Patents Examined by Daniel McCracken
  • Patent number: 10181618
    Abstract: A method of preparing a porous carbon material is provided. The method comprises a) freezing a liquid mixture comprising a polymer suspended or dissolved in a solvent to form a frozen mixture; b) removing the solvent from the frozen mixture to form a porous frozen mixture; and c) pyrolyzing the porous frozen mixture to obtain the porous carbon material. A porous carbon material prepared using the method, and uses of the porous carbon material are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignees: Agency for Science, Technology and Research, The University of Liverpool
    Inventors: Aled Deakin Roberts, Suxi Wang, Haifei Zhang, Xu Li
  • Patent number: 10179738
    Abstract: A method for preparing multi-wall carbon nanotubes comprising atomizing a precursor solution comprising an aromatic hydrocarbon and a carrier gas. The mixture is then injected through an ultrasonic atomization system to form atomized precursor droplets. Then by injecting the atomized precursor droplets from the top of a vertical chemical vapor deposition reactor, the droplets can then react with a reaction gas in the reactor vessel to form a film that adsorbs to a growth surface in the reactor vessel. Layer by layer multi-wall carbon nanotubes are formed. This method is repeated to form layers of the multi-wall carbon nanotubes. The nanotubes formed have an outer diameter of 10 nm-51 nm and a length to diameter aspect ratio of 7200-13200.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Zuhair Omar Malaibari, Muataz Ali Atieh, Fahad Ali Rabbani
  • Patent number: 10173149
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a method for separating semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes from metallic single-walled carbon nanotubes may be provided. The method may include the steps of (a) passing a carbon nanotube dispersion over a charged material. The dispersion may include a mixture of the semiconducting carbon nanotubes and the metallic single-walled carbon nanotubes. The method may further include (b) passing an eluent solution through the charged material after (a). The method may also include (c) collecting an eluate including semiconducting carbon nanotubes or a mixture of semiconducting carbon nanotubes and metallic carbon nanotubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: NANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Bee Eng Mary Chan, Jing Wang, Tuan Dat Nguyen, Ya Xuan Thong
  • Patent number: 10173898
    Abstract: Graphene is chemically modified by a process resulting in the introduction of functional groups located only at an edge of the graphene plane. The functionalized graphene finds uses in numerous applications and further chemical synthesis, including a process for coupling an organic or inorganic moiety to the graphene plane via the edge-located functional group. The disclosed products and processes provide highly flexible platforms for the integration of graphene into a variety of applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Inventors: Christopher Blanford, Mirja Wehner, Sabine Flitsch
  • Patent number: 10174409
    Abstract: An aluminum casting alloy has 8.5-9.5 wt. % silicon, 0.5-2.0 wt. % copper (Cu), 0.27-0.53 wt. % magnesium (Mg), wherein the aluminum casting alloy includes copper and magnesium such that 4.7?(Cu+10Mg)?5.8, and other elements, the balance being aluminum. Selected elements may be added to the base composition to give resistance to degradation of tensile properties due to exposure to heat. The thermal treatment of the alloy is calculated based upon wt. % composition to solutionize unwanted phases having a negative impact on properties and may include a three level ramp-up and soak to a final temperature followed by cold water quenching and artificial aging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: ALCOA USA CORP.
