Abstract: The disclosure concerns methods for making a composition comprising a light metal and an intermetallic comprising the light metal and a light rare earth element. The composition also may include a plurality of nanoparticles comprising an oxide of the light metal. The method includes directly reducing a light rare earth element precursor compound in a melt of the light metal, thereby forming the light rare earth element and nanoparticles of the light metal oxide.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 4, 2020
Date of Patent:
June 21, 2022
Assignees:
UT-Battelle, LLC, University of Tennessee Research Foundation, Eck Industries Incorporated, Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc., Colorado School of Mines, Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
Inventors:
Orlando Rios, Hunter B. Henderson, Michael S. Kesler, Bruce A. Moyer, Zachary Sims, David Weiss, Ryan Ott, Corby Anderson, Hao Cui, Scott McCall
Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses are provided herein that track an integrated deviation of a physical property of a material that corresponds to a variation or defect in the material. In one embodiment, molten steel begins to solidify and move past an instrumented region of a mold. Sensors in the mold can detect a deviation in temperature of the instrumented region of the mold that signifies a variation or defect in the surface of the slab material as it solidifies. The systems, methods, and apparatuses track the integrated temperature deviation to more clearly visualize defects that may otherwise not be detectable by simply observing the temperatures of the mold and slab material in real time.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 28, 2020
Date of Patent:
June 14, 2022
Assignee:
Colorado School of Mines
Inventors:
Matthew L. S. Zappulla, Brian G. Thomas
Abstract: A multi-material component joined by a high entropy alloy is provided, as well as methods of making a multi-material component by joining materials with high entropy alloys to reduce or eliminate liquid metal embrittlement (LME) cracks.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 7, 2020
Date of Patent:
May 24, 2022
Assignees:
HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES
Inventors:
Jianxun Hu, Eric Walker, Zhenzhen Yu, Abdelrahman Abdelmotagaly, Benjamin Schneiderman
Abstract: A novel method of producing concentrated streams or otherwise useful hypersaline brines from a source of non-potable or otherwise impaired water is provided. The method comprises feeding the source water into the feed side of a membrane distillation unit while simultaneously feeding a distillate stream through the receiving side of the distillation unit. The feed and receiving sides are separated by a hydrophobic, microporous membrane that allows water vapor to flux through the membrane to the receiving side. As the membrane becomes clogged with particulates, the unit can be subjected to stream flow reversal and/or temperature gradient reversal in order to remove those particulates and restore previous vapor flux levels, after which previous operations can be resumed.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 29, 2016
Date of Patent:
May 24, 2022
Assignees:
Compass Minerals Ogden Inc., Colorado School of Mines
Inventors:
Kerri L. Hickenbottom, Tzahi Cath, Daniel K. Pannell, Jerry Poe, Corey R. Milne
Abstract: The present disclosure provides stable elastocaloric cooling materials and methods for producing and using the same. Elastocaloric cooling materials of the present disclosure are capable of withstanding 106 cycles. In some embodiments, elastocaloric cooling materials of the present disclosure comprise a mixture of a transforming alloy and a non-transforming intermetallic phase at a ratio of from about 30-70% transforming alloy to about 70%-30% of non-transforming intermetallic phase.
