Patents by Inventor Howard K. Schmidt
Howard K. Schmidt 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: 20140347055Abstract: Cross-well electromagnetic (EM) imaging is performed using high-power pulsed magnetic field sources, time-domain signal acquisition, low-noise magnetic field sensors, spatial oversampling and super-resolution image enhancement and injected contrast fluids. The contrast fluids increase the electromagnetic character of the formation and fluids, either the magnetic permeability or the dielectric permittivity. The acquired signals are processed and inter-well images are generated mapping electromagnetic (EM) signal speed (group velocity) rather than conductivity maps. EM velocity maps with improved resolution for both native and injected fluids are provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2014Publication date: November 27, 2014Inventor: HOWARD K. SCHMIDT
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Patent number: 8803077Abstract: Cross-well electromagnetic (EM) imaging is performed using high-power pulsed magnetic field sources, time-domain signal acquisition, low-noise magnetic field sensors, spatial oversampling and super-resolution image enhancement and injected magnetic nanofluids. The acquired signals are processed and inter-well images are generated mapping electromagnetic (EM) signal speed (group velocity) rather than conductivity maps. EM velocity maps with improved resolution for both native and injected fluids are provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2014Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventor: Howard K. Schmidt
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Patent number: 8763387Abstract: Energy is stored by injecting fluid into a hydraulic fracture in the earth and producing the fluid hack while recovering power. The method is particularly adapted to storage of large amounts of energy such as in grid-scale electric energy systems. The hydraulic fracture may be formed and treated with resin so as to limit fluid loss and to increase propagation pressure.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2010Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Inventor: Howard K. Schmidt
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Publication number: 20140166873Abstract: Cross-well electromagnetic (EM) imaging is performed using high-power pulsed magnetic field sources, time-domain signal acquisition, low-noise magnetic field sensors, spatial oversampling and super-resolution image enhancement and injected magnetic nanofluids. The acquired signals are processed and inter-well images are generated mapping electromagnetic (EM) signal speed (group velocity) rather than conductivity maps. EM velocity maps with improved resolution for both native and injected fluids are provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2014Publication date: June 19, 2014Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventor: Howard K. Schmidt
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Patent number: 8664586Abstract: Cross-well electromagnetic (EM) imaging is performed using high-power pulsed magnetic field sources, time-domain signal acquisition, low-noise magnetic field sensors, spatial oversampling and super-resolution image enhancement and injected magnetic nanofluids. Inter-well images are generated mapping electromagnetic (EM) signal speed (group velocity) rather than conductivity maps. EM velocity maps with improved resolution for both native and injected fluids are provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2012Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventor: Howard K. Schmidt
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Patent number: 8562935Abstract: The present invention is directed towards methods (processes) of providing large quantities of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) of defined diameter and chirality (i.e., precise populations). In such processes, CNT seeds of a pre-selected diameter and chirality are grown to many (e.g., hundreds) times their original length. This is optionally followed by cycling some of the newly grown material back as seed material for regrowth. Thus, the present invention provides for the large-scale production of precise populations of CNTs, the precise composition of such populations capable of being optimized for a particular application (e.g., hydrogen storage). The present invention is also directed to complexes of CNTs and transition metal catalyst precurors, such complexes typically being formed en route to forming CNT seeds.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2004Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: William Marsh Rice UniversityInventors: Robert H. Hauge, Andrew R. Barron, James M. Tour, Howard K. Schmidt, W. Edward Billups, Christopher A. Dyke, Valerie C. Moore, Elizabeth Whitsitt, Robin E. Anderson, Ramon Colorado, Jr., Michael P. Stewart, Douglas C. Ogrin, Irene M. Marek
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Patent number: 8540959Abstract: According to some embodiments, the present invention provides a method for attaining short carbon nanotubes utilizing electron beam irradiation, for example, of a carbon nanotube sample. The sample may be pretreated, for example by oxonation. The pretreatment may introduce defects to the sidewalls of the nanotubes. The method is shown to produces nanotubes with a distribution of lengths, with the majority of lengths shorter than 100 tun. Further, the median length of the nanotubes is between about 20 nm and about 100 nm.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2007Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: William Marsh Rice UniversityInventors: Kirk J. Ziegler, Urs Rauwald, Robert H. Hauge, Howard K. Schmidt, W. Carter Kittrell, Zhenning Gu, Irene Morin Marek
