Patents by Inventor Andrew Kindler
Andrew Kindler 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).
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Publication number: 20050003254Abstract: Improvements to non acid methanol fuel cells include new formulations for materials. The platinum and ruthenium are more exactly mixed together. Different materials are substituted for these materials. The backing material for the fuel cell electrode is specially treated to improve its characteristics. A special sputtered electrode is formed which is extremely porous.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2004Publication date: January 6, 2005Inventors: Subbarao Surampudi, Harvey Frank, Sekharipuram Narayanan, William Chun, Barbara Jeffries-Nakamura, Andrew Kindler, Gerald Halpert
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Patent number: 6703150Abstract: Improvements to non acid methanol fuel cells include new formulations for materials. The platinum and ruthenium are more exactly mixed together. Different materials are substituted for these materials. The backing material for the fuel cell electrode is specially treated to improve its characteristics. A special sputtered electrode is formed which is extremely porous.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2001Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Subbarao Surampudi, Harvey A. Frank, Sekharipuram R. Narayanan, William Chun, Barbara Jeffries-Nakamura, Andrew Kindler, Gerald Halpert
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Patent number: 6589684Abstract: Improvements to non acid methanol fuel cells include new formulations for materials. The platinum and ruthenium are more exactly mixed together. Different materials are substituted for these materials. The backing material for the fuel cell electrode is specially treated to improve its characteristics. A special sputtered electrode is formed which is extremely porous.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 1999Date of Patent: July 8, 2003Assignee: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Subbarao Surampudi, Harvey A. Frank, Sekharipuram R. Narayanan, William Chun, Barbara Jeffries-Nakamura, Andrew Kindler, Gerald Halpert
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Patent number: 6444341Abstract: An electrolyte membrane for use in a fuel cell can contain sulfonated polyphenylether sulfones. The membrane can contain a first sulfonated polyphenylether sulfone and a second sulfonated polyphenylether sulfone, wherein the first sulfonated polyphenylether and the second sulfonated polyphenylether sulfone have equivalent weights greater than about 560, and the first sulfonated polyphenylether and the second sulfonated polyphenylether sulfone also have different equivalent weights. Also, a membrane for use in a fuel cell can contain a sulfonated polyphenylether sulfone and an unsulfonated polyphenylether sulfone. Methods for manufacturing a membrane electrode assemblies for use in fuel cells can include roughening a membrane surface. Electrodes and methods for fabricating such electrodes for use in a chemical fuel cell can include sintering an electrode. Such membranes and electrodes can be assembled into chemical fuel cells.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2000Date of Patent: September 3, 2002Assignee: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Shiao-Ping S. Yen, Andrew Kindler, Andre Yavrouian, Gerald Halpert
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Patent number: 6440594Abstract: Improvements to fuel cells include introduction of the fuel as an aerosol of liquid fuel droplets suspended in a gas. The particle size of the liquid fuel droplets may be controlled for optimal fuel cell performance by selection of different aerosol generators or by separating droplets based upon size using a particle size conditioner.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2000Date of Patent: August 27, 2002Assignee: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Andrew Kindler, Sekharipuram R. Narayanan, Thomas I. Valdez
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Patent number: 6420059Abstract: Improvements to non acid methanol fuel cells include new formulations for materials. The platinum and ruthenium are more exactly mixed together. Different materials are substituted for these materials. The backing material for the fuel cell electrode is specially treated to improve its characteristics. A special sputtered electrode is formed which is extremely porous.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 1999Date of Patent: July 16, 2002Assignee: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Subbarao Surampudi, Harvey A. Frank, Sekharipuram R. Narayanan, William Chun, Barbara Jeffries-Nakamura, Andrew Kindler, Gerald Halpert
