Patents by Inventor Craig P. Jacobson
Craig P. Jacobson 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).
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Publication number: 20090152125Abstract: A process and apparatus for the electrolytic separation of fluorine from a mixture of gases is disclosed. Also described is the process and apparatus for the generation of fluorine from fluorine/fluoride containing solids, liquids or gases.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2008Publication date: June 18, 2009Inventors: CRAIG P. JACOBSON, Steven J. Visco, Lutgard C. DeJonghe, Constantin I. Stefan
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Patent number: 7468120Abstract: A process and apparatus for the electrolytic separation of fluorine from a mixture of gases is disclosed. Also described is the process and apparatus for the generation of fluorine from fluorine/fluoride containing solids, liquids or gases.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2005Date of Patent: December 23, 2008Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Craig P. Jacobson, Steven J. Visco, Lutgard C. De Jonghe, Constantin I. Stefan
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Publication number: 20080286630Abstract: A fuel cell stack made of a plurality of cell units stacked and operatively connected at one end thereof. Each of the units includes a holder having at least one cell, typically provided as an SOFC membrane, to produce an electric current when fuel and oxidant are present as the result of an electrochemical reaction.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2006Publication date: November 20, 2008Inventors: Craig P. Jacobson, Lutgard C. De Jonghe, Chun Lu
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Publication number: 20080268323Abstract: Several members make up a joint in a high-temperature electrochemical device, wherein the various members perform different functions. The joint is useful for joining multiple cells (generally tubular modules) of an electrochemical device to produce a multi-cell segment-in-series stack for a solid oxide fuel cell, for instance. The joint includes sections that bond the joining members to each other; one or more seal sections that provide gas-tightness, and sections providing electrical connection and/or electrical insulation between the various joining members. A suitable joint configuration for an electrochemical device has a metal joint housing, a first porous electrode, a second porous electrode, separated from the first porous electrode by a solid electrolyte, and an insulating member disposed between the metal joint housing and the electrolyte and second electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2005Publication date: October 30, 2008Inventors: Michael C. Tucker, Craig P. Jacobson, Lutgard C. De Jonghe, Steven J. Visco
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Publication number: 20080193803Abstract: A method of forming a composite (e.g., a mixed electrode) by infiltration of a porous structure (e.g., one formed from an ionically conductive material) with a solution of a precursor (e.g., for an electronically conductive material) results in a particulate layer on and within the porous structure with a single infiltration. The method involves forming a solution comprising at least one metal salt and a surfactant; heating the solution to substantially evaporate solvent and form a concentrated salt and surfactant solution; infiltrating the concentrated solution into a porous structure to create a composite; and heating the composite to substantially decompose the salt and surfactant to oxide and/or metal particles. The result is a particulate layer on the pore walls of the porous structure. In some instances the particulate layer is a continuous network. Corresponding devices have improved properties and performance.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2006Publication date: August 14, 2008Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIAInventors: Tal Z. Sholklapper, Craig P. Jacobson, Steven J. Visco, Lutgard C. De Jonghe
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Publication number: 20080131723Abstract: A CTE modified braze composition that can be utilized to manufacture a strong, gastight joint where at least one of the joining members comprises a ceramic (e.g., a ceramic or a cermet). The braze composition is formulated so as to reduce the thermal stress that results from the mismatch of thermal expansion coefficients between a ceramic joining member and the braze or other joining members. The braze composition comprises a braze alloy in powder, paste or bulk form mixed with one or more particulate or fibrous fillers that exhibit a low (i.e., no more than 6 ppm/K) or negative coefficient of thermal expansion. The braze composition can be used to join members, at least one of which comprises ceramic, and to a composite member produced by joining the two or more members.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2005Publication date: June 5, 2008Applicant: The Regents Of The University Of CaliforniaInventors: Michael C. Tucker, Craig P. Jacobson, Lutgard C. Jonghe
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Publication number: 20080118804Abstract: A method of joining dissimilar materials having different ductility, involves two principal steps: Decoration of the more ductile material's surface with particles of a less ductile material to produce a composite; and, sinter-bonding the composite produced to a joining member of a less ductile material. The joining method is suitable for joining dissimilar materials that are chemically inert towards each other (e.g., metal and ceramic), while resulting in a strong bond with a sharp interface between the two materials. The joining materials may differ greatly in form or particle size. The method is applicable to various types of materials including ceramic, metal, glass, glass-ceramic, polymer, cermet, semiconductor, etc., and the materials can be in various geometrical forms, such as powders, fibers, or bulk bodies (foil, wire, plate, etc.). Composites and devices with a decorated/sintered interface are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2005Publication date: May 22, 2008Inventors: Michael C. Tucker, Grace Y. Lau, Craig P. Jacobson
