Patents by Inventor Leandro Balzano

Leandro Balzano 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).

  • Patent number: 8349404
    Abstract: A method for directly growing carbon nanotubes, and in particular single-walled carbon nanotubes on a flat substrate, such as a silicon wafer, and subsequently transferring the nanotubes onto the surface of a polymer film, or separately harvesting the carbon nanotubes from the flat substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma
    Inventors: Daniel E. Resasco, Leandro Balzano, Liang Zhang
  • Publication number: 20110045179
    Abstract: A method for directly growing carbon nanotubes, and in particular single-walled carbon nanotubes on a flat substrate, such as a silicon wafer, and subsequently transferring the nanotubes onto the surface of a polymer film, or separately harvesting the carbon nanotubes from the flat substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventors: Daniel E. Resasco, Leandro Balzano, Liang Zhang
  • Patent number: 7842387
    Abstract: A method for directly growing carbon nanotubes, and in particular single-walled carbon nanotubes on a flat substrate, such as a silicon wafer, and subsequently transferring the nanotubes onto the surface of a polymer film, or separately harvesting the carbon nanotubes from the flat substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: The Board of Regents of The University of Oklahoma
    Inventors: Daniel E. Resasco, Leandro Balzano, Liang Zhang
  • Patent number: 7829622
    Abstract: Methods of forming carbon nanotube-polymer composites comprising single-walled carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotube-polymer composites comprise highly dispersed carbon nanotubes having high melt elasticity and high conductivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma
    Inventors: Neal D. McDaniel, Daniel E. Resasco, Leandro Balzano
  • Patent number: 7816709
    Abstract: Composites of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) and a ceramic support (e.g., silica) comprising a small amount of catalytic metal, e.g., cobalt and molybdenum, are described. The particle comprising the metal and ceramic support is used as the catalyst for the production of the single-walled carbon nanotubes. The nanotube-ceramic composite thus produced can be used “as prepared” without further purification providing significant cost advantages. The nanotube-ceramic composite has also been shown to have improved properties versus those of purified carbon nanotubes in certain applications such as field emission devices. Use of precipitated and fumed silicas has resulted in nanotube-ceramic composites which may synergistically improve the properties of both the ceramic (e.g., silica) and the single-walled carbon nanotubes. Addition of these composites to polymers may improve their properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: The Board of Regents of The University of Oklahoma
    Inventors: Leandro Balzano, Daniel E. Resasco
  • Publication number: 20100240529
    Abstract: Composites of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) and a ceramic support (e.g., silica) comprising a small amount of catalytic metal, e.g., cobalt and molybdenum, are described. The particle comprising the metal and ceramic support is used as the catalyst for the production of the single-walled carbon nanotubes. The nanotube-ceramic composite thus produced can be used “as prepared” without further purification providing significant cost advantages. The nanotube-ceramic composite has also been shown to have improved properties versus those of purified carbon nanotubes in certain applications such as field emission devices. Use of precipitated and fumed silicas has resulted in nanotube-ceramic composites which may synergistically improve the properties of both the ceramic (e.g., silica) and the single-walled carbon nanotubes. Addition of these composites to polymers may improve their properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Inventors: Leandro Balzano, Daniel E. Resasco
  • Publication number: 20100160553
    Abstract: Methods of forming carbon nanotube-polymer composites comprising single-walled carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotube-polymer composites comprise highly dispersed carbon nanotubes having high melt elasticity and high conductivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Neal D. McDaniel, Daniel E. Resasco, Leandro Balzano
  • Patent number: 7585482
    Abstract: A method of purifying a single-walled carbon nanotube catalytic product having the steps of providing a catalytic product including single-walled carbon nanotubes, and a Group VIII and/or Group VIb transition metal, exposing the catalytic product to a heated oxidative gas to provide a treated carbon nanotube product including single-walled carbon nanotubes and the Group VIII and/or Group VIb transition metal, and exposing the treated carbon nanotube product to an acid to separate the single-walled carbon nanotubes from the Group VIII and/or Group VIb transition metal. The catalytic product may include a support material and amorphous carbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma
