Patents by Inventor Henry C. Foley
Henry C. Foley 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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Patent number: 9274040Abstract: A process for characterizing micro, meso, and/or macro porous materials is provided. The process includes providing a volumetric and/or gravimetric adsorption system, the adsorption system having an adsorption chamber and a probe gas at a first temperature. In addition, a porous material to be characterized is provided and placed within the adsorption chamber. Thereafter, a porosimetry run is conducted on the porous material. The porosimetry run includes: (a) selecting an uptake target value; (b) selecting a target interval bounding the target uptake target value; (c) adjusting pressure within the adsorption chamber in order for the porous sample to reach the target uptake value; (d) adjusting pressure within the adsorption chamber until the pressure within the adsorption chamber is within the target interval for a predetermined amount of time; and (e) repeating steps (a)-(d) until the porosimetry run is complete.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2014Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: The Penn State Research FoundationInventors: Ali Qajar, Ramakrishnan Rajagopalan, Henry C. Foley
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Publication number: 20150000377Abstract: A process for characterizing micro, meso, and/or macro porous materials is provided. The process includes providing a volumetric and/or gravimetric adsorption system, the adsorption system having an adsorption chamber and a probe gas at a first temperature. In addition, a porous material to be characterized is provided and placed within the adsorption chamber. Thereafter, a porosimetry run is conducted on the porous material. The porosimetry run includes: (a) selecting an uptake target value; (b) selecting a target interval bounding the target uptake target value; (c) adjusting pressure within the adsorption chamber in order for the porous sample to reach the target uptake value; (d) adjusting pressure within the adsorption chamber until the pressure within the adsorption chamber is within the target interval for a predetermined amount of time; and (e) repeating steps (a)-(d) until the porosimetry run is complete.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2014Publication date: January 1, 2015Applicant: The Penn State Research FoundationInventors: Ali Qajar, Ramakrishnan Rajagopalan, Henry C. Foley
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Patent number: 8648009Abstract: Nanoporous and mesoporous carbon materials are fabricated in a pyrolysis process in which a starting mixture including a carbonizing polymer and a pyrolyzing polymer are employed. In one instance, the carbonizing polymer and pyrolyzing polymer are joined together in the form of a block copolymer. In another instance, the carbonizing polymer is a polyfurfuryl alcohol and the pyrolyzing polymer is polyethylene glycol diacid. These two polymer materials are mixed together and not copolymerized. The pore structure of the material may be controlled by controlling the molecular weight of various of the polymer components.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2007Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: The Penn State Research FoundationInventors: Henry C. Foley, Ramakrishnan Rajagopalan, Andrew P. Marencic, Christopher L. Burket
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Patent number: 7708810Abstract: A gas permeable, carbon based, nanocomposite membrane comprises a nanoporous carbon matrix comprising a pyrolyzed polymer, and a plurality of nanoparticles of carbon or an inorganic compound disposed in the matrix. The matrix is prepared by pyrolyzing a polymer, and nanoparticles of the particulate material are disposed in the polymer prior to pyrolysis. The particles may be disposed in a precursor of the polymer, which precursor is subsequently polymerized, or in the polymer itself.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2006Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Assignee: The Penn State Research FoundationInventors: Henry C. Foley, Ramakrishnan Rajagopalan, Anna R. Merritt
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Patent number: 6719147Abstract: A novel supported mesoporous carbon ultrafiltration membrane and process for producing the same. The membranes comprise a mesoporous carbon layer that exists both within and external to the porous support. A liquid polymer precursor composition comprising both carbonizing and noncarbonizing templating polymers is deposited on the porous metal support. The coated support is then heated in an inert-gas atmosphere to pyrolyze the polymeric precursor and form a mesoporous carbon layer on and within the support. The pore-size of the membranes is dependent on the molecular weight of the noncarbonizing templating polymer precursor. The mesoporous carbon layer is stable and can withstand high temperatures and exposure to organic chemicals. Additionally, the porous metal support provides excellent strength properties. The composite structure of the membrane provides novel structural properties and allows for increased operating pressures allowing for greater membrane flow rates.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2001Date of Patent: April 13, 2004Assignee: The University of DelawareInventors: Michael Strano, Henry C. Foley, Hans Agarwal
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Publication number: 20040005258Abstract: The invention relates to chemical reactor templates having channel-like voids parallel to the template's major axis. The channel-like voids may have either micro-scale or nano-scale cross sectional areas. The chemical reactor templates may be used to produce micro- and nano-scale filaments and particles which have a variety of uses. In some embodiments a chemical reactor template of the invention have at least two intersecting channel-like voids substantially parallel to the major axis of said template. The invention also relates to methods for manufacturing a chemical reactor template using sacrificial layers. The chemical reactor templates of the invention may be fabricated to have multiple arrays of channel-like structures as well as vertical elements to provide access to act as contacts for the channel-like voids and materials formed within the template. The invention relates to methods for producing filaments and particles using a chemical reactor template.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2002Publication date: January 8, 2004Inventors: Stephen J. Fonash, Chih-Yi Peng, Ayusmen Sen, Seong H. Kim, Henry C. Foley, Bin Gu, Wook Jun Nam, Kyuhwan Chang
