Patents Assigned to National Institute of Aerospace Associates
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Patent number: 7666939Abstract: Dispersions of carbon nanotubes exhibiting long term stability are based on a polymer matrix having moieties therein which are capable of a donor-acceptor complexation with carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotubes are introduced into the polymer matrix and separated therein by standard means. Nanocomposites produced from these dispersions are useful in the fabrication of structures, e.g., lightweight aerospace structures.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2006Date of Patent: February 23, 2010Assignees: National Institute of Aerospace Associates, The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of NASAInventors: Kristopher Eric Wise, Cheol Park, Emilie J. Siochi, Joycelyn S. Harrison, Peter T. Lillehei, Sharon E. Lowther
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Publication number: 20090203196Abstract: Metal and semiconductor nanoshells, particularly transition metal nanoshells, are fabricated using dendrimer molecules. Metallic colloids, metallic ions or semiconductors are attached to amine groups on the dendrimer surface in stabilized solution for the surface seeding method and the surface seedless method, respectively. Subsequently, the process is repeated with additional metallic ions or semiconductor, a stabilizer, and NaBH4 to increase the wall thickness of the metallic or semiconductor lining on the dendrimer surface. Metallic or semiconductor ions are automatically reduced on the metallic or semiconductor nanoparticles causing the formation of hollow metallic or semiconductor nanoparticles. The void size of the formed hollow nanoparticles depends on the dendrimer generation. The thickness of the metallic or semiconductor thin film around the dendrimer depends on the repetition times and the size of initial metallic or semiconductor seeds.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2008Publication date: August 13, 2009Applicants: National Institute of Aerospace Associates, USA as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Jae-Woo KIM, Sang H. CHOI, SR., Peter T. LILLEHEI, Sang-Hyon CHU, Yeonjoon PARK, Glen C. KING, James R. ELLIOTT, JR.
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Publication number: 20090185942Abstract: A novel method to prepare an advanced thermoelectric material has hierarchical structures embedded with nanometer-sized voids which are key to enhancement of the thermoelectric performance. Solution-based thin film deposition technique enables preparation of stable film of thermoelectric material and void generator (voigen). A subsequent thermal process creates hierarchical nanovoid structure inside the thermoelectric material. Potential application areas of this advanced thermoelectric material with nanovoid structure are commercial applications (electronics cooling), medical and scientific applications (biological analysis device, medical imaging systems), telecommunications, and defense and military applications (night vision equipments).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2008Publication date: July 23, 2009Applicants: National Institute of Aerospace Associates, Space AdminstrationInventors: Sang Hyouk Choi, SR., Yeonjoon Park, Sang-Hyon Chu, James R. Elliott, Glen C. King, Jae-Woo Kim, Peter T. Lillehei, Diane M. Stoakley
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Publication number: 20090117021Abstract: Boron nitride nanotubes are prepared by a process which includes: (a) creating a source of boron vapor; (b) mixing the boron vapor with nitrogen gas so that a mixture of boron vapor and nitrogen gas is present at a nucleation site, which is a surface, the nitrogen gas being provided at a pressure elevated above atmospheric, e.g., from greater than about 2 atmospheres up to about 250 atmospheres; and (c) harvesting boron nitride nanotubes, which are formed at the nucleation site.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2008Publication date: May 7, 2009Applicants: National Institute of Aerospace Associates, USA as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Jefferson Science Associates, LLCInventors: Michael W. Smith, Kevin Jordan, Cheol Park
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Patent number: 7510802Abstract: A thin-film electrode for a bio-nanobattery is produced by consecutively depositing arrays of a ferritin protein on a substrate, employing a spin self-assembly procedure. By this procedure, a first ferritin layer is first formed on the substrate, followed by building a second, oppositely-charged ferritin layer on the top of the first ferritin layer to form a bilayer structure. Oppositely-charged ferritin layers are subsequently deposited on top of each other until a desired number of bilayer structures is produced. An ordered, uniform, stable and robust, thin-film electrode material of enhanced packing density is presented, which provides optimal charge density for the bio-nanobattery.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2006Date of Patent: March 31, 2009Assignees: National Institute of Aerospace Associates, The United States of America as represented by the Administration of NASAInventors: Sang-Hyon Chu, Sang H. Choi, Jae-Woo Kim, Peter T. Lillehei, Yeonjoon Park, Glen C. King, James R. Elliott, Jr.
