Patents by Inventor Allen Wright

Allen Wright 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: 20250381513
    Abstract: A system and method for passive collection of atmospheric carbon dioxide is disclosed. The system includes a harvest chamber having a first opening and a sorbent regeneration system. The system also includes a capture body coupled to and movable by a support structure. The capture body includes a sorbent material and is movable by the support structure to be in a collection configuration wherein at least a portion of the capture body is in contact with a natural airflow outside the harvest chamber such that atmospheric carbon dioxide is captured by the sorbent material, and a release configuration wherein at least a portion of the capture body holding captured carbon dioxide is operated upon by the regeneration system inside the harvest chamber such that captured carbon dioxide is released to form an enriched gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2025
    Publication date: December 18, 2025
    Inventors: Klaus Lackner, Shreyans Kedia, Brinton Carlson, Robert Page, Venkatram Choodamani, Allen Wright
  • Patent number: 12343674
    Abstract: A system and method for passive collection of atmospheric carbon dioxide is disclosed. The system includes a harvest chamber having a first opening and a sorbent regeneration system. The system also includes a capture body coupled to and movable by a support structure. The capture body includes a sorbent material and is movable by the support structure to be in a collection configuration wherein at least a portion of the capture body is in contact with a natural airflow outside the harvest chamber such that atmospheric carbon dioxide is captured by the sorbent material, and a release configuration wherein at least a portion of the capture body holding captured carbon dioxide is operated upon by the regeneration system inside the harvest chamber such that captured carbon dioxide is released to form an enriched gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2025
    Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents on Behalf of Arizona State University
    Inventors: Klaus Lackner, Shreyans Kedia, Brinton Carlson, Robert Page, Venkatram Choodamani, Allen Wright
  • Publication number: 20240001333
    Abstract: A polymer composite includes a polymer substrate, activated carbon, and a carbonate salt. The activated carbon is infused with the carbonate salt. A hybrid composite includes a fibrous mat with activated carbon and potassium carbonate crystals adhered to the fibrous mat. Making a polymer composite includes combining activated carbon with a polymer to yield a mixture, and electrospinning the mixture to yield nanofibers, wherein the carbonate salt is adhered to or embedded in the nanofibers. Capturing carbon dioxide from a quantity of air includes contacting the polymer composite with the quantity of air in the presence of water vapor to yield potassium bicarbonate sorbed on the polymer composite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2022
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Inventors: Matthew Green, Klaus Lackner, Jae Sang Lee, Meng Wang, Mani Modayil Korah, Husain Mithaiwala, Allen Wright
  • Publication number: 20230347278
    Abstract: A system and method for passive collection of atmospheric carbon dioxide is disclosed. The system includes a harvest chamber having a first opening and a sorbent regeneration system. The system also includes a capture body coupled to and movable by a support structure. The capture body includes a sorbent material and is movable by the support structure to be in a collection configuration wherein at least a portion of the capture body is in contact with a natural airflow outside the harvest chamber such that atmospheric carbon dioxide is captured by the sorbent material, and a release configuration wherein at least a portion of the capture body holding captured carbon dioxide is operated upon by the regeneration system inside the harvest chamber such that captured carbon dioxide is released to form an enriched gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Klaus Lackner, Shreyans Kedia, Brinton Carlson, Robert Page, Venkatram Choodamani, Allen Wright
  • Patent number: 11738300
    Abstract: A system and method for passive collection of atmospheric carbon dioxide is disclosed. The system includes a harvest chamber having a first opening and a sorbent regeneration system. The system also includes a capture body coupled to and movable by a support structure. The capture body includes a sorbent material and is movable by the support structure to be in a collection configuration wherein at least a portion of the capture body is in contact with a natural airflow outside the harvest chamber such that atmospheric carbon dioxide is captured by the sorbent material, and a release configuration wherein at least a portion of the capture body holding captured carbon dioxide is operated upon by the regeneration system inside the harvest chamber such that captured carbon dioxide is released to form an enriched gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of Arizona State University
    Inventors: Klaus Lackner, Shreyans Kedia, Brinton Carlson, Robert Page, Venkatram Choodamani, Allen Wright
  • Patent number: 11306280
    Abstract: The present application focuses on systems and methods that utilize one or more carbon dioxide (CO2) sorbent substrates and a swing cycle, e.g., a moisture swing cycle, to increase the partial pressure of the CO2 in a gaseous feedstock, which is delivered through a membrane to a bioreactor, such as a membrane carbonation photobioreactor. Such systems and processes offer an effective means for concentrating and capturing CO2 obtained from air and delivering the concentrated CO2 to a photobioreactor through a membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents on Behalf of Arizona State University
    Inventors: Bruce Rittmann, Klaus Lackner, Justin Flory, Megha Patel, Allen Wright
  • Publication number: 20210370230
    Abstract: A method for enhancing a sorbent membrane for carbon dioxide capture is disclosed. The method includes applying a layer of a hydrophobic material to at least one surface of the sorbent membrane. The hydrophobic material may be one of a polysioxane, a silicone compound, and a fluoroacrylic copolymer. The sorbent membrane may be an anionic exchange membrane, and may have a quaternary ammonium functional group. The layer of hydrophobic material reduces the amount of water used in the carbon dioxide capture process, and relaxes the water quality constraints.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Allen Wright, Klaus Lackner
