Patents by Inventor John C. Colvin

John C. Colvin 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: 20100050619
    Abstract: Carbon nanotube material dispersed in a dense material such as ceramic can produce heating when exposed to microwave radiation (e.g., electromagnetic radiation in the frequency range of approximately 0.3 GHz to 300 GHz). By changing the loading of carbon nanotube material within a ceramic medium, one can affect the heating capability of the medium in dramatic and unpredicted fashion. This finding can be used to implement heating devices that heat via conduction or through radiation (e.g., infrared heating).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: HOUSTON ADVANCED RESEARCH CENTER
    Inventors: John C. Colvin, Daniel Bullock, Kanti Penmetsa
  • Publication number: 20090257796
    Abstract: An image reproduction device (e.g., a photocopy machine) uses carbon nanotube material and a microwave generator(s) to heat internal rollers to “set” image colorant/toner. The ability to rapidly heat the nanotube material with relatively low-power microwave generators permits the development of power efficient image reproduction devices. The principle of heating carbon nanotube material embedded within a roller with microwave energy may also be used in a number of other applications such as, for example, laminating, embossing, drying, annealing, calendering, and film orientation. In these embodiments, the material being processed or heated may be paper, film, plastic, rubber, film and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: Houston Advanced Research Center
    Inventors: John C. Colvin, Daniel Bullock, Richard C. Haut
  • Patent number: 7585566
    Abstract: Building materials based on polyisocyanate-impregnated lignocellulosic substrates provide increased strength and water, fire, insect, and fungi resistance compared to prior art building materials. At the same time, such building materials exhibit an aesthetically pleasing surface and can, therefore, be used in consumer visible applications (such as furniture) as well as in consumer invisible (such as door frames and stiles) applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Houston Advanced Research Center
    Inventors: John C. Colvin, Charles Vignal, Philippe Edouard Tissot, Larry Raymond Crowe
  • Publication number: 20040063891
    Abstract: Building materials based on polyisocyanate-impregnated lignocellulosic substrates provide increased strength and water, fire, insect, and fungi resistance compared to prior art building materials. At the same time, such building materials exhibit an aesthetically pleasing surface and can, therefore, be used in consumer visible applications (such as furniture) as well as in consumer invisible (such as door frames and stiles) applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: John C. Colvin, Charles Vignal, Philippe Edouard Tissot, Larry Raymond Crowe