Patents by Inventor Abraham Clearfield
Abraham Clearfield has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 9968898Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides amphiphilic nanosheets that comprise lamellar crystals with at least two regions: a first hydrophilic region and a second hydrophobic region. In some embodiments, the amphiphilic nanosheets of the present invention also comprise a plurality of functional groups that are appended to the lamellar crystals. In some embodiments the functional groups are hydrophobic functional groups that are appended to the second region of the lamellar crystals. In some embodiments, the lamellar crystals comprise ?-zirconium phosphates. Additional embodiments of the present invention pertain to methods of making the aforementioned amphiphilic nanosheets. Such methods generally comprise appending one or more functional groups to a stack of lamellar crystals; and exfoliating the stack of lamellar crystals for form the amphiphilic nanosheets.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2017Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: The Texas A&M University SystemInventors: Zhengdong Cheng, Andres F. Mejia, Agustin Diaz, Abraham Clearfield, Mahboobul S. Mannan, Ya-Wen Chang
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Publication number: 20170173546Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides amphiphilic nanosheets that comprise lamellar crystals with at least two regions: a first hydrophilic region and a second hydrophobic region. In some embodiments, the amphiphilic nanosheets of the present invention also comprise a plurality of functional groups that are appended to the lamellar crystals. In some embodiments the functional groups are hydrophobic functional groups that are appended to the second region of the lamellar crystals. In some embodiments, the lamellar crystals comprise ?-zirconium phosphates. Additional embodiments of the present invention pertain to methods of making the aforementioned amphiphilic nanosheets. Such methods generally comprise appending one or more functional groups to a stack of lamellar crystals; and exfoliating the stack of lamellar crystals for form the amphiphilic nanosheets.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2017Publication date: June 22, 2017Inventors: Zhengdong Cheng, Andres F. Mejia, Agustin Diaz, Abraham Clearfield, Mahboobul S. Mannan, Ya-Wen Chang
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Patent number: 9586983Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides amphiphilic nanosheets that comprise lamellar crystals with at least two regions: a first hydrophilic region, and a second hydrophobic region. In some embodiments, the amphiphilic nanosheets of the present invention also comprise a plurality of functional groups that are appended to the lamellar crystals. In some embodiments, the functional groups are hydrophobic functional groups that are appended to the second region of the lamellar crystals. In some embodiments, the lamellar crystals comprise ?-zirconium phosphates. Additional embodiments of the present invention pertain to methods of making the aforementioned amphiphilic nanosheets. Such methods generally comprise appending one or more functional groups to a stack of lamellar crystals; and exfoliating the stack of lamellar crystals for form the amphiphilic nanosheets.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2015Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: The Texas A&M University SystemInventors: Zhengdong Cheng, Andres F. Mejia, Agustin Diaz, Abraham Clearfield, Mahboobul S Mannan, Ya-Wen Chang
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Publication number: 20150299240Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides amphiphilic nanosheets that comprise lamellar crystals with at least two regions: a first hydrophilic region, and a second hydrophobic region. In some embodiments, the amphiphilic nanosheets of the present invention also comprise a plurality of functional groups that are appended to the lamellar crystals. In some embodiments, the functional groups are hydrophobic functional groups that are appended to the second region of the lamellar crystals. In some embodiments, the lamellar crystals comprise ?-zirconium phosphates. Additional embodiments of the present invention pertain to methods of making the aforementioned amphiphilic nanosheets. Such methods generally comprise appending one or more functional groups to a stack of lamellar crystals; and exfoliating the stack of lamellar crystals for form the amphiphilic nanosheets.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2015Publication date: October 22, 2015Applicant: The Texas A&M University SystemInventors: Zhengdong Cheng, Andres F. MEJIA, Agustin DIAZ, Abraham CLEARFIELD, Mahboobul S. MANNAN, Ya-Wen CHANG