  • Patent number: 11131063
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention a method for producing a composite paper by providing a particulate sorbent, providing a paper pulp, and mixing the particulate sorbent and the paper pulp to develop a mixture. The method includes producing an article from the mixture that includes the particulate sorbent at least partially distributed through at least a portion of the article. Further, the at least one article is configured and arranged to uptake and release carbon dioxide as a function of moisture content. Some embodiments of the invention include a composite paper-like assembly including at least a first and second layer including hydrophobic fibers, and sorbent particles and/or a sorbent loaded paper sandwiched between the first and second porous sheets. Some further embodiments include a method for producing a material that supports a moisture swing by providing a material including activated carbon, and infusing the activated carbon with ionic salt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of Arizona State University
    Inventors: Allen Wright, Klaus Lackner
  • Publication number: 20200398214
    Abstract: A system and method for passive collection of atmospheric carbon dioxide is disclosed. The system includes a harvest chamber having a first opening and a sorbent regeneration system. The system also includes a capture body coupled to and movable by a support structure. The capture body includes a sorbent material and is movable by the support structure to be in a collection configuration wherein at least a portion of the capture body is in contact with a natural airflow outside the harvest chamber such that atmospheric carbon dioxide is captured by the sorbent material, and a release configuration wherein at least a portion of the capture body holding captured carbon dioxide is operated upon by the regeneration system inside the harvest chamber such that captured carbon dioxide is released to form an enriched gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS ON BEHALF OF ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Klaus Lackner, Shreyans Kedia, Brinton Carlson, Robert Page, Venkatram Choodamani, Allen Wright
  • Publication number: 20200340184
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention a method for producing a composite paper by providing a particulate sorbent, providing a paper pulp, and mixing the particulate sorbent and the paper pulp to develop a mixture. The method includes producing an article from the mixture that includes the particulate sorbent at least partially distributed through at least a portion of the article. Further, the at least one article is configured and arranged to uptake and release carbon dioxide as a function of moisture content. Some embodiments of the invention include a composite paper-like assembly including at least a first and second layer including hydrophobic fibers, and sorbent particles and/or a sorbent loaded paper sandwiched between the first and second porous sheets. Some further embodiments include a method for producing a material that supports a moisture swing by providing a material including activated carbon, and infusing the activated carbon with ionic salt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventors: Allen Wright, Klaus Lackner
  • Patent number: 10711400
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention a method for producing a composite paper by providing a particulate sorbent, providing a paper pulp, and mixing the particulate sorbent and the paper pulp to develop a mixture. The method includes producing an article from the mixture that includes the particulate sorbent at least partially distributed through at least a portion of the article. Further, the at least one article is configured and arranged to uptake and release carbon dioxide as a function of moisture content. Some embodiments of the invention include a composite paper-like assembly including at least a first and second layer including hydrophobic fibers, and sorbent particles and/or a sorbent loaded paper sandwiched between the first and second porous sheets. Some further embodiments include a method for producing a material that supports a moisture swing by providing a material including activated carbon, and infusing the activated carbon with ionic salt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of Arizona State University
    Inventors: Allen Wright, Klaus Lackner
  • Patent number: 10413858
    Abstract: A carbon dioxide capture and release method of forming a MOF matrix material including at least one metal-organic-framework crystal that includes at least one metal ion or metal ion cluster coordinated to polydentate organic ligands. The method includes forming a positive moisture swing CO2 host by application of at least a portion of the MOF matrix material to at least a portion of a good, and exposing the good to a feed gas. The method also includes altering the absorption and desorption of CO2 in the CO2 host through a swing absorption/desorption process of moisture content, where an equilibrium pressure of CO2 over the CO2 host is based at least in part on the moisture content. The metal-organic-framework crystal can be UIO-66 including Zr6O4(OH)4(CO2)12 clusters linked by terephthalate acid ligands, and/or Zr6O4(OH)4(CO2)12 clusters linked by amino-terephthalic acid ligands, and/or Zr6O4(OH)4(CO2)12 clusters linked by nitro-terephthalic acid ligands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of Arizona State University
    Inventors: Bin Mu, Mitchell Armstrong, Allen Wright, Klaus Lackner
  • Publication number: 20180105780
    Abstract: The present application focuses on systems and methods that utilize one or more carbon dioxide (CO2) sorbent substrates and a swing cycle, e.g., a moisture swing cycle, to increase the partial pressure of the CO2 in a gaseous feedstock, which is delivered through a membrane to a bioreactor, such as a membrane carbonation photobioreactor. Such systems and processes offer an effective means for concentrating and capturing CO2 obtained from air and delivering the concentrated CO2 to a photobioreactor through a membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Applicant: ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS ON BEHALF OF ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Bruce RITTMANN, Klaus LACKNER, Justin FLORY, Megha PATEL, Allen WRIGHT
