Patents by Inventor D. Morgan Spears, II

D. Morgan Spears, II 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: 20230203684
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide solid oxide cells and components thereof having a metal oxide electrolyte that exhibits enhanced ionic conductivity. Certain of those embodiments have two materials, at least one of which is a metal oxide, disposed so that at least some interfaces between the domains of the materials orient in a direction substantially parallel to the desired ionic conductivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2022
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Applicants: FCET, INC., UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Leonid V. Budaragin, Mark A. Deininger, Michael M. Pozvonkov, D. Morgan Spears, II, Paul D. Fisher, Gerard M. Ludtka, Arvid E. Pasto
  • Patent number: 11560636
    Abstract: Methods for forming a metal oxide electrolyte improve ionic conductivity. Some of those methods involve applying a first metal compound to a substrate, converting that metal compound to a metal oxide, applying a different metal compound to the metal oxide, and converting the different metal compound to form a second metal oxide. That substrate may be in nanobar form that conforms to an orientation imparted by a magnetic field or an electric field applied before or during the converting. Electrolytes so formed can be used in solid oxide fuel cells, electrolyzers, and sensors, among other applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignees: FCET, INC., UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Leonid V. Budaragin, Mark A. Deininger, Michael M. Pozvonkov, D. Morgan Spears, II, Paul D. Fisher, Gerard M. Ludtka, Arvid E. Pasto
  • Publication number: 20200115811
    Abstract: Methods for forming a metal oxide electrolyte improve ionic conductivity. Some of those methods involve applying a first metal compound to a substrate, converting that metal compound to a metal oxide, applying a different metal compound to the metal oxide, and converting the different metal compound to form a second metal oxide. That substrate may be in nanobar form that conforms to an orientation imparted by a magnetic field or an electric field applied before or during the converting. Electrolytes so formed can be used in solid oxide fuel cells, electrolyzers, and sensors, among other applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Applicants: FCET, INC., UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Leonid V. Budaragin, Mark A. Deininger, Michael M. Pozvonkov, D. Morgan Spears, II, Paul D. Fisher, Gerard M. Ludtka, Arvid E. Pasto
  • Patent number: 10344389
    Abstract: Methods for forming a metal oxide electrolyte improve ionic conductivity. Some of those methods involve applying a first metal compound to a substrate, converting that metal compound to a metal oxide, applying a different metal compound to the metal oxide, and converting the different metal compound to form a second metal oxide. Electrolytes so formed can be used in solid oxide fuel cells, electrolyzers, and sensors, among other applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignees: FCET, INC., UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Leonid V. Budaragin, Mark A. Deininger, Michael M. Pozvonkov, D. Morgan Spears, II, Paul D. Fisher, Arvid E. Pasto
  • Patent number: 9879815
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for creating a diffused thin film surface treatments on one or more interior surfaces of closed or partially closed fluid transport or processing systems providing improved surface prophylaxis against fouling. The method involves contacting the interior surfaces to be treated with a metal compound composition, and converting the metal compound composition to metal oxide for example by heating the surfaces to the desired temperature after all or a part of the system has been assembled. Embodiments of the present invention can be performed in situ on existing fluid processing or transport systems, which minimizes the disruption to the surface treatment created by welds, joints, flanges, and damage caused by or during the system assembly process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: C3 International, LLC
    Inventors: Leonid V. Budaragin, Mark A. Deininger, Mikhail Pozvonkov, Norman H. Garrett, D. Morgan Spears, II
  • Publication number: 20180023205
    Abstract: Methods for forming a metal oxide electrolyte improve ionic conductivity. Some of those methods involve applying a first metal compound to a substrate, converting that metal compound to a metal oxide, applying a different metal compound to the metal oxide, and converting the different metal compound to form a second metal oxide. Electrolytes so formed can be used in solid oxide fuel cells, electrolyzers, and sensors, among other applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Applicants: FCET, INC., UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Leonid V. Budaragin, Mark A. Deininger, Michael M. Pozvonkov, D. Morgan Spears, II, Paul D. Fisher, Arvid E. Pasto
  • Publication number: 20170159870
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for creating a diffused thin film surface treatments on one or more interior surfaces of closed or partially closed fluid transport or processing systems providing improved surface prophylaxis against fouling. The method involves contacting the interior surfaces to be treated with a metal compound composition, and converting the metal compound composition to metal oxide for example by heating the surfaces to the desired temperature after all or a part of the system has been assembled. Embodiments of the present invention can be performed in situ on existing fluid processing or transport systems, which minimizes the disruption to the surface treatment created by welds, joints, flanges, and damage caused by or during the system assembly process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2017
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Applicant: C3 INTERNATIONAL, LLC
    Inventors: Leonid V. Budaragin, Mark A. Deininger, Mikhail Pozvonkov, Norman H. Garrett, D. Morgan Spears, II
  • Patent number: 9670586
