Patents by Inventor Carter Kittrell

Carter Kittrell 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: 20240120506
    Abstract: Method and system for flash recycling of batteries, including lithium-ion batteries, other metal (sodium, potassium, zinc, magnesium, and aluminum)-ion batteries, metal batteries, batteries having all metal oxide cathodes, and batteries having graphite-containing anodes. The method and system include a solvent-free and water-free flash Joule heating (FJH) method performed upon a mixture that includes materials from the batteries done in millisecond for recycling the materials. In some embodiments, the FJH method is combined with magnetic separation to recover lithium, cobalt, nickel, and manganese with high yields up to 98%. In some embodiments, the FJH method is followed by rinsing with dilute acid, such a 0.01 M HCl. In other embodiments, the FJH method is utilized to purify the graphite in the battery, such as for use in the anode of the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2022
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: James Mitchell TOUR, Weiyin CHEN, Duy X. LUONG, Carter KITTRELL
  • Publication number: 20240100502
    Abstract: Rigid porous polymeric carbon sorbents, including particularly polymeric carbon sorbents for CO2 capture for flue gas from power plants and for gases from other post combustion CO2 emission outlets, and methods of making and using same. The porous carbon material can be prepared by heating plastic with an additive. The additive can be selected from metal hydroxide, metal oxalate, metal acetate, metal acetylacetonoate or mixtures thereof. By controlling the preparation, such as the temperature of preparation, the porous carbon sorbent can be controlled to be rigid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: James M. Tour, Wala Algozeeb, Paul E. Savas, Jr., Wilbur Carter Kittrell
  • Publication number: 20230262845
    Abstract: Systems and methods for flash joule heating carbon with variable frequency drives, for the production of graphene. The system includes a flash joule heating system, and a variable frequency drive system for driving the flash joule heating system, wherein the variable frequency drive system is coupled to the flash joule heating system, and is configured to output a pulse-width modulated current. The system and methods may further include sample temperature feedback, to adjust the output of variable frequency drive system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2023
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventors: James Mitchell Tour, Duy X Luong, Carter Kittrell, Tyler Cooksey, Zhiyong Zhang, Vladimir Mancevski
  • Patent number: 11437620
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to methods of producing a graphene material by exposing a polymer to a laser source. In some embodiments, the exposing results in formation of a graphene from the polymer. In some embodiments, the methods of the present disclosure also include a step of separating the formed graphene from the polymer to form an isolated graphene. In some embodiments, the methods of the present disclosure also include a step of incorporating the graphene material or the isolated graphene into an electronic device, such as an energy storage device. In some embodiments, the graphene is utilized as at least one of an electrode, current collector or additive in the electronic device. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to the graphene materials, isolated graphenes, and electronic devices that are formed by the methods of the present disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: James M. Tour, Jian Lin, Zhiwei Peng, Wilbur Carter Kittrell
  • Publication number: 20220267153
    Abstract: Methods that expand the properties of laser-induced graphene (LIG) and the resulting LIG having the expanded properties. Methods of fabricating laser-induced graphene from materials, which range from natural, renewable precursors (such as cloth or paper) to high performance polymers (like Kevlar). With multiple lasing, however, highly conductive PEI-based LIG could be obtained using both multiple pass and defocus methods. The resulting laser-induced graphene can be used, inter alia, in electronic devices, as antifouling surfaces, in water treatment technology, in membranes, and in electronics on paper and food Such methods include fabrication of LIG in controlled atmospheres, such that, for example, superhydrophobic and superhydrophilic LIG surfaces can be obtained. Such methods further include fabricating laser-induced graphene by multiple lasing of carbon precursors. Such methods further include direct 3D printing of graphene materials from carbon precurors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2021
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Applicants: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY, B.G. NEGEV TECHNOLOGIES AND APPLICATIONS LTD. AT BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: James M. Tour, Yieu Chyan, Christopher John Arnusch, Swatantra Pratap Singh, Yilun Li, Duy X. Luong, Carter Kittrell, Ruquan Ye, Jordan Miller, Ian Kinstlinger, Savannah Cofer
