Patents Assigned to Utility Global, Inc.
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Patent number: 11453618Abstract: Herein discussed is a method of sintering a ceramic comprising (a) providing an electromagnetic radiation (EMR) source; (b) (i) providing a layer of intermixed ceramic particles and absorber particles, wherein the absorber particles have a volume fraction in the intermixed particles in the range of no less than 3%; or (ii) providing a first layer comprising ceramic particles and a second layer comprising absorber particles in contact with at least a portion of the first layer, wherein the second layer is farther from the EMR source than the first layer; (c) heating (i) the layer of intermixed particles or (ii) the first layer using EMR; and (d) controlling the EMR such that at least a portion of the ceramic particles are sintered wherein (i) the layer of intermixed particles becomes impermeable or (ii) the first layer becomes impermeable, wherein the absorber particles have greater EMR absorption than the ceramic particles.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2020Date of Patent: September 27, 2022Assignee: Utility Global, Inc.Inventors: Matthew Dawson, Nicholas Farandos, Jin Dawson
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Publication number: 20210121978Abstract: Herein discussed is a method of heating a material having a surface comprising exposing the surface to an electromagnetic radiation source emitting a first wavelength spectrum; receiving a second wavelength spectrum from the surface using a detector at a sampling frequency; wherein the first wavelength spectrum and the second wavelength spectrum have no greater than 10% of overlap, wherein the overlap is the integral of intensity with respect to wavelength. In an embodiment, the first wavelength spectrum and the second wavelength spectrum have no greater than 5% of overlap or no greater than 3% of overlap or no greater than 1% of overlap or no greater than 0.5% of overlap. In an embodiment, exposing the surface to the radiation source causes the material to sinter at least partially.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2020Publication date: April 29, 2021Applicant: Utility Global, Inc.Inventors: Matthew Dawson, Nicholas Farandos, Jin Dawson, Chris Matson
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Publication number: 20210069786Abstract: Herein disclosed is a method of manufacturing comprises depositing a composition on a substrate slice by slice to form an object; heating in situ the object using electromagnetic radiation (EMR); wherein said composition comprises a first material and a second material, wherein the second material has a higher absorption of the radiation than the first material. In an embodiment, the EMR has a wavelength ranging from 10 to 1500 nm and the EMR has a minimum energy density of 0.1 Joule/cm2. In an embodiment, the EMR comprises UV light, near ultraviolet light, near infrared light, infrared light, visible light, laser, electron beam. In an embodiment, said object comprises a catalyst, a catalyst support, a catalyst composite, an anode, a cathode, an electrolyte, an electrode, an interconnect, a seal, a fuel cell, an electrochemical gas producer, an electrolyser, an electrochemical compressor, a reactor, a heat exchanger, a vessel, or combinations thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2019Publication date: March 11, 2021Applicant: Utility Global, Inc.Inventors: David R. Hall, Matthew Dawson, Nicholas Farandos, Jin Dawson
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Publication number: 20210024425Abstract: Herein discussed is a method of sintering a ceramic comprising (a) providing an electromagnetic radiation (EMR) source; (b) (i) providing a layer of intermixed ceramic particles and absorber particles, wherein the absorber particles have a volume fraction in the intermixed particles in the range of no less than 3%; or (ii) providing a first layer comprising ceramic particles and a second layer comprising absorber particles in contact with at least a portion of the first layer, wherein the second layer is farther from the EMR source than the first layer; (c) heating (i) the layer of intermixed particles or (ii) the first layer using EMR; and (d) controlling the EMR such that at least a portion of the ceramic particles are sintered wherein (i) the layer of intermixed particles becomes impermeable or (ii) the first layer becomes impermeable, wherein the absorber particles have greater EMR absorption than the ceramic particles.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2020Publication date: January 28, 2021Applicant: Utility Global, Inc.Inventors: Matthew Dawson, Nicholas Farandos, Jin Dawson
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Publication number: 20200303749Abstract: Herein discussed is an electrode comprising a copper or copper oxide phase and a ceramic phase, wherein the copper or copper oxide phase and the ceramic phase are sintered and are inter-dispersed with one another. Further discussed herein is a method of making a copper-containing electrode comprising: (a) forming a dispersion comprising ceramic particles and copper or copper oxide particles; (b) depositing the dispersion onto a substrate to form a slice; and (c) sintering the slice using electromagnetic radiation.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2020Publication date: September 24, 2020Applicant: Utility Global, Inc.Inventors: David R. Hall, Matthew Dawson, Nicholas Farandos, Jin Dawson
