Patents Examined by Richard M Rump
  • Patent number: 9517945
    Abstract: Methods for making metal oxide nanoparticles, including mixed metal oxides and core-shell metal oxide nanoparticles, are disclosed. A solution comprising a metal carboxylate and a carboxylic acid is combined with a solvent comprising an alcohol heated to a temperature ?250° C. for an effective period of time to form metal oxide nanoparticles. The metal may be a group IIIA metal, a group IVA metal, a transition metal, or a combination thereof. A metal oxide shell may be deposited onto metal oxide nanoparticles by dispersing the metal oxide nanoparticles in an alcohol, adding a metal carboxylate, and maintaining the reaction at a temperature ?200° C. for an effective period of time to form core-shell nanoparticles. The nanoparticles may have a relative size dispersity of ?20%, and may further comprise a plurality of carboxylic acid, carboxylate, and/or alcohol ligands coordinated to the nanoparticles' outer surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: University of Oregon
    Inventors: Daisuke Ito, James E. Hutchison
  • Patent number: 9511338
    Abstract: Using a device for producing nanocarbon, a fluidized bed is formed by supplying a low hydrocarbon and oxygen to a fluid catalyst, and nanocarbon and hydrogen are produced by a decomposition reaction of the low hydrocarbon accompanied by a self-combustion of the low hydrocarbon and the oxygen. The device includes: a fluidized bed reactor for containing the fluid catalyst and for causing the self-combustion thereof while being supplied with the low hydrocarbon and the oxygen; a gas supplying unit connected to the fluidized bed reactor for supplying the low hydrocarbon and the oxygen to the fluidized bed reactor; an exhaust gas path connected to the fluidized bed reactor for exhausting an exhaust gas in the fluidized bed reactor to outside; and a supplying unit connected to the fluidized bed reactor for supplying the fluid catalyst to the fluidized bed reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignees: THE JAPAN STEEL WORKS, LTD., National University Corporation Kitami Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Satoru Nakamura, Akio Tada
  • Patent number: 9512502
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing a nanometer zinc oxide from low-grade zinc oxide ore by ammonia decarburization. The method comprises: taking ammonia water-ammonium bicarbonate solution as a leaching agent; adding 0.3-0.5 kg sodium fluorosilicate to per cubic meter of the leaching agent; leaching low-grade zinc oxide ore with the leaching agent; and adding 50-60 kg slaked lime to per cubic meter of leached solution to carry out decarburization treatment. The obtained nanometer zinc oxide powder has purity of 99.7% or up, uniform particle size distribution (average particle size of 10-28 nm), specific surface area of 107 m2/g or up, good fluidity and good dispersity. The treatment method of the present invention is low in energy consumption and high in efficiency, and the leaching agent can be recycled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: SICHUAN XINHONG TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
    Inventors: Shangquan Chen, Shichun Li, Xiaohong Li
  • Patent number: 9487659
    Abstract: A method for obtaining carbon black from rubber waste is provided. The method includes the thermal decomposition of rubber waste in a reactor, the separation of the decomposition products into gas-vapor products and into solid carbon-containing residues, the grinding of the carbon residues, the combustion of the gas-vapor products with the ground carbon residues by supplying the gas-vapor products into the combustion chamber, the mass consumption ratio of the gas-vapor products and of the ground carbon residues being between 1:(0.1-2). A device for obtaining carbon black from rubber waste is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Alpha Recyclage Franche Comte
    Inventors: Jean-Louis Pech, Nikolaï Ivanovitch Kalatski
  • Patent number: 9487626
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method of fixing carbon dioxide by condensation polymerization in an acidic aqueous medium, thereby increasing fixation efficiency and remarkably reducing the volume of generated material compared to conventional carbon dioxide fixation methods; a polymer material prepared by the method; and a method of recovering carbon therefrom. According to the current invention, the method of fixing carbon dioxide is characterized by introducing carbon dioxide pressurized to a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure into a reactor containing a acidic aqueous medium, so that carbonic acid resulting from dissolving carbon dioxide is made into a polymer material by condensation polymerization, thereby fixing carbon dioxide, and heating the polymer material so as to recover carbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: POSTECH ACADEMY-INDUSTRY FOUNDATION
    Inventor: Jang-Gyu Kim
  • Patent number: 9481576
    Abstract: An intercalated graphite compound composition, comprising a layered graphite with interlayer spaces or interstices and an intercalant residing in at least one of said interstices, wherein said intercalant comprises a carboxylic acid and an oxidant selected from Li2FeO4, Na2FeO4, K2FeO4, LixCoO4, NaxCoO4, KxCoO4, LixNiO4, NaxNiO4, KxNiO4, or a combination thereof. This compound can be produced in an environmentally benign process. The compound can be further treated to produce separate graphene sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Angstron Materials
    Inventors: Aruna Zhamu, Bor Z Jang
  • Patent number: 9475699
    Abstract: A method of treating an offgas includes purifying the offgas to remove particulate matter, water, undesirable gaseous components and inert gases to produce a dried carbon oxide gas feedstock, and converting at least a portion of carbon oxides in the dried carbon oxide gas feedstock into solid carbon. In other embodiments, a method includes passing a dried carbon oxide gas feedstock through a multi-stage catalytic converter. A first stage is configured to catalyze methane-reforming reactions to convert methane into carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and hydrogen with residual methane. A second stage is configured to catalyze the Bosch reaction and convert carbon oxides and hydrogen to solid carbon and water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Seerstone LLC.