  • Patent number: 11161744
    Abstract: Methods that expand the properties of laser-induced graphene (LIG) and the resulting LIG having the expanded properties. Methods of fabricating laser-induced graphene from materials, which range from natural, renewable precursors (such as cloth or paper) to high performance polymers (like Kevlar). With multiple lasing, however, highly conductive PEI-based LIG could be obtained using both multiple pass and defocus methods. The resulting laser-induced graphene can be used, inter alia, in electronic devices, as antifouling surfaces, in water treatment technology, in membranes, and in electronics on paper and food Such methods include fabrication of LIG in controlled atmospheres, such that, for example, superhydrophobic and superhydrophilic LIG surfaces can be obtained. Such methods further include fabricating laser-induced graphene by multiple lasing of carbon precursors. Such methods further include direct 3D printing of graphene materials from carbon precursors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignees: William Marsh Rice University, B.G. Negev Technologies and Applications, Ltd., at Ben-Gurion University
    Inventors: James M. Tour, Yieu Chyan, Christopher John Arnusch, Swatantra Pratap Singh, Yilun Li, Duy X. Luong, Carter Kittrell, Ruquan Ye, Jordan Miller, Ian Kinstlinger, Savannah Cofer
  • Publication number: 20210206642
    Abstract: Methods for the synthesis of graphene, and more particularly the method of synthesizing graphene by flash Joule heating (FJH). Such methods can be used to synthesize turbostratic graphene (including low-defect turbostratic graphene) in bulk quantities. Such methods can further be used to synthesize composite materials and 2D materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Applicant: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: James Mitchell Tour, Duy X. Luong, Wilbur Carter Kittrell, Wala A. Algozeeb, Weiyin Chen
  • Publication number: 20200112026
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to methods of producing a graphene material by exposing a polymer to a laser source. In some embodiments, the exposing results in formation of a graphene from the polymer. In some embodiments, the methods of the present disclosure also include a step of separating the formed graphene from the polymer to form an isolated graphene. In some embodiments, the methods of the present disclosure also include a step of incorporating the graphene material or the isolated graphene into an electronic device, such as an energy storage device. In some embodiments, the graphene is utilized as at least one of an electrode, current collector or additive in the electronic device. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to the graphene materials, isolated graphenes, and electronic devices that are formed by the methods of the present disclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Applicant: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: James M. Tour, Jian Lin, Zhiwei Peng, Carter Kittrell
  • Patent number: 10505193
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to methods of producing a graphene material by exposing a polymer to a laser source. In some embodiments, the exposing results in formation of a graphene from the polymer. In some embodiments, the methods of the present disclosure also include a step of separating the formed graphene from the polymer to form an isolated graphene. In some embodiments, the methods of the present disclosure also include a step of incorporating the graphene material or the isolated graphene into an electronic device, such as an energy storage device. In some embodiments, the graphene is utilized as at least one of an electrode, current collector or additive in the electronic device. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to the graphene materials, isolated graphenes, and electronic devices that are formed by the methods of the present disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: James M. Tour, Jian Lin, Zhiwei Peng, Carter Kittrell
  • Publication number: 20190330064
    Abstract: Methods that expand the properties of laser-induced graphene (LIG) and the resulting LIG having the expanded properties. Methods of fabricating laser-induced graphene from materials, which range from natural, renewable precursors (such as cloth or paper) to high performance polymers (like Kevlar). With multiple lasing, however, highly conductive PEI-based LIG could be obtained using both multiple pass and defocus methods. The resulting laser-induced graphene can be used, inter alia, in electronic devices, as antifouling surfaces, in water treatment technology, in membranes, and in electronics on paper and food Such methods include fabrication of LIG in controlled atmospheres, such that, for example, superhydrophobic and superhydrophilic LIG surfaces can be obtained. Such methods further include fabricating laser-induced graphene by multiple lasing of carbon precursors. Such methods further include direct 3D printing of graphene materials from carbon precurors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Applicants: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY, BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: James M. TOUR, Yieu CHYAN, Christopher John ARNUSCH, Swatantra Pratap SINGH, Yilun LI, Duy X. LUONG, Carter KITTRELL, Ruquan YE, Jordan MILLER, Ian KINSTLINGER, Savannah COFER
