Patents by Inventor Zhaohua Luan
Zhaohua Luan 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).
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Patent number: 11578014Abstract: The present invention is directed to preparing pyrophoric foam granules having a specific infrared signature comprising the steps of (a) mixing a composition comprising a metal salt, carbohydrate, and wetting agent into a homogenous paste, (b) extruding the composition into strands, (c) cutting or spheronizing the strands into a predetermined size or length based on a specific thermal or infrared response to produce pyrophoric foam granules and (d) activating the granules by heating the composition at elevated temperatures under an inert or reducing atmosphere until the matrix is carbonized and the metal salt is reduced.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2019Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventors: Kendall Mills, Zhaohua Luan, Juan Patino, Lauren Morris, Giuseppe L. DiBenedetto
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Patent number: 11053007Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device for dispensing pyrophoric decoy particulates where the device is comprised of at least one payload vessel having a structural wall that forms a cavity for housing a plurality of pyrophoric particles. The structural wall has at least one opening to facilitate dispersal of the pyrophoric particles. The payload vessels are inserted inside a tubular sleeve and hermetically sealed inside the sleeve. Within the sleeve the at least one payload vessel is also in direct contact with an expulsion assembly that upon activation pushes the payload vessels and its pyrophoric contents out of the sleeve to react with the air.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2019Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventors: Kendall Mills, Clinton Plaza, Juan Patino, Lauren Morris, Zhaohua Luan
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Patent number: 10584076Abstract: An in-situ process for synthesizing highly pyrophoric foam materials using metal and carbon precursors wherein the precursors serve as foaming and activating agents to disperse and lock nano-sized metal particles within a rigid porous carbon matrix. The resulting carbon matrix is also pyrophoric.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2018Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventors: Zhaohua Luan, Kendall C. Mills, Lauren A. Morris, Christopher D. Haines
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Patent number: 10059637Abstract: An in-situ process for synthesizing highly pyrophoric foam materials using metal and carbon precursors wherein the precursors serve as foaming and activating agents to disperse and lock nano-sized metal particles within a rigid porous carbon matrix. The resulting carbon matrix is also pyrophoric.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2015Date of Patent: August 28, 2018Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventors: Zhaohua Luan, Kendall C. Mills, Lauren A. Morris, Christopher D. Haines
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Patent number: 9938203Abstract: A novel pyrotechnic composition comprising nanostructured crystalline boron phosphide and oxidizer such as potassium nitrate wherein the crystalline boron phosphide is synthesized by a self-propagating high-temperature reaction. The nanostructured crystalline boron phosphide and oxidizer pyrotechnic composition unexpectedly emits smoke and green flame upon ignition.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2017Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventors: Anthony P. Shaw, Jason Brusnahan, Jay C. Poret, Lauren A. Morris, Christopher D. Haines, Zhaohua Luan
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Patent number: 9790093Abstract: A simplified method for synthesizing boron phosphide at high yields. The method requires mixing of boron phosphate and magnesium metal without diluents into a homogenous mixture, loosely packing the mixture at less than 20,000 psi and igniting the mixture using an energy input that is not greater than 20% of the reaction energy output to create a self-propagating high-temperature reaction wherein the boron phosphate and magnesium metal is completely burned during the reaction to synthesize boron phosphide at high yields.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2016Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventors: Zhaohua Luan, Lauren A. Morris, Anthony P. Shaw, Christopher D. Haines, Jay C. Poret
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Publication number: 20170203965Abstract: A simplified method for synthesizing boron phosphide at high yields. The method requires mixing of boron phosphate and magnesium metal without diluents into a homogenous mixture, loosely packing the mixture at less than 20,000 psi and igniting the mixture using an energy input that is not greater than 20% of the reaction energy output to create a self-propagating high-temperature reaction wherein the boron phosphate and magnesium metal is completely burned during the reaction to synthesize boron phosphide at high yields.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2016Publication date: July 20, 2017Applicant: U.S. Government as Represented by the Secretary of of the ArmyInventors: Zhaohua Luan, Lauren A. Morris, Anthony P. Shaw, Christopher D. Haines, Jay C. Poret