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Patent number: 7351488Abstract: Porous substrates and associated structures for solid-state electrochemical devices, such as solid-oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), are low-cost, mechanically strong and highly electronically conductive. Some preferred structures have a thin layer of an electrocatalytically active material (e.g., Ni—YSZ) coating a porous high-strength alloy support (e.g., SS-430) to form a porous SOFC fuel electrode. Electrode/electrolyte structures can be formed by co-firing or constrained sintering processes.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2006Date of Patent: April 1, 2008Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Steven J. Visco, Craig P. Jacobson, Lutgard C. DeJonghe
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Patent number: 7232626Abstract: A pre-fabricated electrochemical device having a dense electrolyte disposed between an anode and a cathode preferably deposited as thin films is bonded to a porous electrically conductive support. A second porous electrically conductive support may be bonded to a counter electrode of the electrochemical device. Multiple electrochemical devices may be bonded in parallel to a single porous support, such as a perforated sheet to provide a planar array. Planar arrays may be arranged in a stacked interconnected array. A method of making a supported electrochemical device is disclosed wherein the method includes a step of bonding a pre-fabricated electrochemical device layer to an existing porous metal or porous metal alloy layer.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2003Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Craig P. Jacobson, Steven J. Visco, Lutgard C. De Jonghe
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Patent number: 7163713Abstract: The process described herein provides a simple and cost effective method for making crack free, high density thin ceramic film. The steps involve depositing a layer of a ceramic material on a porous or dense substrate. The deposited layer is compacted and then the resultant laminate is sintered to achieve a higher density than would have been possible without the pre-firing compaction step.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2002Date of Patent: January 16, 2007Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Craig P. Jacobson, Steven J. Visco, Lutgard C. De Jonghe
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Patent number: 7118777Abstract: Low-cost, mechanically strong, highly electronically conductive porous substrates and associated structures for solid-state electrochemical devices, techniques for forming these structures, and devices incorporating the structures provide solid state electrochemical device substrates of novel composition and techniques for forming thin electrode/membrane/electrolyte coatings on the novel or more conventional substrates. In particular, in one aspect the invention provides techniques for co-firing of device substrate (often an electrode) with an electrolyte or membrane layer to form densified electrolyte/membrane films 5 to 20 microns thick. In another aspect, densified electrolyte/membrane films 5 to 20 microns thick may be formed on a pre-sintered substrate by a constrained sintering process. In some cases, the substrate may be a porous metal, alloy, or non-nickel cermet incorporating one or more of the transition metals Cr, Fe and Cu, or alloys thereof.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2005Date of Patent: October 10, 2006Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Steven J. Visco, Craig P. Jacobson, Lutgard C. DeJonghe
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Patent number: 7090752Abstract: A process and apparatus for the electrolytic separation of fluorine from a mixture of gases is disclosed. Also described is the process and apparatus for the generation of fluorine from fluorine/fluoride containing solids, liquids or gases.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2003Date of Patent: August 15, 2006Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Craig P. Jacobson, Steven J. Visco, Lutgard C. De Jonghe, Constantin I. Stefan
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Patent number: 6979511Abstract: Provided are low-cost, mechanically strong, highly electronically conductive porous substrates and associated structures for solid-state electrochemical devices, techniques for forming these structures, and devices incorporating the structures. The invention provides solid state electrochemical device substrates of novel composition and techniques for forming thin electrode/membrane/electrolyte coatings on the novel or more conventional substrates. In particular, in one embodiment the invention provides techniques for co-firing of device substrate (often an electrode) with an electrolyte or membrane layer to form densified electrolyte/membrane films 5 to 20 microns thick. In another embodiment, densified electrolyte/membrane films 5 to 20 microns thick may be formed on a pre-sintered substrate by a constrained sintering process. In some cases, the substrate may be a porous metal, alloy, or non-nickel cermet incorporating one or more of the transition metals Cr, Fe, Cu and Ag, or alloys thereof.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2002Date of Patent: December 27, 2005Assignee: The Regents of The University of CaliforniaInventors: Steven J. Visco, Craig P. Jacobson, Lutgard C. DeJonghe