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Patent number: 8986641Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides amphiphilic nanosheets that comprise lamellar crystals with at least two regions: a first hydrophilic region, and a second hydrophobic region. In some embodiments, the amphiphilic nanosheets of the present invention also comprise a plurality of functional groups that are appended to the lamellar crystals. In some embodiments, the functional groups are hydrophobic functional groups that are appended to the second region of the lamellar crystals. In some embodiments, the lamellar crystals comprise ?-zirconium phosphates. Additional embodiments of the present invention pertain to methods of making the aforementioned amphiphilic nanosheets. Such methods generally comprise appending one or more functional groups to a stack of lamellar crystals; and exfoliating the stack of lamellar crystals for form the amphiphilic nanosheets.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2013Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: The Texas A&M University SystemInventors: Zhengdong Cheng, Andres F. Mejia, Agustin Diaz, Abraham Clearfield, Mahboobul S Mannan, Ya-Wen Chang
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Patent number: 7297321Abstract: A new class of supermicroporous mixed oxides, with pore sizes in the 10-20 ? range has been prepared utilizing basic metal acetates. The reactions are carried out in non-aqueous solvent media to which an excess of amine is added. Hydrolysis of the reagents is effected by addition of a water-propanol mixture and refluxing. The amine and solvent are removed by thorough washing and/or calcining at temperatures as low as 200° C. Mixtures of transition metal oxides with either ZrO2, TiO2, La2O3, SiO2, Al2O3 or mixtures thereof were prepared. The surface area curves of the pure oxides are Type I with surface areas of 400-600 m2/g and up to 1100 m2/g for the mixed oxides.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2005Date of Patent: November 20, 2007Assignee: The Texas A&M University SystemInventors: Boris G. Shpeizer, Abraham Clearfield
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Patent number: 7211231Abstract: A bismuth-213 generator comprising an insoluble composition having the general formula Zr(Phosponate)x(HPO4)2?x.nH2O, wherein x is between 0 and 2; and n is the number of waters of hydration; and wherein cations of radioactive isotopes selected from radium, actinium and combinations thereof are immobilized on the composition. The value of x may be between about 0.2 and about 1. The phosphonate may be n-phosphonomethyl-miniodiacetic acid (PMIDA), wherein x may be between about 0.1 and about 1.9. The phosphonate may be one or more phosphonate having the formula: H2O3P—(CH2)a—N—((CH2)bCO2H)—((CH2)cCO2H), wherein a, b, and c are numbers from 1 to 3 that may or may not be equal. The value of x may also be between about 0.1 and 1.9.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2003Date of Patent: May 1, 2007Assignees: Lynntech, Inc., U Chicago Argonne LLC, The Texas A&M University SystemInventors: Paul Sylvester, Abraham Clearfield, Mark L. Dietz
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Publication number: 20050152829Abstract: A new class of supermicroporous mixed oxides, with pore sizes in the 10-20 ? range has been prepared utilizing basic metal acetates. The reactions are carried out in non-aqueous solvent media to which an excess of amine is added. Hydrolysis of the reagents is effected by addition of a water-propanol mixture and refluxing. The amine and solvent are removed by thorough washing and/or calcining at temperatures as low as 200° C. Mixtures of transition metal oxides with either ZrO2, TiO2, La2O3, SiO2, Al2O3 or mixtures thereof were prepared. The surface area curves of the pure oxides are Type I with surface areas of 400-600 m2/g and up to 1100 m2/g for the mixed oxides.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2005Publication date: July 14, 2005Inventors: Boris Shpeizer, Abraham Clearfield
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Patent number: 6114269Abstract: A chemically modified mica composite formed by heating a trioctahedral mica in an aqueous solution of sodium chloride having a concentration of at least 1 mole/liter at a temperature greater than 180 degrees Centigrade for at least 20 hours, thereby replacing exchangeable ions in the mica with sodium. Formation is accomplished at temperatures and pressures which are easily accessed by industrial equipment. The reagent employed is inexpensive and non-hazardous, and generates a precipitate which is readily separated from the modified mica.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2000Date of Patent: September 5, 2000Inventors: Stephen Frederic Yates, Irene DeFilippi, Romulus Gaita, Abraham Clearfield, Lyudmila Bortun, Anatoly Bortun