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Publication number: 20030034295Abstract: A novel supported mesoporous carbon ultrafiltration membrane and process for producing the same. The membranes comprise a mesoporous carbon layer that exists both within and external to the porous support. A liquid polymer precursor composition comprising both carbonizing and noncarbonizing templating polymers is deposited on the porous metal support. The coated support is then heated in an inert-gas atmosphere to pyrolyze the polymeric precursor and form a mesoporous carbon layer on and within the support. The pore-size of the membranes is dependent on the molecular weight of the noncarbonizing templating polymer precursor. The mesoporous carbon layer is stable and can withstand high temperatures and exposure to organic chemicals. Additionally, the porous metal support provides excellent strength properties. The composite structure of the membrane provides novel structural properties and allows for increased operating pressures allowing for greater membrane flow rates.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2001Publication date: February 20, 2003Inventors: Michael Strano, Henry C. Foley, Hans Agarwal
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Publication number: 20030013046Abstract: There is disclosed a method of producing nano or micro-scale chemical reactor devices and novel devices produced by said method. The method of the invention uses deposited sacrificial layers to provide various channels and reservoirs of reactor devices. Reactor devices of the present invention are chemical reactor devices, electro-chemical reactor devices, or chemical/electro-chemical deivices. A fuel cell embodiment is disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2002Publication date: January 16, 2003Applicant: THE PENN STATE RESEARCH FOUNDATION, UNIVERSITY PARK, PENNSYLVANIAInventors: Stephen J. Fonash, Wook Jun Nam, Kyuhwan Chang, Henry C. Foley
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Patent number: 6471745Abstract: Catalytic membranes comprising highly-dispersed, catalytically-active metals in nanoporous carbon membranes and a novel single-phase process to produce the membranes.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 1999Date of Patent: October 29, 2002Assignee: University of DelawareInventors: Henry C. Foley, Michael Strano, Madhav Acharya, Brenda A. Raich
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Patent number: 5972079Abstract: Carbogenic molecular sieve devices comprising a porous support (e.g., a metal support) having a carbogenic molecular sieve membrane attached to one or more surfaces of the support so that small pores in the membrane are in communication with larger pores in the support and methods of making the devices.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 1996Date of Patent: October 26, 1999Assignee: University of DelawareInventors: Henry C. Foley, Madhav Acharya, Brenda A. Raich
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Patent number: 5482909Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved catalyst for the selective synthesis of monomethylamine (MMA) and dimethylamine (DMA) at the expense of trimethylamine (TMA) for a starting feed of methanol and/or dimethyl ether and ammonia. The current industrial catalyst for this process is a standard SiO.sub.2 /Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 material. The present invention combines this standard catalyst with microporous carbon molecular sieves (CMS) to form a composite material (i.e., a CMS/SiO.sub.2 /Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 material) with higher selectivity for the desired products MMA and DMA. The invention also relates to methods of making the improved catalyst and a process of using the improved catalyst material in the production of MMA and DMA.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 1994Date of Patent: January 9, 1996Assignees: University of Delaware, E. I. Du Pont de Nemours & Co., Inc.Inventors: Henry C. Foley, George C. Sonnichsen, Loren D. Brake, Ravindra K. Mariwala, Davis S. Lafyatis
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Patent number: 5470814Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved catalyst for the selective synthesis of monomethylamine (MMA) and dimethylamine (DMA) at the expense of trimethylamine (TMA) for a starting feed of methanol and/or dimethyl ether and ammonia. The current industrial catalyst for this process is a standard SiO.sub.2 /Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 material. The present invention combines this standard catalyst with microporous carbon molecular sieves (CMS) to form a composite material (i.e., a CMS/SiO.sub.2 /Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 material) with higher selectivity for the desired products MMA and DMA. The invention also relates to methods of making the improved catalyst and a process of using the improved catalyst material in the production of MMA and DMA.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 1994Date of Patent: November 28, 1995Assignees: University of Delaware, E. I. Du Pont de Nemours & Co., Inc.Inventors: Henry C. Foley, George C. Sonnichsen, Loren D. Brake, Ravindra K. Mariwala, David S. Lafyatis