Type:
Application
Filed:
November 15, 2021
Publication date:
May 19, 2022
Applicants:
University of Maryland, College Park, Iowa State University Research Foundation, Colorado School of Mines, The Government of the United States as Represented by the Secretary, Department of Energy, Ames Labo
Inventors:
Ichiro TAKEUCHI, Jun CUI, Huilong HOU, Valery I. LEVITAS, Ryan T. OTT, Aaron P. STEBNER
Abstract: A multi-material component joined by a high entropy alloy is provided, as well as methods of making a multi-material component by joining materials with high entropy alloys to reduce or eliminate liquid metal embrittlement (LME) cracks.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 13, 2020
Date of Patent:
May 3, 2022
Assignees:
HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES
Inventors:
Jianxun Hu, Eric Walker, Zhenzhen Yu, Abdelrahman Abdelmotagaly, Benjamin Schneiderman
Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for exfoliation of single crystals allowing for growth of high crystalline quality on the exfoliated surfaces for III-V photovoltaics. Also disclosed herein are methods for growing GaAs (111) on layered-2D Bi2Se3 (0001) substrates in an MOCVD reactor.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 26, 2020
Date of Patent:
April 12, 2022
Assignees:
Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC, Colorado School of Mines
Inventors:
Andrew Gordon Norman, Celeste Louise Melamed, Eric Steven Toberer, William Edwin McMahon
Abstract: Aqueous nanosuspensions of cannabidiol (CBD) having improved stability, shelf life, and/or CBD content are provided, as are methods of making such nanosuspensions. The nanosuspensions include ethyl maltol as an emulsifying agent and may be manufactured by either a melt emulsification process or a solvent evaporation process. The nanosuspensions may also have an improved taste and are thus suitable for use as, e.g., beverage additives.
Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a composition that includes a core in the shape of a particle having a characteristic length between about one micron and about one millimeter, an active material that includes a noble metal deposited on a surface of the core, and a coating that includes a first metal-oxide, where the active material is positioned between the core and the coating, the active material has a diameter between about one nanometer and about 20 nanometers, and the coating has a thickness between greater than zero nanometers and about 20 nanometers.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 8, 2019
Date of Patent:
November 9, 2021
Assignees:
Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC, Colorado School of Mines
Inventors:
Derek Richard Vardon, Steven T. Christensen, Katherine E. Hurst, Amy Elizabeth Maurer, Michael Brandon Griffin
Abstract: Disclosed herein is a treated ore solid comprising a reduced amount of a contaminant, for example arsenic, compared to the ore solid prior to treatment. Also disclosed are temperature and pressure modifications, parameters, and methods for treating an ore solid by pressure oxidation leaching of enargite concentrates. The disclosed methods and processes may be applied to copper sulfide orebodies and concentrates containing arsenic. In some cases, the disclosed methods and systems extract, remove, or reduce contaminants, for example arsenic, from an ore containing solution at moderately increased temperature, pressure, and oxygen concentration, and in the presence of an acid.
Abstract: A hybrid stationary power generator is provided. The system is fueled from natural gas and based on SOFCs and high efficiency, internal combustion (IC) engine technologies is conceived to generate electric power at 100-kW scale with an efficiency of 71% and a capital cost of <900 $/kW. This novel system integrates a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stack with a high efficiency stationary engine and balance-of-plant (BOP) equipment to create a hybrid power system.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 26, 2018
Date of Patent:
October 12, 2021
Assignees:
Colorado School of Mines, Colorado State University Research Foundaton
Inventors:
Robert Braun, Todd Bandhauer, Daniel Olsen, Bret Windom
Abstract: A catalytic membrane reactor and methods of operating and producing the same are provided that efficiently produces highly pure hydrogen (H2) from ammonia (NH3) as well as operates according to other chemical conversion processes. In one embodiment, a tubular ceramic support made from porous yttria-stabilized zirconia has an outer surface that is impregnated with a metal catalyst such as ruthenium and then plated with a hydrogen permeable membrane such as palladium. An inner surface of the ceramic support is impregnated with cesium to promote conversion of ammonia to hydrogen and nitrogen (N2). The resulting catalytic membrane reactor produces highly pure hydrogen at low temperatures and with less catalytic loading. Therefore, ammonia can be used to effectively transport hydrogen for use in, for example, fuel cells in a vehicle.
Abstract: The present invention relates to a high performance cross-linked triblock cationic functionalized polymer for electrochemical applications, and methods of making and using the same. The invention also relates to a tunable hydrogenated polymer, that can be functionalized with a particular cation for a particular application, and the method of making the hydrogenated polymer and tuning the hydrogenated polymer for the application.
