By Treating Occluded Solids Patents (Class 264/49)
  • Publication number: 20140217635
    Abstract: A method of producing a porous molded part includes a mixing process for mixing a granular porous organizer composed of a water-soluble compound, a porous forming assistant agent composed of a polyhydric alcohol, and a cross-linking agent composed of an organic peroxide with a thermoplastic resin composition having a glass transition temperature below 0° C. to obtain a molding material; a cross-linking and forming process for placing the molding material in a molding die and performing a heat press molding thereby progressing coincidentally a cross-linking reaction and a shape forming of a seal face to obtain a molded material; an extracting process for extracting the granular porous organizer from the molded material obtained in the cross-linking and forming process to obtain a porous molded part; and a drying process for drying the porous molded part obtained in the extracting process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: SHACHIHATA INC.
    Inventors: Ikuzo MATSUSHITA, Katsuya TAKAICHI, Yoshiaki NAGATA
  • Publication number: 20140176390
    Abstract: An antenna and a method of manufacturing the antenna are provided. The antenna may include an antenna surface, a ground plane, and an air layer comprising a porous structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Byung Hoon KO, Sang Yun PARK, Youn Ho KIM, Young Jun HONG, Kun Kook PARK, Kun Soo SHIN
  • Publication number: 20140178964
    Abstract: The invention provides polymer scaffolds for cell-based tissue engineering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: David J. Mooney, Jaeyun Kim, Sidi A. Bencherif, Weiwei A. Li
  • Publication number: 20140178455
    Abstract: The present invention provides gradient porous scaffolds for bone regeneration and osteochondral defect repair, methods for making such gradient porous scaffolds, and methods for using the gradient porous scaffolds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Inventors: Syam P. Nukavarapu, Cato T. Laurencin, Ami R. Amini, Deborah L. Dorcemus
  • Publication number: 20140170398
    Abstract: A light-weight material and a method for producing a light-weight material use removable forms to produce an array of interconnected voids within the material. The forms include a plurality of spaced apart and adjoining blocks onto which the material is deposited, and the blocks are constructed of a material that may be desolidified, such as by vaporization, to remove the blocks from the material, leaving behind a network of interconnected voids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Empire Technology Development LLC
    Inventors: William Brenden Carlson, Gregory D. Phelan, Vincent Casasanta, III, Feng Wan
  • Patent number: 8753552
    Abstract: A heat sink using porous graphite having graphite particle-stacked porous graphite is provided. The heat sink may provide good heat conductivity and improve strength of carbon foam. Also, a manufacturing method of porous graphite is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Shuoen Tech. Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Hsu-Tien Hu, Jiun-Hsu Hsiao
  • Publication number: 20140154495
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a defect inspection apparatus including: a container storing a fluid; a passage member that is configured such that a hollow fiber membrane travel passage, which allows the porous hollow fiber membrane to pass therethrough continuously, is formed thereinside and the passage member being disposed in the fluid to thereby fill the passage with the fluid; a restrictor that restricts travel of the porous hollow fiber membrane such that the porous hollow fiber membrane passes through the fluid in the hollow fiber membrane travel passage of the passage member; a fluid suction device that flows the fluid in the hollow fiber membrane travel passage to thereby lower the pressure of the fluid in the hollow fiber membrane travel passage; and an air bubble detector that detects an air bubble that is released into the fluid from a defect of the porous hollow fiber membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Ryaon Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kotaro Hiraoka, Toshinori Sumi, Hiroyuki Fujiki
  • Publication number: 20140154491
    Abstract: Described herein are foam-like materials having substantially the same physical structure of polyurethane foams but with properties that can be tailored for a particular application. Methods of forming these foam-like materials are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: ALLERGAN, INC.
