Patents Assigned to BNNT, LLC
  • Patent number: 10494260
    Abstract: In the synthesis of boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) via high temperature, high pressure methods, a boron feedstock may be elevated above its melting point in a nitrogen environment at an elevated pressure. Methods and apparatus for supporting the boron feedstock and subsequent boron melt are described that enhance BNNT synthesis. A target holder having a boron nitride interface layer thermally insulates the target holder from the boron melt. Using one or more lasers as a heat source, mirrors may be positioned to reflect and control the distribution of heat in the chamber. The flow of nitrogen gas in the chamber may be heated and controlled through heating elements and flow control baffles to enhance BNNT formation. Cooling systems and baffle elements may provide additional control of the BNNT production process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: BNNT, LLC
    Inventors: Michael W. Smith, Kevin C. Jordan, Jonathan C. Stevens, R. Roy Whitney
  • Patent number: 10442691
    Abstract: High quality, catalyst-free boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) that are long, flexible, have few wall molecules and few defects in the crystalline structure, can be efficiently produced by a process driven primarily by Direct Induction. Secondary Direct Induction coils, Direct Current heaters, lasers, and electric arcs can provide additional heating to tailor the processes and enhance the quality of the BN-NTs while reducing impurities. Heating the initial boron feed stock to temperatures causing it to act as an electrical conductor can be achieved by including refractory metals in the initial boron feed stock, or providing additional heat via lasers or electric arcs. Direct Induction processes may be energy efficient and sustainable for indefinite periods of time. Careful heat and gas flow profile management may be used to enhance production of high quality BNNT at significant production rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: BNNT, LLC
    Inventors: Michael W. Smith, Kevin C. Jordan, Jonathan C. Stevens, R. Roy Whitney
  • Patent number: 10444384
    Abstract: Boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) with 10B combined with a scintillation gas can serve as the basis for detecting thermal neutrons by detecting light from the decay products of the thermal neutron's absorption on the 10B atoms in the BNNT Material as the resultant decay products pass through the scintillating gas. BNNTs with 11B can be utilized as a scaffold for 238U and combined with a scintillation gas as the basis for detecting fast neutrons via detecting light from the fission decay products passing through the scintillating gas. Both technologies provide high spatial and temporal resolution for the detection of thermal neutrons and fast neutrons respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: BNNT, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin C. Jordan, R. Roy Whitney
  • Patent number: 10343908
    Abstract: Described herein are processes and apparatus for the large-scale synthesis of boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) by induction-coupled plasma (ICP). A boron-containing feedstock may be heated by ICP in the presence of nitrogen gas at an elevated pressure, to form vaporized boron. The vaporized boron may be cooled to form boron droplets, such as nanodroplets. Cooling may take place using a condenser, for example. BNNTs may then form downstream and can be harvested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: BNNT, LLC
    Inventors: Michael W. Smith, Jonathan C. Stevens, Kevin C. Jordan
  • Publication number: 20190198418
    Abstract: Aligned high quality boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) can be incorporated into groups and bundles and placed in electronic and electrical components (ECs) to enhance the heat removal and diminish the heat production. High quality BNNTs are excellent conductors of heat at the nano scale. High quality BNNTs are electrically insulating and can reduce dielectric heating. The BNNTs composite well with a broad range of ceramics, metals, polymers, epoxies and thermal greases thereby providing great flexibility in the design of ECs with improved thermal management. Controlling the alignment of the BNNTs both with respect to each other and the surfaces and layers of the ECs provides the preferred embodiments for ECs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Applicant: BNNT, LLC
    Inventors: R. Roy Whitney, Kevin C. Jordan, Michael W. Smith, Jonathan C. Stevens
  • Patent number: 10294106
    Abstract: In the synthesis of boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) via high temperature, high pressure methods, a boron feedstock may be elevated above its melting point in a nitrogen environment at an elevated pressure. Methods and apparatus for supporting the boron feedstock and subsequent boron melt are described that enhance BNNT synthesis. A target holder having a boron nitride interface layer thermally insulates the target holder from the boron melt. Using one or more lasers as a heat source, mirrors may be positioned to reflect and control the distribution of heat in the chamber. The flow of nitrogen gas in the chamber may be heated and controlled through heating elements and flow control baffles to enhance BNNT formation. Cooling systems and baffle elements may provide additional control of the BNNT production process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: BNNT, LLC
    Inventors: Michael W. Smith, Kevin C. Jordan, Jonathan C. Stevens, R. Roy Whitney
  • Publication number: 20190123324
