Patents Assigned to U.S. Department of Energy
  • Patent number: 12270776
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: U.S. Department of Energy
    Inventor: Joshua T. Larimer
  • Patent number: 12180562
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a system to separate salt from uranium. The system has a vessel, a heater, a pump, and a condenser. The vessel is adapted to receive a uranium that has a salt concentration. The heater heats the uranium for a period of time, causing the salt to turn into a salt vapor and the uranium to melt. The melted uranium releases the salt vapor. The pump circulates an inert gas that carries the salt vapor away from the melted uranium. The condenser is adapted to receive the salt vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: U.S. Department of Energy
    Inventors: Mark A. Williamson, James L. Willit, Stanley G. Wiedmeyer, Terry R. Johnson, Javier Figueroa, Terry Alan Cruse
  • Patent number: 12122967
    Abstract: Materials, methods to prepare, and methods of use for producing an H2 rich synthesis gas stream from coal free of nitrogen is described. One embodiment of the method comprises. The method includes an oxygen carrier at least partially reduced using a fuel in a reactor forming a reduced metal oxide comprised of first series—3d block-transition metals or mixture thereof. The reduced metal oxide is reacted with the solid fuel/steam to produce H2 and CO2/CO in the reactor; and the reduced metal oxide is added separately or simultaneously with a solid fuel while not impregnating the solid fuel with the reduced metal oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: U.S. Department of Energy
    Inventor: Ranjani Siriwardane
  • Patent number: 12087489
    Abstract: Various examples are provided related to transformer designs that offer very high isolation while maintaining high coupling between the windings. In one example, an isolation transformer includes a first excitation coil wound around a first core and a second excitation coil wound about a second core. The second core is electrically separated from the first core by a high resistivity magnetic material or a non-conductive material. The first and second cores can include corresponding core segments arranged in a trident geometry or a quindent geometry. The core segments can align when the first excitation coil is inserted into a void of the second excitation coil. The isolation transformer designs are mechanically separable which can result in safe, energized, plug operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignees: NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
    Inventors: Richard Byron Beddingfield, Subhashish Bhattacharya, Tsz Sing Wong, Paul Ohodnicki
  • Patent number: 12087828
    Abstract: A method for preparing a covetic, nanocarbon-infused, metal composite material is described is herein. The method comprises heating a stirring molten mixture of a metal (e.g., Cu, Al, Ag, Au, Fe, Ni, Pt, Sn, Pb, Zn, Si, and the like) and carbon (e.g., graphite) at a temperature sufficient to maintain the mixture in the molten state in a reactor vessel, while passing an electric current through the molten mixture via at least two spaced electrodes submerged or partially submerged in the molten metal. Each of the electrodes has an electrical conductivity that is at least about 50 percent of the electrical conductivity of the molten mixture at the temperature of the molten mixture. Preferably, the conductivity of the electrodes is equal to or greater than the conductivity of the molten mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignees: UChicago Argonne, LLC, U.S. Department of Energy
    Inventors: Uthamalingam Balachandran, Stephen E. Dorris, Beihai Ma, Tae H. Lee, David R. Forrest, Christopher Klingshirn
  • Patent number: 12033846
    Abstract: One or more embodiments relates to a system and method for growing ultrasmooth and high quantum efficiency photocathodes. The method includes exposing a substrate of Si wafer to an alkali source; controlling co-evaporating growth and co-deposition forming a growth including Te; and monitoring a stoichiometry of the growth, forming the photocathodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: U.S. Department of Energy
    Inventors: Mengjia Gaowei, John Smedley, John Walsh, Jiajie Cen, John Jay Sinsheimer
  • Patent number: 11898960
    Abstract: A method for rapid detection of actinides including the steps of having a support including a colorimetric complexation, placing the support in communication with a sample through urinalysis, and receiving a visual indicator from the colorimetric complexation. The sample having an unknown concentration of at least one actinide within it. The colorimetric complexation is configured to activate when contacted by a threshold concentration of an actinide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: U.S. Department of Energy
    Inventors: Catherine Riddle, Rick L. Demmer
