Patents by Inventor James B. Gerken
James B. Gerken 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: 11021441Abstract: Substituted hydroquinones and quinones and methods of synthesizing such compounds are disclosed herein. The substituted hydroquinones have the formula: while the substituted quinones have the corresponding oxidized structure (1,4-benzoquinones). One, two, three, or all four of R1, R2, R3 and R4 comprise a thioether moiety and a sulfonate moiety, and wherein each R1, R2, R3 and R4 that does not comprise a thioether and a sulfonate moiety sulfonate moiety is independently a hydrogen, an alkyl or an electron withdrawing group. The substituted hydroquinones and quinones are soluble in water, stable in aqueous acid solutions, and have a high reduction potential in the oxidized form. Accordingly, they can be used as redox mediators in emerging technologies, such as in mediated fuel cells or organic-mediator flow batteries.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2020Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research FoundationInventors: Shannon S. Stahl, James B. Gerken
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Patent number: 10727518Abstract: Anode half-cells for the electrocatalytic oxidation of a liquid or gaseous fuel or other reductant are disclosed, along with electrochemical cells that include such half-cells. The anode half-cells include redox mediator/heterogeneous redox catalyst pairs within an electrolyte solution that is also in contact with an electrode. The electrode is not in direct contact with the heterogeneous catalyst. The redox mediator must include at least one carbon atom and be capable of transferring or accepting electrons and protons while undergoing reduction or oxidation. In operation, the fuel or other reductant is oxidized and the redox mediator is reduced at the heterogeneous catalyst. The reduced form of the redox mediator can then migrate to the electrode, where it is converted back to its oxidized form, which can then migrate back to the heterogeneous catalyst, where the cycle is repeated.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2018Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research FoundationInventors: Shannon S. Stahl, James B. Gerken, Colin W. Anson, Thatcher W. Root, Yuliya Preger
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Publication number: 20200223794Abstract: Substituted hydroquinones and quinones and methods of synthesizing such compounds are disclosed herein. The substituted hydroquinones have the formula: while the substituted quinones have the corresponding oxidized structure (1,4-benzoquinones). One, two, three, or all four of R1, R2, R3 and R4 comprise a thioether moiety and a sulfonate moiety, and wherein each R1, R2, R3 and R4 that does not comprise a thioether and a sulfonate moiety sulfonate moiety is independently a hydrogen, an alkyl or an electron withdrawing group. The substituted hydroquinones and quinones are soluble in water, stable in aqueous acid solutions, and have a high reduction potential in the oxidized form. Accordingly, they can be used as redox mediators in emerging technologies, such as in mediated fuel cells or organic-mediator flow batteries.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2020Publication date: July 16, 2020Inventors: Shannon S. Stahl, James B. Gerken
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Patent number: 10597359Abstract: Substituted hydroquinones and quinones and methods of synthesizing such compounds are disclosed herein. The substituted hydroquinones have the formula: while the substituted quinones have the corresponding oxidized structure (1,4-benzoquinones). One, two, three, or all four of R1, R2, R3 and R4 comprise a thioether moiety and a sulfonate moiety, and wherein each R1, R2, R3 and R4 that does not comprise a thioether and a sulfonate moiety sulfonate moiety is independently a hydrogen, an alkyl or an electron withdrawing group. The substituted hydroquinones and quinones are soluble in water, stable in aqueous acid solutions, and have a high reduction potential in the oxidized form. Accordingly, they can be used as redox mediators in emerging technologies, such as in mediated fuel cells or organic-mediator flow batteries.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2018Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research FoundationInventors: Shannon S. Stahl, James B. Gerken
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Publication number: 20190055193Abstract: Substituted hydroquinones and quinones and methods of synthesizing such compounds are disclosed herein. The substituted hydrroquinones have the formula: while the substituted quinones have the corresponding oxidized structure (1,4-benzoquinones). One, two, three, or all four of R1, R2, R3 and R4 comprise a thioether moiety and a sulfonate moiety, and wherein each R1, R2, R3 and R4 that does not comprise a thioether and a sulfonate moiety sulfonate moiety is independently a hydrogen, an alkyl or an electron withdrawing group. The substituted hydroquinones and quinones are soluble in water, stable in aqueous acid solutions, and have a high reduction potential in the oxidized form. Accordingly, they can be used as redox mediators in emerging technologies, such as in mediated fuel cells or organic-mediator flow batteries.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2018Publication date: February 21, 2019Inventors: Shannon S. Stahl, James B. Gerken
