2006Date of Patent: August 4, 2009Assignee: Vesta Research, Ltd.Inventors: Declan Farrell, Santosh Y Limaye, Shanthi Subramanian
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Patent number: 7560085Abstract: Porous silicon particles are prepared from a metallurgical grade silicon powder having an initial particle size greater than about 1 micron is presented. Each porous silicon particle comprises a solid core surrounded by a porous silicon layer having a thickness greater than about 0.5 microns.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2006Date of Patent: July 14, 2009Assignee: Vesta Research, Ltd.Inventors: Declan Farrell, Santosh Y Limaye, Shanthi Subramanian
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Patent number: 7541015Abstract: A process for producing a silicon nitride compound is presented. A starting solution comprising fluorosilicic acid is provided. The starting solution is derived from a silicon, etching process wherein silicon is etched with a solution comprising hydrofluoric acid and where silicon powder has been removed. The starting solution is heated to yield a vapor solution comprising silicon tetrafluoride, hydrogen fluoride, and water. The hydrogen fluoride is separated from the vapor solution wherein a pure stream of silicon tetrafluoride and water vapor remain. The silicon tetrafluoride and water vapor are hydrolyzed to yield a concentrated fluorosilicic acid solution. The fluorosilicic acid is reacted with a base to yield a fluorosilicic salt. The fluorosilicic salt is heated to yield anhydrous silicon tetrafluoride. The anhydrous silicon tetrafluoride is reacted with a metal hydride to yield a monosilane. The monosilane is reacted to form a silicon compound and a silicon nitride compound.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2006Date of Patent: June 2, 2009Assignee: Vesta Research, Ltd.Inventors: Declan Farrell, Santosh Y. Limaye, Shanthi Subramanian
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Publication number: 20090101251Abstract: A shaped, flexible fuel and energetic system is presented. The shaped, flexible fuel comprises at least one polymeric binding material and porous silicon particles dispersed throughout the polymeric binding material. The porous silicon particles are prepared from a metallurgical grade silicon powder. The shaped, flexible fuel preferably includes shapes such as: an article, a film, a wire and a tape. The energetic system comprises the shaped, flexible fuel portion used alone or in combination with at least one oxidizer.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2008Publication date: April 23, 2009Applicant: VESTA RESEARCH, LTD.Inventors: Shanthi Subramanian, Declan Farrell, Santosh Y. Limaye
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Publication number: 20060251561Abstract: Silicon nanosponge particles prepared from a metallurgical grade silicon powder having an initial particle size ranging from about 1 micron to about 4 microns is presented. Each silicon nanosponge particle has a structure comprising a plurality of nanocrystals with pores disposed between the nanocrystals and throughout the entire nanosponge particle.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2006Publication date: November 9, 2006Applicant: Vesta Research, Ltd.Inventors: Declan Farrell, Santosh Limaye, Shanthi Subramanian
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Publication number: 20060251562Abstract: Porous silicon particles are prepared from a metallurgical grade silicon powder having an initial particle size greater than about 1 micron is presented. Each porous silicon particle comprises a solid core surrounded by a porous silicon layer having a thickness greater than about 0.5 microns.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2006Publication date: November 9, 2006Applicant: Vesta Research, Ltd.Inventors: Declan Farrell, Santosh Limaye, Shanthi Subramanian