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Patent number: 8394664Abstract: A method for forming nanotube electrical devices, arrays of nanotube electrical devices, and device structures and arrays of device structures formed by the methods. Various methods of the present invention allow creation of semiconducting and/or conducting devices from readily grown SWNT carpets rather than requiring the preparation of a patterned growth channel and takes advantage of the self-controlling nature of these carpet heights to ensure a known and controlled channel length for reliable electronic properties as compared to the prior methods.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2007Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignee: William Marsh Rice UniversityInventors: Nolan Walker Nicholas, W. Carter Kittrell, Myung Jong Kim, Howard K. Schmidt
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Patent number: 8362295Abstract: Drilling fluids comprising graphenes and nanoplatelet additives and methods for production thereof are disclosed. Graphene includes graphite oxide, graphene oxide, chemically-converted graphene, and functionalized chemically-converted graphene. Derivatized graphenes and methods for production thereof are disclosed. The derivatized graphenes are prepared from a chemically-converted graphene through derivatization with a plurality of functional groups. Derivatization can be accomplished, for example, by reaction of a chemically-converted graphene with a diazonium species. Methods for preparation of graphite oxide are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2009Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: William Marsh Rice UniversityInventors: James M. Tour, Howard K. Schmidt, Condell D. Doyle, Dmitry V. Kosynkin, Jay R. Lomeda
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Publication number: 20120306501Abstract: Methods for imaging geological structures include injecting magnetic materials into the geological structures, placing at least one magnetic probe in a proximity to the geological structures, generating a magnetic field in the geological structures and detecting a magnetic signal. The at least one magnetic probe may be on the surface of the geological structures or reside within the geological structures. The methods also include injecting magnetic materials into the geological structures, placing at least one magnetic detector in the geological structures and measuring a resonant frequency in the at least one magnetic detector. Methods for using magnetic materials in dipole-dipole, dipole-loop and loop-loop transmitter-receiver configurations for geological structure electromagnetic imaging techniques are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2012Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: William Marsh Rice UniversityInventors: Howard K. Schmidt, James M. Tour
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Patent number: 8269501Abstract: Methods for imaging geological structures include injecting magnetic materials into the geological structures, placing at least one magnetic probe in a proximity to the geological structures, generating a magnetic field in the geological structures and detecting a magnetic signal. The at least one magnetic probe may be on the surface of the geological structures or reside within the geological structures. The methods also include injecting magnetic materials into the geological structures, placing at least one magnetic detector in the geological structures and measuring a resonant frequency in the at least one magnetic detector. Methods for using magnetic materials in dipole-dipole, dipole-loop and loop-loop transmitter-receiver configurations for geological structure electromagnetic imaging techniques are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2009Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: William Marsh Rice UniversityInventors: Howard K. Schmidt, James M. Tour
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Patent number: 8183180Abstract: Drilling fluids comprising graphenes and nanoplatelet additives and methods for production thereof are disclosed. Graphene includes graphite oxide, graphene oxide, chemically-converted graphene, and functionalized chemically-converted graphene. Derivatized graphenes and methods for production thereof are disclosed. The derivatized graphenes are prepared from a chemically-converted graphene through derivatization with a plurality of functional groups. Derivatization can be accomplished, for example, by reaction of a chemically-converted graphene with a diazonium species. Methods for preparation of graphite oxide are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2010Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: William Marsh Rice UniversityInventors: James M. Tour, Howard K. Schmidt, Jay R. Lomeda, Dmitry V. Kosynkin, Condell D. Doyle
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Publication number: 20120107597Abstract: According to some embodiments, the present invention provides a system and method for supporting a carbon nanotube array that involve an entangled carbon nanotube mat integral with the array, where the mat is embedded in an embedding material. The embedding material may be depositable on a carbon nanotube. A depositable material may be metallic or nonmetallic. The embedding material may be an adhesive material. The adhesive material may optionally be mixed with a metal powder. The embedding material may be supported by a substrate or self-supportive. The embedding material may be conductive or nonconductive. The system and method provide superior mechanical and, when applicable, electrical, contact between the carbon nanotubes in the array and the embedding material. The optional use of a conductive material for the embedding material provides a mechanism useful for integration of carbon nanotube arrays into electronic devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2007Publication date: May 3, 2012Applicant: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITYInventors: Myung Jong Kim, Nolan Walker Nicholas, W. Carter Kittrell, Howard K. Schmidt
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Patent number: 8124503Abstract: A new and useful nanotube growth substrate conditioning processes is herein disclosed that allows the growth of vertical arrays of carbon nanotubes where the average diameter of the nanotubes can be selected and/or controlled as compared to the prior art.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2007Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignee: William Marsh Rice UniversityInventors: Robert H. Hauge, Ya-Qiong Xu, Hongwei Shan, Nolan Walker Nicholas, Myung Jong Kim, Howard K. Schmidt, W. Carter Kittrell
