Patents by Inventor Alan J. M. Baker

Alan J. M. Baker 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).

  • Recovering metals from soil
    Publication number: 20080134364
    Abstract: The invention relates to recovering metals, such as nickel and cobalt, by phytomining or phytoextracting soils rich in metals wherein the desired metal is selectively accumulated in hyperaccumulator plants by adjusting the soil pH. The metals are ultimately recovered from above-ground plant tissues at economically acceptable levels without further contaminating the metal-containing sites. The invention also relates to metal-hyperaccumulating plants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Rufus L. Chaney, J. Scott Angle, Yin-Ming Li, Alan J.M. Baker
  • Recovering metals from soil
    Patent number: 7268273
    Abstract: The invention relates to recovering metals, such as nickel and cobalt, by phytomining or phytoextracting soils rich in metals wherein the desired metal is selectively accumulated in hyperaccumulator plants by adjusting the soil pH. The metals are ultimately recovered from above-ground plant tissues at economically acceptable levels without further contaminating the metal-containing sites. The invention also relates to metal-hyperaccumulating plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignees: The University of Maryland, The University of Sheffield, The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Rufus L. Chaney, J. Scott Angle, Yin-Ming Li, Alan J. M. Baker
  • subspecies for cadmium and zinc recovery
    Patent number: 7049492
    Abstract: A cadmium and zinc hyperaccumulating subspecies from Thlaspi caerulescense and methods for removing or recovering cadmium and zinc from soils by cultivating the Thlaspi caerulescense subspecies on soils containing cadmium and zinc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignees: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture, Massey University, University of Maryland, University of Sheffield
    Inventors: Yin-Ming Li, Rufus L. Chaney, Roger D. Reeves, J. Scott Angle, Alan J. M. Baker
  • RECOVERING METALS FROM SOIL
    Publication number: 20020174451
    Abstract: The invention relates to recovering metals, such as nickel and cobalt, by phytomining or phytoextracting soils rich in metals wherein the desired metal is selectively accumulated in hyperaccumulator plants by adjusting the soil pH. The metals are ultimately recovered from above-ground plant tissues at economically acceptable levels without further contaminating the metal-containing sites. The invention also relates to metal-hyperaccumulating plants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventors: RUFUS L. CHANEY, J. SCOTT ANGLE, YIN-MING LI, ALAN J.M. BAKER
  • Method for phytomining of nickel, cobalt and other metals from soil
    Patent number: 5944872
    Abstract: Nickel/cobalt, as well as platinum and palladium metal family members are recovered from soil by growing Brassicaceae plants, specifically Alyssum in soil containing nickel/cobalt as well as other metals. The soil is conditioned by maintaining a low pH, low calcium concentration, and the addition of ammonium fertilizer and chelating agents thereto. Nickel accumulation on the order of 2.5 percent or better in above-ground tissues is achieved, which permits recovery of the metal by harvesting the above-ground plant materials, drying, and then combusting the same, to oxidize or vaporize organic materials and recover the metals sequestered therein at 10-20 fold higher concentrations than in the soil, in a form which can be used in conventional Ni refinery or smelting operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignees: University of Maryland at College Park, The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture, The University of Sheffield
    Inventors: Rufus L. Chaney, Jay Scott Angle, Alan J.M. Baker, Yin-Ming Li
  • Method for phytomining of nickel, cobalt and other metals from soil
    Patent number: 5711784
    Abstract: Nickel/cobalt, as well as platinum and palladium metal family members are recovered from soil by growing Brassicaceae plants, specifically Alyssum in soil containing nickel/cobalt as well as other metals. The soil is conditioned by maintaining a low pH, low calcium concentration, and the addition of ammonium fertilizer and chelating agents thereto. Nickel accumulation on the order of 2.5 percent or better in above-ground tissues is achieved, which permits recovery of the metal by harvesting the above-ground plant materials, drying, and then combusting the same, to oxidize or vaporize organic materials and recover the metals sequestered therein at 10-20 fold higher concentrations than in the soil, in a form which can be used in conventional Ni refinery or smelting operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: University of Maryland at College Park
    Inventors: Rufus L. Chaney, Jay Scott Angle, Alan J. M. Baker, Yin-Ming Li