Patents by Inventor Eric M. Hoek

Eric M. Hoek 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: 11084002
    Abstract: Disclosed are fouling resistant filtration membranes comprising a polymeric thin-film membrane comprising a surface. Also disclosed are methods of modifying thin-film filtration membranes, thereby improving, for example, the anti-fouling properties of the membranes. Also disclosed are methods of purifying water using the disclosed membranes. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Eric M. Hoek, Richard B. Kaner, Brian T. McVerry
  • Patent number: 10780404
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of increasing the hydrophilicity of a membrane. Membranes comprising polyaniline or co-polymer thereof and one or more gel inhibiting agents are treated with one or more hydrophilicity restoration agents, thereby increasing the hydrophilicity of a membrane. Also disclosed are membranes produced by the disclosed methods. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Eric M. Hoek, Richard B. Kaner, Gregory R. Guillen, Thomas P. Farrell
  • Patent number: 10562787
    Abstract: A filtration system can comprise a pressure pump configured to apply a pressure on fluid flowing between a first chamber and a second chamber. The filtration system can also comprise a flow sensor configured to determine at least one parameter associated with fluid flowing across a membrane deposited between the first chamber and a second chamber. The filtration system can comprise a pressure sensor configured to determine pressure readings of the fluid flowing from the first chamber to the second chamber. The filtration system can comprise a filtration management system configured to cause the pressure pump to apply a constant pressure on fluid flowing across the membrane for a first predetermined time based on the pressure reading. The filtration management system can be configured to cause the pressure pump to reverse the fluid flow across the membrane based on the at least one parameter for a second predetermined time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Water Planet, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric M. Hoek, Subir Bhattacharjee, Gil Hurwitz
  • Publication number: 20190351375
    Abstract: Disclosed are fouling resistant filtration membranes comprising a polymeric thin-film membrane comprising a surface. Also disclosed are methods of modifying thin-film filtration membranes, thereby improving, for example, the anti-fouling properties of the membranes. Also disclosed are methods of purifying water using the disclosed membranes. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2019
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Inventors: Eric M. Hoek, Richard B. Kaner, Brian T. McVerry
  • Publication number: 20190217254
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of increasing the hydrophilicity of a membrane. Membranes comprising polyaniline or co-polymer thereof and one or more gel inhibiting agents are treated with one or more hydrophilicity restoration agents, thereby increasing the hydrophilicity of a membrane. Also disclosed are membranes produced by the disclosed methods. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventors: Eric M. Hoek, Richard B. Kaner, Gregory R. Guillen, Thomas P. Farrell
  • Publication number: 20160046503
    Abstract: A filtration system can comprise a pressure pump configured to apply a pressure on fluid flowing between a first chamber and a second chamber. The filtration system can also comprise a flow sensor configured to determine at least one parameter associated with fluid flowing across a membrane deposited between the first chamber and a second chamber. The filtration system can comprise a pressure sensor configured to determine pressure readings of the fluid flowing from the first chamber to the second chamber. The filtration system can comprise a filtration management system configured to cause the pressure pump to apply a constant pressure on fluid flowing across the membrane for a first predetermined time based on the pressure reading. The filtration management system can be configured to cause the pressure pump to reverse the fluid flow across the membrane based on the at least one parameter for a second predetermined time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2015
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventors: Eric M. Hoek, Subir Bhattacharjee, Gil Hurwitz