Patents by Inventor Eric W. McFarland

Eric W. McFarland has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20100099929
    Abstract: A method comprising: providing a first halogen stream; providing a first alkane stream; reacting at least a portion of the first halogen stream with at least a portion of the first alkane stream in a first reaction vessel to form a first halogenated stream; providing a second alkane stream comprising C2 and higher hydrocarbons; providing a second halogen stream; and reacting at least a portion of the second halogen stream with at least a portion of the second alkane stream in a second reaction vessel to form a second halogenated stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventors: Sagar Gadewar, Michael Wyrsta, Philip Grosso, Aihua Zhang, Eric W. McFarland, Zachary J.A. Komon, Jeffrey H. Sherman, Peter Stoimenov, Hongfei Lin, Shawn Huff, Shouli Sun
  • Patent number: 7579510
    Abstract: An improved continuous process for converting methane, natural gas, or other hydrocarbon feedstocks into one or more higher hydrocarbons or olefins by continuously cycling through the steps of alkane halogenation, product formation (carbon-carbon coupling), product separation, and regeneration of halogen is provided. Preferably, the halogen is continually recovered by reacting hydrobromic acid with air or oxygen. The invention provides an efficient route to aromatic compounds, aliphatic compounds, mixtures of aliphatic and aromatic compounds, olefins, gasoline grade materials, and other useful products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: GRT, Inc.
    Inventors: Sagar B. Gadewar, Michael D. Wyrsta, Philip Grosso, Aihua Zhang, Eric W. McFarland, Zachary J. A. Komon, Jeffrey H. Sherman
  • Patent number: 7551285
    Abstract: A system for monitoring infrared absorption of each of a plurality of materials contained in an array has an infrared transparent substrate for the array of materials. An infrared radiation source irradiates the materials in the array with infrared radiation. An infrared detection system monitors material absorption of the infrared radiation by the materials. A method of monitoring the infrared absorption spectrum of a library of materials includes synthesizing an array of material on a substrate. The materials are irradiated with infrared radiation and the absorption of the infrared radiation by the materials is monitored for each material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric W. McFarland, William Archibald
  • Publication number: 20090045341
    Abstract: A system for monitoring the heats of reaction of an array of materials has an infrared transparent substrate containing the materials. A reaction chamber encloses the substrate. At least one reactant gas is coupled to the reaction chamber through a valve. An infrared camera images the array of materials. The camera outputs signals corresponding to an infrared emission intensity of at least one activated material in the array. A system for characterizing chemical reactions has an infrared transparent substrate for containing an array of materials. A modulated infrared radiation source simultaneously irradiates the materials in the array with infrared radiation. An infrared camera has a focal plane array detecting infrared radiation. An optical element focuses the infrared radiation transmitted by the array of materials onto the focal plane array. A processor coupled to the camera transforms sequential intensity profiles of the detected infrared radiation into infrared spectra using Fourier analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: SYMYX TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Eric W. McFarland, William Archibald
  • Publication number: 20090002708
    Abstract: A system for monitoring infrared absorption of each of a plurality of materials contained in an array has an infrared transparent substrate for the array of materials. An infrared radiation source irradiates the materials in the array with infrared radiation. An infrared detection system monitors material absorption of the infrared radiation by the materials. A method of monitoring the infrared absorption spectrum of a library of materials includes synthesizing an array of material on a substrate. The materials are irradiated with infrared radiation and the absorption of the infrared radiation by the materials is monitored for each material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: SYMYX TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Eric W. McFarland, William Archibald
  • Publication number: 20090004550
    Abstract: An electrochemical device, such as a fuel cell, and method of forming it, in which electrodes, such as anode and cathode, are disposed on a semipermeable or permeable membrane having ion conduction channels. Electrocatalyst is deposited on locations on the electrodes limited to and corresponding to the ion conduction channels. In a first embodiment, anode and cathode electrodes sandwich the membrane, a counter electrode is connected to one of the electrodes, electrolyte containing an electrochemical precursor to the electrocatalyst is applied to the other electrode whereby, upon applying current to the counter electrode, electrocatalyst is deposited on locations on the first electrode corresponding to the ion conduction channels. The process is repeated with the counter electrode connected on the other electrode of the cell. In a second embodiment, a combination of a first electrode and a first membrane is assembled as is a combination of a second electrode and a second membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventors: Eric W. McFarland, Horia Metiu, Steven K. Burotto, Asanga Devinda Ranasinghe
  • Publication number: 20080314758
    Abstract: An improved continuous process for converting methane, natural gas, and other hydrocarbon feedstocks into one or more higher hydrocarbons, methanol, amines, or other products comprises continuously cycling through hydrocarbon halogenation, product formation, product separation, and electrolytic regeneration of halogen, optionally using an improved electrolytic cell equipped with an oxygen depolarized cathode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Philip Grosso, Eric W. McFarland, Jeffrey H. Sherman
