Patents by Inventor Arthur J. Frank

Arthur J. Frank 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: 8389157
    Abstract: An electrode having an oriented array of multiple nanotubes is disclosed. Individual nanotubes have a lengthwise inner pore defined by interior tube walls which extends at least partially through the length of the nanotube. The nanotubes of the array may be oriented according to any identifiable pattern. Also disclosed is a device featuring an electrode and methods of fabrication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Arthur J. Frank, Kai Zhu, Qing Wang
  • Publication number: 20100139772
    Abstract: An inorganic two-phase nanowire structure including an inorganic semiconducting nanoporous charge conducting phase, and, an inorganic semiconductor nanowire array disposed within at least one of the pores of the nanoporous charge conducting phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Arthur J. Frank, Nathan R. Neale, Kai Zhu
  • Publication number: 20090214942
    Abstract: An electrode having an oriented array of multiple nanotubes is disclosed. Individual nanotubes have a lengthwise inner pore defined by interior tube walls which extends at least partially through the length of the nanotube. The nanotubes of the array may be oriented according to any identifiable pattern. Also disclosed is a device featuring an electrode and methods of fabrication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.
    Inventors: Arthur J. Frank, Kai Zhu, Qing Wang
  • Patent number: 5223634
    Abstract: A dimeric composition of the formula: ##STR1## wherein L', L", L'", and L"" are each a bidentate ligand having at least one functional substituent, the ligand selected from bipyridine, phenanthroline, 2-phenylpyridine, bipyrimidine, and bipyrazyl and the functional substituent selected from carboxylic acid, ester, amide, halogenide, anhydride, acyl ketone, alkyl ketone, acid chloride, sulfonic acid, phosphonic acid, and nitro and nitroso groups. An electrochemical oxidation process for the production of the above functionally substituted bidentate ligand diaqua oxo-bridged ruthenium dimers and their use as water oxidation catalysts is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Michael Gratzel, Shekhar Munavalli, Fu-Jann Pern, Arthur J. Frank
  • Patent number: 5208154
    Abstract: Methods and techniques are described for reversibly binding charged biological particles in a fluid medium to an electrode surface. The methods are useful in a variety of applications. The biological materials may include microbes, proteins, and viruses. The electrode surface may consist of reversibly electroactive materials such as polyvinylferrocene, silicon-linked ferrocene or quinone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1993
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Department of Energy
    Inventors: Paul F. Weaver, Arthur J. Frank
  • Patent number: 4650558
    Abstract: An electrode is disclosed for use in photoelectrochemical cells having an electrolyte which includes an aqueous constituent. The electrode includes a semiconductor and a hydrophobic film disposed between the semiconductor and the aqueous constituent. The hydrophobic film is adapted to permit charges to pass therethrough while substantially decreasing the activity of the aqueous constituent at the semiconductor surface thereby decreasing the photodegradation of the semiconductor electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1987
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: Arthur J. Frank
  • Patent number: 4476003
    Abstract: According to the present invention, an improved method of coating electrodes with conductive polymer films and/or preselected catalysts is provided. The charge-conductive polymer is covalently or coordinatively attached to the electrode surface to strengthen the adhesion characteristics of the polymer to the electrode surface or to improve charge-conductive properties between the conductive polymer and the electrode surface. Covalent or coordinative attachment is achieved by a number of alternative methods including covalently or coordinatively attaching the desired monomer to the electrode by means of a suitable coupling reagent and, thereafter, electrochemically polymerizing the monomer in situ.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1984
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Arthur J. Frank, Kenji Honda
  • Patent number: 4461691
    Abstract: According to the present invention, improved electrodes overcoated with conductive polymer films and preselected catalysts are provided. The electrodes typically comprise an inorganic semiconductor overcoated with a charge conductive polymer film comprising a charge conductive polymer in or on which is a catalyst or charge-relaying agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1984
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: Arthur J. Frank