  • 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: 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
  • 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: 11478570
    Abstract: The invention provides medical devices comprising high-strength alloys which degrade over time in the body of a human or animal, at controlled degradation rates, without generating emboli and which have enhanced degradation due to the presence of a halogen component. In one embodiment the alloy is formed into a bone fixation device such as an anchor, screw, plate, support or rod. In another embodiment the alloy is formed into a tissue fastening device such as staple. In yet another embodiment, the alloy is formed into a dental implant or a stent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignees: Bio DG, Inc., U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
    Inventors: Herbert Radisch, Paul Jablonski
  • 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
  • Patent number: 11371887
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for filtering coherent infrared light from a thermal background for protection of infrared (IR) imaging arrays and detection systems. A Michelson interferometer is used for coherent light filtering. In an implementation, a system includes a fixed mirror, a beam splitter, and a moving mirror which can be controlled translationally, as well as tip/tilt. The Michelson interferometer may be used as an imaging system. For imaging applications, a system may comprise a tunable array of micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) mirrors. A mid-wave IR interferometer with electronic feedback and MEMS mirror array is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignees: BOARD OF REGENTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
    Inventors: Daniel Wasserman, Eric A. Shaner
  • 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: 11236953
    Abstract: An inverted heat exchanger device includes an exterior conduit elongated and extending around a center axis between a first end and second end. The exterior conduit including a body having an exterior surface, an interior surface, a center core elongated along the center axis, and plural walls extending between the center core and the interior surface. A first conduit is disposed inside the exterior conduit that includes an inlet, plural core passages, an outlet, and internal manifolds. A first fluid is configured to flow along the first conduit. A second conduit is also disposed inside the exterior conduit. The second conduit includes an inlet, plural core passages, an outlet, and internal manifolds. A second fluid is configured to flow along the second conduit. The plural walls are configured to define the first conduit and the second conduit within the body of the exterior conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignees: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
    Inventors: Hendrik Pieter Jacobus de Bock, William Dwight Gerstler, Daniel J. Erno, John C. Glessner, Neil R. Garrigan, Jeffrey Rambo
  • Patent number: 11222741
    Abstract: A magnetic undulator shim having three interconnected sections arranged one after the other in a direction substantially parallel to the beam axis. The first section is adapted to magnetically engage a magnet having a horizontal surface and configured to extend partially onto the horizontal surface of the magnet. The magnet is adjacent to a pole and the magnet and the pole form a boundary. The second third sections are interconnected to form a shape. The shape corresponds to the boundary. The third section is adapted to magnetically engage a surface of the pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: U.S. Department of Energy
    Inventors: Joseph Z. Xu, Isaac Vasserman
  • Patent number: 11207662
    Abstract: One or more embodiments relates to a method of catalytically converting a reactant gas mixture for pollution abatement of products of hydrocarbon fuel combustion. The method provides substituted mixed-metal oxides where catalytically active metals are substituted within the crystal lattice to create an active and well dispersed metal catalyst available to convert the reactant gas mixture. Embodiments may be used with gasoline and diesel fueled internal combustion engine exhaust, although specific embodiments may differ somewhat for each.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: U.S. Department of Energy
    Inventors: David A. Berry, Dushyant Shekhawat, Daniel J. Haynes, Mark W. Smith
  • Patent number: 11185811
    Abstract: The invention provides a system for removing target moieties from gas streams, the system comprising a supersonic expander coaxially positioned within an array of oblique shock inducers. Also provided is a method for removing target moieties from gas streams, the method comprising simultaneously subjecting the streams to supersonic expansion and oblique shock compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: U.S. Department of Energy
    Inventors: John G. VanOsdol, Danylo B. Oryshchyn