    Inventors: Alexei Goraltchouk, Jordan Thompson, Miriam M. Abiad, Kevin Ma, Dennis Van Epps, Nicholas J. Manesis
  • Publication number: 20140137399
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a separator for nonaqueous electrolyte electricity storage devices. The method allows: avoidance of use of a solvent that places a large load on the environment; and relatively easy control of parameters such as the porosity and the pore diameter. The production method of the present invention includes the steps of: preparing an epoxy resin composition containing an epoxy resin, a curing agent, and a porogen; forming a cured product of the epoxy resin composition into a sheet shape or curing a sheet-shaped formed body of the epoxy resin composition, so as to obtain an epoxy resin sheet; removing the porogen from the epoxy resin sheet by means of a halogen-free solvent so as to form a porous epoxy resin membrane; and drying the porous epoxy resin membrane by heat-roll drying.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: NITTO DENKO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akira Sanami, Shunsuke Noumi, Noriaki Harada, Yoshihiro Nakamura, Masaya Yano
  • Publication number: 20140141581
    Abstract: Particles having a property of absorbing carbon at a particular temperature or higher are deposited on a graphene. The particles are heated to a temperature equal to the particular temperature or higher to make the particles absorb carbon from portions of the graphene under the particles. The particles are removed. Consequently, a graphene nanomesh is obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Shintaro SATO, Taisuke IWAI
  • Patent number: 8715781
    Abstract: An example of a nanoballoon thermal protection system includes a refractory ceramic foam having carbide balloons. The foam has a closed cell structure not allowing liquid to penetrate through the foam. Each of the carbide balloons is hollow and has a diameter greater than 0 nm and less than 900 nm. Each of the carbide balloons includes a refractory carbide. In addition, a vehicle with thermal shield includes a surface and a first and second nanoballoon closed cell foam coatings. Each of the foam coatings has a melting point temperature greater than 1000° C. and a density less than 85%. Each of the foam coatings has hollow balloons having a diameter less than 900 nm. Each of the foam coatings includes a closed cell structure not allowing liquid to penetrate through the respective coating. Methods for manufacturing a nanoballoon system and a nanoballoon thermal protection system are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Alfred A. Zinn, Justin S. Golightly, Loosineh Avakians
  • Publication number: 20140120334
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a long strip-shaped porous thermosetting resin sheet free of defective portions leading to breakage. The present invention is a method for producing a porous thermosetting resin sheet, the method including the steps of cutting a hollow-cylindrical or solid-cylindrical thermosetting resin block containing a porogen into a sheet of a thermosetting resin with a predetermined thickness by bringing a cutting blade into contact with the thermosetting resin block while rotating the thermosetting resin block about a hollow cylinder axis or a solid cylinder axis; and making the resultant thermosetting resin sheet porous by removing the porogen from the thermosetting resin sheet. The cutting blade is reciprocated approximately parallel to a direction of the rotational axis of the thermosetting resin block while the cutting is being performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: NITTO DENKO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Noriaki Harada, Yoshihide Kawaguchi, Shunsuke Noumi, Masaya Yano
  • Patent number: 8710111
    Abstract: Porous polymeric resins, reaction mixtures and methods that can be used to prepare the porous polymeric resins, and uses of the porous polymeric resin are described. More specifically, the polymeric resins typically have a hierarchical porous structure plus reactive groups that can be used to interact with or react with a variety of different target compounds. The reactive groups can be selected from an acidic group or a salt thereof, an amino group or salt thereof, a hydroxyl group, an azlactone group, a glycidyl group, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Peter D. Wickert, Simon K. Shannon, Kannan Seshadri, Jerald K. Rasmussen, James I. Hembre, Robert T. Fitzsimons, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140103562
    Abstract: In a V-ribbed belt fabrication method, an uncrosslinked rubber sheet in which V-shaped ribs are to be formed is fabricated by extruding an uncrosslinked rubber composition blended with no short fibers from an extruder. At least a surface layer of the uncrosslinked rubber sheet, in which surface layer the V-shaped ribs are to be formed, is made of an uncrosslinked rubber composition blended with at least one of hollow particles or a foaming agent for forming pores in the surface of the V-shaped ribs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Bando Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Okubo, Hiroyuki Shiriike
  • Patent number: 8697763
    Abstract: Described herein are methods of making open celled foams including a matrix of interconnected spheres. The open celled foams are silicone based materials and can be used to coat implants, such as breast implants, and function to encourage tissue ingrowth and reduce capsular formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Allergan, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexei Goraltchouk, Jordan Thompson, Dennis Van Epps
  • Publication number: 20140094076
    Abstract: Microporous materials including a melt-processable, semi-crystalline, thermoplastic (co)polymer, wherein the thermoplastic (co)polymer is miscible in a compatible liquid when heated above a melting temperature of the semi-crystalline thermoplastic (co)polymer, further wherein the microporous material is comprised of a plurality of filaments substantially aligned in a first longitudinal direction, and a mesh extending laterally between the filaments, the mesh comprising a network of interconnected pores having a median diameter less than one micrometer. Methods of making and using such microporous materials (e.g. as films, membranes, battery separators, capacitor separators, fluid filtration articles, separation articles, and the like) are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Inventors: James S. Mrozinski, Harold Todd Freemyer, Kuan-Yin Lin
  • Patent number: 8685296
    Abstract: The present specification discloses porogen compositions comprising a core material and shell material, methods of making such porogen compositions, methods of forming such porous materials using such porogen compositions, biocompatible implantable devices comprising such porous materials, and methods of making such biocompatible implantable devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Allergan, Inc.
