Patents by Inventor Alexandra N. Torgersen

Alexandra N. Torgersen 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).

  • Publication number: 20110071021
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a hydrogen storage material that is formed by reacting solid precursors (a) and (b). The (a) precursor is a compound containing X—H and Y—H bonds, where X is a Group 13 and Y is a Group 15 element. Preferably X is boron (B—H) and Y is nitrogen (N—H). Most preferably, the precursor (a) is borazane. The (b) precursor is preferably a hydride, such as LiH or LiAlH4. Another feature of the present invention is a novel hydrogen storage composition material that is formed as an intermediate (INT) in the reaction of the (a) with the (b) precursors. The INT hydrogen storage material can be a quaternary B—H—Li—N composition. Other aspects of hydrogen storage materials are provided herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicants: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC., Purdue Research Foundation, Office of Technology Commercialization
    Inventors: Alexandra N. Torgersen, Scott W. Jorgensen, Stacey E. Siporin
  • Patent number: 7887781
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a method of storing hydrogen that comprises reacting two precursors to form a hydrogen storage composition comprising hydrogen, nitrogen, a Group 13 element, and an element selected from Group 1, Group 2 or mixtures thereof. In other aspects, the present invention provides a method of storing hydrogen by ball-milling two precursors at a temperature in a range sufficient to prevent pre-mature release of hydrogen, while the temperature is still sufficient to induce reaction between the precursors. The precursors preferably have X—H, Y—H and A-H bonds where X represents a Group 13 element, Y represents a Group 15 element, and A represents an element from Group 1, Group 2, or mixtures thereof. Other variations of the methods of storing hydrogen are further provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Alexandra N. Torgersen, Scott W. Jorgensen, Stacey E. Siporin
  • Patent number: 7862791
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a hydrogen storage material that is formed by reacting solid precursors (a) and (b). The (a) precursor is a compound containing X—H and Y—H bonds, where X is a Group 13 and Y is a Group 15 element. Preferably X is boron (B—H) and Y is nitrogen (N—H). Most preferably, the precursor (a) is borazane. The (b) precursor is preferably a hydride, such as LiH or LiAlH4. Another feature of the present invention is a novel hydrogen storage composition material that is formed as an intermediate (INT) in the reaction of the (a) with the (b) precursors. The INT hydrogen storage material can be a quaternary B—H—Li—N composition. Other aspects of hydrogen storage materials are provided herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexandra N. Torgersen, Scott W. Jorgensen, Stacey E. Siporin
  • Patent number: 7166150
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a hydrogen storage composite formed of a mesoporous scaffolding material and a hydrogen storage composition comprising precursors that react to form quarternary B—H—Li—N composition. In another aspect, the invention provides a process for forming hydrogen storage material. In each aspect, a high portion of hydrogen is released as hydrogen gas and a lesser portion of hydrogen is released as a hydrogen-containing byproduct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexandra N. Torgersen, Scott W. Jorgensen