    Inventor: Dallas B. Noyes
  • Patent number: 9475703
    Abstract: A graphene base, including: graphene; and a substrate, wherein the graphene is formed directly on at least one surface of the substrate, and at least about 90 percent of an area of the surface of the substrate does not have a graphene wrinkle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hyeon-jin Shin, Won-mook Choi, Jae-young Choi, Seon-mi Yoon
  • Patent number: 9475700
    Abstract: In the present invention, a starting material liquid including a carbon compound and a catalyst or a catalyst precursor, and a reaction vessel having a high-temperature zone heated to 900-1,300° C. are prepared. The starting material liquid is introduced into the reaction vessel, and a mixture is generated which comprises a gas including a carbon source, and catalyst microparticles dispersed in the gas. A carrier gas is then introduced in pulses into the reaction vessel, and the mixture is pushed out to the high-temperature zone. The carbon source and catalyst microparticles included in the mixture are then brought into contact with each other in the high-temperature zone, initial fibers are grown, and carbon fibers are subsequently grown in an environment in which the carrier gas is retained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignees: ASAHI CARBON CO., LTD., NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Shin Mukai, Yusuke Rikima, Riku Furukawa, Isao Ogino, Togo Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 9468902
    Abstract: The method of synthesizing zinc oxide polymer nanocomposite comprises: dissolving equal molar ratios of a sulfonic acid acrylic monomer and a co-monomer with a cross linking agent to form a solution; dispersing the zinc-oxide nanoparticles into the solution; polymerizing the sulfonic acid acrylic monomer with the co-monomer by adding a free radical initiator followed by heating up the solution to a temperature up to 50° C.; raising the temperature up to 60° C. until a zinc oxide polymer nanocomposite is formed; and curing the nanocomposite by heating to at least 105° C. for about 24 hours to form the zinc oxide polymer nanocomposite, wherein the ionic liquid monomer is 2-ccrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid or a salt thereof and wherein the co-monomer is selected from the group consisting of vinyl pyrrolidone, acrylic acid and N-isopropyl acrylamide monomers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: KING SAUD UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Ayman M. Atta, Hamad A. Al-Lohedan, Abdelrahman Osama Ezzat
  • Patent number: 9468904
    Abstract: A sorbent composition such as for the removal of a contaminant species from a fluid stream, a method for manufacturing a sorbent composition and a method for the treatment of a flue gas stream to remove heavy metals such as mercury (Hg) therefrom. The sorbent composition includes a porous carbonaceous sorbent such as powdered activated carbon (PAC) and a solid particulate additive that functions as a flow-aid to enhance the pneumatic conveyance properties of the sorbent composition. The solid particulate additive may be a flake-like material, for example a phyllosilicate mineral or graphite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: ADA Carbon Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Sarah G. McMurray, Jacqueline Cecil de Peyer, Robert B. Huston, Joseph M. Wong
  • Patent number: 9446984
    Abstract: To provide a method and facility for enabling CO2 gas generated in a cement manufacturing facility to be separated and recovered at a high concentration. To this end, according to the present invention, the calcination of a cement material and the recovery of CO2 gas generated in a calciner are performed by one of the following steps of: [1] superheating the cement material before calcination to at least the calcination temperature thereof in a superheating furnace and then mixing the superheated cement material with a new cement material before calcination in a mixer/calciner; [2] mixing, in the mixer/calciner, the cement material before calcination with a part of high-temperature cement clinker discharged from a cement kiln; and [3] using an externally heated calciner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI MATERIALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hirokazu Shima, Eiichi Motohashi, Junzhu Wang, Yoshinori Takayama
  • Patent number: 9447205
    Abstract: A plasma treatment method that includes providing treatment chamber including an intermediate heating volume and an interior treatment volume. The interior treatment volume contains an electrode assembly for generating a plasma and the intermediate heating volume heats the interior treatment volume. A work piece is traversed through the treatment chamber. A process gas is introduced to the interior treatment volume of the treatment chamber. A plasma is formed with the electrode assembly from the process gas, wherein a reactive species of the plasma is accelerated towards the fiber tow by flow vortices produced in the interior treatment volume by the electrode assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignees: UT-BATTELLE, LLC, REMAXCO TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventors: Felix L. Paulauskas, Truman Bonds
  • Patent number: 9440857
    Abstract: A method of producing pristine graphene particles through a one-step, gas-phase, catalyst-free detonation of a mixture of one or more carbon-containing compounds hydrocarbon compounds and one or more oxidizing agents is provided. The detonation reaction occurs very quickly and at relatively high temperature, greater than 3000 K, to generate graphene nanosheets that can be recovered from the reaction vessel, such as in the form of an aerosol. The graphene nanosheets may be stacked in single, double, or triple layers, for example, and may have an average particle size of between about 35 to about 250 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Kansas State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Christopher Sorensen, Arjun Nepal, Gajendra Prasad Singh
  • Patent number: 9434619
    Abstract: Provided are graphene nanoribbon precursors comprising repeated units of the general formula (I) in which R1, R2 are each H, halogen, —OH, —NH2, —CN, —NO2 or a hydrocarbyl radical which has 1 to 40 carbon atoms and may be linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated and mono- or poly-substituted by halogen (F, Cl, Br, I), —OH, —NH2, —CN, and/or —NO2, where one or more CH2 groups may also be replaced by —O—, —S—, —C(O)O—, —O—C(O)—, —C(O)—, —NH— or —NR—, in which R is an optionally substituted C1C40-hydrocarbyl radical, or an optionally substituted aryl, alkylaryl or alkoxyaryl radical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignees: BASF SE, Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Wissenshaften e.V.