  • Patent number: 7391056
    Abstract: Electron-hole production at a Schottky barrier has recently been observed experimentally as a result of chemical processes. This conversion of chemical energy to electronic energy may serve as a basic link between chemistry and electronics and offers the potential for generation of unique electronic signatures for chemical reactions and the creation of a new class of solid state chemical sensors. Detection of the following chemical species was established: hydrogen, deuterium, carbon monoxide, molecular oxygen. The detector (1b) consists of a Schottky diode between an Si layer and an ultrathin metal layer with zero force electrical contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Adrena, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric W. McFarland, Henry W. Weinberg, Hermann Nienhaus, Howard S. Bergh, Brian Gergen, Arunava Mujumdar
  • Patent number: 7385271
    Abstract: Electro-hole production at a Schottky barrier has recently been observed experimentally as a result of chemical processes. This conversion of chemical energy to electronic energy may serve as a basic link between chemistry and electronics and offers the potential for generation of unique electronic signatures for chemical reactions and the creation of a new class of solide state chemical sensors. Detection of the following chemical species was established: hydrogen, deuterium, carbon monoxide, molecular oxygen. The detector (1b) consists of a Schottky diode between an Si layer and an ultrathin metal layer with zero force electrical contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Adrena, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric W. McFarland, Henry W. Weinberg, Hermann Nienhaus, Howard S. Bergh, Brian Gergen, Arunava Mujumdar
  • Patent number: 7364697
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for screening diverse arrays of materials using infrared imaging techniques are provided. Typically, each of the individual materials on the array will be screened or interrogated for the same material characteristic. Once screened, the individual materials may be ranked or otherwise compared relative to each other with respect to the material characteristic under investigation. According to one aspect, infrared imaging techniques are used to identify the active sites within an array of compounds by monitoring the temperature change resulting from a reaction. This same technique can also be used to quantify the stability of each new material within an array of compounds. According to another aspect, identification and characterization of condensed phase products is achieved, wherein library elements are activated by a heat source serially, or in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric W. McFarland, William Archibald
  • Patent number: 7282778
    Abstract: Electron-hole production at a Schottky barrier has recently been observed experimentally as a result of chemical processes. This conversion of chemical energy to electronic energy may serve as a basic link between chemistry and electronics and offers the potential for generation of unique electronic signatures for chemical reactions and the creation of a new class of solid state chemical sensors. Detection of the following chemical species was established: hydrogen, deuterium, carbon monoxide, molecular oxygen. The detector (1b) consists of a Schottky diode between an Si layer and an ultrathin metal layer with zero force electrical contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Adrena, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric W. McFarland, Henry W. Weinberg, Hermann Nienhaus, Howard S. Bergh, Brian Gergen, Arunava Mujumdar
  • Patent number: 7274082
    Abstract: Electron-hole production at a Schottky barrier has recently been observed experimentally as a result of chemical processes. This conversion of chemical energy to electronic energy may serve as a basic link between chemistry and electronics and offers the potential for generation of unique electronic signatures for chemical reactions and the creation of a new class of solid state chemical sensors. Detention of the following chemical species was established: hydrogen, deuterium, carbon monoxide, and molecular oxygen. The detector (1b) consists of a Schottky diode between an Si layer and an ultrathin metal layer with zero force electrical contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Adrena, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric W. McFarland, W. Henry Weinberg, Hermann Nienhaus, Howard S. Bergh, Brian Gergen, Arunava Mujumdar
  • Patent number: 7230150
    Abstract: In a method of converting alkanes to their corresponding alcohols, ethers, olefins, and other hydrocarbons, a vessel comprises a hollow, unsegregated interior defined first, second, and third zones. In a first embodiment of the invention oxygen reacts with metal halide in the first zone to provide gaseous halide; halide reacts with the alkane in the second zone to form alkyl halide; and the alkyl halide reacts with metal oxide in the third zone to form a hydrocarbon corresponding to the original alkane. Metal halide from the third zone is transported through the vessel to the first zone and metal oxide from the first zone is recycled to the third zone. A second embodiment of the invention differs from the first embodiment in that metal oxide is transported through the vessel from the first zone to the third zone and metal halide is recycled from the third zone to the first zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: GRT, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip Grosso, Jeffrey H. Sherman, Eric W. McFarland
  • Patent number: 7199809
