Patents by Inventor Brent F. Espinoza

Brent F. Espinoza 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).

  • Cross-linked polybenzimidazole membrane for gas separation
    Patent number: 6997971
    Abstract: A cross-linked, supported polybenzimidazole membrane for gas separation is prepared by reacting polybenzimidazole (PBI) with the sulfone-containing crosslinking agent 3,4-dichloro-tetrahydro-thiophene-1,1-dioxide. The cross-linked reaction product exhibits enhanced gas permeability to hydrogen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and methane as compared to the unmodified analog, without significant loss of selectivity, at temperatures from about 20 degrees Celsius to about 400 degrees Celsius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Jennifer S. Young, Gregory S. Long, Brent F. Espinoza
  • Cross-linked polybenzimidazole membrane for gas separation
    Patent number: 6946015
    Abstract: A cross-linked, supported polybenzimidazole membrane for gas separation is prepared by layering a solution of polybenzimidazole (PBI) and ?,??dibromo-p-xylene onto a porous support and evaporating solvent. A supported membrane of cross-linked poly-2,2?-(m-phenylene)-5,5?-bibenzimidazole unexpectedly exhibits an enhanced gas permeability compared to the non-cross linked analog at temperatures over 265° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Betty S. Jorgensen, Jennifer S. Young, Brent F. Espinoza
  • Cross-linked polybenzimidazole membrane for gas separation
    Publication number: 20040261616
    Abstract: A cross-linked, supported polybenzimidazole membrane for gas separation is prepared by layering a solution of polybenzimidazole (PBI) and &agr;,&agr;′dibromo-p-xylene onto a porous support and evaporating solvent. A supported membrane of cross-linked poly-2,2′-(m-phenylene)-5,5′-bibenzimidazole unexpectedly exhibits an enhanced gas permeability compared to the non-cross linked analog at temperatures over 265° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: Betty S. Jorgensen, Jennifer S. Young, Brent F. Espinoza