    Inventors: Matthias Georg Schwab, Klaus Muellen, Xinliang Feng, Lukas Doessel
  • Patent number: 9421515
    Abstract: [Object] To provide a porous carbon material that is able to adsorb desired substances efficiently. [Solving Means] A porous carbon material of the present invention uses peat as a raw material, and has a total of volumes of fine pores having a diameter of from 1×10?8 m to 2×10?7 m, obtained by non-localized density functional theory method, of 0.5 cm3/g or more, or has a volume of fine pores obtained by BHJ method of 0.5 cm3/g or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Makoto Yoshizaki, Hironori Iida, Takashi Obikawa, Shinichiro Yamada, Seiichiro Tabata, Kazuma Usami, Masakazu Mitsugi, Hirotsugu Ishihara, Shun Yamanoi, Machiko Minatoya
  • Patent number: 9422165
    Abstract: Compositions comprising graphene and methods for preparing graphene are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLC
    Inventor: Arockiadoss Thevasaharam
  • Patent number: 9410268
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing carbon nanotube fibers with improved spinning properties using a surfactant and carbon nanotube fibers prepared by the method. According to the method for preparing carbon nanotube fibers of the present invention, the addition of a surfactant during the preparation of carbon nanotubes interrupts and delays the agglomeration of catalyst particles, which reduces the size of the catalyst particles and uniformly disperses the catalyst particles that play a key role in the formation of carbon nanotube fibers, thus increasing the strength and conductivity of carbon nanotube fibers and improving the spinning properties. While convention methods prepare carbon nanotube fibers by injecting a catalytic material for the synthesis of carbon nanotubes in a high-pressure supercritical state to be uniformly dispersed, the present invention uses a dispersant and thus does not require the injection in a high-pressure supercritical state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Soongsil University Research Consortium Techno-Park
    Inventors: Young Jin Jeong, Jun Young Song, So Young Kim, So Ra Yoon, Yeon Su Jung
  • Patent number: 9403683
    Abstract: The present invention provides CNT, in particular CNT having inherent properties thereof, which has a thin wall and does not form a bundle, and an efficient production method of the CNT. The method is for producing CNT, the whole length or a part thereof is compressed to form a band, said method comprises preparing a powdery and/or particulate material of an organic compound pre-baked to an extent of containing remaining hydrogen and allowed to carry a catalyst, which may be a transition metal, other metal or other element, thereon; charging the powdery and/or particulate material of the organic compound in a closed vessel made of a heat resistant material; and subjecting the powdery and/or particulate material of the organic compound together with the vessel to hot isostatic pressing treatment using a compressed gas atmosphere, wherein a maximum ultimate temperature at the hot isostatic pressing treatment is 750 to 1200° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: INCUBATION ALLIANCE, INC.
    Inventor: Kazuo Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 9401507
    Abstract: Methods for producing lithium iron phosphate or lithium manganese phosphate or lithium iron manganese phosphate, by colloidal synthesis are provided. Such methods include the operation of reacting a lithium salt, an iron(II) halide (and/or a manganese(II) halide) and a phosphorus compound, which, under the reaction conditions, is capable of releasing the phosphate ion, in the presence of an organic surfactant or a mixture of organic surfactants including an alkylamine or alkenylamine, in which the surfactant or mixture of surfactants is capable of dissolving the lithium salt and the iron halide (and/or the manganese halide), where used, in an organic solvent, which is liquid at room temperature, in which the surfactant or mixture of surfactants is soluble, the reaction being performed at a temperature not lower than 250° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: FONDAZIONE ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI TECNOLOGIA
    Inventors: Andrea Paolella, George Chandramohan, Mirko Prato, Mauro Povia, Alessandro Genovese, Liberato Manna, Roberto Cingolani