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Patent number: 6399235Abstract: An electrolyte membrane for use in a fuel cell can contain sulfonated polyphenylether sulfones. The membrane can contain a first sulfonated polyphenylether sulfone and a second sulfonated polyphenylether sulfone, wherein the first sulfonated polyphenylether and the second sulfonated polyphenylether sulfone have equivalent weights greater than about 560, and the first sulfonated polyphenylether and the second sulfonated polyphenylether sulfone also have different equivalent weights. Also, a membrane for use in a fuel cell can contain a sulfonated polyphenylether sulfone and an unsulfonated polyphenylether sulfone. Methods for manufacturing a membrane electrode assemblies for use in fuel cells can include roughening a membrane surface. Electrodes and methods for fabricating such electrodes for use in a chemical fuel cell can include sintering an electrode. Such membranes and electrodes can be assembled into chemical fuel cells.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2000Date of Patent: June 4, 2002Assignee: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Shiao-Ping S. Yen, Andrew Kindler, Andre Yavrouian, Gerald Halpert
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Publication number: 20010050230Abstract: Improvements to non acid methanol fuel cells include new formulations for materials. The platinum and ruthenium are more exactly mixed together. Different materials are substituted for these materials. The backing material for the fuel cell electrode is specially treated to improve its characteristics. A special sputtered electrode is formed which is extremely porous.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2001Publication date: December 13, 2001Applicant: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Subbaroa Surampudi, Harvey A. Frank, Sekharipuram R. Narayanan, William Chun, Barbara Jeffries-Nakamura, Andrew Kindler, Gerald Halpert
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Patent number: 6303244Abstract: Improvements to non acid methanol fuel cells include new formulations for materials. The platinum and ruthenium are more exactly mixed together. Different materials are substituted for these materials. The backing material for the fuel cell electrode is specially treated to improve its characteristics. A special sputtered electrode is formed which is extremely porous.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 1999Date of Patent: October 16, 2001Assignee: California institute of TechnologyInventors: Subbarao Surampudi, Harvey A. Frank, Sekharipuram R. Narayanan, William Chun, Barbara Jeffries-Nakamura, Andrew Kindler, Gerald Halpert
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Patent number: 6291093Abstract: New fuel cell components for use in liquid feed fuel cell systems are provided. The components include biplates and endplates, having a hydrophilic surface and allow high efficiency operation. Conductive elements and a wicking device also form a part of the fuel cell components of the invention.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 1998Date of Patent: September 18, 2001Assignee: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Andrew Kindler, Albany Lee
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Patent number: 6265093Abstract: Improvements to non acid methanol fuel cells include new formulations for materials. The backing material for the fuel cell electrode is specially treated to improve its characteristics. A special sputtered electrode is formed which is extremely porous. Methanol is delivered to the fuel cell through a filter comprising molecular sieves.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 1999Date of Patent: July 24, 2001Assignee: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Subbarao Surampudi, Harvey A. Frank, Sekharipuram R. Narayanan, William Chun, Barbara Jeffries-Nakamura, Andrew Kindler, Gerald Halpert
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Patent number: 6254748Abstract: Improvements to non-acid methanol fuel cells include new formulations for materials. The platinum and ruthenium are more exactly mixed together. Different materials are substituted for these materials. The backing material for the fuel cell electrode is specially treated to improve its characteristics. A special sputtered electrode is formed which is extremely porous.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 1999Date of Patent: July 3, 2001Assignee: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Subbarao Surampudi, Harvey A. Frank, Sekharipuram R. Narayanan, William Chun, Barbara Jeffries-Nakamura, Andrew Kindler, Gerald Halpert
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Patent number: 6228518Abstract: New fuel cell elements for use in liquid feed fuel cells are provided. The elements including biplates and endplates are low in cost, light in weight, and allow high efficiency operation. Electrically conductive elements are also a part of the fuel cell elements.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 1998Date of Patent: May 8, 2001Assignee: California Institute of TechnologyInventor: Andrew Kindler
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Patent number: 6150047Abstract: An electrolyte membrane for use in a fuel cell can contain sulfonated polyphenylether sulfones. The membrane can contain a first sulfonated polyphenylether sulfone and a second sulfonated polyphenylether sulfone, wherein the first sulfonated polyphenylether and the second sulfonated polyphenylether sulfone have equivalent weights greater than about 560, and the first sulfonated polyphenylether and the second sulfonated polyphenylether sulfone also have different equivalent weights. Also, a membrane for use in a fuel cell can contain a sulfonated polyphenylether sulfone and an unsulfonated polyphenylether sulfone. Methods for manufacturing a membrane electrode assemblies for use in fuel cells can include roughening a membrane surface. Electrodes and methods for fabricating such electrodes for use in a chemical fuel cell can include sintering an electrode. Such membranes and electrodes can be assembled into chemical fuel cells.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 1998Date of Patent: November 21, 2000Assignee: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Shiao-Ping S. Yen, Andrew Kindler, Andre Yavrouian, Gerald Halpert