    Inventors: Daniel E. Resasco, Boonyarach Kitiyanan, Walter Alvarez, Leandro Balzano
  • Patent number: 7459138
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for catalytic production of single walled carbon nanotubes. Catalytic particles are exposed to different process conditions at successive stages wherein the catalytic particles do not come in contact with reactive (catalytic) gases until preferred process conditions have been attained, thereby controlling the quantity and form of carbon nanotubes produced. The reaction gas is preferably provided at a high space velocity to minimize CO2 build-up. The process also contemplates processes and apparatus which recycle and reuse the gases and catalytic particulate materials, thereby maximizing cost efficiency, reducing wastes, reducing the need for additional raw materials, and producing the carbon nanotubes, especially SWNTs, in greater quantities and for lower costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma
    Inventors: Daniel E. Resasco, Boonyarach Kitiyanan, Walter E. Alvarez, Leandro Balzano
  • Publication number: 20080213161
    Abstract: Discernable pastes comprising single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) in water or in an organic solvent are prepared. The method of preparing the Discernable pastes comprises in general the following steps: a) removal of the catalyst used during the synthesis of SWNT; b) while the SWNT are still wet, addition of the appropriate amount of solvent, in a solvent/SWNT ratio which preferably varies between 30:1 and 100:1, depending on the desired viscosity of the paste; and c) high-energy horn sonication with a dismembrator probe. The resulting pastes are suitable for easy redispersion in solvents and surfactants and incorporation in various matrices such as polymers. They are also suitable to be impregnated with metal precursors such as noble metal compounds for example, Pt. Appropriate drying and thermal treatments of the impregnated material produce metal-SWNT composites in which small metal clusters can be uniformly dispersed over the nanotube surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventors: Olga Matarredona, Leandro Balzano, Daniel E. Resasco, Siriporn Jongpatiwut
  • Patent number: 7357907
    Abstract: A catalyst composition and method of use of the catalyst composition for producing single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). The catalyst is cobalt (Co) and molybdenum (Mo) on a silica support. The Mo occurs primarily as dispersed Mo oxide clusters on the support while the Co is primarily in an octahedral configuration in a CoMoO4-like phase disposed on the Mo oxide clusters. In the method, the catalyst is used and the process conditions manipulated in such a manner as to enable the diameters of the SWNTs to be substantially controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma
    Inventors: Daniel E. Resasco, Walter E. Alvarez, Jose E. Herrera, Leandro Balzano
  • Patent number: 7354881
    Abstract: A catalyst composition and method of use of the catalyst composition for producing single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). The catalyst is cobalt (Co) and molybdenum (Mo) on a silica support. The Mo occurs primarily as dispersed Mo oxide clusters on the support while the Co is primarily in an octahedral configuration in a CoMoO4-like phase disposed on the Mo oxide clusters. In the method, the catalyst is used and the process conditions manipulated in such a manner as to enable the diameters of the SWNTs to be substantially controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma
    Inventors: Daniel E. Resasco, Walter E. Alvarez, Jose E. Herrera, Leandro Balzano
  • Publication number: 20080008644
    Abstract: A method of purifying a single-walled carbon nanotube catalytic product having the steps of providing a catalytic product including single-walled carbon nanotubes, and a Group VIII and/or Group VIb transition metal, exposing the catalytic product to a heated oxidative gas to provide a treated carbon nanotube product including single-walled carbon nanotubes and the Group VIII and/or Group VIb transition metal, and exposing the treated carbon nanotube product to an acid to separate the single-walled carbon nanotubes from the Group VIII and/or Group VIb transition metal. The catalytic product may include a support material and amorphous carbon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2005
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Inventors: Daniel Resasco, Boonyarach Kitiyanan, Walter Alvarez, Leandro Balzano
  • Patent number: 7279247