  • Publication number: 20170062821
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to methods of producing a graphene material by exposing a polymer to a laser source. In some embodiments, the exposing results in formation of a graphene from the polymer. In some embodiments, the methods of the present disclosure also include a step of separating the formed graphene from the polymer to form an isolated graphene. In some embodiments, the methods of the present disclosure also include a step of incorporating the graphene material or the isolated graphene into an electronic device, such as an energy storage device. In some embodiments, the graphene is utilized as at least one of an electrode, current collector or additive in the electronic device. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to the graphene materials, isolated graphenes, and electronic devices that are formed by the methods of the present disclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: James M. Tour, Jian Lin, Zhiwei Peng, Carter Kittrell
  • Patent number: 9067791
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, the present invention provides a system and method for supporting a carbon nanotube array that involve an entangled carbon nanotube mat integral with the array, where the mat is embedded in an embedding material. The embedding material may be depositable on a carbon nanotube. A depositable material may be metallic or nonmetallic. The embedding material may be an adhesive material. The adhesive material may optionally be mixed with a metal powder. The embedding material may be supported by a substrate or self-supportive. The embedding material may be conductive or nonconductive. The system and method provide superior mechanical and, when applicable, electrical, contact between the carbon nanotubes in the array and the embedding material. The optional use of a conductive material for the embedding material provides a mechanism useful for integration of carbon nanotube arrays into electronic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Myung Jong Kim, Nolan Walker Nicholas, W. Carter Kittrell, Howard K. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8709373
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes carbon nanotube arrays having carbon nanotubes grown directly on a substrate and methods for making such carbon nanotube arrays. In various embodiments, the carbon nanotubes may be covalently bonded to the substrate by nanotube carbon-substrate covalent bonds. The present carbon nanotube arrays may be grown on substrates that are not typically conducive to carbon nanotube growth by conventional carbon nanotube growth methods. For example, the carbon nanotube arrays of the present disclosure may be grown on carbon substrates including carbon foil, carbon fibers and diamond. Methods for growing carbon nanotubes include a) providing a substrate, b) depositing a catalyst layer on the substrate, c) depositing an insulating layer on the catalyst layer, and d) growing carbon nanotubes on the substrate. Various uses for the carbon nanotube arrays are contemplated herein including, for example, electronic device and polymer composite applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Robert Hauge, Cary Pint, Noe Alvarez, W. Carter Kittrell
  • Patent number: 8540959
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, the present invention provides a method for attaining short carbon nanotubes utilizing electron beam irradiation, for example, of a carbon nanotube sample. The sample may be pretreated, for example by oxonation. The pretreatment may introduce defects to the sidewalls of the nanotubes. The method is shown to produces nanotubes with a distribution of lengths, with the majority of lengths shorter than 100 tun. Further, the median length of the nanotubes is between about 20 nm and about 100 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Kirk J. Ziegler, Urs Rauwald, Robert H. Hauge, Howard K. Schmidt, W. Carter Kittrell, Zhenning Gu, Irene Morin Marek
  • Patent number: 8394664
    Abstract: A method for forming nanotube electrical devices, arrays of nanotube electrical devices, and device structures and arrays of device structures formed by the methods. Various methods of the present invention allow creation of semiconducting and/or conducting devices from readily grown SWNT carpets rather than requiring the preparation of a patterned growth channel and takes advantage of the self-controlling nature of these carpet heights to ensure a known and controlled channel length for reliable electronic properties as compared to the prior methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Nolan Walker Nicholas, W. Carter Kittrell, Myung Jong Kim, Howard K. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20120219029