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Publication number: 20200255959Abstract: A method of producing hydrogen includes providing a device, introducing a first stream including a fuel to the device, introducing a second stream comprising water to the device, reducing the water in the second stream to hydrogen, and extracting hydrogen from the device. The first stream and the second stream do not come in contact with each other in the device.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2020Publication date: August 13, 2020Applicant: Utility Global, Inc.Inventors: David R. Hall, Matthew Dawson, Nicholas Farandos, Jin Dawson
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Publication number: 20200259186Abstract: A method of making a gas producer includes providing a first tubular electrode; coating the inner or outer surface of the first tubular electrode with an electrolyte material; coating the electrolyte material with a second electrode material; and sintering the second electrode material using electromagnetic radiation to form a second tubular electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2020Publication date: August 13, 2020Applicant: Utility Global, Inc.Inventors: David R. Hall, Matthew Dawson, Nicholas Farandos, Jin Dawson
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Publication number: 20200255962Abstract: A hydrogen production system comprising: a fuel source; a water source; and a hydrogen producer; where the fuel source and the water source are in fluid communication with the hydrogen producer; and where fuel enters the hydrogen producer from the fuel source and water enters the hydrogen producer from the water source and the fuel and the water do not come in contact with each other in the hydrogen producer.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2020Publication date: August 13, 2020Applicant: Utility Global, Inc.Inventors: David R. Hall, Matthew Dawson, Nicholas Farandos, Jin Dawson
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Publication number: 20200255963Abstract: A device includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and an electrolyte between the electrodes. The first electrode and the second electrode may comprise a metallic phase that does not contain a platinum group metal when the device is in use, and where the electrolyte is solid state and is oxide ion conducting.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2020Publication date: August 13, 2020Applicant: Utility Global, Inc.Inventors: David R. Hall, Matthew Dawson, Nicholas Farandos, Jin Dawson
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Publication number: 20200235409Abstract: Methods are disclosed to provide balance of plant for an electrochemical reactor. The methods include forming a vessel, wherein the vessel has at least a wall and an internal space configured to contain the reactor; forming fluid channels in or attached to at least a portion of the wall of the vessel, and where the fluid channels are configured to be in fluid communication with the reactor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2019Publication date: July 23, 2020Applicant: Utility Global, Inc.Inventors: David R. Hall, Matthew Dawson, Nicholas Farandos, Jin Dawson
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Publication number: 20200235410Abstract: An electrochemical reactor includes a first electrode, a second electrode, an electrolyte between the first and second electrodes, and a first heat exchanger. The first heat exchanger may be in fluid communication with the first electrode and where the minimum distance between the first electrode and the first heat exchanger is no greater than 10 cm.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2019Publication date: July 23, 2020Applicant: Utility Global, Inc.Inventors: David R. Hall, Matthew Dawson, Nicholas Farandos, Jin Dawson
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Publication number: 20200227763Abstract: A system comprising an electrochemical reactor chamber, an integrated chiller, and optionally a reformer chamber, wherein the reactor chamber, integrated chiller, and optional reformer chamber are of unitary construction.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2020Publication date: July 16, 2020Applicant: Utility Global, Inc.Inventors: David R. Hall, Matthew Dawson, Nicholas Farandos, Jin Dawson
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Publication number: 20200182549Abstract: A multi-fluid heat exchanger includes at least three fluid inlets and at least three fluid channels. Each of the at least three fluid channels have a minimum dimension of no greater than 30 mm.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2019Publication date: June 11, 2020Applicant: Utility Global, Inc.Inventors: David R. Hall, Matthew Dawson, Nicholas Farandos, Jin Dawson
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Publication number: 20200176803Abstract: Herein discussed is a method of making a fuel cell comprising (a) producing an anode using an additive manufacturing machine (AMM); (b) creating an electrolyte using the additive manufacturing machine; and (c) making a cathode using the additive manufacturing machine. In an embodiment, the anode, the electrolyte, and the cathode are assembled into a fuel cell utilizing the additive manufacturing machine. In an embodiment, the fuel cell is formed using only the additive manufacturing machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2019Publication date: June 4, 2020Applicant: Utility Global, Inc.Inventors: David R. Hall, Matthew Dawson, Jin Dawson
