Patents Examined by Daniel H Miller
  • Patent number: 11973211
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing graphene-metal nanowire hybrid material, comprising: (A) preparing a catalyst metal-coated mixture mass, which includes mixing graphene sheets with source metal particles to form a mixture and depositing a nanoscaled catalytic metal onto surfaces of the graphene sheets and/or metal particles; and (B) exposing the catalyst metal-coated mixture mass to a high temperature environment (preferably from 100° C. to 2,500° C.) for a period of time sufficient to enable a catalytic metal-catalyzed growth of multiple metal nanowires using the source metal particles as a feed material to form the graphene-metal nanowire hybrid material composition. An optional etching or separating procedure may be conducted to remove catalytic metal or graphene from the metal nanowires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Honeycomb Battery Company
    Inventor: Bor Z. Jang
  • Patent number: 11970764
    Abstract: A method for producing a structure containing an array of MWCNTs on a metal substrate, comprising: (i) subjecting a metal substrate to a surface oxidation process at a first elevated temperature in an oxygen-containing atmosphere and under a first reduced pressure; (ii) subjecting the metal substrate to a surface reduction process at a second elevated temperature in a reducing atmosphere and under a second reduced pressure of at least 0.01 atm and less than 1 atm to result in reduction of the surface of said metal substrate, wherein the reducing atmosphere contains hydrogen gas; (iii) subjecting the metal substrate to a third reduced pressure of no more than 0.1 atm; and (iv) contacting the metal substrate, while at the third reduced pressure and under an inert or reducing atmosphere, with an organic substance at a third elevated temperature for suitable time to produce the MWCNTs on the metal substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Chanaka Kapila Kumara Ihala Gamaralalage, Jun Qu, Paul A. Menchhofer
  • Patent number: 11961669
    Abstract: Flexible and stretchable supercapacitors are made using carbon nanostructures produced by providing a first composite structure which includes a temporary substrate and an array of carbon nanotubes arranged in a stack on a surface of the temporary substrate such that the stack of carbon nanotubes is oriented generally perpendicular to the surface of the temporary substrate, which may include silicon dioxide. The stack of carbon nanotubes is transferred from the temporary substrate to another substrate, which includes a curable polymer, thereby forming another composite structure comprising the stack of carbon nanotubes and the cured polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: The Trustees of the Stevens Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Runzhi Zhang, Junjun Ding, Eui-Hyeok Yang
  • Patent number: 11952280
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for producing a volume of substantially all armchair nanotubes of a preselected chirality for fabricating yarn consisting of substantially all metallic conducting armchair tubes. The systems and methods can be used for the synthesis of (10,10), (11,11), and (12,12) metallic armchair carbon nanotubes and potentially other chiralities. The elements of the present disclosure include: (i) a carbon source that provides substantial numbers of ethylene and acetylene radicals in combination with a high population of ethylene groups and a small amount of methane, (ii) a hydrogen to carbon ratio sufficient to “passivate” all other chiral growth sites to a higher degree than armchair growth sites, and (iii) a CVD process that can be tuned to create a well-controlled population of catalyst with tight diameter distribution with sparse modal distribution that falls within a range of the desired single wall diameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: American Boronite Corporation
    Inventors: David S. Lashmore, Pavel Bystricky, Susanthri Chandima Perera, Imre Tary, Vito M. Licata
  • Patent number: 11952129
    Abstract: A system for inductive heating of an aircraft surface includes a conductive outer layer configured to be located on an outer portion of the aircraft surface. The system further includes a carbon nanotube (CNT) yarn configured to receive and conduct electrical current. The system further includes an insulator located between the conductive outer layer and the CNT yarn such that the electrical current flowing through the CNT yarn generates induction heating on the conductive outer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jin Hu, Galdemir Cezar Botura, Mauro J. Atalla
  • Patent number: 11945971
    Abstract: Provided is a graphene-based coating suspension comprising multiple graphene sheets, thin film coating of an anti-corrosive pigment or sacrificial metal deposited on graphene sheets, and a binder resin dissolved or dispersed in a liquid medium, wherein the multiple graphene sheets contain single-layer or few-layer graphene sheets selected from a pristine graphene material having essentially zero % of non-carbon elements, or a non-pristine graphene material having 0.001% to 47% by weight of non-carbon elements wherein the non-pristine graphene is selected from graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, graphene fluoride, graphene chloride, graphene bromide, graphene iodide, hydrogenated graphene, nitrogenated graphene, doped graphene, chemically functionalized graphene, or a combination thereof. The invention also provides a process for producing this coating suspension. Also provided is an object or structure coated at least in part with such a coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Global Graphene Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Fan-Chun Meng, Yi-jun Lin, Shaio-yen Lee, Wen Y. Chiu, Aruna Zhamu, Bor Z. Jang
  • Patent number: 11946704
    Abstract: Provided is a elastic heat spreader film comprising: (a) an elastomer or rubber as a binder material or a matrix material; and (b) multiple graphene sheets that are bonded by the binder material or dispersed in the matrix material, wherein the multiple graphene sheets are substantially aligned to be parallel to one another and wherein the elastomer or rubber is in an amount from 0.001% to 20% by weight based on the total heat spreader film weight; wherein the multiple graphene sheets contain single-layer or few-layer graphene sheets selected from pristine graphene, graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, graphene fluoride, graphene chloride, graphene bromide, graphene iodide, hydrogenated graphene, nitrogenated graphene, doped graphene, chemically functionalized graphene, or a combination thereof; and wherein the elastic heat spreader film has a fully recoverable tensile elastic strain from 2% to 100% and an in-plane thermal conductivity from 200 W/mK to 1,750 W/mK.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Global Graphene Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Yi-jun Lin, Bor Z. Jang
