Patents by Inventor Heather A. Murdoch
Heather A. Murdoch 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: 20230279525Abstract: A sintered cemented carbide body including tungsten carbide, and a substantially cobalt-free binder including an iron-based alloy sintered with the tungsten carbide. The iron-based alloy is approximately 2-25% of the overall weight percentage of the sintered tungsten carbide and iron-based alloy. The tungsten carbide may be approximately 90 wt % and the iron-based alloy may be approximately 10 wt % of the overall weight percentage of the sintered tungsten carbide and iron-based alloy. The tungsten carbide may comprise a substantially same size before and after undergoing sintering. The iron-based alloy may be sintered with the tungsten carbide using a uniaxial hot pressing process, a spark plasma sintering process, or a pressureless sintering process. The sintered tungsten carbide and iron-based alloy has a hardness value of at least 15 GPa and a fracture toughness value of at least 11 MPa?m.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2022Publication date: September 7, 2023Inventors: John J. PITTARI, III, Steven M. Kilczewski, Jeffrey J. Swab, Kristopher A. Darling, Billy C. Hornbuckle, Heather A. Murdoch, Robert J. Dowding
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Patent number: 11725262Abstract: A sintered cemented carbide body including tungsten carbide, and a substantially cobalt-free binder including an iron-based alloy sintered with the tungsten carbide. The iron-based alloy is approximately 2-25% of the overall weight percentage of the sintered tungsten carbide and iron-based alloy. The tungsten carbide may be approximately 90 wt % and the iron-based alloy may be approximately 10 wt % of the overall weight percentage of the sintered tungsten carbide and iron-based alloy. The tungsten carbide may comprise a substantially same size before and after undergoing sintering. The iron-based alloy may be sintered with the tungsten carbide using a uniaxial hot pressing process, a spark plasma sintering process, or a pressureless sintering process. The sintered tungsten carbide and iron-based alloy has a hardness value of at least 15 GPa and a fracture toughness value of at least 11 MPa?m.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2022Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventors: John J. Pittari, III, Steven M. Kilczewski, Jeffrey J. Swab, Kristopher A. Darling, Billy C. Hornbuckle, Heather A. Murdoch, Robert J. Dowding
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Publication number: 20230160042Abstract: A sintered cemented carbide body including tungsten carbide, and a substantially cobalt-free binder including an iron-based alloy sintered with the tungsten carbide. The iron-based alloy is approximately 2-25% of the overall weight percentage of the sintered tungsten carbide and iron-based alloy. The tungsten carbide may be approximately 90 wt % and the iron-based alloy may be approximately 10 wt % of the overall weight percentage of the sintered tungsten carbide and iron-based alloy. The tungsten carbide may comprise a substantially same size before and after undergoing sintering. The iron-based alloy may be sintered with the tungsten carbide using a uniaxial hot pressing process, a spark plasma sintering process, or a pressureless sintering process. The sintered tungsten carbide and iron-based alloy has a hardness value of at least 15 GPa and a fracture toughness value of at least 11 MPa?m.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2022Publication date: May 25, 2023Inventors: John J. PITTARI, III, Steven M. Kilczewski, Jeffrey J. Swab, Kristopher A. Darling, Billy C. Hornbuckle, Heather A. Murdoch, Robert J. Dowding
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Patent number: 11650193Abstract: Identifying a stable phase of a binary alloy comprising a solute element and a solvent element. In one example, at least two thermodynamic parameters associated with grain growth and phase separation of the binary alloy are determined, and the stable phase of the binary alloy is identified based on the first thermodynamic parameter and the second thermodynamic parameter, wherein the stable phase is one of a stable nanocrystalline phase, a metastable nanocrystalline phase, and a non-nanocrystalline phase. In different aspects, an enthalpy of mixing of the binary alloy may be calculated as a first thermodynamic parameter, and an enthalpy of segregation of the binary alloy may be calculated as a second thermodynamic parameter.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2019Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Heather A. Murdoch, Christopher A. Schuh
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Patent number: 11434549Abstract: A sintered cemented carbide body including tungsten carbide, and a substantially cobalt-free binder including an iron-based alloy sintered with the tungsten carbide. The iron-based alloy is approximately 2-25% of the overall weight percentage of the sintered tungsten carbide and iron-based alloy. The tungsten carbide may be approximately 90 wt % and the iron-based alloy may be approximately 10 wt % of the overall weight percentage of the sintered tungsten carbide and iron-based alloy. The tungsten carbide may comprise a substantially same size before and after undergoing sintering. The iron-based alloy may be sintered with the tungsten carbide using a uniaxial hot pressing process, a spark plasma sintering process, or a pressureless sintering process. The sintered tungsten carbide and iron-based alloy has a hardness value of at least 15 GPa and a fracture toughness value of at least 11 MPa?m.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2017Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventors: John J. Pittari, III, Steven M. Kilczewski, Jeffrey J. Swab, Kristopher A. Darling, Billy C. Hornbuckle, Heather A. Murdoch, Robert J. Dowding
