Patents Examined by Colleen M Raphael
  • Patent number: 9278323
    Abstract: A process for preparing an emulsion or a dispersion comprising crystalline particles of at least one active principal that comprises contacting a solution of at least one solute in a solvent or mixture of solvents in a first flowing stream with a non-solvent in a second flowing stream wherein the non-solvent and solvent are not miscible with each other, so as to form an emulsion or a dispersion. Super saturation is brought about by suitable means, and the emulsion or dispersion is subjected to ultrasonic irradiation to mediate crystal nucleation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Prosonix Limited
    Inventors: Graham Ruecroft, James Robinson, Dipesh Parikh
  • Patent number: 9248424
    Abstract: Methods of dissociating and recovering methane from solid hydrate deposits are provided. A method for recovering methane from a methane hydrate includes at least applying electromagnetic radiation to the methane hydrate to dissociate the methane-water bond. Further provided is an apparatus for dissociating methane from a methane hydrate. The apparatus includes at least: an electromagnetic spectrum power source; a probe connected to the electromagnetic spectrum power source; an antenna connected to the distal end of the probe is capable of focusing a radiated beam into a target area of a methane hydrate; and a control system in communication with and capable of controlling the electromagnetic spectrum power source, the probe, and the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Inventor: Upendra Wickrema Singhe
  • Patent number: 9249528
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of forming, producing or manufacturing functionalized nanomaterials, and, specifically, soluble functionalized nanomaterials. The presently described invention also relates to nanomaterial-based composites consisting of a target material, which can include ceramic, polymer, or metallic matrices incorporated into or grown on nanomaterials, as well as a method or synthesis technique for the formation, production, or manufacture of nanomaterial-based composites through microwave-induced reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: New Jersey Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Somenath Mitra, Zafar Iqbal
  • Patent number: 9237608
    Abstract: An instrument and method for high pressure microwave assisted chemistry are disclosed. The method includes the steps of applying microwave radiation to a sample in a sealed vessel while measuring the temperature of the sample and measuring the pressure generated inside the vessel and until the measured pressure reaches a designated set point, opening the vessel to release gases until the pressure inside the vessel reaches a lower designated set point, closing the vessel, and repeating the steps of opening the vessel at designated pressure set points and closing the vessel at designated pressure set points to the sample until the sample reaction reaches a designated high temperature. The designated set points can controllably differ from one another as the reaction proceeds. Microwave energy can be applied continuously or intermittently during the opening and closing steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: CEM Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Barclay, Joseph J Lambert, William E. Jennings, David L. Herman
  • Patent number: 9205399
    Abstract: The invention relates to the synthesis of silicon-containing nanoparticles by laser pyrolysis. For this purpose: a precursor (SIH4) containing the element silicon is conveyed, by a transport fluid (He), into a pyrolysis reactor (REAC); laser radiation (LAS) is applied, in the reactor, to a mixture that the transport fluid and the precursor form; and silicon-containing nanoparticles (nP) are recovered at the exit of the reactor. In particular, the power of the laser radiation is controlled. Furthermore, the effective pulse duration is controlled within a laser firing period. Typically, for a power greater than 500 watts and a pulse duration greater than 40% of a laser firing period, nanoparticles having a crystalline structure with a size of less than or of the order of one nanometer are obtained at a rate greater than or of the order of 80 milligrams per hour. Under optimum conditions, a record rate of greater than 740 milligrams per hour was able to be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE
    Inventors: Nathalie Herlin-Boime, Olivier Sublemontier, Frederic Lacour
  • Patent number: 9181177
    Abstract: A method produces a cycloalkanone oxime by photonitrosation using light emitting diodes as the light source for the next generation that replaces an electric discharge lamp with, for example, mercury or sodium sealed therein. The method produces the cycloalkanone oxime by a photochemical reaction of a cycloalkane with a photo nitrosating agent in a liquid by light irradiation. The method uses a light source satisfying conditions that, in an emission energy distribution with respect to wavelength of the light source, a wavelength at which emission energy has a maximum value is in a range of 550 nm to 700 nm and a wavelength range outputting energy of or over 5% strength of the peak strength is equal to or less than 150 nm. An irradiation distance in the liquid is equal to or greater than 200 mm, and concentration of the photo nitrosating agent in the liquid is 0.1 mol % to 0.5 mol %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Toru Takahashi, Yasuyoshi Nishikawa, Shoji Morita