    Abstract: The present invention provides solid oxide fuel cells, solid oxide electrolyzer cells, solid oxide sensors, components of any of the foregoing, and methods of making and using the same. In some embodiments, a solid oxide fuel cell comprises an air electrode (or cathode), a fuel electrode (or anode), an electrolyte interposed between the air electrode and the fuel electrode, and at least one electrode-electrolyte transition layer. Other embodiments provide novel methods of producing nano-scale films and/or surface modifications comprising one or more metal oxides to form ultra-thin (yet fully-dense) electrolyte layers and electrode coatings. Such layers and coatings may provide greater ionic conductivity and increased operating efficiency, which may lead to lower manufacturing costs, less-expensive materials, lower operating temperatures, smaller-sized fuel cells, electrolyzer cells, and sensors, and a greater number of applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: FCET, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Deininger, Leonid V. Budaragin, Paul D. Fisher, Mikhail Pozvonkov, D. Morgan Spears, II
  • Publication number: 20170146481
    Abstract: The present invention provides solid oxide fuel cells, solid oxide electrolyzer cells, solid oxide sensors, components of any of the foregoing, and methods of making and using the same. In some embodiments, a solid oxide fuel cell comprises an air electrode (or cathode), a fuel electrode (or anode), an electrolyte interposed between the air electrode and the fuel electrode, and at least one electrode-electrolyte transition layer. Other embodiments provide novel methods of producing nano-scale films and/or surface modifications comprising one or more metal oxides to form ultra-thin (yet fully-dense) electrolyte layers and electrode coatings. Such layers and coatings may provide greater ionic conductivity and increased operating efficiency, which may lead to lower manufacturing costs, less-expensive materials, lower operating temperatures, smaller-sized fuel cells, electrolyzer cells, and sensors, and a greater number of applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2017
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Applicant: FCET, Inc.
    Inventors: Mikhail Pozvonkov, Mark A. Deininger, Paul D. Fisher, Leonid V. Budaragin, D. Morgan Spears, II
  • Patent number: 9625079
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for creating a diffused thin film surface treatments on one or more interior surfaces of closed or partially closed fluid transport or processing systems providing improved surface prophylaxis against fouling. The method involves contacting the interior surfaces to be treated with a metal compound composition, and converting the metal compound composition to metal oxide for example by heating the surfaces to the desired temperature after all or a part of the system has been assembled. Embodiments of the present invention can be performed in situ on existing fluid processing or transport systems, which minimizes the disruption to the surface treatment created by welds, joints, flanges, and damage caused by or during the system assembly process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: C3 International, LLC
    Inventors: Leonid V. Budaragin, Mark A. Deininger, Mikhail Pozvonkov, Norman H. Garrett, D. Morgan Spears, II
  • Publication number: 20160238185
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for creating a diffused thin film surface treatments on one or more interior surfaces of closed or partially closed fluid transport or processing systems providing improved surface prophylaxis against fouling. The method involves contacting the interior surfaces to be treated with a metal compound composition, and converting the metal compound composition to metal oxide for example by heating the surfaces to the desired temperature after all or a part of the system has been assembled. Embodiments of the present invention can be performed in situ on existing fluid processing or transport systems, which minimizes the disruption to the surface treatment created by welds, joints, flanges, and damage caused by or during the system assembly process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Applicant: C3 INTERNATIONAL, LLC
    Inventors: Leonid V. Budaragin, Mark A. Deininger, Mikhail Pozvonkov, Norman H. Garrett, D. Morgan Spears, II
  • Publication number: 20160168734
    Abstract: Methods for forming a metal oxide electrolyte improve ionic conductivity. Some of those methods involve applying a first metal compound to a substrate, converting that metal compound to a metal oxide, applying a different metal compound to the metal oxide, and converting the different metal compound to form a second metal oxide. Electrolytes so formed can be used in solid oxide fuel cells, electrolyzers, and sensors, among other applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Applicants: FCET, INC., UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Leonid V. Budaragin, Mark A. Deininger, Michael M. Pozvonkov, D. Morgan Spears, II, Paul D. Fisher, Arvid E. Pasto
  • Publication number: 20130146469
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide solid oxide cells and components thereof having a metal oxide electrolyte that exhibits enhanced ionic conductivity. Certain of those embodiments have two materials, at least one of which is a metal oxide, disposed so that at least some interfaces between the domains of the materials orient in a direction substantially parallel to the desired ionic conductivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicants: UT-BATTELLE, LLC, C3 INTERNATIONAL, LLC
    Inventors: Leonid V. Budaragin, Mark A. Deininger, Michael M. Pozvonkov, D. Morgan Spears, II, Paul D. Fisher, Gerard M. Ludtka, Arvid E. Pasto
  • Publication number: 20130119296
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods for creating metal oxide coatings on one or more surfaces employing a magnetic field, and articles containing those coatings. Such methods involve contacting the surfaces to be treated with a metal compound, and converting the metal compound to metal oxide for example by heating the surfaces to the desired temperature in the presence of a magnetic field. The magnetic field dramatically improves, in some embodiments, the characteristics of the metal oxide coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicants: UT-BATTELLE, LLC, C3 INTERNATIONAL, LLC
    Inventors: Gerard M. Ludtka, Leonid V. Budaragin, Mark A. Deininger, Michael M. Pozvonkov, D. Morgan Spears, II, Paul D. Fisher