Patents by Inventor Chung-yi A. Tsai

Chung-yi A. Tsai 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: 8900344
    Abstract: Hydrogen selective coatings, coated articles and methods for their formation and for hydrogen separation or purification. The coatings are formed by atomic layer deposition of suitable metal oxides with desirable hydrogen activation energy or hydrogen flux, e.g., silicon dioxide, and can be borne on a nonporous, thin-film metal or cermet substrate, e.g., a palladium sheet or layer. The coated substrate may include a porous support for the sheet or layer. The coated article may be used as a purification membrane and the coating can protect the metal layer from contaminants in the gas or process stream from which hydrogen is being purified. In some embodiments, the coated article can provide such protection at elevated temperatures in excess of 300° C.; and in other embodiments, can provide protection at temperatures in excess of 600° C. and even in excess of 800° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: T3 Scientific LLC
    Inventors: Chung Yi A. Tsai, Siu-Yue Tam
  • Publication number: 20120325087
    Abstract: Hydrogen selective coatings, coated articles and methods for their formation and for hydrogen separation or purification. The coatings are formed by atomic layer deposition of suitable metal oxides with desirable hydrogen activation energy or hydrogen flux, e.g., silicon dioxide, and can be borne on a nonporous, thin-film metal or cermet substrate, e.g., a palladium sheet or layer. The coated substrate may include a porous support for the sheet or layer. The coated article may be used as a purification membrane and the coating can protect the metal layer from contaminants in the gas or process stream from which hydrogen is being purified. In some embodiments, the coated article can provide such protection at elevated temperatures in excess of 300° C.; and in other embodiments, can provide protection at temperatures in excess of 600° C. and even in excess of 800° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: T3 SCIENTIFIC LLC
    Inventors: Chung Yi A. Tsai, Siu-Yue Tam
  • Publication number: 20090101557
    Abstract: A device for producing medical grade water in spacecrafts has a heat exchange unit which initially heats a water supply before being channeled to a membrane filter module which separates the water supply into liquid retentate and purified gaseous permeate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2006
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: NASA
    Inventor: Chung-Yi A. Tsai
  • Patent number: 6497749
    Abstract: A humid gas stream is dehumidified by bringing that stream into contact with the front surface of a hydrophilic capillary condenser layer that captures the water and moves it adjacent the rear surface of the capillary layer. A semi-permeable collodion membrane, is disposed on the rear capillary surface of the condenser layer, and an osmotic fluid, such as glycerol, is disposed adjacent the collodion membrane. An osmotic driving force, resulting from a water concentration gradient across the collodion membrane, transports the condensed water from the condensing layer through the thickness of the membrane and into an osmotic fluid. The collodion membrane also inhibits the osmotic fluid from flowing into the condenser layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Arthur S. Kesten, Sunita Satyapal, Jack N. Blechner, Chung-yi A. Tsai, Rebecca Jarvis
  • Publication number: 20020139245
    Abstract: A humid gas stream is dehumidified by bringing that stream into contact with the front surface of a hydrophilic capillary condenser layer that captures the water and moves it adjacent the rear surface of the capillary layer. A semi-permeable collodion membrane, is disposed on the rear capillary surface of the condenser layer, and an osmotic fluid, such as glycerol, is disposed adjacent the collodion membrane. An osmotic driving force, resulting from a water concentration gradient across the collodion membrane, transports the condensed water from the condensing layer through the thickness of the membrane and into an osmotic fluid. The collodion membrane also inhibits the osmotic fluid from flowing into the condenser layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventors: Arthur S. Kesten, Sunita Satyapal, Jack N. Blechner, Chung-Yi A. Tsai, Rebecca Jarvis