Type:
Application
Filed:
November 12, 2020
Publication date:
June 10, 2021
Applicants:
COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES, University of Massachusetts
Inventors:
Andrew M. Herring, Mei-Chen Kuo, E. Bryan Coughlin, Nora Buggy, Yifeng Du
Abstract: An example ferroelastic ceramic composition includes at least one compound having a relative chemical formula of AXBYC(1-X-Y)D. Element A, element B, and element C are independently selected from different members of the group consisting of yttrium, lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, promethium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, and lutetium. Element D is selected from the group consisting of phosphate, niobate, and tungstate. X and Y are each equal to or greater than zero and less than one. X and Y are collective less than one.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 30, 2018
Date of Patent:
June 8, 2021
Assignee:
Colorado School of Mines
Inventors:
Taylor M. Wilkinson, Matt Musselman, Corinne E. Packard
Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to systems and methods of removing liquids from hydrocarbon wells with liquid loading problems. More specifically, the present invention provides an intermittent gas lift system to remove stagnant liquid from hydrocarbon wells. The system includes a gas inlet port for gas to be injected into the well at a relatively low volume. The injected gas travels to a distal end of a lift tube inserted within a production tubing and then lifts or carries liquid up the lift tube to the surface.
Abstract: The invention relates to a method of making fluoropolymers without excessive degradation of the polymer backbone. The invention also relates to the fluoropolymers made by this method, and method of using the fluoropolymers.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 27, 2018
Date of Patent:
March 30, 2021
Assignee:
COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES
Inventors:
Andrew M. Herring, Mei-Chen Kuo, Andrew R. Motz
Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are generally related to a method and apparatus for subterranean wellbores and in particular, to a method and apparatus for rotating a subsurface tubular string, such as a casing section, without rotation at the surface. More specifically, a casing section of a wellbore may be rotated to provide a cement seal with increased strength and reliability. In one embodiment, a downhole tool and rotation assembly is disclosed which imparts a torsional force to a predetermined casing section when a fluid is flowed through the downhole tool and rotation assembly.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 13, 2019
Date of Patent:
March 30, 2021
Assignee:
COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES
Inventors:
William W. Fleckenstein, Alfred W. Eustes, III
Abstract: A braze alloy for joining or repairing ceramic matrix composite (CMC) components comprises a braze composition including silicon at a concentration from about 48 at. % to about 66 at. %, titanium at a concentration from about 1 at. % to about 35 at. %, and an additional element selected from aluminum, cobalt, vanadium, nickel, and chromium. The braze composition comprises a melting temperature of less than 1300° C.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 12, 2018
Date of Patent:
March 16, 2021
Assignees:
ROLLS-ROYCE CORPORATION, TRUSTEES OF THE COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES
Inventors:
Scott Nelson, Raymond Xu, Sean Landwehr, Juan Wei, Stephen Liu, Juan Carlos Madeni
Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are generally related to a method and apparatus for performing operations in subterranean wellbores. More specifically, the present disclosure provides a novel downhole tractor for use in a wellbore. The tractor includes a body and a plurality of wheels. The wheels are configured to convert rotation of the body into linear motion along the wellbore. In one embodiment, the tractor is hydraulically driven. Additionally, or alternatively, the tractor may be electrically driven. Optionally, rotation of a string of pipe interconnected to the tractor drives the tractor.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 10, 2019
Date of Patent:
February 23, 2021
Assignee:
COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES
Inventors:
William W. Fleckenstein, Christopher Nordin Campbell, Sean H. Bell, Trevor Carson Antrim, Christian R. Peterson, Trevor Justin Thompson, Frederico Miguel Rosendo, Tyler Mattson
Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for in situ biomimetic mineralization of polymeric hydrogels, where the incorporated CaP phase can be selectively tuned in chemical composition and morphology to mimic bone and dental mineral. The present invention also relates to a method to coat a substrate with apatite material, the resulting product and the use of the product.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 15, 2017
Date of Patent:
February 23, 2021
Assignee:
Colorado School of Mines
Inventors:
Jacqueline L. Harding, Melissa D. Krebs