Patents by Inventor Douglas Carpenter
Douglas Carpenter 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: 20110165055Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for synthesizing ammonia using nano-size metal or metal alloy catalyst particles. Hydrogen and nitrogen gases are passed through a system comprising, for example, a bed of magnetite supporting nano-size iron or iron alloy catalyst particles having an optional oxide layer that forms the catalyst.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2011Publication date: July 7, 2011Applicant: QUANTUMSPHERE, INC.Inventors: R. Douglas Carpenter, Kevin Maloney
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Publication number: 20110155571Abstract: A catalyst member comprising a blended mixture of nano-scale metal particles compressed with larger metal particles and sintered to form a structurally stable member of any desired shape. The catalyst member can be used in one of many different applications; for example, as an electrode in a fuel cell or in an electrolysis device to generate hydrogen and oxygen.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2011Publication date: June 30, 2011Applicant: QUANTUMSPHERE, INC.Inventors: R. Douglas Carpenter, Robert Brian Dopp, Kimberly McGrath
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Publication number: 20110158889Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for synthesizing ammonia at mid- to low-pressures using nano-size metal or metal alloy catalyst particles. Hydrogen and nitrogen gases are passed through a system comprising, for example, a packed bed of supported nano-size iron or iron alloy catalyst particles having an optional oxide layer that form the catalyst.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2011Publication date: June 30, 2011Applicant: QUANTUMSPHERE, INC.Inventor: R. Douglas Carpenter
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Patent number: 7955755Abstract: Cathodes suitable for use in direct methanol fuel cells are disclosed. A cathode can comprise a composition supported on a conductive substrate, where the composition comprises: reactive nano-particles each consisting essentially of a core of metal and/or metal alloy and a shell of an oxide of the metal and/or metal alloy in the core; platinum and/or platinum alloy particles devoid of an oxide shell; and an ionomer. The metal nanoparticles can comprise one or more of palladium, chromium, manganese, nickel, iron, copper, gold, lanthanum, cerium, tin, sulfur, selenium, cobalt, silver, and alloys thereof. Direct methanol fuel cell incorporating these cathodes are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2007Date of Patent: June 7, 2011Assignee: Quantumsphere, Inc.Inventors: Kimberly McGrath, R. Douglas Carpenter
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Publication number: 20110130269Abstract: A composition useful in electrodes provides higher power capability through the use of nanoparticle catalysts present in the composition. Nanoparticles of transition metals are preferred such as manganese, nickel, cobalt, iron, palladium, ruthenium, gold, silver, and lead, as well as alloys thereof, and respective oxides. These nanoparticle catalysts can substantially replace or eliminate platinum as a catalyst for certain electrochemical reactions. Electrodes, used as anodes, cathodes, or both, using such catalysts have applications relating to metal-air batteries, hydrogen fuel cells (PEMFCs), direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs), direct oxidation fuel cells (DOFCs), and other air or oxygen breathing electrochemical systems as well as some liquid diffusion electrodes.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2011Publication date: June 2, 2011Applicant: QUANTUMSPHERE, INC.Inventors: Robert Brian Dopp, Kimberly McGrath, R. Douglas Carpenter
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Publication number: 20110123901Abstract: A catalyst member can comprise nano-scale nickel particles. The catalyst member can be used for a plurality of different uses, for example, electrodes of a fuel cell or an electrolysis device. The nano-scale nickel particles can be sintered or combined in other manners to form the desired shape.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2011Publication date: May 26, 2011Applicant: QUANTUMSPHERE, INC.Inventor: Ray Douglas Carpenter
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Publication number: 20110091787Abstract: A composition of nanoparticles of metal or an alloy or having a metal and alloy core with an oxide shell in admixture with platinum particles is useful as a component for electrodes. More particularly, such composition is useful as an electrode ink for the reduction of oxygen as well as the oxidation of hydrocarbon or hydrogen fuel in a direct oxidation fuel cell, such as, but not limited to, the direct methanol fuel cell. These electrodes encompass a catalyst ink containing platinum, the nanoparticles, and a conducting ionomer which may be directly applied to a conductive support, such as woven carbon paper or cloth. This electrode may be directly adhered onto an ion exchange membrane. The nanoparticles comprise nanometer-sized transition metals such as cobalt, iron, nickel, ruthenium, chromium, palladium, silver, gold, and copper. In this invention, these catalytic powders substantially replace platinum as a catalyst in fuel cell electrooxidation and electroreduction reactions.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2010Publication date: April 21, 2011Applicant: QUANTUMSPHERE, INC.Inventors: Kimberly McGrath, Douglas Carpenter
