Patents by Inventor Derek John Fray
Derek John Fray 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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Patent number: 10556211Abstract: A method of producing diamonds comprises the steps of producing a carbonaceous powder comprising nano-structured carbonaceous material and a transition metal and thermally treating the powder. The carbonaceous powder is produced by electrochemical erosion of graphite in a molten salt, the transition metal being incorporated into the carbonaceous powder during the electrochemical erosion. The step of thermally treating the carbonaceous powder is carried out in a non-oxidising atmosphere at a temperature of between 350° C. and 300° C., at a pressure of lower than 1 GPa. The method allows diamond to be produced at low pressures and low temperatures.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2015Date of Patent: February 11, 2020Assignee: NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITYInventors: Ali Reza Kamali, Derek John Fray
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Patent number: 10106899Abstract: An oxygen generator for an oxygen-generation apparatus has a proton-conducting membrane, a cathode contacting a first side, or cathodic side, of the membrane, an anode contacting a second side, or anodic side, of the membrane, and a source of water for supply to the membrane. In use, an electrolysis voltage applied between the cathode and the anode causes electrolysis of the water to generate oxygen gas at the anode. Atmospheric oxygen, i.e. oxygen in the air, is substantially prevented from coming into contact with the cathode. For an acidic proton-conducting membrane this substantially prevents the formation of hydrogen peroxide at the cathode.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2015Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: Cambridge Enterprise LimitedInventors: Derek John Fray, Vega Petrova Kotzeva
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Publication number: 20180277888Abstract: A substrate-free, self-supporting and/or binder-free silicon material, as well as related articles, systems and methods are disclosed. The silicon material can have a relatively large empty volume, and/or a relatively low density. Exemplary articles include battery electrodes, such as rechargeable metal ion battery electrodes. Exemplary systems include batteries, such as rechargeable metal ion batteries.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2018Publication date: September 27, 2018Inventors: Derek John Fray, Paul Robert Coxon, Hyunkyung Kim
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Publication number: 20170166450Abstract: A method of producing diamonds comprises the steps of producing a carbonaceous powder comprising nano-structured carbonaceous material and a transition metal and thermally treating the powder. The carbonaceous powder is produced by electrochemical erosion of graphite in a molten salt, the transition metal being incorporated into the carbonaceous powder during the electrochemical erosion. The step of thermally treating the carbonaceous powder is carried out in a non-oxidising atmosphere at a temperature of between 350° C. and 300° C., at a pressure of lower than 1 GPa. The method allows diamond to be produced at low pressures and low temperatures.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2015Publication date: June 15, 2017Inventors: Derek John FRAY, Ali Reza KAMALI
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Publication number: 20160016805Abstract: A method of producing diamonds comprises the steps of providing a nano-structured carbonaceous material, and thermally treating the nano-structured carbonaceous material in an oxygen-containing environment so as to produce diamonds. The nano-structured carbonaceous material may be materials such as carbon nano-particles, carbon nano-tubes and carbon nano-scrolls. It is preferred that the nano-structured carbonaceous material is created by electrochemical erosion of graphite. Thermal treatment to form the diamonds may occur in a temperature window within which the nano-structured carbonaceous material oxidises but diamond crystals are relatively more stable.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2013Publication date: January 21, 2016Inventors: Derek John FRAY, Carsten SCHWANDT, Ali Reza KAMALI
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Publication number: 20150197865Abstract: An oxygen generator for an oxygen-generation apparatus has a proton-conducting membrane, a cathode contacting a first side, or cathodic side, of the membrane, an anode contacting a second side, or anodic side, of the membrane, and a source of water for supply to the membrane. In use, an electrolysis voltage applied between the cathode and the anode causes electrolysis of the water to generate oxygen gas at the anode. Atmospheric oxygen, i.e. oxygen in the air, is substantially prevented from coming into contact with the cathode. For an acidic proton-conducting membrane this substantially prevents the formation of hydrogen peroxide at the cathode.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2015Publication date: July 16, 2015Applicant: CAMBRIDGE ENTERPRISE LIMITEDInventors: Derek John FRAY, Vega Petrova KOTZEVA
