Patents by Inventor Gerald Halpert

Gerald Halpert 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: 7488548
    Abstract: Improvements to non acid methanol fuel cells include new formulations for materials. The platinum and ruthenium are more exactly mixed together. Different materials are substituted for these materials. The backing material for the fuel cell electrode is specially treated to improve its characteristics. A special sputtered electrode is formed which is extremely porous. The fuel cell system also comprises a fuel supplying part including a meter which meters an amount of fuel which is used by the fuel cell, and controls the supply of fuel based on said metering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Subbarao Surampudi, Harvey A. Frank, Sekharipuram R. Narayanan, William Chun, Barbara Jeffries-Nakamura, Andrew Kindler, Gerald Halpert
  • Patent number: 7470478
    Abstract: Improvements to non acid methanol fuel cells include new formulations for materials. The platinum and ruthenium are more exactly mixed together. Different materials are substituted for these materials. The backing material for the fuel cell electrode is specially treated to improve its characteristics. A special sputtered electrode is formed which is extremely porous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Subbarao Surampudi, Harvey A. Frank, Sekharipuram R. Narayanan, William Chun, Barbara Jeffries-Nakamura, Andrew Kindler, Gerald Halpert
  • Patent number: 7445859
    Abstract: A liquid organic, fuel cell is provided which employs a solid electrolyte membrane. An organic fuel, such as a methanol/water mixture, is circulated past an anode of a cell while oxygen or air is circulated past a cathode of the cell. The cell solid electrolyte membrane is preferably fabricated from Nafion™. Additionally, a method for improving the performance of carbon electrode structures for use in organic fuel cells is provided wherein a high surface-area carbon particle/Teflon™-binder structure is immersed within a Nafion™/methanol bath to impregnate the electrode with Nafion™. A method for fabricating an anode for use in a organic fuel cell is described wherein metal alloys are deposited onto the electrode in an electro-deposition solution containing perfluorooctanesulfonic acid. A fuel additive containing perfluorooctanesulfonic acid for use with fuel cells employing a sulfuric acid electrolyte is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Eugene Vamos, Subbarao Surampudi, Sekharipuram R. Narayanan, Harvey A. Frank, Gerald Halpert, George A. Olah, G. K. Surya Prakash
  • Patent number: 7425384
    Abstract: Improvements to non acid methanol fuel cells include new formulations for materials. The platinum and ruthenium are more exactly mixed together. Different materials are substituted for these materials. The backing material for the fuel cell electrode is specially treated to improve its characteristics. A special sputtered electrode is formed which is extremely porous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Subbarao Surampudi, Harvey A. Frank, Sekharipuram R. Narayanan, William Chun, Barbara Jeffries-Nakamura, Andrew Kindler, Gerald Halpert
  • Publication number: 20060204810
    Abstract: A liquid organic, fuel cell is provided which employs a solid electrolyte membrane. An organic fuel, such as a methanol/water mixture, is circulated past an anode of a cell while oxygen or air is circulated past a cathode of the cell. The cell solid electrolyte membrane is preferably fabricated from Nafion™. Additionally, a method for improving the performance of carbon electrode structures for use in organic fuel cells is provided wherein a high surface-area carbon particle/Teflon™-binder structure is immersed within a Nafion™/methanol bath to impregnate the electrode with Nafion™. A method for fabricating an anode for use in a organic fuel cell is described wherein metal alloys are deposited onto the electrode in an electro-deposition solution containing perfluorooctanesulfonic acid. A fuel additive containing perfluorooctanesulfonic acid for use with fuel cells employing a sulfuric acid electrolyte is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Inventors: Subbarao Surampudi, Sekharipuram Narayanan, Eugene Vamos, Harvey Frank, Gerald Halpert, George Olah, G. K. Prakash
  • Publication number: 20060105210
    Abstract: Improvements to non-acid methanol fuel cells include new formulations for materials. The platinum and ruthenium are more exactly mixed together. Different materials are substituted for these materials. The backing material for the fuel cell electrode is specially treated to improve its characteristics. A special sputtered electrode is formed which is extremely porous.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2005
    Publication date: May 18, 2006
    Inventors: Subbarao Surampudi, Harvey Frank, Sekharipuram Narayanan, William Chun, Barbara Jeffries-Nakamura, Andrew Kindler, Gerald Halpert
  • Publication number: 20060046133
    Abstract: Improvements to non acid methanol fuel cells include new formulations for materials. The platinum and ruthenium are more exactly mixed together. Different materials are substituted for these materials. The backing material for the fuel cell electrode is specially treated to improve its characteristics. A special sputtered electrode is formed which is extremely porous.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Publication date: March 2, 2006
    Inventors: Subbarao Surampudi, Harvey Frank, Sekharipuram Narayanan, William Chun, Barbara Jeffries-Nakamura, Andrew Kindler, Gerald Halpert