    Abstract: Thermoresponsive composite switch (TRCS) membranes for ion batteries include a porous scaffolding providing ion channels and a thermoresponsive polymer coating. Boron nitride nanotube (BNNT)/polymer composite TRCS membrane embodiments are preferable due to unique BNNT properties. A BNNT scaffold coated with one or more polymers may form a composite separator with tunable porosity (porosity level and pore size distribution), composition, wettability, and superior electronic isolation, oxidative/reduction resistance, and mechanical strength. The BNNT/polymer composite TRCS membrane optimizes the performance of ion batteries with tunable separator thicknesses that may be under 5 82 ??. Nano-scale porosity with thin separator thicknesses improves the charge density of the battery. Nano-scale architecture allows for reversible localized switching on the nano scale, in proximity to thermally stressed ion substrates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Applicant: BNNT, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Dushatinski, Gary S. Huvard, R. Roy Whitney, Kevin C. Jordan, Diego Pedrazzoli, Michael W. Smith, Jonathan C. Stevens
  • Publication number: 20190119113
    Abstract: Described herein are apparatus, systems, and methods for the continuous production of BNNT fibers, BNNT strands and BNNT initial yarns having few defects and good alignment. BNNTs may be formed by thermally exciting a boron feedstock in a chamber in the presence of pressurized nitrogen. BNNTs are encouraged to self-assemble into aligned BNNT fibers in a growth zone, and form BNNT strands and BNNT initial yarns, through various combinations of nitrogen gas flow direction and velocities, heat source distribution, temperature gradients, and chamber geometries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Applicant: BNNT, LLC
    Inventors: Michael W. SMITH, Jonathan C. STEVENS, Kevin C. JORDAN, R. Roy WHITNEY
  • Patent number: 10167195
    Abstract: Described herein are apparatus, systems, and methods for the continuous production of BNNT fibers, BNNT strands and BNNT initial yarns having few defects and good alignment. BNNTs may be formed by thermally exciting a boron feedstock in a chamber in the presence of pressurized nitrogen. BNNTs are encouraged to self-assemble into aligned BNNT fibers in a growth zone, and form BNNT strands and BNNT initial yarns, through various combinations of nitrogen gas flow direction and velocities, heat source distribution, temperature gradients, and chamber geometries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: BNNT, LLC
    Inventors: Michael W. Smith, Jonathan C. Stevens, Kevin C. Jordan, R. Roy Whitney
  • Publication number: 20180348384
    Abstract: Boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) with 10B combined with a scintillation gas can serve as the basis for detecting thermal neutrons by detecting light from the decay products of the thermal neutron's absorption on the 10B atoms in the BNNT Material as the resultant decay products pass through the scintillating gas. BN-NTs with 11B can be utilized as a scaffold for 238U and combined with a scintillation gas as the basis for detecting fast neutrons via detecting light from the fission decay products passing through the scintillating gas. Both technologies provide high spatial and temporal resolution for the detection of thermal neutrons and fast neutrons respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: BNNT, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin C. Jordan, R. Roy Whitney
  • Patent number: 10083890
    Abstract: Aligned high quality boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) can be incorporated into groups and bundles and placed in electronic and electrical components (ECs) to enhance the heat removal and diminish the heat production. High quality BNNTs are excellent conductors of heat at the nano scale. High quality BNNTs are electrically insulating and can reduce dielectric heating. The BNNTs composite well with a broad range of ceramics, metals, polymers, epoxies and thermal greases thereby providing great flexibility in the design of ECs with improved thermal management. Controlling the alignment of the BNNTs both with respect to each other and the surfaces and layers of the ECs provides the preferred embodiments for ECs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: BNNT, LLC
    Inventors: R. Roy Whitney, Kevin C. Jordan, Michael W. Smith, Jonathan C. Stevens
  • Patent number: 10035705
    Abstract: Described herein are processes and apparatus for the large-scale synthesis of boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) by induction-coupled plasma (ICP). A boron-containing feedstock may be heated by ICP in the presence of nitrogen gas at an elevated pressure, to form vaporized boron. The vaporized boron may be cooled to form boron droplets, such as nanodroplets. Cooling may take place using a condenser, for example. BNNTs may then form downstream and can be harvested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: BNNT, LLC
    Inventors: Michael W. Smith, Kevin C. Jordan, Jonathan C. Stevens
  • Publication number: 20180155196
    Abstract: High quality, catalyst-free boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) that are long, flexible, have few wall molecules and few defects in the crystalline structure, can be efficiently produced by a process driven primarily by Direct Induction. Secondary Direct Induction coils, Direct Current heaters, lasers, and electric arcs can provide additional heating to tailor the processes and enhance the quality of the BN-NTs while reducing impurities. Heating the initial boron feed stock to temperatures causing it to act as an electrical conductor can be achieved by including refractory metals in the initial boron feed stock, or providing additional heat via lasers or electric arcs. Direct Induction processes may be energy efficient and sustainable for indefinite periods of time. Careful heat and gas flow profile management may be used to enhance production of high quality BNNT at significant production rates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Applicant: BNNT, LLC
