Patents by Inventor Robert M. Cowan

Robert M. Cowan 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: 9126150
    Abstract: The present invention provides a resin-wafer electrodeionization (RW-EDI) apparatus including cathode and anode electrodes separated by a plurality of porous solid ion exchange resin wafers, which when in use are filled with an aqueous fluid. The apparatus includes one or more wafers comprising a basic ion exchange medium, and preferably includes one or more wafers comprising an acidic ion exchange medium. The wafers are separated from one another by ion exchange membranes. The fluid within the acidic and/or basic ion exchange wafers preferably includes, or is in contact with, a carbonic anhydrase (CA) enzyme to facilitate conversion of bicarbonate ion to carbon dioxide within the acidic medium. A pH suitable for exchange of CO2 is electrochemically maintained within the basic and acidic ion exchange wafers by applying an electric potential across the cathode and anode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC
    Inventors: YuPo J. Lin, Seth W. Snyder, Michael S. Trachtenberg, Robert M. Cowan, Saurav Datta
  • Publication number: 20150021184
    Abstract: The present invention provides a resin-wafer electrodeionization (RW-EDI) apparatus including cathode and anode electrodes separated by a plurality of porous solid ion exchange resin wafers, which when in use are filled with an aqueous fluid. The apparatus includes one or more wafers comprising a basic ion exchange medium, and preferably includes one or more wafers comprising an acidic ion exchange medium. The wafers are separated from one another by ion exchange membranes. The fluid within the acidic and/or basic ion exchange wafers preferably includes, or is in contact with, a carbonic anhydrase (CA) enzyme to facilitate conversion of bicarbonate ion to carbon dioxide within the acidic medium. A pH suitable for exchange of CO2 is electrochemically maintained within the basic and acidic ion exchange wafers by applying an electric potential across the cathode and anode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC
    Inventors: YuPo J. LIN, Seth W. SNYDER, Michael S. TRACHTENBERG, Robert M. COWAN, Saurav DATTA
  • Patent number: 8864963
    Abstract: The present invention provides a resin-wafer electrodeionization (RW-EDI) apparatus including cathode and anode electrodes separated by a plurality of porous solid ion exchange resin wafers, which when in use are filled with an aqueous fluid. The apparatus includes one or more wafers comprising a basic ion exchange medium, and preferably includes one or more wafers comprising an acidic ion exchange medium. The wafers are separated from one another by ion exchange membranes. The fluid within the acidic and/or basic ion exchange wafers preferably includes, or is in contact with, a carbonic anhydrase (CA) enzyme to facilitate conversion of bicarbonate ion to carbon dioxide within the acidic medium. A pH suitable for exchange of CO2 is electrochemically maintained within the basic and acidic ion exchange wafers by applying an electric potential across the cathode and anode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: UChicago Argonne, LLC
    Inventors: YuPo J. Lin, Seth W. Snyder, Michael C. Trachtenberg, Robert M. Cowan, Saurav Datta
  • Publication number: 20130292248
    Abstract: The present invention provides a resin-wafer electrodeionization (RW-EDI) apparatus including cathode and anode electrodes separated by a plurality of porous solid ion exchange resin wafers, which when in use are filled with an aqueous fluid. The apparatus includes one or more wafers comprising a basic ion exchange medium, and preferably includes one or more wafers comprising an acidic ion exchange medium. The wafers are separated from one another by ion exchange membranes. The fluid within the acidic and/or basic ion exchange wafers preferably includes, or is in contact with, a carbonic anhydrase (CA) enzyme to facilitate conversion of bicarbonate ion to carbon dioxide within the acidic medium. A pH suitable for exchange of CO2 is electrochemically maintained within the basic and acidic ion exchange wafers by applying an electric potential across the cathode and anode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: YuPo J. LIN, Seth W. SNYDER, Michael C. TRACHTENBERG, Robert M. COWAN, Saurav DATTA
  • Patent number: 8506784
    Abstract: The present invention provides a resin-wafer electrodeionization (RW-EDI) apparatus including cathode and anode electrodes separated by a plurality of porous solid ion exchange resin wafers, which when in use are filled with an aqueous fluid. The apparatus includes one or more wafers comprising a basic ion exchange medium, and preferably includes one or more wafers comprising an acidic ion exchange medium. The wafers are separated from one another by ion exchange membranes. The fluid within the acidic and/or basic ion exchange wafers preferably includes, or is in contact with, a carbonic anhydrase (CA) enzyme to facilitate conversion of bicarbonate ion to carbon dioxide within the acidic medium. A pH suitable for exchange of CO2 is electrochemically maintained within the basic and acidic ion exchange wafers by applying an electric potential across the cathode and anode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: UChicago Argonne, LLC
    Inventors: YuPo J. Lin, Seth W. Snyder, Michael C. Trachtenberg, Robert M. Cowan, Saurav Datta
  • Publication number: 20100300894
    Abstract: The present invention provides a resin-wafer electrodeionization (RW-EDI) apparatus including cathode and anode electrodes separated by a plurality of porous solid ion exchange resin wafers, which when in use are filled with an aqueous fluid. The apparatus includes one or more wafers comprising a basic ion exchange medium, and preferably includes one or more wafers comprising an acidic ion exchange medium. The wafers are separated from one another by ion exchange membranes. The fluid within the acidic and/or basic ion exchange wafers preferably includes, or is in contact with, a carbonic anhydrase (CA) enzyme to facilitate conversion of bicarbonate ion to carbon dioxide within the acidic medium. A pH suitable for exchange of CO2 is electrochemically maintained within the basic and acidic ion exchange wafers by applying an electric potential across the cathode and anode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC
    Inventors: YuPo J. LIN, Seth W. SNYDER, Michael C. TRACHTENBERG, Robert M. COWAN, Saurav DATTA
  • Publication number: 20090202409
    Abstract: This invention provides a method and process for the facile extraction of selected gases by means of a permeable membrane module, also known as a permeator, with effective and beneficial control of temperature the apparatus allowing temperature gradients or isothermal operation. The isolation and removal of subject gases, particularly those arising from combustion, i.e., combustion gases, is usually accomplished by means of absorber and stripper towers containing various packings to facilitate gas-liquid interaction. The inlet temperature has to be controlled but the temperature varies along the length of the tower height. In contrast, a membrane-based separation device, whether it is a permeator design or a traditional two body absorber and stripper, operates better, particularly if driven by a catalyst, under a controlled temperature regimen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventors: David A. Smith, Robert M. Cowan, Michael C. Tractenberg