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Patent number: 9028671Abstract: An apparatus and methods are provided for the accurate determination of hydrogen content in fluid media at elevated temperatures. The apparatus consists of a proton conducting solid electrolyte in contact with an internal metal/hydrogen reference standard, in which the electrolyte and the reference material are in a chemically stable contact. The electrical signal generated is a function of the hydrogen concentration on the measuring side.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2011Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: Cambridge Enterprise LimitedInventors: Derek John Fray, Carsten Schwandt
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Publication number: 20150056513Abstract: A powder comprises a plurality of carbon nanostructures, with at least a portion of the carbon nanostructures defining an internal cavity that contains metallic lithium, a lithium compound, or a lithium alloy comprising lithium. A method of forming the powder involves the electrolytic disintegration of a graphite electrode in a lithium-bearing molten salt to form the carbon nanostructures, and a step of removing salt from the nanoparticles without removing lithium. A lithium battery anode comprising an anode comprising the powder as a layer on an electrically conductive substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: February 26, 2015Inventors: Derek John Fray, Carsten Schwandt, Rajshekar Dasgupta, Ali Kamali
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Publication number: 20140209477Abstract: The subject invention concerns an electro-decomposition process wherein a cathode comprising a metal compound is contacted with a fused salt electrolyte in an electrochemical cell. The metal compound is a compound between a metal and another substance, and a voltage is applied between the cathode and an anode such that the substance is removed from the metal compound. In the improved method, the applied voltage increases with time, either continuously or stepwise, up to a predetermined maximum voltage. In addition, or in the alternative, the fused salt composition is selected so as to maintain a predetermined concentration of the substance in the fused salt during electro-decomposition.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 2, 2014Publication date: July 31, 2014Applicants: BRITISH TITANIUM PLC, CAMBRIDGE ENTERPRISE LIMITEDInventors: DEREK JOHN FRAY, CARSTEN SCHWANDT, GREG DOUGHTY
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Patent number: 8790953Abstract: The surface of silicon is textured to create black silicon on a nano-micro scale by electrochemical reduction of a silica layer on silicon in molten salts. The silica layer can be a coating, or a layer caused by the oxidation of the silicon.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2011Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Inventors: Derek John Fray, Eimutis Juzeliunas
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Publication number: 20130264218Abstract: An oxygen concentrator is for generating a flow of oxygen by electrolysis of atmospheric humidity. It comprises a cathode (24) and an anode (26) contacting opposite sides of a proton-conducting membrane (12). A catalytic apparatus (14) comprises a diffusion layer (28) which spaces a catalyst (30) from the cathode. The cathode and the catalytic apparatus are contained within a cathode chamber which comprises a ventilation means (44) for allowing a controlled flow of air to the catalyst. In operation water is electrolysed at the anode and hydrogen generated at the cathode flows through the diffusion layer to the catalyst, where it reacts with atmospheric oxygen to form water which flows back to the proton-conducting membrane for further electrolysis.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2011Publication date: October 10, 2013Applicant: Inotec AMD LimitedInventors: Melvin Frederick Vinton, Derek John Fray
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Publication number: 20130095596Abstract: The surface of silicon is textured to create black silicon on a nano-micro scale by electrochemical reduction of a silica layer on silicon in molten salts. The silica layer can be a coating, or a layer caused by the oxidation of the silicon.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2011Publication date: April 18, 2013Inventors: Derek John Fray, Eimutis Juzeliunas
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Patent number: 8313624Abstract: An inert anode material for use in electrolytic processes comprises calcium ruthenate. [Note that the nominal formula for this compound is CaRuO3, although different stoichiometries may apply in practice].Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2008Date of Patent: November 20, 2012Assignee: Green Metals LimitedInventors: Derek John Fray, Gregory Russlan Doughty
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Publication number: 20120037516Abstract: An apparatus and methods are provided for the accurate determination of hydrogen content in fluid media at elevated temperatures. The apparatus consists of a proton conducting solid electrolyte in contact with an internal metal/hydrogen reference standard, in which the electrolyte and the reference material are in a chemically stable contact. The electrical signal generated is a function of the hydrogen concentration on the measuring side.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2011Publication date: February 16, 2012Applicant: CAMBRIDGE ENTERPRISE LIMITEDInventors: DEREK JOHN FRAY, Carsten Schwandt