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Publication number: 20170204021Abstract: A novel pyrotechnic composition comprising nanostructured crystalline boron phosphide and oxidizer such as potassium nitrate wherein the crystalline boron phosphide is synthesized by a self-propagating high-temperature reaction. The nanostructured crystalline boron phosphide and oxidizer pyrotechnic composition unexpectedly emits smoke and green flame upon ignition.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2017Publication date: July 20, 2017Applicant: U.S. Government as Represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventors: Anthony P. Shaw, Jason Brusnahan, Jay C. Poret, Lauren A. Morris, Christopher D. Haines, Zhaohua Luan
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Publication number: 20170137340Abstract: An in-situ process for synthesizing highly pyrophoric foam materials using metal and carbon precursors wherein the precursors serve as foaming and activating agents to disperse and lock nano-sized metal particles within a rigid porous carbon matrix. The resulting carbon matrix is also pyrophoric.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2015Publication date: May 18, 2017Inventors: Zhaohua Luan, Kendall C. Mills, Lauren A. Morris, Christopher D. Haines
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Publication number: 20160302479Abstract: An activated carbon substrate which is pre-treated to make an exposed surface of the activated carbon substrate substantially hydrophilic, coated with a carbon precursor to form a coated activated carbon, and then the coated activated carbon substrate is heated to carbonize the carbon precursor to from the modified activated carbon. The modified activated carbon comprises a uniform porous carbon membrane formed on an exposed surface of the activated carbon substrate. The carbon membrane can mediate the absorption and/or adsorption kinetics of the activated carbon substrate. The modified activated carbon, which can be incorporated into one or more components of a cigarette, can selectively remove gaseous constituents from mainstream smoke during smoking.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2016Publication date: October 20, 2016Inventors: Zhaohua Luan, Diane L. Gee, Georgios Karles, Ila Skinner, Jose Nepomuceno
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Patent number: 9394179Abstract: A process for making modified activated carbon from an activated carbon substrate. The activated carbon substrate is pre-treated to make an exposed surface of the activated carbon substrate substantially hydrophilic, coated with a carbon precursor to form a coated activated carbon, and then the coated activated carbon substrate is heated to carbonize the carbon precursor to from the modified activated carbon. The modified activated carbon comprises a uniform porous carbon membrane formed on an exposed surface of the activated carbon substrate. The carbon membrane can mediate the absorption and/or adsorption kinetics of the activated carbon substrate. The modified activated carbon, which can be incorporated into one or more components of a cigarette, can selectively remove gaseous constituents from mainstream smoke during smoking.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2007Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Zhaohua Luan, Diane L. Gee, Georgios Karles, Ila Skinner, Jose Nepomuceno
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Patent number: 9232821Abstract: Smoking articles which involve the use of amphiphile-modified sorbents are disclosed. The amphiphile-modified sorbent has at least one amphiphilic compound bound to an inorganic molecular sieve substrate. The amphiphile-modified sorbent selectively removes certain constituents from cigarette smoke, while maintaining other constituents, such as those that contribute to flavor. Methods for making cigarette filters and smoking articles using amphiphile-modified sorbents, as well as methods for smoking a cigarette containing an amphiphile-modified sorbent, are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2010Date of Patent: January 12, 2016Assignee: PHILIP MORRIS USA INC.Inventors: Jay A Fournier, Zhaohua Luan
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Patent number: 9138016Abstract: A smoking article having a tobacco rod, which is adapted to produce mainstream smoke, and a filter attached to said tobacco rod. A permeable wrapping paper circumscribes the tobacco rod and the filter. The filter has an upstream end portion and a downstream end portion, and includes a flow restricting segment of smoke impermeable material, which includes at least one open flow passage therethrough to deliver mainstream smoke, and a cavity downstream of the flow restricting segment. The smoking article also includes at least one ventilation zone upstream of the flow restricting segment.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2011Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: PHILIP MORRIS USA INC.Inventors: Zhaohua Luan, Mohammad R. Hajaligol, Randall E. Baren, Darin S. Colassaco, Firooz Rasouli
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Patent number: 9107455Abstract: A cigarette filter containing a mesoporous silicate molecular sieve modified by an aminoalkylsilyl group. The modified molecular sieve reacts with selected components of cigarette smoke to remove or reduce the concentration of the components without adversely affecting desirable flavor constituents of the smoke. The modified molecular sieve preferably is SBA-15, MCM-41 or MCM-48 modified by 3-aminopropylsilyl groups. The modified molecular sieve may be incorporated into the filter by inclusion into a space therein or into one or more of the filter elements or into a fibrous component.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2004Date of Patent: August 18, 2015Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Jay A Fournier, Zhaohua Luan