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Publication number: 20180358642Abstract: Anode half-cells for the electrocatalytic oxidation of a liquid or gaseous fuel or other reductant are disclosed, along with electrochemical cells that include such half-cells. The anode half-cells include redox mediator/heterogeneous redox catalyst pairs within an electrolyte solution that is also in contact with an electrode. The electrode is not in direct contact with the heterogeneous catalyst. The redox mediator must include at least one carbon atom and be capable of transferring or accepting electrons and protons while undergoing reduction or oxidation. In operation, the fuel or other reductant is oxidized and the redox mediator is reduced at the heterogeneous catalyst. The reduced form of the redox mediator can then migrate to the electrode, where it is converted back to its oxidized form, which can then migrate back to the heterogeneous catalyst, where the cycle is repeated.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2018Publication date: December 13, 2018Inventors: Shannon S. Stahl, James B. Gerken, Colin W. Anson, Thatcher W. Root, Yuliya Preger
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Patent number: 9812727Abstract: Disclosed are systems for the electrocatalytic reduction of oxygen, having redox mediator/redox catalyst pairs and an electrolyte solution in contact with an electrode. The redox mediator is included in the electrolyte solution, and the redox catalyst may be included in the electrolyte solution, or alternatively, may be in contact with the electrolyte solution. In one form a cobalt redox catalyst is used with a quinone redox mediator. In another form a nitrogen oxide redox catalyst is used with a nitroxyl type redox mediator. The systems can be used in electrochemical cells wherein neither the anode nor the cathode comprise an expensive metal such as platinum.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2017Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: WISCONSIN ALUMNI RESEARCH FOUNDATIONInventors: Shannon S. Stahl, James B. Gerken, Colin W. Anson
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Publication number: 20170279148Abstract: Disclosed are systems for the electrocatalytic reduction of oxygen, having redox mediator/redox catalyst pairs and an electrolyte solution in contact with an electrode. The redox mediator is included in the electrolyte solution, and the redox catalyst may be included in the electrolyte solution, or alternatively, may be in contact with the electrolyte solution. In one form a cobalt redox catalyst is used with a quinone redox mediator. In another form a nitrogen oxide redox catalyst is used with a nitroxyl type redox mediator. The systems can be used in electrochemical cells wherein neither the anode nor the cathode comprise an expensive metal such as platinum.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2017Publication date: September 28, 2017Inventors: Shannon S. Stahl, James B. Gerken, Colin W. Anson
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Patent number: 9711818Abstract: Disclosed are systems for the electrocatalytic reduction of oxygen, having redox mediator/redox catalyst pairs and an electrolyte solution in contact with an electrode. The redox mediator is included in the electrolyte solution, and the redox catalyst may be included in the electrolyte solution, or alternatively, may be in contact with the electrolyte solution. In one form a cobalt redox catalyst is used with a quinone redox mediator. In another form a nitrogen oxide redox catalyst is used with a nitroxyl type redox mediator. The systems can be used in electrochemical cells wherein neither the anode nor the cathode comprise an expensive metal such as platinum.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2015Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignee: WISCONSIN ALUMNI RESEARCH FOUNDATIONInventors: Shannon S. Stahl, James B. Gerken, Colin W. Anson
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Patent number: 9534305Abstract: Disclosed are electrolysis catalysts formed from cobalt, oxygen and buffering electrolytes (e.g. fluoride). They can be formed as a coating on an anode by conducting an electrolysis reaction using an electrolyte containing cobalt and an anionic buffering electrolyte. The catalysts will facilitate the conversion of water to oxygen and hydrogen gas at a range of mildly acidic conditions. Alternatively, these anodes can be used with cathodes that facilitate other desirable reactions such as converting carbon dioxide to methanol.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2014Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: WISCONSIN ALUMNI RESEARCH FOUNDATIONInventors: James B Gerken, Shannon S. Stahl
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Publication number: 20150263371Abstract: Disclosed are systems for the electrocatalytic reduction of oxygen, having redox mediator/redox catalyst pairs and an electrolyte solution in contact with an electrode. The redox mediator is included in the electrolyte solution, and the redox catalyst may be included in the electrolyte solution, or alternatively, may be in contact with the electrolyte solution. In one form a cobalt redox catalyst is used with a quinone redox mediator. In another form a nitrogen oxide redox catalyst is used with a nitroxyl type redox mediator. The systems can be used in electrochemical cells wherein neither the anode nor the cathode comprise an expensive metal such as platinum.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2015Publication date: September 17, 2015Inventors: Shannon S. Stahl, James B. Gerken, Colin W. Anson