  • Publication number: 20180058008
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention a method for producing a composite paper by providing a particulate sorbent, providing a paper pulp, and mixing the particulate sorbent and the paper pulp to develop a mixture. The method includes producing an article from the mixture that includes the particulate sorbent at least partially distributed through at least a portion of the article. Further, the at least one article is configured and arranged to uptake and release carbon dioxide as a function of moisture content. Some embodiments of the invention include a composite paper-like assembly including at least a first and second layer including hydrophobic fibers, and sorbent particles and/or a sorbent loaded paper sandwiched between the first and second porous sheets. Some further embodiments include a method for producing a material that supports a moisture swing by providing a material including activated carbon, and infusing the activated carbon with ionic salt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Allen Wright, Klaus Lackner
  • Publication number: 20170182453
    Abstract: A carbon dioxide capture and release method of forming a MOF matrix material including at least one metal-organic-framework crystal that includes at least one metal ion or metal ion cluster coordinated to polydentate organic ligands. The method includes forming a positive moisture swing CO2 host by application of at least a portion of the MOF matrix material to at least a portion of a good, and exposing the good to a feed gas. The method also includes altering the absorption and desorption of CO2 in the CO2 host through a swing absorption/desorption process of moisture content, where an equilibrium pressure of CO2 over the CO2 host is based at least in part on the moisture content. The metal-organic-framework crystal can be UIO-66 including Zr6O4(OH)4(CO2)12 clusters linked by terephthalate acid ligands, and/or Zr6O4(OH)4(CO2)12 clusters linked by amino-terephthalic acid ligands, and/or Zr6O4(OH)4(CO2)12 clusters linked by nitro-terephthalic acid ligands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Applicant: ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS ON BEHALF OF ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: BIN MU, Mitchell Armstrong, Allen Wright, Klaus Lackner
  • Patent number: 9387433
    Abstract: Methods and systems for capturing carbon dioxide from dilute sources are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods include the following: (a) directing a first substantially gaseous stream including a first amount of carbon dioxide to a primary scrubber; (b) in the primary scrubber, removing a portion of the first amount of carbon dioxide thereby forming a second substantially gaseous stream including a second amount of carbon dioxide; (c) directing the second substantially gaseous stream to a secondary scrubber; (d) in the secondary scrubber, removing a portion of the second amount of carbon dioxide thereby forming a third substantially gaseous stream; (e) mixing substantially all of the portion of the second amount of carbon dioxide removed in step (d) with the first substantially gaseous stream before it enters the primary scrubber; and (f) repeating steps (a) thru (e).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
    Inventors: Klaus Lackner, Allen Wright
  • Publication number: 20140219899
    Abstract: Methods and systems for capturing carbon dioxide from dilute sources are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods include the following: (a) directing a first substantially gaseous stream including a first amount of carbon dioxide to a primary scrubber; (b) in the primary scrubber, removing a portion of the first amount of carbon dioxide thereby forming a second substantially gaseous stream including a second amount of carbon dioxide; (c) directing the second substantially gaseous stream to a secondary scrubber; (d) in the secondary scrubber, removing a portion of the second amount of carbon dioxide thereby forming a third substantially gaseous stream; (e) mixing substantially all of the portion of the second amount of carbon dioxide removed in step (d) with the first substantially gaseous stream before it enters the primary scrubber; and (f) repeating steps (a) thru (e).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventors: Klaus Lackner, Allen Wright
  • Publication number: 20110108421
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for recovering a hydroxide based sorbent from carbonate or another salt by electrochemical means involving separation schemes that use bipolar membranes and at least one type of cationic or anionic membrane. The methods can be used in an air contactor that removes carbon dioxide from the air by binding the carbon dioxide into a solvent or sorbent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventors: Klaus S. Lackner, Allen Wright
  • Publication number: 20110056382
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for carbon dioxide from air, which comprises exposing solvent covered surfaces to air streams where the airflow is kept laminar, or close to the laminar regime. The invention also provides for an apparatus, which is a laminar scrubber, comprising solvent covered surfaces situated such that they can be exposed to air streams such that the airflow is kept laminar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Inventors: Klaus S. Lackner, Allen Wright
  • Patent number: 7833328
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for carbon dioxide from air, which comprises exposing solvent covered surfaces to air streams where the airflow is kept laminar, or close to the laminar regime. The invention also provides for an apparatus, which is a laminar scrubber, comprising solvent covered surfaces situated such that they can be exposed to air streams such that the airflow is kept laminar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignees: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York, Kilimanjaro Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Klaus S. Lackner, Allen Wright