Patents Examined by Richard M Rump
  • Patent number: 9738566
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process for producing a product based on faecals produced by animals, characterized in that faecals from mammals are wholly or partially dissolved using an oxidizing acid, solid acid-insoluble components are separated, if necessary, and the liquid component is neutralized with a base. Moreover, the invention relates to a plant for producing a product, the plant comprising a faecal reactor for receiving animal faecals, wherein the reactor is provided with means for supplying an oxidizing acid, possibly a separator unit for separating solid, acid-insoluble components, and a neutralizing reactor for neutralizing the part of the faecals dissolved by means of the oxidizing acid, wherein the neutralizing reactor is provided with means for supplying a base. The invention provides a substantially odorless product for use as fertilizer for a crop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: WASTE 2 GREEN, LLC
    Inventors: Jes Thomsen, Kurt Schrøder, Dennis Wowern Nielsen
  • Patent number: 9738541
    Abstract: Cerium oxide nanorods having a variety of aspect ratios can be produced by providing a first mixture that includes a cerium precursor material, and using microwave to heat the first mixture to a first temperature for a period of time to produce first plurality of cerium oxide nanorods having a first range of aspect ratios. A second mixture that includes a cerium precursor material heated using microwave to a second temperature for a period of time to produce second plurality of cerium oxide nanorods having a second range of aspect ratios. The first plurality of cerium oxide nanorods and the second plurality of cerium oxide nanorods are mixed to produce third plurality of cerium oxide nanorods having the third range of aspect ratios that is broader than the first range or the second range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: NUtech Ventures
    Inventors: Chin Li Cheung, Zane Charles Gernhart
  • Patent number: 9734956
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide linked stacks of reduced graphene, in which excellent electrical property on the surface of graphene may be utilized, a method for producing the same, powder comprising the same, and film comprising the same. The object may be solved by using linked stacks of partly reduced graphene 11 comprising two or more stacks of partly reduced graphene 21 to 24 linked together, in which the stack of partly reduced graphene 21 has two or more sheets of partly reduced graphene 31 and a nanosubstance 32 held between the sheets of partly reduced graphene 31, the partly reduced graphene 31 has no carbonyl groups and has carboxyl groups 31a and hydroxyl groups 31b, and different stacks of partly reduced graphene 21 to 24 are linked to each other by an ester bond 34.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MATERIALS SCIENCE
    Inventors: Jie Tang, Feifei Zhang, Norio Shinya, Qian Cheng, Luchang Qin
  • Patent number: 9725324
    Abstract: A graphene quantum dots synthesis method includes fixing a graphene aqueous solution or a graphene oxide aqueous solution on a spin coater to spin the graphene aqueous solution or the graphene oxide aqueous solution, and irradiating a pulsed laser to focus on a graphene aqueous solution or a graphene oxide aqueous solution to generate exfoliation. After a processing period, quantum dots are generated in the graphene aqueous solution or the graphene oxide aqueous solution. Since graphene aqueous solution or graphene oxide aqueous solution does not contain organic chemistry pharmacy, the quantum dots synthesized by the method of the present invention can be produced without pollution. Furthermore, the purpose of simple process, low cost, and time-saved of synthesis can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: CHUNG YUAN CHRISTIAN UNIVERISTY
    Inventors: Ji-Lin Shen, Tzu-Neng Lin, Ken-Hua Chih
  • Patent number: 9724667
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides biorefining systems for co-producing activated carbon along with primary products. A host plant converts a feedstock comprising biomass into primary products and carbon-containing co-products; a modular reactor system pyrolyzes and activates the co-products, to generate activated carbon and pyrolysis off-gas; and an oxidation unit oxidizes the pyrolysis off-gas, generating CO2, H2O, and energy. The energy is recycled and utilized in the host plant, and the CO2 and H2O may be recycled to the reactor system as an activation agent. The host plant may be a saw mill, a pulp and paper plant, a corn wet or dry mill, a sugar production facility, or a food or beverage plant, for example. In some embodiments, the activated carbon is utilized at the host plant to purify one or more primary products, to purify water, to treat a liquid waste stream, and/or to treat a vapor waste stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Carbon Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: James A. Mennell, Daniel J. Despen, David Reamer
  • Patent number: 9718692
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for exfoliating graphite in carbonaceous materials facilitated by a Diels-Alder reaction, and the applications of same, in particular for producing electronic or microelectronic components such as transparent conductive electrodes. The inventive method comprises a Diels-Alder reaction between a material containing graphite and an anthrone compound represented by formula (I), wherein X, R1, R2, R3 and R4 are as defined in the description, in an organic solvent, in the presence of a base, and subjected to sonication, ball-milling and/or high-shear mixing, at a temperature of between 15° C. and 65° C., to obtain the corresponding graphene Diels-Alder adduct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignees: UNIVERSITÉ DE BORDEAUX, INSTITUT POLYTECHNIQUE DE BORDEAUX, CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE
