Patents Assigned to Nanoptek Corporation
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Patent number: 11739432Abstract: A radiation-assisted (typically solar-assisted) electrolyzer cell and panel for high-efficiency hydrogen production comprises a photoelectrode and electrode pair, with said photoelectrode comprising either a photoanode electrically coupled to a cathode shared with an anode, or a photocathode electrically coupled to an anode shared with a cathode; electrolyte; gas separators; all within a container divided into two chambers by said shared cathode or shared anode, and at least a portion of which is transparent to the electromagnetic radiation required by said photoanode (or photocathode) to apply photovoltage to a shared cathode (or anode) that increases the electrolysis current and hydrogen production.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2020Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: Nanoptek CorporationInventor: John M. Guerra
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Patent number: 10916674Abstract: Titania is a semiconductor and photocatalyst that is also chemically inert. With its bandgap of 3.2 and greater, to activate the photocatalytic property of titania requires light of about 390 nm wavelength, which is in the ultra-violet, where sunlight is very low in intensity. A method and devices are disclosed wherein stress is induced and managed in a thin film of titania in order to shift and lower the bandgap energy into the longer wavelengths that are more abundant in sunlight. Applications of this stress-induced bandgap-shifted titania photocatalytic surface include photoelectrolysis for production of hydrogen gas from water, photovoltaics for production of electricity, and photocatalysis for detoxification and disinfection.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2015Date of Patent: February 9, 2021Assignee: NANOPTEK CORPORATIONInventor: John Michael Guerra
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Patent number: 9278337Abstract: Titania having high visible light photocatalytic activity is prepared by (a) mixing titania with carbon powder; (b) heating the titania/carbon powder mixture to at least about 1000° C. in an inert or weakly reactive atmosphere; and (c) thereafter heating the resultant powder mixture to a temperature in the range of about 350 to about 1000° C. in an oxidizing atmosphere. The resultant titania may be used for detoxifying or disinfecting liquids for gases, for generating hydrogen from aqueous media and in sunscreens and sunglasses.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2011Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: Nanoptek CorporationInventor: Lukas M. Thulin
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Publication number: 20140090975Abstract: Titania is a semiconductor and photocatalyst that is also chemically inert. With its bandgap of 3.0, to activate the photocatalytic property of titania requires light of about 390 nm wavelength, which is in the ultra-violet, where sunlight is very low in intensity. A method and devices are disclosed wherein stress is induced and managed in a thin film of titania in order to shift and lower the bandgap energy into the longer wavelengths that are more abundant in sunlight. Applications of this stress-induced bandgap-shifted titania photocatalytic surface include photoelectrolysis for production of hydrogen gas from water, photovoltaics for production of electricity, and photocatalysis for detoxification and disinfection.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2012Publication date: April 3, 2014Applicant: NANOPTEK CORPORATIONInventor: NANOPTEK CORPORATION
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Patent number: 8673399Abstract: Titania is a semiconductor and photocatalyst that is also chemically inert. With its bandgap of 3.2 and greater, to activate the photocatalytic property of titania requires light of about 390 nm wavelength, which is in the ultra-violet, where sunlight is very low in intensity. A method and devices are disclosed wherein stress is induced and managed in a thin film of titania in order to shift and lower the bandgap energy into the longer wavelengths that are more abundant in sunlight. Applications of this stress-induced bandgap-shifted titania photocatalytic surface include photoelectrolysis for production of hydrogen gas from water, photovoltaics for production of electricity, and photocatalysis for detoxification and disinfection.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2008Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Nanoptek CorporationInventors: John M. Guerra, Lukas M. Thulin, Amol N. Chandekar
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Publication number: 20120292177Abstract: Titania having high visible light photocatalytic activity is prepared by (a) mixing titania with carbon powder; (b) heating the titania/carbon powder mixture to at least about 1000° C. in an inert or weakly reactive atmosphere; and (c) thereafter heating the resultant powder mixture to a temperature in the range of about 350 to about 1000° C. in an oxidizing atmosphere. The resultant titania may be used for detoxifying or disinfecting liquids for gases, for generating hydrogen from aqueous media and in sunscreens and sunglasses.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2011Publication date: November 22, 2012Applicant: NANOPTEK CORPORATIONInventor: Lukas M. Thulin
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Patent number: 7992528Abstract: Titania is a semiconductor and photocatalyst that is also chemically inert. With its bandgap of 3.0, to activate the photocatalytic property of titania requires light of about 390 nm wavelength, which is in the ultra-violet, where sunlight is very low in intensity. A method and devices are disclosed wherein stress is induced and managed in a thin film of titania in order to shift and lower the bandgap energy into the longer wavelengths that are more abundant in sunlight. Applications of this stress-induced bandgap-shifted titania photocatalytic surface include photoelectrolysis for production of hydrogen gas from water, photovoltaics for production of electricity, and photocatalysis for detoxification and disinfection.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2009Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: Nanoptek CorporationInventor: John M. Guerra
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Patent number: 7995871Abstract: Titania is a semiconductor and photocatalyst that is also chemically inert. With its bandgap of 3.0, to activate the photocatalytic property of titania requires light of about 390 nm wavelength, which is in the ultra-violet, where sunlight is very low in intensity. A method and devices are disclosed wherein stress is induced and managed in a thin film of titania in order to shift and lower the bandgap energy into the longer wavelengths that are more abundant in sunlight. Applications of this stress-induced bandgap-shifted titania photocatalytic surface include photoelectrolysis for production of hydrogen gas from water, photovoltaics for production of electricity, and photocatalysis for detoxification and disinfection.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2009Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: Nanoptek CorporationInventor: John M. Guerra
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Publication number: 20080299697Abstract: Titania is a semiconductor and photocatalyst that is also chemically inert. With its bandgap of 3.2 and greater, to activate the photocatalytic property of titania requires light of about 390 nm wavelength, which is in the ultra-violet, where sunlight is very low in intensity. A method and devices are disclosed wherein stress is induced and managed in a thin film of titania in order to shift and lower the bandgap energy into the longer wavelengths that are more abundant in sunlight. Applications of this stress-induced bandgap-shifted titania photocatalytic surface include photoelectrolysis for production of hydrogen gas from water, photovoltaics for production of electricity, and photocatalysis for detoxification and disinfection.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2008Publication date: December 4, 2008Applicant: NANOPTEK CORPORATIONInventors: John M. Guerra, Lukas M. Thulin
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Publication number: 20080283121Abstract: Apparatus for generating electricity and for carrying out photo-induced reactions comprises: a primary reflector (610) or other optic which concentrates radiation to a primary focus; a secondary reflector at the primary focus to direct radiation to a secondary focus; a photovoltaic device (602) to convert radiation to electricity; and a photo-reactor (116) having a photoactive electrode, one of the photovoltaic device (602) and the photoactive electrode (116) lies at the primary focus, and the other at the secondary focus. Electric potential generated by the photovoltaic device (602) may be used to provide a bias or over-voltage between the photoactive electrode and a counter electrode. The apparatus may be used to photolyze water or to carry out other photochemical reactions.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2008Publication date: November 20, 2008Applicant: NANOPTEK CORPORATIONInventor: John M. Guerra