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Patent number: 6146781Abstract: Improvements to non-acid methanol fuel cells include new formulations for materials. The platinum and ruthenium are more exactly mixed together. Different materials are substituted for these materials. The backing material for the fuel cell electrode is specially treated to improve its characteristics. A special sputtered electrode is formed which is extremely porous.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 1998Date of Patent: November 14, 2000Assignee: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Subbarao Surampudi, Harvey A. Frank, Sekharipuram R. Narayanan, William Chun, Barbara Jeffries-Nakamura, Andrew Kindler, Gerald Halpert
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Patent number: 6136463Abstract: An improved fuel cell electrode, as well as fuel cells and membrane electrode assemblies that include such an electrode, in which the electrode includes a backing layer having a sintered layer thereon, and a non-sintered free-catalyst layer. The invention also features a method of forming the electrode by sintering a backing material with a catalyst material and then applying a free-catalyst layer.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 1998Date of Patent: October 24, 2000Assignee: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Andrew Kindler, Shiao-Ping Yen
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Patent number: 5992008Abstract: Improvements to direct feed methanol fuel cells include new protocols for component formation. Catalyst-water repellent material is applied in formation of electrodes and sintered before application of ionomer. A membrane used in formation of an electrode assembly is specially pre-treated to improve bonding between catalyst and membrane. The improved electrode and the pre-treated membrane are assembled into a membrane electrode assembly.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 1998Date of Patent: November 30, 1999Assignee: California Institute of TechnologyInventor: Andrew Kindler
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Patent number: 5773162Abstract: Improvements to non acid methanol fuel cells include new formulations for materials. The platinum and ruthenium are more exactly mixed together. Different materials are substituted for these materials. The backing material for the fuel cell electrode is specially treated to improve its characteristics. A special sputtered electrode is formed which is extremely porous.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 1995Date of Patent: June 30, 1998Assignee: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Subbarao Surampudi, Harvey A. Frank, Sekharipuram R. Narayanan, William Chun, Barbara Jeffries-Nakamura, Andrew Kindler, Gerald Halpert
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Patent number: 5494831Abstract: A electrochemical immunosensor system is provided which uses electrical signals to measure binding events. The system includes an immunosensor having a sensing electrode in contact with a fluid containing an analyte concentration. A quantity of antibodies or other binding agent is adsorbed on or otherwise affixed to the electrode surface such that a portion of the antibodies of the binding agent binds a portion of the analyte to form complexes on the electrode surface. Signal generating means develop an electrical signal at the sensing electrode such that a response current is produced through the sensing electrode. The response current has measurable signal characteristics which are dependent upon the number of complexes formed, and therefore the analyte concentration within the fluid.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 1993Date of Patent: February 27, 1996Assignee: Hughes Aircraft CompanyInventor: Andrew Kindler
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Patent number: 5266421Abstract: A membrane-electrode assembly for use in thermoelectrochemical systems. The electrode assembly includes a radiation grafted cation exchange membrane which is plasma etched to provide an etched anode surface and etched cathode surface. A catalytic cathode layer is thermally bonded to the etched cathode surface and a catalytic anode layer is thermally bonded to the etched anode membrane surface. The resulting membrane-electrode assembly is resistant to delamination and provides electrochemical performance which is equal to or better than that obtained with more expensive conventional electrodialysis membranes.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 1992Date of Patent: November 30, 1993Assignee: Hughes Aircraft CompanyInventors: Carl W. Townsend, Arthur B. Naselow, Andrew Kindler