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Patent number: 8746254Abstract: Smoking articles, filters, and methods for selectively removing selected components from tobacco smoke are disclosed. The smoking articles and filters include composites composed of a porous alumina and/or aluminosilicate matrix containing particles of activated carbon and zeolite molecular sieve adsorbents distributed throughout the matrix which can selectively remove selected components of tobacco smoke. The composites may be made by admixing the adsorbent mixture and a binder such as aluminum hydroxide or montmorillonite clay, adding an aqueous mineral acid to gel the mixture and drying and firing the gel paste. The proportions and adsorption capacities of the components can be selected to tailor the adsorption characteristics of the composites to selectively remove targeted constituents such as acrolein and 1,3-butadiene in tobacco smoke. Methods for making filters and smoking articles using the composites, as well as methods for smoking products comprising the composites, are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2013Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Zhaohua Luan, Diane L. Gee, Jose Nepomuceno, Shuzhong Zhuang, Jay A Fournier
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Patent number: 8578943Abstract: Cut filler compositions, smoking articles such as cigarettes, methods for making cigarettes and methods for treating cigarette smoke are provided, which involve the use of metal-containing nanowires. The metal-containing nanowires are capable of removing at least one constituent from tobacco smoke, preferably in a selective manner. The metal-containing nanowires may comprise any suitable metal, metal oxide or mixtures thereof. For example, the metal-containing nanowires comprise at least one transition or lanthanide metal or metal oxide thereof. Exemplary metals or metal oxides thereof include, but are not limited to, iron, copper, zinc, titanium, vanadium, palladium, cobalt, molybdenum and manganese.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2006Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Zhaohua Luan, Jay A Fournier
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Patent number: 8439047Abstract: Cut filler compositions, cigarettes, methods for making cigarettes and methods for smoking cigarettes are provided, which involve the use of a composite mesoporous/microporous material. The composite material is capable of removing at least one constituent from tobacco smoke, preferably selectively. The composite material may also be used for removing at least one constituent from tobacco smoke through sorption and/or catalysis. The composite material comprises channels interconnecting at least one mesoporous region and at least one microporous region. The mesopores of the composite material may further comprise a carbon lining and/or be further functionalized with a surfactant. Alternatively, the composite material may further comprise a metal, a metal oxide, or mixtures thereof.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2003Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Jay A Fournier, Zhaohua Luan
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Patent number: 8408216Abstract: Flavor carriers, smoking articles, method of making flavor carriers, methods of making smoking articles, methods of flavoring gas streams such as mainstream tobacco smoke and methods of smoking are provided. The flavor carriers and smoking articles comprise a mesoporous molecular sieve and a flavor releasably disposed within the sieve.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2004Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Zhaohua Luan, Diane L. Gee, Jay A Fournier, Kent B. Koller, Jose G. Nepomuceno
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Patent number: 8381738Abstract: Smoking articles, filters, and methods for selectively removing selected components from tobacco smoke are disclosed. The smoking articles and filters include composites composed of a porous alumina and/or aluminosilicate matrix containing particles of activated carbon and zeolite molecular sieve adsorbents distributed throughout the matrix which can selectively remove selected components of tobacco smoke. The composites may be made by admixing the adsorbent mixture and a binder such as aluminum hydroxide or montmorillonite clay, adding an aqueous mineral acid to gel the mixture and drying and firing the gel paste. The proportions and adsorption capacities of the components can be selected to tailor the adsorption characteristics of the composites to selectively remove targeted constituents such as acrolein and 1,3-butadiene in tobacco smoke. Methods for making filters and smoking articles using the composites, as well as methods for smoking products comprising the composites, are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2003Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Zhaohua Luan, Diane L. Gee, Jose Nepomuceno, Shuzhong Zhuang, Jay A Fournier
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Publication number: 20120247491Abstract: Smoking articles which involve the use of a copper-exchanged molecular sieve catalyst that is capable of removing NO and/or NO2 from mainstream smoke are provided. The copper-exchanged molecular sieve catalyst comprises a microporous molecular sieve substrate having pores with an average diameter of from about 3 ? to about 15 ?, where at least some of the pores of the microporous molecular sieve substrate contain Cu+2 ions. Methods for making cigarette filters and smoking articles using the copper-exchanged molecular sieve catalyst, as well as methods for smoking a cigarette comprising the copper-exchanged molecular sieve catalyst, are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2012Publication date: October 4, 2012Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Jay A Fournier, Zhaohua Luan