    Inventors: Futian Liu, Nicholas J. Manesis, Xiaojie Yu, Athene W. Chan
  • Patent number: 8658054
    Abstract: In order to achieve the object of providing a mixture by means of which, in particular, sintered moldings can be obtained that are virtually free of surface stains produced by soot particles, a mixture is proposed which comprises at least one pressing aid and at least one additive, wherein the additive is selected from a group of substances which have releasable carbon dioxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: GKN Sinter Metals Holding GmbH
    Inventors: Rene Lindenau, Lars Wimbert
  • Publication number: 20140048477
    Abstract: A hybrid porous structured material may include a matrix including a plurality of first pores interconnected in three dimensions, and a porous material including second pores and filling wholly or partially each of the plurality of the first pores.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyo KANG, Sung Soo HAN, Pil Jin YOO, Du-yeol RYU, Young Hun KIM, Seon Ju YEO
  • Publication number: 20140027939
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a porous bioceramic composition for bone repair and method of fabrication of the same. 3D-scaffolds were fabricated with a novel micro- and macro-architecture. Porous scaffolds based on dextrin, dextran, gelatin and biomineral (CaCO3) powder were fabricated by heating and freeze-drying methods. Fabrication of different compositions of porous scaffolds (20, 30 wt % of gelatin, 20, 40 wt % dextrin, 30, 40, 50, 60 wt % dextran bounder with the constant quantity of CaCO3 50 g). The scaffolds properties were characterised by x-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and compression tests. Most illustrative figure is FIG. 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA
    Inventors: Md Zuki ABU BAKAR, Bahaa Fakri HUSSEIN, Noordin MOHAMED MUSTAPHA, Norimah YUSOF, Elias SAION
  • Patent number: 8628705
    Abstract: A carbon monolith includes a robust carbon monolith characterized by a skeleton size of at least 100 nm, and a hierarchical pore structure having macropores and mesopores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignees: UT-Battelle, LLC, University of Tennessee Research Foundation
    Inventors: Sheng Dai, Georges A. Guiochon, Chengdu Liang
  • Publication number: 20130337336
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a separator for nonaqueous electrolyte electricity storage devices. The method allows: avoidance of use of a solvent that places a large load on the environment; relatively easy control of parameters such as the porosity and the pore diameter; and a high electrochemical stability of a resultant separator for nonaqueous electrolyte electricity storage devices. The present invention relates to a method for producing a separator for nonaqueous electrolyte electricity storage devices that has a thickness ranging from 5 to 50 ?m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: NITTO DENKO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chiharu Yano, Michie Sakamoto, Hiroyoshi Take, Yosuke Yamada, Shunsuke Noumi
  • Publication number: 20130330633
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a separator for nonaqueous electrolyte electricity storage devices. The method allows: avoidance of use of a solvent that places a large load on the environment; relatively easy control of parameters such as the porosity and the pore diameter; and a relatively high strength of a resultant separator for nonaqueous electrolyte electricity storage devices. The present invention relates to a method for producing a separator for nonaqueous electrolyte electricity storage devices that has a thickness ranging from 5 to 50 ?m. The method includes the steps of preparing an epoxy resin composition containing a glycidylamine-type epoxy resin, a curing agent, and a porogen; forming a cured product of the epoxy resin composition into a sheet shape or curing a sheet-shaped formed body of the epoxy resin composition, so as to obtain an epoxy resin sheet; and removing the porogen from the epoxy resin sheet by means of a halogen-free solvent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: NITTO DENKO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi Ito, Chiharu Yano, Shunsuke Noumi, Yosuke Yamada
  • Publication number: 20130299417
    Abstract: Manufacturing processes are provided for nano-porous polymer membranes. Also provided are intermediates suitable to obtain such membranes; polymer membranes as defined herein; shaped articles containing such membranes; and the use of such membranes, shaped articles and intermediates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: Norman Albert LUCHINGER, Wendelin Jan STARK, Christoph R. KELLENBERGER
  • Publication number: 20130295379
