Patents by Inventor James Douglas Way

James Douglas Way 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: 20240408580
    Abstract: A composite metal membrane for use in hydrogen purification includes a body-centered cubic metal layer, one or more catalyst layers, and one or more hydrogen-permeable, intermetallic diffusion barriers deposited between the body-centered cubic metal layer and the one or more catalyst layers. The body-centered cubic metal layer can include a group 5 metal. The one or more hydrogen-permeable, intermetallic diffusion barriers can each include a group 4 nitride, which may be applied via reactive sputtering. The one or more catalyst layers can each include a platinum group metal. The composite metal membrane may be symmetric in configuration, with a first hydrogen-permeable, intermetallic diffusion barrier between the body-centered cubic metal layer and a first catalyst layer, and a second hydrogen-permeable, intermetallic diffusion barrier between the body-centered cubic metal layer and a second catalyst layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2024
    Publication date: December 12, 2024
    Inventors: Colin A. Wolden, Adam Job, James Douglas Way
  • Patent number: 11925921
    Abstract: The present invention relates to catalysts, methods of making catalysts, and methods of using catalysts, where the catalysts include: at least one of a transition metal and a transition metal oxide supported by yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), where the transition metal is promoted by at least one of an alkali metal and an alkaline-earth metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES
    Inventors: James Douglas Way, Colin A. Wolden, Zhenyu Zhang
  • Patent number: 11090628
    Abstract: A catalytic membrane reactor and methods of operating and producing the same are provided that efficiently produces highly pure hydrogen (H2) from ammonia (NH3) as well as operates according to other chemical conversion processes. In one embodiment, a tubular ceramic support made from porous yttria-stabilized zirconia has an outer surface that is impregnated with a metal catalyst such as ruthenium and then plated with a hydrogen permeable membrane such as palladium. An inner surface of the ceramic support is impregnated with cesium to promote conversion of ammonia to hydrogen and nitrogen (N2). The resulting catalytic membrane reactor produces highly pure hydrogen at low temperatures and with less catalytic loading. Therefore, ammonia can be used to effectively transport hydrogen for use in, for example, fuel cells in a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Colorado School of Mines
    Inventors: James Douglas Way, Colin A. Wolden
  • Publication number: 20210046456
    Abstract: The present invention relates to catalysts, methods of making catalysts, and methods of using catalysts, where the catalysts include: at least one of a transition metal and a transition metal oxide supported by yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), where the transition metal is promoted by at least one of an alkali metal and an alkaline-earth metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventors: James Douglas Way, Colin A. Wolden, Zhenyu Zhang
  • Publication number: 20200269208
    Abstract: A catalytic membrane reactor and methods of operating and producing the same are provided that efficiently produces highly pure hydrogen (H2) from ammonia (NH3) as well as operates according to other chemical conversion processes. In one embodiment, a tubular ceramic support made from porous yttria-stabilized zirconia has an outer surface that is impregnated with a metal catalyst such as ruthenium and then plated with a hydrogen permeable membrane such as palladium. An inner surface of the ceramic support is impregnated with cesium to promote conversion of ammonia to hydrogen and nitrogen (N2). The resulting catalytic membrane reactor produces highly pure hydrogen at low temperatures and with less catalytic loading. Therefore, ammonia can be used to effectively transport hydrogen for use in, for example, fuel cells in a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: James Douglas Way, Colin A. Wolden
  • Patent number: 10159969
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method to synthesize ammonia at moderate conditions. The present invention also relates to a new chemical reactor configuration to achieve ammonia synthesis at moderate pressures and temperatures, and methods to make membranes for use in ammonia synthesis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Colorado School of Mines
    Inventors: James Douglas Way, Sean-Thomas Bourne Lundin, Colin A. Wolden
  • Publication number: 20160288114
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method to synthesize ammonia at moderate conditions. The present invention also relates to a new chemical reactor configuration to achieve ammonia synthesis at moderate pressures and temperatures, and methods to make membranes for use in ammonia synthesis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: James Douglas Way, Sean-Thomas Bourne Lundin, Colin A. Wolden
  • Publication number: 20140251131
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to palladium-alloyed membranes, and more specifically to palladium-alloyed membranes for high temperature applications and to methods for making and using the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventors: James Douglas Way, Sabina Kathleen Gade, Amanda Elizabeth Lewis, Hani Walid Abu El Hawa