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Patent number: 6921557Abstract: Provided are low-cost, mechanically strong, highly electronically conductive porous substrates and associated structures for solid-state electrochemical devices, techniques for forming these structures, and devices incorporating the structures. The invention provides solid state electrochemical device substrates of novel composition and techniques for forming thin electrode/membrane/electrolyte coatings on the novel or more conventional substrates. In particular, in one embodiment the invention provides techniques for firing of device substrate to form densified electrolyte/membrane films 5 to 20 microns thick. In another embodiment, densified electrolyte/membrane films 5 to 20 microns thick may be formed on a pre-sintered substrate by a constrained sintering process. In some cases, the substrate may be a porous metal, alloy, or non-nickel cermet incorporating one or more of the transition metals Cr, Fe, Cu and Ag, or alloys thereof.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2002Date of Patent: July 26, 2005Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Craig P. Jacobson, Steven J. Visco, Lutgard C. DeJonghe
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Patent number: 6846511Abstract: An electrode/electrolyte structure is prepared by a plurality of methods. An unsintered (possibly bisque fired) moderately catalytic electronically-conductive or homogeneous mixed ionic electronic conductive electrode material is deposited on a layer composed of a sintered or unsintered ionically-conductive electrolyte material prior to being sintered. A layer of particulate electrode material is deposited on an unsintered (“green”) layer of electrolyte material and the electrode and electrolyte layers are sintered simultaneously, sometimes referred to as “co-firing,” under conditions suitable to fully densify the electrolyte while the electrode retains porosity. Or, the layer of particulate electrode material is deposited on a previously sintered layer of electrolyte, and then sintered. Subsequently, a catalytic material is added to the electrode structure by infiltration of an electrolcatalyst precursor (e.g., a metal salt such as a transition metal nitrate).Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2003Date of Patent: January 25, 2005Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Steven J. Visco, Craig P. Jacobson, Lutgard C. DeJonghe
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Publication number: 20040231143Abstract: An electrode/electrolyte structure is prepared by a plurality of methods. An unsintered (possibly bisque fired) moderately catalytic electronically-conductive or homogeneous mixed ionic electronic conductive electrode material is deposited on a layer composed of a sintered or unsintered ionically-conductive electrolyte material prior to being sintered. A layer of particulate electrode material is deposited on an unsintered (“green”) layer of electrolyte material and the electrode and electrolyte layers are sintered simultaneously, sometimes referred to as “co-firing,” under conditions suitable to fully densify the electrolyte while the electrode retains porosity. Or, the layer of particulate electrode material is deposited on a previously sintered layer of electrolyte, and then sintered. Subsequently, a catalytic material is added to the electrode structure by infiltration of an electrolcatalyst precursor (e.g., a metal salt such as a transition metal nitrate).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2003Publication date: November 25, 2004Applicant: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Steven J. Visco, Craig P. Jacobson, Lutgard C. DeJonghe
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Patent number: 6767662Abstract: A process of making an electrochemical device comprising providing a trilayer structure comprising an electrode/electrolyte/electrode and simultaneously sintering the trilayer structure.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2001Date of Patent: July 27, 2004Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Craig P. Jacobson, Steven J. Visco, Lutgard C. De Jonghe
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Publication number: 20040115503Abstract: A pre-fabricated electrochemical device having a dense electrolyte disposed between an anode and a cathode preferably deposited as thin films is bonded to a porous electrically conductive support. A second porous electrically conductive support may be bonded to a counter electrode of the electrochemical device. Multiple electrochemical devices may be bonded in parallel to a single porous support, such as a perforated sheet to provide a planar array. Planar arrays may be arranged in a stacked interconnected array. A method of making a supported electrochemical device is disclosed wherein the method includes a step of bonding a pre-fabricated electrochemical device layer to an existing porous metal or porous metal alloy layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2003Publication date: June 17, 2004Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIAInventors: Craig P. Jacobson, Steven J. Visco, Lutgard C. De Jonghe
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Publication number: 20040108202Abstract: A process and apparatus for the electrolytic separation of fluorine from a mixture of gases is disclosed. Also described is the process and apparatus for the generation of fluorine from fluorine/fluoride containing solids, liquids or gases.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2003Publication date: June 10, 2004Inventors: Craig P. Jacobson, Steven J. Visco, Lutgard C. De Jonghe, Constantin I. Stefan
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Patent number: 6740441Abstract: Provided are low-cost, mechanically strong, highly electronically conductive current collects and associated structures for solid-state electrochemical devices, techniques for forming these structures, and devices incorporating the structures. The invention provides solid state electrochemical devices having as current interconnects a ferritic steel felt or screen coated with a protective oxide film.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2002Date of Patent: May 25, 2004Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Craig P. Jacobson, Steven J. Visco, Lutgard C. DeJonghe