    Inventors: Xinyan Yan, Jen C. Lin
  • Patent number: 10167572
    Abstract: Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to the use of graphene as a transparent conductive coating (TCC). In certain example embodiments, graphene thin films grown on large areas hetero-epitaxially, e.g., on a catalyst thin film, from a hydrocarbon gas (such as, for example, C2H2, CH4, or the like). The graphene thin films of certain example embodiments may be doped or undoped. In certain example embodiments, graphene thin films, once formed, may be lifted off of their carrier substrates and transferred to receiving substrates, e.g., for inclusion in an intermediate or final product. Graphene grown, lifted, and transferred in this way may exhibit low sheet resistances (e.g., less than 150 ohms/square and lower when doped) and high transmission values (e.g., at least in the visible and infrared spectra).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Guardian Glass, LLC
    Inventor: Vijayen S. Veerasamy
  • Patent number: 10161056
    Abstract: A unitary graphene layer or graphene single crystal containing closely packed and chemically bonded parallel graphene planes having an inter-graphene plane spacing of 0.335 to 0.40 nm and an oxygen content of 0.01% to 10% by weight, which unitary graphene layer or graphene single crystal is obtained from heat-treating a graphene oxide gel at a temperature higher than 100° C., wherein the average mis-orientation angle between two graphene planes is less than 10 degrees, more typically less than 5 degrees. The molecules in the graphene oxide gel, upon drying and heat-treating, are chemically interconnected and integrated into a unitary graphene entity containing no discrete graphite flake or graphene platelet. This graphene monolith exhibits a combination of exceptional thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity, mechanical strength, surface smoothness, surface hardness, and scratch resistance unmatched by any thin-film material of comparable thickness range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Nanotek Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Aruna Zhamu, Wei Xiong, Bor Z. Jang
  • Patent number: 10151051
    Abstract: The invention is directed to carbon fibers having high tensile strength and modulus of elasticity. The invention also provides a method and apparatus for making the carbon fibers. The method comprises advancing a precursor fiber through an oxidation oven wherein the fiber is subjected to controlled stretching in an oxidizing atmosphere in which tension loads are distributed amongst a plurality of passes through the oxidation oven, which permits higher cumulative stretches to be achieved. The method also includes subjecting the fiber to controlled stretching in two or more of the passes that is sufficient to cause the fiber to undergo one or more transitions in each of the two or more passes. The invention is also directed to an oxidation oven having a plurality of cooperating drive rolls in series that can be driven independently of each other so that the amount of stretch applied to the oven in each of the plurality of passes can be independently controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Hexcel Corporation
    Inventor: Carlos A. León y León
  • Patent number: 10145616
    Abstract: A method for denitrification of flue gases and a system, wherein flue gases generated in a rotary kiln are conveyed to a calcining zone for the deacidification of raw cement meal. Aqueous ammonia solution, ammonia, or ammonia-releasing substances for denitrifying the flue gases injected into the calcining zone according to the method of selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR), and the flue gas stream, together with an ammonia slip generated during the denitrification, is passed through a heat exchanger and through at least one dedusting device. The flue gas is guided through a exhaust gas line via a catalyst for the decomposition of excess ammonia with residues of nitrogen oxide in accordance with a method of selective catalytic reduction (SCR), wherein the catalyst is arranged in a reactor provided in the exhaust line, and is no larger than is required for a sufficient decomposition of the ammonia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: KHD Humboldt Wedag GmbH
    Inventor: Heiko Schürmann
  • Patent number: 10139345
    Abstract: A method of fabricating composite structures comprising carbon nanotubes. The method including providing a nanotube starting material, forming the composite structure with the nanotube starting material and monitoring at least a magnetic or Raman property of the composite structure while forming the composite structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE ADMINISTRATOR OF NASA
    Inventors: Russell A. Wincheski, Jae-Woo Kim, Godfrey Sauti, Emilie J. Siochi, Phillip A. Williams
  • Patent number: 10131970
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing AlMn strip or sheet for making components by brazing, as well as the products obtained by said method. In particular this method is related to fin materials used in heat exchangers. The fins can be delivered with or without a cladding depending on application. Rolling slabs are produced from a melt which contains 0.3-1.5% Si, ?0.5% Fe, ?0.3% Cu, 1.0-2.0% Mn, ?0.5% Mg, ?4.0% Zn, ?0.3% each of elements from group IVb, Vb, or VIb elements, and unavoidable impurity elements, as well as aluminum as the remainder in which the rolling slabs prior to hot rolling are preheated at a preheating temperature of less than 550° C., preferably between 400 and 520° C., more preferably between 450 and 520° C. to control the number and size of dispersoid particles, and the preheated rolling slab is hot rolled into a hot strip. The strip is thereafter cold rolled into a strip with a total reduction of at least 90%, and the cold rolled strip is heat treated to obtain a 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Gränges Sweden AB
    Inventors: Anders Oskarsson, Hans-Erik Ekström, Richard Westergård, Stian Tangen
  • Patent number: 10125022
    Abstract: A foam structure with nominally aligned arrays of carbon nanotube is described. The foam structure also includes a functionalization substance associated or attached to carbon nanotube surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Abha Misra, Chiara Daraio, Jordan R. Raney
  • Patent number: 10121968
    Abstract: A process for purifying semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (sc-SWCNTs) extracted with a conjugated polymer, the process comprising exchanging the conjugated polymer with an s-tetrazine based polymer in a processed sc-SWCNT dispersion that comprises the conjugated polymer associated with the sc-SWCNTs. The process can be used for production of thin film transistors. In addition, disclosed herein is use of an s-tetrazine based polymer for purification of semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (sc-SWCNTs).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: National Research Council of Canada
    Inventors: Zhao Li, Jianfu Ding, Patrick Roland Lucien Malenfant
  • Patent number: 10112837
    Abstract: A nanoparticle or agglomerate which contains connected multi-walled spherical fullerenes coated in layers of graphite. In different embodiments, the nanoparticles and agglomerates have different combinations of: a high mass fraction compared to other carbon allotropes present, a low concentration of defects, a low concentration of elemental impurities, a high Brunauer, Emmett and Teller (BET) specific surface area, and/or a high electrical conductivity. Methods are provided to produce the nanoparticles and agglomerates at a high production rate without using catalysts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Lyten, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Cook, Hossein-Ali Ghezelbash, Bryce H. Anzelmo, David Tanner, Shreeyukta Singh
  • Patent number: 10115493
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to surface-modified carbon hybrid particles in agglomerated form, methods for making such surface-modified carbon hybrid particles and their use, for example as conductive additives. The surface-modified carbon hybrid particles are characterized by a high surface area and a high mesopore content. The disclosure also pertains to methods for making dispersions of such compounds in a liquid medium in the presence of a surfactant and their use as conductive coatings. Polymer compounds filled with the surface-modified carbon hybrid particles are also disclosed. A further disclosure relates to the use of surface-modified carbon hybrid particles as carbon supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Imerys Graphite & Carbon Switzerland Ltd.
