Patents by Inventor Steven F. Son

Steven F. Son 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: 20240093109
    Abstract: The solvated metal particle-coating system includes a metal additive and a polar outer-sphere electron transferring solvent. The metal additive is solvated in the polar outer-sphere electron transferring solvent. The polar outer-sphere electron transferring solvent may include liquid ammonia, methylamine, and/or hexamethylphosphoramide. The metal additive may include an alkali metal and/or an alkaline earth metal. The solvated metal additive within the polar outer-sphere electron transferring solvent may be used to coat a metal particle and/or a metalloid particle as a layer. As the polar outer-sphere electron transferring solvent evaporates, the solvated metal additive is coupled to the metal particle and/or the metalloid particle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Steven F. Son, Caleb Nathaniel Harper, Ryan Tolman Merrell, Andrew Ryan Noel, Dhruval Natubhai Patel
  • Publication number: 20240076246
    Abstract: The combustion system includes a metal additive and a polar outer-sphere electron transferring solvent. The metal additive is solvated in the polar outer-sphere electron transferring solvent. The polar outer-sphere electron transferring solvent may include liquid ammonia, methylamine, and/or hexamethylphosphoramide. The metal additive may include an alkali metal and/or an alkaline earth metal. For instance, the metal additive may include lithium, sodium, aluminum, zirconium, titanium, yttrium, hafnium, and/or magnesium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Steven F. Son, Caleb Nathaniel Harper, Ryan Tolman Merrell, Andrew Ryan Noel, Dhruval Natubhai Patel
  • Patent number: 11079287
    Abstract: A method and system for determining temperature are provided. The method comprises using an x-ray source to irradiate a sample of a material with x-rays. Photon fluorescence produced by the sample in response to the x-ray irradiation is detected by a number of photon detectors. Based on the detected fluorescence a temperature of the sample is determined according to a predetermined relationship between photon fluorescence and temperature for the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignees: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC, Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: Kathryn N. Gabet Hoffmeister, Enrico C. Quintana, Walter Gill, Steven F. Son, Eric R. Westphal
  • Publication number: 20200398479
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to three-dimensional (3D) printed fluoropolymer-based energetic compositions and 3D printing methods for making the 3D printed fluoropolymer-based energetic compositions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: Jeffrey Frederick Rhoads, George Tsu-Chih Chiu, Ibrahim E. Gunduz, Trevor J. Fleck, Allison K. Murray, Steven F. Son
  • Patent number: 10519075
    Abstract: Solid-fuel rocket propellants comprising an oxidizer, an oxophilic metal-halophilic metal formulation, and a binder are described herein. Further described are processes for preparing such propellants and methods of reducing hydrogen chloride production via the combustion of such propellants. Non-limiting examples of such formulations include aluminum-lithium alloys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: Brandon C Terry, Steven F Son, Ibrahim E Gunduz
  • Publication number: 20190030789
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to three-dimensional (3D) printed fluoropolymer-based energetic compositions and 3D printing methods for making the 3D printed fluoropolymer-based energetic compositions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Applicant: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: Jeffrey Frederick Rhoads, George Tsu-Chih Chiu, Ibrahim E. Gunduz, Trevor J. Fleck, Allison K. Murray, Steven F. Son
  • Publication number: 20180079697
    Abstract: Solid-fuel rocket propellants comprising an oxidizer, an oxophilic metal-halophilic metal formulation, and a binder are described herein. Further described are processes for preparing such propellants and methods of reducing hydrogen chloride production via the combustion of such propellants. Non-limiting examples of such formulations include aluminum-lithium alloys.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: Brandon C TERRY, Steven F SON, Ibrahim E GUNDUZ
  • Patent number: 9850182
    Abstract: Solid-fuel rocket propellants comprising an oxidizer, an oxophilic metal-halophilic metal formulation, and a binder are described herein. Further described are processes for preparing such propellants and methods of reducing hydrogen chloride production via the combustion of such propellants. Non-limiting examples of such formulations include aluminum-lithium alloys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: Brandon C Terry, Steven F Son, Ibrahim E Gunduz
  • Publication number: 20170240484
    Abstract: Solid-fuel rocket propellants comprising an oxidizer, an oxophilic metal-halophilic metal formulation, and a binder are described herein. Further described are processes for preparing such propellants and methods of reducing hydrogen chloride production via the combustion of such propellants. Non-limiting examples of such formulations include aluminum-lithium alloys.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Applicant: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: Brandon C. TERRY, Steven F. SON, Ibrahim E. GUNDUZ
  • Patent number: 9580364
    Abstract: The invention provides mechanically activated metal fuels for energetic material applications. An exemplary embodiment involves mechanically treating micrometer-sized particles of at least one metal with particles of at least one fluorocarbon to form composite particles containing the at least one metal and the at least one fluorocarbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: Travis R. Sippel, Steven F. Son, Lori J. Groven
  • Patent number: 9517361