    Inventors: Dario Bassani, Jean-Baptiste Verlhac, Hugo Florian Bares
  • Patent number: 9718687
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of converting limestone into tri-calcium phosphate (TCP) and tetra-calcium phosphate (TTCP) powder simultaneously. In particular, the method provides for a method of converting limestone into TCP and TTCP powder simultaneously having specific particle size and with specific crystallographic structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: SIRIM Berhad
    Inventors: Fazilah Binti Fazan, Sudirman Bin Sahid, Wan Ruzaini Bin Wan Sulaiman, Nor Shahida Binti Kader Bashah
  • Patent number: 9708194
    Abstract: The present invention provides and produces a high-grade layered double hydroxide (LDH) dense body having a relative density of 88% or greater in a simple and stable manner. The present invention provides a LDH dense body including a layered double hydroxide as a main phase and having a relative density of 88% or greater, the LDH being represented by general formula: M2+1-xM3+x(OH)2An?x/n.mH2O wherein M2+ is a divalent cation, M3+ is a trivalent cation, An? is an n-valent anion, n is an integer of 1 or greater, and x is 0.1 to 0.4. This LDH dense body can be produced by compacting and firing a raw material powder of a LDH to obtain an oxide fired body, retaining this oxide fired body in or immediately above an aqueous solution comprising an n-valent anion to reproduce the LDH, and removing excessive water from the resulting water-rich LDH solidified body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naomi Saito, Megumi Fujisaki, Kazuyuki Matsuda
  • Patent number: 9695059
    Abstract: A process for preparing sodium bicarbonate particles, comprising the steps of: (a) adding at least one alkali metal carbonate to an aqueous solution in order to form an aqueous composition; wherein the alkali metal carbonate comprises sodium carbonate and wherein the aqueous composition comprises at least one polycarboxylic acid and/or the salts thereof, in an amount of at least 200 ppm based on the weight of the aqueous composition; and (b) precipitating solid particles comprising sodium bicarbonate crystals and separating said sodium bicarbonate particles from the aqueous composition, in order to obtain sodium bicarbonate particles and an aqueous mother liquor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Solvay SA
    Inventors: Thoi-Dai Chau, David Jean Lucien Savary
  • Patent number: 9688537
    Abstract: In one aspect, methods of making semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes are described herein. In some implementations, a method of making semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes comprises providing a plurality of semiconducting nanotube seeds including (n,m) nanotube seeds and non-(n,m) nanotube seeds. The method further comprises illuminating the plurality of nanotube seeds with a first laser beam having a first wavelength and a second laser beam having a second wavelength, the second wavelength differing from the first wavelength. The first wavelength corresponds to an absorption maximum for a (n,m) carbon nanotube and the second wavelength corresponds to a photoluminescence emission frequency for the (n,m) carbon nanotube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Keith D. Humfeld
  • Patent number: 9685600
    Abstract: Methods for enhancing characteristics of superconductive fullerenes and devices incorporating the fullerenes are disclosed. Enhancements can include increase in the critical transition temperature at a constant magnetic field; the existence of a superconducting hysteresis over a changing magnetic field; a decrease in the stabilizing magnetic field required for the onset of superconductivity; and/or an increase in the stability of superconductivity over a large magnetic field. The enhancements can be brought about by transmitting electromagnetic radiation to the superconductive fullerene such that the electromagnetic radiation impinges on the fullerene with an energy that is greater than the band gap of the fullerene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Aaron L. Washington, II, Joseph A. Teprovich, Ragaiy Zidan
  • Patent number: 9683314
    Abstract: The invention relates to an oxygen and nitrogen co-doped polyacrylonitrile-based carbon fiber and a preparation method thereof. The oxygen and nitrogen co-doped polyacrylonitrile-based carbon fiber is prepared by electrochemical modification of a raw-material polyacrylonitrile-based carbon fiber, such that the surface thereof has an active layer formed by oxygen-containing active functional groups and nitrogen-containing active functional groups, wherein the nitrogen-containing active functional groups are obtained by activation of the doped nitrogen inherently contained in the raw-material polyacrylonitrile-based carbon fiber by means of electrochemical modification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: OCEAN UNIVERSITY OF CHINA
    Inventors: Haibo Xu, Yonghong Lu
  • Patent number: 9669383
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a carbon nanotube sponge comprising: a plurality of carbon nanotubes combined by van der Waals force to form a free-standing structure, wherein a plurality of micropores are defined by adjacent carbon nanotubes; and a plurality of carboxyl groups and hydroxyl groups located on surfaces of the plurality of carbon nanotubes; wherein a weight percentage of the carboxyl groups in the carbon nanotube sponge ranges from about 10% to about 20%, and a weight percentage of the hydroxyl groups in the carbon nanotube sponge ranges from about 5% to about 15%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Meng-Ya Li, Yang Wu, Shu Luo, Jia-Ping Wang, Kai-Li Jiang, Shou-Shan Fan
  • Patent number: 9669355