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Patent number: 5354893Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved catalyst for the selective synthesis of monomethylamine (MMA) and dimethylamine (DMA) at the expense of trimethylamine (TMA) for a starting feed of methanol and/or dimethyl ether and ammonia. The current industrial catalyst for this process is a standard SiO.sub.2 /Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 material. The present invention combines this standard catalyst with microporous carbon molecular sieves (CMS) to form a composite material (i.e., a CMS/SiO.sub.2 /Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 material) with higher selectivity for the desired products MMA and DMA. The invention also relates to methods of making the improved catalyst and a process of using the improved catalyst material in the production of MMA and DMA.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 1993Date of Patent: October 11, 1994Assignees: The University of Delaware, E. I. Du Pont de Nemours Company, Inc.Inventors: Henry C. Foley, George C. Sonnichsen, Loren D. Brake, Ravindra K. Mariwala, David S. Lafyatis
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Patent number: 5261948Abstract: A method for the preparation of a carbon molecular sieve capable of separating acid gases and fluorocarbons of the formula C.sub.a H.sub.b X.sub.c F.sub.d, wherein a is from 1 to about 6, b is from 0 to about 13, c is from 0 to about 13, d is from 1 to about 14, and X is a halogen; on the basis of shape selectivity and size exclusion. A precursor resin is heated at about 0.2.degree. C. per minute to about 500.degree. C. Then the resin is soaked at about 500.degree. C. for about 6 hours in flowing inert gas.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 1992Date of Patent: November 16, 1993Assignees: University of Delaware, E. I. Du Pont de Nemours Co.Inventors: Henry C. Foley, Ravindra K. Mariwala, Leo Manzer
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Patent number: 5085885Abstract: A beam or flow of a reactive or metastable precursor such as a hydride or organometallic compound is created, and this beam or flow is used to treat (e.g. dope or coat or otherwise modify) a substrate, e.g. an advanced material such as a semiconductor layer, a photovoltaic cell, or a solar cell. The beam or flow can also be directed into a storage zone so that the precursor or precursors can be collected for future use. The beam or flow is created in an apparatus comprising at least three zones. Zone 1 is irradiated with microwave energy to generate a reactive gas rich in free radicals (e.g. rich in H.sup.., CH.sub.3.sup.., etc.) zone 2 (downstream from zone 1) is substantially free of microwave energy and contains a target which is impinged upon by the free radicals and becomes a source of the precursor; zone 3 (downstream from zone 2) is where the precursors are either collected for storage or are used to treat the substrate. In a typical apparatus of this invention, a feed gas such as H.sub.2 or CH.sub.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 1990Date of Patent: February 4, 1992Assignee: University of DelawareInventors: Henry C. Foley, Robert D. Varrin, Jr., Sourav K. Sengupta
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Patent number: 5021385Abstract: This invention relates to catalyst supports, methods for making them, and to catalysts prepared therefrom. More particularly, it relates to binary oxidic catalyst support materials comprising titania and zirconia with high porosity and high surface area prepared by either a pH swing technique or a constant pH technique followed by calcination at a temperature below 450.degree. C., with such materials being impregnated with catalytically active metal components.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 1987Date of Patent: June 4, 1991Assignee: American Cyanamid CompanyInventors: Francis P. Daly, Hiei Ando, Henry C. Foley, Hyun J. Jung
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Patent number: 5021392Abstract: This invention relates to catalyst supports, methods for making them, and to catalysts prepared therefrom. More particularly, it relates to binary oxidic catalyst support materials comprising titania and zirconia with high porosity and high surface area prepared by either a pH swing technique or a constant pH technique followed by calcination at a temperature below 450.degree. C., with such materials being impregnated with catalytically active metal components.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 1990Date of Patent: June 4, 1991Assignee: American Cyanamid CompanyInventors: Francis P. Daly, Hiei Ando, Henry C. Foley, Hyun J. Jung
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Patent number: 4687784Abstract: New catalysts comprising molybdenum on supports of defined wide-pore carbons are useful as catalyst for reaction of CO with H.sub.2 for synthesis of hydrocarbons. Catalysts may be made by depositing Mo(CO).sub.6 on the carbon support particles by vapor deposition or solution impregnation. The catalyst may also comprise a second metal, such as rhodium or palladium.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 1986Date of Patent: August 18, 1987Assignee: American Cyanamid CompanyInventors: Henry C. Foley, Michael P. O'Toole
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Patent number: 4684618Abstract: For the reaction of CO and H.sub.2 to produce hydrocarbons and alcohols, catalysts prepared by depositing carbonyls of molybdenum or tungsten and rhodium or ruthenium on alumina support and decomposing and oxidizing the carbonyls to oxides of the metals on the support.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 1985Date of Patent: August 4, 1987Assignee: American Cyanamid CompanyInventors: Henry C. Foley, Michael P. O'Toole
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Patent number: 4591578Abstract: New catalysts comprising molybdenum on supports of defined wide-pore carbons are useful as catalyst for reaction of CO with H.sub.2 for synthesis of hydrocarbons. Catalysts may be made by depositing Mo(CO).sub.6 on the carbon support particles by vapor deposition or solution impregnation. The catalyst may also comprise a second metal, such as rhodium or palladium.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 1985Date of Patent: May 27, 1986Assignee: American Cyanamid CompanyInventors: Henry C. Foley, Michael P. O'Toole