    Abstract: Described herein are open celled foams including a matrix of interconnected spheres. Also described herein are methods of making open celled foams as well as making composite members with open celled foam coatings covering at least a portion of the composite member. The open celled foams described herein are silicone based materials and can be used to coat implants such as breast implants and function to encourage tissue ingrowth and reduce capsular formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Alexei Goraltchouk, Jordan Thompson, Dennis Van Epps
  • Publication number: 20130292867
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing a porous membrane, including a coagulation step of coagulating a membrane-forming raw material solution to form a porous membrane; a washing step of washing the porous membrane to remove material remaining in the porous membrane; a removal step of removing a hydrophilic polymer remaining in the porous membrane, in which the washing step includes transporting a porous membrane so as to contact with a falling washing solution. According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a method of producing a porous membrane capable of efficiently removing a solvent from a porous membrane within a short period of time at a low cost without large facilities; and a washing apparatus used for the production process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kotaro Hiraoka, Toshinori Sumi, Hiroyuki Fujiki
  • Publication number: 20130277299
    Abstract: A composite block that includes activated carbon particles bonded to one another with a polymeric binder. The block includes a tortuous porous network extending through the block article, the tortuous porous network having a plurality of void spaces interspersed throughout the network with the majority of void spaces each having an average diameter greater than the average diameter of the remainder of the porous network. A filter incorporates the composite block as a part thereof. A process of making a composite block includes mixing activated carbon, polymeric binder and pore forming material to provide a moldable mixture; placing the moldable mixture in a mold cavity; heating the mold cavity and the moldable mixture to melt the polymeric binder; cooling the mold to re-solidify the polymeric binder to form the composite block; and removing the composite block from the mold cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Mark A. Stouffer, Eric C. Pemberton
  • Publication number: 20130260127
    Abstract: Process for manufacturing a thermally insulating material comprising the following steps: a) preparing an aqueous mixture of a solid mineral substance in suspension having a specific surface area S of greater than 5 m2/g; b) adding to the mixture at least one pore-forming agent; c) stirring so as to obtain a homogeneous mixture; d) preforming a substrate from the homogeneous mixture; e) optionally drying the substrate at least partially; f) removing, at least partially, the pore-forming agent; and such that said specific surface area S, expressed in m2/g and measured by BET, and the mean particle diameter Dpm of the pore-forming agents, expressed in micrometers and measured by dynamic light scattering, obey the relation: 1/S<Dpm<50/S.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: Saint-Gobain Isover
    Inventors: David Louapre, Caroline Parneix, Veneta Grigorova, Jérôme Gilles
  • Publication number: 20130228947
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a bioactive porous tissue scaffold is herein provided. Bioactive materials having a composition of biologically active materials that define a group of surface reactive glass, glass-ceramic, and ceramic materials that most commonly include a range of silicate, borate, and phosphate-based glass systems. These materials typically exhibit a narrow working range that require heating methods that use pore former combustion to control thermal variations during processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: BIO2 TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: James Jenq Liu, Casey S. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20130211349
    Abstract: A wound treatment system comprises a wound-treatment apparatus and a wound dressing coupled to the apparatus. The wound dressing includes a foam structure wound insert having pores with a greater cross-sectional area when viewed from a first direction and a smaller cross-sectional area when viewed from an orthogonal direction. Methods for making such wound inserts may include compressing foam structure material having pores with a substantially uniform cross-sectional area. Methods for treating a wound using a wound insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Inventors: Benjamin Stokes, Timothy Mark Robinson
  • Patent number: 8505743
    Abstract: The present invention relates to surface modification of reverse osmosis membranes to introduce antifouling properties without compromising the separation properties of the original membranes. This approach utilizes: providing a coated membrane surface having enhanced hydrophilic characteristics that prevents the biofoulants from settling; have a surface that consists of hydrophilic brushes that unsettle any biofoulants that get through; and having antimicrobial ions present in the membrane coatings and able to remove or minimize any remaining biofoulants without leaching into the permeate. These coatings are made using dendritic polymers such as hyperbranched polymers or dendrimers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Michigan Molecular Institute
