Patents by Inventor Angela Thach

Angela Thach 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: 11932558
    Abstract: A piezoelectric polymer used as a piezocatalyst, and methods of manufacture and use therefor. A preferred piezoelectric polymer is poly(vinylidene difluoride) (PVDF) due to its piezoelectric response and good flexibility. The polymer can be doped with a metal, metal salt, metal carbonyl, metal oxide such as ZnO, Co2O3, or TiO2, or ion such as Cr3+, Co2+, or Zn2+. The dopant can be chosen so that when the polymer is PVDF the dopant increases the amount of ?-phase PVDF and/or ?-phase PVDF relative to ?-phase PVDF, thereby increasing the piezocatalytic response of the polymer. The compound to be decomposed can be adsorbed on the surface of the piezoelectric polymer. Applications include wastewater treatment, CO2 capture and reduction, hydroformylation, water splitting, and ammonia synthesis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: University of Rhode Island Board of Trustees
    Inventors: William B. Euler, Angela Thach, Lasanthi Sumathirathne, Benjamin B. Cromwell, Mara Dubnicka