  • Patent number: 11938715
    Abstract: A microstructure comprises a plurality of interconnected units wherein the units are formed of graphene tubes. The graphene tubes may be formed by photo-initiating the polymerization of a monomer in a pattern of interconnected units to form a polymer microlattice, removing unpolymerized monomer, coating the polymer microlattice with a metal, removing the polymer microlattice to leave a metal microlattice, depositing graphitic carbon on the metal microlattice, converting the graphitic carbon to graphene, and removing the metal microlattice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Luigi Colombo, Nazila Dadvand, Benjamin Stassen Cook, Archana Venugopal
  • Patent number: 11931705
    Abstract: Provided are a system for manufacturing dispersion liquid of carbon nanotubes and a method of manufacturing a dispersion liquid of carbon nanotubes using the same. The system includes; a mixing device supplied with solvent and carbon nanotubes, and storing a admixture of the solvent and the carbon nanotubes; a first dispersion device connected to the mixing device, performing a primary dispersion of the carbon nanotubes by an operation of a rotor and a stator, and then performing a secondary dispersion to form bent portions in the carbon nanotubes while discharging the carbon nanotubes through penetration holes of the stator; and a second dispersion device performing a tertiary dispersion of the carbon nanotubes to selectively cut the bent portions of the carbon nanotubes by irradiating a laser when the secondarily dispersed admixture recirculates to the mixing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Hannah Song, Daehyeon Joung, Sung Hoon Jeong
  • Patent number: 11932540
    Abstract: A nuclear fuel element for use in a nuclear reactor may include a plurality of metal fuel sheaths extending along a longitudinal fuel element axis and spaced apart from each other, the plurality of fuel sheaths comprising a first fuel sheath having an inner surface, an opposing outer surface and a hollow interior configured to receive nuclear fuel material. A carbon coating may be on the inner surface of the first fuel sheath. The carbon coating may include more than 99.0% wt of a carbon material including more than 20% wt of carbon nanotubes and less than about 0.01% wt of organic contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: ATOMIC ENERGY OF CANADA LIMITED/ÈNERGIE ATOMIQUE DU CANADA LIMITÈE
    Inventor: German Cota-Sanchez
  • Patent number: 11890846
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of transferring a graphene, the method comprising the steps of: forming a graphene on a first substrate; forming a polymer precursor mixture on a second substrate; disposing the graphene oppositely to the second substrate having the polymer precursor mixture formed thereon; pressing the first substrate and the second substrate while curing the polymer precursor mixture; and peeling off the first substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Research & Business Foundation Sungkyunkwan University
    Inventors: Dongmok Whang, YoungMin Seo, Wonseok Jang, Tae Jun Gu
  • Patent number: 11891806
    Abstract: The invention relates to building products, in particular building boards, which comprise graphene and/or graphene oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Knauf Gips KG
    Inventor: Sylvia Brueckner
  • Patent number: 11885011
    Abstract: A method includes depositing a layer of alumina over a silicon substrate, providing a patterned photoresist over the layer of alumina, providing an iron catalyst layer over the patterned photoresist, providing the iron catalyst layer over an exposed portion of the alumina, providing a first iron catalyst site over a first portion of the alumina, providing a second iron catalyst site over a second portion of the alumina, growing a first carbon nanotube on the first iron catalyst site, growing a second carbon nanotube on the second iron catalyst site, infiltrating the first carbon nanotube and the second carbon nanotube with carbon, and cooling both the first carbon nanotube and the second carbon nanotube. The infiltrating strengthens the first carbon nanotube and the second carbon nanotube to not delaminate from the substrate when the first carbon nanotube and the second carbon nanotube are cooled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Inventors: Robert Davis, Richard Vanfleet, Kyle Zufelt, David Jensen
  • Patent number: 11884544
    Abstract: Disclosed here is a method of fabricating a covalently reinforced carbon nanotube (CNT) assembly. The method includes producing a CNT assembly by pulling entangled CNTs from a CNT array fabricated on a substrate, the CNT assembly including a plurality of CNTs that are aligned; and creating covalent bonding between the CNTs of the CNT assembly by applying a high energy ion irradiation to the CNT assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Xavier N. Lepro Chavez, Chantel M. Aracne-Ruddle, Leonardus Bimo Bayu Aji, Sergei O. Kucheyev, Michael Stadermann
  • Patent number: 11884545
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing complex Si—C cathode base units includes the steps of: pulverizing a graphene block; mixing the plurality of graphene pieces with ethanol and first high molecular material; dispersing and pulverizing powders of silicon, and silicon oxide (SiOx) into a plurality of complex monomers; and then they being mixed with high molecular graphene recipe gel solution; spraying and drying Si—C solution to form with first order Si—C nanoparticles; a plurality of buffer spaces being formed in the plurality of graphene pieces; mixing first order SIC nanoparticles, second high molecular material, and a small amount of nanometer carbon tubes and then calcined them; the first order SiC nanoparticles, the second high molecular material and the nanometer carbon tubes being shaped or being sprayed and dried; and finally, calcining them to form as third order SIC nanoparticles which is the complex Si—C based unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: SolidEdge Solution Inc.