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Publication number: 20200156104Abstract: Herein discussed is a method of making an object comprising mixing particles with a liquid to form a dispersion; depositing the dispersion on a substrate to form a layer; and treating the layer to cause at least a portion of the particles to sinter, wherein the particles have a size distribution that has at least one of the following characteristics: (a) said size distribution comprises D10 and D90, wherein 10% of the particles have a diameter no greater than D10 and 90% of the particles have a diameter no greater than D90, wherein D90/D10 is in the range of from 1.5 to 100; or (b) said size distribution is bimodal such that the average particle size in the first mode is at least 5 times the average particle size in the second mode; or (c) said size distribution comprises D50, wherein 50% of the particles have a diameter no greater than D50, wherein D50 is no greater than 100 nm.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2019Publication date: May 21, 2020Applicant: Utility Global, Inc.Inventors: David R. Hall, Matthew Dawson, Nicholas Farandos, Jin Dawson
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Publication number: 20200144627Abstract: There is disclosed a method of making an electrode for an electrochemical reactor. The method includes the steps of (a) depositing an electrode material in segments on a substrate; (b) sintering the electrode material to form electrode segments; and (c) depositing a filler material between the electrode segments. Preferably, the method also includes the steps of (d) depositing additional material to cover the filler; and (e) sintering the additional material. Preferably, the additional material comprises electrode material, electrolyte material, or interconnect material.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2019Publication date: May 7, 2020Applicant: Utility Global, Inc.Inventors: David R. Hall, Matthew Dawson, Nicholas Farandos, Jin Dawson
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Publication number: 20200144635Abstract: The present invention is a method of making an interconnect containing at least one microchannel for an electrochemical reactor. The method includes providing a template then depositing an interconnect material where the interconnect material is in contact with the template. The template is in a form that produces at least one microchannel in the interconnect material when at least a portion of the template is removed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2019Publication date: May 7, 2020Applicant: Utility Global, Inc.Inventors: David R. Hall, Matthew Dawson, Nicholas Farandos, Jin Dawson
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Publication number: 20200144633Abstract: The present invention is an interconnect for an electrochemical reactor that includes at least one microchannel. The at least one microchannel has a cross-sectional area orthogonal to a flow path and where the cross-sectional area is no greater than 1 mm2. Preferably, the microchannel has a planar projection area PPAc and the interconnect has a planar projection area PPAi, wherein the ratio of PPAc/PPAi is in the range of 0.2-0.8, or 0.3-0.7, or 0.4-0.6, or 0.45-0.55.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2019Publication date: May 7, 2020Applicant: Utility Global, Inc.Inventors: David R. Hall, Matthew Dawson, Nicholas Farandos, Jin Dawson
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Publication number: 20200144648Abstract: Herein disclosed is a method of making an electrochemical reactor comprising a) depositing a composition on a substrate to form a slice; b) drying the slice using a non-contact dryer; c) sintering the slice using electromagnetic radiation (EMR), wherein the electrochemical reactor comprises an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte between the anode and the cathode. In an embodiment, the electrochemical reactor comprises at least one unit, wherein the unit comprises the anode, the cathode, the electrolyte and an interconnect and wherein the unit has a thickness of no greater than 1 mm. In an embodiment, the anode is no greater than 50 microns in thickness, the cathode is no greater than 50 microns in thickness, and the electrolyte is no greater than 10 microns in thickness.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2019Publication date: May 7, 2020Applicant: Utility Global, Inc.Inventors: David R. Hall, Matthew Dawson, Nicholas Farandos, Jin Dawson
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Publication number: 20200144628Abstract: The invention is an electrode for use in an electrochemical reactor and a method of making it. The electrode has an electrode porosity and includes an electrode material with channels formed therein. The porosity of the electrode material is less than the porosity of the electrode. In the method, an electrode is made by depositing a first composition including a first electrode material and a first pore former, wherein the first pore former is a first volume fraction VFp1 of the first composition. A second composition is deposited with includes a second electrode material and a second pore former. In this aspect, the second pore former is a second volume fraction VFp2. The first composition and second composition form a first layer of the electrode. This first layer is heated such that at least a portion of the first pore former and at least a portion of the second pore former become empty spaces in the electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2019Publication date: May 7, 2020Applicant: Utility Global, Inc.Inventors: David R. Hall, Matthew Dawson, Nicholas Farandos, Jin Dawson