Patents by Inventor Brian Benicewicz

Brian Benicewicz 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: 20100216051
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a proton-conducting polymer membrane which comprises polyazole blends and is obtainable by a process comprising the steps A) preparation of a mixture comprising polyphosphoric acid, at least one polyazole (polymer A) and/or one or more compounds which are suitable for forming polyazoles under the action of heat according to step B), B) heating of the mixture obtainable according to step A) under inert gas to temperatures of up to 400° C., C) application of a layer using the mixture from step A) and/or B) to a support, D) treatment of the membrane formed in step C) until it is self-supporting, wherein at least one further polymer (polymer B) which is not a polyazole is added to the composition obtainable according to step A) and/or step B) and the weight ratio of polyazole to polymer B is in the range from 0.1 to 50.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: BASF Fuel Cell GmbH
    Inventors: Oemer Uensal, Joachim Kiefer, Gordon Calundann, Michael J. Sansone, Brian Benicewicz, Eui W. Choe
  • Patent number: 7745030
    Abstract: A proton-conducting polymer membrane comprising polyazoles containing sulfonic acid groups is obtainable by a process comprising: A) mixing one or more aromatic or heteroaromatic tetraamino compounds with one or more aromatic or heteroaromatic carboxylic acids or derivatives thereof which contain at least two acid groups per carboxylic acid monomer, with at least part of the tetraamino compounds or the carboxylic acids comprising at least one sulfonic acid group, or mixing of one or more aromatic or heteroaromatic diaminocarboxylic acids, of which at least part comprises sulfonic acid groups, in polyphosphoric acid to form a solution or dispersion; B) optionally heating the solution or dispersion obtained by step A) under inert gas to temperatures of up to 325° C. to form polyazole polymers; C) applying a layer using the mixture from step A) or B) to a support, thus forming a membrane, and D) partially hydrolyzing the polyphosphoric acid moieties of the membrane from step C) until it is self-supporting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: BASF Fuel Cell GmbH
    Inventors: Oemer Uensal, Joachim Kiefer, Gordon Calundann, Michael Sansone, Brian Benicewicz, Eui Wong Choe
  • Patent number: 7736779
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a proton-conducting polymer membrane which comprises polyazole blends and is obtainable by a process comprising the steps A) preparation of a mixture comprising polyphosphoric acid, at least one polyazole (polymer A) and/or one or more compounds which are suitable for forming polyazoles under the action of heat according to step B), B) heating of the mixture obtainable according to step A) under inert gas to temperatures of up to 400° C., C) application of a layer using the mixture from step A) and/or B) to a support, D) treatment of the membrane formed in step C) until it is self-supporting, wherein at least one further polymer (polymer B) which is not a polyazole is added to the composition obtainable according to step A) and/or step B) and the weight ratio of polyazole to polymer B is in the range from 0.1 to 50.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: BASF Fuel Cell
    Inventors: Oemer Uensal, Joachim Kiefer, Gordon Calundann, Michael J. Sansone, Brian Benicewicz, Eui W. Choe
  • Patent number: 7736778
    Abstract: A proton-conducting polymer membrane comprising polyazoles containing phosphonic acid groups is obtainable by a process comprising: A) mixing one or more aromatic or heteroaromatic tetraamino compounds with one or more aromatic or heteroaromatic carboxylic acids or derivatives thereof which contain at least two acid groups per carboxylic acid monomer, with at least part of the tetraamino compounds or the carboxylic acids comprising at least one phosphonic acid group, or mixing of one or more aromatic or heteroaromatic diaminocarboxylic acids, of which at least part comprises phosphonic acid groups, in polyphosphoric acid to form a solution or dispersion; B) optionally heating the solution or dispersion obtained by step A) under inert gas to temperatures of up to 350° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: BASF Fuel Cell GmbH
    Inventors: Oemer Uensal, Joachim Kiefer, Gordon Calundann, Michael Sansone, Brian Benicewicz, Eui Wong Choe
  • Patent number: 7696302
    Abstract: The invention under consideration concerns novel high-molecular-weight polyazoles, which are suitable for the production of fibers, films, membranes, and molded articles, on the basis of their high molecular weight, expressed as intrinsic viscosity, of at least 1.3 dl/g. Moreover, the invention under consideration describes a method for the production of high-molecular-weight polyazoles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: PBI Performance Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon Calundann, Oemer Uensal, Brian Benicewicz, Bobby G. Dawkins, J. Dean Baker, Rita H. Joiner
  • Patent number: 7661542
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a proton-conducting polymer membrane which comprises polyazoles and is coated with a catalyst layer and is obtainable by a process comprising the steps A) preparation of a mixture comprising polyphosphoric acid, at least one polyazole (polymer A) and/or one or more compounds which are suitable for forming polyazoles under the action of heat according to step B), B) heating of the mixture obtainable according to step A) under inert gas to temperatures of up to 400° C., C) application of a layer using the mixture obtained according to step A) and/or B) to a support, D) treatment of the membrane formed in step C) until it is self-supporting, E) application of at least one catalyst-containing coating to the membrane formed in step C) and/or in step D).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: BASF Fuel Cell GmbH
