Patents by Inventor Christopher B. Roberts

Christopher B. Roberts 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: 20240125549
    Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for removing natural gas liquids from a natural gas feed stream and for liquefying the natural gas feed stream so as to produce a liquefied natural gas (LNG) stream and a natural gas liquids (NGL) stream
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2022
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Julian Roberts, Russell B. Shnitser, Christopher Michael Ott, Annemarie Ott Weist
  • Patent number: 8377831
    Abstract: A method for size selection of nanostructures comprising utilizing a gas-expanded liquids (GEL) and controlled pressure to precipitate desired size populations of nanostructures, e.g., monodisperse. The GEL can comprise CO2 antisolvent and an organic solvent. The method can be carried out in an apparatus comprising a first open vessel configured to allow movement of a liquid/particle solution to specific desired locations within the vessel, a second pressure vessel, a location controller for controlling location of the particles and solution within the first vessel, a inlet for addition of antisolvent to the first vessel, and a device for measuring the amount of antisolvent added. Also disclosed is a method for forming nanoparticle thin films comprising utilizing a GEL containing a substrate, pressurizing the solution to precipitate and deposit nanoparticles onto the substrate, removing the solvent thereby leaving a thin nanoparticle film, removing the solvent and antisolvent, and drying the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Auburn University
    Inventors: Christopher B. Roberts, Marshall Chandler McLeod, Madhu Anand
  • Patent number: 8215489
    Abstract: The present application provides apparatuses and methods for the size-selective fractionation of ligand-capped nanoparticles that utilizes the tunable thermophysical properties of gas-expanded liquids. The nanoparticle size separation processes are based on the controlled reduction of the solvent strength of an organic phase nanoparticle dispersion through increases in concentration of the antisolvent gas, such as CO2, via pressurization. The method of nanomaterial separation contains preparing a vessel having a solvent and dispersed nanoparticles, pressurizing the chamber with a gaseous antisolvent, and causing a first amount of the nanoparticles to precipitate, transporting the solution to a second vessel, pressurizing the second vessel with the gaseous antisolvent and causing further nanoparticles to separate from the solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Auburn University
    Inventors: Christopher B. Roberts, Steven R. Saunders
  • Publication number: 20100323527
    Abstract: A method for size selection of nanostructures comprising utilizing a gas-expanded liquids (GEL) and controlled pressure to precipitate desired size populations of nanostructures, e.g., monodisperse. The GEL can comprise CO2 antisolvent and an organic solvent. The method can be carried out in an apparatus comprising a first open vessel configured to allow movement of a liquid/particle solution to specific desired locations within the vessel, a second pressure vessel, a location controller for controlling location of the particles and solution within the first vessel, a inlet for addition of antisolvent to the first vessel, and a device for measuring the amount of antisolvent added. Also disclosed is a method for forming nanoparticle thin films comprising utilizing a GEL containing a substrate, pressurizing the solution to precipitate and deposit nanoparticles onto the substrate, removing the solvent thereby leaving a thin nanoparticle film, removing the solvent and antisolvent, and drying the film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Inventors: Christopher B. Roberts, Marshall Chandler McLeod, Madhu Anand
  • Patent number: 7384879
    Abstract: A method for size selection of nanostructures comprising utilizing a gas-expanded liquids (GEL) and controlled pressure to precipitate desired size populations of nanostructures, e.g., monodisperse. The GEL can comprise CO2 antisolvent and an organic solvent. The method can be carried out in an apparatus comprising a first open vessel configured to allow movement of a liquid/particle solution to specific desired locations within the vessel, a second pressure vessel, a location controller for controlling location of the particles and solution within the first vessel, a inlet for addition of antisolvent to the first vessel, and a device for measuring the amount of antisolvent added. Also disclosed is a method for forming nanoparticle thin films comprising utilizing a GEL containing a substrate, pressurizing the solution to precipitate and deposit nanoparticles onto the substrate, removing the solvent thereby leaving a thin nanoparticle film, removing the solvent and antisolvent, and drying the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Auburn University
    Inventors: Christopher B. Roberts, Marshall Chandler McLeod, Madhu Anand
  • Patent number: 5994417
    Abstract: A process for recovering polymers from commingled materials is disclosed. In general, the process includes first contacting the commingled materials with a solvent which selectively dissolves the polymer to form a solvent and polymer solution. The solvent and polymer solution is then contacted with an anti-solvent into which the solvent is soluble but into which the polymer is insoluble. When the solvent and polymer solution is contacted with the anti-solvent, the anti-solvent causes the polymer to nucleate and precipitate from the solution. In one embodiment, it has been found that the process of the present invention is particularly well adapted to recovering nylon from commingled materials such as carpet waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Auburn University
    Inventors: Christopher B. Roberts, Aron T. Griffith