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Publication number: 20110091831Abstract: Nano-scale particles of materials can be produced by vaporizing the material and allowing the material to flow in a non-violently turbulent manner into thermal communication with a cooling fluid, thereby forming small particles of the material that can be in the nano-scale size range.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2010Publication date: April 21, 2011Applicant: QUANTUMSPHERE, INC.Inventor: Douglas Carpenter
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Publication number: 20110091796Abstract: A composition useful in electrodes provides higher power capability through the use of nanoparticle catalysts present in the composition. Nanoparticles of transition metals are preferred such as manganese, nickel, cobalt, iron, palladium, ruthenium, gold, silver, and lead, as well as alloys thereof, and respective oxides. These nanoparticle catalysts can substantially replace or eliminate platinum as a catalyst for certain electrochemical reactions. Electrodes, used as anodes, cathodes, or both, using such catalysts have applications relating to metal-air batteries, hydrogen fuel cells (PEMFCs), direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs), direct oxidation fuel cells (DOFCs), and other air or oxygen breathing electrochemical systems as well as some liquid diffusion electrodes.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2010Publication date: April 21, 2011Applicant: QUANTUMSPHERE, INC.Inventors: Robert Brian Dopp, Kimberly McGrath, R. Douglas Carpenter
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Patent number: 7897294Abstract: A catalyst member can comprise nano-scale nickel particles. The catalyst member can be used for a plurality of different uses, for example, electrodes of a fuel cell or an electrolysis device. The nano-scale nickel particles can be sintered or combined in other manners to form the desired shape.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2004Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: Quantumsphere, Inc.Inventor: Ray Douglas Carpenter
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Publication number: 20110014310Abstract: Nano-scale particles of materials can be produced by vaporizing material and allowing the material to flow in a non-violently turbulent manner into thermal communication with a cooling fluid, thereby forming small particles of the material that can be in the nano-scale size range. A raw material feeder can be configured to feed raw material toward a heater which vaporizes the raw material. The feeder can include a metering device for controlling the flow of raw material toward the heater. A gas source can also be used to cause gas to flow through a portion of the raw material feeder along with the raw material.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2010Publication date: January 20, 2011Applicant: QUANTUMSPHERE, INC.Inventor: Ray Douglas Carpenter
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Publication number: 20100266973Abstract: Nano-scale particles of materials can be produced by vaporizing the material and allowing the material to flow in a non-violently turbulent manner into thermal communication with a cooling fluid, thereby forming small particles of the material that can be in the nano-scale size range.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2007Publication date: October 21, 2010Inventor: Douglas Carpenter
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Patent number: 7803295Abstract: Nano-scale particles of materials can be produced by vaporizing material and allowing the material to flow in a non-violently turbulent manner into thermal communication with a cooling fluid, thereby forming small particles of the material that can be in the nano-scale size range. A raw material feeder can be configured to feed raw material toward a heater which vaporizes the raw material. The feeder can include a metering device for controlling the flow of raw material toward the heater. A gas source can also be used to cause gas to flow through a portion of the raw material feeder along with the raw material.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2006Date of Patent: September 28, 2010Assignee: Quantumsphere, IncInventor: Ray Douglas Carpenter
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Publication number: 20100233577Abstract: A catalyst member comprising a blended mixture of nano-scale metal particles compressed with larger metal particles and sintered to form a structurally stable member of any desired shape. The catalyst member can be used in one of many different applications; for example, as an electrode in a fuel cell or in an electrolysis device to generate hydrogen and oxygen.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2006Publication date: September 16, 2010Inventors: R. Douglas Carpenter, Robert Brian Dopp, Kimberly McGrath