    Inventors: Abhijit Sarkar, Petar R. Dvornic, Peter I. Carver, Joseph L. Rousseau
  • Publication number: 20130189888
    Abstract: A self-healing composite system includes a solid polymeric matrix and a woven structure in the matrix. The woven structure includes a plurality of fibers, and a first plurality of microfluidic channels. The microfluidic channels include a first healing agent in the channels. The woven structure also may include a second plurality of microfluidic channels that include a second healing agent in the channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Inventors: Jason F. Patrick, Kevin R. Hart, Brett P. Krull, Nancy R. Sottos, Jeffrey S. Moore, Scott R. White
  • Publication number: 20130180920
    Abstract: A nanoporous material is disclosed having a plurality of lamellae. Through each lamella is an array of penetrating pores. Adjacent lamellae are spaced apart by an intervening spacing layer. The spacing layer comprises an array of spacing elements integrally formed with and extending between the adjacent lamellae. The spacing layer has interconnected porosity extending within the spacing layer. Such a nanoporous material can be manufactured using block copolymer materials. First, a morphology is formed comprising a three dimensional array of isolated islands in a continuous matrix. The islands are formed of at least one island component of the block copolymer and the matrix is formed of at least one matrix component of the block copolymer. Next, channels are formed in the matrix between at least some of the islands. The island component is then selectively removed to leave the matrix with an array of interconnected pores.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: CAMBRIDGE ENTERPRISE LIMITED
    Inventors: Easan Sivaniah, Paul Zavala Rivera, Vincent N'guyen
  • Patent number: 8486348
    Abstract: A device is made by forming sacrificial fibers on a substrate mold. The fibers and mold are covered with a first material. The substrate mold is removed, and the covered fibers are then removed to form channels in the first material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Cornell University
    Inventors: Leon M. Bellan, Harold G. Craighead, Elizabeth A. Strychalski
  • Publication number: 20130177817
    Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a method for producing a separator for nonaqueous electrolyte electricity storage devices, the method allowing avoidance of use of a solvent that places a large load on the environment, and also allowing relatively easy control of parameters such as the porosity and the pore diameter. The present invention relates to a method for producing a separator for nonaqueous electrolyte electricity storage devices that has a thickness ranging from 10 to 50 ?m, the method including the steps of: producing an epoxy resin composition containing an epoxy resin, a curing agent, and a porogen; forming a cured product of the epoxy resin composition into a sheet shape or curing a sheet-shaped formed body of the epoxy resin composition, so as to obtain an epoxy resin sheet; and removing the porogen from the epoxy resin sheet by means of a halogen-free solvent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: NITTO DENKO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shunsuke Noumi, Atsushi Hiro, Noriaki Harada, Yoshihide Kawaguchi
  • Publication number: 20130154147
    Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) article including a SOFC unit cell having a functional layer of an average thickness of not greater than about 100 ?m, wherein the functional layer has a first type of porosity having a vertical orientation, and the first type of porosity has an aspect ratio of length:width, the width substantially aligned with a dimension of thickness of the functional layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventor: Aravind MOHANRAM
  • Publication number: 20130140742
    Abstract: A method for producing a ceramic honeycomb structure having a large number of paths partitioned by porous cell walls, the cell walls having thickness of 0.17-0.45 mm and porosity of 40% or more, comprising the steps of preparing a moldable material comprising a ceramic material powder, a binder, a pore-forming material and water, extruding the moldable material to form a honeycomb-shaped green body, and drying and sintering the green body, the pore-forming material having a melting point of 40-110° C., being solid in the moldable material, and being melted in the drying step so that 25% or more thereof is removed from the green body in the drying step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: HITACHI METALS, LTD.