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Patent number: 5200378Abstract: A process is disclosed for pillaring layered materials which do not swell appreciably in water. The process comprises first intercalating an amine or other neutral molecule such as an amide or dimethyl sulfoxide between the layers of the material to be pillared. This allows the subsequent incorporation of inorganic pillars which are more temperature stable than the intercalated amine. Also, disclosed are different pillared products produced by the process. The starting materials do not appreciably swell in water and the pillared composition final product is produced by swelling with an inorganic intercalate and then displacing the inorganic intercalate with an inorganic pillaring substance.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 1991Date of Patent: April 6, 1993Assignee: The Texas A&M University SystemInventor: Abraham Clearfield
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Patent number: 5017537Abstract: A process is disclosed for pillaring layered materials which do not swell appreciably in water. The process comprises first intercalating an amine or other neutral molecule such as an amide or dimethyl sulfoxide between the layers of the material to be pillared. This allows the subsequent incorporation of inorganic pillars which are more temperature stable than the intercalated amine.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 1989Date of Patent: May 21, 1991Assignee: The Texas A&M University SystemInventor: Abraham Clearfield
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Patent number: 4512905Abstract: Homogeneous sodium zirconium silico-phosphates having the formulaNa.sub.1+x+4y Zr.sub.2-y (SiO.sub.4).sub.x (PO.sub.4).sub.3-xwhere x is from 1 to 2.8 and y is between 0 and about 0.5, are prepared by heating a zirconium phosphate with an aqueous, alkaline sodium silicate solution and calcining the resulting solid orthorhombic crystalline product. The calcined product is useful as a solid electrolyte for transporting sodium ions in a sodium-sulfur storage battery.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 1982Date of Patent: April 23, 1985Assignee: The Texas A&M University SystemInventors: Abraham Clearfield, Paul Jerus
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Patent number: 4180551Abstract: A process for modifying various inorganic compounds defined by the formula:M(OH).sub.z (HQO.sub.4).sub.2 -z/2.xH.sub.2 Owherein M is a metal ion selected from Groups IVA and IVB of the Periodic Table of Elements, Q is an anion selected from Groups VA and VIB of the Periodic Table of Elements, z is any value from 0 to 2 and x is a number of from 0 to 8, by replacing a hydrogen in the inorganic compound with a metal cation. Suitable cations include those elements selected from Groups IA, IIA, IIIA, IVA, IB, IIB, IIIB including the lanthanide and activide series, IVB, VB, VIB, VIIB and VIII of the Periodic Table of Elements and ammonium. Thereafter, elevation of the temperature causes modification of the crystalline structure of the exchanged compound and provides various novel crystalline phases.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 1977Date of Patent: December 25, 1979Assignee: Texas A&M University SystemInventor: Abraham Clearfield
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Patent number: 4059679Abstract: A process for modifying various inorganic compounds defined by the formula:M(OH).sub.z (HQO.sub.4).sub.2 -z/2 . xH.sub.2 Owherein M is a metal ion selected from Groups IVA and IVB of the Periodic Table of Elements, Q is an anion selected from Groups VA and VIB of the Periodic Table of Elements, z is any value from 0 to 2 and x is a number of from 0 to 8, by replacing a hydrogen in the inorganic compound with a metal cation. Suitable cations include those elements selected from Groups IA, IIA, IIIA, IVA, IB, IIB, IIIB including the lanthanide and activide series, IVB, VB, VIB, VIIB and VIII of the Periodic Table of Elements and ammonium. Thereafter, elevation of the temperature causes modification of the crystalline structure of the exchanged compound and provides various novel crystalline phases.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 1974Date of Patent: November 22, 1977Assignee: Ohio UniversityInventor: Abraham Clearfield