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Publication number: 20080275172Abstract: Stable dispersions of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in polymeric matrices include CNTs dispersed in a host polymer or copolymer whose monomers have delocalized electron orbitals, so that a dispersion interaction results between the host polymer or copolymer and the CNTs dispersed therein. Nanocomposite products, which are presented in bulk, or when fabricated as a film, fiber, foam, coating, adhesive, paste, or molding, are prepared by standard means from the present stable dispersions of CNTs in polymeric matrices, employing dispersion interactions, as presented hereinabove.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2006Publication date: November 6, 2008Applicant: National Institute of Aerospace AssociatesInventors: Kristopher Eric Wise, Cheol Park, Jin Ho Kang, Emilie J. Siochi, Joycelyn S. Harrison
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Patent number: 7446459Abstract: A hybrid piezoelectric energy harvesting transducer system includes: (a) first and second symmetric, pre-curved piezoelectric elements mounted separately on a frame so that their concave major surfaces are positioned opposite to each other; and (b) a linear piezoelectric element mounted separately on the frame and positioned between the pre-curved piezoelectric elements. The pre-curved piezoelectric elements and the linear piezoelectric element are spaced from one another and communicate with energy harvesting circuitry having contact points on the frame. The hybrid piezoelectric energy harvesting transducer system has a higher electromechanical energy conversion efficiency than any known piezoelectric transducer.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2006Date of Patent: November 4, 2008Assignees: National Institute of Aerospace Associates, The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of NASAInventors: Tian-Bing Xu, Xiaoning Jiang, Ji Su, Paul W. Rehrig, Wesley S. Hackenberger
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Publication number: 20080238260Abstract: A hybrid piezoelectric energy harvesting transducer system includes: (a) first and second symmetric, pre-curved piezoelectric elements mounted separately on a frame so that their concave major surfaces are positioned opposite to each other; and (b) a linear piezoelectric element mounted separately on the frame and positioned between the pre-curved piezoelectric elements. The pre-curved piezoelectric elements and the linear piezoelectric element are spaced from one another and communicate with energy harvesting circuitry having contact points on the frame. The hybrid piezoelectric energy harvesting transducer system has a higher electromechanical energy conversion efficiency than any known piezoelectric transducer.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2006Publication date: October 2, 2008Applicants: National Institute of Aerospace AssociatesInventors: Tian-Bing Xu, Xiaoning Jiang, Ji Su, Paul W. Rehrig, Wesley S. Hackenberger
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Publication number: 20080014621Abstract: Metal nanoshells are fabricated by admixing an aqueous solution of metal ions with an aqueous solution of apoferritin protein molecules, followed by admixing an aqueous solution containing an excess of an oxidizing agent for the metal ions. The apoferritin molecules serve as bio-templates for the formation of metal nanoshells, which form on and are bonded to the inside walls of the hollow cores of the individual apoferritin molecules. Control of the number of metal atoms which enter the hollow core of each individual apoferritin molecule provides a hollow metal nonparticle, or nanoshell, instead of a solid spherical metal nanoparticle.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2007Publication date: January 17, 2008Applicant: National Institute of Aerospace AssociatesInventors: Jae-Woo Kim, Sang H. Choi, Peter T. Lillehei, Sang-Hyon Chu, Yeonjoon Park, Glen C. King, James R. Elliott
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Publication number: 20070292699Abstract: A process for depositing nanometer-sized metal particles onto a substrate in the absence of aqueous solvents, organic solvents, and reducing agents, and without any required pretreatment of the substrate, includes preparing an admixture of a metal compound and a substrate by dry mixing a chosen amount of the metal compound with a chosen amount of the substrate; and supplying energy to the admixture in an amount sufficient to deposit zero valance metal particles onto the substrate. This process gives rise to a number of deposited metallic particle sizes which may be controlled. The compositions prepared by this process are used to produce polymer composites by combining them with readily available commodity and engineering plastics. The polymer composites are used as coatings, or they are used to fabricate articles, such as free-standing films, fibers, fabrics, foams, molded and laminated articles, tubes, adhesives, and fiber reinforced articles.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2007Publication date: December 20, 2007Applicants: National Institute of Aerospace Associates, U.S.A. as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Kent Watson, Michael Fallbach, Sayata Ghose, Joseph Smith, Donavon Delozier, John Connell
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Publication number: 20070134552Abstract: A thin-film electrode for a bio-nanobattery is produced by consecutively depositing arrays of a ferritin protein on a substrate, employing a spin self-assembly procedure. By this procedure, a first ferritin layer is first formed on the substrate, followed by building a second, oppositely-charged ferritin layer on the top of the first ferritin layer to form a bilayer structure. Oppositely-charged ferritin layers are subsequently deposited on top of each other until a desired number of bilayer structures is produced. An ordered, uniform, stable and robust, thin-film electrode material of enhanced packing density is presented, which provides optimal charge density for the bio-nanobattery.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2006Publication date: June 14, 2007Applicants: National Institute of Aerospace Associates, Space AdministrationInventors: Sang-Hyon Chu, Sang Choi, Jae-Woo Kim, Peter Lillehei, Yeonjoon Park, Glen King, James Elliott