    Inventors: Michael W. SMITH, Kevin C. JORDAN, Jonathan C. STEVENS, R. Roy WHITNEY
  • Publication number: 20180029885
    Abstract: Described herein are processes and apparatus for the large-scale synthesis of boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) by induction-coupled plasma (ICP). A boron-containing feedstock may be heated by ICP in the presence of nitrogen gas at an elevated pressure, to form vaporized boron. The vaporized boron may be cooled to form boron droplets, such as nanodroplets. Cooling may take place using a condenser, for example. BNNTs may then form downstream and can be harvested.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: BNNT, LLC
    Inventors: Michael W. SMITH, Kevin C. JORDAN, Jonathan C. Stevens
  • Publication number: 20170352606
    Abstract: Aligned high quality boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) can be incorporated into groups and bundles and placed in electronic and electrical components (ECs) to enhance the heat removal and diminish the heat production. High quality BNNTs are excellent conductors of heat at the nano scale. High quality BNNTs are electrically insulating and can reduce dielectric heating. The BNNTs composite well with a broad range of ceramics, metals, polymers, epoxies and thermal greases thereby providing great flexibility in the design of ECs with improved thermal management. Controlling the alignment of the BNNTs both with respect to each other and the surfaces and layers of the ECs provides the preferred embodiments for ECs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: BNNT, LLC
    Inventors: R. ROY WHITNEY, KEVIN C. JORDAN, MICHAEL W. SMITH, JONATHAN C. STEVENS
  • Patent number: 9776865
    Abstract: Described herein are processes and apparatus for the large-scale synthesis of boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) by induction-coupled plasma (ICP). A boron-containing feedstock may be heated by ICP in the presence of nitrogen gas at an elevated pressure, to form vaporized boron. The vaporized boron may be cooled to form boron droplets, such as nanodroplets. Cooling may take place using a condenser, for example. BNNTs may then form downstream and can be harvested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: BNNT, LLC
    Inventors: Michael W. Smith, Kevin C. Jordan, Jonathan C. Stevens
  • Patent number: 9745192
    Abstract: In the synthesis of boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) via high temperature, high pressure methods, a boron feedstock may be elevated above its melting point in a nitrogen environment at an elevated pressure. Methods and apparatus for supporting the boron feedstock and subsequent boron melt are described that enhance BNNT synthesis. A target holder having a boron nitride interface layer thermally insulates the target holder from the boron melt. Using one or more lasers as a heat source, mirrors may be positioned to reflect and control the distribution of heat in the chamber. The flow of nitrogen gas in the chamber may be heated and controlled through heating elements and flow control baffles to enhance BNNT formation. Cooling systems and baffle elements may provide additional control of the BNNT production process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: BNNT, LLC
    Inventors: Michael W. Smith, Kevin C. Jordan, Jonathan C. Stevens, R. Roy Whitney
  • Publication number: 20170044016
    Abstract: Described herein are apparatus, systems, and methods for the continuous production of BNNT fibers, BNNT strands and BNNT initial yarns having few defects and good alignment. BNNTs may be formed by thermally exciting a boron feedstock in a chamber in the presence of pressurized nitrogen. BNNTs are encouraged to self-assemble into aligned BNNT fibers in a growth zone, and form BNNT strands and BNNT initial yarns, through various combinations of nitrogen gas flow direction and velocities, heat source distribution, temperature gradients, and chamber geometries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Applicant: BNNT, LLC
    Inventors: Michael W. SMITH, Jonathan C. STEVENS, Kevin C. JORDAN, R. Roy WHITNEY
  • Patent number: 9463433
    Abstract: A cryosorber panel having nanomaterials used for the cryosorption material, with nanomaterial either grown directly on the cryopanel or freestanding nanomaterials attached to the cryopanel mechanically without the use of adhesives. Such nanomaterial cryosorber materials can be used in place of conventional charcoals that are attached to cryosorber panels with special low outgassing, low temperature capable adhesives. Carbon nanotubes and other nanomaterials could serve the same purpose as conventional charcoal cryosorbers, providing a large surface area for cryosorption without the need for adhesive since the nanomaterials can be grown directly on a metallic substrate or mechanically attached. The nanomaterials would be capable of being fully baked by heating above 100° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignees: JEFFERSON SCIENCE ASSOCIATES, LLC, BNNT, LLC
    Inventors: Marcy Stutzman, Kevin Jordan, R. Roy Whitney
  • Publication number: 20160272496
    Abstract: Described herein are processes and apparatus for the large-scale synthesis of boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) by induction-coupled plasma (ICP). A boron-containing feedstock may be heated by ICP in the presence of nitrogen gas at an elevated pressure, to form vaporized boron. The vaporized boron may be cooled to form boron droplets, such as nanodroplets. Cooling may take place using a condenser, for example. BNNTs may then form downstream and can be harvested.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Applicant: BNNT, LLC
    Inventors: Michael W. SMITH, Jonathan C. STEVENS, Kevin C. JORDAN