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Patent number: 11386243Abstract: A method for screening a large design space of compositions with possible application as binders in cermet and powder metallurgy applications allows rapid elimination of large portions of the design space from contention so that resource intensive procedures, such as computationally intensive modeling techniques and experimental testing, can be focused on potential binder compositions with a high likelihood of being used successfully. The method relies on parameters such as surface tension, contact angle, viscosity, a special capillary metric that is used to characterize capillary behavior, and melting point, which are relatively easy to calculate or determine, to screen out large portions of the design space. Exemplary binder compositions are obtained using the method.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2019Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventors: Heather A. Murdoch, Kristopher A. Darling
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Publication number: 20220168997Abstract: A composite structure includes a plurality of laminate layers containing resin reinforced with carbon fiber; and a laminate coated with a metallic layer integrated with a transition metal oxide that is laid up as a topmost layer of the plurality of laminate layers. The plurality of laminate layers and the coated laminate are cured to form a composite material in a defined process to (i) integrate the transition metal oxide in the composite material, (ii) utilize transformed magnetic properties of the transition metal oxide to integrate the transition metal oxide into the metallic layer to coat the laminate, and (iii) utilize transformed optical properties of the transition metal oxide to achieve infrared shielding beyond a phase transition temperature of the transition metal oxide.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2020Publication date: June 2, 2022Inventors: Latha Nataraj, Heather A. Murdoch
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Publication number: 20220093302Abstract: An apparatus includes an electrochemical cell with an electrolyte solution containing particles and metal ions; an electrode system disposed in the electrolyte solution, wherein the electrode system includes a counter electrode, a reference electrode, and a working electrode, and wherein the counter electrode and the working electrode are arranged to allow electric current to flow therebetween; and an open-bore magnet arrangement having at least one permanent magnet connected to the electrochemical cell and arranged to produce a magnetic field in the electrolyte solution to interact with the electric current to produce an electrodeposition of the particles with metal derived from the metal ions onto the working electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2020Publication date: March 24, 2022Inventors: Heather A. Murdoch, Efrain Hernandez, Denise Yin
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Publication number: 20200293624Abstract: A method for screening a large design space of compositions with possible application as binders in cermet and powder metallurgy applications allows rapid elimination of large portions of the design space from contention so that resource intensive procedures, such as computationally intensive modeling techniques and experimental testing, can be focused on potential binder compositions with a high likelihood of being used successfully. The method relies on parameters such as surface tension, contact angle, viscosity, a special capillary metric that is used to characterize capillary behavior, and melting point, which are relatively easy to calculate or determine, to screen out large portions of the design space. Exemplary binder compositions are obtained using the method.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2019Publication date: September 17, 2020Inventors: Heather A. Murdoch, Kristopher A. Darling
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Patent number: 10585054Abstract: Provided in one embodiment is a method of identifying a stable phase of an ordering binary alloy system comprising a solute element and a solvent element, the method comprising: determining at least three thermodynamic parameters associated with grain boundary segregation, phase separation, and intermetallic compound formation of the ordering binary alloy system; and identifying the stable phase of the ordering binary alloy system based on the first thermodynamic parameter, the second thermodynamic parameter and the third thermodynamic parameter by comparing the first thermodynamic parameter, the second thermodynamic parameter and the third thermodynamic parameter with a predetermined set of respective thermodynamic parameters to identify the stable phase; wherein the stable phase is one of a stable nanocrystalline phase, a metastable nanocrystalline phase, and a non-nanocrystalline phase.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2018Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Heather A. Murdoch, Christopher A. Schuh