  • Patent number: 9180424
    Abstract: This invention relates to a system and a method for achieving efficient production of hydrogen in a hydrogen generator, comprising at least a hydrogen generator, a liquid in said hydrogen generator to produce hydrogen from, and a ceramic that emits infrared at wavelengths covering at least a portion of 3-20 micrometers range so that said liquid can be excited with infrared at said wavelengths before or during the production of hydrogen for improved hydrogen production efficiency. The use of infrared-excited electrolyte solution in a hydrogen generator helps reduce the energy consumption, lower operating voltage, and thus reduce the cost of the production of hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Inventor: Albert Chin-Tang Wey
  • Patent number: 9162160
    Abstract: A process for preparing crystalline particles of an active principal in the presence of ultrasonic irradiation that comprises contacting a solution of a solute in a solvent in a first flowing stream with an anti-solvent in a second flowing stream causing the mixing thereof, wherein the flow rate ratio of the anti-solvent: solvent is higher than 20:1, and collecting crystals that are generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Prosonix Limited
    Inventors: James Robinson, Graham Ruecroft
  • Patent number: 9157158
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing an alcohol using a device for reducing carbon dioxide by light energy. In this device, a cathode electrode includes copper or a copper compound, and an anode electrode includes a region including a nitride semiconductor layer in which an AlxGa1-xN layer (0<x?1) and a GaN layer are laminated. A first electrolytic solution consisting of an aqueous potassium chloride solution (aqueous KCl solution) is contained in a cathode chamber in which the cathode electrode is placed. A second electrolytic solution including an aqueous sodium hydroxide solution (aqueous NaOH solution) is contained in an anode chamber in which the anode electrode is placed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiro Deguchi, Hiroshi Hashiba, Satoshi Yotsuhashi, Yuka Yamada
  • Patent number: 9156763
    Abstract: A photocatalyst comprising silver orthophosphate (Ag3PO4) is used for selective and exhaustive conversion of alcohols into their corresponding carbonyl compounds; namely, benzyl alcohol, 4-methoxy benzyl alcohol and/or cinnamyl alcohol with >99% yield. The reactions were carried out in double distilled water at room temperature and pressure under sunlight-type excitation. Oxidation of alcohols is selective and Ag3PO4 may be active for a variety of other essential oxidation reactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Qamar Mohammad, Khalid Rashed Alhooshani, Rami Bahaeldin Elsayed
  • Patent number: 9139478
    Abstract: A method is followed to prepare a powder that includes carbon, silicon and boron, the silicon being in silicon carbide form and the boron being in boron carbide and/or free boron form. The method includes contacting a carbon-based precursor, a silicon-based precursor and a boron-based precursor BX3, X being a halogen atom, to obtain a mixture of these three precursors. The resulting mixture is subjected to laser pyrolysis. The boron-based precursor BX3 is heated, prior to the contacting step and/or simultaneously with the contacting step, to a temperature higher than the condensation temperature of the precursor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Hicham Maskrot, Benoit Guizard, Francois Tenegal
  • Patent number: 9132406
    Abstract: The invention describes a high-pressure vessel for holding samples which are to be heated, the high-pressure vessel having: a lower part (5, 104) and a lid part (6, 105) which can be locked together and when closed surround on all sides a reaction chamber for initiating and/or promoting chemical and/or physical high-pressure reactions, it being possible for the lower part (5, 104) and the lid part (6, 105) to be moved relative to each other in an automated fashion between an open access position and a closed microwave processing position, a sample holder (101) and/or a vessel insert (9) being connected to the lid part (6, 105).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: MWT Mikrowellen Labor Technik AG
    Inventor: Werner Lautenschläger
  • Patent number: 9089815
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for removing NOx from exhaust gases produced by combustion-based energy sources. An array of high voltage pulsed electron beams are repetitively generated and transported through a thin foil into the exhaust gas containing NOx. The electron beam deposits its energy into the gas and produces reactive radicals N2+, N+, e, N2 from the NOx in the gas. These radicals recombine through chemical reactions to produce benign by-products nitrogen N2 and oxygen O2 which are output into the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: John D. Sethian, Matthew Myers, Mathew Wolford, Frank Hegeler