    Inventors: Jochen Baurmeister, Isabel Kundler, Christoph Padberg, Oemer Uensal, Joachim Kiefer, Gordon Calundann, Brian Benicewicz, Mathias Weber
  • Publication number: 20080119634
    Abstract: The invention under consideration concerns novel high-molecular-weight polyazoles, which are suitable for the production of fibers, films, membranes, and molded articles, on the basis of their high molecular weight, expressed as intrinsic viscosity, of at least 1.3 dl/g. Moreover, the invention under consideration describes a method for the production of high-molecular-weight polyazoles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: Gordon Calundann, Oemer Uensal, Brian Benicewicz, Bobby G. Dawkins, J. Dean Baker, Rita H. Joiner
  • Patent number: 7332552
    Abstract: The present invention relates to low odor ?-cyano-dithiocarboxylic ester compounds of formula I for use as chain transfer agents in free radical polymerizations, and polymerization processes employing them: wherein R1 is selected from alkyl, substituted alkyl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, alkylaryl, substituted alkylaryl, aryl, substituted aryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, thioalkyl, thioaryl, substituted thioalkyl, substituted thioaryl, secondary amino and tertiary amino; R2 is selected from alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, and COOR3; and R3 is alkyl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
    Inventors: Brian Benicewicz, Chunzhao Li
  • Patent number: 7317066
    Abstract: Liquid crystal polyester derived from phenylene-naphthalene monomers and one or more comonomers display an improved balance of properties, including low melt viscosity, fast cycle time in molding, very low mold shrinkage, high tensile and/or flexural strength, solvent resistance, excellent barrier properties, low water absorption, low thermal expansion coefficient, excellent thermostability, and/or low flammability. The phenylene-naphthalene monomers are The one or more comonomers include 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, 2-hydroxy-6-naphthoic acid, terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, and derivatives and combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
    Inventors: Brian Benicewicz, Jiping Shao
  • Publication number: 20070193885
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for electrochemical hydrogen manipulation. In one example, an electrochemical cell is provided utilizing an acid doped polybenzimidazole membrane having a proton conductivity of at least 0.1 S/cm and comprising phosphoric acid in a ratio of at least 20 moles phosphoric acid to polybenzimidazole repeating unit. The polybenzimidazole membrane can be produced by a sol-gel process. Additional concepts are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2007
    Publication date: August 23, 2007
    Applicant: H2 Pump LLC
    Inventors: Brian Benicewicz, Glenn Eisman
  • Publication number: 20070151926
    Abstract: The invention under consideration concerns novel his-molecular-weight polyazoles, which are suitable for the production of fibers, films, membranes, and molded articles, on the basis of their high molecular weight, expressed as intrinsic viscosity, of at least 1.3 dl/g. Moreover, the invention under consideration describes a method for the production of high-molecular-weight polyazoles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Publication date: July 5, 2007
    Inventors: Gordon Calundann, Oemer Uensal, Brian Benicewicz, Bobby Dawkins, J. Baker, Rita Joiner
  • Publication number: 20070088140
    Abstract: The present invention relates to low odor ?-cyano-dithiocarboxylic ester compounds of formula I for use as chain transfer agents in free radical polymerizations, and polymerization processes employing them: wherein R1 is selected from alkyl, substituted alkyl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, alkylaryl, substituted alkylaryl, aryl, substituted aryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, thioalkyl, thioaryl, substituted thioalkyl, substituted thioaryl, secondary amino and tertiary amino; R2 is selected from alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, and COOR3; and R3 is alkyl.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Publication date: April 19, 2007
    Inventors: Brian Benicewicz, Chunzhao Li
  • Publication number: 20060293490
    Abstract: Liquid crystal polyester derived from phenylene-naphthalene monomers and one or more comonomers display an improved balance of properties, including low melt viscosity, fast cycle time in molding, very low mold shrinkage, high tensile and/or flexural strength, solvent resistance, excellent barrier properties, low water absorption, low thermal expansion coefficient, excellent thermostability, and/or low flammability. The phenylene-naphthalene monomers are The one or more comonomers include 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, 2-hydroxy-6-naphthoic acid, terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, and derivatives and combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Publication date: December 28, 2006
    Inventors: Brian Benicewicz, Jiping Shao
  • Patent number: 7148311