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Publication number: 20200024702Abstract: A sintered cemented carbide body including tungsten carbide, and a substantially cobalt-free binder including an iron-based alloy sintered with the tungsten carbide. The iron-based alloy is approximately 2-25% of the overall weight percentage of the sintered tungsten carbide and iron-based alloy. The tungsten carbide may be approximately 90 wt % and the iron-based alloy may be approximately 10 wt % of the overall weight percentage of the sintered tungsten carbide and iron-based alloy. The tungsten carbide may comprise a substantially same size before and after undergoing sintering. The iron-based alloy may be sintered with the tungsten carbide using a uniaxial hot pressing process, a spark plasma sintering process, or a pressureless sintering process. The sintered tungsten carbide and iron-based alloy has a hardness value of at least 15 GPa and a fracture toughness value of at least 11 MPa?m.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2019Publication date: January 23, 2020Inventors: John J. Pittari, III, Steven M. Kilczewski, Jeffrey J. Swab, Kristopher A. Darling, Billy C. Hornbuckle, Heather A. Murdoch, Robert J. Dowding
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Publication number: 20200025697Abstract: Identifying a stable phase of a binary alloy comprising a solute element and a solvent element. In one example, at least two thermodynamic parameters associated with grain growth and phase separation of the binary alloy are determined, and the stable phase of the binary alloy is identified based on the first thermodynamic parameter and the second thermodynamic parameter, wherein the stable phase is one of a stable nanocrystalline phase, a metastable nanocrystalline phase, and a non-nanocrystalline phase. In different aspects, an enthalpy of mixing of the binary alloy may be calculated as a first thermodynamic parameter, and an enthalpy of segregation of the binary alloy may be calculated as a second thermodynamic parameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2019Publication date: January 23, 2020Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Heather A. Murdoch, Christopher A. Schuh
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Publication number: 20190257775Abstract: Provided in one embodiment is a method of identifying a stable phase of an ordering binary alloy system comprising a solute element and a solvent element, the method comprising: determining at least three thermodynamic parameters associated with grain boundary segregation, phase separation, and intermetallic compound formation of the ordering binary alloy system; and identifying the stable phase of the ordering binary alloy system based on the first thermodynamic parameter, the second thermodynamic parameter and the third thermodynamic parameter by comparing the first thermodynamic parameter, the second thermodynamic parameter and the third thermodynamic parameter with a predetermined set of respective thermodynamic parameters to identify the stable phase; wherein the stable phase is one of a stable nanocrystalline phase, a metastable nanocrystalline phase, and a non-nanocrystalline phase.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2018Publication date: August 22, 2019Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Heather A. Murdoch, Christopher A. Schuh
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Patent number: 10234410Abstract: Identifying a stable phase of a binary alloy comprising a solute element and a solvent element. In one example, at least two thermodynamic parameters associated with grain growth and phase separation of the binary alloy are determined, and the stable phase of the binary alloy is identified based on the first thermodynamic parameter and the second thermodynamic parameter, wherein the stable phase is one of a stable nanocrystalline phase, a metastable nanocrystalline phase, and a non-nanocrystalline phase.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2012Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Heather A. Murdoch, Christopher A. Schuh
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Patent number: 10209208Abstract: Provided in one embodiment is a method of identifying a stable phase of an ordering binary alloy system comprising a solute element and a solvent element, the method comprising: determining at least three thermodynamic parameters associated with grain boundary segregation, phase separation, and intermetallic compound formation of the ordering binary alloy system; and identifying the stable phase of the ordering binary alloy system based on the first thermodynamic parameter, the second thermodynamic parameter and the third thermodynamic parameter by comparing the first thermodynamic parameter, the second thermodynamic parameter and the third thermodynamic parameter with a predetermined set of respective thermodynamic parameters to identify the stable phase; wherein the stable phase is one of a stable nanocrystalline phase, a metastable nanocrystalline phase, and a non-nanocrystalline phase.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2017Date of Patent: February 19, 2019Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Heather A. Murdoch, Christopher A. Schuh