    Abstract: Computer-implemented methods, programs and apparatus for generating a library design for a combinatorial library of materials. A library design includes a set of sources representing components to be used in preparing the combinatorial library, destinations replying arrangements of cells and mappings, defining one or more distribution patterns for assigning components to cells in the destination arrangement or arrangements. Mappings include gradients and sets of user-defined equations, and are used to calculate the amount of on components to be assigned to a cell or cells in an arrangement. A library design can also include one or more process parameters defined to vary over time or across a plurality of destination cells. The invention outputs a data file defining the library design, including electronic data representing the sources, the destinations and the mapping, in a format suitable for implementing manually or using automated material handling apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven D. Lacy, Eric W. McFarland, Adam L. Safir, Stephen J. Turner, Lynn Van Erden, Pei Wang
  • Patent number: 7161050
    Abstract: A reactant selected from the group consisting of alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, dienes, and aromatics is reacted with a halide selected from the group including chlorine, bromine, and iodine to form a first reaction product. The first reaction product is reacted with a solid oxidizer to form a product selected from the group including olefins, alcohols, ethers, and aldehydes, and spent oxidizer. The spent oxidizer is oxidized to form the original solid oxidizer and the second reactant which are recycled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignees: GRT, Inc., The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Jeffrey H. Sherman, Eric W. McFarland, Michael J. Weiss, Ivan Marc Lorkovic, Leroy E. Laverman, Shouli Sun, Dieter J. Schaefer, Galen Stucky, Peter Ford
  • Patent number: 7087834
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for solar energy production comprises a multi-layer solid-state structure including a photosensitive layer, a thin conductor, a charge separation layer, and a back ohmic conductor, wherein light absorption occurs in a photosensitive layer and the charge carriers produced thereby are transported through the thin conductor through the adjacent potential energy barrier. The open circuit voltage of the solar cell can be manipulated by choosing from among a wide selection of materials making up the thin conductor, the charge separation layer, and the back ohmic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Andrena, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric W. McFarland
  • Patent number: 7057213
    Abstract: Electron-hole production at a Schottky barrier has recently been observed experimentally as a result of chemical processes. This conversion of chemical energy to electronic energy may serve as a basic link between chemistry and electronics and offers the potential for generation of unique electronic signatures for chemical reactions and the creation of a new class of solide state chemical sensors. Detection of the following chemical species was established: hydrogen, deuterium, carbon monoxide, molecular oxygen. The detector (1b) consists of a Schottky diode between an Si layer and an ultrathin metal layer with zero force electrical contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Adrena, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric W. McFarland, Henry W. Weinberg, Hermann Nienhaus, Howard S. Bergh, Brian Gergen, Arunava Mujumdar
  • Patent number: 6998693
    Abstract: Electron-hole production at a Schottky barrier has recently been observed experimentally as a result of chemical processes. This conversion of chemical energy to electronic energy may serve as a basic link between chemistry and electronics and offers the potential for generation of unique electronic signatures for chemical reactions and the creation of a new class of solide state chemical sensors. Detection of the following chemical species was established: hydrogen, deuterium, carbon monoxide, molecular oxygen. The detector (1b) consists of a Schottky diode between an Si layer and an ultrathin metal layer with zero force electrical contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Adrena, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric W. McFarland, Henry W. Weinberg, Hermann Nienhaus, Howard S. Bergh, Brian Gergen, Arunava Mujumdar
  • Patent number: 6956163
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for solar energy production comprises a multi-layer solid-state structure including a photosensitive layer, a thin conductor, a charge separation layer, and a back ohmic conductor, wherein light absorption occurs in a photosensitive layer and the charge carriers produced thereby are transported through the thin conductor through the adjacent potential energy barrier. The open circuit voltage of the solar cell can be manipulated by choosing from among a wide selection of materials making up the thin conductor, the charge separation layer, and the back ohmic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Adrena, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric W. McFarland
  • Patent number: 6903433
    Abstract: Electron-hole production at a Schottky barrier has recently been observed experimentally as a result of chemical processes. This conversion of chemical energy to electronic energy may serve as a basic link between chemistry and electronics and offers the potential for generation of unique electronic signatures for chemical reactions and the creation of a new class of solide state chemical sensors. Detection of the following chemical species was established: hydrogen, deuterium, carbon monoxide, molecular oxygen. The detector (1b) consists of a Schottky diode between an Si layer and an ultrathin metal layer with zero force electrical contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Adrena, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric W. McFarland, Henry W. Weinberg, Hermann Nienhaus, Howard S. Bergh, Brian Gergen, Arunava Mujumdar