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Patent number: 8057658Abstract: In an electrolytic method for producing nano-scale carbon products, such as carbon nanotubes, first and second graphite electrodes contact a fused-salt electrolyte. A power supply is coupled to the electrodes and first and second voltages are alternately applied to the electrodes. The first voltage is applied such that the first electrode is at a cathodic potential relative to the second electrode, and the second voltage is applied such that the second electrode is at a cathodic potential relative to the first electrode. The method thus advantageously converts the carbon of both electrodes to nano-scale carbon products.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2005Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: Cambridge Enterprise Limited The Old SchoolsInventors: Derek John Fray, Carsten Schwandt, Aleksandar Dimitrov
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Patent number: 7879219Abstract: The subject invention pertains to methods for processing a solid material (M1X) comprising a solid solution of a non-metal species (X) in a metal or semi-metal (M1) or a compound between the non-metal species and the metal or semi-metal is immersed in a molten salt (M2Y). A cathodic potential is applied to the material to remove a portion of the non-metal species by electro-deoxidation. To remove the non-metal species at lower concentrations, a source of a reactive metal (M3) is immersed in the molten salt and is electronically connected to the material. Reactions occur at the material, where the non-metal species dissolves in the salt, and at the reactive metal, which reacts with the non-metal species dissolved in the salt to form a reaction product more stable than a compound between the non-metal species and the metal or semi-metal (M1). The non-metal species is thus removed from the solid material.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2002Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: Metalysis LimitedInventors: Derek John Fray, Robert Charles Copcutt
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Publication number: 20100282602Abstract: An inert anode material for use in electrolytic processes comprises calcium ruthenate. [Note that the nominal formula for this compound is CaRuO3, although different stoichiometries may apply in practice].Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2008Publication date: November 11, 2010Applicant: GREEN METALS LIMITEDInventors: Derek John Fray, Gregory Russlan Doughty
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Patent number: 7790014Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method for removing a substance (X) from a solid metal or semi-metal compound (M1X) by electrolysis in a melt of M2Y, which comprises conducting the electrolysis under conditions such that reaction of X rather than M2 deposition occurs at a electrode surface, and that X dissolves in the electrolyte M2Y. The substance X is either removed from the surface (i.e., M1X) or by means of diffusion extracted from the case material. The temperature of the fused salt is chosen below the melting temperature of the metal M1. The potential is chosen below the decomposition potential of the electrolyte.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2004Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Assignee: Metalysis LimitedInventors: Derek John Fray, Thomas William Farthing, Zheng Chen
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Patent number: 7544227Abstract: Methods of enhancing the segregation roast through the use of microwave radiation and chloride ions are disclosed. The processes provide means of recovering metals trapped in ores and slags by reaction of these materials with carbon, chloride and water using microwave radiation as the primary energy source. The metals may be present in starting materials such as metallic sulfides, slags, metallic oxides such as laterites, magnetites, iron oxides, silicates and carbonates. The metals are reduced and can be recovered by separation from the gangue. Water, carbon and chloride can be recycled to the reaction to reduce costs.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2004Date of Patent: June 9, 2009Assignee: Cato Research CorporationInventors: Paul R. Kruesi, Derek John Fray
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Publication number: 20090008261Abstract: An oxygen generator for an oxygen-generation apparatus has a proton-conducting membrane (60), a cathode (50) contacting a first side, or cathodic side, of the membrane, an anode (70) contacting a second side, or anodic side, of the membrane, and a source of water for supply to the membrane. In use, an electrolysis voltage applied between the cathode and the anode causes electrolysis of the water to generate oxygen gas at the anode. Atmospheric oxygen, i.e. oxygen in the air, is substantially prevented from coming into contact with the cathode. For an acidic proton-conducting membrane this substantially prevents the formation of hydrogen peroxide at the cathode.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2006Publication date: January 8, 2009Applicant: Cambridge Enterprise LimitedInventors: Vega Petrova Kotzeva, Derek John Fray