    Inventor: Shunji Okazaki
  • Patent number: 8425809
    Abstract: A method of forming granules, the method including forming a suspension of a nanopowder such as a nano zirconia powder containing yttria. The powder is formed from a suspension, and freon is added directly to the suspension as an additive. The suspension is then granulated by spray freeze drying, and the freon subsequently removed by heat treatment. The voids left by the vacated freon provide meso, micro and macro flaws or structural defects in the granules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Loughborough University
    Inventors: Annapoorani Ketharam, Balasubramaniam Vaidhyanathan, Bala Praveen Chakkravarthy Raghupathy, Jonathan Graham Peel Binner
  • Patent number: 8420704
    Abstract: A process for preparing a polymer composite that includes reacting (a) a multi-functional monomer and (b) a block copolymer comprising (i) a first block and (ii) a second block that includes a functional group capable of reacting with the multi-functional monomer, to form a crosslinked, nano-structured, bi-continuous composite. The composite includes a continuous matrix phase and a second continuous phase comprising the first block of the block copolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Marc Hillmyer, Liang Chen
  • Publication number: 20130084501
    Abstract: An electrode material for lithium secondary battery comprises a nanoheterostructure which contains a lithium-ion conductor and an electrode active substance of which one inorganic component is a matrix, and of which the other inorganic component is three-dimensionally and periodically arranged in the matrix, and has a three-dimensional periodic structure whose average value of one unit length of a repeated structure is 1 nm to 100 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA CHUO KENKYUSHO
    Inventors: Hiroaki WAKAYAMA, Hirotaka YONEKURA, Yasuaki KAWAI
  • Patent number: 8409482
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a porous member formed by providing a member formed of a fluororesin containing carbon fiber and having a predetermined shape and exposing the member to an oxidizing gas to remove the carbon fiber contained in the member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Jiro Higashijima, Satoshi Kaneko
  • Publication number: 20130065042
    Abstract: A microvascular system includes a solid polymeric matrix and a woven structure in the matrix. The woven structure includes a plurality of fibers, and a plurality of microfluidic channels, where at least a portion of the microfluidic channels are interconnected. The microvascular system may be made by forming a composite that includes a solid polymeric matrix and a plurality of sacrificial fibers in the matrix, heating the composite to a temperature of from 100 to 250° C., maintaining the composite at a temperature of from 100 to 250° C. for a time sufficient to form degradants from the sacrificial fibers, and removing the degradants from the composite. The sacrificial fibers may include a polymeric fiber matrix including a poly(hydroxyalkanoate) and a metal selected from the group consisting of an alkali earth metal and a transition metal, in the fiber matrix, where the concentration of the metal in the fiber matrix is at least 0.1 wt %.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Aaron Esser-Kahn, Hefei Dong, Piyush R. Thakre, Jason F. Patrick, Nancy R. Sottos, Jeffrey S. Moore, Scott R. White
  • Publication number: 20130062275
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a honeycomb structure comprises a step of forming a molded article by molding a raw material containing a ceramic powder and a pore-forming agent; and a step of manufacturing a honeycomb structure by sintering the molded article, wherein the pore-forming agent is powder formed of a material that disappears at a sintering temperature or less where the molded article is sintered, the powder is obtained by mixing a small particle size powder and a large particle size powder, a median particle size of which a ratio of a cumulative mass with respect to a total mass of the small particle size powder is 50% is 5 to 20 ?m, a median particle size of which a ratio of a cumulative mass with respect to a total mass of the large particle size powder is 50% is 30 ?m or more, and a ninety-percentage particle size of which a ratio of a cumulative mass with respect to a total mass of the large particle size powder is 90% is 80 ?m or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Yasuharu Kobashi, Tetsuro Tohma, Kentaro Iwasaki
  • Publication number: 20130055924
