Patents by Inventor Alan P. Sylwester

Alan P. Sylwester 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).

  • Patent number: 7427302
    Abstract: A compact solid source of hydrogen gas, where the gas is generated by contacting water with micro-disperse particles of sodium borohydride in the presence of a catalyst, such as cobalt or ruthenium. The micro-disperse particles can have a substantially uniform diameter of 1-10 microns, and preferably about 3-5 microns. Ruthenium or cobalt catalytic nanoparticles can be incorporated in the micro-disperse particles of sodium borohydride, which allows a rapid and complete reaction to occur without the problems associated with caking and scaling of the surface by the reactant product sodium metaborate. A closed loop water management system can be used to recycle wastewater from a PEM fuel cell to supply water for reacting with the micro-disperse particles of sodium borohydride in a compact hydrogen gas generator. Capillary forces can wick water from a water reservoir into a packed bed of micro-disperse fuel particles, eliminating the need for using an active pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Inventors: Stanley H. Kravitz, Andrew M. Hecht, Alan P. Sylwester, Nelson S. Bell
  • Patent number: 7306780
    Abstract: A compact solid source of hydrogen gas, where the gas is generated by contacting water with micro-disperse particles of sodium borohydride in the presence of a catalyst, such as cobalt or ruthenium. The micro-disperse particles can have a substantially uniform diameter of 1-10 microns, and preferably about 3-5 microns. Ruthenium or cobalt catalytic nanoparticles can be incorporated in the micro-disperse particles of sodium borohydride, which allows a rapid and complete reaction to occur without the problems associated with caking and scaling of the surface by the reactant product sodium metaborate. A closed loop water management system can be used to recycle wastewater from a PEM fuel cell to supply water for reacting with the micro-disperse particles of sodium borohydride in a compact hydrogen gas generator. Capillary forces can wick water from a water reservoir into a packed bed of micro-disperse fuel particles, eliminating the need for using an active pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Stanley H. Kravitz, Andrew M. Hecht, Alan P. Sylwester, Nelson S. Bell
  • Patent number: 7157004
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for deposition of gas chromatography (GC) stationary phases into chromatography columns, for example gas chromatography columns. A chromatographic medium is dissolved or suspended in a solvent to form a composition. The composition may be inserted into a chromatographic column. Alternatively, portions of the chromatographic column may be exposed or filled with the composition. The composition is permitted to solidify, and at least a portion of the solvent is removed by vacuum sublimation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventor: Alan P. Sylwester
  • Patent number: 6890677
    Abstract: Fuel cells and a novel membrane for use in fuel cells and manufacturing processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Tom Klitsner, Alan P. Sylwester, Gail N. Ryba, Thomas E. Zipperian, Stanley H. Kravitz, Andrew Hecht
  • Patent number: 6841290
    Abstract: Fuel cells and a novel membrane for use in fuel cells and manufacturing processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Tom Klitsner, Alan P. Sylwester, Gail N. Ryba, Thomas E. Zipperian, Stanley H. Kravitz, Andrew Hecht
  • Patent number: 6746496
    Abstract: A compact solid source of hydrogen gas, where the gas is generated by contacting water with micro-disperse particles of sodium borohydride in the presence of a catalyst, such as cobalt or ruthenium. The micro-disperse particles can have a substantially uniform diameter of 1-10 microns, and preferably about 3-5 microns. Ruthenium or cobalt catalytic nanoparticles can be incorporated in the micro-disperse particles of sodium borohydride, which allows a rapid and complete reaction to occur without the problems associated with caking and scaling of the surface by the reactant product sodium metaborate. A closed loop water management system can be used to recycle wastewater from a PEM fuel cell to supply water for reacting with the micro-disperse particles of sodium borohydride in a compact hydrogen gas generator. Capillary forces can wick water from a water reservoir into a packed bed of micro-disperse fuel particles, eliminating the need for using an active pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Stanley H. Kravitz, Andrew M. Hecht, Alan P. Sylwester, Nelson S. Bell
  • Publication number: 20030082431
    Abstract: Fuel cells and a novel membrane for use in fuel cells and manufacturing processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventors: Tom Klitsner, Alan P. Sylwester, Gail N. Ryba, Thomas E. Zipperian, Stanley H. Kravitz, Andrew Hecht
  • Publication number: 20020122972
    Abstract: Fuel cells and a novel membrane for use in fuel cells and manufacturing processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Inventors: Tom Klitsner, Alan P. Sylwester, Gail N. Ryba, Thomas E. Zipperian, Stanley H. Kravitz, Andrew Hecht
  • Patent number: 5426006
    Abstract: A secondary battery having a rechargeable lithium-containing anode, a cathode and a separator positioned between the cathode and anode with an organic electrolyte solution absorbed therein is provided. The anode comprises three-dimensional microporous carbon structures synthesized from polymeric high internal phase emulsions or materials derived from this emulsion source, i.e., granules, powders, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1995
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Frank M. Delnick, William R. Even, Jr., Alan P. Sylwester, James C. F. Wang, Thomas Zifer
  • Patent number: 4832870
    Abstract: An electrically conductive composite material is disclosed which comprises a conductive open-celled, low density, microcellular carbon foam filled with a non-conductive polymer or resin. The composite material is prepared in a two-step process consisting of first preparing the microcellular carbon foam from a carbonizable polymer or copolymer using a phase separation process, then filling the carbon foam with the desired non-conductive polymer or resin. The electrically conductive composites of the present invention has a uniform and consistant pattern of filler distribution, and as a result is superior over prior art materials when used in battery components, electrodes, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Assignee: The United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Roger L. Clough, Alan P. Sylwester
  • Patent number: 4832881
    Abstract: A low density, open-celled microcellular carbon foam is disclosed which is prepared by dissolving a carbonizable polymer or copolymer in a solvent, pouring the solution into a mold, cooling the solution, removing the solvent, and then carbonizing the polymer or copolymer in a high temperature oven to produce the foam. If desired, an additive can be introduced in order to produce a doped carbon foam, and the foams can be made isotropic by selection of a suitable solvent. The low density, microcellular foams produced by this process are particularly useful in the fabrication of inertial confinement fusion targets, but can also be used as catalysts, absorbents, and electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Charles Arnold, Jr., James H. Aubert, Roger L. Clough, Peter B. Rand, Alan P. Sylwester