  • Patent number: 9090542
    Abstract: Methods for labeling a substrate using a hetero-Diels-Alder reaction are disclosed. The hetero-Diels-Alder reaction includes the reaction of an o-quinone methide (e.g., an o-naphthoquinone methide) with a polarized olefin to form a hetero-Diels-Alder adduct. The o-quinone methide or the polarized olefin can be attached to a surface of a substrate, and the other of the o-quinone methide or the polarized olefin can include a detectable label. The o-quinone methide can conveniently be generated by irradiation of a precursor compound, preferably in an aqueous solution, suspension, or dispersion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Vladimir V. Popik, Selvanathan Arumugam
  • Patent number: 9067201
    Abstract: A method for generating hydrogen is disclosed. The method includes substantially submersing nanowires having metallic nanoparticles into water, exposing the water submerged nanowires to light, and collecting hydrogen gas produced by photolysis from the exposure to light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: The Board of Regents For Oklahoma State University
    Inventor: Ali Kaan Kalkan
  • Patent number: 9059361
    Abstract: A method to fabricate boron nitride nanotubes incorporating magnesium diboride in their structure. In a first embodiment, magnesium wire is introduced into a reaction feed bundle during a BNNT fabrication process. In a second embodiment, magnesium in powder form is mixed into a nitrogen gas flow during the BNNT fabrication process. MgB2 yarn may be used for superconducting applications and, in that capacity, has considerably less susceptibility to stress and has considerably better thermal conductivity than these conventional materials when compared to both conventional low and high temperature superconducting materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: JEFFERSON SCIENCE ASSOCIATES, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Legg, Kevin Jordan
  • Patent number: 9044707
    Abstract: In a method of operating a microwave plasma abatement apparatus comprising a microwave generator, and a gas chamber for receiving microwave energy from the microwave generator and within which a plasma is generated using the microwave energy, the amount of microwave energy that is not absorbed within the gas chamber is monitored, and the power of the microwave energy generated by the microwave generator is adjusted in dependence on the monitored microwave energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Edwards Limited
    Inventors: Marilena Radoiu, James Robert Smith, Andrew James Seeley
  • Patent number: 9039870
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing alkaline amides or imides of ethylenically unsaturated C3 to C6 carboxylic acids by reacting amines that contain at least one primary and/or secondary amino group and at least one tertiary amino group with ethylenically unsaturated C3 to C6 carboxlic acids to form an ammonium salt and said ammonium salt is subsequently converted into the alkaline amide or imide by means of microwave radiation, with the proviso that the primary and/or secondary amino group is devoid of alkoxy groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Clariant Finance (BVI) Limited
    Inventors: Matthias Krull, Christoph Kayser, Roman Morschhaeuser, Helmut Ritter, Sarah Schmitz
  • Patent number: 9023182
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for making an enantiomeric organic compound having a high amount of enantiomer excesses including the steps of a) providing an aqueous solution including an initial reactant and a catalyst; and b) subjecting said aqueous solution simultaneously to a magnetic field and photolysis radiation such that said photolysis radiation produces light rays that run substantially parallel or anti-parallel to the magnetic field passing through said aqueous solution, wherein said catalyst reacts with said initial reactant to form the enantiomeric organic compound having a high amount of enantiomer excesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
    Inventor: George W. Cooper
  • Patent number: 9005421
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the photoelectrochemical production of hydrogen and oxygen and for the simultaneously or separately conducted photoelectrical/photovoltaic production of electricity, characterized in that water is brought into contact with silicides, while applying light at the same time, or the contact with water can be foregone if electricity is produced exclusively. The invention enables the production of hydrogen and oxygen in a simple way directly from water, wherein the use of UV light and cost-intensive catalysts can be foregone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: H2 Solar GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Demuth, Klaus Kerpen, Andrij Kuklya