  • Publication number: 20050042487
    Abstract: Improvements to non acid methanol fuel cells include new formulations for materials. The platinum and ruthenium are more exactly mixed together. Different materials are substituted for these materials. The backing material for the fuel cell electrode is specially treated to improve its characteristics. A special sputtered electrode is formed which is extremely porous.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Publication date: February 24, 2005
    Inventors: Subbarao Surampudi, Harvey Frank, Sekharipuram Narayanan, William Chun, Barbara Jeffries-Nakamura, Andrew Kindler, Gerald Halpert
  • Publication number: 20050003254
    Abstract: Improvements to non acid methanol fuel cells include new formulations for materials. The platinum and ruthenium are more exactly mixed together. Different materials are substituted for these materials. The backing material for the fuel cell electrode is specially treated to improve its characteristics. A special sputtered electrode is formed which is extremely porous.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Publication date: January 6, 2005
    Inventors: Subbarao Surampudi, Harvey Frank, Sekharipuram Narayanan, William Chun, Barbara Jeffries-Nakamura, Andrew Kindler, Gerald Halpert
  • Patent number: 6821659
    Abstract: A liquid organic, fuel cell is provided which employs a solid electrolyte membrane. An organic fuel, such as a methanol/water mixture, is circulated past an anode of a cell while oxygen or air is circulated past a cathode of the cell. The cell solid electrolyte membrane is preferably fabricated from Nafion™. Additionally, a method for improving the performance of carbon electrode structures for use in organic fuel cells is provided wherein a high surface-area carbon particle/Teflon™ binder structure is immersed within a Nafion™/methanol bath to impregnate the electrode with Nafion™. A method for fabricating an anode for use in a organic fuel cell is described wherein metal alloys are deposited onto the electrode in an electro-deposition solution containing perfluorooctanesulfonic acid. A fuel additive containing perfluorooctanesulfonic acid for use with fuel cells employing a sulfuric acid electrolyte is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignees: California Institute of Technology, University of Southern California
    Inventors: Subbarao Surampudi, Sekharipuram R. Narayanan, Eugene Vamos, Harvey A. Frank, Gerald Halpert, George A. Olah, G. K. Surya Prakash
  • Publication number: 20040224214
    Abstract: A liquid organic, fuel cell is provided which employs a solid electrolyte membrane. An organic fuel, such as a methanol/water mixture, is circulated past an anode of a cell while oxygen or air is circulated past a cathode of the cell. The cell solid electrolyte membrane is preferably fabricated from Nafion™. Additionally, a method for improving the performance of carbon electrode structures for use in organic fuel cells is provided wherein a high surface-area carbon particle/Teflon™-binder structure is immersed within a Nafion™/methanol bath to impregnate the electrode with Nafion™. A method for fabricating an anode for use in a organic fuel cell is described wherein metal alloys are deposited onto the electrode in an electro-deposition solution containing perfluorooctanesulfonic acid. A fuel additive containing perfluorooctanesulfonic acid for use with fuel cells employing a sulfuric acid electrolyte is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Inventors: Eugene Vamos, Subbarao Surampudi, Sekharipuram R. Narayanan, Harvey A. Frank, Gerald Halpert, George A. Olah, G. K. Surya Prakash
  • Patent number: 6740434
    Abstract: A liquid organic, fuel cell is provided which employs a solid electrolyte membrane. An organic fuel, such as a methanol/water mixture, is circulated past an anode of a cell while oxygen or air is circulated past a cathode of the cell. The cell solid electrolyte membrane is preferably fabricated from Nafion™. Additionally, a method for improving the performance of carbon electrode structures for use in organic fuel cells is provided wherein a high surface-area carbon particle/Teflon™-binder structure is immersed within a Nafion™/methanol bath to impregnate the electrode with Nafion™. A method for fabricating an anode for use in a organic fuel cell is described wherein metal alloys are deposited onto the electrode in an electro-deposition solution containing perfluorooctanesulfonic acid. A fuel additive containing perfluorooctanesulfonic acid for use with fuel cells employing a sulfuric acid electrolyte is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Subbarao Surampudi, Sekharipuram R. Narayanan, Eugene Vamos, Harvey A. Frank, Gerald Halpert, George A. Olah, G. K. Surya Prakash
  • Patent number: 6703150
    Abstract: Improvements to non acid methanol fuel cells include new formulations for materials. The platinum and ruthenium are more exactly mixed together. Different materials are substituted for these materials. The backing material for the fuel cell electrode is specially treated to improve its characteristics. A special sputtered electrode is formed which is extremely porous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Subbarao Surampudi, Harvey A. Frank, Sekharipuram R. Narayanan, William Chun, Barbara Jeffries-Nakamura, Andrew Kindler, Gerald Halpert
  • Patent number: 6589684
