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).

  • Publication number: 20140347055
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventor: HOWARD K. SCHMIDT
  • Patent number: 8803077
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Howard K. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8763387
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Inventor: Howard K. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20140166873
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Howard K. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8664586
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Howard K. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8562935
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: 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
  • Patent number: 8540959
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Kirk J. Ziegler, Urs Rauwald, Robert H. Hauge, Howard K. Schmidt, W. Carter Kittrell, Zhenning Gu, Irene Morin Marek
  • Patent number: 8394664
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Nolan Walker Nicholas, W. Carter Kittrell, Myung Jong Kim, Howard K. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8362295
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: James M. Tour, Howard K. Schmidt, Condell D. Doyle, Dmitry V. Kosynkin, Jay R. Lomeda
  • Publication number: 20120306501
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Howard K. Schmidt, James M. Tour
  • Patent number: 8269501
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Howard K. Schmidt, James M. Tour
  • Patent number: 8183180
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: James M. Tour, Howard K. Schmidt, Jay R. Lomeda, Dmitry V. Kosynkin, Condell D. Doyle
  • Publication number: 20120107597
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Myung Jong Kim, Nolan Walker Nicholas, W. Carter Kittrell, Howard K. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8124503
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Robert H. Hauge, Ya-Qiong Xu, Hongwei Shan, Nolan Walker Nicholas, Myung Jong Kim, Howard K. Schmidt, W. Carter Kittrell
  • Patent number: 8097141
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Howard K. Schmidt, Haiqing Peng, Manuel Joao Mendes, Matteo Pasquali
  • Publication number: 20110144386
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: James M. Tour, Howard K. Schmidt, Condell D. Doyle, Dmitry V. Kosynkin, Jay R. Lomeda
  • Publication number: 20110110843
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: WILLIAM MARCH RICE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: 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: 20110100440
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Howard K. Schmidt, Juan Duque
  • Publication number: 20110059871
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: James M. Tour, Howard K. Schmidt, Jay R. Lomeda, Dmitry V. Kosynkin, Condell D. Doyle
  • Patent number: 7893513
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventor: Howard K. Schmidt