    Inventors: Hong-Zheng Lai, Tseng-Lung Chang
  • Patent number: 11873222
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to the preparation of highly metallic, hydrophilic, polymer-free carbon nanotube (CNT) thin sheets with high tensile strength. The densified CNT sheet has reduced pore sizes, increased tensile strength, and improved electrical conductivity. The disclosed CNT materials can be used as filtration membranes with little or no propensity toward surface fouling. Such densified CNT sheets are also useful as superior electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: 4th Phase Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Chunhong Li
  • Patent number: 11857931
    Abstract: The application refers to process for production of a nano-microemulsion system of plant oil triglycerides, including: (i) preparing a dispersed phase plant oil triglyceride; (ii) preparing a carrier made from a mixture of propylene glycol monocaprylate and lecithin by a weight ratio of 5-6:1-1.5; (iii) adding the carrier to the dispersed phase by a weight ratio of 3-4:1-1.5, wherein the dispersed phase temperature is maintained between 60-100° C. while stirring under vacuum, followed by introduction of the whole mixture through the high-pressure microjet homogenizer; (iv) adding Tween 80 and Tween 60 to the solution mixture obtained in step (iii) by a weight ratio of 3-4:1-1.5:1-1.5, wherein the temperature of the dispersed phase is continuously maintained between 60-100° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Wakamono Joint Stock Company
    Inventors: Hong Ngoc Thi Dang, Nam Hai Lai
  • Patent number: 11857926
    Abstract: A nanocarbon separation apparatus includes: an electrophoresis tank; electrodes disposed in an upper part and a lower part of the electrophoresis tank; a first injection port through which a liquid is injected into the electrophoresis tank; a second injection port which is provided below the first injection port and through which a liquid having a pH lower than a pH of the liquid injected through the first injection port is injected into the electrophoresis tank; and a recovery port provided in a surface facing a surface having the first injection port and the second injection port, wherein the liquid injected through at least one of the first injection port and the second injection port is a dispersion liquid having nanocarbons dispersed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Fumiyuki Nihey, Yuki Kuwahara, Takeshi Saito, Fusako Sasaki
  • Patent number: 11827520
    Abstract: Discussed herein are methods of orienting one-dimensional and two-dimensional materials via the application of stationary and rotating magnetic fields. The oriented one-dimensional and two-dimensional materials may exhibit macroscopic properties, and may be employed in various measurement devices as well as thermal and electrical shielding applications or battery devices. A single 1D or 2D material may be suspended in another material such as dionized water, polymer(s), or other materials during the orientation, and the suspension may remain as a liquid or may be solidified or partially solidified to secure the oriented material(s) into place. The 1D and 2D materials that respond to the magnetic orientation may further cause other elements of the suspension to be oriented in a similar manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM
    Inventors: Jiming Bao, Feng Lin, Zhuan Zhu, Zhiming Wang
  • Patent number: 11830673
    Abstract: A method of preparing a soft carbon material for high-voltage supercapacitors includes: providing an initial soft carbon material characterized by: (A) a first carbon layer spacing greater than 0.345 nm but less than 0.360 nm; (B) a crystal plane (002) with a length (Lc) less than 6 nm; (C) a crystal plane (101) with a length (La) less than 6 nm; and (D) an intensity ratio (I(002)/I(101)) of the crystal plane (002) to the crystal plane (101) obtained by XRD analysis being less than 60; performing an alkaline activation on the initial soft carbon material with an alkaline activator to obtain a first processing carbon material; and performing an electrochemical activation on the first processing carbon material with an electrolyte to obtain the soft carbon material for the high-voltage supercapacitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: CPC CORPORATION, TAIWAN
    Inventors: Yan-Shi Chen, Gao-Shee Leu, Yu-Chien Liu, Chi-Chang Hu