    Abstract: The present invention relates to activated carbon sorbents including nitrogen. In various embodiments, the present invention provides an activated carbon sorbent including a halogen- or halide-promoted activated carbon, the activated carbon sorbent particles including nitrogen in a surface layer of the sorbent particles. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of reducing the pollutant content in a pollutant-containing gas using the activated carbon sorbent. In various embodiments, the activated carbon sorbent can remove mercury from a mercury-containing gas that includes sulfur(VI) such as SO3 more efficiently than other sorbents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Energy & Environmental Research Center Foundation
    Inventors: Edwin S. Olson, John Henry Pavlish
  • Patent number: 9663368
    Abstract: Systems and methods for the formation of carbon-based nanostructures using large-scale active growth structures are generally described. In addition, systems and methods related to the formation of carbon-based nanostructures using basalt and/or titanium (e.g., elemental titanium) are generally described. The carbon-based nanostructures can be grown by exposing the large-scale active growth structures, basalt, and/or titanium to a set of conditions selected to cause formation of carbon-based nanostructures on (e.g., directly on) the large-scale active growth structure, basalt, and/or titanium. When basalt and/or titanium are used as all or part of an active growth structure, the basalt and/or titanium can be in any suitable form such as, for example, a planar or non-planar active growth structure (which can have, in some cases, a first cross-sectional dimension of at least about 1 mm) comprising basalt and/or titanium (e.g., a fiber comprising basalt and/or titanium) and/or particles (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Roberto Guzman de Villoria, Brian L. Wardle
  • Patent number: 9663370
    Abstract: A method for preparing graphene quantum dots in large-scale, comprising: dispersing graphene oxide uniformly in the first solvent to obtain a first dispersion liquid, adding reducing agent into the first dispersion liquid and dispersing uniformly to give a mixed solution; treating the mixed solution for 10˜60 mins under microwave environment with the power being at 500˜800 W, then cooling and separating to obtain the solid as a crude product; mixing, one of the reducing polyhydroxy aldehyde or organic acid with the crude product, following by adding the Lewis acid to obtain a mixture, dispersing the mixture in a second solvent uniformly to obtain a second dispersion liquid; putting wherein the second dispersion liquid into microwave treatment for 0.2-1 hours with the microwave power being 500˜800 w, then stripping for 2˜3 hours under ultrasonic power of 120˜300 w, purifying to obtain the graphene quantum dots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: SHENZHEN CANTONNET ENERGY SERVICES CO., LTD
    Inventors: Mingdong Zhang, Linde Zhang
  • Patent number: 9666319
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for treating an absorber pin, wherein the pin comprises a cladding in which a sintered boron carbide-based material having cracks is located, the material having porosity less than 1% of the volume of the material, the cracks containing sodium and at least one radioactive material. The method includes contacting the material with a treatment reaction mixture including carbon dioxide and water, in such a manner that the production of sodium carbonate and the expansion thereof cause the opening of cracks and of the sheath from at least one slit provided in the sheath as well as the propagation of the treatment process within the material. The process overcomes the physical-chemical properties of a sintered boron carbide-based material as much as possible. These properties prevent an easy treatment of the sodium and radioactive material contained in the cracks of the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Joel Godlewski, Olivier Gastaldi, Bruno Pelisset, Arnaud Leclerc, Gwendal Blevin
  • Patent number: 9656875
    Abstract: A method of making sodium carbonate and/or sodium bicarbonate is disclosed in which carbon dioxide gas is reacted with an aqueous solution sodium hydroxide solution in the presence of a compound of the formula (I): Na+[X—O]? where X is Cl, Br, or I.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: NEW YORK SYNTHETICS, INC.
    Inventors: Richard L. Peterson, Luke Ice, Omar Bradley Sheikh, Omar Ayaz Hussein
  • Patent number: 9656877
    Abstract: Provided is a method for manufacturing nanostructured layered double hydroxides (LDHs) having a uniform size distribution with homogenous nano-disc morphology. Disclosed method has three main steps of: pretreatment of metal wires; wire-explosion in a liquid phase; and finally, centrifugation and drying the as-prepared colloidal products to obtain the LDHs nanostructured dried powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Inventor: Cobra Rahmani Nezhad
  • Patent number: 9649620
    Abstract: A process for the preparation from a partially decomposed organic material like peat a granulated or pelletized sorption medium using low-temperature, thermal activation of the sorption medium to produce a high degree of granule or pellet hardness balanced against an efficacious level of ion-exchange and adsorption capacity, followed by chemical treatment of the thermally-activated sorption material via an acid solution and a salt solution to increase its ion-exchange and adsorption performance while minimizing the transfer of natural impurities found in the sorption medium to an aqueous solution is provided by this invention. The sorption medium of this invention can be used in a variety of aqueous solution treatment processes, such as wastewater treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignees: American Peat Technology, LLC, Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Igor V. Kolomitsyn, Peggy Wallgren Jones, Douglas A. Green