Patents by Inventor Alexander Van Geen

Alexander Van Geen 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: 8701505
    Abstract: A groundwater sampling tool that includes an elongated hollow coring tube having a proximal end and a distal end for collecting groundwater and sediment; a Peltier element located in close proximity to a wall of the elongated hollow coring tube adapted to freeze groundwater and sediment collected by the elongated hollow coring tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
    Inventors: Alexander van Geen, Benjamin Bostick, Christopher Manning
  • Publication number: 20120167698
    Abstract: A groundwater sampling tool that includes an elongated hollow coring tube having a proximal end and a distal end for collecting groundwater and sediment; a Peltier element located in close proximity to a wall of the elongated hollow coring tube adapted to freeze groundwater and sediment collected by the elongated hollow coring tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventors: Alexander van Geen, Benjamin Bostick, Christopher Manning
  • Patent number: 7446874
    Abstract: A formulation for preparing water samples for determining arsenic concentration by colorimetry is provided. The chemical reagents in the formulation may be provided as premeasured and premixed tablets or pills. The chemical reagents include sulfamic acid, an oxidizer, and color reagents for selectively forming molybdenum-based color complexes with arsenates and phosphates. To test for arsenic, the water samples are acidified by addition of sulfamic acid. Sulfamic acid also advantageously reduces arsenic to an arsenite state. Arsenic in the water sample is oxidized or re-oxidized to an arsenate state by addition of the oxidizer. Then, color reagents are used to selectively bind and convert arsenates and phosphates in the water samples into molybdenum-blue color complexes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
    Inventor: Alexander Van Geen
  • Publication number: 20080113442
    Abstract: A formulation for preparing water samples for determining arsenic concentration by colorimetry is provided. The chemical reagents in the formulation may be provided as premeasured and premixed tablets or pills. The chemical reagents include sulfamic acid, an oxidizer, and color reagents for selectively forming molybdenum-based color complexes with arsenates and phosphates. To test for arsenic, the water samples are acidified by addition of sulfamic acid. Sulfamic acid also advantageously reduces arsenic to an arsenite state. Arsenic in the water sample is oxidized or re-oxidized to an arsenate state by addition of the oxidizer. Then, color reagents are used to selectively bind and convert arsenates and phosphates in the water samples into molybdenum-blue color complexes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventor: Alexander Van Geen
  • Patent number: 7336362
    Abstract: A field test-kit for analyzing arsenic concentration in water samples is provided. The kit includes a portable infrared beam photometer for measuring light absorbance in aqueous specimens. An infrared light emitting diode is configured to direct a beam of light through a specimen. A photodetector diode measures the intensity of light passing through the specimen. The photodetector output voltages relate to the light absorbed in the specimen and are displayed on a liquid crystal display screen. The kit is assembled using off-the-shelf electronic and opto-electronic components that have low power requirements. Dry cell batteries or solar cells power the kit. To test for arsenic, molybdenum based chemistries are used to selectively bind and convert arsenates and phosphates in the specimen into molybdenum-blue color complexes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
    Inventor: Alexander Van Geen
  • Patent number: 7315375
    Abstract: A formulation for preparing water samples for determining arsenic concentration by colorimetry is provided. The chemical reagents in the formulation may be provided as premeasured and premixed tablets or pills. The chemical reagents include sulfamic acid, an oxidizer, and color reagents for selectively forming molybdenum-based color complexes with arsenates and phosphates. To test for arsenic, the water samples are acidified by addition of sulfamic acid. Sulfamic acid also advantageously reduces arsenic to an arsenite state. Arsenic in the water sample is oxidized or re-oxidized to an arsenate state by addition of the oxidizer. Then, color reagents are used to selectively bind and convert arsenates and phosphates in the water samples into molybdenum-blue color complexes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
    Inventor: Alexander Van Geen
  • Publication number: 20060007445
    Abstract: A field test-kit for analyzing arsenic concentration in water samples is provided. The kit includes a portable infrared beam photometer for measuring light absorbance in aqueous specimens. An infrared light emitting diode is configured to direct a beam of light through a specimen. A photodetector diode measures the intensity of light passing through the specimen. The photodetector output voltages relate to the light absorbed in the specimen and are displayed on a liquid crystal display screen. The kit is assembled using off-the-shelf electronic and opto-electronic components that have low power requirements. Dry cell batteries or solar cells power the kit. To test for arsenic, molybdenum based chemistries are used to selectively bind and convert arsenates and phosphates in the specimen into molybdenum-blue color complexes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Publication date: January 12, 2006
    Inventor: Alexander Van Geen