    Abstract: Improvements to non acid methanol fuel cells include new formulations for materials. The platinum and ruthenium are more exactly mixed together. Different materials are substituted for these materials. The backing material for the fuel cell electrode is specially treated to improve its characteristics. A special sputtered electrode is formed which is extremely porous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Subbarao Surampudi, Harvey A. Frank, Sekharipuram R. Narayanan, William Chun, Barbara Jeffries-Nakamura, Andrew Kindler, Gerald Halpert
  • Patent number: 6444343
    Abstract: A polymer electrolyte membrane composed of polystyrene sulfonic acid (PSSA) crosslinked within a poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) matrix is provided. This membrane exhibits low methanol crossover which translates to higher fuel and fuel cell efficiencies. A fuel cell comprising a PSSA-PVDF membrane is also provided. Further, methods of decreasing the fuel crossover rate, enhancing fuel cell efficiency, and enhancing electrical performance of a fuel cell are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: University of Southern California
    Inventors: G. K. Surya Prakash, George A. Olah, Marshall C. Smart, Sekharipuram R. Narayanan, Qungie J. Wang, Subbarao Surumpudi, Gerald Halpert
  • Patent number: 6444341
    Abstract: An electrolyte membrane for use in a fuel cell can contain sulfonated polyphenylether sulfones. The membrane can contain a first sulfonated polyphenylether sulfone and a second sulfonated polyphenylether sulfone, wherein the first sulfonated polyphenylether and the second sulfonated polyphenylether sulfone have equivalent weights greater than about 560, and the first sulfonated polyphenylether and the second sulfonated polyphenylether sulfone also have different equivalent weights. Also, a membrane for use in a fuel cell can contain a sulfonated polyphenylether sulfone and an unsulfonated polyphenylether sulfone. Methods for manufacturing a membrane electrode assemblies for use in fuel cells can include roughening a membrane surface. Electrodes and methods for fabricating such electrodes for use in a chemical fuel cell can include sintering an electrode. Such membranes and electrodes can be assembled into chemical fuel cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Shiao-Ping S. Yen, Andrew Kindler, Andre Yavrouian, Gerald Halpert
  • Patent number: 6420059
    Abstract: Improvements to non acid methanol fuel cells include new formulations for materials. The platinum and ruthenium are more exactly mixed together. Different materials are substituted for these materials. The backing material for the fuel cell electrode is specially treated to improve its characteristics. A special sputtered electrode is formed which is extremely porous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Subbarao Surampudi, Harvey A. Frank, Sekharipuram R. Narayanan, William Chun, Barbara Jeffries-Nakamura, Andrew Kindler, Gerald Halpert
  • Patent number: 6399235
    Abstract: An electrolyte membrane for use in a fuel cell can contain sulfonated polyphenylether sulfones. The membrane can contain a first sulfonated polyphenylether sulfone and a second sulfonated polyphenylether sulfone, wherein the first sulfonated polyphenylether and the second sulfonated polyphenylether sulfone have equivalent weights greater than about 560, and the first sulfonated polyphenylether and the second sulfonated polyphenylether sulfone also have different equivalent weights. Also, a membrane for use in a fuel cell can contain a sulfonated polyphenylether sulfone and an unsulfonated polyphenylether sulfone. Methods for manufacturing a membrane electrode assemblies for use in fuel cells can include roughening a membrane surface. Electrodes and methods for fabricating such electrodes for use in a chemical fuel cell can include sintering an electrode. Such membranes and electrodes can be assembled into chemical fuel cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Shiao-Ping S. Yen, Andrew Kindler, Andre Yavrouian, Gerald Halpert
  • Publication number: 20020058178
    Abstract: An improved direct liquid-feed fuel cell having a solid membrane electrolyte for electrochemical reactions of an organic fuel. Improvements in interfacing of the catalyst layer and the membrane and activating catalyst materials are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Publication date: May 16, 2002
    Applicant: California Institute of Technology, a California corporation
    Inventors: Sekharipuram R. Narayanan, Subbarao Surampudi, Gerald Halpert
  • Publication number: 20020015868
    Abstract: A liquid organic, fuel cell is provided which employs a solid electrolyte membrane. An organic fuel, such as a methanol/water mixture, is circulated past an anode of a cell while oxygen or air is circulated past a cathode of the cell. The cell solid electrolyte membrane is preferably fabricated from Nafion™. Additionally, a method for improving the performance of carbon electrode structures for use in organic fuel cells is provided wherein a high surface-area carbon particle/Teflon™-binder structure is immersed within a Nafion™/methanol bath to impregnate the electrode with Nafion™. A method for fabricating an anode for use in a organic fuel cell is described wherein metal alloys are deposited onto the electrode in an electro-deposition solution containing perfluorooctanesulfonic acid. A fuel additive containing perfluorooctanesulfonic acid for use with fuel cells employing a sulfuric acid electrolyte is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Applicant: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Subbarao Surampudi, Sekharipuram R. Narayanan, Eugene Vamos, Harvey A. Frank, Gerald Halpert, George A. Olah, G. K. Surya Prakash