    Abstract: The present invention provides a technology called Pulse-Multiline Excitation or PME. This technology provides a novel approach to fluorescence detection with application for high-throughput identification of informative SNPs, which could lead to more accurate diagnosis of inherited disease, better prognosis of risk susceptibilities, or identification of sporadic mutations. The PME technology has two main advantages that significantly increase fluorescence sensitivity: (1) optimal excitation of all fluorophores in the genomic assay and (2) “color-blind” detection, which collects considerably more light than standard wavelength resolved detection. Successful implementation of the PME technology will have broad application for routine usage in clinical diagnostics, forensics, and general sequencing methodologies and will have the capability, flexibility, and portability of targeted sequence variation assays for a large majority of the population.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventors: Graham B. I. Scott, Carter Kittrell, Robert F. Curl, Michael Metzker
  • Publication number: 20120107597
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, the present invention provides a system and method for supporting a carbon nanotube array that involve an entangled carbon nanotube mat integral with the array, where the mat is embedded in an embedding material. The embedding material may be depositable on a carbon nanotube. A depositable material may be metallic or nonmetallic. The embedding material may be an adhesive material. The adhesive material may optionally be mixed with a metal powder. The embedding material may be supported by a substrate or self-supportive. The embedding material may be conductive or nonconductive. The system and method provide superior mechanical and, when applicable, electrical, contact between the carbon nanotubes in the array and the embedding material. The optional use of a conductive material for the embedding material provides a mechanism useful for integration of carbon nanotube arrays into electronic devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Myung Jong Kim, Nolan Walker Nicholas, W. Carter Kittrell, Howard K. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8124503
    Abstract: A new and useful nanotube growth substrate conditioning processes is herein disclosed that allows the growth of vertical arrays of carbon nanotubes where the average diameter of the nanotubes can be selected and/or controlled as compared to the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Robert H. Hauge, Ya-Qiong Xu, Hongwei Shan, Nolan Walker Nicholas, Myung Jong Kim, Howard K. Schmidt, W. Carter Kittrell
  • Patent number: 8089628
    Abstract: The present invention provides a technology called Pulse-Multiline Excitation or PME. This technology provides a novel approach to fluorescence detection with application for high-throughput identification of informative SNPs, which could lead to more accurate diagnosis of inherited disease, better prognosis of risk susceptibilities, or identification of sporadic mutations. The PME technology has two main advantages that significantly increase fluorescence sensitivity: (1) optimal excitation of all fluorophores in the genomic assay and (2) “color-blind” detection, which collects considerably more light than standard wavelength resolved detection. Successful implementation of the PME technology will have broad application for routine usage in clinical diagnostics, forensics, and general sequencing methodologies and will have the capability, flexibility, and portability of targeted sequence variation assays for a large majority of the population.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignees: Baylor College of Medicine, Rice University
    Inventors: Graham B. I. Scott, Carter Kittrell, Robert F. Curl, Michael L. Metzker
  • Publication number: 20110311427
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes carbon nanotube arrays having carbon nanotubes grown directly on a substrate and methods for making such carbon nanotube arrays. In various embodiments, the carbon nanotubes may be covalently bonded to the substrate by nanotube carbon-substrate covalent bonds. The present carbon nanotube arrays may be grown on substrates that are not typically conducive to carbon nanotube growth by conventional carbon nanotube growth methods. For example, the carbon nanotube arrays of the present disclosure may be grown on carbon substrates including carbon foil, carbon fibers and diamond. Methods for growing carbon nanotubes include a) providing a substrate, b) depositing a catalyst layer on the substrate, c) depositing an insulating layer on the catalyst layer, and d) growing carbon nanotubes on the substrate. Various uses for the carbon nanotube arrays are contemplated herein including, for example, electronic device and polymer composite applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Robert H. Hauge, Cary L. Pint, Noe Alvarez, W. Carter Kittrell