Patents Assigned to Department of Energy
  • Patent number: 11885746
    Abstract: One or more embodiments relates to a method of growing ultrasmooth and high quantum efficiency CsTe photocathodes. The method includes exposing a substrate of Cs using an alkali source such as an effusion cell; and controlling co-evaporating growth and co-deposition forming a CsTe growth. The method further includes monitoring a stoichiometry of the CsTe growth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Dustin McIntyre, Daniel Hartzler
  • Patent number: 11850571
    Abstract: This disclosure provides polyamine sorbent compositions for the separation of metals from aqueous solutions. The polyamine sorbent compositions comprise a silica support, an aminosilane bound to the silica support, an epoxysilane bound to the silica support, and a polyamine where the polyamine is chemically tethered onto a solid silica support through via the epoxysilane. The polyamine may be further stabilized within the bulk sorbent through hydrogen bonding interactions with the aminosilane. The sorbent compositions resist leaching by H2O in an aqueous stream containing heavy oxyanion-based (and other) metals and demonstrate stability over a pH range of 2-14. The sorbent compositions are useful for the separation of metals from aqueous solutions. The cationic heavy metals are captured by the co-existing amine groups (—NH2, —NH, —N) from the polymeric network while additional metal capture capacity is derived from the introduction of a secondary silane linker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: McMahan L Gray, Brian W. Kail, Walter Christopher Wilfong, Qiuming Wang, Fan Shi
  • Patent number: 11839168
    Abstract: A system and method for storing information in a quantum computer using a quantum storage ring. The method comprises cooling ions in the quantum storage ring to a low temperature; and binding the ions into a lattice structure, forming an ion Coulomb crystal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: U.S. Department of Energy
    Inventors: Kevin Brown, Thomas Roser
  • Patent number: 11814700
    Abstract: One or more embodiments relates to a process for extracting Rare Earth Elements (REEs) from REE-bearing underclays, claystones, shales, coal-mining waste, and waste coal. In at least one embodiment the process includes contacting the REE-bearing underclays, claystones, shales, coal-mining waste, and waste coal with an Organic Acid Solution (OAS) comprising at least one organic acid and at least one ionic salt at a predetermined ambient temperature and predetermined pH; and separating the REE from the REE-bearing underclays, claystones, shales, coal-mining waste, and waste coal, forming REE+Yttrium (REY) concentrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Circe Verba, Mark L. McKoy, Thomas J. Tarka, Scott Montross, Jonathan Yang
  • Publication number: 20230296445
    Abstract: Disclosed is a stacked thick film device including a substrate, a first active element, a second active element, and an insulating dielectric layer separating the first active element and the second active element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2022
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Applicant: United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: Randall N. Odell
  • Patent number: 11738328
    Abstract: One or more embodiments relates to method for generating CHEFS having the steps of generating the CHEFS from a dope. One or more embodiments relates to a method for generating CHEFS having amine functional groups having the steps of generating a dope containing a BIAS with amine groups, at least one polymer, and at least one solvent; and forming CHEFS from the dope, wherein the generated CHEFS have no more than 30% amine loss compared to the BIAS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: McMahan L. Gray, Fan Shi, Shouliang Yi, Walter Chris Wilfong, Qiuming Wang
  • Patent number: 11726047
    Abstract: Materials, methods of making, and methods of sensing liquid droplets with high spatial resolution as a signature of the on-set of corrosion using a hierarchical sensor network A hierarchical sensor network for sensing liquid droplets with high spatial resolution as a signature of the on-set of corrosion, including an interrogation system; and an intermediate sensor array layer in communication with the interrogation system. The network includes an interrogation system and an intermediate sensor array layer in communication with the interrogation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Paul R Ohodnicki, Jr., Ping Lu, Ruishu Wright, Jagannath Devkota
  • Publication number: 20230251220
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for crack measurement, including the steps of placing a plurality of sense leads on a surface of an object, passing a current through the object, sensing a change in electric potential in the interior of the object, and forming a crack profile of the interior of the object based on the sensed change in electric potential.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Applicant: United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: Joshua T. Larimer
  • Patent number: 11721550
    Abstract: A method for depositing III-V alloys on substrates and compositions therefrom. A first layer comprises a Group III element. A second layer comprises a silica. A substrate has a surface. The second layer is deposited onto a first layer. The depositing is performed by a sol-gel method. The second layer is exposed to a precursor that comprises a Group V element. At least one of the precursor or the Group V element diffuse through the silica. The first layer is transformed into a solid layer comprising a III-V alloy, wherein at least a portion of the first layer to a liquid. The silica retains the liquified first layer, enabling at least one of the precursor or the Group V element to diffuse into the liquid, resulting in the forming of the III-V alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Emily Lowell Warren, Jeramy David Zimmerman, Olivia Dean Schneble
  • Patent number: 11723296
    Abstract: A system and method for storing information in a quantum computer using a quantum storage ring. The method comprises cooling ions in the quantum storage ring to a low temperature; and binding the ions into a lattice structure, forming an ion Coulomb crystal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: U.S. Department of Energy
    Inventors: Kevin Brown, Thomas Roser
  • Publication number: 20220403838
    Abstract: Disclosed is a flow device including an inlet, an outlet, and a plurality of fluid flow paths hydraulically connected in parallel to the inlet and the outlet, wherein the plurality of fluid flow paths forms a first ring of fluid flow paths circumferentially arranged at a first radial distance from a centerline of the fluid flow device a second ring of fluid flow patch circumferentially arranged at a second radial distance from the centerline of the fluid flow device, each of the plurality of fluid flow paths has a first hydraulic resistance in a forward flow direction and a second hydraulic resistance in a reverse flow direction, and the second hydraulic resistance is greater than the first hydraulic resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2021