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Patent number: 8097141Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method for separating a first fraction of a single wall carbon nanotubes and a second fraction of single wall carbon nanotubes includes, but is not limited to: flowing a solution comprising the nanotubes into a dielectrophoresis chamber; applying a DC voltage, in combination with an AC voltage, to the dielectrophoresis chamber; and collecting a first eluent from the dielectrophoresis chamber, wherein the first eluent comprises the first fraction and is depleted of the second fraction, wherein the first and second fractions differ by at least one of conductivity, diameter, length, and combinations thereof.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2007Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: William Marsh Rice UniversityInventors: Howard K. Schmidt, Haiqing Peng, Manuel Joao Mendes, Matteo Pasquali
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Publication number: 20110144386Abstract: Drilling fluids comprising graphenes and nanoplatelet additives and methods for production thereof are disclosed. Graphene includes graphite oxide, graphene oxide, chemically-converted graphene, and functionalized chemically-converted graphene. Derivatized graphenes and methods for production thereof are disclosed. The derivatized graphenes are prepared from a chemically-converted graphene through derivatization with a plurality of functional groups. Derivatization can be accomplished, for example, by reaction of a chemically-converted graphene with a diazonium species. Methods for preparation of graphite oxide are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2009Publication date: June 16, 2011Applicant: William Marsh Rice UniversityInventors: James M. Tour, Howard K. Schmidt, Condell D. Doyle, Dmitry V. Kosynkin, Jay R. Lomeda
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NEAT CARBON NANOTUBE ARTICLES PROCESSED FROM SUPER ACID SOLUTIONS AND METHODS FOR PRODUCTION THEREOF
Publication number: 20110110843Abstract: Articles comprising neat, aligned carbon nanotubes and methods for production thereof are disclosed. The articles and methods comprise extrusion of a super acid solution of carbon nanotubes followed by removal of the super acid solvent. The articles may be processed by wet-jet wet spinning, dry-jet wet spinning, and coagulant co-flow extrusion techniques.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2008Publication date: May 12, 2011Applicant: WILLIAM MARCH RICE UNIVERSITYInventors: Matteo Pasquali, Wen-Fang Hwang, Howard K. Schmidt, Natneal Behabtu, Virginia Davis, A. Nicholas G. Parra-Vasquez, Micah J. Green, Richard Booker, Colin c. Young, Hua Fan -
Publication number: 20110100440Abstract: A general approach is provided for producing devices that absorb optical photons (visible to near IR) and performs charge separation with a useful voltage between holes and electrons. These holes and electrons may be collected in electrodes for performing useful work outside the device. The described technology is generally based upon rectification of plasmons (collective electric excitations) generated by absorbing light with tuned metallic antennas. According to some embodiments, the present invention provides a spatial array of nanoscale conductors forming an optical rectenna that responds to an incident light source and generates a current offset that may be rectified by a rectification-inducing material. The present inventors foresee an extensive use of these optical rectennas as photovoltaic devices, as well as a wide interest in diverse fundamental research and applied technologies.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2008Publication date: May 5, 2011Applicant: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITYInventors: Howard K. Schmidt, Juan Duque
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Publication number: 20110059871Abstract: Drilling fluids comprising graphenes and nanoplatelet additives and methods for production thereof are disclosed. Graphene includes graphite oxide, graphene oxide, chemically-converted graphene, and functionalized chemically-converted graphene. Derivatized graphenes and methods for production thereof are disclosed. The derivatized graphenes are prepared from a chemically-converted graphene through derivatization with a plurality of functional groups. Derivatization can be accomplished, for example, by reaction of a chemically-converted graphene with a diazonium species. Methods for preparation of graphite oxide are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2010Publication date: March 10, 2011Applicant: William Marsh Rice UniversityInventors: James M. Tour, Howard K. Schmidt, Jay R. Lomeda, Dmitry V. Kosynkin, Condell D. Doyle
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Patent number: 7893513Abstract: According to some embodiments, the present invention provides a nanoelectronic device based on a nanostructure that may include a nanotube with first and second ends, a metallic nanoparticle attached to the first end, and an insulating nanoparticle attached to the second end. The nanoelectronic device may include additional nanostructures so a to form a plurality of nanostructures comprising the first nanostructure and the additional nanostructures. The plurality of nanostructures may arranged in a network comprising a plurality of edges and a plurality of vertices, wherein each edge comprises a nanotube and each vertex comprises at least one insulating nanoparticle and at least one metallic nanoparticle adjacent the insulating nanoparticle. The combination of at least one edge and at least one vertex comprises a diode. The device may be an optical rectenna.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2007Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: William Marsh Rice UniversityInventor: Howard K. Schmidt