    Abstract: Liquid crystal polyester derived from phenylene-naphthalene monomers and one or more comonomers display an improved balance of properties, including low melt viscosity, fast cycle time in molding, very low mold shrinkage, high tensile and/or flexural strength, solvent resistance, excellent barrier properties, low water absorption, low thermal expansion coefficient, excellent thermostability, and/or low flammability. The phenylene-naphthalene monomers are The one or more comonomers include 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, 2-hydroxy-6-naphthoic acid, terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, and derivatives and combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
    Inventors: Brian Benicewicz, Jiping Shao
  • Publication number: 20060210881
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel proton-conducting polymer membrane based on polyazole block polymers which, owing to their outstanding chemical and thermal properties, can be used widely and are suitable in particular as polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) for producing membrane electrode units or so-called PEM fuel cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Publication date: September 21, 2006
    Inventors: Gordon Calundann, Oemer Uensal, Brian Benicewicz, Eugene Scanlon
  • Publication number: 20060078774
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a proton-conducting polymer membrane which comprises polyazole blends and is obtainable by a process comprising the steps A) preparation of a mixture comprising polyphosphoric acid, at least one polyazole (polymer A) and/or one or more compounds which are suitable for forming polyazoles under the action of heat according to step B), B) heating of the mixture obtainable according to step A) under inert gas to temperatures of up to 400° C., C) application of a layer using the mixture from step A) and/or B) to a support, D) treatment of the membrane formed in step C) until it is self-supporting, wherein at least one further polymer (polymer B) which is not a polyazole is added to the composition obtainable according to step A) and/or step B) and the weight ratio of polyazole to polymer B is in the range from 0.1 to 50.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2003
    Publication date: April 13, 2006
    Applicant: PEMEAS GMBH
    Inventors: Oemer Uensal, Joachim Kiefer, Gordon Calundann, Michael Sansone, Brian Benicewicz, Eui Choe
  • Publication number: 20060079392
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a proton-conducting polymer membrane which comprises polyazoles and is coated with a catalyst layer and is obtainable by a process comprising the steps A) preparation of a mixture comprising polyphosphoric acid, at least one polyazole (polymer A) and/or one or more compounds which are suitable for forming polyazoles under the action of heat according to step B), B) heating of the mixture obtainable according to step A) under inert gas to temperatures of up to 400° C., C) application of a layer using the mixture obtained according to step A) and/or B) to a support, D) treatment of the membrane formed in step C) until it is self-supporting, E) application of at least one catalyst-containing coating to the membrane formed in step C) and/or in step D).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2003
    Publication date: April 13, 2006
    Applicant: PEMEAS GMBH
    Inventors: Jochen Baurmeister, Isabel Kundler, Christoph Padberg, Oemer Uensal, Joachim Kiefer, Gordon Calundann, Brian Benicewicz, Mathias Weber
  • Publication number: 20060035095
    Abstract: The present invention relates to novel polyazoles, a proton-conducting polymer membrane based on these polyazoles and its use as polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) for producing membrane-electrode units for PEM-fuel cells, and also other shaped bodies comprising such polyazoles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Publication date: February 16, 2006
    Applicant: PEMEAS GMBH
    Inventors: Gordon Calundann, Brian Benicewicz, Jochen Baurmeister
  • Publication number: 20060008690
    Abstract: The present invention relates to proton-conducting polymer membranes which comprise polyazoles containing phosphonic acid groups and are obtainable by a process comprising the steps A) mixing of one or more aromatic and/or heteroaromatic tetraamino compounds with one or more aromatic and/or heteroaromatic carboxylic acids or derivatives thereof which contain at least two acid groups per carboxylic acid monomer, with at least part of the tetraamino compounds and/or the carboxylic acids comprising at least one phosphonic acid group, or mixing of one or more aromatic and/or heteroaromatic diaminocarboxylic acids, of which at least part comprises phosphonic acid groups, in polyphosphoric acid to form a solution and/or dispersion, B) heating of the solution and/or dispersion obtainable according to step A) under inert gas at temperatures of up to 350° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2003
    Publication date: January 12, 2006
    Inventors: Oemer Uensal, Joachim Kiefer, Gordon Calundann, Michael Sansone, Brian Benicewicz, Eui Choe
  • Publication number: 20050197483
    Abstract: Liquid crystal polyester derived from phenylene-naphthalene monomers and one or more comonomers display an improved balance of properties, including low melt viscosity, fast cycle time in molding, very low mold shrinkage, high tensile and/or flexural strength, solvent resistance, excellent barrier properties, low water absorption, low thermal expansion coefficient, excellent thermostability, and/or low flammability. The phenylene-naphthalene monomers are The one or more comonomers include 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, 2-hydroxy-6-naphthoic acid, terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, and derivatives and combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Publication date: September 8, 2005
    Applicant: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
    Inventors: Brian Benicewicz, Jiping Shao