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Publication number: 20150144497Abstract: Disclosed are electrolysis catalysts formed from cobalt, oxygen and buffering electrolytes (e.g. fluoride). They can be formed as a coating on an anode by conducting an electrolysis reaction using an electrolyte containing cobalt and an anionic buffering electrolyte. The catalysts will facilitate the conversion of water to oxygen and hydrogen gas at a range of mildly acidic conditions. Alternatively, these anodes can be used with cathodes that facilitate other desirable reactions such as converting carbon dioxide to methanol.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2014Publication date: May 28, 2015Applicant: WISCONSIN ALUMNI RESEARCH FOUNDATIONInventors: James B. Gerken, Shannon S. Stahl
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Patent number: 8956525Abstract: Disclosed are electrolysis catalysts formed from cobalt, oxygen and buffering electrolytes (e.g. fluoride). They can be formed as a coating on an anode by conducting an electrolysis reaction using an electrolyte containing cobalt and an anionic buffering electrolyte. The catalysts will facilitate the conversion of water to oxygen and hydrogen gas at a range of mildly acidic conditions. Alternatively, these anodes can be used with cathodes that facilitate other desirable reactions such as converting carbon dioxide to methanol.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2010Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research FoundationInventors: James B. Gerken, Shannon S. Stahl
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Publication number: 20120305408Abstract: Disclosed are electrolysis catalysts formed from cobalt, oxygen and buffering electrolytes (e.g. fluoride). They can be formed as a coating on an anode by conducting an electrolysis reaction using an electrolyte containing cobalt and an anionic buffering electrolyte. The catalysts will facilitate the conversion of water to oxygen and hydrogen gas at a range of mildly acidic conditions. Alternatively, these anodes can be used with cathodes that facilitate other desirable reactions such as converting carbon dioxide to methanol.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2010Publication date: December 6, 2012Inventors: James B. Gerken, Shannon S. Stahl
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Patent number: 8192609Abstract: Disclosed are electrolysis catalysts formed from cobalt, oxygen and fluorine. They can be formed as a coating on an anode by conducting an electrolysis reaction using an electrolyte containing cobalt and fluoride. The catalysts will facilitate the conversion of water to hydrogen gas and oxygen gas, even at pH neutral/room temperature reaction conditions. The resulting hydrogen gas is a means of storing renewable energy for use in hydrogen powered vehicles or the like.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2009Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research FoundationInventors: James B. Gerken, Shannon S. Stahl
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Patent number: 8043332Abstract: A cable in accordance with the invention includes at least one core filament having a visually distinctive appearance; and a jacket, wrapped around at least a portion of said core filament. The jacket is adapted to change its opacity in response to tensile stress, thereby modulating the visibility of the core filament in relation to such stress. As a result, the overall appearance of the cable responds to stress, by changing at least one of chroma, hue, or value (visual appearance) quantifiably in response to tension.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2006Date of Patent: October 25, 2011Inventors: Terry M. Mattchen, James B. Gerken
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Publication number: 20110127170Abstract: Disclosed are electrolysis catalysts formed from cobalt, oxygen and fluorine. They can be formed as a coating on an anode by conducting an electrolysis reaction using an electrolyte containing cobalt and fluoride. The catalysts will facilitate the conversion of water to hydrogen gas and oxygen gas, even at pH neutral/room temperature reaction conditions. The resulting hydrogen gas is a means of storing renewable energy for use in hydrogen powered vehicles or the like.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2009Publication date: June 2, 2011Inventors: James B. Gerken, Shannon S. Stahl
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Publication number: 20080078320Abstract: A cable in accordance with the invention includes at least one core filament having a visually distinctive appearance; and a jacket, wrapped around at least a portion of said core filament. The jacket is adapted to change its opacity in response to tensile stress, thereby modulating the visibility of the core filament in relation to such stress. As a result, the overall appearance of the cable responds to stress, by changing at least one of chroma, hue, or value (visual appearance) quantifiably in response to tension.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2006Publication date: April 3, 2008Inventors: Terry M. Mattchen, James B. Gerken