Patents by Inventor Eric M. V. Hoek

Eric M. V. 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).

  • Publication number: 20230074483
    Abstract: An ion exchange membrane includes nanoparticulate hydrous manganese oxide, wherein, the ion exchangemembrane is selective for the passage of phosphate ion. Methods of preparing ion exchange membranes and methods of seprating phosate also are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventors: David Jassby, Arpita Iddya, Eric M.V. Hoek
  • Patent number: 11401172
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: INTELLIFLUX CONTROLS
    Inventors: Eric M. V. Hoek, Subir Bhattacharjee, Gil Hurwitz
  • Publication number: 20200246757
    Abstract: Disclosed are nanocomposite membranes and methods for making and using same. In one aspect, the nanocomposite membrane comprises a film comprising a polymer matrix and nanoparticles disposed within the polymer matrix, wherein the film is substantially permeable to water and substantially impermeable to impurities. In a further aspect, the membrane can further comprise a hydrophilic layer. In a further aspect, the nanocomposite membrane comprises a film having a face, the film comprising a polymer matrix, a hydrophilic layer proximate to the face, and nanoparticles disposed within the hydrophilic layer, wherein the film is substantially permeable to water and substantially impermeable to impurities. 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 26, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: Eric M.V. Hoek, Yushan Yan, Byeong-Heon Jeong
  • Patent number: 10618013
    Abstract: Disclosed are nanocomposite membranes and methods for making and using same. In one aspect, the nanocomposite membrane comprises a film comprising a polymer matrix and nanoparticles disposed within the polymer matrix, wherein the film is substantially permeable to water and substantially impermeable to impurities. In a further aspect, the membrane can further comprise a hydrophilic layer. In a further aspect, the nanocomposite membrane comprises a film having a face, the film comprising a polymer matrix, a hydrophilic layer proximate to the face, and nanoparticles disposed within the hydrophilic layer, wherein the film is substantially permeable to water and substantially impermeable to impurities. 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: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Eric M. V. Hoek, Yushan Yan, Byeong-Heon Jeong
  • Patent number: 10532328
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to chlorine-resistant filtration membranes comprising n-alkyl substituted polyaniline derivatives for use in, for example, water purification, and methods for making and using same. 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: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Eric M. V. Hoek, Richard B. Kaner, Xinwei Huang, Brian T. McVerry, Shaily Mahendra
  • Patent number: 10456755
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are forward osmosis (FO) membranes comprising polyaniline. Methods of making the membranes, including methods of tuning the properties of the membranes by post-casting treatments, and methods of using the membranes in FO applications are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Eric M. V. Hoek, Mavis C. Y. Wong, Richard B. Kaner
  • Patent number: 10315169
    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: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Eric M. V. Hoek, Richard B. Kaner, Brian T. McVerry
  • Patent number: 10265662
    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: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Eric M. V. Hoek, Richard B. Kaner, Gregory R. Guillen, Thomas P. Farrell
  • Publication number: 20170296986
    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: April 28, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: ERIC M.V. HOEK, Richard B. Kaner, Brian T. McVerry
  • Patent number: 9662617
    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: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Eric M. V. Hoek, Richard B. Kaner, Brian T. McVerry
  • Publication number: 20170050153
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to chlorine-resistant filtration membranes comprising n-alkyl substituted polyaniline derivatives for use in, for example, water purification, and methods for making and using same. 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: April 7, 2015
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: Eric M. V. Hoek, Richard B. Kaner, Xinwei Huang, Brian T. McVerry, Shaily Mahendra
  • Publication number: 20160136585
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to composite filtration membranes for use in, for example, water purification and concentrating a solute, and methods for making and using same. 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: January 25, 2016
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Eric M. V. Hoek, Yaozu Liao, Richard B. Kaner
  • Publication number: 20160082399
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are forward osmosis (FO) membranes comprising polyaniline. Methods of making the membranes, including methods of tuning the properties of the membranes by post-casting treatments, and methods of using the membranes in FO applications are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: Eric M. V. Hoek, Mavis C.Y. Wong, Richard B. Kaner
  • Patent number: 9278319
    Abstract: By modifying existing methods for synthesizing polyaniline, a polyaniline polymer having a new constellation of material properties has been produced. The material properties of the polymeric compositions disclosed herein enhance the use of polyanilines in a wide variety of processes that use such materials, for example processes used in the formation of filtration membranes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Eric M. V. Hoek, Gregory R. Guillen, Richard B. Kaner, Thomas P. Farrell
  • Publication number: 20160001236
    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: February 21, 2014
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: Eric M.V. Hoek, Richard B. Kaner, Brian T. McVerry
  • Publication number: 20150273404
    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: October 11, 2013
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Applicant: The Regents of The University of California
    Inventors: Eric M.V. Hoek, Richard B. Kaner, Gregory R. Guillen, Thomas P. Farrel
  • Publication number: 20140158620
    Abstract: A system for the separation of the components of an oil, water, and solids mixture, the system comprising a mechanical separation module comprising an oily water output and an input adapted to receive an oil, water, and solids mixture; and a membrane separation module comprising an oily water input and a recirculation output. The oily water output of the mechanical separation module is in flow communication with the oily water input of the membrane separation module, and the recirculation output of the membrane separation module is in flow communication with the input of the mechanical separation module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventors: Eric M.V. Hoek, Subir Bhattacharjee, Arian Edalat, Dian Tanuwidjaja
  • Publication number: 20140000346
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to methods and devices for detecting membrane fouling in a membrane-based water processing system. 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: June 21, 2011
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Eric M.V. Hoek, Dian Tanuwidjaja
  • Publication number: 20130062285
    Abstract: The invention relates to oil-tolerant water-filtration membranes comprising a microporous hydrogel coated on a porous polymeric support membrane, useful in separating hydrocarbons and hydrocarbon emulsions from a water sample. The oil-tolerant water-filtration membranes comprising a hydrophilic microporous crosslinked polymeric hydrogel coated on at least one side of a porous polymeric support membrane. The water-filtration membrane having a first face corresponding to the discrimination layer and a second face corresponding to the porous support, applying pressure to a water solution, having at least one solute, at the first face of the water-filtration membrane, and collecting purified water at the second face of water-filtration membrane. Polymeric membranes have many advantages over ceramics, including inexpensive manufacture and the ability to be manufactured into very compact (high surface area) elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Eric M.V. Hoek, Fubing Peng, Jinwen Wang
  • Publication number: 20110240556
    Abstract: By modifying existing methods for synthesizing polyaniline, a polyaniline polymer having a new constellation of material properties has been produced. The material properties of the polymeric compositions disclosed herein enhance the use of polyanilines in a wide variety of processes that use such materials, for example processes used in the formation of filtration membranes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Eric M. V. Hoek, Gregory R. Guillen, Richard B. Kaner, Thomas P. Farrell