Patents by Inventor Kurt E. Sickafus

Kurt E. Sickafus 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).

  • Microwave sintering of nanophase ceramics without concomitant grain growth
    Patent number: 5223186
    Abstract: A method of sintering nanocrystalline material is disclosed wherein the nanocrystalline material is microwaved to heat the material to a temperature less than about 70% of the melting point of the nanocrystalline material expressed in degrees K. This method produces sintered nanocrystalline material having a density greater than about 95% of theoretical and an average grain size not more than about 3 times the average grain size of the nanocrystalline material before sintering. Rutile TiO.sub.2 as well as various other ceramics have been prepared. Grain growth of as little as 1.67 times has resulted with densities of about 90% of theoretical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Eastman, Kurt E. Sickafus, Joel D. Katz