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Publication number: 20100183497Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for synthesizing ammonia using nano-size metal or metal alloy catalyst particles. Hydrogen and nitrogen gases are passed through a system comprising, for example, a bed of magnetite supporting nano-size iron or iron alloy catalyst particles having an optional oxide layer that forms the catalyst.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2010Publication date: July 22, 2010Applicant: QUANTUMSPHERE, INC.Inventors: R. Douglas CARPENTER, Kevin MALONEY
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Publication number: 20100167175Abstract: A composition useful in electrodes provides higher power capability through the use of nanoparticle catalysts present in the composition. Nanoparticles of transition metals are preferred such as manganese, nickel, cobalt, iron, palladium, ruthenium, gold, silver, and lead, as well as alloys thereof, and respective oxides. These nanoparticle catalysts can substantially replace or eliminate platinum as a catalyst for certain electrochemical reactions. Electrodes, used as anodes, cathodes, or both, using such catalysts have applications relating to metal-air batteries, hydrogen fuel cells (PEMFCs), direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs), direct oxidation fuel cells (DOFCs), and other air or oxygen breathing electrochemical systems as well as some liquid diffusion electrodes.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2010Publication date: July 1, 2010Applicant: QUANTUMSPHERE, INC.Inventors: Robert Brian Dopp, Kimberly McGrath, R. Douglas Carpenter
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Publication number: 20100156353Abstract: Nanoscale lithium compositions are disclosed which are suitable for use in electrochemical applications such as electrodes and batteries. The compositions can include nanoparticles having lithium metal and/or lithium alloy cores. A shell material is contemplated comprising lithium nitride or another material that conducts lithium ions. Methods of preparing lithium compositions and methods of preparing electrodes comprising lithium compositions are further disclosed. The crystal structure of the nanoscale lithium compositions is preferably body centered cubic, allowing low volume expansion and high diffusivity of lithium from or into the core structures during discharge and charge processes, respectively.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2008Publication date: June 24, 2010Applicant: QUANTUMSPHERE, INC.Inventors: Subramanian Iyer, R. Douglas Carpenter, Kimberly McGrath
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Publication number: 20100143821Abstract: A composition comprising an admixture of at least platinum particles and metal nanoparticles of metal that, when in admixture with the platinum particles, beneficially alters the characteristics of the platinum, including metals selected from one or more of the metals in groups 3-16, lanthanides, combinations thereof, and/or alloys thereof. The composition could be used to form an ink that further comprises an ionically conductive material, such as a polymer, capable of ionic networking throughout the ink composition so as to create a substantially structurally coherent mass without significantly impacting the reactivity of a substantial number of the nanoparticles. In one application, the ink may be used to form a catalyst whereby the ink is applied to an electrically conductive backing material, such as carbon paper or fibers.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2007Publication date: June 10, 2010Applicant: QuantumSphere, Inc.Inventors: Kimberly McGrath, R. Douglas Carpenter
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Publication number: 20100072439Abstract: A photo-absorbing layer for use in an electronic device; the layer including metal alloy nanoparticles copper, indium and/or gallium made preferably from a vapor condensation process or other suitable process, the layer also including elemental selenium and/or sulfur heated at temperatures sufficient to permit reaction between the nanoparticles and the selenium and/or sulfur to form a substantially fused layer. The reaction may result in the formation of a chalcopyrite material. The layer has been shown to be an efficient solar energy absorber for use in photovoltaic cells.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2009Publication date: March 25, 2010Applicant: QUANTUMSPHERE, INC.Inventors: R. Douglas Carpenter, Kevin D. Maloney
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Publication number: 20100068548Abstract: A photo-absorbing layer for use in an electronic device; the layer including metal alloy nanoparticles copper, indium and/or gallium made preferably from a vapor condensation process or other suitable process, the layer also including elemental selenium and/or sulfur heated at temperatures sufficient to permit reaction between the nanoparticles and the selenium and/or sulfur to form a substantially fused layer. The reaction may result in the formation of a chalcopyrite material. The layer has been shown to be an efficient solar energy absorber for use in photovoltaic cells.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2009Publication date: March 18, 2010Applicant: QUANTUMSPHERE, INC.Inventors: R. Douglas Carpenter, Kevin D. Maloney