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Publication number: 20180142331Abstract: A sintered cemented carbide body including tungsten carbide, and a substantially cobalt-free binder including an iron-based alloy sintered with the tungsten carbide. The iron-based alloy is approximately 2-25 % of the overall weight percentage of the sintered tungsten carbide and iron-based alloy. The tungsten carbide may be approximately 90 wt % and the iron-based alloy may be approximately 10 wt % of the overall weight percentage of the sintered tungsten carbide and iron-based alloy. The tungsten carbide may comprise a substantially same size before and after undergoing sintering. The iron-based alloy may be sintered with the tungsten carbide using a uniaxial hot pressing process, a spark plasma sintering process, or a pressureless sintering process. The sintered tungsten carbide and iron-based alloy has a hardness value of at least 15 GPa and a fracture toughness value of at least 11 MPa?m.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2017Publication date: May 24, 2018Inventors: John J. Pittari, III, Steven M. Kilczewski, Jeffrey J. Swab, Kristopher A. Darling, Billy C. Hornbuckle, Heather A. Murdoch, Robert J. Dowding
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Publication number: 20180100817Abstract: Provided in one embodiment is a method of identifying a stable phase of an ordering binary alloy system comprising a solute element and a solvent element, the method comprising: determining at least three thermodynamic parameters associated with grain boundary segregation, phase separation, and intermetallic compound formation of the ordering binary alloy system; and identifying the stable phase of the ordering binary alloy system based on the first thermodynamic parameter, the second thermodynamic parameter and the third thermodynamic parameter by comparing the first thermodynamic parameter, the second thermodynamic parameter and the third thermodynamic parameter with a predetermined set of respective thermodynamic parameters to identify the stable phase; wherein the stable phase is one of a stable nanocrystalline phase, a metastable nanocrystalline phase, and a non-nanocrystalline phase.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2017Publication date: April 12, 2018Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Heather A. Murdoch, Christopher A. Schuh
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Patent number: 9791394Abstract: Provided in one embodiment is a method of identifying a stable phase of an ordering binary alloy system comprising a solute element and a solvent element, the method comprising: determining at least three thermodynamic parameters associated with grain boundary segregation, phase separation, and intermetallic compound formation of the ordering binary alloy system; and identifying the stable phase of the ordering binary alloy system based on the first thermodynamic parameter, the second thermodynamic parameter and the third thermodynamic parameter by comparing the first thermodynamic parameter, the second thermodynamic parameter and the third thermodynamic parameter with a predetermined set of respective thermodynamic parameters to identify the stable phase; wherein the stable phase is one of a stable nanocrystalline phase, a metastable nanocrystalline phase, and a non-nanocrystalline phase.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2014Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Heather A. Murdoch, Christopher A. Schuh
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Publication number: 20160114462Abstract: Nanostructured or ultra-fine grained metallic systems according to embodiments of the invention may be formed of: pure Cu, pure Fe, or pure Ti, with grain sizes of less than 140 nm, 348 nm, or 59 nm, respectively. The metallic systems demonstrate a monotonically increasing grain size dependence from a minimum value attained at the surface; and a converse relation of microhardness, decreasing from 160 kg/mm2, 265 kg/mm2, or 320 kg/mm2, respectively. The grain refinement process at cryogenic conditions relies on the suppression of room temperature dislocation-mediated deformation mechanisms which facilitate grain restructuring, relaxation, and reorientation. At the cryogenic conditions, alternative mechanism for grain refinement, such as shear localization or dynamic recrystallization may be more dominant.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2015Publication date: April 28, 2016Inventors: Laszlo J. Kecskes, Micah J. Gallagher, Anthony J. Roberts, Heather A. Murdoch, Kristopher A. Darling
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Publication number: 20150125338Abstract: Identifying a stable phase of a binary alloy comprising a solute element and a solvent element. In one example, at least two thermodynamic parameters associated with grain growth and phase separation of the binary alloy are determined, and the stable phase of the binary alloy is identified based on the first thermodynamic parameter and the second thermodynamic parameter, wherein the stable phase is one of a stable nanocrystalline phase, a metastable nanocrystalline phase, and a non-nanocrystalline phase.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2012Publication date: May 7, 2015Inventors: Heather Murdoch, Christopher A. Schuh