    Abstract: Dispersable pastes comprising single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) in water or in an organic solvent are prepared. The method of preparing the dispersable pastes comprises in general the following steps: a) removal of the catalyst used during the synthesis of SWNT; b) while the SWNT are still wet, addition of the appropriate amount of solvent, in a solvent/SWNT ratio which preferably varies between 30:1 and 100:1, depending on the desired viscosity of the paste; and c) high-energy horn sonication with a dismembrator probe. The resulting pastes are suitable for easy redispersion in solvents and incorporation in various matrices such as polymers. They are also suitable to be impregnated with metal precursors such as noble metal compounds for example, Pt. Appropriate drying and thermal treatments of the impregnated material produce metal-SWNT composites in which small metal clusters can be uniformly dispersed over the nanotube surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma
    Inventors: Olga Matarredona, Leandro Balzano, Daniel E. Resasco, Siriporn Jongpatiwut
  • Publication number: 20070092431
    Abstract: A method for directly growing carbon nanotubes, and in particular single-walled carbon nanotubes on a flat substrate, such as a silicon wafer, and subsequently transferring the nanotubes onto the surface of a polymer film, or separately harvesting the carbon nanotubes from the flat substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Publication date: April 26, 2007
    Inventors: Daniel Resasco, Leandro Balzano, Liang Zhang
  • Publication number: 20070004857
    Abstract: A method of forming carbon nanotube-filled composites using miniemulsion polymerization. The carbon nanotubes are preferably single-walled carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotubes are highly dispersed within and associated with the polymer comprising the composite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Inventors: Harry Barraza, Leandro Balzano, Francisco Pompeo, Olga Rueda, Edgar O'Rear, Daniel Resasco
  • Patent number: 7153903
    Abstract: A method of forming carbon nanotube-filled composites using miniemulsion polymerization. The carbon nanotubes are preferably single-walled carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotubes are highly dispersed within and associated with the polymer comprising the composite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma
    Inventors: Harry J. Barraza, Leandro Balzano, Francisco Pompeo, Olga Lucia Rueda, Edgar A. O'Rear, Daniel E. Resasco
  • Publication number: 20060057055
    Abstract: The present invention is a method and catalyst for selectively producing single-walled carbon nanotubes. The catalyst comprises rhenium and a Group VIII transition metal, for example Co, which is preferably disposed on a support material to form a catalytic substrate. In the method, a carbon-containing gas is exposed to the catalytic substrate at suitable reaction conditions whereby a high percentage of the carbon nanotubes produced by the reaction is single-walled carbon nanotubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Publication date: March 16, 2006
    Inventors: Daniel Resasco, Pisan Chungchamroenkit, Jose Herrera, Leandro Balzano
  • Publication number: 20060039849
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for catalytic production of single walled carbon nanotubes. Catalytic particles are exposed to different process conditions at successive stages wherein the catalytic particles do not come in contact with reactive (catalytic) gases until preferred process conditions have been attained, thereby controlling the quantity and form of carbon nanotubes produced. The reaction gas is preferably provided at a high space velocity to minimize CO2 build-up. The process also contemplates processes and apparatus which recycle and reuse the gases and catalytic particulate materials, thereby maximizing cost efficiency, reducing wastes, reducing the need for additional raw materials, and producing the carbon nanotubes, especially SWNTs, in greater quantities and for lower costs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventors: Daniel Resasco, Boonyarach Kitiyanan, Walter Alvarez, Leandro Balzano
  • Publication number: 20060039848
    Abstract: Dispersable pastes comprising single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) in water or in an organic solvent are prepared. The method of preparing the dispersable pastes comprises in general the following steps: a) removal of the catalyst used during the synthesis of SWNT; b) while the SWNT are still wet, addition of the appropriate amount of solvent, in a solvent/SWNT ratio which preferably varies between 30:1 and 100:1, depending on the desired viscosity of the paste; and c) high-energy horn sonication with a dismembrator probe. The resulting pastes are suitable for easy redispersion in solvents and incorporation in various matrices such as polymers. They are also suitable to be impregnated with metal precursors such as noble metal compounds for example, Pt. Appropriate drying and thermal treatments of the impregnated material produce metal-SWNT composites in which small metal clusters can be uniformly dispersed over the nanotube surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventors: Olga Matarredona, Leandro Balzano, Daniel Resasco, Siriporn Jongpatiwut