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Applicant: United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: Brett W. Siebert
  • Patent number: 11525581
    Abstract: One or more embodiments relates to a portable, personal device for providing cooking and power and adapted for use with a burner, the device including a plurality of metal-supported solid oxide fuel cells (MS-SOFCs) coupled together; a microelectronic control circuit connected to at least the MS-SOFCs; a light source coupled to at least the microelectronic control circuit; and at least one USB port coupled to at least the microelectronic control circuit; whereby the device is able to simultaneously provide light and power a personal device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: U. S. Department of Energy
    Inventor: Michael C Tucker
  • Patent number: 11513100
    Abstract: A gas sensor (100,200) includes at least one sensor device including a surface acoustic wave (SAW) device (110) or a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) device (210), and a layer of metal organic framework (MOF) material (120,220) disposed on each of the at least one sensor device. The at least one sensor device is structured to sense a change in mass of the MOF material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignees: University of Pittsburgh-Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education, United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Christopher E. Wilmer, Jenna Gustafson, Paul R. Ohodnicki, Jagannath Devkota
  • Patent number: 11453051
    Abstract: One or more embodiments relates to a method of casting a creep-resistant Ni-based superalloy and a homogenization heat treatment for the alloy. The method includes forming a feed stock having Nickel (Ni) and at least one of Chromium (Cr), Cobalt (Co), Aluminum (Al), Titanium (Ti), Niobium (Nb), Iron (Fe), Carbon (C), Manganese (Mn), Molybdenum (Mo), Silicon (Si), Copper (Cu), Phosphorus (P), Sulfur (S) and Boron (B). The method further includes fabricating the creep-resistant Ni-based superalloy in a predetermined shape using the feed stock and at least one process such as vacuum induction melting (VIM), electroslag remelting (ESR) and/or vacuum arc remelting (VAR).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Paul D. Jablonski, Jeffrey Hawk, Martin Detrois
  • Patent number: 11451004
    Abstract: One or more embodiments relates to a method of growing ultrasmooth and high quantum efficiency CsTe photocathodes. The method includes exposing a substrate of Cs using an alkali source such as an effusion cell; and controlling co-evaporating growth and co-deposition forming a CsTe growth. The method further includes monitoring a stoichiometry of the CsTe growth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: U.S. Department of Energy
    Inventors: Dustin McIntyre, Daniel Hartzler
  • Patent number: 11444664
    Abstract: A system and methods for selective transmission and reception for stationary wireless networks. The system and method include an end user equipment, a primary base station, a core network, and a selective server. The end user equipment transmits a request for transmission to the primary base station receiver. The primary base station authenticates the end user equipment using a cellular network authentication process. The primary base station then searches for a time slot data for the end user equipment from the selective server and determines whether the time slot is open for transmission, steers a beam towards the end user equipment when time slot is open for transmission. The primary base station then enables transmission from the end user equipment, wherein the enabling is performed by the primary base station. The core network receives the transmission from the end user equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: U.S. Department of Energy
    Inventor: Arupjyoti Bhuyan
  • Patent number: 11408827
    Abstract: A method for evaluating the pH of an aqueous solution by utilizing the optical properties of a pH sensing material comprised of plurality of optically active nanoparticles dispersed in matrix material. The optically active nanoparticles have an electronic conductivity greater than about 10?1 S/cm and generally have an average nanoparticle diameter of less that about 500 nanometers, and the matrix material is a material which experiences a change in surface charge density over a pH range from 2.0 to 12.0 of at least 1%. The method comprises contacting the pH sensing material and the aqueous solution, illuminating the pH sensing material, and monitoring an optical signal generated through comparison of incident light and exiting light to determine the optical transmission, absorption, reflection, and/or scattering of the pH sensitive material. The optical signal of the pH sensitive material varies in response to the pH of the aqueous solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: U.S. Department of Energy
    Inventors: Paul R. Ohodnicki, Jr., Congjun Wang, Thomas D. Brown, Barbara Kutchko
  • Publication number: 20220154310
    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
  • Publication number: 20220135507
    Abstract: The invention relates to a two-way approach to isolate, recover and upgrade 2,3-Butanediol (2,3-BDO) from fermentation broth. A complete separation and recovery process for 2,3-BDO using acetalization and trans-acetalization sequence. Acetalization with butyraldehyde using heterogeneous catalysts, either Amberlyst-15® or Nafion NR50®, efficiently isolates 2,3-BDO as phase-separated protected dioxolane. The approach provides significant process advantages with easy product recovery and high recyclability of the catalyst. Trans-acetalization of dioxolane with methanol (methanolysis) followed by distillation of acetal, yielded very high purity 2,3-BDO with about 90% isolated yield. Alternatively, dioxolane is used in a process direct to methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) as a BDO synthon allowing for recovery of the aldehyde.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Applicant: U.S. Department of Energy
    Inventors: Cameron Moore, Trideep Rajale, Karthikeyan K. Ramasamy, Andrew Sutton
  • Patent number: 11268984
    Abstract: A system and method for forming a low cost optical sensor array. The sensor includes an optical fiber; a first nanocomposite thin film along at least a portion of the optical fiber for interrogating a first parameter through a correlated signal having a first wavelength; and a second nanocomposite thin film along at least a portion of the optical fiber for interrogating a second parameter through a correlated signal having a second wavelength different from the wavelength of the first parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Chenhu Sun, Ping Lu, Ruishu Wright, Paul R Ohodnicki