    Inventors: Dario Cericola, Giovanni Juri, Simone Zurcher, Michael E. Spahr
  • Patent number: 10115844
    Abstract: An electrode includes a network of compressed interconnected nanostructured carbon particles such as carbon nanotubes. Some nanostructured carbon particles of the network are in electrical contact with adjacent nanostructured carbon particles. Electrodes may be used in various devices, such as capacitors, electric arc furnaces, batteries, etc. A method of producing an electrode includes confining a mass of nanostructured carbon particles and densifying the confined mass of nanostructured carbon particles to form a cohesive body with sufficient contacts between adjacent nanostructured carbon particles to provide an electrical path between at least two remote points of the cohesive body. The electrodes may be sintered to induce covalent bonding between the nanostructured carbon particles at contact points to further enhance the mechanical and electrical properties of the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: SEERSTONE LLC
    Inventor: Dallas B. Noyes
  • Patent number: 10099929
    Abstract: A method of producing graphene powder includes the heat treatment of a graphitizable polymer film to at least 2000 degrees C. to form a heat treated film having a substantially turbostratic graphitic structure. The heat treated film is then sheared along a plane substantially parallel to a major surface of the heat treated film to form a particulate having a thickness less than 100 nanometers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: NeoGraf Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: Iti Srivastava
  • Patent number: 10093545
    Abstract: A method for preparing multi-wall carbon nanotubes comprising atomizing a precursor solution comprising an aromatic hydrocarbon and a carrier gas. The mixture is then injected through an ultrasonic atomization system to form atomized precursor droplets. Then by injecting the atomized precursor droplets from the top of a vertical chemical vapor deposition reactor, the droplets can then react with a reaction gas in the reactor vessel to form a film that adsorbs to a growth surface in the reactor vessel. Layer by layer multi-wall carbon nanotubes are formed. This method is repeated to form layers of the multi-wall carbon nanotubes. The nanotubes formed have an outer diameter of 10 nm-51 nm and a length to diameter aspect ratio of 7200-13200.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Zuhair Omar Malaibari, Muataz Ali Atieh, Fahad Ali Rabbani
  • Patent number: 10087557
    Abstract: Provided is a method for producing carbon nanofibers having excellent conductivity, crystallinity and dispersibility. A method for producing carbon nanofibers, which uses an activated species mainly composed of cobalt as a catalyst, while using carbon monoxide as a carbon source. The catalyst is obtained by having a carrier, which is composed of an oxide having a specific surface area of 0.01-5 m2/g and containing magnesium, support 3-90% by mass of the activated species. By controlling the reaction temperature, the carbon monoxide partial pressure and the gas flow rate of the carbon monoxide, CNF having more excellent conductivity, crystallinity and dispersibility can be produced, thereby obtaining carbon nanofibers having excellent conductivity, crystallinity and dispersibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: DENKA COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Hitoshi Kaneko, Toru Arai, Yoko Horikoshi, Ayumu Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 10087076
    Abstract: Provided is a porous carbon material which has excellent electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, pressure resistance, and strength against tension and compression. This porous carbon material at least partially includes a continuous porous structure, and exhibits excellent electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, pressure resistance, and strength against tension and compression by containing carbon crystal grains therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: TORAY INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Takaaki Mihara, Kentaro Tanaka, Kosaku Takeuchi, Tomoyuki Horiguchi