    Abstract: Preparing porous materials includes forming a mixture including a geopolymer resin and a liquid between which a nanoscale (1-1000 nm), microscale (1-1000 m), and/or milliscale (1-10 mm) phase separation occurs. The mixture is solidified (e.g., at an ambient temperature or a relatively low temperature), and a portion (e.g., a majority or a significant majority) of the liquid is removed from the solidified mixture. The liquid can include organic liquids from agricultural, geological, industrial, or household sources. The porous materials have accessible pores with a range of pore sizes including nanoscale pore sizes, microscale pore sizes, milliscale pore sizes, or a combination thereof. The porous material may be treated further to form another material, such as a composite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Inventors: Dong-Kyun Seo, Dinesh Medpelli, Jungmin Seo
  • Publication number: 20130049246
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for production of a porous membrane that includes the steps of layering a film-forming dope that contains a polymer (A) that forms a membrane base, a polyvinylpyrrolidone (B) and a solvent (C) into a single layer or two or more layers; immersing the film-forming dope in a solidifying fluid that is a non-solvent with respect to the polymer (A) and is a good solvent with respect to the polyvinylpyrrolidone (B); and removing the polyvinylpyrrolidone (B), wherein the polyvinylpyrrolidone (B) has a K value of 50 to 80, a mass ratio r of the polyvinylpyrrolidone (B) to the polymer (A) is 0.5 or more and less than 1, and the viscosity of the film-forming dope at a membrane production temperature is 100 to 500 Pa·s.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI RAYON CO., LTD
    Inventors: Masakazu Minagawa, Masashi Teramachi
  • Publication number: 20130043613
    Abstract: A method for producing a polyolefin microporous membrane, comprising the following steps (A) to (D): (A) a kneading step of kneading a polyolefin resin, a plasticizer, and an antioxidant to form a kneaded material; (B) a molding step of processing the kneaded material into a sheet-shaped molded form after the kneading step; (C) a stretching step of stretching the sheet-shaped molded form to form a stretched material, after the molding step; and (D) a porous sheet forming step of extracting the plasticizer from the stretched material to form a porous sheet, before and/or after the stretching step, wherein the step (A) is a step of kneading the plasticizer to which 0.05 to 5% by mass of the antioxidant based on the polyolefin resin is added, and the polyolefin resin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Inventor: Shinya Kawasoe
  • Publication number: 20130040127
    Abstract: A membrane according to the present invention includes a support member and a polymer layer disposed on the support member and including a plurality of nano pores each having an inner wall formed of a block-structured polymer material of which the end thereof is substituted by a functional group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: POSTECH ACADEMY-INDUSTRY FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Jin Kon KIM, Sangshin Jang, Seung Yun Yang, Gumhye Jeon, Won Jong Kim, Sejin Son, Hyunwoo Kim
  • Patent number: 8372322
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the formation of pores of controlled shape, dimensions and distribution in a polymer matrix comprising a step of embedding silicon nanowires and/or nanotrees in a nonpolymerized polymer matrix or a nonpolymerized polymer matrix in suspension or in solution in at least one solvent, a step of curing the polymer matrix, and a step of removing the silicon nanowires and/or nanotrees by chemical treatment. The process of the invention can be used for the manufacture of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell active layer. The invention has applications in the field of manufacture of proton exchange membrane fuel cells, in particular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Arnaud Morin, Pascal Gentile, Nicolas Pauc
  • Patent number: 8366979
    Abstract: A carbon monolith includes a robust carbon monolith characterized by a skeleton size of at least 100 nm, and a hierarchical pore structure having macropores and mesopores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignees: UT-Battelle, LLC, University of Tennessee Research Foundation
    Inventors: Sheng Dai, Georges A. Guiohon, Chengdu Liang
  • Publication number: 20130017313
    Abstract: Medical articles with porous polymeric structures and methods of forming thereof are disclosed. The porous structure can have pores sizes that are nanoporous or greater than nanoporous. The porous structure can be a coating or layer of a medical device such as a stent, stent graft, catheter, or lead for pacemakers or implantable cardioverter defibrillators. Additionally, the body of the medical device can be a porous polymeric structure. The porous structure can be made from bioabsorbable polymers. The porous structures can be formed by contacting a polymer with a supercritical fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: ABBOTT CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventor: ABBOTT CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEMS INC.