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for encapsulating nanometric particles inside of micro-sized crystals. An exemplary embodiment involves crystallizing a solution including nanometric particles, a micelle-forming material, a nonpolar dispersant for the micelle-forming material and a crystal-forming material to form crystal-encapsulated nanometric particles. Also provided are compositions or materials which include or are formed using the crystal encapsulated nanoparticles, such compositions and materials can include propellants, cosmetics, composite structures, energetics, and pharmaceutical compositions/materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: David A. Reese, Steven F. Son, Allen Hoe Yan
  • Publication number: 20160107948
    Abstract: The invention provides mechanically activated metal fuels for energetic material applications. An exemplary embodiment involves mechanically treating micrometer-sized particles of at least one metal with particles of at least one fluorocarbon to form composite particles containing the at least one metal and the at least one fluorocarbon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Applicant: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: Travis R. Sippel, Steven F. Son, Lori J. Groven
  • Patent number: 9227883
    Abstract: The invention provides mechanically activated metal fuels for energetic material applications. An exemplary embodiment involves mechanically treating micrometer-sized particles of at least one metal with particles of at least one fluorocarbon to form composite particles containing the at least one metal and the at least one fluorocarbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: Travis R. Sippel, Steven F. Son, Lori J. Groven
  • Patent number: 9175937
    Abstract: A fuze includes a housing having a first end and an opposing second end and defining an elongate channel extending between the first and second ends; and a mechanically activated reactive material comprising at least first and second elements disposed within the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: Robert V. Reeves, Steven F. Son, Lori J. Groven, Alexander S. Mukasyan
  • Publication number: 20150175495
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for encapsulating nanometric particles inside of micro-sized crystals. An exemplary embodiment involves crystallizing a solution including nanometric particles, a micelle-forming material, a nonpolar dispersant for the micelle-forming material and a crystal-forming material to form crystal-encapsulated nanometric particles. Also provided are compositions or materials which include or are formed using the crystal encapsulated nanoparticles, such compositions and materials can include propellants, cosmetics, composite structures, energetics, and pharmaceutical compositions/materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Inventors: David A. Reese, Steven F. Son, Allen Hoe Yan
  • Publication number: 20140034197
    Abstract: The invention provides mechanically activated metal fuels for energetic material applications. An exemplary embodiment involves mechanically treating micrometer-sized particles of at least one metal with particles of at least one fluorocarbon to form composite particles containing the at least one metal and the at least one fluorocarbon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Inventors: Travis R. SIPPEL, Steven F. Son, Lori J. Groven
  • Patent number: 8230937
    Abstract: A method for altering the course of a conflagration involving firing a projectile comprising a powder mixture of oxidant powder and nanosized reductant powder at velocity sufficient for a violent reaction between the oxidant powder and the nanosized reductant powder upon impact of the projectile, and causing impact of the projectile at a location chosen to draw a main fire to a spot fire at such location and thereby change the course of the conflagration, whereby the air near the chosen location is heated to a temperature sufficient to cause a spot fire at such location. The invention also includes a projectile useful for such method and said mixture preferably comprises a metastable intermolecular composite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Department of Energy
    Inventors: Blaine W. Asay, Steven F. Son, V. Eric Sanders, Timothy Foley, Alan M. Novak, James R. Busse
  • Patent number: 7931764
    Abstract: A method to substantially desensitize a metastable intermolecular composite material to electrostatic discharge and friction comprising mixing the composite material with an organic diluent and removing enough organic diluent from the mixture to form a mixture with a substantially putty-like consistency, as well as a concomitant method of recovering the metastable intermolecular composite material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: James R. Busse, Robert C. Dye, Timothy J. Foley, Kelvin T. Higa, Betty S. Jorgensen, Victor E. Sanders, Steven F. Son
  • Patent number: 7789981
    Abstract: A method to substantially desensitize a metastable intermolecular composite material to electrostatic discharge and friction comprising mixing the composite material with an organic diluent and removing enough organic diluent from the mixture to form a mixture with a substantially putty-like consistency, as well as a concomitant method of recovering the metastable intermolecular composite material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: James R. Busse, Robert C. Dye, Timothy J. Foley, Kelvin T. Higa, Betty S. Jorgensen, Victor E. Sanders, Steven F. Son
  • Patent number: 7591984
    Abstract: Tungsten trioxide hydrate (WO3.H2O) was prepared from a precursor solution of ammonium paratungstate in concentrated aqueous hydrochloric acid. The precursor solution was rapidly added to water, resulting in the crash precipitation of a yellow white powder identified as WO3.H2O nanosized platelets by x-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Annealing of the powder at 200° C. provided cubic phase WO3 nanopowder, and at 400° C. provided WO3 nanopowder as a mixture of monoclinic and orthorhombic phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Los Alamos National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher J. Bulian, Robert C. Dye, Steven F. Son, Betty S. Jorgensen, W. Lee Perry